Think organised with a loose hand, says an expert. A small cottage garden (Alamy/PA) The vision of a cottage garden may be one of a countryside scene in a rural retreat like the Cotswolds, with clouds of peonies, roses, lupins, delphiniums and all other manner of classic blooms wafting in the summer sun. “When we think of cottage gardens we do often think of small spaces which are quite heavily planted but with a loose hand,” says writer and gardener Joff Elphick, whose new b

The symptoms tend to be persistent, reoccurring and unexplained. Symptoms of coeliac disease can range from mild to severe, and often come and go (Alamy/PA) While many people recognise the common digestive issues linked to coeliac disease, fewer are aware of the more subtle symptoms that can easily go unnoticed. In the lead-up to Coeliac Awareness Month in May, we spoke with Alice Andrews, health policy lead at Coeliac UK, who helped clear up some common misconceptions about

As we gear up for the latest instalment of the Met Gala on May 4, here’s a look back at some of its most controversial looks in history. Here’s a breakdown of the most controversial Met Gala looks in history (Alamy/PA) As the Met Gala approaches its 80th anniversary, the world’s most famous fashion fundraiser, which was first held in 1948, returns with a fittingly reflective theme: Fashion as Art. Over nearly eight decades, the gala has evolved from a society dinner into one

This recipe only requires two steps – but it’s ‘delicious’. Tim Anderson’s ‘no-churn soy sauce caramel ice cream’ (Patricia Niven/PA) “I whipped this up (literally) when I was looking to use up half a can of dulce de leche and some whipping cream,” chef Tim Anderson says. “I have never rushed to write down a recipe so quickly. It’s DELICIOUS.” No-churn soy sauce caramel ice cream Ingredients: (Makes about 600ml) 300ml whipping cream 200g dulce de leche (milk caramel) 2tbsp ic

The UK’s best value rock festival is back and this year’s Steelhouse Festival is shaping up to be bigger, louder and more unforgettable than ever. Steel Panther Set high up a mountain with unbeatable views and an electric atmosphere, the stage is ready to welcome some serious rock royalty. Leading the charge are glam-metal legends Steel Panther, bringing their trademark high-energy show, alongside Californian favourites Ugly Kid Joe, who know exactly how to fire up a crowd. W

With the voter registration deadline fast approching for the Senedd election on 7 May, anyone who wants to vote must make sure they are registered in time. Research shows that some groups, including young people, students and those who have recently moved, are less likely to be registered than others. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April. Voters can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote . It takes just five minutes. Once registered, voters have

This year marks 40 years of discovery at Techniquest, the UK’s first purpose-built science discovery centre. To celebrate the occasion, they’re introducing a new Premium Pass giving you the freedom to visit all-year round, including during the school holidays! Techniquest founder Professor John Beetlestone demonstrates the Bernoulli Blower exhibit for television in the late 1980s. The exhibit helps to explain how aeroplanes fly and is still much-loved today! The best part? Th

Get ready for a roaring good time as everyone’s favourite monster comes to Swansea Grand Theatre to celebrate a very special birthday. The much-loved stage production of The Gruffalo is marking 25 years of magical storytelling with a visit to the Swansea Grand Theatre on 2 and 3 June and it promises plenty of laughs, songs and larger-than-life fun for the whole family. Based on the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, this lively adaptation

Get ready to turn up the volume as Sunny Afternoon brings the sound, swagger and spirit of The Kinks roaring back to the stage. Credit Manuel Harlan A five-star show packed with iconic tunes, raw energy and pure nostalgia, Sunny Afternoon rolls into Wales Millennium Centre next month. This Olivier Award-winning musical was a smash hit in London and is coming to South Wales bigger, bolder and ready to get audiences on their feet. Telling the story of The Kinks, Sunny Afternoo

A feel-good favourite packed with heart, humour and unforgettable music, Waitress arrives at Wales Millennium Centre for one week only this June, starring the brilliant Carrie Hope Fletcher. Rehearsal photos from Waitress, credit Danny Kaan Based on the much-loved 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress serves up an irresistible story of dreams, resilience and finding the courage to start again. With music and lyrics by Grammy award-winner Sara Bareilles, the show has captivat

Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice is bringing back its popular skydive event for the third year running this summer. Philippa Langley doing a tandem skydive for Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice over Swansea Airfield last year (2025) And this year’s event is giving even more people the chance to do a tandem parachute jump over Swansea Airfield with 60 places available to jump over two days now on offer. Tŷ Hafan’s Skydive will take place over the weekend of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th

Families are invited to make the most of the Easter holidays at Mermaid Quay, as the waterfront destination unveils a packed programme of free, family-friendly activities - led by a magical Easter Egg Trail running from 30 March to 12 April. Easter holidays at Mermaid Quay at Cardiff Bay Spring has officially sprung in Cardiff Bay, and visitors can follow a colourful trail of “eggceptional” Easter eggs hidden throughout the Quay. Young explorers can pick up a trail sheet fr

Cardiff Animation Festival returns to Chapter Arts this April with its most ambitious programme yet, celebrating bold new voices, Welsh creativity and a vibrant mix of films, games and events. Lauren Orme, director of the Cardiff Animation Festival We caught up with Lauren Orme, director of the Cardiff Animation Festival, who tells us what to expect from this year’s event. For anyone who hasn’t been before, what is Cardiff Animation Festival and what makes it special? Cardiff

The much-loved Kolor Dash is making a vibrant return to Newport, and this time it promises to be bigger, brighter and more colourful than ever. Kolor Dash is making a vibrant return to Newport Set against the beautiful backdrop of Tredegar Park, this lively 5K event invites participants of all ages to run, walk or jog their way through a truly unforgettable experience. Clouds of biodegradable powder paint will fill the air at multiple points along the route, transforming runn

This spring and summer, London Concertante brings five candlelit concerts to Llandaff Cathedral, offering audiences the chance to experience four distinct programmes across the season in one of Wales’ most historic spaces. Candlelit Concerts at Llandaff Cathedral Spanning orchestral re-imaginings, operatic favourites, and classical standouts, the Llandaff series showcases London Concertante’s breadth of programming and commitment to creating immersive live music experiences

Fairwater, Western, Eastern and Maindy leisure centres in Cardiff are hosting fundraising challenges for Swimathon 2026. Swimathon 2026 at Cardiff Leisure Centres The world’s biggest fundraising swim - which began 40 years ago - happens over the weekend of 20-22 March and sees fundraisers’ proceeds going to Cancer Research UK, end of life charity Marie Curie and the Swimathon Foundation. Individuals can choose to swim a variety of distances - 500m, 1.5k, 2.5k, Swimathon 5k

These lasting floral patterns, decorative prints and blossomy motifs will put your space in bloom, says Sam Wylie-Harris. Flowery features will beautify any room (Graham & Brown/PA) If you’re in the mood for some old-school country charm, love the colourful contrast of ditsy florals with pretty blooms and botanical prints, there’s always a modern take on this timeless design. And with springtime and Mother Nature opening its arms to this natural wonder, these prized picks bri

The singer had two rounds of egg freezing when she was 24 and 27. Rita Ora told Women’s Health UK she is happy that she decided to freeze her eggs in her 20s (Ian West/PA) Rita Ora has opened up about why she chose to freeze her eggs while she was still in her 20s. The 35-year-old British singer, songwriter, and television personality, who is best-known for songs such as Hot Right Now, How We Do (Party) and I Will Never Let You Down, had two rounds of egg freezing when she wa

This traditional dish is known as pasta all’anciova e muddica in Italian. Gennaro Contaldo’s pasta with anchovies and breadcrumbs (David Loftus/PA) “This traditional dish from Palermo is linked to the migration of many Sicilians to Northern Italy in search of work, and so is often called La Pasta Milanisa (the Milanese pasta),” says chef Gennaro Contaldo. “They brought with them long-lasting ingredients from home, like preserved salted anchovies, homemade tomato estratto (a r

The iconic cook talks about how gardening has helped her through good times and bad. As Mary Berry releases her gardening book, she offers insight into her time outdoors (Yui Mok/PA) Dame Mary Berry may be famed for her great cooking skills, foolproof recipes and mouthwatering bakes, but her passion for gardening comes a close second. While she claims to be no expert and over the years has taken advice from top plantsmen and women including Alan Titchmarsh, Jekka McVicar, Bun