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The South Wales Magazine


Do I need to take electrolytes in a heatwave?
The electrolyte products industry has ballooned into a massive market. Here’s what some GPs think about electrolyte replacement products (Alamy/PA) As heatwaves become more regular in the UK, so do warnings about dehydration. Alongside the familiar advice to drink plenty of water, there’s another message that’s become increasingly hard to ignore: replenish your electrolytes. Supermarket shelves and social media are buzzing with electrolyte replacement products promoted as “mu


From crochet hats to raffia bags: The coolest accessories to buy now
Stylists break down the trendiest accessories that can give your summer wardrobe a lift. Silk scarves are set to be big this summer (Alamy/PA) With the sun shining and temperatures sizzling, the urge to buy entirely new seasonal clothing can be tempting, but there is a simpler solution. Accessories can be a practical and stylish method to elevate your summer outfits without the need for a complete wardrobe overhaul. Stylist Rebekah Roy, who’s worked with Harrods and Harvey Ni


How to have the birth you want
Antenatal educator Megan Rossiter, author of Birth Power, tells Lisa Salmon how pregnant women can best take control of childbirth. How pregnant women can feel in control of their birth experience (Alamy/PA) You can’t control birth, but you can have an influence over what happens. That’s the promise of antenatal educator Megan Rossiter, who points out that while the “poor state of modern maternity care” is at the forefront of public conversation and things need to improve, th


10 ways to weave Mediterranean style into your decor
A blue and white colour palette, natural textures and sun-kissed hues evoke a sense of the riviera, says Sam Wylie-Harris. From lemon motifs to coastal prints, here’s how to infuse the spirit of the Med into your home (Desenio/PA) There’s nothing like the prospect of an endless summer, soaring temperatures and azure-blue skies to put you in a sunny frame of mind. And with a Mediterranean climate on our doorstep, all the more reason to soak up indoor-outdoor living. Think Moro


5 new parenting-themed podcasts to listen to this week
These are our top picks ahead of the school summer holidays. Parent Unplugged is a parenting podcast hosted by certified parenting coach Charis Halsall. (Charis Halsall/PA) From kids’ online safety and digital needs to father-daughter bonds, this week’s podcasts cover a range of parenting topics. 1. Parent Unplugged Streaming platform: All streaming platforms and YouTube Genre: Parenting (Parent Unplugged/PA) Parent Unplugged is a parenting podcast hosted by certified parenti


Growing Wild Family Festival returns to Pembrokeshire this September with biggest lineup yet
Dewslake Farm Camping & Glamping has announced the full line-up for the Growing Wild Family Festival 2026, its end-of-season celebration of music, craft and the great outdoors, returning to the farm on Saturday 5th September 2026, with a warm-up evening on the Friday and a gentle wind-down on the Sunday. Growing Wild Family Festival 2026 Now an established fixture on the Pembrokeshire events calendar, Growing Wild brings together live music, hands-on workshops and family-frie


New Mermaid Quay car park opens in time for busy summer season
Visitors to Cardiff Bay will benefit from significantly improved parking facilities this summer as Mermaid Quay officially opens its brand-new multi-storey car park. Mermaid Quay New Car Park The new facility, which provides 679 parking spaces across eight split-level floors, has been developed to improve access to one of Wales’ most popular waterfront destinations ahead of a busy season of events, dining, shopping and family days out. Located adjacent to Mermaid Quay, the ca


6 of the best ways to eat strawberries this season – according to Wimbledon’s head chef
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy these summer berries. Sam Morgan, AELTC executive head chef, at the Rosewater Pavilion at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon (AELTC/Gary Summers/PA) As excitement builds ahead of The Wimbledon Championships, there’s only one food on our minds…sweet, scarlet strawberries. Watching thrilling serves and powerful backhands at the picturesque All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in London with a punnet of sweet strawbe


How to make Jamie Oliver’s 20-minute sticky orange chicken
Try this for a healthy mid-week meal. ’20 minutes is the sweet spot’: Jamie Oliver (Justin Downing/PA) TV chef Jamie Oliver is set to prove that his new recipes are achievable in the allotted time – with dishes filmed against the clock in an unedited, one-shot take for Jamie’s 20-Minute Meals on Channel 4. It accompanies a cookbook, 20-Minute Meals: Real Fast Food, aiming to make home cooking quicker and easier than ever. The 51-year-old says: “Look, I’ve heard people say for


Is your dog overheating? 10 ways to keep them safe in hot weather
Ensure they have constant access to fresh, cool water and limit outdoor activity to cooler times of the day, like early morning. (Yui Mok/PA) As temperatures soar, you might be enjoying soaking up all the sunshine but heatwaves can be risky for our four-legged friends. Unlike humans, dogs aren’t as effective at regulating their body heat, so it’s crucial to take extra precautions and to show them some additional TLC during those uncomfortable sweltering days. To help keep you


6 of the best gins for a refreshing drink this summer
Refreshing and reinvigorating, a G&T is the ultimate long drink, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Begin your gin journey with a good measure of juniper (Silent Pool Distillers/PA) It’s the simplest of serves…. gin, tonic, ice and a slice. And it only takes a heatwave to reach for this seemingly straightforward spirit. When you want to hit the refresh button, there’s nothing like a bunch of botanicals which strike the right balance to get your mojo back. From juniper rich to herbaceous,


Book now for Matilda The Musical at Wales Millennium Centre this Christmas
The award-winning musical phenomenon is back, bringing Roald Dahl's beloved story to Wales Millennium Centre just in time for Christmas. Matilda The Musical returns to Wales Millennium Centre Families across South Wales have something truly special to look forward to as the internationally acclaimed Matilda The Musical returns to Wales Millennium Centre from 9 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. Based on Roald Dahl's much-loved novel, the Royal Shakespeare Company's smash-hit p


Sophie Macfie’s ultimate protein bars
Delicious and healthy, they’re perfect for that pre or post-workout snack. Sophie Macfie’s ultimate protein bars (Haarala Hamilton/PA) “You guys are going to LOVE these,” says plant-based chef Sophie Macfie, aka @sophsplantkitchen. “They’re healthy (free from additives or the unnecessary add-ins some of the shop-bought kinds contain), easy, delicious and made from wholefood ingredients. Plus, they’ll save you money on expensive protein bars! “Great for pre/intra/post-workout,


Gok Wan on DJing: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been this physical in my life’
The fashionista and DJ is ‘celebrating’ his age and zest for life while listening to his body. By Lisa Salmon. Zest for life: Gok Wan (LornaRoach/Benecol/PA) Gok Wan might have made his name as a TV fashion guru, but now he’s more focused on being a DJ – calling his newfound career a “huge part of my exercise every single week”. Nowadays, Wan, 51, tours the country doing high-energy DJ sets at clubs and festivals, and says jumping around on stage (he absolutely does not stand


How to get the Scandi Modern look in your living room
Sam Wylie-Harris delves inside a new interiors book with pro tips on styling foundations and furnishings for Scandinavian décor. The timeless appeal of Scandi decor blends beauty with simplicity (Benjamin Edwards/PA) Our interiors are the ultimate canvas and considering visual elements such as shape, balance, and pale hues, Scandinavian décor is one of our favourite design aesthetics. But when it comes to a minimalist approach to decorating, it’s as inspiring as it is attract


Cardiff women warned menopause may increase risk of varicose veins
Cardiff women going through the menopause could be at a greater risk of developing varicose veins, warn experts from a clinic in the city. Huw Davies, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Premier Veins Up to 40% of women over 50 suffer from varicose veins and hormonal changes during menopause may be partly to blame. Huw Davies, Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Premier Veins at Oaktree House, Oaktree Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park, said: “There’s already so much scaremongering surr


Inspired by Tour de France: 5 epic cycling holidays to explore the world on two wheels
Channel your inner Tadej Pogačar or Tom Pidcock with these trips. Amazing cycling holidays from Croatia to Uzbekistan (World Expeditions/PA) With Tour De France just around the corner, some 184 elite cyclists will participate in the annual 21 day-long stages over a 23-day competition. Starting in Barcelona on July 4 and ending in Paris on July 26, this year’s tour will showcase some spectacular scenery in Spain and France – from sprints along the Mediterranean coast, long rid


9 glorious gardens to visit this summer
Plan days out with trips to some of the UK’s most beautiful gardens. Glenarm Castle Walled Garden (Glenarm Castle/PA) As summer begins, it’s time to get a date in your diary for days out and garden visits to enjoy the great outdoors and be inspired by the planting, design and sheer beauty of the most beautiful gardens. Here are a variety of gardens to visit this summer for the perfect day out. 1. Bowood House and Gardens, Wiltshire (Anna Stowe/Bowood 2016/PA) The new Walled G


10 Reasons to Visit The Royal Mint Experience this summer
Looking for a family day out that's fun, fascinating and a little different? The Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant Just a short drive from Cardiff and Swansea, The Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant offers an unforgettable behind-the-scenes adventure where history, technology and treasure come together. Here's why it deserves a place on your summer bucket list... 1. See millions of coins being made Ever wondered where the coins in your pocket come from? See the factory i


Safe as Milk: An Exhibition That Explores the Hidden Side of Home
Safe as Milk is a thought-provoking new exhibition bringing together the work of acclaimed artists Susan Adams, Zena Blackwell and Charlotte Brisland, each offering a unique perspective on the domestic world. The Stall of Openings and Closings, Susan Adams Taking its title from Captain Beefheart's iconic debut album, the exhibition examines the spaces we know best, questioning whether our homes are truly safe havens or places where the uncanny quietly lingers beneath the surf
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