Small Ways To Live Well from The Simple Things

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)