Lifestyle and Hobbies

History is brought to life in many historic houses, especially at Christmas time, when special decorations help to welcome the social season and visiting guests. In this revised second edition, learn history and local customs through engaging text and over 420 color photos. Costumed guides interpret Christmas traditions in some of the thirty specially decorated houses that are featured from across

A stylish and modern guide to plants that flourish in the extreme weather conditions that have become the new norm. From gardening expert, Val Bourne, this book will tell you what to plant and where in an ever-changing environment.

In the Artists Journey, follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s most famous painters, and the journeys which inspired some of their greatest works.

Follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s most famous authors on the journeys which inspired their greatest works in this beautiful illustrated atlas.   Some truly remarkable works of literature have been inspired by writers spending time away from their typical surroundings. From epic road trips and arduous treks into remote territories to cultural tours and sojourns in the finest hotels

Artists at Home looks inside the homes of great artists and examines how their interiors reflected and inspired their artistic spirit.

London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers presents a miscellany of historic and quirky curiosities to spot as you wander around the capital.

This rich and beautiful guide from bestselling garden writer Ambra Edwards explores the most magnificent botanic havens from every continent across the world. There has never been a better time to celebrate botanic gardens. From Brooklyn and San Francisco, to Colombia and Brazil; Oxford and Kew, to Cape Town and Mauritius; Norway and Germany, to Sydney and Thailand, discover surprising diversity

Garden and social historian Advolly Richmond (of Gardener’s World) unravels the surprising histories of 60 flowers that shape our gardens. Have you ever wondered where your favourite garden flowers came from? Where their names derived? Or why some cultivars go in and out of favour? Every flower in your herbaceous border has a story, and in this book Advolly Richmond takes you on a tour of the mo

Following on from the hit Painting Happiness, quirky and super-popular Instagram artist Terry Runyan presents a playful follow-up in her same charming, unique style – Painting Cats.

This rich, beautiful book takes readers from the mountains of Kashmir to a repurposed castle in the west of Ireland, as it tours the most magnificent sacred gardens in the world. Elements from religious gardens – from labyrinths and grottos to monastic herb gardens and geometrical patterns – have long been familiar in garden design, as has the tradition of seeking spiritual enlightenment through

Eat your way around the globe with this mouthwatering tour of the tastiest, most inventive, most diverse food on the planet. A region’s food is truly a window into its rich history and culture – nothing tells the story of a place so profoundly as the food it serves.   FoodiePlaces is a stunning, hand-illustrated guide for gastronomic adventurers intrigued by the rich cultural heritage behin

Discover the fascinating folklore behind more than 40 of nature’s most intriguing plants and learn how you can benefit from their timeless wisdom in everyday life. Why do buttercups glow when held beneath your chin? Which blooms are sometimes called fairy phones? Why are foxgloves sometimes ominously referred to as ‘Deadman’s Bellows’? And what is the true meaning of a rose? Humans have given me

Traverse the globe and explore the extraordinary. This is a unique, enigmatic collection of 45 meticulously crafted maps for wandering off the beaten track. Embark on an armchair expedition across nations and marvel at astounding spots only ever stumbled upon by chance. The profound histories and distinctive quirks of these happenstances are described in detail alongside evocative black and wh

Explore the places that time forgot. These abandoned, mysterious, sleeping monuments around the world have been relegated to the margins of history. From ancient ruins and crumbling castles to more recent relics – an art deco New York subway station, a Soviet ghost town in the Arctic Circle, a flooded Thai mall teeming with aquatic life – Travis Elborough takes you on a journey into these strang

The English Landscape Garden has reignited my imagination, my interest and passion for the gardens of the 18th century and I’m sure it will do the same for you. Gardens Illustrated   It is a rare treat to explore a production of publishing luxury like this. George Plumptre, Country Life   A wide-ranging, intensely readable and lusciously illustrated introduction to the subject. Charles Sa

A stunning collection of 1000 images from the RHS archives: Vintage artwork Birds, insects and animals Fruits and vegetables Flowers, leaves and other botanical illustrations Inspiration and tips on successful collaging from leading UK collagist Katy McNulty (@collage.garden) Made for everyone, from the absolute beginner to the experienced collagist Bring the beautiful botanical to yo

A romantic journey through forty captivating gardens lost to time.   All over the world, once-flourishing horticultural spaces have been abandoned and forgotten. From the once-crumbling grandeur of the Villa d’Este and the magic of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, to the sculptural surrealism of Las Pozas and the colourful rebirth of Le Jardin Majorelle, there are countless gardens around the worl

Turn the pages of this thought-provoking book and discover maps that challenge conventional wisdom, confront social and political norms and offer fresh perspectives on familiar landscapes. This meticulously curated selection of 40 maps spans the ages, from ancient parchment scrolls to cutting-edge digital creations. Each map is a window into a different facet of our world, shedding light on the

A collection of boro-inspired projects and techniques which celebrates this traditional Japanese textile and its relevance to the modern sewer and quilter.Learn about the history of boro and how it is being revived for a new audience using contemporary fabrics including denim, linen and shibori tie dye as well as sashiko and other embroidery stitches.The word boro comes from the Japanese boroboro

An interior design guide to creating English country house style wherever you may dwell, from property expert Katy Campbell and acclaimed photographer Mark Nicholson The authors of At Home in the Cotswolds return with a new book full of English charm and style savvy. English Country House Style explores the signature rooms and furnishings that are synonymous with this comfortable, sumptuously li