Guides

A man buttoning a chunky grey knitted cardigan over an olive shirt on a town street
How to Care for Winter Clothes and Keep Moths Away
Read the care label first, wash wool cool and dry it flat, steam velvet, brush suede when dry, and store knitwear clean to keep moths away. A practical guide to... Read more...
A red velvet dinner jacket with black satin lapels and a velvet bow tie on a mannequin in a London shop window at Christmas
What to Wear to a Christmas Party: UK Dress Codes Explained
Start with the invitation. What no dress code, smart casual, festive, cocktail and black tie mean for a UK Christmas party, with outfit ideas for women and men, plus shoes... Read more...
A long dining table laid for Christmas dinner with a white cloth, red and white china, silver goblets and red upholstered chairs, with a poinsettia on the sideboard behind.
How to Set a Christmas Dinner Table the British Way
Lay cutlery from the outside in, glasses above the knives and the side plate on the left. A step-by-step guide to setting a Christmas dinner table the British way, with... Read more...
A charcoal wool overcoat and a camel wool overcoat laid flat on a white sheet while a pair of hands photographs them with a camera
How to Choose a Winter Coat for UK Weather
British winters are mild, wet and windy, so the right coat blocks the wind, copes with rain and fits over a jumper. How to pick the style for your days,... Read more...
Trail camera night shot of a fox standing on a lawn while a hedgehog drinks from a water bowl in a British garden
What Visits Your Garden After Dark? UK Night Wildlife Guide
Who visits British gardens at night, from hedgehogs to tawny owls, what autumn means for them, how lighting affects them, and how to watch with a trail camera. Read more...
A huge murmuration of starlings forming a dense, curving shape against a grey winter sky above hedgerow trees and a distant electricity pylon at Gretna
How to See a Starling Murmuration: When and Where to Go
When and where to see starling murmurations in the UK, how to find a roost near you, what time to arrive, why starlings swirl and what to bring. Read more...
Solar lantern stake lights glowing along a frosted garden path at dusk, with lit globe string lights across a pergola behind
Do Solar Garden Lights Work in Winter in the UK?
Yes, but expect shorter evenings. UK data on how much sun solar lights get in winter, why they fade early, and how to angle and place them for a longer... Read more...
A woman lights her way down a dark Victorian hallway with an LED torch during a power cut.
How to Prepare for a Power Cut: A UK Home Checklist
A practical UK power cut checklist: who to call, what to keep in a three-day kit, safe lighting and heat, and how long fridge and freezer food stays safe. Read more...
Tidy Victorian hallway with a wooden coat rack, lucky cat key bowl on a hall table and a doormat by the front door
Practical Home Accessories: How to Make Home Easier to Live In
From the front door inwards: the practical home accessories that help you make the most of your cosy place. Read more...
Back garden at dusk with globe string lights over a pergola, a solar wall light by the door and lantern stake lights along the path
Garden Lighting Ideas: How to Light Your Garden with Solar Lights
Simple garden lighting ideas for darker evenings: solar lights for steps, paths and the patio, a wall light by the door, and a focal point to enjoy from the window. Read more...
Man in a black half-zip jumper and stone tailored trousers walking with a woman in a white wrap blouse and black trousers along a Georgian street in autumn
What Is Smart Casual? A Simple Guide to the Dress Code for Men and Women
What smart casual really means, how it differs from business casual, and easy outfit ideas for men and women, from the office to dinner and the weekend. Read more...
Two walkers on an autumn footpath beside a dry-stone wall, one wearing a fleece, walking trousers and a hiking backpack
What to Wear and Pack for an Autumn Countryside Walk
How to layer for changeable British weather, what to look for in walking trousers and a hiking backpack, and why a head torch and binoculars belong in every rucksack. Read more...
Black laptop tote, tan crossbody bag and black travel backpack on a hallway bench by the front door
How to Choose an Everyday Bag: Tote Bags, Crossbody Bags, Sling Bags and Travel Backpacks
The work tote, the crossbody bag, the sling bag and the weekend travel backpack: how to choose the right bag for each kind of day, and how to look after... Read more...
Cosy kitchen with a loaf on a walnut chopping board, a glass teapot of tea and a stainless steel frying pan on the hob
Kitchen Essentials: From the Morning Pot of Tea to the Evening Cheese Board
A day in a well-loved kitchen: the chopping boards, pans, teapots and tableware worth choosing well, and how to look after them so they last for years. Read more...
Victorian living room with a white classical bust on an alcove shelf, an abstract wood sculpture on the mantelpiece and a blue balloon dog on the coffee table
Shelf Decor Ideas: How to Style Shelves, Mantelpieces and Coffee Tables
Simple shelf decor ideas for bookshelves, mantelpieces and coffee tables, and how to style the ornaments and sculptures you love so your house becomes a home. Read more...
Sage up-and-down wall light, swirl pleated table lamp and marble touch lamp lighting a sitting room corner
How to Choose Home Lighting: Table Lamps, Wall Lights and Outdoor Lights
How to light every room and the way to your door: choosing table lamps, bedside lamps, wall lights, cordless lamps and solar outdoor lights for darker British evenings. Read more...
Men's suede loafers, driving moccasins, black Chelsea boots and two pairs of derby shoes side by side
Men's Loafers, Chelsea Boots and Derby Shoes: A Smart-Casual Shoe Guide
Loafers, Chelsea boots, derby shoes or driving moccasins? How each classic style differs, what to wear them with, how they should fit and how to care for suede. Read more...