Fantasy author JRR Tolkien’s mythological Middle Earth takes inspiration from a number of places in Gloucestershire and the West Midlands. Tolkien frequently visited the Forest of Dean and its tempera

Few visitors to the New Forest realise the impression that its villages and ancient woodlands made on Britain’s most celebrated writers. Jo Jukes takes a literary walk in the woods

The connection between nature and creativity comes in many forms. Here, artists, writers and musicians talk about the different ways in which they take inspiration from the outdoors - and share the places that fuel their imagination

The imagined gardens within the pages of our favourite books can seem as real as the flower beds outside our door. Here, author Sandra Lawrence explores three evocative literary landscapes

Interior designer Henry Prideaux explains why he and his family return to Wales’ Llŷn Peninsula time and again

This week’s dream: the Waldorf Astoria glitters again ...