Features

Practical, no fuss countryside living

HILLTOP in Main Street, Stoke Row, is set in a quarter-acre plot and the house has been extended and shaped for modern family living. Beginning with a bright central hall, from here, the formal sitting room waits for quieter evenings, anchored by a...

Retire with peace of mind baked in

THE ribbon has been cut, the champagne poured, and the cakes — naturally approved by Dame Mary Berry herself — have been eaten. Audley Shiplake Meadows, Henley’s newest luxury retirement village, is officially open. It’s designed for those looking to...

Going the extra mile gives an accomplished drive

THIS week’s drive, the Lexus UX300h, proves that if a carmaker is prepared to go the extra mile in car production, then the result can prove very satisfying. Sure, you may pay more for a Lexus, yet every time I drive a car under the banner of this...

Latest rules for driving in France

IN this summer just past, British motorists were back on the road in France in their thousands, writes Nigel Wigmore. The latest rules for driving there are worth noting for future trips, and according to the AA, include:•The drink drive limit for new...

Reliable hybrid SUV that boasts impressive range

THE attraction for British drivers of touring in Brittany is that by sticking to a small stretch of coastline, resorts on the Emerald Coast are easily accessible within a handful of kilometres. Years ago, I would undertake long car journeys into...

Find inspiration for your garden and beyond at Stubbings Garden Centre

THIS autumn, Stubbings Garden Centre is the destination for discerning gardeners who want to prepare their outdoor spaces for the ...

Retrofitting older homes will save money and add value

YOU don’t need to tear the heart out of a Victorian terrace or a Georgian cottage to make it warm, efficient and saleable. ...

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. It’s where you start and end your day, and it’s where you relax and ...

With 26 years of teaching experience, Mrs Kirsty Wakefield brings a wealth of passion, dedication and expertise to Peppard Church of ...

Sorento has best of both worlds

TO enjoy the best of a plug-in hybrid you must keep the comparatively small range electric power source “topped up” and let the car’s ...

Great ‘green getaway’ in hybrid car and new ferry

The good news for British drivers who support sustainable motoring is there is now a great “green” way to cross the English Channel. ...

Cottage that has heart and charm

ASANA Cottage in Wargrave does exactly what its name promises. In yoga, an asana is a steady, comfortable seat. The owner, who moved ...

Make hay while the sun shines

WHEN the owners of Sainfoin first stepped through the gates of a tired Sixties-era bungalow in 2010, they didn’t see dated brickwork ...

New eyesight safety rules

ROAD safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist welcomes the prospect of changes to current UK driver eyesight regulations. ...

Bestseller still capturing customers’ imagination

THE Audi Q3, a bestseller for more than a decade, aims to capture customers’ imagination as a “digital companion” in its ...

Space to unwine-d in all seasons

WHEN Alan and Marina Smee moved into Meadowbrook in 1982 they were planting the seeds of a whole new life. Alan, then a pilot with ...

Have home refurbished while away on holiday

WITH the good weather hopefully with us for summer, now is often the time to get those home improvements done that you may have been ...

More News:

Girl, 10, bids for funding and wins £2,000 for club

HENLEY Sailing Club has been awarded a £2,000 grant thanks to a grant application written by a 10-year-old member. Charlotte Blunden entered the Funding the Future grant ... [more]

Water firm forced to postpone works

THAMES Water has been forced to postpone works scheduled to take place in Christmas Common over fears it could have a “huge impact” on businesses. Work to replace about 2.3km of ... [more]

Smooth road

PART of Blounts Court Road in Sonning Common will be closed for resurfacing works from Wednesday to Friday. A traffic diversion will be in place via Blounts Court Road, Peppard ... [more]

Gypsy pitch plan turned down for third time

A BID to build a gypsy pitch on a disused site on the outskirts of Sonning Common has been knocked back for the third time to preserve the “countryside gap”. Building contractors ... [more]