Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes, Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frankand Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley for the 60th episode of ‘Small Ways to Live Well’, delving into all the many ways we can dabble our way through the summer. 

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our partner for Season 10, Titanic Belfast. You can find out more at titanicbelfast.com or follow them on instagram @titanicbelfast to hear some of their stories and discover how to visit for yourself.

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. 

In the June issue (168) 

Citizen science projects to join in with

Know a thing or two about… salt

Tiny home

Coming up… 

In July AMBLE issue on sale from 26 June

Letterboxing

Blank canvas interviews with people who create from scratch

In August MAGICAL issue, on sale from 24 July

Puzzle special and interviews with puzzle makers

Magical creatures of the sea

In previous issues, available at picsandink.com

Treasure hunts (Anthology Volume 4)

Sneak peeks – Step behind the scenes of museums and stately homes, factories and train stations (issue 119)

Open farms (issue 166)

Metal detectorists (issue 166)

Buy a back issue of Ernest journal 

On the blog

How to hunt for buried treasure

To do

Celebrate World Ocean Day

Ride the Mail Rail

Open Farm Sunday

National Garden Scheme 

Join The Simple Things’ wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and author of The Slow Traveller Jo Tinsley as they talk summer ball games and park yoga, music and memories and making the most of sunny days in the garden. 

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

In the May issue (167) 

Balls identifier. Illustrations by Sarah Edmonds www.sarahedmondsshop.com

In the June issue (168) 

Park yoga picnic - enjoy a sunshine stretch followed by a tasty lunch and catch up with friends

Why weight? The physical and mental benefits of getting stronger 

My place: outdoor kitchens to swoon over

In the July issue (169) available to buy from 26 June here

Music and memories – how songs have the power to transport us to our most life changing moments. 

Read – Transported: The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams by Elizabeth Margulis (Oneworld)

Listen – The Simple Things publish an original playlist every issue. Find them here

My Living –  Jo talks to Lois Povey of community pub Tafarn Yr Heliwr, Nefyn. 

On the blog

Grown up lollies

Cucumber mint and lemonade lollies recipe

Berry coconut lollies recipe 

Watermelon slices on a lolly stick recipe

From previous issues available to buy here

Looking back –  women in sport (Issue 88)

The history of the pub beer garden (Issue 131)

How to harness the sun in your garden (144)

Picking petals and leaves for cooking (120)

Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley as they talk about sharing a fondness for camping, appreciating the joys of larking about, spontaneous adventures and magical creatures.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. 

On the blog

Recipe: Herdwick lamb curry in a hurry

Camping recipe | Smoky Boston beans & armadillo potatoes

In the June issue (168) on sale from 29 May and available to buy here 

Peaky Blinders: Ways to mark 75 years of the UK’s first National Park 

In the May issue (167) on sale now 

The joy of larking about – Swap organised fun for magical spontaneity 

Magical creatures – An appreciation of the sky lark 

In previous issues available at picsandink.com

My Living – The campsite (158)

Open to visit – The idea of ‘explorer days’ (157)

The pursuit of pleasure – It’s time to move things up the list (122)

To read

The School of Life: Small Pleasures – what makes life truly valuable (2022)

Join editor of The Simple Things magazine Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they appreciate summer foods and sensory walks, explore the medicinal benefits of garden herbs and rediscover the pleasure of handwriting a letter.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast 

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

In the May issue (167) available to buy here

Berry Shrub and other recipes from Michelle Tansley’s cottage garden in our new series, A Good Life

Switching on the senses – discover the moodboosting benefits of sensory walks

Bloom scrolling – self edit your feeds for a more fulfilling online experience

In the June issue (168) available to buy from 29 May here 

Weekend project – make your own herbal bug spray and natural after sun balm

Cake in the house - Elderflower and strawberry tart

Read our favourite entries from our midsummer microfiction competition. 

Find out more about National Flash Fiction Day on 13 June nationalflashfictionday.co.uk

On the blog

Spring beans on toast – broad beans and ricotta with elderflower dressing recipe

Pea cheesecake recipe

Rhubarb and sweet cicely shrub with Aperol recipe 

Natural first aid for bee, wasp and jelly fish stings taken from The Natural First Aid Handbook by Brigitte Mars (Storey Publishing)

Elderflower toner 

Chickweed Ice cube aftersun 

Letters that changed the world 

To read

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (Penguin Books)

From previous issues available to buy here

The joy of writing a letter April (167)

Join editor of The Simple Things magazine Lisa Sykes and regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller Jo Tinsley as they explore ways of tending to your patch and your flock, whether that’s pottering in the garden, looking after your local bees or exploring your local neighbourhood. 

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our sponsor Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

In the May issue (167) available to buy here

A good life: On the edge of the Derbyshire Dales, Michelle Tansley grows food and flowers in her cottage garden. 

Pottering about: Clever ways to give old plant pots new purpose in the garden 

My Neighbourhood Frome 

Leave it and reap: Plant once and harvest for years: perennial vegetables are an easy addition to a plot 

Churchyard rewilding

Coming up in the June issue – on sale from 29 May or try an immediate start subscription to get it earlier

Simple ideas, using recycled materials, to help your garden grow and bloom. Taken from Way to Grow: Over 100 hacks for green-fingered greatness by Simon Akeroyd (DK)

From back issues available to buy here

Know a thing or two: bees (Flourish Volume 3)

DIY beeswax wraps (issue 96)

Gathering: For a Sunday lunch with a difference ask friends to BYOT – bring your own trowel – and share the joy of planting and potting for the new season (issue 141)

On the blog

Garden hacks | Turn a shoe-hanger into a tool rack

Garden hacks | Reuse cooking water on your plants

Garden hacks | Make a colander hanging basket

Garden hacks | DIY seed tapes

Beeswax wraps

Stress-busting Massage Balm

Join editor of The Simple Things magazine Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they dive into folk festivals, May Day customs, folklore and dancing. And to mark International Dawn Chorus Day (3 May), there’s an (amateur!) birdsong quiz…

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our supporter for this season Titanic Belfast. Find out more and how to visit at titanicbelfast.com and on Instagram @titanicbelfast

Editing and music by  Arthur Cosslett

In the April issue (166) available to buy here

Speak easy: how to have better conversations 

In the May issue (167) available to buy here

Up with the lark: Have an early picnic while enjoying the birdsong before heading home for a second breakfast. We enjoy using the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify birdsong.

Almanac: Embrace all things folk with the many May festivals from Jack in the Green to Garland Day and Beating the Bounds

Modern Eccentrics – mods

The Brighton Mod Weekender takes place from 27-30 August. 

Coming up in the June issue – on sale from 29 May or try an immediate start subscription to get it earlier

Learn all about The Lost Giants of Lostwithiel, Cornwall, the designers and co-creators of giants and beasts of disguise. 

From back issues available to buy here

Scene setting: look to the landscape to discover the folk tales they’ve inspired (Issue 151) Photography from the book Unseen Scotland by Bryan Millar Walker (Greenfinch)

Modern Eccentrics: The Circus (Issue 118) Giffordscircus.com

Modern Eccentrics: vintage car lovers (Issue 155). Women Drivers’ Social Club: facebook.com/WDSC

Fairground attraction: Joby Carter of Carter’s Steam Fair on the art of signwriting (Issue 142)

Join editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they embark on a dawn walk, discuss what they like to cook and eat over Easter and ways to maintain balance at this pivotal point of the year.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass, an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. 

On the blog

Easter feasting

Eggs en cocotte

Brioche hot cross buns

Rabbit biscuits

Austrian easter cakes Gugelhuph

Italian Easter Pie Torta Pasqualina

Hen keeping fact sheet 

What plants to plant in your garden for hens

In the March issue (165) available to buy here

Looking back: the history of the public clock

In the April issue (166) available to order here

Spring tartiflette

That’s all yolks! From pheasant egg Yorkshire puds to easter egg tiramisu

Left field farms –  where to try willow weaving, goat yoga and llama trekking

Small treasures – mini plants for spring and summer colour

The Big Idea – Lucky People by Nobuko Nakano

The wonder of whimsy 

Flourish (Volume four) our latest wellbeing bookazine available to buy here

Homebird  – our new bookazine about making the most of where you live. Available to order here 

Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley. We’ll be capturing that feeling you get when larks and adventures (or even just the possibility of them) beckons you from your bed. We’re getting out and about, doing a spot of foraging, discussing what makes a good walk and because it’s Mothers Day, there are a few mum stories too

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here 

Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass, an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. 

On the blog

Book-based trails

In the March issue (165) on sale now, available to buy here 

Could do list

Outing – follow-your-nose trails

How to drink magnolia

The fine art of mothering – artist Caroline Walker

In the new April issue on sale from 27 March. Order at picsandink.com from 23 March

Blossom foraging

In previous issues available at picsandink.com. 

Climbing a Small Hill (Issue 67)

Taking a train to the sea (Issue 61)

Sketching (Issue 39)

Lost gardens (Issue 153)

Wisdom: daughters learning from their mothers (153)

In our new Homebird bookazine

Outing - Reading the landscape when you are on a walk

Foraging – Hawthorn and elderflower in spring hedgerows

Learn more

Rivington Terraced Gardens

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Hawkstone Park Follies, Shropshire

The walker’s guide to clues and signs by Tristan Gooley

Britain’s Best Small Hills by Phoebe Smith

The Monsal Trail, Peak District

Slow ways – connecting rural and urban spaces

Make ways – Places you’d like to be able to walk

National Parks in 100 seconds

Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and our regular co-host, contributor to the magazine and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley, as they get thinking about how spring is much better time than wintry new year to take stock of you, exploring realisations and understanding about yourself and others. If you think that sounds a bit serious, do not worry, we’ll also be doing a procrastination quiz, learning life lessons from literature and highlighting a few of the great women and their stories we have featured in the magazine for International Women’s Day.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass, an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett 

On the blog

Quiz | Which member of The Famous Five are you?

In previous issues (on sale at picsandink.com)

Kitchen Therapy: Layers of onions (Issue 164)

Life lessons from Russian Literature (issue 64). Read more in The Anna Karenina fix by Viv Groskop 

Lessons from The Famous Five (Issue 123)

Gifts from the Goddesses – Contemporary retellings of greek myths (issue 122)

Life Lessons from Alice – Be curious, eat cake and never steal jam tarts from royalty (Issue 109)

Procrastination Quiz – Find it hard to Get Stuff Done, occasionally? Take our entirely scientific and extremely focused quiz and find out exactly what type of procrastinator you are and how best to overcome it (or simply live alongside it). (Issue 87)

As Good As Your Word – Using more positive language can make a big difference to your life, reawakening your confidence and boosting your happiness (Issue 76)

Wisdom: women doing what they love across the UK’s paths and roads, bridleways and waters (Issue 156)

Wisdom: Learn with Mother – women who have each inherited unique qualities from their mothers, with childhood lessons carried into their adult lives (issue 153)

Flip-thinking - turning problems into opportunities (issue 129)

Future tense: why some anxiety is good for us (issue 123)

In our Flourish Volume 4

Mental Notes – Life lessons from around the globe

Find out more

Words Can Change Your Brain by Dr Andrew Newberg and Mark Waldman (Penguin) 

50 Sentences That Make Life Easier: A Guide for More Self-Confidence by Kari

Join The Simple Things’ Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frankand our regular co-host, contributor to the magazine and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley, as they talk about how these early days of spring bring about a rise in energy, an urge to sort and maybe spring clean and how to bring new life to old and get out in the garden.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to our partner for Season 9, Friends of Glass, an organisation that celebrates and supports glass packaging for food, drink and cosmetics. Find out more about why glass is better for health, taste and the environment and follow them on instagram @friendsofglassuk

 Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett 

On the blog

Koromagae Linen Spray

In the March issue (165) on sale now, available to buy here

Spruce up – As the garden springs back to life, now is the time to rejuvenate neglected corners. 

Magical Creatures: An appreciation of the first butterfly of the year

Home Economics: Tropical Fruits. How to ensure the long journey of these drops of sunshine is worth its while.

Gathering: Clothes swap brunch 

Wisdom: The joy of enough. A change in circumstances made Anna Kilpatrick rethink her life. 

In the Feb issue (164) available to buy here

My Place: linen cupboards 

Change by numbers: Helping to make the world a better place 

In our Flourish Volume 4

Pleasure Garden – Spring seems to arrive sooner when you have fruit trees and blossom

The First Blossom:  a promise of renewal each spring. 

Find out more

Plantlife's No Mow May Movement

Not Needing New: A Practical Guide to Finding the Joy of Enough (Orion)