Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes, Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley as they take an early evening walk together and ponder over the joy and comfort of a familiar ramble, consider why being outdoors helps us to talk more freely, and finish with a stroll in the footsteps of Jane Austen in Bath’s very own pleasure gardens. 

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things get 30% off and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett. 

In The Simple Things

In the October HUG issue (160) on sale now

Magical creatures – an appreciation of the tawny owl

In the November SPICE issue (161)

An Autumnal roast – it’s the season for roast dinners and this one is a winner

Buy the November issue at picsandink.com from 16 October and on the newsstand from 22 October.

From Flourish, our wellbeing bookazine (Volume 3)

How to do autumn well – foraging, feasting and conker fighting

Outdoor therapy – how it works and techniques to try as your walk

Flourish Volume 4 is coming soon and is available to pre-order with 10% off until 29 October

IN PREVIOUS ISSUES

Which Jane Austen character are you? Fun quiz and events to suit your character. (Issue 154, April 2025)

Moodscapes and walking routes – how different landscapes make us feel. (Issue 154, April 2025). Read more on our blog. Taken from The Walking Cure by Annabel Streets (Bloomsbury Tonic) 

Buy current and back issues here

LEARN MORE

Jane Austen 250 year anniversary events in Bath https://visitbath.co.uk/inspire-me/literary-bath/jane-austen-bath and beyond www.janeausten.co.uk

The joy of a familiar walk by Alice Tatham (Issue 129) Follow Alice on Instagram @thewildwoodmoth

Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank for our own mini harvest festival as they relish this time of abundance for cooking, gathering and squirreling away before the first frosts arrive. 

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

Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. 

On the blog

Hedgrow fizz – foraged berries diluted with sparkling wine or water 

Crab apple whisky 

Crab apple and fennel seed leather

In defence of the pear 

How to stock a store cupboard 

Lessons from Nigella
Baked pear pies 

In the October HUG issue (160) on sale now 

Kitchen therapy – baked pear pies and a mindful drawing exercise

Wine and cheese gathering – good wine and cheese pairings make for happy guests 

In previous issues

In the September TREASURE issue (159) 

Plates to plot – share the harvest with friends by holding your own allotment feast with a tipple of warm apple cider and other seasonal dishes

Coming up in the November issue (161) 

Smart ways to eat well. An extract from Shrewd Food: 60 Ways to Eat Yourself Healthy by Noonie Zand Goodarzi (Badger Books). Illustrations by Mudd Bexley
November issue 161 will be available to pre-order at picsandink.com  from 16 October, on sale from 22 October.  

Don’t give up your garden for winter: The natural world may be winding down but autumn is actually the start of the agricultural year, a time to plant and plan for the months ahead

In Flourish Volume 3 

Today, tomorrow to keep: pears 

Chocolate pear cake and preserved pears in red wine 

Pre-order the new Flourish Volume 4 with 10% off at www.picsandink.com until 29 October

How to subscribe to The Simple Things – for an immediate start subscription with 30%  go to off cover price go to  http://www.icebergpress.co.uk/subscribe

As the autumn equinox tips summer into autumn, Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frankand regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller, Jo Tinsley lace up their hiking boots and go exploring. From the joy of early autumn city breaks and solo travel to a walking meditation and games you can play with your dog.

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

Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett.  

ON THE BLOG

 How to be a fearless traveller

 Songs about dogs

 Days out for You and Your Dog 

 How to trespass with good manners

TO READ

The Book of Trespass: Crossing the Lines that Divide Us, by Nick Hayes

The Slow Traveller by Jo Tinsley

School for Dogs (And Their Humans) by Sophie Collins

IN THE SIMPLE THINGS

 In October issue:

 My Living: The dog walker 

 Wellbeing: Lessons in chemistry – how hormones help

 Miscellany: Give the dog a game

 Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September.

IN PREVIOUS ISSUES

 Action stations: Hiking between stations or heading to the end of the line (159, Sep 2025)

Dog days out: Around the UK are people and places going the extra mile for dogs (147, Sep 2024)

Natural connection: A rope swing, a cairn and a den, these humble handmade features our landscape may just hold the key to improving our relationship with nature (147, Sep 2024)

Good well hunting: Places for refreshment, healing and worship, wells and springs are magical places (158, Aug 2025)

Buy current and back issues here

LEARN MORE 

The Outdoor Swimming Society | Is it legal?

The Outdoor Swimming Society | Right to Swim

In this third episode The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank turn their attention to what they have and where they live, enjoying treasures, finding fresh ideas at home and sampling a bit of Kveldsmat – the Norwegian tradition of evening breakfast.

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

 Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. 

On the blog

Greek Panzanella 

Journalling ideas 

Search ‘What I treasure’ on the blog for some of our published pieces from readers on a belonging that means a lot to them.

To browse
Treasure tins – #concentratesofplace @tanyashadrickwriter

Window swap

In The Simple Things

From the September issue – 159

Home Economics: Tomatoes – how to make the most of a seasonal glut of tomatoes 

Wisdom: Emma Bridgewater on 40 years of preparing pottery and the special ritual of coffee and cake

How to Kveldsmat – the Norwegian tradition of a late night snack

My plot: Andrew Fusek Peters shares wildlife photography taken from his Shropshire garden. Fusekphotos.com @andrewfusekpeters and book Garden Safari (Graffeg)

In the October (160) issue 

My Place: The corners of our home that mean the most – Kitchen tables 

Keeping a commonplace book by Miranda Mills, author of The Country Commonplace Book (Batsford)

Sunday best – the comfort and delight of Sundays by Daniel Gray author of Sunday Best: Travels through the day of restby Daniel Gray 
(Harper North)

Bramble basket project 

Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September.

From earlier issues

Letting go – just like nature, we need to shed in order to grow and flourish  (136)

How to great a weekend retreat at home (142)

Back garden campout – enjoy an end of summer camping trip without going away (110)

In this second episode at the start of the new school year The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and regular contributor Jo Tinsley indulge in a bit of schooldays nostalgia but also discuss why it’s a good time to take on new projects, find new habits, make something new and learn a few skills.

 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

Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. 

On the blog

Things to do with Weird Veg Box Vegetables

 Parsnip panpipes (yes, really)

To read

Forecast: A diary of the Lost Seasons, by Joe Shute (Bloomsbury)

In The Simple Things

From the September TREASURE issue (159) 

The Slapdash Manifesto: General principles for good enough

Wearing Well: Wristwatches

Buy the September issue here

IN PREVIOUS ISSUES

Revisiting team sports (Issue 147, September 2024)

Veg box suppers: golden marrow marmalade, Moroccalili (Issue 111, September 2011)

Wearing Well Backpacks (Issue 111, September 2021)

Miscellany: How to win at conkers (Issue 136, October 2023)

Clapping game lyrics

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea

To see what he could see, see, see

But all that he could see, see, see

Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea

A sailor went to knee, knee, knee

To see what he could knee, knee, knee

But all that he could knee, knee, knee

Was the bottom of the deep blue knee, knee, knee

A sailor went to chop, chop, chop

To see what he could chop, chop, chop, 

But all that he could chop, chop, chop

Was the bottom of the deep blue chop, chop, chop

Today our theme is SAVOUR and we’re advocating letting summer linger on as long as possible, savouring the tastes, fruits and flowers of the season, finding holiday habits to carry on with and appreciating things to treasure. Hosted by The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank

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

Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. 

SHOW NOTES

On the blog

Fig and goat’s cheese bundles 

Search ‘What I treasure’ on the blog for some of our published pieces from readers on a belonging that means a lot to them.

To read

Reading Between The Lines by Emma Bache (Quercus)

In The Simple Things

From the September issue

New herbal non-alcoholic tipples series begins

Handwriting and why it is good for you

 Buy the September issue here

From the October issue

Home Economics: Koromagae and clothes care when you switch from summer to winter.

Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September.

In September 2024 issue – 147 Appreciating your garden at dawn, day and dusk

In August 2025 issue – 158 Kitchen therapy: figs, blackberries, plums and damsons

From The Simple Things Anthology Volume 4: A Year of Celebrations

Vineyard harvest supper

Dahlias

It’s the final episode of our magical midsummer season and today all three of the Small Ways to Live Well podcast hosts have come together to talk about the most magical moments of this special time of year. Join Lisa Sykes (editor, The Simple Things), Becs Frank (Wellbeing editor) and Jo Tinsley (regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller) as we discuss midsummer feasts and rituals, wonderful places to enjoy the solstice, the art of storytelling, and how dreams help us process emotions (and how to decode them).  

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

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

On the blog:

Midsommartårta (midsummer strawberry cake) recipe

Lemon basil spritzer recipe

Wild midsummer cocktails 

To read:

Decode Your Dreams: Unlock your unconscious and transform your waking life by Ian Wallace (White Lion Publishing)

Lucid dreaming – find out more about directing your dreams in our wellbeing bookazine, Flourish (Volume 3) buy it here

The Slow Traveller : An intentional path to mindful adventures by Jo Tinsley 

In The Simple Things

From the June SOAR issue (156)

Midsummer short story writing competition To celebrate National Flash Fiction Day this month we’re launching our search for your best short stories, themed around ‘The Longest Day'. Send your entry of 300 words max to [email protected]with the heading MIDSUMMER MICROFICTION. Closing date 31 July. Full details in our June issue

What happens at Stonehenge? Read about this and other seasonal ideas including making a fairy-lit garden room in our monthly Almanac

Buy June issue here and on the newsstand until 24 June

In the July FRUIT issue (157) 

Tomato leaf martini – a fabulously fragrant summer tipple

Sleepless in summer – how to get the rest you need in the warmest months

Magical creatures: Purple emperor butterflies

Subscribers will receive the July issue from 20 June when pre-orders will also open at picsandink.com or you can buy on the newsstand from the 25 June. Find out how to subscribe here

Check out The Simple Things Anthology Volume 4: A Year of Celebrations for any excuse to celebrate with the food, flowers and decorations for every occasion

Welcome to Episode 5 of our Magical Midsummer season in the Small Ways to Live Well podcast from The Simple Things magazine. Join Editor Lisa Sykes and and Jo Tinsley, a regular contributor to the magazine and also, very appropriately, author of The Slow Traveller, as we discuss all things SLOW from taking our time to savour summer fruits and learning how to enjoy the fruits of our labours to working out the best ways to while away a summer afternoon. Plus, we’ll be sharing some wise advice on travelling slowly. 

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

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

On the blog

Recipe: Ploughman's scones

Ice cube herbs

Ice cube aftersun
 
 

To read

The Slow Traveller: An intentional path to mindful adventures by Jo Tinsley 

Ernest journal

Things to do

Black Girls Do Run

In The Simple Things

From the June SOAR issue (156)

Looking Back: Radio Times. Whether the Top 40 or Desert Island Discs, we tune into the programmes that have ruled the airwaves – and our hearts – over the last 100 years 

Kitchen Therapy: Take it outside. Lottie Stories shows us how to make Blossom Ice Cubes

Wisdom: A question of sport. Long, light days encourage us to get outside and get moving, just like these women, who you’ll find doing what they love across the UK’s paths and roads, bridleways and waters. 

Competition: Put pen to paper. To celebrate National Flash Fiction Day this month we’re launching our search for your best short stories, themed around ‘The Longest Day'. Send your entry of 300 words max to [email protected]with the heading MIDSUMMER MICROFICTION. Closing date 31 July. Full details in our June issue

Buy June issue here and on the newsstand until 24 June

Subscribers will receive the July issue from 20 June when pre-orders will also open at picsandink.com or you can buy on the newsstand from the 25 June. 

You’ve arrived at Episode 4 in our Magical Midsummer season of the Small Ways to Live Well podcast from The Simple Things magazine. Join Lisa Sykes, editor of the magazine and Jo Tinsley, a regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller. The loose theme for this episode is carefree because if you can’t feel a little bit frivolous and ditch a few chores and responsibilities around midsummer, then when can you?

So think of us as your suggestion box this week, an audible prompt to try things you haven’t done for years, wear something out of the ordinary or take a trip. We’ll also be celebrating festivals and tiny campsites, appreciating a magical creature as we have every episode this season and sharing a few moments of magic that will hopefully inspire you to capture your own.

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

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

On the blog;

Camping Truths: Camping is full of highs and lows but somehow it’s always worth it. Here, some of the Simple Things team share some of their most memorable camping moments. 

To read:

The Slow Traveller : An intentional path to mindful adventures by Jo Tinsley 

Tiny Campsites: 80 Small but Perfect Places to Pitch by Dixe Wills

Mini Quilting by Laura Strutt

Things to do & make 

The Big Retreat Festival, Pembrokeshire 

Weekend Project: Pass holderand Belt bago or pouch template

Greener Camping Club

Nearly Wild Camping

In The Simple Things:

From the June SOAR issue (156)

My Living: The Festival. Amber Lort-Phillips on the realities of running a festival

Wearing Well: Bucket Hats. More stories of the clothes we love!

Buy June issue here and on the newsstand until 24 June

Subscribers will receive the July issue from 20 June when pre-orders will also open at picsandink.com or you can buy on the newsstand from the 25 June. Find out how to subscribe here

The Simple Things Anthology Volume 4: A Year of Celebrations

Any excuse to celebrate with the food, flowers and decorations for every occasion and ways to mark the season

Country shows: A day out with animal, vegetable and mineral appeal. 

In previous issues of The Simple Things (back issues are available to buy here)

Out

Promise and Possibilities 

In the third episode of our magical midsummer season, Rebecca Frank, Wellbeing Editor of The Simple Things, and Jo Tinsley, regular contributor and author of The Slow Traveller are celebrating the first day of summer and the things that make us shine at this time of year. Join us on a nostalgic trip to the British seaside, pick up some useful knowledge for growing your own pick of salad ingredients in pots and hanging baskets, and take some wise advice from our pick of wellbeing books for different times of life. 

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

 Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

On the blog

BBQ sides – because it’s all about the side dishes and pickles really

Broad bean guacamole and kohlrabi slaw

Salty dill cucumbers 

To read or listen to 

Yoga for Stiff Birds by Marion Deuchars (Skittledog) – we feature a different stretch in the Miscellany section of the magazine each month.

Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown (Ebury)

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain (Penguin)

The Lido Guide by Emma Pusill and Janet Wilkinson (Boundless)

To find out more

Lidos – Discover your nearest lido by visiting The Outdoor Swimming Society website and browse ‘The Big Lido Map’ at All The Lidos 

Visit the lidos mentioned in the episode:

Shepton Mallet Lido 

Saltdean Lido 

Hathersage Swimming Pool 

Brockwell Lido 

Silver Nutmeg jewellery on Folksy

In The Simple Things

From the May TEND issue (155)

One Pot Food Forest – a mini food forest where all the seeds are sown at once but have different harvest dates so the planter evolves over time, offering a constant crop. 

From My Plot: A Wilder Way with Poppy Okotcha, author of A Wilder Way: How Gardens Grow Us (Bloomsbury)

Magical creatures: an appreciation of pondskaters

Buy the May issue here

From the June SOAR issue (156)

Shelf help – 18 classic wellbeing books recommended by our experts that offer wisdom throughout life’s changes and challenges. The collection includes Quiet by Susan Cain and Lost Connections by Johann Hari as mentioned in the podcast. 

Good vibrations – how chanting a mantra can help still a busy mind

Salad Days  - growing advice and recipes for homegrown salads from The Kew G