Join Editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank as they discuss food that feels like a hug on a plate, why hugging is good for us (and the best types of hug), how to cope with difficult times and the joy of the arts.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to Austria Tourism for supporting this season.

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

In the October RELISH issue (172) available to buy here

A Good Life – comforting recipes for early autumn including butternut squash and blue cheese risotto, chicken noodle soup and fig leaf custard

Food to share – Corned beef hash in a giant Yorkshire pudding

Cake in the house – beetroot battenburg

Beryl Cook – joyful art to make you smile 100 years after her birth. Extract from the new book Beryl Cook: Life and Art (Frances Lincoln).

Beryl Cook & Friends installation at Bicester Village runs until 25 October. Find out more here

Art cure - why the arts are so important for our wellbeing. Feature by Daisy Fancourt, author of Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform our Health (Cornerstone)

Wisdom: Caitlin Moran talks about finding positivity in an anxious world. Her new book How to be Hopeful (Ebury) is out now.

Coming up in the November HEARTY issue (173) On sale 23 October

Know a thing or two about dogs: the fascinating evolution from wolf to man’s best friend, dog language and what we can learn from our pets

From previous issues available to buy here

Coping with big change (September, Issue 171)

What to do when you can’t do anything (July, Issue 169)

On the blog

Smokey Boston beans and armadillo potatoes

Rainbow minestrone with basil mayo topping

Thanks again to Austria Tourism for supporting this season and to Rudolf Abraham, travel writer, guidebook author and photographer for sharing his highlights of the Austrian autumn including:
Salzkammergut region – one of his favourite places. He is author of a guidebook to the area
Dachstein mountains – Echerntal, a valley near Hallstatt which leads up onto the plateau
Hohe Tauern mountains & national park
Grossglockner (highest mountain in Austria) – Alpe Adria Trail starts at the foot of the Grossglockner.

To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info.

Join The Simple Things’ Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank and author of The Slow Traveller and regular contributor Jo Tinsley as they talk about gathering the harvest, gatherings with friends and our favourite places to gather.

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. We can send subscriptions anywhere in the world. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to Austria Tourism for supporting Season 11. To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info or follow them @visitaustria

Editing & music by Arthur Cosslett.

On the blog

Invisible orchards

In the October issue (172) on sale now available to buy here

At home Oktoberfest !

A good life: autumn visit to a Derbyshire Dales garden and kitchen

Modern Eccentrics: The conker champions

Looking back: history of kitchens

In previous issues on sale now available to buy here

Tick-as-you-go challenges (September 2026, issue171)

The bonus harvest (September 2026, issue171)

Interview with Emma Bridgewater (September 2025, issue 159)

Learn more

The National Trust Book of Scones by Sarah Merker (National Trust)

Join Editor of The Simple Things Lisa Sykes and wellbeing editor Rebecca Frank and as they enjoy a MELLOW transition from summer to autumn, making the most of the things you can only do before the season turns and appreciating small pleasures

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Thanks to Austria Tourism for supporting Season 11. To find out more about year-round outdoor adventures in Austria go to Austria.info

Editing and music by Arthur Cosslett

In the September GOLDEN issue (171) available to buy here

The high notes – take notice of and noting down daily delights

The Big Idea: The Small Stuff: The Sensory Enchantment of Everyday Life by Ian Bogost (Allen Lane) explained by Becs Frank

My Place – A Golden Glow - garden lighting

Almanac - Make a shadow puppet theatre for a whimsical storytelling evening

In the October RELISH issue (on sale from 25 September)

Analogue: A new series exploring slower life stories

Twilight: a sky full of surprises. An extract from The Secret World of Twilight by Sally Coulthard (Head of Zeus)

On the blog

Films to watch outdoors

Great places to visit

Higher Farm swim lake and sauna

Knepp rewilding reserve

From previous issues available to buy here

Outdoor cinema and a Greek feast – August 2026 (Issue 170)

Going with a guide – September 2019 (Issue 87)

Remains of the day – evening rituals to calmly end the day. (Flourish wellbeing bookazine, edition 4)