Following the success of The Great British Bake Off, the BBC now wants to find the nation's most talented needlewoman (or man) using a similar formula to their hit show.

Scotland National Gallery, Edinburgh

Ten years ago when you walked into an estate agent you knew what to expect; rows of desks, sharp young men in sharp (ish) suits and hard young women in heels. Tack on to that a slight sneer at your proposed budget and a (never fulfilled) promise to call you when the right property came in, and the whole business of moving was liable to make your heart sink before you even put your house on the market.

1. Duct Tape

£3.33, staples.co.uk

It doesn't just seal tears and cuts in your suitcase, but can also be used to waterproof things, cheaply and quickly, on the hoof.

The man who, 30 years ago, climbed a drainpipe and broke into Buckingham Palace, not once but twice, recalls the moment he came face to face with the Queen in her bedroom. Emily Dugan meets Michael Fagan

Whether you're a frequent flier or an armchair adventurer, a travel-inspired interior will not only remind you of past journeys and inspire future jaunts, it will also make the comforts of home feel a little more exciting.

Denmark's capital has another sleek, chic place to sleep. This new venue has big ideas, even if some rooms are tiny.

Residenza Napoleone III, Rome

In recession-gripped America, society's most vulnerable find themselves living in long-stay motels, writes Guy Adams.

Think you've left it too late to book your summer family holiday? Don't panic: just for once, things could go your way. A combination of factors (the small matter of an economic recession, not the least of them) has left many holiday companies scrabbling to fill their capacity – yes, even in August. It may not be great news for them, but it means you can scoop up a host of jolly deals for your brood.

I wish I could sew, as I adore browsing fabrics (Timorous Beasties' urban toiles and sanderson-uk.com's 50s range are big loves). But where to stray from the beaten track for such delights?

A quadruple murder investigation has been launched after four members of the same family were found dead with multiple stab wounds at their home in a quiet suburb of Northampton.