| Clues down |
| 1 | Short period of darkness is approaching (4) |
| 2 | Start fire for family led astray (6) |
| 3 | Drink heartily with first of lovers – on this merry-go-round? (8) |
| 4 | Spot that woman’s musical instrument (6) |
| 5 | Part of speech at one meeting initially is repeated word for word (8) |
| 6 | A zoo place I turned out, being concerned with fossil rocks (10) |
| 7 | Her sheep-dip’s made into a tasty dish! (9,3) |
| 8 | Equestrian wear it could be describing here (6-8) |
| 9 | Made like a rope and stuck on the beach (8) |
| 10 | Second revolutionary placed over yours truly – that’s the plan! (6) |
| 11 | Oddly, roubles turn up in imputation of wrongdoing (4) |
| 16 | Approximately at that place a boxing contest’s to be seen (11) |
| 18 | Bird noted for singing in high wind during hours of darkness? Just the reverse! (11) |
| 20 | Metal bar is put in core to go rusty (7) |
| 21 | People rolling up will need this – repeat price tag, perhaps? (9,5) |
| 23 | Country where anger has to settle (7) |
| 25 | Laid without a cover (3) |
| 26 | Means of showing that one has called – or a comedian dropping in? (8,4) |
| 27 | Plant in Privy Council (3) |
| 29 | Arrange me under Ann? How rude! (10) |
| 32 | Found on a hospital ship heading this way on leaving land? (8) |
| 34 | Sits, we hear, above Somerset town, in therapeutic hot water (4,4) |
| 35 | In credit, but not in a straightforward manner (8) |
| 37 | Introductory question about propelling pencil? (4-2) |
| 39 | “Cover up Wren exploded” – Associated Press (6) |
| 40 | Vitamin in can I chucked out (6) |
| 41 | Characters in love quit speed in big town (4) |
| 43 | Therefore giant turns up (4) |
