Features & Offers

Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) foraging among gorse

Springing into life

Harry McGrath, Berkophile and director of environmental adventure company Hamba Africa, enjoys watching the signs of spring, whether here or abroad. Every year as the northern hemisphere blossoms into spring, we get to witness one of the most profound, powerful and optimistic natural displays exemplified by plants and animals alike. The display of urgency, of […]

Pencils fanning out in heart shape

What is art therapy?

Berkhamsted art psychotherapist Debi Magonet explains art therapy. When words aren’t enough Not everything we feel begins with words. Anxiety might arrive as tightness in your chest. Grief as a heavy weight. Joy as colour and movement. Our experiences are often held in the body as a jumble of sensations, shapes, textures or sounds long […]

close up of a pretty black woman with curly hair sleeping in bed closed eyes

Dream (days and nights)

Understanding your sleep style can be the first step to getting a good night’s rest. The restless worrier Takes a long time to fall asleep, wakes up often during the night, and usually feels tired in the daytime. These stressed-out snoozers are more likely than most to experience issues such as depression, anxiety, stress or […]

Books

An eclectic mix of books for readers this spring, with fascinating fiction, local history, and a guide to mental and emotional wellbeing. The Adventures of Annie Harrison: The Antiques Dealer Who Hears Dead People The Further Adventures of Annie Harrison by B G Lambourne Set in and around Tring, this delightful and highly readable pair […]

IVBoost Berkhamsted

IVBOOST Berko launches new treatment with reader offer

IVBOOST Berkhamsted has just introduced a new whole-body cryotherapy treatment and is offering an exclusive reader offer running until the end of March. IVBOOST is a doctor-led longevity clinic offering medical-grade treatments focused on recovery, energy, skin health and preventative wellbeing. The Berkhamsted clinic has recently expanded its offering to include whole-body cryotherapy, a treatment […]

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Home decor trends

Home decor is changing – with warm, earthy tones, organic shapes, sustainability and pattern taking centre stage. This year, UK interior design strongly favours warm, inviting, and personalised spaces rather than stark minimalism. A widespread shift toward deeper, earthy colour palettes – think warm neutrals, moss greens, rich browns, and terracotta – is replacing cooler […]

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DIY v expert

Your guide to which outdoor jobs require a professional, and which ones you can easily do yourself. Leave it to the experts Landscaping and grand design Professional landscapers bring knowledge of soil, drainage, plant compatibility and design principles to the table, with specialist equipment for large-scale earthworks or structural changes, while also ensuring compliance with […]

bird among a flowering tree sings a spring song , springtime

Get spring ready

Carl Hooper, from luxury garden buildings experts Crown Pavilions, offers advice on preparing your garden for spring. Spring is a season of renewal and an ideal time to focus on your garden’s health and layout. Drawing on years of experience working with outdoor spaces and garden structures, Carl Hooper has put together five practical tips […]

Illuminated home garden path patio lights and plants in autumn evening dusk

Ask the expert

Light it up Layton Dyer of Layis Landscaping offers some tips on choosing garden lighting. Decide what it’s for: Is it for atmosphere, safety, or to show off features? Knowing this prevents lighting from becoming overdone. Less is more: The best garden lighting is barely noticed. A few well-placed lights will always beat lots of […]

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Why the early years matter

Tring-based Pendley Day Nursery highlights the importance of the early years as the formative stage where children grow into themselves and begin to shape who they will become. The early years of a child’s life are a time of remarkable growth and development. These first few years lay the foundation for everything that follows – […]

Modern Parisian apartment living room interior

A design for life

Designer, writer and television presenter Kevin McCloud is best known for the successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. Here, the architectural business owner talks about the potential of our homes as spring approaches. I’ve recently been visiting projects around the UK where designers are experimenting with natural light, renewable materials, and clever, modular solutions […]