Sophie Harris

Monty Don has lived with his wife, Sarah, at Longmeadow near Leominster in Herefordshire since the early 1990s. The neglected Tudor house and two-acre garden have been gradually restored, with the garden now divided into the Cottage, Jewel, Paradise and Vegetable gardens and serving as a major filming location for BBC Gardeners' World. Leominster is described as an affordable market town near the Welsh border, with average property prices of about £235,809 over the past year; detached homes averaged £322,427, semi-detached homes £236,519 and terraced homes £188,075. Overall prices were 1% lower than the previous year but 2% above the 2022 peak.

Tring in Hertfordshire is presented as an underrated destination within easy reach of Cambridge and London. The town combines Georgian and Victorian architecture, independent shops, cafés and restaurants with attractions including the Natural History Museum at Tring, Tring Park and the Grand Union Canal. Nearby highlights include Ashridge Estate, Whipsnade Zoo and Berkhamstead, while local recommendations include Black Goo Coffee, the Tufted Duck, Nonna's and Tring Brewery.

A recipe developer recommends washing strawberries in a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water for up to a minute to reduce mould spores and extend freshness. After rinsing and thoroughly drying, the fruit should be stored in a lined container in the refrigerator. The method can also help preserve other berries, while bananas should be kept out of warm areas and separated to slow ripening.