On a recent walk through our village, we noticed a sign for a ‘Hedgehog Hotel’ and it really made us smile.

Making the garden wildlife-friendly is so important when many of our native species are under threat.

With a little effort, your garden could become a sanctuary for local wildlife

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This feature is taken from the 2021 Dairy Diary. It’s only a couple of months to wait for the next diary – watch this space!

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Emily Davenport

I post a blog every week featuring food, family and fun. There are lots of useful household tips, crafty ideas, giveaways and delicious recipes that I think you will find irresistible.

As travel is still pretty restrictive – and many of us don’t fancy the prospect of sitting on a plane wearing a mask – now’s the perfect time to discover more of the British Isles

But where to begin? There are SO many fantastic places to discover, sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start, so start small: focus on one thing and find the loveliest that you can in your locality, or a little further afield if you fancy it. This month I’m focussing on picnics.

Personally, I think the best picnic spots have a wonderful view, or they’re close to something tranquil and lovely such as a babbling brook or a winding river. Ponder places within a walk or a short drive that may reveal watery wonders or glorious vistas (ideally with a bench or picnic table) and plan your trip.

Take a look at this fabulous map put together by Ordnance Survey Great British bakes for the perfect picnic | OS GetOutside (ordnancesurvey.co.uk) showing picnic treats from our Around Britain cookbook. Or unfold one of your old favourite OS maps and find somewhere perfect to picnic.

Pack plenty of goodies, a picnic blanket in case of damp grass or bench, sunhat and sunglasses and you’re all set.

Happy picnicking!

We’ll be heading off to Gower to enjoy our favourite view while we picnic. And we’ll be enjoying a slice of one of my favourite cakes.

Raspberry & Macadamia Cake

An irresistible Raspberry & Macadamia Cake recipe from The Dairy Book of Home Cookery.

Emily Davenport

I post a blog every week featuring food, family and fun. There are lots of useful household tips, crafty ideas, giveaways and delicious recipes that I think you will find irresistible.

The UK cherry season is in full swing and it’s the perfect time to feast on these delicious little fruits

There are over 1000 different sweet and tart cherries varieties on offer; however, only 20% or so are used in food production.

Did you know the average cherry tree can produce 7,000 juicy fruits? Meaning there is plenty to create lots of gorgeous dishes and bakes – including the Cherry Bakewell Cakes from the 2020 Dairy Diary.

Here is the recipe for you to enjoy!

Cherry Bakewell Cakes

Emma Snow

I am the Brand Executive for Dairy Diary. A passionate foodie (with a very sweet-tooth). Who likes to blog about all things DIY & scrumptious recipes.

Win a fabulous staycation with dinner and fizz for two worth £220, courtesy of RedLetterDays.co.uk

Enjoy a glass of fizz on arrival, dine on a delicious three-course meal, and breakfast in the morning before you depart.

With 23 stunning luxurious locations to choose from, prepare to be spoilt!

You could find yourself in a tranquil bliss at an exclusive spa retreat, or experience vibrant nightlife, culture and shopping in a UK city (don’t forget your Dairy Diary Shopping Bag!)

Perhaps a rural, character-filled break in the great British countryside… whatever your taste, there is sure to be an experience for you.

Which style of getaway would you choose? A spa break, exploring a new city or something else?

ENTER NOW

Good luck!

Emma Snow

I am the Brand Executive for Dairy Diary. A passionate foodie (with a very sweet-tooth). Who likes to blog about all things DIY & scrumptious recipes.

Lockdown has made us appreciate our gardens more than ever and gardening is now big business!

But it’s not just plants that liven up the garden, we can adorn with sculpture, chairs, outdoor rugs and (my favourite) festoon or fairy lights.

Lighting can change your garden into a magical place in an evening – an inviting spot for dining outside.

You can go the whole hog and employ an electrician to install dramatic uplighters, or simply dot solar lights around the garden and string up some gorgeous fairy or festoon lights.

Flickering candles on your outdoor table add to the ambience. Citronella candles are a great idea as they also keep bugs at bay.

And eat simple, delicious foods that don’t take long to prepare and can be enjoyed at leisure with your friends and family.

Why not try the recipes below? Taken from our super-popular Quick AfterWork Cookbook (not all must be cooked ‘after-work’ though!)

Halloumi Salad with Orange, Pomegranate & Hazelnut

Chicken & Chorizo Lasagne Grill

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And make the most of the gorgeous seasonal British strawberries for dessert

Take a look at our 5 Strawberry Recipes for Summer collection.  

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Emily Davenport

I post a blog every week featuring food, family and fun. There are lots of useful household tips, crafty ideas, giveaways and delicious recipes that I think you will find irresistible.

It may have felt a long time coming but today is the summer solstice; the official start of summer and the longest day of the year

Make the most of those extra hours of daylight by doing something special (and I don’t mean dancing around with flowers in your hair; unless you want to of course!)

Some of my favourite moments basking in those last few rays of sunshine have been spent on the beach. Beachcombing at dusk, giggling at my ineptitude at boules; family cricket or – best of all – a beach campfire.

For a successful and safe campfire, there are a few rules that you should follow:

1 Choose a quiet, more secluded beach where campfires are permitted.

2 Situate yourself in a sheltered spot, not too close to anyone who may be annoyed by the smoke.

3 Dig a circle in the sand a few inches deep and about 3 feet across. Then surround with large pebbles.

4 Fill with kindling/sticks in a rough pyramid shape and light with matches or a lighter. It may help to bring a couple of natural firelighters to help get it going.

5 Toast marshmallows on long wooden-handled metal skewers or forks (and sandwich between chocolate digestives; our family take on s’mores).

6 Sit in a comfy camping chair and watch the flames as the sun goes down.

7 When your fire has died down, douse it liberally with seawater (don’t forget to take a bucket for this!) then cover any remaining embers with sand.

8 Ensure the beach looks just as you found it before you leave.

Emily Davenport

I post a blog every week featuring food, family and fun. There are lots of useful household tips, crafty ideas, giveaways and delicious recipes that I think you will find irresistible.