Embassy exodus returns acres of central London to its residents
As the embassies exit Mayfair and Marylebone, their former bases will free up stunning family homes. While the move of many embassies to Nine Elms at Vauxhall is creating a new residential quarter including thousands of new apartments.
Fast new commuter routes are changing London's property map
Regeneration throughout London continues to change the property map, with the orbital train network and recent Tube line extensions creating faster commuter routes with good-value homes, including Deptford, Bromley and Woolwich.
Brighton spotlight
The East Sussex city of Brighton and Hove offers its residents the best of both worlds: a relaxed life at one end of the line within an hour's commute of London, and a good mix of Regency terrace houses, seafront apartments and family homes.
Canterbury spotlight
The compact city of Canterbury sits 60 miles south-east of London in Kent. In recent years its property market has been boosted by a high-speed rail service into St Pancras, which cuts the journey time to the capital to less than an hour.
Chelsea Flower Show preview 2013
This year the RHS Chelsea Flower Show promises to be suitably fabulous as it celebrates its centenary year with stunning gardens, including the Forget-me-Not Garden by B&Q and Prince Harry's charity.
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: Stoke Newington, N16
This modern home of almost 1,000sq ft is close to Stoke Newington's high street. A 27ft reception room and two large bedrooms give the flat a spacious feel.
Out of town: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The beauty spot of Leighterton, with its poppy fields, ivy-covered churches and popular local gastro pub, is home to this four-bedroom house with stone-walled gardens.
Life-changer: Dolwyddelan, Conwy
Have a station all to yourself by buying the Old Station Master's house at Roman Bridge, where trains will stop at your door on request. You also get three bedrooms and 10 acres of grounds.
Oxford spotlight
The small city of Oxford is famous for its university and honeyed stone architecture, but its huge range of property - from affordable new homes to luxurious Victorian houses - and one hour commute to London, are big attractions to home buyers.-
Buy of the week: Stoke Newington, N16
This modern home of almost 1,000sq ft is close to Stoke Newington's high street. A 27ft reception room and two large bedrooms give the flat a spacious feel. -
Out of town: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The beauty spot of Leighterton, with its poppy fields, ivy-covered churches and popular local gastro pub, is home to this four-bedroom house with stone-walled gardens. -
Life-changer: Dolwyddelan, Conwy
Have a station all to yourself by buying the Old Station Master's house at Roman Bridge, where trains will stop at your door on request. You also get three bedrooms and 10 acres of grounds.
Property search
Rosemary lamb kebabs with honey and redcurrant glaze
These kebabs are quick to cook and fun for the family to assemble in pitta bread with a choice of toppings
© Waitrose.com
Rosemary lamb kebabs with honey and redcurrant glaze
Cooking time: 12-14 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
* 1 tbsp vegetable oil
* 2 tbsp clear honey
* 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
* 4 tbsp redcurrant jelly
* 680g lamb, diced leg
* 2 red onions, each cut into 8 wedges
To serve
* 1 pack six pitta breads
* 50g bag lamb's lettuce
* 170g tub reduced fat houmous or tzatziki
Method
1. In a small bowl, mix together the oil, honey, rosemary and redcurrant jelly.
2. Thread the lamb and red onion pieces onto four metal or wooden skewers and place in a long dish. Brush the kebabs with the honey glaze, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to high and cook the kebabs on the grill rack for six to seven minutes, turning once or twice until the lamb is cooked to your liking.
4. Warm the pitta breads in a toaster or in a preheated oven. Halve, split and serve with the kebabs, lambs lettuce and a dollop of houmous or tzatziki, leaving everyone to fill their own pittas.
Cook's tips: if using wooden skewers, soak in cold water for 10 minutes first before threading on the meat.
Recipe provided by
More than 5,000 recipes can be downloaded from Waitrose.com
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