Life Style

A stunning Kent town has been crowned the county's best place to live in 2025 (Image: Moonstone Images via Getty Images)A stunning Kent town has been crowned the county's best place to live in 2025, according to polling data. Lifestyle magazine Muddy Stilettos asked its readers to vote for their favourite local village, town or city to put down roots as part of its Top 300 Places to Live guide. Sevenoaks has taken the top spot, praised for its "stunning countryside, strong commuting links, social scene and ideal location". The town triumphed over nine other contenders from across Kent.Tunbridge Wells came in second place, with Folkestone in third, Faversham in fourth, and Tankerton completing the top five. Hero Brown, founder and editor-in-chief of Muddy Stilettos, said: "When people mo...

A beloved beauty spot frequented by dog walkers and other visitors alike is also a location where it's "lawful for farmers to shoot dogs to protect their livestock". Every spring, the matter of dogs roaming freely at Dartmoor National Park generates considerable discussion, particularly during the livestock breeding and ground-nesting bird season.Visitors to wild beauty spots such as Dartmoor may not be aware that livestock including sheep, cattle and ponies roam free on the open moorland, these animals are not wild, but owned by farmers - and one issue they face is dogs chasing or attacking livestock.In 2025, officers initiated an enquiry following a devastating dog attack in Devon which claimed the lives of 19 ewes and 24 lambs, while canine attacks on livestock throughout the UK resu...

Many people are worried about energy bills this winter (Image: Getty)Countless Brits are grappling with elevated  energy costs this winter after Ofgem's recent 0.2% price cap adjustment, which came on the heels of a 2% increase spanning October through December. However, EDF Energy has highlighted multiple strategies that could minimise financial strain, including a simple habit adjustment.While it might appear overly straightforward, the energy supplier's guidance essentially centres on your shower duration. Studies indicate that many people spend up to 10 minutes washing during each session, but reducing this to four minutes could deliver substantial energy savings.In a 2024 online energy-saving guide, EDF explained: "Cutting your shower time to 4 minutes can save you around £60 a yea...

Many of us are consistently chasing plumper-looking skin with a gorgeous, sculpted appearance - especially in the winter. While some solutions and formulas that 'work' are quite the investment, luxury beauty brand Charlotte Tilbury has reduced the cost of a skincare set that is said to make skin 'glow'.The 'Charlotte's Icon Magic Mini Set', which the brand claims is worth £70, would usually set shoppers back £48 but has now been reduced to £33.60.Containing the brand's 'award winning face serum and moisturiser', the Charlotte Tilbury mini skincare gift set also features an 'exclusive, limited-edition white quartz gua sha'.The collection comprises two mini skincare essentials 'adored by celebrities, facialists and dermatologists' - the award-winning moisturiser Charlotte's Magic Cream an...

A popular beauty product has been urgently recalled as it presents a 'serious chemical risk'. According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the item was being sold on TikTok Shop.People who have bought the Acrylic Nail Art Kit with UV LED Lamp & Gel Polish Set are being urged not to use it. The item presents a 'serious chemical risk' as it contains a compound which is possibly carcinogenic to humans. If you've bought this item, here's what you should do in order to keep safe.The product has been described as a DIY nail art kit consisting of 12 containers of glitter acrylic powder, a bottle of EMA liquid, an electrical drying lamp, a hand rest, and various accessories.It's not known where the item originated from, but it does not meet The Cosmetics Regulation, but ...

Generally, the Cats Protection charity does not recommend feeding your cat human food. Many foods intended for human consumption can be harmful to cats and do not contain the nutritional value your cat needs. Cats need a balanced diet and have specific nutritional requirements to stay healthy, all of which can be found in complete cat food. While it may be tempting to give your feline a human snack from time to time, some can pose serious health risks. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they are meat eaters and do not need treats such as dairy or vegetables in their diet. In light of this, the cat charity has shared some human foods to avoid giving your pet.DairyWhile many pet owners think a chunk of cheese or a little milk will be a good treat for their felines, it’s best to avoid a...

Inbaal shared which star signs will be impacted most (Image: Getty)Mercury Retrograde is almost upon us, and when many people read that, they immediately begin to panic. From miscommunication to travel problems, you'll definitely want to double-check a contract if you're signing one soon. From February 26 to March 20, Mercury will be in retrograde in the water sign of Pisces, which means different things for every single star sign.Psychic Inbaal Honigman shared with Psychic Chat: "When the planet Mercury looks to be going backwards in the sky, it can have a negative effect on all communication matters. Between February 26 and March 20, Mercury will be going retrograde in the sensitive sign of Pisces".Here's what Inbaal had to say about each star sign...The signs that will be impacted di...

It’s welcome news for some Nationwide customers getting ready for a holiday, as they could cut costs before booking their next trip. A travel expert shared the tip on BBC Morning Live and it may benefit many people across the UK, even if you're not with the bank.Speaking on the programme, Rebecca Wilcox said she is “astonished” that some travellers still fail to take out travel insurance, calling it a serious mistake. While she urged those without cover to arrange it as soon as possible, she also pointed out that others may already be insured without realising.Addressing the good news, she posed the question: "Are you already covered? You could have it with your bank account. These are things we want to have a look at before we are getting our travel insurance. Does your bank account a...

The Express has teamed up with Northern Trains, to offer excellent prices on unlimited day or weekend train travel with their Hop On Hop Off train ticket, available between February 23 and March 27, 2026. All you have to do is collect two tokens from the North edition of the Express between Monday, February 23 and Sunday, March 1, 2026, download a registration form from the Northern website and take them to your local staffed ticket office on the Northern network to redeem.The best part is you can use your tickets to hop on any train on the Northern network!* So, if you’re looking for the perfect excuse to ride the rails as the days start to get longer or travel by train to one of the many great cities of the North, then this could be the ticket for you.A great value train ticket that l...

The Dabbling Duck: Inside pub much-loved by royals Tucked away in the postcard-perfect village of Great Massingham sits what I can only describe as the best pub in Norfolk - and perhaps one of Britain’s most quietly remarkable rural gems.The Dabbling Duck isn’t just another country pub. It’s a place woven into local life, with a story of resilience, community spirit and royal connections that make it feel truly special.Over the years, the pub has welcomed the likes of Prince William and Princess Catherine, as well as Prince Harry who dropped in while spending time near the Sandringham estate, just a short drive away.Prince William has also been described in past reports as being fond of the pub during his time in Norfolk. Read more: These £20 House of Bruar loafers are just like Megha...