-
Roast dinner tips fresh from the Oxfordshire kitchen of Raymond Blanc
The highlight of any Brit's weekend; a Sunday roast is simple yet wondrously appreciated. The Raymond Blanc Cookery School at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons teach a wealth of transferable knowledge in their hands-on courses; Alexandra Fraser shares those she found the most useful after attending one such lesson.
-
York's finest hotel, a state-of-the-art cookery school and the secret to throwing the perfect dinner party
Newly opened this month, The Grand's state-of-the-art cookery school, spearheaded by the charasmatic Andrew Dixon, teaches aspiring culinary connoisseurs everything from bubble and squeak to thai green fish curry. Alexandra Fraser paid a visit.
-
Seven charming Cornish country homes, from harbour-fronted houses to riverside mansions
If you're looking to move closer to the water, there can be no better place to aim for than Cornwall. With estuaries aplenty and a large number of beautiful beaches, the property found in this quiet corner of our country is sure to be stunningly set and within easy reach of an excellent fishing village or two.
-
The Utterly Inessential Mother's Day List: Cruising the Ouse, tea with Queen Titania and a massage for the future mothers among us
They love us unconditionally, unquestionably and, in some cases, utterly irrationally (there's always that one sibling and if there isn't, it's you) so, especially on this one day of the year, let's make sure our utterly incredible mothers know how much we absolutely adore them.
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Whisky is coming, a hat to blow you away and shuttlecock swim shorts
Welcome back to our friendly neighbourhood round-up of the best wine, furnishings and completely, utterly inessential products available now.
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: The Ministry of Defence's watch of choice, the perfect gift for the perfect puppy and our weekly wine blast
Another week has gone by in which producers and purveyors of goods have asked themselves not 'what does the world need?' but a far greater question: 'What does the world absolutely not need, but still whimsically wish for?'
-
A fairytale cottage in the Pewsey Vale AONB with exposed beams and not a small amount of charm
Timbers is just the sort of property a child dreams of calling home, with a thatched roof, a winding garden and plenty of room to run about.
-
Joali, Maldives: An immersive art hotel founded in the name of peaceful wellness and quiet decadence
The latest addition to the Raa Atoll, Joali is the perfect spot for those looking to sit back and recharge in a resort where every possible need or desire has been anticipated and catered to. Alexandra Fraser paid a visit.
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: A cat hotel with an a la carte menu, magical night lights and Ariat's latest offering to boot
Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.
-
St Lambrecht, Styria: Skiing, golf and high-speed thrills in the heart of Austria
Deep in the foothills of southern Austria lies a quiet town as-of-yet undiscovered by British holiday goers, a fact which a selection of newly-built luxury chalets are hoping to change. Alexandra Fraser paid a visit.
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Plant pots worth their weight in gold, posh chess and a Porsche to get your motor running
After a few wonderful weeks of romance-themed lists, Alexandra Fraser places her rose-tinted glasses firmly on the shelf and returns to her regularly-scheduled examination of the most utterly inessential products on the market this week.
-
An idyllic thatched cottage where you can run your own Devonshire tea garden
Amid steams and waterfalls, Rose Cottage boasts a stunning tea garden perfect for hosting a few friends – or 185 neighbours.
-
The Utterly Inessential Wedding Shopping List: From beautiful bouquets to romantic getaways
As the excitement of last night begins to fade into memory, we hold dear in our hearts those who are about to embark on months and months of careful planning, menu tasting and reckless spending. Alexandra Fraser presents to you everything you (may or may not) need to get through the wedding planning season and your special day.
-
A spectacularly pretty house comes to the market in Totnes, with stunning views of Dartmoor National Park
Highfield House hides behind its high walls but slopes down to a garden which reveals views of Totnes, Dartmoor and beyond.
-
A charming waterside Victorian country home a stone's throw away from central Oxford
93 Southmoor Road provides the perfect combination of city living and country lifestyle, ideal for those wanting to move out of the city but not let go of the excitement just yet.
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: A bag good enough to ride, a golden fountain pen and a doghouse to die for
There's nothing quite as good as something you absolutely don't need, but still want anyway. Because really, assuming you have food, water and a safe place to sleep, what really is essential? Alexandra Fraser takes her regular look at some of life's little luxuries.
-
Eight spellbinding photographs celebrating the wonder and beauty of the British winter
With the chill of winter comes misty mornings and mountainous snowdrifts... a host of elements which combine to create the perfect landscape for beautiful nature photography.
-
A house on the island in the Thames gifted to Lord Nelson, with a heated swimming pool and a 90ft mooring
Sphinx, one house of a small community built on Pharoah's Island, is set on half an acre of land and accompanied by not a small amount of history.
-
The Utterly Inessential Valentine's Day Shopping List: Edible love notes, delightful decanters and gifts to sweep him off his feet
The chill of February is ill-fated to be accompanied by a day dedicated to those lucky few among us who succeeded in surviving the stress of the festive season. It is for this group of people that we present a collection of utterly inessential products and experiences with which to say "I love you". For the rest of you, we recommend gin.
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Scarves aplenty, whisky candles and some charitable cushions
In a world infested with 'must-have', 'don't miss' and 'buy now', one list stands alone as the voice of reason: this list, where everything is both entirely marvellous and completely unnecessary. Welcome, dear friends, to Utterly Inessential.
-
12 spectacular photographs from the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition
These stunning highlights from the 11th annual International Garden Photographer of the Year competition will be on display at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew for a month from early February.
-
Sporting Life: Can you learn to ballroom dance in seven weeks?
In the wake of Strictly Come Dancing, Alexandra Fraser convinced her partner to join her on a seven-week ballroom dancing course in London to discover how hard it really is to pick up what is fast becoming a dying art.
-
Curious Questions: Can a swan really break your arm?
We’ve all heard the famous old wives' tale – but is there any truth to it, or is it merely a ploy to keep small fingers away from snapping beaks? Alexandra Fraser finds out.
-
Stunning Grade II-listed character property in Berkshire, half an hour from central London by the new Elizabeth line
With the Crossrail predicted to open later this year, homes in Berkshire are more attractive to city commuters than ever. This is certainly the case with this 15th century family home, beautifully finished and ready for a new owner.
