Woman's Weekly

Few sights are more heartening than a cascading carpet of pearly snowdrops, which sweep across Britain’s forests, riverbanks and grasslands in late winter. Lift your spirits with a stroll through the Grade II-listed gardens of Rode Hall in Cheshire,

Gooseberry bushes are prone to mildew if their branches are tangled and overgrown. Prune to ensure the plants have an open centre to allow air to flow through easily. Young trees and hedges can be weighed down by heavy snowfall, which may snap branch

You asked recently what holidays we were all planning next. I cannot wait, when things are safe again, to finally go to Spain again, this time taking my partner Adam. We have never been abroad together and were supposed to travel to Spain for my 40th

A few years ago I told my husband I’d like a camel coat for Christmas. He bought eight or 10 coats, ranging in price from £20 to £200. I tried them all on and this one from New Look won! I’ve teamed it with an H&M hat, jumper from & Other Stories, gl

Here I am on my wedding day with my father, about to go down the aisle. He was shaking like a leaf and told me not to go too slowly! The satin dress was borrowed from my sister-in-law, and my mother-in-law made all the bridesmaids’ dresses. My gown w

Britain’s impressive spa towns owe their magnificence to mineral-rich natural springs. Developed largely by the Romans, Georgians and Victorians, they attracted people searching cures for ever ything from gout and rheumatism to sciatica and back pain

Brenda Blethyn was on the verge of quitting acting when she was offered the role of much-loved detective Vera, and she admits that she still threatens to hang up her character’s famous coat and hat for good every single year when filming finishes. ‘

This is an easy way to start the day with a sense of positivity and accomplishment. Experts believe making your bed can be an indication that you’re on your way to greater things, since it sets you up in a success mindset. It’s also the first step to

“I’ve always used an electric typewriter, but my eyes aren’t good enough now to read what’s on the paper 22 inches away. I know: I measured it! So I bought some calligraphy pens and wrote all 428 pages by hand of my latest book, A Man of Honour. It w

WHO I’VE MET Celia Sandys, Winston Churchill’s granddaughter. In my next book, I have to describe some of the reception rooms in 10 Downing Street. I went there a few times when Mrs Thatcher was PM, but I wanted to ask Celia to refresh my memory. WH

If you’ve overdone it with heat styling and your hair is looking lifeless, use this bond-restoring mask every week. Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, £26, feelunique.com Get mirror-like shine from a shampoo infused with actual pearl extract. O

When she watches her daughters, aged eight and three, play, Suzy Stanton, 49, often thinks back to the agonising time when she thought she might never be a mum. The years of trying, followed by seemingly endless hurdles and hoops they painstakingly h

SERVES 2 ✣250g (9oz) baby new potatoes✣4 medium tomatoes, deseeded and diced✣75g (2½oz) pitted green olives, sliced✣1 large avocado, chopped✣Juice of 1 lemon✣2tbsp olive oil✣2 tuna steaks✣ 4 anchovies✣Fresh basil, to serve (optional) 1 Boil or stea

Launched in 1937, when call boxes were popular. The number 999 was said to be the easiest to locate on a rotary-dial telephone in the dark, as the ‘9’ was next but one to the small metal finger stop. Call to talk to your local officer, receive crime

Carrying out household chores could help keep your memory sharp, according to research from Singapore. The study, published in BMJ Open, showed that a mix of light housework (washing-up, making beds) and heavier tasks (cleaning windows, vacuuming) wa

‘Include a source of protein with every meal,’ advises nutritionist Rob Hobson. ‘Protein foods include meat, fish, Quorn, tofu, beans and pulses.’ Exercise helps reduce blood-glucose levels, as your body’s cells gobble up glucose for energy. It can a

A randomised trial has showed that giving flu vaccine shortly after acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) reduced death rates by 30-40% over the following year. A large-case control study from Spain has now made the related discovery that flu va

Unlike acute rhinitis, chronic rhinitis lasts longer and is usually an allergic response to specific allergens such as pollen, dust or pet hair – the body’s immune system overreacts to their presence. Airborne allergens including pollen, mould, dust

A Involuntary weight loss is a cause for concern, even if you’re severely overweight and happy to lose a few pounds. Underlying diseases that can cause you to lose weight include cancers (25% of cases), non-malignant organic disease such as thyroid d

Create a cohesive look with your finishing touches. A soap dispenser, tumbler, storage pot and soap dish set add finesse without breaking the bank. Bathrooms often lack storage, so make every piece of furniture work harder. Install a mirrored cabine

This is lovely hot from the oven and delicious cold the next day too! SERVES 6 ✣1kg (2¼lb) mixed frozen berries, such as raspberries, blueberries and blackberries✣4tbsp demerara sugar✣ 1tbsp cornflour✣Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon✣2 star anise✣5

While Benidorm is at the forefront of many people’s minds when it comes to the Costa Blanca coast, just 15 minutes up the road you could enjoy a refreshing break. Arriving in the province of Alicante is a delight – the weather is still balmy in wint

Suspended in a cloudless blue sky, Mavis looked down at the gold and green patchwork, and inhaled deeply. The feeling of being lighter than air was exhilarating. The sudden blast from the burners startled her. ‘How are you enjoying the flight, Mrs S

One of the most popular winter flowers, hellebores are tough cookies that burst into flower in early winter, even when the ground is frost-hard or blanketed in snow. Their ability to bloom when most other plants are dormant is especially welcome for

Approximately 95-100cm but will depend on lengths of string and hanging cord used. 1 x 50g (125m) ball of Scheepjes Catona 4ply (100% cotton) in each of Cream (Bridal White 105), Orange (Royal Orange 189), Turquoise (Cyan 397), Pale Pink (Icy Pink 24

your next order at theknittingnetwork.co.uk To claim your discount, enter code WWS722 at the checkout or call 01795 570303. Terms and conditions: One use per customer. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Offer ends 31 Ma

THE STORY SO FAR: Former paramedic Frankie shares a flat in Fuerteventura with Rik and others who all do a variety of casual work. After cleaning sailing boat Serenity for Miles and Lois Carmichael, her employers, Frankie falls asleep in the spare ca

Lisa had a touch of the Monday blues as she drove along the road that led to the office building where she worked. She enjoyed her job as a marketing manager for a soft drinks brand, but this morning she had just wanted to stay in bed next to Jack, h

How to take years off your age! Cute panda knit for a little one Best make-up foundations Tasty recipes that will also boost your mood On sale 2 February ■

“How were Bob and Angela?’ Mr Dear and I are enjoying lunch in a country pub. At least, we will almost certainly be enjoying it as soon as it arrives. The pub is in a rather upmarket village about 20 minutes’ drive from our house, and was recommended