From gladiators to gnomes, carnivals to crocodiles, indoor and outdoor theatre, here’s your list of what’s on for kids this half term each day across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.  Please scroll to the bottom of the page for events which are on every day.  Times and prices vary. Please check individual sites/social media before […]

From gladiators to gnomes, carnivals to crocodiles, indoor and outdoor theatre, here’s your list of what’s on for kids this half term each day across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.  Please scroll to the bottom of the page for events which are on every day.  Times and prices vary. Please check individual sites/social media before […]

You don’t need to go to Chelsea to see the best gardens. We’ve got some great ones in Herts, Beds, Bucks & Oxfordshire. Below is a list of my favourites… 🌺 Waterperry Gardens Oxfordshire – these beautifully landscaped gardens created by pioneering female horticulturalist Beatrix Havergal include a riverside walk, borders popping with colour and […]

You don’t need to go to Chelsea to see the best gardens. We’ve got some great ones in Herts, Beds, Bucks & Oxfordshire. Below is a list of my favourites… 🌺 Waterperry Gardens Oxfordshire – these beautifully landscaped gardens created by pioneering female horticulturalist Beatrix Havergal include a riverside walk, borders popping with colour and […]

Here are my top picks for what to do this weekend across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire… Have a great time and don’t forget to check social media/ websites before travel.  Comedy legend Jo Brand is at Hemel Hempstead’s Old Town Theatre on Sat 20th May at 8pm. This is a great chance to see her work in […]

Here are my top picks for what to do this weekend across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire… Have a great time and don’t forget to check social media/ websites before travel.  Comedy legend Jo Brand is at Hemel Hempstead’s Old Town Theatre on Sat 20th May at 8pm. This is a great chance to see her work in […]

Back to a regular two-day weekend and I’m not sure I’m going to cope…here are my recommendations to make the most of your time off. Plus, a couple of events coming up that you’ll want to book tickets for events coming up…  EMERGENCY SERVICES DAY AT BUCKS RAIL CENTRE Sunday 14th May. Ticket prices vary. The […]

Back to a regular two-day weekend and I’m not sure I’m going to cope…here are my recommendations to make the most of your time off. Plus, a couple of events coming up that you’ll want to book tickets for events coming up…  EMERGENCY SERVICES DAY AT BUCKS RAIL CENTRE Sunday 14th May. Ticket prices vary. The […]

FREE- THE CORONATION LIVE SCREENINGS   Lots of the bigger towns in and around the Chilterns– Henley, Watford, Hemel Hempstead , Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Dunstable and Marlow – will all have big screens up on Saturday 6th May so you can enjoy a picnic and watch the Coronation live. Chesham’s Elgiva Theatre will showing the ceremony live free of charge (a good option if it’s raining) as well St Alban’s […]

FREE- THE CORONATION LIVE SCREENINGS   Lots of the bigger towns in and around the Chilterns– Henley, Watford, Hemel Hempstead , Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Dunstable and Marlow – will all have big screens up on Saturday 6th May so you can enjoy a picnic and watch the Coronation live. Chesham’s Elgiva Theatre will showing the ceremony live free of charge (a good option if it’s raining) as well St Alban’s […]

Here’s your guide for the best of what’s on in Herts, Beds, Bucks and Oxfordshire this bank holiday weekend.  The Chilterns is blooming! So many flowers to see from tulips at Chenies in Bucks to fritillaries in Oxfordshire… plus lots more… Tulip Festival at Chenies Manor, nr. Chesham Bucks Sunday 30th April and Bank Holiday Monday […]

Here’s your guide for the best of what’s on in Herts, Beds, Bucks and Oxfordshire this bank holiday weekend.  The Chilterns is blooming! So many flowers to see from tulips at Chenies in Bucks to fritillaries in Oxfordshire… plus lots more… Tulip Festival at Chenies Manor, nr. Chesham Bucks Sunday 30th April and Bank Holiday Monday […]

If you’re looking for an impressive, delicious dessert but don’t want to spend your bank holiday in the kitchen, this No-Bake Coronation Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe is the perfect dessert for you! You can whip up this crowd pleasing pudding quickly to serve at your street parties, family get togethers, picnics and coronation celebrations, without having to do lots of […]

If you’re looking for an impressive, delicious dessert but don’t want to spend your bank holiday in the kitchen, this No-Bake Coronation Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe is the perfect dessert for you! You can whip up this crowd pleasing pudding quickly to serve at your street parties, family get togethers, picnics and coronation celebrations, without having to do lots of […]

SPRING TRANSPORT FESTIVAL – BUCKS RAIL CENTRE Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd April 10.30am-5pm. Ticket prices vary. Heritage transport at its best at this special event.  DR DOOLITTLE, TRING COURT THEATRE Tickets available for Saturday 22nd April, various performances.  Join Dr Doolittle on a perilous voyage to distant islands, discover the Great Pink Sea Snail then fly […]

SPRING TRANSPORT FESTIVAL – BUCKS RAIL CENTRE Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd April 10.30am-5pm. Ticket prices vary. Heritage transport at its best at this special event.  DR DOOLITTLE, TRING COURT THEATRE Tickets available for Saturday 22nd April, various performances.  Join Dr Doolittle on a perilous voyage to distant islands, discover the Great Pink Sea Snail then fly […]

Everyone from Oprah to Davina McCall is talking about peri/menopause. It’s great that menopause and its myriad of symptoms being openly discussed and is no longer shrouded in shame and mystery. Afterall, every single woman on the planet who lives long enough will experience it. But (and this is a big BUT) for those of […]

Everyone from Oprah to Davina McCall is talking about peri/menopause. It’s great that menopause and its myriad of symptoms being openly discussed and is no longer shrouded in shame and mystery. Afterall, every single woman on the planet who lives long enough will experience it. But (and this is a big BUT) for those of […]

Here are my top picks for what’s happening across Herts, Beds, Bucks and Oxon this Easter holidays. ENJOY!   As always, please book in advance and check individual websites/social media before travel.  Don’t forget to tag me on social media if you enjoy one of my recommendations. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Peterley Manor Farm Easter Egg Hunt Prestwood, 4th –6th […]

Here are my top picks for what’s happening across Herts, Beds, Bucks and Oxon this Easter holidays. ENJOY!   As always, please book in advance and check individual websites/social media before travel.  Don’t forget to tag me on social media if you enjoy one of my recommendations. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Peterley Manor Farm Easter Egg Hunt Prestwood, 4th –6th […]

This decadent and stunning looking dessert is surprisingly easy to make. It featuresin the Chilterns Recipe Book and is from Nicola of Violet’s Orchard, jam, chutney and jelly maker extraordinaire. This is a great recipe to make ahead of time, ready for a special meal or Easterfamily get together. Please note that you need to […]

This decadent and stunning looking dessert is surprisingly easy to make. It featuresin the Chilterns Recipe Book and is from Nicola of Violet’s Orchard, jam, chutney and jelly maker extraordinaire. This is a great recipe to make ahead of time, ready for a special meal or Easterfamily get together. Please note that you need to […]

This recipe features in the Chilterns Recipe Book and was contributed by Lauran of Twee, maker of delicious jams, chutneys and preserves from her homegrown fruit and veg. Lauran says: “Easter is big in our family and we do an Easter egg hunt around the garden. You have to make your own bonnet if you want […]

This recipe features in the Chilterns Recipe Book and was contributed by Lauran of Twee, maker of delicious jams, chutneys and preserves from her homegrown fruit and veg. Lauran says: “Easter is big in our family and we do an Easter egg hunt around the garden. You have to make your own bonnet if you want […]

Super scones – quick to make as a lovely savoury snack or to enjoy with some soup.  TIMINGS PREP: 10 mins, COOKING: 10-12 MINS INGREDIENTS   METHOD  1. Pre-heat the oven to 220C/ 200C fan.2. Line a baking tray with baking paper or grease.3. Mix the flour and baking powder, then rub in the butter using your fingertips until the mixture […]

Super scones – quick to make as a lovely savoury snack or to enjoy with some soup.  TIMINGS PREP: 10 mins, COOKING: 10-12 MINS INGREDIENTS   METHOD  1. Pre-heat the oven to 220C/ 200C fan.2. Line a baking tray with baking paper or grease.3. Mix the flour and baking powder, then rub in the butter using your fingertips until the mixture […]

These delicious and easy to make biscuits are great to bake with children as theycan be on the table in less than 30mins. Experiment with all sorts of flavours byusing different oils. This recipe features in the Chilterns Recipe Book and comes from award-winning Chiltern Cold Pressed Oil, known locally as “liquid gold” and loved […]

These delicious and easy to make biscuits are great to bake with children as theycan be on the table in less than 30mins. Experiment with all sorts of flavours byusing different oils. This recipe features in the Chilterns Recipe Book and comes from award-winning Chiltern Cold Pressed Oil, known locally as “liquid gold” and loved […]

The musical trail at The Grove Hotel is a great FREE place to take little ones for a run round. The one-mile-long track has 7 different musical stations, enormous metal xylophones, pan pipes and drums. Some of the instruments that were broken when we visited last summer have been replaced.  This is beautiful place to […]

The musical trail at The Grove Hotel is a great FREE place to take little ones for a run round. The one-mile-long track has 7 different musical stations, enormous metal xylophones, pan pipes and drums. Some of the instruments that were broken when we visited last summer have been replaced.  This is beautiful place to […]

Enjoy this delicious cake with local cream or ice cream. You can add a teaspoon ofcinnamon or ginger to this recipe if you like. This recipe was kindly given to me by the fabulous Chilterns charity Sunnyside Rural Trust, which features in the book. Rhubarb cake is available at the Sunnyside Up Cafe in Hemel […]

Enjoy this delicious cake with local cream or ice cream. You can add a teaspoon ofcinnamon or ginger to this recipe if you like. This recipe was kindly given to me by the fabulous Chilterns charity Sunnyside Rural Trust, which features in the book. Rhubarb cake is available at the Sunnyside Up Cafe in Hemel […]

Make these cute, tasty biscuits for your favourite people this Valentine’s. These are easy to make but please allow time for the dough to chill. I recommend using a lovely local jam as your filling – our favourites are Twee and Violet’s Orchard, both made with homegrown fruit and packed with gorgeous flavours. Makes approx. […]

Make these cute, tasty biscuits for your favourite people this Valentine’s. These are easy to make but please allow time for the dough to chill. I recommend using a lovely local jam as your filling – our favourites are Twee and Violet’s Orchard, both made with homegrown fruit and packed with gorgeous flavours. Makes approx. […]

This classic soup is a real crowd pleaser (even leek haters will love this). It’s a great way to make the most of seasonal, local winter veg. 4 large servings  INGREDIENTS  50g butter 450g potatoes, peeled and chopped into small chunks 1 onion, peeled and chopped  450g white parts of leeks washed and sliced(approx. 3 […]

This classic soup is a real crowd pleaser (even leek haters will love this). It’s a great way to make the most of seasonal, local winter veg. 4 large servings  INGREDIENTS  50g butter 450g potatoes, peeled and chopped into small chunks 1 onion, peeled and chopped  450g white parts of leeks washed and sliced(approx. 3 […]

This refreshing drink compliments the fresh botanicals in Puddingstone Distillery’s gin making it the perfect Valentine’s aperitif.  INGREDIENTS  1 part Campfire Navy Strength gin 4 parts pink grapefruit juice PREPARATION  Mix the Campfire gin with pink grapefruit juice and pour over ice. Add fresh grapefruit as a garnish. 

This refreshing drink compliments the fresh botanicals in Puddingstone Distillery’s gin making it the perfect Valentine’s aperitif.  INGREDIENTS  1 part Campfire Navy Strength gin 4 parts pink grapefruit juice PREPARATION  Mix the Campfire gin with pink grapefruit juice and pour over ice. Add fresh grapefruit as a garnish.