Lauren Hughes
Freelance writer

8 clever outdoor buys that create privacy without blocking light
Garden screening inspiration that will ensure your outdoor space still feels airy and bright

'If I were investing today, I'd look at textiles': Antiques experts say these are the 7 'next big' collectables
While the market may be notoriously hard to predict, antiques experts share their insights into rising trends

7 ways to make an overlooked garden feel more private – including the best fast-growing hedges
Create a secluded sanctuary with these garden privacy ideas for any style or budget

Best RHS wildflower gardens to visit in full bloom this summer
Explore these stunning locations to see spring flowers in full bloom

'Ornaments don't make sense in modern interiors now': 7 collectables that are losing value fast in 2026
Antiques experts on the items that have lost their appeal amid due to cultural shifts and oversupply

The UK's answer to Route 66? Try these 9 beautiful stops along the South West 660
This is arguably England's most beautiful coastal road trip – and we've sorted the itinerary

3 things to do with lilac after flowering, including the key pruning task
A little bit of care can go a long way with low maintenance lilacs

7 perennials to plant in May for beautiful summer flowers – including elegant aquilegia
May is the perfect time to establish these

How to grow gladioli in May for a bold late-summer display: 5 secrets to success
Gladioli is a distinctive flower that's part of the iris family

Spent flowers taking up space? Monty Don’s clever trick to free up best pots for summer planting
This handy hack will ensure spring blooms aren't disrupted

How to transform a lacklustre patio into a cosy second living room this spring
Transform your outdoor living area for summer with these low-maintenance tips

4 forgotten, old-English vegetables to plant for years of crops – including nine-star broccoli
These hardy vegetables are worth a try, offering different flavours and better staying power than the usual varieties

Aldi's £17.99 portable greenhouse is the ultimate space-saver for small gardens and patios
It's a gardening must-have if you're short on planting space

Upgrade your sleep for less — get a bestselling Emma mattress for under £200 this weekend
The refurbished range offers signature styles at lower prices, with special discounts this weekend

The surprisingly simple laundry trick that could cut summer energy bills
A new scheme will reward families with free electricity for doing their washing on sunny weekends

Keep dandelions off your lawn for good with these 5 preventative tricks – including a mowing hack
Gardeners share their expert tips for keeping 'opportunistic' dandelions away

6 container plants to keep patios and small gardens colourful all summer
These hardy plants and vegetables will thrive in pots and planters

Keep your garden roses free from black spot with this £1.20 fridge staple
Milk is an unlikely hero when it comes to preventing fungus — here's why it could save your roses

Camellias will return brighter and healthier next year if you do this post-flowering job in April
Don't wait until the summer to prune camellias

Dog owners warned about toxic spring plants – including tulips and bluebells
These common seasonal flowers could cause serious harm to pets

Sow these 8 vegetables in April for a bumper homegrown harvest before it's too late
April is a peak sowing month for vegetables as the soil starts to warm

Front garden ideas: 8 inspiring ways to create a welcoming entrance – including pretty climbers
Create an entrance that is always a pleasure to pass through

Daffodils in your garden? Do this crucial April job now before it's too late
Daffodils are synonymous with spring and require little maintenance aside from this simple job

6 retro gardening hacks that still work today – including using eggshells as planters
Old-school tips and tricks that will give your garden a boost this spring

12 most underrated garden flowers you’re not growing yet – including chocolate-scented cosmos
Expert gardeners share the unusual flowers to add to your garden

5 spring bedding plants to deadhead in April for longer-lasting blooms
If you're heading out into the garden this week, here are five flowers you should think about deadheading

Where to see tulips in the UK: 7 stunning locations to visit this spring
Tulips typically reach peak bloom in late April

How to use aluminium foil to keep garden pests away this spring
This non-toxic hack has been shown to have promising results for banishing unwanted garden visitors

'Make flowerbeds ping’: Alan Titchmarsh shares essential job to do before spring planting
The horticulture expert advises a few simple steps before spring planting — and it's all to do with the soil

'Our dog is the unofficial matchmaker who brought us together' — 3 couples who found love through their pets
It turns out that a shared love of dogs could be the secret to lasting love

Is your dog ruining your sex life? Owners confess their bedroom dilemmas
From muddy paws on the duvet cover to midnight barking sessions, dogs and bedroom antics don’t always go hand in hand

Meet the DINKWADs: Why more couples are choosing pets over children
From tailoring holidays to special celebrations, these DINKWAD couples will do anything for their dogs

Moss taking over? Monty Don says 'fork' your lawn now for thicker grass
Clear the moss now and your garden will thank you by summer

The best hotels in Ireland, from coastal retreats to country estates
From grand medieval castles to chic boutique hotels, these are the best hotels in Ireland

The charming Kent seaside town that's a rising star for weekend escapes
It offers its own unique blend of history, art and food

What to plant in March: 27 easy wins for summer colour and crops
Spring is in the air and it's time to get planting

The Causeway Coast & Glens: Where to eat, stay and explore
Nature takes centre stage at this beautiful coastal destination

24 unmissable Cotswolds hotels – from luxury spas to dog-friendly hideaways
From stately manors to classic pubs, these are the Cotswold hotels to know about

Planning a Norfolk escape? 10 picturesque towns and villages to book now
From Horning to Wells, Norfolk is dotted with charming towns and villages

The 16 best hotels in Kent for a mini-break in the Garden of England
From spa resorts to seaside hotels with a gulls-eye view of the English Channel, here's our pick of the best hotels in Kent

5 UK walks that feel straight out of Wuthering Heights
Dramatic landscapes worthy of a Gothic romance

20 cabinet and countertop colour combinations for a well-balanced kitchen
Clever ideas to create harmony in your kitchen

11 moody images that show the Yorkshire Moors in all their glory
Photographers capture the drama and intrigue of the Yorkshire Moors throughout the seasons...

6 spaces to declutter in January for a more organised 2026
Your essential decluttering checklist for the new year

A quick guide to fluffing a Christmas tree for maximum fullness
Why not turn Christmas tree fluffing into a festive event?

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way road trip rivals the North Coast 500 – 11 unmissable stops to see
The untamed West of Ireland offers rugged landscapes and warm hospitality in equal measure

'Sustainability is very important to me': Meet the artisan behind the first plant-based royal warrants
The 3D warrants will be visible in several locations this autumn

Next-generation glamping: Best glass lodges and stylish huts to super-luxe treehouses
Incredible places to stargaze and get back to nature

12 best autumn photo opportunities around the UK
The most picturesque places to visit this season

10 best orchards in the UK for apple picking and autumn colour
A scenic day out for all ages

70s decor is back – 4 ways to give it a modern twist
From bubble shapes to 'lemontini' yellow, brilliant ways to embrace the decade's iconic style in 2025...

How to collect seeds from perennials – plus the clever storage hack to keep them dry
Your future garden will thank you

Lakeside lodges to heavenly houseboats, 18 off-grid boltholes for autumn mini breaks
Our pick of huts and hideaways to escape to (and maybe steal a style tip or two from)

This vintage garden design trend is having a revival – here are 6 ways to embrace it
Put a contemporary twist on this classic garden structure

These worrying signs suggest autumn is already here – and nature is a little confused
The higher temperatures this year have potentially devastating effects for wildlife

Meet meadowcore, cottagecore’s softer, wilder and more attainable cousin
Meadowcore, the aesthetic of late summer, is having a resurgence - here's how to get the look

How to prune cherry trees – including 3 expert tips to know before you start
It's important to recognise the differences between types of cherry trees when it comes to pruning

Is your attention span getting shorter? Try this surprisingly easy (and free) way to boost it
Could Attention Restoration Theory help you regain focus?

A 'road trip revival' is underway with 1 in 3 returning to nostalgic childhood holidays
Plus, 7 ways on how to embrace one

How to prune hydrangeas and get the most out of this flamboyant flower
Hydrangeas are a fairly self-sufficient flower, but a little maintenance goes a long way

Unassuming Welsh city crowned the UK’s most dog-friendly destination
Some of the most beautiful dog walks in the UK

I visited Northern Ireland’s emerging seaside town – here are 9 reasons to go
The 2025 Open has put Portrush into the global spotlight, but there are so many reasons to visit this coastal gem

Smart gardeners are getting 'messy' this year – here's why you should too
Messy gardens allow gardeners to get creative while helping wildlife thrive

The surprising harvesting tip that protects your tomatoes from pests
A gardening expert offers a genius tip that ensures you won't compromise on flavour