Visit the Mad Hatter’s hat shop, tumble down a rabbit hole and meet the Queen of Hearts at A Palace House Christmas, as Beaulieu announces its fabulous festive themed experience for 2026. – Yes, I know it’s still summer but advance warning for our readers is essential as the tickets go so quickly…

It gets curiouser and curiouser as designers extraordinaire Charlotte Lloyd Webber and Adrian Lillie return with theatrical installations, immersive soundscapes and multi-colour projections for a magical Christmas journey around the stately rooms by CLW Event Design. Frankly, there is no more fitting setting to explore Lewis Carroll’s imaginary world than Palace House, (see below) where the real Alice – Alice Liddell – was a guest at a tea party to celebrate the coming of age of the Hon John Douglas-Scott-Montagu, the 2^nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu in 1887.

So, don’t be late for a very important date. Be the first to experience Alice’s Christmas Wonderland when it opens from Saturday 21^st November – Sunday 3^rd January(excluding Christmas Day). Head down the rabbit hole and enter a fantasy Wonderland for your festive experience. Follow the White Rabbit to see Palace House rooms dressed with twinkling lights and beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Expect to see an explosion of colour in the Mad Hatter’s hat shop, (just look at the hat below) a life-size Caterpillar on a five-foot toadstool, the grinning Cheshire Cat and the maddest tea party ever . . . with lavish festive twists at every turn. 

Hunt for trees decorated with fairy woodland toadstools, cascading playing cards and pastel-coloured butterflies, as well as Beaulieu’s 20ft Wonderland-themed real tree at the foot of the grand staircase. You can even take a little of the Christmas magic home with you, from the tempting range of the Wonderland-themedbaubles and decorations on sale in the Palace House gift shop.   You may be lucky to meet live characters to entertain you along your way*. Then put yourself in Alice’s shoes for ‘end-of-pier’ peep-throughs to capture memories with a selfie.Complete your festive experience with a Wonderland Tea & Treats, with delicious heart-shaped scones with cream and jam, cakes and sandwiches all served on an Alice in Wonderland stand in the historic abbey Domus – and add a celebratory glass of Prosecco.*

CLW Event Design’s team of theatre designers and artists has created award-winning installations at heritage properties across the UK, including Kensington Palace, Belvoir and Bamburgh castles, Treasure House Castle Howard and the National Trust’s Polesdon Lacey. They return to Beaulieu for the second time this year. Artistic Director Charlotte Lloyd Webber said: “CLW Event Design is delighted to return to Beaulieu for a second year to present Alice’s Christmas Wonderland. Palace House presents the perfect late Victorian interior setting to inspire us to bring this iconic Lewis Carroll story to life. We are using the house decor to influence the design and create a magical environment that will delight throughout all the rooms.”

Design Director Adrian Lillie said: “Our team is having a lot of fun designing each space in Palace House to present all the best known and favourite characters from the Alice story . . . not just Alice, the Mad Hatter and White Rabbit but also room schemes dedicated to the Queen of Hearts, the Caterpillar and Cheshire Cat. And just wait for the maddest tea party ever staged!”

Book tickets : A Palace House Christmas 2026 – Alice’s Christmas Wonderland ticket includes entry to Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum with new gallery Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story, Disney and Pixar Cars display, hands-on exhibition We Had One Of Those, fun adventure playground Little Beaulieu, 13^th century Beaulieu Abbey, the Secret Army Exhibition, unlimited rides on the tree-top monorail and beautiful grounds and gardens.

Tickets go on sale in early August – sign up now to Beaulieu’s Christmas newsletter for the chance to be the first to book tickets at early-bird prices.

For more details and tickets to A Palace House Christmas at Beaulieu in the New Forest, Hampshire see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

The Seduction of Lord Stone: A steamy and scandalous Regency romance of love and temptation by Anna Campbell is FREE for a short while. Witty, passionate as Regency romance novel and the irresistible first book of 7 in Anna Campbell’s Dashing Widows series. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DK276ZYQ/

Can we do steamy in this super hot weather? I rather think we can, but this is a different steamy – come on, keep up. A daring widow. A notorious rake. A scandalous game of love. Caroline, Lady Beaumont, is done with dreary respectability. After ten years in a loveless marriage and a year of mourning, she’s ready to seize life with both hands. London promises everything she craves—glittering balls, delicious intrigue, and above all, a lover who can give her passion without chains… Oh dear, because t here will be an ‘oh dear’… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DK276ZYQ/ FREE

House of Lies | An unputdownable and shocking domestic thriller by Helen Matthews @ £0.99 instead of £2.99  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H94VMGHK/

How well do you really know the person with whom you are sharing your life?
When Emma and Paul buy a derelict French farmhouse, they’re hoping for a fresh start. But behind closed doors, they discover lies, betrayal and an increasing sense of danger. A fatal workplace accident occurs… And questions that nobody has the answers to… Hardship has been her usual existence, and now Emma’s chance of happiness is tinged with heartbreak. With her husband Paul and their daughter, Mollie, she grabs the chance and moves to France, where an old ruin is set to become their new home,.. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H94VMGHK/ Only £0.99 instead of £2.99.

The Good Sister | A gripping mind-bending domestic thriller by Bonnie Traymore @ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GH2BR3PQ/ for £0.99 instead of £3.49

When her mirror twin goes missing, Casey is led to a deadly paradise where no one escapes… Casey and Nora are mirror twins, identical—perhaps. Casey is right-handed, Nora is left-handed. Their moles sit on opposite cheeks. So at this level they are diametrically opposed. Then Nora disappears after a fight with her husband. She’s done this before, but why is Casey so troubled? Ah… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GH2BR3PQ/ for £0.99 instead of £3.49

Tempting Mr. Townsend: An opposites-attract Regency romance novel (Dashing Widows Book 2 of 7) by Anna Campbell. @ https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DLFCJSZJ/ £0.99 instead of £2.99

Tempting Mr. Townsend is a stirring, passionate Regency romance novel and the excellent second book in Anna Campbell’s bestselling Dashing Widows series. After five years of mourning her heroic husband’s death at Waterloo, Fenella, Lady Deerham, feels recovered enough to return to London society as a perfect diamond of the first water. But graceful though she is, beneath this veneer is a woman of strength, and also of longing. But then her young son and his school friend disappear, Fenella will risk everything—even her reputation—to find them.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DLFCJSZJ/ @ £0.99 instead of £2.99

The Eagle and the Dragon: A Novel of Rome and China (Novels of Ancient Rome Book 1) by Lewis F. McIntyre.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DLWMB3NZ/ @ £0.99 instead of £2.99

In a world where diplomacy is key, can a Roman centurion and a senator’s cousin navigate the treacherous waters of ancient politics to forge unlikely alliances? This is a fascinating novel,

In the 1st century, Marcus Lucius, a resourceful centurion, narrowly escapes execution by Parthian soldiers, while Gaius Lucullus, a reluctant diplomat, embarks on a perilous mission to the Hanaeans with his cousin, Senator Aulus Aemilius Galba. Alongside allies like the wise librarian Demaratos, they navigate the complexities of foreign lands, political intrigue, and personal relationships across Rome and China. I repeat, this is a fascinating novel, and there’s one more to come. Oh goody. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DLWMB3NZ/ @£0.99 instead of £2.99

Milly Adams is the author of the Waterway Girls trilogy https://www.amazon.co.uk//dp/B0FRN1JWMF/ @ £5.97 for all 3 kindles

I’m taking advantage of this lovely hot weather to create salads in as many ways as possible. I’m in awe of the beautiful displays created by professional chefs – perfect slices of brightly-coloured vegetables arranged like a work of art, and I’m keen to reproduce these gorgeous platters, but ideally without slicing off my finger-tips in the process.

Now, thanks to wonderful Microplane, I don’t have to worry. Mindful of people like me, Microplane have created the perfect mandoline – the Microplane Adjustable V-Blade Slicer PureCut and I simply adore it. True to the Microplane pedigree, it’s razor sharp, for the most perfect slicing, but it’s so cleverly designed that my pinkies are totally safe.

Microplane – the original manufacturer of photo-etched cutting tools – was inspired by a Canadian housewife in the 90s, who, fed up with her kitchen grater, borrowed one of her husband’s wood-working tools. After over fifty years of experience, their durable, photo-etched and razor-sharp stainless-steel blades are simply the best – effortlessly cutting through hard and soft foods, without tearing or shredding.

Firstly – the Microplane Adjustable V-Blade Slicer PureCut looks beautiful – sleek and stylish in a choice of three colours – After Dark Grey, Eucalyptus Green and Cashmere Beige – to match any kitchen. Secondly – the ultra-sharp blade is a given – it’s Microplane – nothing more to be said. But thirdly, it’s cleverly designed to create different-sized slices from wafer thin to 8mm thick by simply turning the rotating wheel (see picture below). It does everything you need for glorious salads, perfectly sliced Dauphinoise potatoes, Aubergine Parmigiana, and frankly anything else involving slicing food – it’s so easy to use and totally effortless. Thanks to the non-slip base it’s very stable, and the clever curved notch allows it to fit onto the edge of a container, meaning you can grate directly into it.

With my aversion to sharp blades, I love that it comes with a Universal Hand Guard – so cleverly designed to protect fingers while slicing – it attaches conveniently to the handle so it doesn’t get misplaced. For added protection, you can also use the Microplane Cut-Resistant Glove (sold separately).

The Microplane V-Blade Slicer PureCut is dishwasher safe, but a quick wipe under a hot tap is all that’s needed. By rotating the wheel completely anticlockwise, the blade becomes completely flush with the base, preventing accidental injuries when stored in a drawer or with kids around.

Microplane Adjustable V-Blade Slicer PureCut RRP £49.95 is available from selfridges.com. This really is a must have – no discussion needed.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

I planted a cottage garden a few years ago, and the nepeta, lavender, herbs and roses really attracted the bees, What’s more they matched my Cotoneaster Splendens growing up the wall for the equivalent of bee heaven. Round the corner of the house is another garden where I planted buddleias, just two, a couple of years ago, but there was something missing…

That’s it, easy care wild flowers specific to pollinating insects to balance the butterflies flicking around the buddleia was the answer.

In a bed,which in the past had housed runner beans, I set about instructing (!) Dick to dig while I pontificated about which to buy, and how many. So in I went, straight onto https://www.rootsplants.co.uk/ and there they were, such gorgeous little rascals – wild flower seedlings. I read on: they grow best in full sun but tolerate part shade. Tick. They flower from May to October.Tick. I knew that all one had to do at the end of the season, was that Dick would strim. Tick. The cycle would begin again in the spring. Simples.

They arrived in good packaging, in trays. (We had measured the patch and bought accordingly with the help of Roots advice writ clear on the page.)Then it was time to plant out the clutch of seedlings.

We already had existing poppies, so left these adults in place to keep the newbies in order. Wildflower seedlings need little care, because let’s face it, they don’t have that in the wild. Just a bit of water (pre-heatwave) and sun, then lots of sun and …. Just look.

I am thrilled. The bees are thrilled, and frankly, if I need more plants of any description, I will head straight for https://www.rootsplants.co.uk . I just get the feeling they love their plants as much as I love mine.

Margaret Graham (who also writes under Milly Adams and Annie Clarke) is the author of over twenty novels. The Waterway Girls series has recently been published in kindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H46FX35L/

I’ve just discovered the most delicious teas, courtesy of Bird & Blend Tea Co – a real hidden treasure. Their passion for everything ‘Tea’ and their determination to pass this pleasure to others is tangible in all their products.

I absolutely love their limited edition Moomins collaboration, creating the simply delicious Moomin House Cosy Comforts Tea (RRP £22) – an incredible blend of Black Tea, Sweet Blackberry Leaves (6%), Cinnamon (6%), Cloves, Cassia Bark, and Natural Flavouring. Presented in an attractive, collectible 150g tin inspired by the iconic Moominhouse, the aroma hits the senses as soon as you remove the lid. The high quality whole leaf black tea, the cinnamon and cloves, mingling with hints of cassia bark has such a powerful and pleasurable aroma, that one almost doesn’t need to drink it to enjoy it – very much like a top quality wine. It can be enjoyed hot or also cold – a real consideration during this heat wave, but I admit to curling up with a hot mug of this heavenly brew.

But Bird & Blend Tea Co don’t limit their creations to black tea – how do you fancy Vanilla Icecream Matcha (RRP £22 for a 30g tin). This is one of their wide range of inventive beverages made with 100% Ceremonial Grade Japanese Matcha, a nutrient & antioxidant rich superfood, sugar free and only natural flavourings added. I love this matcha – the gentle sweetness of the vanilla merging perfectly with the feisty Matcha – a great picker-upper when the afternoon snooze is threatening (or is that just me?). Do check out their wide range of clever Matcha combinations here – the page also instructs exactly how to make the perfect Matcha – well worth a read.

The Bird & Blend Tea Co website is bursting with amazing and exciting novel teas, and lots of information on how they source the very best teas and their sustainability and charitable programmes.

However I have just one more to share with you – Morning Kick – this time based on Amazonian Yerba Mate (21%), blended with Lemongrass, Ginger (16%), Citrus Peel, Lemon Verbena (11%) and Marigold Petals (RRP £6.85 for 50g). An incredible burst of flavour to start the day – simply delicious. I have no more to say. Do take a look at the website -you’ll be so pleased you did.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

The Vanishers by R. G. Belsky  A Paranormal Gothic Thriller – perfect for fans of Atmospheric Horror and Psychological Suspense and frankly, gulp and stress on every page, but in a nice way! Megan Foley knows she saw the little boy. So why does everyone at the perfect seaside house insist he never existed?

When Megan and her husband Patrick accept an invitation to spend the summer at a luxurious house share in Stone Beach, Connecticut, everything seems too good to be true. The rent is absurdly low. The host, Mrs. Monahan, is attentive to the point of unease. The other guests are pleasant — until they aren’t. One day, Megan sees a boy, Tommy, playing… and the next, Tommy is simply gone. Erased, as though he never existed. All the other guests at the house look at Megan blankly when she asks. One by one, the guests succumb to long hours in front of the television in a glassy trance. Patrick grows cold and distant. Something stirs in the attic. Megan alone seems immune — but for how long? Frankly, fascinating. You need a l-o-n-g train journey as you won’t want to put it down. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FYFY4SYD/ @ £0.99 instead of £3.49 – for now.

Late Checkout: A compulsive police procedural thriller (DCI Murrain Series Book 1 of 5) by Alex Walters and it’s FREE as a kindle with the paperback@ £6.99

This DCI notices things others don’t – instincts that have helped him solve even the most baffling cases. But they also come at a cost. Read book one in the shocking crime series by Alex Walters. When a woman is found murdered in a Manchester hotel, DCI Kenny Murrain is called in to lead the investigation. The crime scene raises more questions than it answers: a violent killing, yet chillingly precise. No forensics. No witnesses. No obvious motive. As more victims are discovered across the region, each bearing the same disturbing hallmarks, it becomes clear a single killer is behind them–methodical, mobile, and always one step ahead.

With pressure mounting and no clear leads, Murrain is forced to rely on the very instincts that have always set him apart. But the closer he gets, the more the case begins to unravel.This DCI notices things others don’t – instincts that have helped him solve even the most baffling cases. But they also come at a cost. Read book one in the shocking crime series by Alex Walters. I really liked this novel, very readable. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FWC6KBF4/ @ FREE

The Riviera Affair: A twisty vintage cozy mystery (The Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries Book 4) by J. New . Aren’t her books just lovely, and this is No 4, believe it or not, of the Yellow Cottage Mysteries. The glamour of the French Riviera quickly turns sour as Ella is caught up in an investigation with consequences on both sides of the Channel—has she finally met her match? When her mother telephones from France with news of her imminent arrest, (gasp) Ella Bridges rushes to her side—bringing along her aunt and an eccentric friend for support. But what begins as a missing person case soon spirals into murder, and Ella finds herself at the heart of a mystery far more complex than expected.

In a foreign land where she doesn’t speak the language, holds no jurisdiction and doesn’t know who to trust, Ella must draw on every ounce of her intuition and ingenuity to expose the truth. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F9FSFN9L/ @ the time limited price of £0.99

Following on – oh wow – three boxed cozy crime kindles – the gorgeous Yellow Cottage Vintage Mysteries Series (Historical Cozy Crime Box Set 1-3)by J. New . These three 1930s murder mysteries are delightfully witty, as the somewhat quirky amateur sleuth Ella Bridges finds herself entangled in all sorts mysteries set in post-WWI-era England (such an interesting time) .

An Accidental Murder – Ella is still adjusting to island life when she finds herself entangled in a chilling murder investigation. But she’s not solving it alone. A rather unusual companion offers assistance in unexpected ways. Oh, how interesting. Read it to learn more.

The Curse of Arundel Hall – A dinner at Arundel Hall contains more than a few courses, – you see, one of the dinner guests is murdered, So is it the old curse once again – or something else?

A Clerical Error – Ella Bridges faces her most challenging case yet when the village vicar dies suddenly at the May Day Fete. Goodness, that’s a bit of a downer, but our Ella is not fazed in the least and sets to work…

Buy the set here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H46FX35L/ @ £0.99

Milly Adams is the author of the Waterway Girls trilogy https://www.amazon.co.uk//dp/B0FRN1JWMF/ @ £5.97 for all 3 kindles

Writing Ode

The story that was looking good and rapidly advancing. Had suddenly started using terms that were not quite so entrancing. This was plainly not the plan and not what I was after. Especially as the latest lines were now bereft of laughter

I sat there staring, mouthing words that may or may not work. And what of my protagonist – is he hero or is he jerk? Whilst contemplating many things, not least what happens next. I thought I’d try a different tack and be more circumspect.

But caution doesn’t sit that well with someone such as me. So, musings turned to other things, not least my G&T. I grabbed the tonic water bottle from off the upper shelf. The blasted thing was empty – not conducive to my health!

‘Well, never mind,’ I told myself. ‘I’m sure we can make do. With a slight change in proportions to make the single gin now two.’ This seemed like quite a clever plan and thus I started pouring

If nothing else, this afternoon would certainly not be boring… The drink was downed quite rapidly and tasted rather good. Which meant I had another – no thought to whether I should. Adverse effects seemed minimal, so one more did I pour

Or was it two or maybe three or could it have been four? ‘Twas then my eyes did seem to show some signs of double vision. And all at once, I started to regret my poor decision. Tonight no words would emanate from my aged, pickled head

And so, I thought, it’s time for me to head off to my bed. But not before I save my work, though useless it may be. And so my trembling fingers hovered over the myriad keys. And hit the ones I’d used before on so many occasions. To take good care of all my varied, valuable creations

With addled thoughts of nothing else but paracetamol. I wobbled out of my writing room and out into the hall. Despite my state of rapid and now painful deterioration. A worrying thought did weave its way through my intoxication

Had I pressed ‘Control’, ‘Alt’ and ‘Delete’ instead of ‘Control’ and ‘S’? This would explain my rapidly rising feeling of distress. But did I actually use the ‘Alt’ key or had I hit the ‘A’? With dire consequences, I felt myself begin to pray.

As time lurched past, I stood there in my hazy drunken stupor. And it dawned on me I’d made a somewhat major howling blooper. With ‘Control’ and ‘A’, I’d selected every word that I’d created. Then ‘Delete’ had done its work and to the bin it had migrated!

And now I stand here wondering – can I salvage all my work? Realisation dawning that it’s me that is the jerk! In all my years of scribbling and crafting dodgy rhyme. I’d never managed to delete the lot at such a crucial time

So, when you’re sat creating words and stories of great worth. Be they serious tomes of romance or little odes of mirth. Remember this sad monologue and turn your thoughts to this. Take care which keys you think you’ve hit, especially when you’re p..sed!

‘It was a strange sort of funeral without a body; but that was how it had to be, given the circumstances.’ What do you think of this as an opening sentence? Fabulous. How can one not go on reading, but trust me, as you read on, the pages will turn at speed and it is unforgiveable that the train arrives at your stop on time when you still have several chapters to go. Yes, it really is this good.

Mark McCrum was originally a travel writer and it shows in the finely drawn settings as the ‘press pack’ leave Britain for Rio de Janeiro and then onto THE Iguacu waterfall and on, and on with threats from all sides: muggers, glaciers and drunk soldiers (heavens, sounds almost the same as a research trip I took once upon a time, but that’s another story). As with all travelling groups, or in my experience at least and yours too no doubt, tensions build, some are mere irritants, but then others become more than that. On this trip, people talk, secrets are exposed one way and another, and those pesky professional relationships slide into the personal… (not that I am speaking from experience on this last situation, obviously – goodness, certainly not).

Will the same number who flew out, also fly back? Or if not, is it murder, or an accident or is everything working to a plan? Ah, no, no… Yours to discover.

I loved Death on the Press Trip, which goes to show that a press pack is pretty much like any other travelling group, as no such group is without a character that goes too far – but hopefully not to this extreme. Is this why Death on the Press Trip is so relatable? Or is it the writing, the humour, the sharp as a knife character creations, the settings, the tension?

We shouldn’t be surprised at the quality of this novel when you consider Mark’s debut novel, The Festival Murders, was longlisted for the Independent on Sunday’s 2024 Alternative Booker prize and selected as the Mail on Sunday’s Thriller of the Week.

Paperback and kindle available https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Press-Trip-Sunshine-glamorous-ebook/dp/B0GZ8TSFPH/ and at bookshops.

Milly Adams is the author of the Waterway Girls trilogy https://www.amazon.co.uk//dp/B0FRN1JWMF/ @ £5.97 for all 3 kindles