The traditions of patchwork and quilting go back hundreds of years, though, as with other textiles, few pieces survive many generations, unless an item has been cherished and cared for. Initially, it

Silverware, with its glistering surface and ornate designs, dresses the table like no other material and has an unmatched capacity for turning a meal into an occasion, as Matthew Dennison discovers

Tartan check is indelibly associated with Scotland’s identity, but it took centuries to get there. While not a true tartan, the earliest Scottish check is a simple weave in undyed wool, c250 AD and fo

In a world where hugs have become the default greeting, have we forgotten the power of a simple handshake?

Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight

Could the old-fashioned ways of keeping healthy be the answer to staying well?