Hickstead 2026!

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Enjoy Our June Edition!

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Features

Sunny English street with old shops, clock tower and parked cars; pedestrians walk past signs including Chequer Inn.

STEYNING - The Timeless Town

We discover how the small market town of Steyning is so much more than just a picture-perfect postcard destination; it's a desirable destination with a thriving community

Two women in vintage clothing have a picnic on a blanket, one holding a parasol. A castle is in the background, with a sunny, cheerful setting.

Spotlight - Sussex Events Guide: June 2026

Our guides to events happening in and around Sussex in June 2026

Bright room with a leather sofa, patterned ottoman, and ornate mirror. Features large windows, potted plants, and wooden floors.

Homes Extra: Sustainable Styling

Sustainable interiors are on trend – vintage finds, recycled materials and thoughtful design prove that eco-conscious homes can be just as stylish and aspirational as any other

Group of people smiling and toasting with wine at an outdoor dining table by the sea. Warm colors and festive mood.

Travel: Self-Catering Holidays

Once seen as a budget-friendly alternative, self-catering has evolved into a mainstream travel choice, driven by the rise in staycations, a growing desire for authentic local experiences and the expansion of digital platforms such as Airbnb. The market has been quick to respond, offering an ever-wider range of accommodation, with many hotels now offering apartment-style options tailored to longer stays, blending convenience with independence. Here, we explore this thriving

Community News

Steam train "The Flying Scotsman" moves through a lush, green countryside with trees overhead and a clear blue sky, emitting white smoke.

Volunteering at the Bluebell Railway

The Bluebell Railway is a heritage steam railway in East Sussex, running between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead. It operates a fleet of beautifully restored steam locomotives and vintage carriages that travel through the picturesque Sussex countryside, offering a truly nostalgic experience. This is possible with the help of over 1000 volunteers who help run the railway, from restoring carriages to greeting visitors.

Person in a market holding three bunches of asparagus labeled "Bedlam Farms." Background displays colorful fruits and vegetables.

Award Winning Farm Shop

The Seasons Wholefoods Named 2026 Independent Local Shop / Village Store of the Year and South East at the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards

Stone church with arched windows and a tower, surrounded by gravestones on grass. A flag flies atop against a clear blue sky.

HENFIELD - Where History and Countryside Meet

In the heart of West Sussex, Henfield blends centuries of history with rural charm. Timber-framed cottages, scenic countryside and a vibrant community make this picturesque village both a delightful destination and a desirable place to live.

Soccer team with kids posing on a green field. Players in green jerseys. Trees in the background. Smiling faces, team spirit visible.

On Any Given Monday

James Forryan travels to the home of Burgess Hill Town FC to meet The Monday Club – a band of unsung heroes playing a vital role in ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes of this grassroots football club.

Hidden Membership

NEW FOR 2026: Win A Family Weekend Ticket To Tidal Gathering Tribute Festival

We've got FIVE family weekend passes to this amazing tribute weekend festival at Adur Recreation Ground this summer, with one of these including a VIP prize with £100 Bar spend! Tidal Gathering returns to Adur Recreation Ground in Shoreham for two brilliantly fun days on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th July. Join thousands of music lovers to see tributes to over 20 live acts on two stages, including AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Kasabian, Eminem, Pink Floyd and many more! Backed by a dec

ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN: Win A Luxury Dog Hamper From Bruno's Dinner!

Now they've opened their new branch in Horsham, we're pleased to announce Sussex-based raw dog food supplier Bruno's Dinner is offering you another chance to win a luxury hamper worth over £100 for your pet pooch! Bruno's Dinner are a small family-run business passionate about offering dogs the best diet possible, based in Crawley and covering both Surrey and Sussex, as well as their new store in Horsham which opened this year. They aim to keep prices low while supplying the

Win A Family Pass To The Lakes and Lilies Festival At Sheffield Park And Garden

Photo credit (all images): National Trust Images / James Dobson and Laurence Perry We've got TWO family passes up for grabs to this lovely day out this summer! Visit Sheffield Park and Garden this summer for their annual Lakes and Lilies festival, running Saturday 13 June - Sunday 6 September 2026, celebrating spectacular waterlilies on picturesque lakes and the beauty of this historic garden in summer. Explore an enchanting garden as it transforms into a magical realm, for a

Win A Family Ticket To The South Of England Show 2026!

Back for 2026, we're so pleased to once more have FIVE family passes up for grabs to this brilliant annual show with so much family fun! The South of England Show is a staple in the agricultural and equestrian calendar. Taking place 5th - 7th June, the 2026 event returns with an action- packed three days of displays and competitions, live entertainment, country pursuits, and rural crafts. A family-friendly celebration of the countryside and British farming, this show offers e

Stuff We Like!

Top Five European Towns That Are Perfect for a Long, Lazy Summer Weekend

Not every trip needs a packed itinerary. Sometimes the best holidays are the ones where you slow down, linger over lunch, wander without a map, and let the day unfold at its own pace. For those moments, a small town beats a big city every time. These are the places where café terraces spill into sunny squares, evenings stretch long into the night, and nobody seems in much of a hurry. Here are five European towns made for a long, lazy summer weekend. 1. Annecy, France Nestled

Five Brilliant Brain Teasers For The Week (Stage Illusion Mysteries Edition)

Smoke, mirrors, misdirection... and a healthy dose of logic. Welcome to a night at the theatre, where nothing is quite as it seems. These five mysteries appear impossible at first glance, but each has a perfectly rational explanation. Can you spot the trick before the curtain falls? 🧠 1) The Disappearing Dove (Easy) A magician places a white dove into a small wooden box on stage. The audience watches as he closes the lid, taps the box three times with a wand, and immediately

Small brown dog in a blue harness stands inside a bright pink playground tunnel as a person steadies it outdoors.

It’s a Dog’s Life: Exercise and Keeping Fit

Teddy ponders over the idea of exercise and keeping fit, and enjoys some gentle activity on a mini break, as Helen Stockton, his human translator, enlightens

Woman in a straw hat reads a book on a park bench in a sunlit garden, smiling.

June Book Reviews

Yet when his friend, struggling regenerative vineyard owner Victor Crawshaw, goes missing, Barclay falls under suspicion and must deploy his wine detection skills to crack the case and clear his name. As the clock ticks down to Bonfire Night’s epic festival of flames, the fireworks might not be the only things that start exploding...

Food And Drink

Recipe: Chocolate Roulade

This gorgeous chocolate roulade is made without flour, so it’s light as a feather. Add berries to the whipped cream filling to make a delicious gluten-free dessert

A grey atable with a white bowl on the left with one whole lemons and two halves. A square playe on the middle right with a full lemon drizzle cake and one slice cut off.

Easy Lemon Drizzle Cake

Brighten up a dreary spring day with an easy, zesty lemon drizzle cake recipe.

Recipe: Home Baked Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are often enjoyed as a quick snack, fresh from the oven – or make the perfect addition to any summer picnic, when chilled

Recipe: Pumpkin, Sage & Walnut Crostata

This recipe has a sweet pumpkin filling and tangy Stilton topping for a dramatic veggie dish to feed the family

Home And Garden

Child examines a caterpillar on a tree branch with a magnifying glass. Background of green grass, creating a curious and focused mood.

Eco Kids: Nature Detectives

In a world increasingly shaped by screens and schedules, encouraging children to step outside and engage with nature has never been more valuable

Purple iris flowers with rain droplets against a vibrant green background, creating a fresh and lively atmosphere.

Blooming Times: Paint an Iris Rainbow

Iris, the Grecian messenger of the Olympian Gods, flew in a rainbow ribbon of celestial light - such sumptuous flowers could not be better named. And, on a more down-to-earth note, pesky squirrels, deer and rabbits leave them alone,

Homes Extra: Sustainable Styling

Sustainable interiors are on trend – vintage finds, recycled materials and thoughtful design prove that eco-conscious homes can be just as stylish and aspirational as any other

A bright orange pumpkin with a curved stem sits on a bed of hay in the foreground. In the background, other pumpkins and gourds are arranged, along with some colorful flowers and green plants, suggesting a harvest or fall display. The setting appears to be outdoors or in a greenhouse, with soft, natural light.

Blooming Times - The Amenable Squash Family

Pumpkins, courgettes and marrows, (collectively labelled ‘squash’) are members of a diverse botanical group: cucurbits. They are well-adapted to outdoor living – although the cucurbit family also includes aubergines, cucumbers and melons that typically require the protection of a greenhouse.