London's new garden squares
London is already the greenest capital in Europe, with homeowners enjoying more than 600 garden squares. And the good news is that there are more to come.
As the BBC move out, Shepherd's Bush switches to a new programme
As Aunty leaves the Bush the borough seizes the opportunity to create a proper neighbourhood.
Spotlight on Camden Town
The shops and markets clustered around the high street and canal make Camden one of the most colourful of London's neighbourhoods. The area's period homes and loft-style apartments attract a mix of homebuyers.
Revealed: from Reading to Redhill – the top 20 commuter stations
Choose your route. Our exclusive property buyers’ guide shows travel times, costs and house prices.
My design London - Russell Norman
Owner of Polpo, Spuntino and Polpetto restaurants in Soho, and da Polpo and Mishkin's in Covent Garden, restauranteur Russell Norman opens up on his favourite London haunts.
Find a rated tradesman
Want to add value to your property, make your house a home, or sell your place fast? With 1,000s of tradesmen nationwide, rated and recommended by previous customers, this is the smart way to find a reputable tradesman.
Buy of the week: Camden Town
This two-bedroom flat has a pretty park on its doorstep, while buzzing Camden Town is only 10 minutes’ walk away. Big sash windows and high ceilings give a spacious feel and there’s a private garden with a studio/home office (£525,000).
Swap of the week: Willersey, Glouc
This little Cotswolds beauty is just across the road from the village green and duck pond. For £530,000 you get beams, exposed stone walls and an open fireplace, plus four bedrooms, a useful attic room and lush gardens to enjoy.
Life-changer: Trescowe, Cornwall
For a project brimming with potential, what about this coastal home, yours for £545,000? The family space includes six bedrooms, while its collection of outbuildings overlooking an acre of gardens could become income-generating holiday lets.
Spotlight on Camden Town
The shops and markets clustered around the high street and canal make Camden one of the most colourful of London's neighbourhoods. The area's period homes and loft-style apartments attract a mix of homebuyers.
Property search
Five art and crafts shows to see in May
By Barbara Chandler
May 11-14: Spirit of Summer Fair (bedding by Runway Coast: runawaycoast.com)
May 15: Midcentury Modern, will feature garden furniture (above) by Upcyclers
1. Spirit of Summer Fair
May 11-14; Olympia Grand Hall (0844 412 4623; spiritofsummer.co.uk)
Born to shop? You’ll love this annual fair with more than 300 “boutique” stalls selling posh stuff that isn’t on the high street, including home and garden goods, travel accessories, fashion, jewellery and more.
Enjoy food and drinks tastings, demonstrations and workshops. Tickets in advance, £15; older children £7. On the door, £16.50 and £8.
2. Midcentury Modern
May 15; Nursery Pavilion, Lord’s Cricket Ground, NW8 (077900 41646; modernshows.com)
Indulge a yen for Fifties furnishings (fostered perhaps by the current Festival of Britain anniversary celebrations) at this popular event, with 40 dealers now showing in a new venue.
Also find featured ingenious “upcyclers” reinventing old furniture and fabrics, along with carefully selected modern designers and a special display of garden furniture. Tickets cost £6 in advance, or £7 on the door.
May 7-8: Contemporary Art and Design Show. (Above) Ensphere, £900 (cavalierofinn.com)
3. Contemporary Art and Design Show
May 7-8; Cavaliero Finn, 268 Croxted Road, Herne Hill, SE24 (07941 200 300; cavalierofinn.com)
Throwing open her home as part of the Dulwich Festival (dulwichfestival.co.uk) on Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8 is Juliana Cavaliero, one half of the London art and design consultancy Cavaliero Finn.
A careful selection from the work of 15 or more established and very new artists and designers includes knitted furniture, sumptuous wallpapers, ceramic miniatures, screen prints, paintings and much more.
Until May 8: The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair. (Above) English library chair circa 1930
4. The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair
Until Sunday May 8; The Marquee, Battersea Park, SW11 (decorativefair.com)
Here’s where discerning decorators source those special bits that set a home apart, browsing more than 130 exhibitors from the UK and Europe showing country furniture, fine antiques and mid-century modern design.
Also, enjoy a tranquil moment in this spring’s Zen Garden feature. Tickets are £10 on the door - or free if you print this page and take it along. Free Renault shuttle service to the park from the Sloane Square Hotel.
May 19-22: Made in Clerkenwell. (Above) London Bus Blind Cushion, £45 (michellemason.co.uk)
5. Made in Clerkenwell
May 19-22; Craft Central, Clerkenwell Green and St John’s Square, EC1 (craftcentral.org.uk)
Meet 90 of London’s top makers at summer open studios in two buildings minutes apart, selling fabric, cushions, lampshades, ceramics and glass along with fashion accessories and lots of jewellery.
Hear how your purchase was made - or place a commission. Bone up on baskets in a special feature, and check out summer craft workshops. May 19, 5pm-8pm; May 20, noon-8pm; May 21 and 22, noon-6pm. One £2.50 ticket admits to both buildings.
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London’s epidemic of discounting
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There is such a thing as a VAT-free lunch
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