SAGA MAGAZINE

An alternative Christmas Day?

Try something different this Christmas

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Celebrity

Alison Steadman on the pressure of bringing back Gavin & Stacey

The actor talks about the return of the BBC show, stage fright and the happiest times with her family.

A dining table dressed for Christmas with paper tree decorations, candles and Christmas crackers

Interiors

Christmas table decoration ideas for the festive season

Looking for Christmas table decoration ideas? We’ve quizzed the experts for their festive tips.

Brenda Blethyn throwing a hat in the air

Celebrity

Farewell Pet! Brenda Blethyn is saying goodbye to Vera

The actor on why she’s hanging up the famous detective’s hat after 14 years – and what’s next.

An Aldi Christmas cake on a plate with a slice cut out of it

Food

Best Christmas cakes: tried and tasted

We've tested the supermarket and brand Christmas cakes to find the best and the worst for 2024.

Columnists

Susie Dent on festive words and phrases

With the ‘jolly-timbered’ Santa on his way, our columnist shares her favourite seasonal sayings.

A plate of Brussels sprouts cooked with bacon displayed on a table with Christmas decoration

Healthy eating

The health benefits of Brussels sprouts

The reasons we should all be eating more Brussels sprouts, and how to reduce unwanted side effects.

Play our free daily puzzles

Beat the boredom and exercise your mind with our selection of free puzzles.

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Codeword

Crack the code and complete the grid

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Can you solve the clues

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The number-based logic puzzle

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Sudoku

The number-based logic puzzle

Travel

Browse Travel articles

Our 7 most magical Christmas markets in Europe

For a festive shopping break, we share our choice of magical Christmas markets across Europe.

tower bridge in the winter twighlight with snow

London's festive highlights - where locals take their visitors at Christmas

The insider's guide to 7 of the best Christmas events and destinations to visit in London during this festive season.

A Eurostar train waiting on the platform | Getty

Travelling to Europe? We explain the new EES system

What the new European border check system means for you and your travel plans.

Rome's unforgettable Colosseum | Getty Images

Where to visit in Rome

Jetting off to Italy’s ‘Eternal City’? We reveal the best places to visit in Rome, from ancient temples to al fresco dining with a view.

Balmoral: King of the castles

Balmoral Castle has thrown open its doors to the public for the first time in 170 years. We take a tour.

The flower market on the Singel canal in Amsterdam | Shutterstock

Amsterdam: An insider's guide

Amsterdam is as famous for its culture as it is for its coffee shops. See the best of this canal-crossed city with our insider’s guide.

The mountains and jungle near Machu Picchu | Getty

Peru: spectacular scenery, ancient culture and real-life Paddington bears

As the new Paddington movie arrives in cinemas, we visited Peru for real-life bear-spotting, plus other highlights of this dramatic country, from Lima to Machu Picchu.

The rumbling trams on the monumental Ringstrasse boulevard | Getty/bluejayphoto

Vienna: an insider's guide

Make the most of a visit to this captivating city with the best places to visit, eat and drink.

Bhutan’s unspoilt Punakha valley | awl-images.com

Is Bhutan the greatest undiscovered holiday destination?

Why Bhutan deserves to be discovered as a destination.

You could see up to 15 shooting starts an hour during the meteor shower

The best places in the UK to go stargazing

Our guide to the 10 best places to see the night skies this winter.

Wildlife travel - A lion in South Africa looks sleepily at the camera

10 of the best wildlife experiences to have on holiday

Channel your inner Sir David Attenborough and make wildlife a focus of your next holiday.

A suitcase with a plane on the runway in the background

Our pick of the best travel gadgets - at home or abroad

Whether you’re jetting off to sunnier climes or staycationing closer to home, these getaway gadgets will help you have a happier holiday.

Train tracks going off into the distance across an arid landscape with a red and purple sunset.

Let the train take the strain - 10 amazing holidays by rail

Looking for an extraordinary travel experience in 2024? How about riding the rails in some of the world’s most incredible destinations?

A long river cruise boat moored in front of a huge palatial building

5 reasons to try a river cruise this summer

A different destination every day - why a river cruise could be your perfect summer holiday.

The Spirit of Discovery sailing at sunset

Cruise like a pro: insider tips for a relaxing ocean cruise

Uncover the secrets to a smooth and enjoyable ocean cruise experience with our expert tips and insider advice.

Exclusive celebrity interviews

Exclusive interviews with some of the world's most celebrated actors, musicians, writers and thinkers

Browse celebrity interviews

Alexander Armstrong

"Magic is about human contact, it’s about the delight of sharing things with other people"

The presenter reveals his surprise contestant and how Richard Osman ‘bullied’ him into writing his debut novel.

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Sandi Toksvig

“I thought it was boring"

The comedian and presenter reveals why she quit the Channel 4 show and shares the joy of being a grandmother.

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Susie Dent

"I’m in a state of disbelief about turning 60. It’s like I blinked and it happened."

Countdown Lexicographer and Saga Magazine columnist talks about her biggest regret, her recent MBE and writing her debut novel.

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Sir Ian McKellen

"I’ve relived that fall I don’t know how many times. It was horrible."

The 85-year-old actor talks about his recent fall, and how a fat suit saved him from even more serious injury.

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Sir Trevor McDonald

"In walked Fidel Castro, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, Samora Machel of Mozambique and a young Thomas Sankara."

Newsreader, journalist, and our columnist on the day he was threatened with a machine gun, and meeting the late Palestinian leader.

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Carol Vorderman

"I don't believe in regrets or use the word failure. I think of life in chapters. One close, another opens"

The presenter on being sacked by the BBC, why her views have been 'career suicide' and how she's happy in her own company.

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Dame Zandra Rhodes

"I don’t own or wear anything white or black. Colour makes you feel very happy.”

The iconic designer talks to Saga about surviving cancer and the secret detail in Princess Diana's dresses.

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Homes

Browse Homes articles

The best festive fizz

Raise your glass to the best sparkling wines and Champagnes for Christmas, as chosen by our expert.

Christmas table decoration ideas for the festive season

Looking for Christmas table decoration ideas? We’ve quizzed the experts for their festive tips.

Corned beef Lancashire hotpot

The Hairy Bikers have given the Lancashire hotpot a makeover with a corned beef filling.

A brightly decorated living room that defines the 'dopamine decor' trend

Boost your mood with dopamine decor in your home

Share some dopamine décor happiness and get the look in your home.

A traditional marzipan stollen cake with slices of cake served on a wooden tray

The best sweet Christmas food: tried and tasted

From simply-the-best stollen to top-tier Christmas puds, we’ve tried and tasted the best sweet festive food.

Mary Berry's leek and potato soup recipe

Leek and potato soup is a classic that can be enjoyed at any time of year - try Mary Berry's recipe with her tips for a perfect velvety soup.

Grapefruit topped with cottage cheese - delicious! | Getty/kaphotollc

Bland, boring and back: why is cottage cheese in fashion again?

Welcome to the cottage cheese revival – but is it even good for you? And would YOU eat it?

How to dry clothes indoors safely

Dry clothes indoors without your house becoming damp and mouldy - we share the best expert advice.

Sign saying Road Closed in front of a flooded road

Storm warning: how to protect your home and vehicle

We’ve got the expert advice on how to prevent damage in storm season.

A person putting tomatoes away - but should tomatoes be stored in the fridge? | GettyLiudmila Chernetska

Don't store these 7 foods in the fridge

These foods lose flavour and freshness if you store them in the fridge.

jar with coins in and a label saying energy costs on it

Energy saving tips that won't break the bank

Energy costs causing you stress? These simple tips can save you £££s.

the inside of a loft space with the roof affected by water and rotting in a corner

Why you need to check your loft for condensation - and how to stop it

Loft condensation left untreated can cause problems, long-term - our expert reveals three tips to stop condensation in its tracks.

Older person reading Saga Magazine and peering at the viewer over the edge

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The award-winning Saga Magazine is essential reading for those looking to make the most of their well-earned retirement.

Each issue is packed with expert health and finance advice, inspirational real-life stories and travel articles, exclusive celebrity interviews and our hugely popular puzzles. Plus, musings from our unmissable columnists including Susie Dent, Joe Fattorini and Jenni Murray.

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Health & Wellbeing

Browse Health & Wellbeing articles

Our 10 best Christmas walks in the UK

Spend time with family and friends and walk off the seasonal excesses with our pick of the best Christmas walks across the UK.

A senior couple with colds blowing their noses while siting on a couch under a blanket

The best foods to eat to beat a cold

Feeling bunged up? A dietician reveals the foods that fight colds and boost your immunity.

Do you really lose 80% of body heat through your head?

We find out if this staying is true, and whether you should be wearing a hat in cold weather.

An illustration depicting a person with cold hands and cold feet | Esther Curtis

My hands and feet are cold – why? Dr Mark Porter explains

Our medical expert on whether the side-effects of medication could be the cause of cold extremities.

Vaccine bottles and syringes for preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Getty/Kitsawet Saethao

Why is the RSV vaccine not offered to over-80s?

Angry that you’re not eligible for the new vaccine? We explain the reasons and how you can pay to get it.

Breads ranked best to worst

We've ranked the main types of bread from best to worst - find out which is the healthiest and which to avoid.

How much water should you drink with wine?

Dr Mark Porter explains how to counteract dehydration when drinking wine.

Do dogs make you healthier? A world-leading gut expert thinks so

Tim Spector explains how dogs support our gut health.

Exercise and menopause – what you need to know

Expert advice to help you keep healthy and active during and after the menopause.

A colourful display of foods including fish, meats, fruits, vegetable, dairy products and nuts.

Food groups explained

Dieticians reveal how getting the right amount of each can support your health.

How unplugging from tech can benefit your mental health

Find out all the ways that spending less time looking at screens can positively impact your mood, sleep and more.

Can a hearing aid protect against dementia

Dr Mark Porter on the link between hearing loss and dementia and whether a hearing aid can make a difference.

Two older women having a joyful time rowing a boat on a lake | Getty

10 tips from a doctor on how to age well

Leading geriatrician Dr Lucy Pollock shares her top secrets to flourishing in older years.

A red heart on a read out from an ECG scan showing heart rhythm

The unusual heart attack symptoms you need to know

Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack? Here’s what to look out for, and how to prevent one

A Vitamin D capsule being held up to the sun between a man's finger and thumb

Vitamin D: Why we should be taking a supplement every day

The sunshine vitamin that’s essential for our bones – and why it’s vital to take it every day as we get older.

a fitness tracker and a smart watch on a green background

Fitness tracker vs smartwatch: which is right for you?

We are here to help you decide which wearable is right for you, a sleek fitness tracker or feature-packed smartwatch

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