5 ways to elevate your garden this spring and summer

Zoe Gater

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Give your garden a new lease of life this season, whether you’re taking care of your lawn, planting, or completely redesigning your oasis.

As the days grow longer and temperatures begin to rise, now is the perfect time to step outside and start preparing your garden for the months ahead.

Whether you’re refreshing your lawn, rethinking your planting scheme, or transforming your space into an outdoor retreat, a little planning and care can make all the difference. From practical maintenance to inspired design ideas, here’s how to get your garden looking its best for the season.

Lawn care

As we welcome the warmer weather, it’s a good idea to give your lawn some extra TLC through regular maintenance – such as more frequent mowing. This keeps your green space healthy and thriving, while helping to deter weeds.

Whatever the size of your garden, Marlborough’s Baydon Mowers supplies a complete range of products from ride-on and pedestrian lawnmowers, to chainsaws, hedge-cutters – with the option to hire machinery, too. More info at baydonmowers.co.uk

If you’re looking to encourage wildflowers to flourish – and provide shelter for insects and wildlife – consider leaving sections of your lawn unmown. These areas can provide pollen, nectar and a host of other essential benefits for the ecosystem.

And if you need help nurturing your outdoor space, the skilled horticulturists and groundsmen of Garden Vista – operating across Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey – are available for ongoing contracts or one-off visits to make your garden more manageable. Find out more at gardenvista.co.uk

Outdoor living

Once your lawn and borders are back in shape, attention can turn to how you enjoy the space.

After a wet and windy winter, many of us are eager to get outside and transform our gardens into a natural extension of the home. From comfortable seating areas and fire pits to atmospheric lighting and pergolas, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your outdoor space from dawn until dusk.

If you have ideas ready to go – or need expert guidance – Southern Counties Landscapes, based in Wokingham, can help bring your vision to life. From decking and water features to bespoke paving and planting, the team has created hundreds of designs over the years, always keeping practicality and budget in mind. For further information, visit southerncountieslandscapes.com

As gardens come into full use, attention naturally shifts beyond planting and maintenance to how the space is experienced. A garden room could be the perfect addition, helping you create your own outdoor retreat.

Alongside the potential to increase property value, this versatile space can be tailored to your needs – whether that’s a light-filled home office, a dedicated hobby room, a cosy reading nook, or a spot to sip a glass of wine while watching the sunset. It offers a seamless bridges between indoors and out.

Locally, there are some excellent options. Garden Rooms by Drumbeat, working across Hampshire and Surrey, offers a personalised service, whether you choose a pre-designed structure or opt for something more bespoke, complete with free consultation and digital drawings. Discover more at gardenroomsbydrumbeat.co.uk

Based in Hampshire, Ambassador Projects also designs, manufactures, and installs outdoor living structures. Blending traditional oak features with sleek, contemporary aesthetics, the team offers signature, classic and heritage designs. More at ambassador-projects.com

Planting and potting

With the structure of your garden in place, planting is where you can really bring it to life with colour and texture.

If you’ve admired the beautiful bedding displays at Ascott House and Gardens, Waddesdon Park or Hughenden Park in Buckinghamshire, you can recreate that same sense of seasonal colour and year-round interest at home with a thoughtful mix of flowering plants and evergreen foliage.

For those who’d prefer a helping hand with the planning, raking, The Big Plant Nursery in Twyford offers expert advice and consultancy, as well as delivery and planting services.

The nursery boasts an impressive selection of quality plants, shrubs and trees – including tender exotics and specimen varieties – to help you create your ideal garden.

From ground preparation to precise planting and staking, you’ll receive comprehensive aftercare advice and planting warranties for peace of mind, allowing you to transform your garden instantly with minimal effort. Check out the full range at thebigplantnursery.com

Watering and irrigation

Even the best-kept lawns and newly planted borders can struggle without sufficient water as temperatures rise.

From newly laid turf to established planting schemes, consistent watering is key to keeping your garden healthy and vibrant throughout the warmer months.

While a hose or watering can may be sufficient for smaller spaces, larger gardens can benefit from sprinklers or automated irrigation systems, which take the guesswork out of when and how much to water. Timed systems are particularly useful during dry spells or holidays, ensuring your garden continues to thrive even when you’re away.

For a more environmentally conscious approach, water butts allow you to collect and reuse rainwater, while drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

If you’re unsure which solution is right for your space, expert advice can help you strike the perfect balance between convenience, cost and sustainability.

Looking after gardens across North Berkshire and South Oxfordshire for more than 30 years, Ian Kendrick Ltd offers a wide range of maintenance services, with weekly, fortnightly or monthly visits tailored to suit your budget. Find out more at iankendrickltd.co.uk

Concrete cleanup

It’s not just lawns and borders that need attention. Over time, stone patios and pathways can develop stubborn black staining that even pressure washing won’t remove.

These marks are caused by microscopic lichen spores carried by wind and rain from surrounding trees.

Patio Black Spot Remover offers an effective solution with a biodegradable, acid-free product that cleans stone surfaces without causing damage or harming nearby plants.

Based in Farnham, the company offers both products for home use and a professional call-out service, depending on your needs. Visit patioblackspotremoval.com for further details.

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Discover the countryside run club with a wild spa twist at Peterley Manor Farm

Zoe Gater

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If your ideal weekend involves movement and mindfulness, this one’s worth setting an early alarm for.

Tucked away in the rolling countryside at Buckinghamshire’s Peterley Manor Farm, Run Club x Slohaus Wild Spa brings a bi-weekly mix of sociable running and restorative outdoor wellness.

The experience takes place on selected Saturdays, starting with a relaxed 5–8km group run through the Chilterns countryside, followed by a recovery session designed to help you properly reset.

Leaders set an inclusive, steady pace that keeps the runs accessible for regular runners and newcomers alike, with a clear focus on community over competition.

Afterwards, you head back to the wild spa for wood-fired sauna sessions and cold-water immersion – a simple but effective contrast therapy that helps you recharge.

Each session runs from 8am to 10am.

Tickets cost £20 per person, with each experience lasting around two hours.

For more information or to book, visit Slohaus Wild Spa’s website.

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The Bear in Oxshott reopens after refurbishment with new menu and terrace

Zoe Gater

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Zoe Gater

A much-loved Surrey pub has reopened its doors following a major refurbishment.

Located in the heart of Oxshott, The Bear has returned after an extensive top-to-toe makeover, bringing a fresh new look, revamped menus and a renewed focus on relaxed socialising.

Blending heritage charm with contemporary design, the newly imagined space features cosy seating alongside mixed-height tables, making it just as suited to a quick pint as it is to a leisurely Sunday lunch.

Outside, the team has transformed the sun-trap terrace with new decking and festoon lighting, creating an ideal spot for al fresco drinks with friends and family.

The Bear’s new chapter brings a packed calendar of events that aim to unite the community, including weekly quizzes, monthly ‘Butcher’s Block’ steak nights and Friday seafood specials.

Behind the bar

Guests can expect a well-rounded selection of cask ales, IPAs and pale ales, alongside Hawkstone and Jubel Peach.

There’s also a globe-spanning wine list and a lineup of seasonal spritzes, including a martini spritz with olives, a white sangria with peach, and a raspberry honeybee made with Beesou honey. Non-drinkers are catered for too, with alcohol-free options like 0% Amalfi and berry Hugo.

On the menu

In the kitchen, head chef Toni Mitchell is serving up a menu packed with elevated pub classics and seasonal British ingredients.

Starters range from chicken and bacon Caeser bon-bons to a prawn and crayfish ‘Bloody Mary’ cocktail, while mains include pork, apple and leek toad in the hole, Jacob’s Ladder short rib and minted Welsh lamb and pea pie.

And for group dining, there are generous sharing plates designed for grazing, with a standout dish being the fondue-style Welsh rarebit with Guinness chutney and soldiers.

Sundays are all about the roast, with a line-up of prime cuts including crispy pork belly, West Country beef and lemon and thyme roast chicken, alongside a wild mushroom and asparagus wellington.

Expect all the trimmings, from golden roasties to towering Yorkshire puddings, with the option to go all out with a short rib sharer.

The Bear is open seven days a week.

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10 of the best places to go fruit picking – within easy reach of London

Zoe Gater

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Zoe Gater

From sun-ripened strawberries to pumpkin-filled autumn fields, these pick-your-own farms near London offer the ultimate seasonal day out – with plenty of fresh air, flavour, and countryside charm.

There’s something undeniably satisfying about picking your own produce straight from the source. Whether it’s a punnet of perfectly ripe strawberries, a bunch of vibrant wildflowers, or a wheelbarrow-worthy pumpkin in autumn.

And fortunately, you don’t have to travel far from the capital to find some of the UK’s best pick-your-own (PYO) experiences. Across Surrey, Oxfordshire and beyond, farms are opening their gates each season to welcome visitors into their fields.

So whether you’re planning a wholesome weekend activity, entertaining little ones, or simply chasing the taste of fruit at its freshest, these PYO farms deliver a seasonal experience that’s as enjoyable as it is delicious.

Fruit picking in Surrey

Garson Farm, Esher

If you’re after a pick-your-own experience that really delivers, Garsons Farm more than earns its award-winning reputation. Crowned ‘Pick Your Own of the Year’ at the 2025 Farm Retail Association Awards, it’s a go-to for top-quality produce and beautifully kept fields.

Spanning an impressive 155 acres, and farmed by the same Thompson family since 1871, it’s one of the UK’s largest PYO sites. Expect row upon row of vibrant crops – from juicy strawberries to colourful flowers – with around 30 varieties to choose from across the season. PYO typically kicks off in late spring, just in time for those first sweet harvests of the year.

Crockford Bridge Farm, Addleston

Steeped in history (it even gets a mention in the Domesday Book!), Crockford Bridge Farm blends heritage with a seriously good seasonal offering. Set across 80 acres of Surrey green belt, this family-run spot is a firm favourite for good reason.

There’s always something new to pick from June through to December – think sun-warmed strawberries and raspberries in summer, followed by pumpkin patches and winter squashes as the seasons turn. And whatever you do, don’t leave without stopping by its ice cream parlour – the perfect end to a day in the fields.

Secretts of Milford, Godalming

A staple of Surrey’s food scene is Secretts. Just outside Godalming, this award-winning farm is known for its lively events, beautifully maintained fields, and seriously fresh, seasonal food.

Depending on the time of year, you can wander through fields picking everything from asparagus and rhubarb to pumpkins – all harvested just metres from where you stand. Afterwards, the farm shop is a must-visit – especially the cheese counter, which boasts more than 300 varieties (yes, really).

Priory Farm Estate, Redhill

Looking to turn your fruit picking into a full day out? Priory Farm Estate has you covered.

Alongside seasonal PYO fields, you’ll find woodland trails, nature-inspired play areas, and plenty of space to roam. Kids can run wild, and adults can slow down – ideally with a basket full of fresh produce in hand.

Fruit picking in Oxfordshire

Rectory Farm PYO, Oxford

Rectory Farm has been feeding Oxfordshire (and beyond) for generations – and its PYO offering is just as impressive as you’d expect.

With 45 acres dedicated to pick-your-own crops – plus a further 60 acres of asparagus fields nearby – there’s plenty to explore. From April through to October, the fields come alive with more than 30 varieties, from spring asparagus and strawberries to late-summer sunflowers and autumn pumpkins (with thousands planted each year).

Fruit picking in Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

Peterley Manor Farm, Great Missenden

Tucked away in the Chilterns, Peterley Manor Farm feels like a proper countryside escape. Family-run and full of charm, it offers a relaxed, scenic setting for a spot of seasonal picking.

Depending on when you visit, you might find yourself gathering plums, strawberries, or redcurrants in the sunshine – or wandering through fields of sunflowers and pumpkins later in the year. Come Christmas, it transforms again, with rows of beautifully grown trees ready to take home.

Copas Farms, Cookham/Iver

If variety is what you’re after, Copas Farms – operating as The Fruit Fields – is hard to beat. With multiple sites and a well-planned growing calendar, it offers a steady stream of crops throughout the seasons.

From the first strawberries and cherries of early summer to raspberries, apples, sweetcorn and more, there’s always something worth picking. It’s a reliably good choice for those who like their PYO trips easy, well-organised, and packed with flavour.

Fruit picking in Hampshire

Pickwell Farm, Bursledon

A much-loved local spot just outside Southampton, Pickwell Farm has been welcoming visitors since 1985.

The picking calendar is packed with variety, from early rhubarb and strawberries to late-summer sweetcorn and autumn pumpkins. In between, expect everything from raspberries and blackberries to courgettes and beans – perfect for filling your basket (and your kitchen) with fresh, seasonal produce.

Goodall’s Strawberry Farm, Lymington

For a more traditional, no-frills PYO experience, Goodall’s Strawberry Farm is a south coast classic.

Best known for its beautifully grown strawberries, this is the place to come on a sunny day when only the freshest, sweetest fruit will do. Simple and seasonal!

Fruit picking in Wiltshire

Lotmead Pick Your Own, Wanborough

Friendly, relaxed, and easy to visit, Lotmead PYO is a great all-rounder for families and casual pickers.

Fields are well-kept and full of variety, with strawberries and raspberries in summer giving way to pumpkins as autumn rolls in. Whether you’re planning a wholesome day out or just popping by for a punnet or two, it’s a lovely spot to soak up the seasons.

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Perfect Show For Rachel brings joyful chaos to Oxford Playhouse

Zoe Gater

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Zoe Gater

Perfect Show For Rachel brings anarchic, ever-changing theatre to Oxford Playhouse this May 2026.

Oxford Playhouse will host the critically acclaimed Perfect Show For Rachel, a vibrant, ever-evolving theatrical experience running from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 May 2026.

Zoo Co and Improbable co-produce the show, which delivers a bold, unpredictable and deeply human piece of theatre that challenges convention while celebrating individuality, creativity and connection.

Flo and Rachel O’Mahony form the sister duo behind Perfect Show For Rachel. Flo works as an award-winning theatre director and serves as artistic director of Zoo Co, while Rachel is a 35-year-old learning-disabled artist who loves Kylie Minogue, brings a sharp comic eye, and embraces joyful chaos. Together, they created what they call Rachel’s “perfect show” – funny, unpredictable and different every time it plays.

With no fixed script, Rachel takes control at the push of a button and steers the action in unexpected directions while the cast react in real time. One moment the stage erupts into an improvised bar fight; the next, performers become singing biscuits or receive a sudden mid-scene “firing”. The result feels chaotic, fast-paced and full of surprises.

Flo describes the show as “beautifully inconvenient”, a phrase that captures how it pushes theatres to adapt their spaces and processes to properly support the company. The work also extends beyond the stage, sparking wider conversations around access, inclusion and leadership in the arts.

The production arrives at Oxford Playhouse as part of a series of relaxed performances designed to feel welcoming and flexible for all audiences. Loud noises and flashing lights may feature, and audiences can move in and out of the auditorium as needed.

Tickets are available via the Box Office on 01865 305305 or oxfordplayhouse.com.

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Didcot bingo jackpot winner scoops £250,000 at Coronet Bingo

Zoe Gater

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Family-run for 50 years, Coronet Bingo remains a cornerstone of the local community – and, it seems, a particularly lucky one too.

Coronet Bingo’s reputation just got another boost after a regular player scooped an incredible £250,000 jackpot during a casual night out with her mum.

The 59-year-old Didcot local landed the life-changing prize on Sunday 5 April at Coronet Bingo Club – and marked the third major jackpot to hit the venue in just 18 months.

She won the prize through the National Bingo Game’s headline-grabbing £250,000 jackpot, which has drawn players across the UK with its high-stakes twist.

To take home the top prize, players must call “bingo!” in just 14 numbers, which is no easy task!

Since launching in February, the game has created a string of big winners – but Didcot clearly enjoys a particularly lucky streak.

For the winner, a familiar face at the club for years, the experience felt nothing short of surreal. As each number came up, the reality slowly sank in…

“I love coming to Coronet Bingo Club in Didcot and have been a regular for years. When my numbers were called, I was in total shock, I was absolutely stunned.

“I love coming to my local bingo club it is so social and friendly. Winning this amount of money is incredible. I will definitely be helping my family out and sharing it with my mum who introduced me to bingo and may even think of retiring! If you’ve never played before, go for it get yourself a National Bingo Game ticket – you’ve got to be in it to win it, and you never know”!

Understandably, the club team felt just as thrilled. Manager Sean Tucker said: “We are absolutely thrilled to see one of our players take home £250,000. It’s a truly life-changing win for her and her family. We couldn’t be happier for her, and we wish her and her family every success and happiness for their next chapter. We are also thrilled that this is our third big jackpot win in just 18 months”.

To get involved, visit coronetbingo.com.

All players must be aged 18 or over. The National Bingo Game is played under the provisions of The Gambling Act 2005 and played under National Bingo Game Players’ Rules. Players should always gamble responsibly. For more information and advice visit www.BeGambleAware.org.

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How you could get free entry to RHS Wisley this spring

Zoe Gater

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Zoe Gater

Do you have a gardening-related name? From 2 April to 31 May 2026, RHS Wisley invites you to enjoy a FREE visit to its Surrey garden.

If you have a name ‘rooted’ in gardening, don’t miss the chance to visit RHS Garden Wisley for free throughout April and May 2026.

Whether your name is Rose, Daisy, Violet, Sage, or Willow, or you have a surname such as Potts, Bloom, Gardener, or Grass, show your ID upon entry and enjoy the seasonal delights without spending a penny.

Gardening-related names have a long history in the UK, often reflecting traditional occupations, local landscapes and plants that shaped everyday life.

According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, nature-inspired names are more popular than ever in the UK, reflecting a cultural affinity for nature and gardening, with classical botanical names such as Lily, Ivy and Poppy all in the top ten baby name lists.

With so many of these names still flourishing in today’s baby name charts, RHS Garden Wisley is celebrating the long-standing connection between people and gardening, inviting those with gardening names to enjoy a free visit for a limited time.

Plus, spring is a great time to explore the garden, with more than 100,000 tulips waiting to wow you; beautiful blossoms across Battleston Hill; and early colour in the mixed borders too.

And if you’re looking to keep the kids occupied this Easter, take part in the Who’s Framed the Easter Bunny Trail or enjoy a year-round stroll with The Wind in the Willows Trail – which brings Kenneth Grahame’s classic characters into the garden for a fun and interactive adventure.

For more information, visit the RHS website.

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Give retired hens a forever home – before Friday

Zoe Gater

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Zoe Gater

Could you offer a loving home to some joyful characters? Friendly, curious, and surprisingly affectionate, hens make brilliant pets – and they reward their keepers with the occasional fresh egg too.

This spring, the British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) is offering a special opportunity to give 200 ex-commercial laying hens the retirement they truly deserve.

On Sunday 12 April 2026, the Guildford rehoming event will welcome these resilient hens into loving new families – but their next chapter can only begin if animal lovers register by 2pm on Friday 10 April.

After spending their first 18 months producing eggs for supermarkets without pause, these hens’ commercial careers are over. Yet they still brim with curiosity, personality, and affection – ready to bring joy and warmth to those who open their hearts to them.

BHWT wants people to know that these gentle, funny, and curious birds make wonderful companions – with personalities as distinct as any pet cat or dog.

Andy Hill from the BHWT says: “People are often surprised by how much joy hens bring. They’re funny, curious little characters, they love routine, and they’re genuinely a delight to care for. Plus, they’re still more than happy to pop out the occasional egg.

“With spring finally here, this is the ideal time to start. These girls are more than ready for a fresh beginning, and they really do make wonderful pets.”

If you’d like to welcome some feathered friends into your home, register by 2pm on Friday 10 April to attend the rehoming event on Sunday 12 April.

To adopt, visit bhwt.org.uk/hen-adoption and click ‘adopt’ next to your nearest location, or call the BHWT Rehoming Team on 01884 860084.

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The Scoop Room reopens at new location – just in time for Easter

Zoe Gater

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Zoe Gater

The wait is over. The Scoop Room from Gelato Henley has officially reopened its doors following its recent move – and here’s how you can grab a cone.

The wait is over. The Scoop Room from Gelato Henley has officially reopened its doors following its recent move – and here’s how you can grab a cone.

After a short closure, The Scoop Room is now welcoming customers to its brand-new shop on Reading Road in Henley.

Previously based on Duke Street, the new premises promises a bigger and better venue for customers to enjoy its signature gelatos and sorbets.

On the menu, expect fan favourites such as Jammie Dodger, Kinder Bueno, After Eight, cinnamon, Baileys, white chocolate & raspberry, zingy mango sorbet and plenty more – all available in cones or tubs.

And if you want to fill your own freezer, many flavours are available for home delivery via Gelato Henley’s website.

The Scoop Room is open from 12pm to 7pm Sunday to Wednesday, and from 12pm to 8pm Thursday through Saturday.

Please note that opening hours may vary during holidays.

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Mike Stoneham brings Shakespeare’s most raucous rogue to life on stage in Oxford with Falstaff

Zoe Gater

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Zoe Gater

Whether you’re a Shakespeare aficionado or simply in search of a night of unfiltered entertainment, Falstaff promises a theatrical experience that is as bold and boisterous as the man himself this April 2026.

Raise a cup, loosen your belt and prepare for a night of glorious misrule when Falstaff takes over the stage at The Players Theatre in Oxford – for just one special night in April.

Taking place on Friday 17th April 2026, renowned actor Mike Stoneham presents a bold, hilarious one-man play celebrating one of Shakespeare’s most beloved and outrageous characters, offering a new take on the boastful, boozy, larger-than-life figure.

Adapted from the acclaimed novel by Robert Nye, this fast-paced production reimagines the raucous rogue in a whirlwind of wit, mischief and unapologetic excess.

Described as ‘fat, flatulent and fabulous’, this version of Sir John Falstaff draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s appearances of the character in Henry IV and Merry Wives of Windsor, with Mike delivering a performance which captures a shameless appetite and surprising charm.

Tickets cost £15 per person.

For more information or to book, visit thameplayers.co.uk/events/falstaff.

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