124

This year’s highlights include the remodelling of a Richard Seifert brutalist ‘corncob’ tower, a celebration of Japanese carpentry and a wearable hot-water bottle • The best art and photography of 2025• More on the best culture of 2025In a case of contents outshining the container, the V&A’s nationa…
121

Mayor of La Bañeza says big win in the annual Christmas event ‘is something that has fallen from the heavens’When the village of La Bañeza in Castilla y León was engulfed in one of the worst forest fires in Spanish history, the rain came too late to save it.But now the Christmas lottery has showered…
141

Continuing the series where writers pick their go-to mood-lifting films is a look back to the inspiring sports documentaryIt feels apt following a 2026 World Cup draw featuring tiny island debutants Curacao and Cape Verde to revisit Next Goal Wins, an underdog story I adopted upon first watch as if …
221

From peeling sprouts to pouring drinks, there’s an art to being genuinely useful during festive cooking• Sign up here for our weekly food newsletter, Feast“Anything I can do to help?” If ever a line was guaranteed to incense the person in charge of cooking for a crowd, it is this one: uttered in see…
111

Tell us about a lesser-known European beach – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays breakAt this time of year, thoughts turn to warmer days and dreamy holidays on sun-drenched beaches. We’d love to hear about beaches you’ve discovered on your travels in Europe (excluding the UK). We’re interest…
211

The Guardian’s picture editors highlight the work of photojournalists working for news agencies worldwide whose images have made an impact and contributed to our journalism during 2025Over the course of 2025, millions of images have been filed through our picture system from agencies who cover news …
218

Whether you’re trying to stay warm at home or smarten up for guests, we’ve found the perfect slippers and bed socks for everyone – even if you don’t normally like them• The best women’s pyjamas• The best men’s pyjamasIf it’s true that you can judge a person by their shoes, then it’s perhaps even mor…
211

River Dart, Devon: It probably came here for the shoals of grey mullet, but just for a second, it’s more interested in me and my paddleboardThere’s a lull between the storms, and for the first time in days it’s calm enough to take out my stand-up paddleboard. It’s 7.30am, and on this sheltered tidal…
233

There’s no shortage of stunning scenery and daytime activities in the Lakes. Now, an observatory is offering stellar nocturnal events tooA tawny owl screeches nearby in the dark and her mate replies, hooting eerily from the forest below. A white dome floats in the gloaming above a plain black doorwa…