News

Thyme started out as a cottage offering cookery classes but now better resembles a small village. Over a number of years, the site has slowly reworked derelict historic buildings and discreetly added new ones all under the watchful eye of Caryn Hibbert, Thyme’s founder and creative director. Today the estate contains everything from a luxurious hotel and rustic spa, to a working farm, country pub and the cookery school, which is popular as ever. ESCAPE IT ALL Most of the bedrooms can be found in The Lodge, a handsome building and quintessential example of CotswoldsThe Ox Barn restaurant uses produce...

On the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Douro, Seine, Saone or Dutch waterwaysRiviera Travel’s award winning river cruises include everything you need for an exceptional experience. Cruise Europe’s most beautiful waterways aboard the finest ships, featuring superb dining on board and spacious suites and cabins many with a French balcony for unrivalled views. Choose from 15 fascinating river cruises that take you to the iconic highlights as well as lesser known gems in destinations  such as Cologne, Trier, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Basel, Lucerne, Douro  Valley, Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, Avignon, Arles, Bruges, Paris or Rouen. Cruise includes:- Spacious and beautifully appointed...

Giewing his future home for the first time, Paul Reeve was struck by the two lime trees at the doubIe gated entrance. ’It had the most amazing kerb appeal  I was sold before we even stepped inside,’ he says. Built in 1984 by a local master stonemason, using material salvaged from a nearby barn, the house offered both modern comforts and traditional charm. ’The look is almost Jacobean, but the structure is new, with benefits you don’t automatically get from period homes, like double glazing and central heating,’ says Paul. Unfortunately, while the decor was  nice enough, the interior lost...

BLUETOOTH SPEAKER: With the audio capability already built in, it’s not a big stretch to expect your radio to act as a speaker, too. Most have Bluetooth connections so you can wirelessly play downloaded music, or stream from a digital music service such as Spotify or Amazon Music via a smartphone, tablet or laptop.ALARMS: Alarm clocks and radios are a match made in heaven. Many feature multiple alarms with either a beeping tone or the radio to wake you; others alsohave a timer function perfect for use in a kitchen.PHONE CHARGING: Anyone who lives in a busy home knows that...

’lf you’re lucky enough to own a freestanding bath, make it the focal point of the bathroom with this traditional style exposed shower system and all round curtain rail for added wow factor’, says Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs. ’It’s shown here in chrome, or you can choose from two new finishes brass and gold depending on your scheme.’   1 . Enjoy the total coverage of a 50x50cm surface. Raindream showerhead in polished stainless steel, £600, Roca 2. Water-powered LED lights cycle through different colours for a de-stressing atmosphere. Premier LED fixed showerhead, £129.95, Victorian Plumbing 3. A...