What's On 12 October

Ellie Smith
October 12, 2025

Dear Reader,

To lose Jilly Cooper is like losing your wickedly funny great aunt; the one who let you have your first thimble of gin aged 13; or who taught you how to flirt with men (not boys, men); or who told you just to pull yourself together and stop wallowing. Her doorstopping novels with their iconic covers were just pure, unadulterated romps of titillating joy, so immersive that you lost yourself in Rutshire and fell hard for her characters, jealously wishing you weren’t stuck in your teenage bedroom but were in her pages – filled with horses, glamour, power, money and beautiful people. She lived next door to a great friend of mine in the Cotswolds and my husband used to play cricket with hers so I had a tiny shot of magic Jilly in my life. She will be much missed but her books – thank goodness – will live on. Here are five of her classics to reread in her memory.

Have a great week.

WHAT’S ON MY MIND THIS WEEK

Introducing Shelf Life

With the desire to big up books and reading, our new column asks authors to share the books which have had the most impact on their lives so far. We start with Philippa Gregory.

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Does Sustainable Salmon Exist?

Lessening our dairy and meat consumption is part of what it means to live more responsibly. This often means turning to fish and, in particular, salmon. But is it really the sustainable solution we think it is (the answer is: it can be but with many a caveat). Jenny Jefferies investigates.

What Does Millie Kendall Keep In Her Makeup Bag?

Millie Kendall OBE is one of Britain’s leading voices when it comes to beauty, having set up the British Beauty Council among other accolades. So we’d pretty much trust her to know what’s what – which is why we want a peek in her beauty bag. Top tips guaranteed.

FIVE THINGS NOT TO MISS

Pioneering zero-waste restaurant Silo has sadly announced it will be closing this December. If you haven’t tried it yet, book a table this autumn before it’s too late.

You’ve heard of Kew Gardens’ winter light trail, but what about its Halloween edition? Think live performers and spooky installations – perfect for October half term. 17 October – 2 November

Fortnum & Mason has unveiled its shiny new Bicester Village store, complete with its signature Red Coats, biscuits aplenty, and a pop-up crumpets stall.

Design festival Decorex is back at Olympia London, with talks covering topics from cutting waste in design to mood-boosting interiors. Until 15 October

Sip caviar martinis, try a Louisville-inspired bourbon high tea and learn from B Corp drinks brands at London Cocktail Week, which takes over the capital’s bars this month. Until 19 October

WHAT'S TRENDING ON C&TH

King Charles will star in a new nature documentary

‘Everything I learnt at sourdough starter school’

Gleneagles

Where do A-listers holiday in Scotland?

Boodles on its first pink Ashoka diamond

Win A Stay In An Italian Villa

Fancy a trip to the Italian countryside? Well you’re in luck. We’re offering one lucky reader to chance to win a four-night stay for two at the stunning Casale Tre Gelsi guest house in the Le Marche region of Italy.