It had started to become a little bit of a problem; having lived in Scotland for 15 years, we still hadn’t properly visited any of its islands. We had ventured onto Skye a couple of times, but it’s no

From laying foundations on shingle and tackling sand in sliding doors, to maximising sea views and a sense of home, architect Derek Rankin talks about the challenges and triumphs of creating a beach bolthole

Having lived in a handsome 16th-century farmhouse in rural Essex for 45 years, downsizing was much less of a wrench for Gill Jerram than she had imagined when an opportunity arose to build a beautiful

A very clever (and small) extension has paid big dividends for Janet and Pete Hanson

A timber-clad retreat on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, Ukiyo combines Japanese-inspired calm, sustainable design and panoramic sea views

Do you daydream about swapping the rat race for an outdoor-centric existence The trailblazers here have all taken dramatic steps to change their lives their stories might just inspire you to do the same