Angela Epstein

Village life carries huge appeal for those who dream of the gentle rhythm of a close-knit community, a tidy front garden, and the feeling that the bustle of the wider world is somewhere else.

Competition is hotting up among Britain's upmarket holiday parks as families who have had enough of sky-high costs at the big-name resorts look elsewhere for a taste of the good life.

There are plenty of reasons why people are drawn to the attractions of village life - from the sense of community and the tranquillity of the setting, to the ducks on the green and slow pace of life.

The Heaton Park synagogue was my family's place of worship for decades. On Jewish festivals and sporadic Sabbath days, my late mum, my sister and I would go together.

'Picking the right venue is one of the biggest - and most exciting - parts of planning a wedding,' says Zoe Burke, expert and editor of hitched.co.uk. 'There are so many options out there.'

Jacqueline Lewis used to power through the brisk ten-minute uphill walk that was part of her daily commute. But three years ago she noticed she was getting breathless even on flat ground.

There are some women who possess the kind of effortless elegance and air of accomplishment that makes the rest of us feel undone, untidy and, well, inadequate. I met one such creature recently.

It's a situation which isn't just depressing to the eye. According to experts, it's also particularly astonishing considering the chronic housing shortage which continues to plague the UK.

When it comes to living in a trendy postcode, London seems to have it all. But for many, living this dream comes at an eye-watering cost.

Waking the morning after the birthday party, with a slightly foggy curtain effect over my upper right eye, I just presumed the mix of booze and boogying was simply taking its toll.