Halloween is a time to dress up, get outdoors, discover something unexpected, and, of course, embrace a little fright. As October draws to a close, historic houses, gardens, museums, theatres and local venues take on a suitably spooky atmosphere, with plenty happening for curious little ones, adventurous families and those looking for something a little scarier.

October is all about comforting food, with plenty of seasonal vegetables, warming spices and hearty ingredients to make the most of the cooler days. From a warming pumpkin soup to a cosy shepherd’s pie, these recipes are simple, full of flavour and perfect for autumn cooking.

A first forward roll, a wobbly walk across the beam, or the moment a child lets go of your hand and runs into class without looking back might seem like little milestones, but to us, they are anything but.

At Orchard House School, that question led to a complete rethink of the curriculum. The result is The Learning Orchard – an ambitious approach to teaching that combines academic excellence with creativity, critical thinking and character development.

Autumn is a busy but rewarding season for rose growers across the country. A little attention now - tidying, feeding and pruning - will set your roses up to survive winter colds and come back strong with a flush of healthy growth and flowers next summer. Below is a rundown of the key jobs, along with advice on spotting and preventing the fungal diseases that trouble roses most at this time of year.

Some events simply feel like Chiswick. Green open spaces, children running and laughing, neighbours catching up,and lots of dogs, of course. Yes, you guessed correctly, we are talking about the Chiswick House Dog Show.