Baking bread

We had some very unappetising sliced bread in the house so I decided to have another go at bread making. My last attempt of doing it by hand was under proved. It tasted good but was a bit puddingy. So this time I tried letting it rise for longer...
Result was better but still a bit under proved. Hmmm. Anyone got a good handmade bread recipe?
Another sunny day in Cumbria.