Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple Things

Join The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley as they talk about the joy of making things, getting stuff done on slow Sundays, going analogue and making connections.

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 Austria Tourism for supporting this season To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info or follow them @visitaustria

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. 

On the blog

Fading flowers – plants that look good in winter

How the spider got eight legs

Pinafore heroines
 

In the November issue (173) available to buy here from 19 October, on newsstands 23 October

MY PLOT Soil squad

IDEAS The Jolly Girls

In the October issue (172) on sale now

Spice rack audit

WEEKEND PROJECT A natural fibre brush

In previous issues available to buy here

OUTING Following a thread: Exploring Britain’s textile history (Issue 148)

WEARING WELL The pinafore dress (Issue 171)

HOME TOUR  Among the wild flowers (Issue 171)

MY PLOT Filling the canvas (Issue 171)

Learn more

How to dry flowers

Artisans of Dartmoor by Suzy Bennett

From the Land Comes the Cloth by Ian Lawson 

Silent Book Club
 

Join Editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they discuss food that feels like a hug on a plate, why hugging is good for us (and the best types of hug), how to cope with difficult times and the joy of the arts.

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 Austria Tourism for supporting this season.

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

In the October RELISH issue (172) available to buy here

A Good Life – comforting recipes for early autumn including butternut squash and blue cheese risotto, chicken noodle soup and fig leaf custard

Food to share – Corned beef hash in a giant Yorkshire pudding

Cake in the house – beetroot battenburg

Beryl Cook – joyful art to make you smile 100 years after her birth. Extract from the new book Beryl Cook: Life and Art (Frances Lincoln). 

Beryl Cook & Friends installation at Bicester Village runs until 25 October. Find out more here

Art cure - why the arts are so important for our wellbeing. Feature by Daisy Fancourt, author of Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform our Health (Cornerstone)

Wisdom: Caitlin Moran talks about finding positivity in an anxious world. Her new book How to be Hopeful (Ebury) is out now. 

Coming up in the November HEARTY issue (173) On sale 23 October

Know a thing or two about dogs: the fascinating evolution from wolf to man’s best friend, dog language and what we can learn from our pets

From previous issues available to buy here

Coping with big change (September, Issue 171)

What to do when you can’t do anything (July, Issue 169)

On the blog

Smokey Boston beans and armadillo potatoes

Rainbow minestrone with basil mayo topping 

Thanks again to Austria Tourism for supporting this season and to Rudolf Abraham, travel writer, guidebook author and photographer for sharing his highlights of the Austrian autumn including:
Salzkammergut region – one of his favourite places. He is author of a guidebook to the area 
Dachstein mountains –  Echerntal, a valley near Hallstatt which leads up onto the plateau
Hohe Tauern mountains & national park
Grossglockner (highest mountain in Austria) – Alpe Adria Trail starts at the foot of the Grossglockner.

To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info.

Join The Simple Things’ Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley as they talk about gathering the harvest, gatherings with friends and our favourite places to gather.

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 Austria Tourism for supporting Season 11. To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info or follow them @visitaustria

 Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett. 

On the blog

Invisible orchards

In the October issue (172) on sale now available to buy here 

At home Oktoberfest ! 
 
A good life: autumn visit to a Derbyshire Dales garden and kitchen

Modern Eccentrics: The conker champions

Looking back: history of kitchens

In previous issues on sale now available to buy here

Tick-as-you-go challenges (September 2026, issue171)

The bonus harvest (September 2026, issue171)

Interview with Emma Bridgewater (September 2025, issue 159)

Learn more

The National Trust Book of Scones by Sarah Merker (National Trust)

Join Editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and as they enjoy a MELLOW transition from summer to autumn, making the most of the things you can only do before the season turns and appreciating small pleasures

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 Austria Tourism for supporting Season 11. To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

In the September GOLDEN issue (171) available to buy here

The high notes – take notice of and noting down daily delights

The Big Idea: The Small Stuff: The Sensory Enchantment of Everyday Life by Ian Bogost (Allen Lane) explained by Becs Frank

My Place – A Golden Glow - garden lighting

Almanac - Make a shadow puppet theatre for a whimsical storytelling evening

In the October RELISH issue (on sale from 25 September) 

Analogue: A new series exploring slower life stories

Twilight: a sky full of surprises. An extract from The Secret World of Twilight by Sally Coulthard (Head of Zeus)

On the blog

Films to watch outdoors

Great places to visit 

Higher Farm swim lake and sauna 

Knepp rewilding reserve 

From previous issues available to buy here

Outdoor cinema and a Greek feast – August 2026 (Issue 170)

Going with a guide – September 2019 (Issue 87)

Remains of the day – evening rituals to calmly end the day. (Flourish wellbeing bookazine, edition 4)

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)