The Garden Party 2026

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Hickstead 2026!

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Features

Two paramedics in red suits walk on an airstrip; a helicopter marked "G-KSSC" hovers above. Overcast sky in the background.

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

A wide panoramic shot of the Brighton Palace Pier in England at sunset. The historic Victorian pier extends into a calm blue sea under a vibrant sky filled with wispy purple, pink, and orange clouds. In the foreground, a pebbly beach stretches across the bottom of the frame, while the pier’s ornate white buildings and "Brighton Palace Pier" signage are illuminated against the twilight.

Icons Of Brighton

Brighton has never been content with simply being a seaside town. Perched along the Sussex coast, it has reinvented itself time and again – royal retreat, bohemian haven, LGBTQ+ capital, and creative powerhouse. What makes Brighton iconic is not just one landmark or figure, but the way its places, history, and personalities intertwine to form a city that feels both timeless and defiantly modern.

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

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

NEW: Win A Pair Of VIP Tickets To Proms '26 OR A Night At The Movies At Robin Hill!

We're offering you another chance to win a fabulous pair of VIP tickets to your choice of two unforgettable classical music events at Robin Hill this summer, with ferry travel included... Following the success of last year’s Proms ’25 event, Classic Isle is returning with Proms ’26 as well as a second evening of world-class entertainment with A Night at the Movies, and you’ve got the chance to be at either event with a pair of VIP tickets! Proms ’26, on Saturday 11th July, wi

BACK FOR 2026: Win A Weekend Pass To Good Vibrations Society Festival

Back for 2026, we’ve got one family bundle and two pairs of weekend tickets to give away to Good Vibrations Society, one of Sussex’s most magical summer festivals! Taking place across three magical days (31st July - 2nd August) in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, Good Vibrations Society returns with an expanded programme celebrating music, wellbeing, ecology and community. Set within the stunning surroundings of Pippingford Park, the family-friendly festival continues to evol

Stuff We Like!

Top Five UK And European Festivals You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Europe does big festivals brilliantly—but beyond Oktoberfest and La Tomatina lies a stranger, more fascinating world of local celebrations. These are the festivals rooted in folklore, fire, superstition, and centuries-old traditions that most tourists never stumble across. If you’re looking for travel experiences that feel genuinely unexpected, these five under-the-radar UK and European festivals deliver exactly that. 1. Up Helly Aa Every winter, the town of Lerwick transform

Five Brilliant Brain Teasers For The Week: 'How Did They Do It?' Edition

Impossible crimes, baffling illusions, and clever explanations... Inspired by classic mystery shows and impossible-problem puzzles, these five cases seem supernatural at first glance — but every one has a perfectly logical solution. Can you work out the trick before the reveal? 🧠 1) The Vanishing Ring (Easy) At a dinner party, a magician borrows a woman’s ring. He places it beneath an upside-down teacup in the centre of the table. Everyone watches carefully. A cloth is place

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,

Top Five Plot Twists That Were Actually Perfect

A bad plot twist makes you confused. A great plot twist makes you rethink the story. But a perfect twist? That’s the kind that feels impossible to predict… right up until the moment it happens, when suddenly everything clicks into place. These are the TV twists that genuinely nailed it. Naturally, spoilers ahead! 5. The Good Place — “This Is the Bad Place” At first, The Good Place looks like a light-hearted sitcom about Eleanor accidentally ending up in heaven. Then comes the

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

Blooming Times: Paint an Iris Rainbow

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.

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