Garden games: the ones worth buying

John Prescott’s game

Croquet is said to be the game that inspired golf and billards and is quintessentially English, bringing to mind images of porcelain tea-sets and cucumber sandwiches. Not so long ago, former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, was ridiculed for betraying his working class roots when pictured playing it. But who can blame him when the game is social, fun and easily mastered. English Heritage www.english-heritageshop.org.uk offers a garden croquet set at £24.50. It's made from birch wood from sustainable sources and the game can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Look here too...

Funky vases: our top five 

Homes celebs: the back stories!

So in season - recipes for now