A Christmas shopping trip turns into a chance to catch up on pony gossip for Tessa Waugh , who is on the back foot as far as present buying is concerned but replete with tales of happy new homes

As I look ahead to Christmas this year, I feel that familiar cocktail of excitement and mild dread. The children are growing up fast now – and who knows how many more years of ‘magic’ we have left? La

GINNY glanced nervously at the tree and the gifts beneath it. She hoped she’d done the right thing. “It’ll be fine, love,” John said, putting an arm round her shoulder. “They’re our grandkids. They’ll

In celebration of the author’s 250th year, Bethany Stone delves into the small but significant role of horses in Jane Austen’s fiction

THE fire in the great hall burned brightly to welcome Lady Dunstone’s guests to the event of the season, the Dunstone Manor Christmas Ball. The Manor was splendid this year. Snow glittered on the tree

Claudia Savage-Gore despairs about the kids, and Christmas