Alistair Ives

Chess is often sold as a workout for the brain that might hold off dementia. Here is what the evidence actually shows, and why joining a club could still be the smart move.

Garden saunas are having a moment in Britain. Before you order a barrel and a stove, here’s how planning, Building Regulations and smoke control rules affect your build.

Hill walking, muddy trail runs, splitting logs and cold-morning bike rides work your whole body. Here is how to make autumn your fittest season without the gym.

Most RNLI volunteers never wear a yellow helmet. Here’s what lifeboat crew, shore crew and fundraising roles actually involve, who can apply, and how to start.

Loft, walls and floors: how much insulation you really need, which jobs you can do yourself, how to avoid damp and mould, and where to look for grants.

Real ale, craft beer and a few friends round the kitchen table. How to plan a home beer tasting that’s fun, educational and doesn’t end with someone asleep on the sofa.

You don’t need Lycra, a carbon frame or a Strava habit to enjoy cycling after 45. A decent saddle, a proper bike setup and a bit of tax help will do.

Can’t touch your toes? You’re exactly who yoga is for. Here’s a simple living-room routine for stiff men, plus what kit you need and when to find a class.

Dark evenings and wet roads need not end your riding. Set up your bike for British weather, make indoor sessions count and know when to stay off the road.

Wild camping, bothies or a bunkhouse in the Lakes? Where it’s legal to pitch a tent in the UK, and how to plan an outdoor weekend with your mates that works.

Pickleball is easy to start, sociable and cheaper to try than you might expect. Here’s how the game works, what a session costs and how to play safely.

Bridge makes you think, plan and work with a partner. That is a good reason to play, but the evidence does not make it a defence against dementia.