Latest news with #CountryLiving


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Underrated little UK town named one of Britain's happiest places to live
A market town in Worcestershire has been crowned as one of the top three happiest places to live thanks to its scenic beauty, accessibility and community charm The happiest places to live in Britain have been ranked and a little-known gem has cracked the top three. The medieval market town beat out beloved cities like Lewes, Perth and Aberystwyth with its charming atmosphere and architectural feats. Evesham is the second happiest place to live in Britain, according to the Guardian. The town in Worcestershire comes in just behind Berwick-upon-Tweed which snagged the first place spot and before Caernarfon in Wales in the third spot. Evesham is known as the 'asparagus capital of the UK' - an odd moniker to be sure, but one it holds proudly as the host of the annual British Asparagus festival. In fact for centuries, the Vale of Evesham has been considered the fruit and vegetable basket of England. Visitors will have plenty of opportunity to sample the highest quality produce and can stop by a pick-your-own-fruit and vegetable field. One of the best-known farms in the area is Oaklands Fruit Farm. The farm was established over a decade ago and specialised in the production of high-quality strawberries. The production season starts in April and runs through to October so you'll have ample time to try its daily-picked produce. Sitting on the banks of the River Avon, Evesham is also renowned for its impressive landscape. According to Country Living the town is 'full of charm and beautiful scenery' which explains why it's such a great place to live. Evesham is also home to the award-winning Abbey Park - the site where Evesham Abbey once stood as the third largest Abbey in England. From here, visitors will be within walking distance to the joint Almonry Museum and Tourist Information Centre. The information centre is housed within a 14th century building and details the rich history of the town. The building was once home to the Almoner (chaplain or church officer), who was one of the monks of the Benedictine Abbey. Today, the Almonry is a great place for families and friends to sit in the beautiful garden or take in one of the exciting children's workshops or exhibitions that are hosted year-round. These family-friendly fixtures are a key factor that makes the area so distinctly enjoyable for residents. If that's not enough to convince you, Evesham is only a bus ride away from Stratford-upon-Avon. The town's close proximity to Stratford means locals - and visitors - can enjoy many of the Shakespearean attractions and events that take place each year. 25 happiest places to live in Britain Berwick-upon-Tweed, England Evesham, England Caernarfon, Wales Durham, England York, England Padiham, England Devizes, England Lewes, England Newport, Isle of Wight, England Exeter, England Penzance, England Chichester, England Cirencester, England Aylesbury, England Chesterfield, England Shrewsbury, England Worcester, England Perth, Scotland Haddington, Scotland Aberystwyth, Wales The Ridgeway, Enfield, London Surbiton North, London Clapham Junction, London Bounds Green, London Bromley, London


Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Springwatch's Chris Packham says dogs 'saved my life' during 'dark' time
Chris Packham, 64, has opened up about his mental health battles and how he once 'didn't want to be on this planet any longer', but his beloved pets gave him 'purpose' Chris Packham has poignantly disclosed that his pets provided him with 'purpose' during his lowest moments, confessing: "My dogs saved my life." The much-loved wildlife expert is set to grace our screens again on Monday, May 26, with the return of the beloved series Springwatch, where he will co-host with his long-time colleague Michaela Strachan. Despite his cheerful television presence, the 64-year-old has spoken out about his struggles with mental health and a time when he "didn't want to be on this planet any longer". In an intimate chat with Country Living, Chris, who rose to fame with the '80s hit show The Really Wild Show, revealed: "My dogs saved my life." He elaborated: "I've been in some dark places. I was so miserable I didn't want to be on this planet any longer, but my dogs took that choice away. They gave me the gift of purpose - and it's the reason I'm still here," reports Gloucestershire Live. The devoted animal enthusiast expressed how his connection with his Poodles was so profound that he "couldn't break it". He remarked: "I used to call my previous dogs 'my joy grenades'. I'd let them off the lead, and they'd run for the sheer joy of running. It didn't matter how miserable I was, that would always put a smile on my face." Diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome at the age of 44, Chris notes that individuals on the autism spectrum can often form even stronger bonds with dogs. "I think it's because we're never judged. We are always accepted by that animal: the bonds are very tight," he explained. "Dogs offer us unconditional love. They are always pleased to see us. We trust them implicitly. I sleep with my dogs, we eat the same thing. I have an enormous responsibility and duty of care to make sure that my dogs are happy and healthy." Springwatch is celebrating its 20th year with a brand new segment called Springwatch Street, giving viewers a glimpse into the hidden lives of urban wildlife like foxes and swifts. Ahead of the new series, Chris spoke about his relationship with co-host Michaela, saying: "We're great friends. We know each other really well, so sometimes we may disagree about something, and the team may look at us and think, 'Oh my goodness, the presenters have fallen out!' "But we haven't. We don't get upset about those things. We don't have to agree about everything. We just move on. So, the fact that we're great, lifelong, trusted mates helps, but also that we work in very different ways in terms of way that we approach our job." Springwatch returns to BBC Two from Monday, May 26 at 8pm


The Herald Scotland
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Chris Packham shares why he loves being in the New Forest
The 64-year-old TV presenter and naturalist lives in the area and has spoken about his love for the woodland. It comes as part of Country Living's feature on the favourite 'green and happy' spaces of UK celebrities. The publication said: "For four decades, Country Living has celebrated the power of nature to nourish, soothe and restore us. "So to celebrate our 40th birthday this year, we've asked 40 of our favourite country-loving friends to tell us about the gardens, woods, lakes and mountains that nurture their wellbeing." Chris Packham reveals why he loves the New Forest Speaking to the magazine on the New Forest, Packham explained how he experiences it while living with Asperger's, which is on the autism spectrum. He shared: "I understand the natural world through the prism of autism. I need space and to do things my way. "Each morning, I walk the dogs in the local countryside. It's the best bit of the day." Packham also spoke about living in the New Forest in a prior interview with Country Living, saying how much he connected with it. He explained: "I go back every morning to the woods where I lived up until recently to walk my dogs. "I just love that bit of woods. I wander around there and I know all the trees and I love the way it smells. It's my favourite place. "I woke up this morning and I went outside [my new house] and it smelt different. Recommended reading: "I know it's only a mile and a half away but it smells different here. That sort of connectivity is really important to me." Packham is well-known for presenting Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch on the BBC. He has also been a strong advocate for tackling climate change, even becoming the first non-US-based director of the Climate Emergency Fund in October 2024.


The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Last chance to see vibrant display of bluebells at Kinclaven
Bluebells bloom between March and May (Image: Getty Images) Country Living, which compiled the list, said that by utilising data from the software provider Bókun, they have revealed some of the best floral spots in the UK. 'Stunning' Scottish woodland named the best in the UK for seeing 'vibrant display' of bluebells Kinclaven in Perthshire, Scotland, was named the best place in the UK for catching a glimpse of the "vibrant display" of bluebells by Country Living, but nature lovers will have to act fast. Recommended Reading: Peak blooming months take place between March and May, meaning there are only a couple of weeks left to catch this sight in its prime. Disucssing the spot, the publication said: "Nestled in country Perth in Scotland, Kinclaven is a top bluebell spotting location due to its stunning woodlands. "The popular Kinclaven Bluebell Wood on the bend of the River Tay is known for its vibrant display of bluebells that carpet the woodland floor, surrounded by stunning scenery and rare wildlife."


Daily Record
20-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Pigeons will stay away from garden with nifty kitchen item hack
Pigeons can destroy a gardener's hard work, but it's easy to keep them away If pigeons are being pests and ruining your planted flowers, fruit and vegetables, there is an easy, yet nifty hack that can keep them at bay. And it uses something you will likely already have in the kitchen drawer so you can take action immediately. All gardeners know the perils of birds and animals who take advantage of this time of year to explore and eat. Pigeons, however, can cause chaos thanks to pecking plants and leaving droppings in the garden which can be a source of disease and can even attract other pests. But the solution could well be in your kitchen as experts say tin foil is the key to keeping them at bay this summer. This cheap and very simple way to rid them from the garden is advised by gardening expert Adeel ul-haq who told Country Living that the foil will scare the birds meaning they're less likely to attack plants and defecate in your outdoor space. Adeel said: 'Pigeon droppings are highly acidic and can corrode everything from paint to metal surfaces in your garden. "Not only this, but these droppings can also attract other pests such as rats, which can cause further damage to your home.' He suggests scrunching up tin foil into balls to be hung from trees like Christmas decorations could prove to be an effective deterrent to the birds, reports The Express. He added: 'When the light hits the foil, it reflects and scares the pigeons away.' Adeel said pigeons are sensitive to bright reflective surfaces meaning that the reflection of the sun off the tin foil could be enough to encourage the birds to leave your garden alone. He continued: 'The best way to keep pigeons out of your garden is to make it as unwelcoming as possible without harming them, and a cheap way of doing so is using a roll of foil from the supermarket.' Tin foil is a multi-use item common in most kitchens that can be purchased cheaply online, with Amazon selling rolls for as little as 61p. It will also deter Magpies. Magpies are another nuisance for gardeners as they scavenge and are known to dig holes in lawns. They are also intimidating to smaller birds that you might enjoy visiting. Tin foil balls are a cheap and simple way to deter pigeons from your garden. Despite their reputation for being attracted to shiny things, tin foil balls will disorientate them and make them uncomfortable. Another novel technique to protect plants is to place plastic forks around the garden to further deter pests, according to Gardening experts Farm Flavour. They said: 'Before you toss that box of unused plastic forks from last year's holiday gathering, consider using them in your garden. 'Placing forks in the soil around your plants will discourage animals like raccoons, cats, squirrels and deer from wandering into the garden and helping themselves to your crops.'