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A very warm welcome
Presenting the autumn/winter issue of Elite Magazine, a window into the unique experiences curated by our hotels of distinction
It is such a great pleasure to welcome you to the latest issue of Elite magazine. As I write this foreword, the changing of seasons is upon us, and the golden hues of autumn are starting to take hold once more.
It feels an appropriate time to inform you of a changing of the guard at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne, as we welcome a new general manager for the first time in more than 30 years! Jonathan Webley receives our warmest of thanks and fondest of farewells as he departs to enjoy his much-deserved retirement, as we embrace James Perry into the Elite family. James brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, and we are excited to see the innovative contributions he will bring to The Grand.
As we remain dedicated to delivering exceptional service, we are confident that, under James’s leadership, The Grand Hotel will continue to thrive. If that isn’t enough, 2025 is an extra special year on the coast as The Grand celebrates its 150th year – dominating Eastbourne’s promenade since 1875 following its £50,000 construction (read more about its history on page 10).
There is also a significant anniversary on Tylney Hall’s doorstep in 2025, with the country celebrating renowned English novelist, Jane Austen, some 250 years since her birth. Situated just 15 miles from Tylney Hall Hotel, Jane Austen’s House was her final home and the
birthplace of six of her beloved novels. It represents the most treasured Austen site in the world, and is definitely on my ‘must visit’ list in 2025. Read about Hampshire’s literary heritage on page 22. Take time also to read about the magic of Ashdown Forest (p16), the wonderful castles of East Sussex (p28) and one couple’s experience of marrying at The Grand (p44).
Readers of our spring/summer issue will be aware of our partnership with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, which was nominated as our charity partner of the year for 2024. As our partnership enters its final quarter, I am delighted to share some initial results. The incredible fundraising activities undertaken by our team in honour of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s ‘28-day challenge’ in February raised a truly impressive £4,400. Another £4,000 has been raised to date by our wonderful guests, joining us on a ‘paws for cause’ overnight break or adding a charitable sidedish to their restaurant meal. This is in addition to the support given to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People by the Rotherwick Foundation, our charitable arm. A wonderful effort that is certain to have an immediate and tangible impact on people’s lives.
Graeme
Bateman FIH MI FIoD Managing Director, Elite Hotels
Whether you are reading this ahead of the festive season, or once we’ve turned the page on another year, I wish you the best of health and happiness, and a thoroughly enjoyable visit.
The Elite Hotels collection
Each of our hotels has a truly unique character, but all make the same promise to our guests: a warm welcome, fine hospitality and a memorable, distinctive experience
THE MARK OF INDEPENDENT LUXURY
All Elite hotels are proud members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the world’s most desirable community of independently minded travellers and independently spirited hotels. Currently comprising 570 hotels in more than 90 countries, SLH proudly boasts that all its members are “anti-chain and anti-same.” The expert SLH team has personally visited, verified and vetted every property. slh.com
THE GRAND HOTEL, EASTBOURNE
Celebrating 150 glorious years
The year 1875 seems like ancient history. Queen
Victoria was on the throne, Disraeli was prime minister, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1 and Bizet’s Carmen both premiered, Matthew Webb became the first person to swim the English Channel and Royal Engineers won the FA Cup, beating Old Etonians 2-0. But 1875 was also the year when The Grand Eastbourne was built – making 2025 the 150th anniversary of this magnificent seafront hotel.
The Grand was the brainchild of local resident William Earp, perhaps inspired by seeing how the town of Eastbourne had been rising for the past 15 years at the hand of the 7th Duke of Devonshire on the southern half of his vast estate. Earp’s plan was revealed in the Eastbourne Gazette in spring 1874 – an ambitious and imposing residence with a 400ft frontage situated right on the seafront, which would cost a staggering £50,000 to build.
Initially intended as a home for Earp and his 13 children, the building’s scope and scale made it perfect for a hotel. So, at the turn of the 20th century the ‘White Palace’ became an epicentre of upper class leisure, catering for an affluent audience who loved to holiday by the seaside, often for months at a time and accompanied by a retinue of domestic servants. It was during this era that The Grand became synonymous with music, in no small way thanks to a live weekly BBC Radio broadcast from the Grand Hall featuring the Grand Hotel Orchestra. Every Sunday night from 1924 until 1939, the programme Grand Hotel captivated a nation of music lovers. In 1905, the French composer Claude Debussy famously completed his groundbreaking ‘symphonic sketch’ La mer while staying in suite 200, and you can stay in that very room – renamed the Debussy Suite – to this day. Debussy described The Grand
as “peaceful and charming,” and stayed for a full two months in the company of his mistress Emma Bardac, composing his great work while gazing out across the English Channel.
The Grand has welcomed a panoply of great names over the years, among them Charlie Chaplin, a regular guest in the 1960s with his wife Oonagh and their children. Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton visited in 1914, just before his epic Antarctic expedition, while Winston Churchill, Arthur Conan Doyle and Edward Elgar also signed the guest book.
Over the years there have been
Top: Sir Ernest Shackleton visited The Grand in 1914
Left: Early 20th century scene on Eastbourne’s Compton Street
Above: The Grand looking magnificent in 1905
many royal visitors, some in town to visit their friend the Duke, while Queen Sofia of Spain and King Constantine of Greece have both visited The Grand.
In 2010, actors John Hurt and Helen Mirren stayed at The Grand while filming Rowan Joffé’s remake of Brighton Rock, much of which was shot in Eastbourne. Hurt was given room 101, usually an omen for superstitious actors, but came to love that room, and requested it again when he returned for further filming.
The Grand itself was the star in 1980 when Gavin Millar’s awardwinning film of Dennis Potter’s Cream in my Coffee, starring Lionel Jeffries, Peggy Ashcroft and Martin Shaw, was shot in the hotel. Ashcroft won a BAFTA.
Today’s guests can relax in the knowledge that they are walking
in the footsteps of so many interesting people while being assured of our finest hospitality in the south of England’s only five-star coastal hotel. Since The Grand joined Elite’s collection 26 years ago we have continuously lavished it with our trademark quality, with many improvements including last year’s makeover of the Garden Restaurant and the unique dining space we now call The Colonnade.
Today, The Grand offers 152 bedrooms and suites, two award-winning restaurants and 17 private dining and meeting rooms. We have outdoor and indoor pools, a fully equipped gym and a Health Suite.
The Grand’s mixture of opulent splendour and 21st century facilities also makes for the perfect wedding venue (see p44).
T: 01323 412345 E: enquiries@grandeastbourne.com W: grandeastbourne.com
TYLNEY HALL HOTEL & GARDENS
HAMPSHIRE
Lose yourself in the old-world charm of this luxurious Grade II-listed country house hotel, nestled in 66 acres of historic parkland and gardens, now fully restored to create a glorious landscape. The house itself, built in 1900, has many beautiful architectural features, including the Italian walnut-panelled Great Hall with its fine stone fireplace and an Italian ceiling brought in sections from the Grimani Palace in Venice.
The hotel is a delightfully welcoming place to relax. It has 112 bedrooms and suites, some of which offer four-poster beds and spa baths, plus indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gymnasium and treatment rooms. Sample our innovative cuisine with a distinctly British twist in the award-winning Oak Room Restaurant, or enjoy afternoon tea in one of the period lounges or on the terrace. For those planning a wedding, it’s hard to imagine a more romantic location than the baronial hall setting of the magnificent Tylney Suite.
T: 01256 764881
E: enquiries@tylneyhall.com
W: tylneyhall.com
Above: American military personnel pictured on station outside the front doors of The Grand during the 1940s
ASHDOWN PARK HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB
EAST SUSSEX
Few country house hotels compare with the luxurious setting of Ashdown Park, and fewer still offer such a magnificent combination of elegance, style, award-winning dining and outstanding business and leisure facilities. This wonderful historic building is set within its own 186-acre part of the 6,000-acre Ashdown Forest, a magnificent part of England’s natural heritage and famously the setting for AA Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie the Pooh had his adventures. Read more about the forest on p16.
The hotel has 106 bedrooms and suites, plus extensive leisure facilities, including pool, gymnasium, outdoor tennis courts, spa treatment rooms and an 18-hole par 3 golf course. You can choose from exquisite dining in the two AA Rosette Anderida Restaurant or the more relaxed contemporary menu served in our Forest Brasserie. Ashdown’s converted chapel, with its stunning stainedglass windows, makes for an unforgettable wedding or private event setting.
T: 01342 824988
E: enquiries@ashdownpark.com
W: ashdownpark.com
Wonderful times
Moments of magic and lasting memories await at Elite Hotels this season
THE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE
The Elite festive season promises seasonal sparkle, great service and a friendly atmosphere in three stunning locations. From delightful festive fayre and afternoon tea to all-inclusive residential packages filled with Christmas cheer (and a special visit from Santa on Christmas Day), there is plenty to do over the festive period. Find out more at elitehotels.co.uk/ christmas. We are also hosting a series of festive events. Here is a sample…
ASHDOWN PARK FESTIVE TABLE DÉCOR WORKSHOP AND AFTERNOON TEA
27 & 28 November
Create a beautiful decoration under expert guidance from head gardener Kevin Sweet, then enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea.
FESTIVE LADIES LUNCHEON: MINCE PIE MASTERCLASS
2 December
Our chef shares the secrets of the perfect mince pie. Three-course lunch included.
THE GRAND EASTBOURNE GRAND FESTIVE LADIES LUNCH WITH WEST END SINGER PETER STANFORD
9 December
A glass of fizz, a three-course festive lunch and the rich voice of 30-year West End veteran Peter, mixing showstoppers, popular standards and evergreen Christmas songs.
AFTERNOON TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS
20-21 December
A magical afternoon in The Princes Room, with Santa himself bringing gifts for the kids.
ASHDOWN PARK
THE GRAND
TYLNEY HALL
TYLNEY HALL
LADIES LUNCHEON: WREATH MAKING
2 December
Create your own artisan masterpiece and enjoy a fabulous three-course lunch.
JACK & THE BEANSTALK
21 December
A spectacular pantomime to delight children and parents of all ages.
AFTERNOON TEA WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS
22-23 December
Jolly good fun with the man of the season!
VALENTINE’S DAY
A romantic setting, an intimate meal in an award-winning restaurant, roses and champagne, mood-setting music and a sumptuous room… all this and more awaits at your favourite Elite Hotel on Valentine’s Day.
ALL HOTELS LOVE NEST ESCAPE
14 February
Celebrate your love with a romantic overnight package including luxurious accommodation, romantic extras in the room on arrival, delightful dining and first class service. For full details visit elitehotels.co.uk
VALENTINE’S DAY DINING
14 February
An intimate romantic dinner in the Anderida Restaurant at Ashdown Park, the Oak Room Restaurant at Tylney Hall or either restaurant at The Grand, sprinkled with a little extra Valentine’s Day magic.
THE GRAND EASTBOURNE
VALENTINE’S CHOCOLATE
AFTERNOON TEA
14-16 February
An array of exquisite chocolate delights from rich truffles to homemade chocolate cakes.
Diary Highlights
THE GRAND THE PALM COURT STRINGS AFTERNOON TEA 24 November
LONDON MOZART PLAYERS MUSICAL WEEKEND 7-9 February
TYLNEY HALL STRING AFTERNOON TEAS
Selected dates until 8 December
ASHDOWN PARK MINDFUL ESCAPE: ASHDOWN PARK FOREST RETREAT 4-6 April
A wonderful weekend of renewal and relaxation.
A Tylney Tipple
The team at Tylney Hall has been crafting up something special for our guests to enjoy, using apples from the hotel’s gardens and orchards
Situated in 66 acres of north Hampshire countryside, Tylney Hall Hotel is known for its glorious gardens. Within these are orchards, containing numerous trees growing a variety of apples. So, when each of our Elite group teams were asked to come up with an idea for a Christmas gift hamper item that represented their hotel, Tylney Hall’s sales & marketing manager Lee-Ann Jones came up with the perfect suggestion: Tylney Cider. What Lee-Ann didn’t realise is that it takes time to make cider. “I thought, why don’t we pick these apples in September and we’ll have cider in time for Christmas… but it doesn’t quite work like that!” she says.
The task of apple picking occurred as a team day out for Lee-Ann, the estates team and the gardening team. At the end of the day, they had picked about a third of a tonne of apples, which they then took to local cider producers, Mr Whitehead’s.
A mixture of dessert and cooking varieties were utilised to create the cider. “We took some apple juice, which became the corporate gift, then the rest was left there to create cider.”
Mr Whitehead’s also provided a delicious description of the drink – “Tylney Cider is a refreshing, thirst-quenching, medium tasting cider; a vibrant straw colour, its light fizz is complemented with hints of caramel, balancing the acidity of the unique blend of apples, giving Tylney Cider medium sweet qualities – coupled with a strength of 4.5%.”
With just shy of 800 bottles produced from the harvest,
while it may not have made the initial Christmas hamper, it did supply a gift for all the dads who came for lunch on Father’s Day! And it’s also sold behind the bar.
Lee-Ann hopes this bespoke cider will become as iconic as the Tylney orchards themselves. WHY NOT TRY
The magic of Ashdown Forest
Right on Ashdown Park Hotel’s doorstep, this wonder of nature is one of England’s biggest and most precious open spaces
Ashdown Forest is a beautiful space, enchanting and inspiring all who visit it.
Which is fantastic for guests at Ashdown Park Hotel, as it is literally right on the doorstep.
The forest stretches over 2,500 hectares of natural and undulating terrain. It is the largest open space in the southeast of England and the area’s largest remaining block of continuous lowland heathland, being made up of about 60 per cent heathland, which is a protected habitat, and 40 per cent woodland.
It is owned by the Ashdown Forest Trust and managed by the Conservators of Ashdown Forest, protecting and preserving this beautiful wilderness for everyone. Each year, many people pay a visit to this special place because of a certain bear.
“We are the home of Winnie the Pooh,” says countryside manager Ashley Walmsley, “but we are also home to some really rare and special wildlife. Dartford warblers are here all year round. They are one of two species – the nightjar being the other one – that give us our special protection status.
“We’ve got ground-nesting birds like lapwings and incredible beetles and
insects, like purple emperor butterflies and the green tiger beetle, which is a tiny yet ferocious predator. It preys on spiders and insects across the forest floor.
“There’s some incredible plant life as well. We have declining species such as rare marsh gentians, fragrant orchids and spotted orchids.”
Ashley and the Ashdown Forest team are always happy to help visitors.
“I am incredibly privileged and honoured to work and call Ashdown Forest my office,” says Ashley.
“If it’s your first time coming to the forest, pop in and say hello to the Ashdown Forest Visitor Centre, which is literally just across the road from the Ashdown Park Hotel. We will be able to guide you to different locations in the forest and show you the different walks.
“Because we are so high – over 200m above sea level – you’ve got some spectacular views towards the South Downs and even to the North Downs.
“During the school holidays, we run events. There are things for everybody to do. It’s such a lovely environment that kids can go into the woodland, make dens and just get back to nature.”
Visiting the forest, you are immediately transported to the pages
of children’s favourite Winnie the Pooh 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the book, penned by AA Milne. The author lived at Cotchford Farm, on the northern edge of the forest, and could often be found exploring many paths with his son, Christopher Robin.
Parts of the forest that inspired EH Shepherd’s illustrations can still be seen today, although the landscape has changed somewhat since the 1920s.
“Since Milne’s time, the forest has actually got a lot more woodland cover,” says Ashley. “It used to be a lot more open: 90 per cent heathland and ten per cent woodland. Commoners would traditionally manage the land, removing bracken and wood for their own consumption. As that way of life declined, natural succession took over.
The heath scrubbed over, there was more gorse, then more trees.
Autumn marks the end of the bird nesting season, so Ashley and his colleagues step in to undertake some heathland management, removing invasive species such as pine trees, birch trees and gorse.
The forest may be preparing for winter, but there is still plenty to see.
“In autumn, the forest is really good for its fungi, particularly in the woodlands,” says Ash. “The colours look amazing on the trees. We have a lot of silver birch and oak, so the turning of the seasons brings beautiful oranges and yellows. Looking out over to the North Downs, the whole thing looks really stunning.
“Towards the end of the year, visitors will hopefully be lucky enough to see some of our grazing animals. Our Exmoor ponies stay out over the winter period, and our sheep and cattle graze until about November time.
“They are some of our key tools for managing heathland. They graze on invasive species, suppressing them and keeping the heathland open. Fantastic creatures.”
Ashley has been part of the Ashdown Forest team for two years and is constantly amazed by the forest and its rich variety of wildlife and plants.
“The forest is much loved by many people,” he says. “We are still very lucky that we have got active commoners working on the forest.
“We have got people who love to walk their dogs here daily. It brings so much joy to so many people every single year. It’s magical.”
Above: View over the South Downs in autumn
Left: Edible mushrooms growing in Ashdown Park
Below: AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh was inspired by Ashdown Forest
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AUTUMN AND WINTER
Whether you enjoy the warmth of autumn sunshine or the chill of winter frosts, there’s plenty to see outdoors this season. The Wildlife Trusts’ Tom Hibbert names some species to look out for.
STONECHAT
These bold birds can be common on areas of heath, bringing life to the landscape even in the depths of winter. They often catch your attention with their distinctive call, the sound of two stones colliding with a clicking ‘tchack’. Luckily, they enjoy sitting at the tops of trees, bushes and fenceposts, scanning their surroundings, so you should have plenty of time to admire their pretty plumage. Their breast is a bright, autumnal orange, offset by a darker back and head. Males have a dazzling flash of white on their neck.
MISTLETOE
Sparkling winter frosts light up this mass of evergreen foliage. Gaze high into the boughs of trees to spot round globes, which look like they are suspended in midair. The glistening white berries are a favourite food of the mistle thrush – listen out for its raucous call, warning other birds to leave its winter larder alone. Birds eat the fat, rich pith of the berry and wipe their sticky beaks on branches, which leaves seeds from the berries in crevices in the bark. A new plant takes root, and as it grows, it taps into the host tree’s food and water supply.
SCARLET ELF CUP
The bright-red bowls of the scarlet elf cup fungus bring a splash of colour to winter woodlands. They sprout from fallen twigs and
decaying branches, often those partially buried under moss on damp areas of the woodland floor. The cups range from 2cm to 7cm wide, with a bright, shiny red inner and a duller, felt-like exterior. Folklore suggests that wood elves would visit them to drink morning dew.
VELVET SHANK
The gorgeous, golden-brown caps of velvet shank cling to stumps and deadwood, with a special fondness for beech, oak, ash and elm trees. They can be seen from late autumn right through until early spring, earning them the nickname of the winter mushroom. They grow in clusters, the glossy caps ranging from 4cm to 12cm and standing on velvety reddish-brown stems up to 10cm tall. As well as helping break down and recycle deadwood, velvet shanks are also a popular snack for many woodland creatures.
GREAT GREY SHRIKE
This rare winter visitor is sometimes spotted in Ashdown Forest, usually on more open areas of heathland. They have a macabre nickname – butcher birds. This is thanks to their habit of impaling their prey on a thorn bush, creating a larder to make sure they always have food nearby. Shrikes often perch up on the tops of bushes as they scan around, so look out for a pale-grey shape on a prominent branch. A closer view will reveal a black ‘bandit mask’ and a stout, hook-tipped beak. They’re a rare sight, so you’ll need to be very lucky to spot one, but a great grey shrike always brightens up a winter walk.
Read more at wildlifetrusts.org
Hearing loss: our charity crusade
Elite Hotels has teamed up with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to support this wonderful charity and to learn more about the challenges deafness brings
In early 2024, Elite Hotels and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People embarked on a journey to create lasting, meaningful change, symbolising a harmonious blend of hospitality and heartfelt social responsibility. It’s a partnership that highlights our dedication to supporting organisations that bring about tangible change and enhance the wellbeing of communities, underlining a shared vision for a more accessible and compassionate world.
Our teams have been busy undergoing training from the charity’s experts to learn skills needed to assist guests with hearing difficulties, including British Sign Language basics and an
introduction to lip reading, while our hotels are equipped with a hearing loop at reception, vibrating pillow alarm clocks and Deafgard vibrating pillow fire alarms.
Our guests can help the cause by booking a Paws for a Cause dinner, bed and breakfast package, which includes a £5 donation that we double to £10 per reservation, or ordering our whimsical doggy-themed side dish, ‘paw-tatoes’, from which £5 goes to the charity. In one special fundraising month last February, we made a £5 donation for every event or wedding booking, and for every leisure membership.
Our passion to help this cause starts close to home – our own Astrid
Thirlway, HR manager at The Grand Eastbourne (pictured right), has suffered from hearing loss all her life. Last March, on World Hearing Day, Astrid opened up about her experience, writing this inspiring piece…
“Hearing change is normal. It is nothing to be ashamed about, yet there is still a stigma around people getting their ears checked. There are 11 million people in the UK with hearing loss – it is the second biggest disability in the country. Of those, two million wear hearing aids, yet 6.7 million could benefit from wearing them. In the UK, one in six people are affected by some level of hearing loss.
So, if you are one those who asks a colleague to repeat themselves, or turns up the TV, or nods along to half-heard social conversations, there is a chance that you need to get your ears checked. Many of us put it off, saying, “I am not ready for a hearing aid yet” or “My hearing is not that bad!” It takes on average ten years from noticing hearing loss to doing something about it, yet left untreated, it could lead to increased risk of depression and anxiety. Hearing loss can be isolating, resulting in a change of behaviour; you stop going out because you can’t follow the conversation in a pub. Surprisingly, those with untreated hearing loss are 42 per cent more likely to develop dementia, while those treated are at no increased risk.
These days, you can have tests for free; they’re even available online. As someone who has had severe hearing loss all my life, I used to find hearing tests daunting, but now it’s so easy. Gone are the days of sitting there with big headphones, which would take ages. My recent experience was a small booth with a band over my head, pressing the button when I heard a sound. It was over in ten minutes. That simple! Most of us do a routine eye check – why not do a hearing check? It’s advisable to do one every 18 months to two years. Even if there is a slight hearing problem, you may not need hearing aids just yet; it could be wax build up or something else. So, why is there a stigma around people wearing hearing aids? Wearing glasses is socially accepted, so why not hearing aids? Yes, I do remember having to wear big, clunky devices, which I hated and made me feel selfconscious. Today, hearing aids are a lot
smaller and more discreet and some are even invisible.
Starting from a young age of wearing different hearing aids, I am astounded by how technology has evolved over the years. The modern, behind-the-ear discreet hearing aids I wear produce a natural sound and adapt to background noise; they recognise when you are in a quiet place, and if you move to a busy restaurant, they will change accordingly. I am lucky to able to connect to smart devices and wirelessly stream calls to my hearing aids, something I could never do before. Others can also link to laptops for video calls and music. I can’t live without them!
Personally, I know that my hearing could deteriorate if I did not wear hearing aids; I wouldn’t keep up with social conversations. I have regular checks; the good news is that my hearing has not deteriorated. Wearing hearing aids keeps the ears and brain stimulated, while failing to wear them will allow the brain to forget sounds and lose the ability to process them. From a young age, I learnt to lip read; those with mild, moderate, severe or profound hearing loss are reliant on this. I was fortunate enough to have speech therapy. Having developed delayed speech, my hearing was undiagnosed until I was aged four. Being born overseas, there was no hearing test check available. People shouldn’t feel embarrassed by hearing loss. Everyone wears headphones or earbuds. No one cares if you are wearing hearing aids, as there is nothing unusual about having a device in your ear.
Hearing loss doesn’t just affect older people, it affects all ages. Research shows that 28 per cent of people aged between 16 and 60 in the UK have some form of hearing impairment and would benefit from hearing aids. Younger people are at risk of having hearing loss from loud music.
While wearing hearing aids won’t cure hearing loss, it will help you to hear more clearly and hear sounds you’ve never heard before. So, let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all.”
IT’S AN HONOUR!
Elite Hotels are delighted to have received the Bronze ‘Best Foundation’ award at the 2024 Corporate Engagement Awards. This achievement recognises our partnership with Hearing Dogs and our dedication to supporting their work.
HAMPSHIRE: A LITERARY JOURNEY
From Austen to Dickens, Conan Doyle to Keats, Hampshire is a county rich in literary heritage
Not far from Tylney Hall, you’ll find the childhood home of Jane Austen. The acclaimed author was at her happiest and most productive during her time in Hampshire, and she’s not alone. From the South Downs to the New Forest, the county has inspired many writers.
Jane Austen was born in 1775 in Steventon near Basingstoke, which was where she worked on first drafts of Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813) and Northanger Abbey (1817). Following the death of her father, Austen’s family moved to Bath but her creativity stalled. It is believed that city life did not suit her, that she pined for the countryside.
Austen returned to Hampshire in 1809. At her new family home in the village of Chawton, her writing started to flow again. She began working on Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815) and Persuasion (1817).
Near Chawton is the manor of East Worldham, once home of Thomas Chaucer, son of The Canterbury Tales (1392) author Geoffrey. Venture a little
further into the stunning South Downs National Park and you’ll find Selborne, home of Reverend Gilbert White, who wrote beautiful depictions of the wildlife and landscape in The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne (1789). His book is the fourth most published in the English language.
Self-taught naturalist and writer Flora Thompson, author of Lark Rise to
Candleford (1945), lived on the edge of the Downs at Liphook.
Head towards Petersfield and you will find the village of Steep, home to Edward Thomas in the early 1900s. The poet loved to walk in the hills around his home for inspiration. A monument to him stands at Mutton Hill.
South of Petersfield lies Butser Hill, which was so steep that it is described
Top: An inspiring New Forest scene
Above: Jane Austen began writing while living in Steventon
in Charles Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby (1839) as rising “almost perpendicularly into the sky, a height so steep as to be hardly accessible to any but the sheep and goats that fed upon its sides…”. Carry on to Portsmouth and you can visit the house where Dickens was born in Mile End Terrace, now Old Commercial Road, in 1812.
Scotsman Sir Arthur Conan Doyle arrived in Portsmouth in 1882 to set up practice as a doctor. Business was slow, so he began writing fiction. In 1887, A Study in Scarlet introduced the world to Sherlock Holmes, who featured in four novels and 56 short stories.
Fantasy writer Neil Gaiman was born just north of the city in Portchester in 1960. His great-grandfather emigrated from Belgium to Portsmouth, where he set up a chain of grocery shops.
Gaiman, who penned novels such as Neverwhere (1995), American Gods (2001) and Coraline (2002) lived in Hampshire until the age of five. He describes himself as a “feral child, raised in libraries.”
Titchfield Abbey near Fareham was home to Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, a sponsor of Shakespeare to whom the playwright dedicated two poems in the late 1500s.
Across Southampton Water, lining the coast, is the New Forest. Conan Doyle,
“AUTHOR JANE AUSTEN WAS AT HER HAPPIEST AND MOST PRODUCTIVE DURING HER TIME IN HAMPSHIRE, AND SHE’S NOT ALONE”
a firm believer in fairies, discovered this enchanting area while researching The White Company (1891). In 1924, he bought a country retreat at Bignell Wood and is buried in nearby All Saints churchyard, Minstead.
Lyndhurst, in the heart of the New Forest, inspired the location of Bramhurst in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles (1891). Hardy set his novels, starting with Far From The Madding Crowd (1874), in Wessex, a fictional region inspired by several southeast English counties, including Hampshire. In Jude the Obscure (1895), the military station at Quartershot is based on Aldershot, and Weyhill becomes Weydon Priors in The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886).
Novelists Kingsley Amis and Nevil Shute were stationed on the opposite side of the forest at Buckler’s Hard
on the Beaulieu River in the 1940s to prepare landing craft for Operation Overlord.
In the centre of Hampshire sits Winchester, where literary roots run deep. The city left a lasting impression on schoolboy Anthony Trollope in the late 1820s and is thought to be the inspiration for his fictional Barchester. In his ode To Autumn (1820), John Keats describes the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” Keats penned his famous poem, which reflects upon the natural cycle of life, after one of his regular walks along the River Itchen in Winchester, through the Cathedral Close and water meadows to St Cross.
Winchester is also the final resting place of Jane Austen, who moved to College Street in May 1817 to be near her doctor. She died a short time later and is buried at Winchester Cathedral.
A couple of doors down from Austen’s former Winchester residence sits P&G Wells independent book shop, which has been serving customers for 300 years, including Jane Austen and her family.
The shop’s Madelaine Smith says: “In a letter to her sister Cassandra in 1798, Jane Austen mentions some books that the family have bought from Burdon’s and that they have some
credit remaining on their account. John Burdon was the owner of our shop at the time and we believe that not only Jane’s father had an account here, but possibly her brother Edward as well.
“As a woman, Jane would not have had an account, but the fact that her father had books bound in the bindery at the shop possibly means that Jane came with him on his visits to collect books or arrange for them to be bound.”
P&G Wells continues to champion Hampshire’s authors, past and present.
“Literature is important for so many reasons,” says Madelaine. “It teaches us about the past and helps to cultivate a view of the world. It also entertains and helps us empathise with others. It helps us better understand our lives, ourselves and the world around us.”
5 LITERARY DESTINATIONS
JANE AUSTEN’S HOUSE*
Explore the rooms in which Jane Austen lived and wrote and see first editions of her books and even her writing table. Winchester Road, Chawton, Hampshire GU34 1SD
E: enquiries@janeaustens.house
T: 01420 83262
W: janeaustens.house
GILBERT WHITE’S HOUSE & GARDENS*
Wander through the beautiful home and gardens of the home to bestselling writer Reverend Gilbert White. High Street, Selborne, Hants GU34 3JH
E: info@gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
T: 01420 511275
W: gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
CHARLES DICKENS’ BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM
See the room where Charles Dickens was born as you tour his first home. 393 Old Commercial Road, Portsmouth PO1 4QL
E: CDenquiries@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
T: 023 9282 1879
W: charlesdickensbirthplace.co.uk
A STUDY IN SHERLOCK
A collection of memorabilia dedicated to super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes.
Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, Museum Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2LJ
E: vis@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
T: 023 9283 4779
W: portsmouthmuseum.co.uk
P&G WELLS
Finalist in The British Book Awards’ Independent Bookshop of the Year. 11 College Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9LZ
T: 01962 852016
W: pgwells.co.uk
*Denotes less than 30mins from Tylney Hall
Relax, reset, restore
Spa treatments are not merely an indulgence. In our superbly appointed Health Clubs, Elite guests are finding real relief from the stresses of modern life
Spa treatments that directly address issues exacerbated by the current climate – both environmental and cultural – are very much on trend this season. Our wellness teams are finding a renewed appetite for the real destressing benefits of deep tissue massages, as well as a growing number of natural treatments.
“With a lot of people now working from home, we see them coming in not only with a lot of physical tension, but also carrying a lot of emotional stress,” says Amber Hamilton, health
& wellness manager at Tylney Hall’s Health Club. “So, coming in for a massage, and having those 50 minutes of just relaxing, is giving so many people a lot of health benefits – we’ve released emotions, we’re sorting those trapped muscles out, and people just feel so good after a massage. Ideally, remote workers need a good massage every four weeks, to make sure we’re able to correct their posture and provide postural advice.”
As with all our hotels, the Health Club at Tylney Hall is fully equipped with
high-quality facilities. These include heated indoor and outdoor (during spring and summer) pools, a gym, outdoor tennis courts, croquet lawn and walking and jogging trails around 66 acres of glorious grounds, making Tylney Hall ideally equipped to take a holistic view on health and leisure. The approach to wellness and selfcare is no different. The hotel has five treatment rooms and a manicure and pedicure studio – within which we are able to offer clients the latest and most sought-after treatments. Lots of
people are looking for more natural treatments, and the wellness team have been receiving a lot of bookings for experiences such as Hopi Ear Candling – a non-invasive and relaxing procedure using an ear candle imbued with remedial ingredients such as beeswax, honey and herbs. “It’s not only good for removing wax in your ears, but also relieving ear pressure and blocked sinuses,” says Amber.
Skincare is another area that can often be overlooked when it comes factoring self-care into our hectic days. That may be a reason why Amber says their most popular treatments are facials and a lot of body exfoliation. “Ideally, people should be exfoliating once a week, because you’re getting all the desquamation – all the dead skin – off and it’s a lymphatic workout because you’re really stimulating all your lymph nodes. It also gets rid of that dullness on your skin, giving it a kind of dazzle and shine!” Exfoliating your skin also removes ingrown hairs, as well as being beneficial to those with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, which Amber says can be exacerbated by too much sunshine – although that’s not such a problem in the UK at this time of year!
Significant importance is also placed on the use of sustainable products at Tylney Hall, Ashdown Park and The Grand Eastbourne. The teams offer exclusive treatments from brands inspired by worldwide locations that use natural resources, including thermal mineral water, mud, algae, herbal extracts and essential oils – meaning that everyone can feel assured they will benefit from a highquality experience.
A GRAND GETAWAY
From delightful fitness facilities to highquality beauty treatments, THE GRAND HOTEL HEALTH CLUB offers guests and members alike the very best ways to relax. grandeastbourne.com/spa-sussex
WIND DOWN AT ASHDOWN
With so much to offer – including an indoor heated swimming pool, golf course and driving range, six beauty rooms, a nail salon and Relaxation Lounge – ASHDOWN PARK’S COUNTRY CLUB & FOREST SPA is the perfect place to be pampered. ashdownpark.com/spa-wellness-0
TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT TYLNEY HALL’S SPA EXPERIENCES, HEAD TO TYLNEYHALL.CO.UK/WELLNESS-TYLNEY-HALL
Some wonderful castles to visit
History meets grandeur! For lovers of castles, the East Sussex area is absolute heaven, featuring a wide array of spectacular fortresses that bring you face to face with England’s heritage
Come rain or shine, if you’re looking for a walk with a difference, why not explore some of the many great castles in and around Sussex? From crumbling ruins to moated fortresses straight out of the Chaucer era, from stunning hilltop views to William the Conqueror’s landing point, here’s a few you can visit to get your history fix.
BODIAM CASTLE
BODIAM, NEAR ROBERTSBRIDGE, EAST SUSSEX
Set in the heart of a historic, rural landscape near the River Rother, 14th-century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain’s most picturesque monuments. Sitting within a mirror-like moat and featuring spiral staircases and battlements, Bodiam was built to defend against the French invasion during the Hundred Years’ War. The impressive gatehouse of this medieval castle retains its original wooden portcullis – thought to be the oldest in England. Explore the drum towers at each corner of the castle where guards would be on the lookout, imagine feasting on lavish banquets in the great hall and the knights in shining armour that once rode out across the moat. And don’t fail to visit the Wharf tea-room for delicious home-made cake! Open 10am-5pm daily, from £5 child, £10 adult.
PEVENSEY CASTLE
PEVENSEY, EAST SUSSEX
Pevensey’s strategic location facing the Normandy coast is why a fortification has existed here since the fourth century, when the Romans built the Saxon Shore fort, Anderida (a name now shared by the restaurant at Ashdown Park). It was later the landing place for the Normans in 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded and a medieval castle was built within the fort. During WWII it became an important stronghold and you can still
see machine gun posts in the walls. The castle is now home to a historical exhibition, complete with a recreated 1940s commander’s office and dungeon, and the Pevensey Castle collection, including jewellery, household objects and weaponry, giving insight into life here since Roman and medieval times. Generally open 10am-5pm daily but check online at english-heritage.org.uk; free for English Heritage members, other prices vary.
HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE ESTATE
HERSTMONCEUX, EAST SUSSEX
A stunning 15th-century, moated castle,
Herstmonceux’s name originates from an heiress called Idonea de Herste and her husband Ingelram de Monceux, who, in the late 12th century, owned a manor house at the site. In 1441, a descendant of the Monceux family, Sir Roger Fiennes, built a castle where the old manor house had been after he was appointed treasurer to Henry VI. Herstmonceux was the largest private residence in England at the time and is now the oldest brick-built building still standing. Today, it is the centrepiece of a 300-acre estate featuring beautiful, themed gardens, a wildflower meadow and an ancient bluebell wood with
SIEGE SPIRIT
Pevensey Castle survived the longest siege in medieval England, from September 1264 to July 1265. In the 15th century it was a prison, holding James I, King of Scotland, among others.
wonderful trails to stroll through!
Access to the castle interior is currently unavailable.
Open 10am-5:30pm daily, £3.50 child, £8 adult.
CAMBER CASTLE
OFF
HARBOUR ROAD, RYE, EAST SUSSEX
This 16th-century artillery fort was built by Henry VIII to guard the port of Rye and lies within the nature reserve between Rye and Winchelsea. It was one of a series built along the south coast to protect it from a French invasion and was originally located just a few metres from the sea. However, eventually, the coastline receded away from the fort, rendering it incapable of guiding boats and protecting shipping, as it was stranded inland. Derelict and depleted, in 1943, it was used as an anti-aircraft gun base during the Second World War. However, in 1967, English Heritage took over and a process of consolidation and reparation began, which continues today. It means the interior is currently off limits, but you can explore the exterior – a symmetrical edifice built from Wealden and Sussex sandstone, and a rare example of a Henrician fort surviving in its original design. Open daily, free.
ARUNDEL CASTLE
ARUNDEL, WEST SUSSEX
Arundel Castle (main pic, page 28) dates back to 1067 and retains many original features, such as the motte, an artificial mound over 100ft high from the dry moat, constructed in 1068, and the gatehouse from 1070. Since 1138, it has descended directly and has been the home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for 850 years. Between the 1870s and 1890s, the castle was almost entirely rebuilt in and is a magnificent example of Victorian gothic style. The fine interior is a treasure trove of incredible furniture, tapestries and paintings by the likes of Van Dyck,
WALK THIS WAY
Camber Castle is only accessible by foot and is a one-mile walk on footpaths from Rye. You can extend this into a circular walk around Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, discovering the changing coast.
STAR QUALITY
Between 1948 and 1970, Herstmonceux Castle was the site of The Royal Greenwich Observatory until light and air pollution began to affect its view of the skies and it moved to the island of La Palma.
Gainsborough and Canaletto. Arundel Castle & Gardens enjoys magnificent views across the South Downs and River Arun, providing scope for an unforgettable day out.
Open 10am-5pm until 3 Nov (closed Mondays except August and bank holidays), from £7 child, £15 adult.
LEWES CASTLE & MUSEUM
LEWES, EAST SUSSEX
High above the medieval streets stands Lewes Castle, one of the oldest Norman fortresses in England, built shortly after 1066 and the Battle of Hastings by William de Warenne as his stronghold in East Sussex. It was added to over the next 300 years, culminating in the magnificent Barbican Gate. A climb to the top of the keep will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views across Sussex. Next door to the castle is the Barbican House Museum, which showcases the archaeological and cultural heritage of Sussex. It houses
a wealth of artefacts, from prehistoric flints to Roman pottery and Saxon weapons. During the Crimean War in 1854, 340 Finnish and Russian prisoners were kept in the naval prison at Lewes and when allowed out, they often visited the castle. The local hospitality extended to them was extraordinary and inspired a Finnish folk song! Open 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday (closed Mondays except school holidays and bank holidays), £5.50 child, £10 adult.
RYE CASTLE MUSEUM
RYE, EAST SUSSEX
This charity and accredited museum actually has two sites – RCM East Street and RCM Ypres Tower – just a short walk apart. The Ypres Tower was
built in 1249 and has had many roles, including as a fortification to protect the town, a private dwelling, a prison, a courthouse, and finally, a museum. You can see prisoners’ cells and the chains that held them, a smuggler’s lantern and a model that shows the changes to the Romney Marsh coastline and the defences against Napoleon. The balcony also offers wonderful views out across Romney Marsh, the
PICTURESQUE STYLE
In the 1830s, owner Edward Hussey III ordered the transformation of Scotney Castle into a ruin to make it the centrepiece of the garden that was being created around his new house at the top of the hill.
surrounding countryside and what was once one of the most important harbours in the country.
Open 10:30am-5pm March to October, 10.30am-3.30pm November to February, £5 adult, free entry for accompanying children under 16.
SCOTNEY CASTLE
TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
Whimsical Scotney Castle encompasses medieval moated ruins dating from the 12th century, a manor house built within the ruins in the 1830s and a romantic garden – all in a beautiful, wooded estate that is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Open all year round, there are various trails to explore, a dedicated visitor centre, nearby wildlife and activities for children. There are picnic areas, a lovely tearoom, a second-hand bookshop, plant shop and the main shop selling various National Trust items. Scotney Castle was also a filming location for the Netflix series, The Sandman. Open 10am-5pm daily, free for National Trust members and under 5s, other prices
ABOVE: Lewes Castle and Museum showcase the archaeological and cultural heritage of Sussex
RIGHT: Rye Castle's Ypres Tower was built 1249 after consent from Henry III to defend the town
The perfect night’s sleep
Being able to sleep peacefully is a luxury. That’s why your Elite bed has been handmade by the UK’s finest craftspeople
As a guest at Elite Hotels, you can sleep soundly knowing that your bed has been crafted with care.
Yorkshire-based, family-owned and run bedmaker Harrison Spinks is renowned for handcrafting luxury mattresses and beds using natural and responsibly sourced fillings. Their mattresses are made without the use of glue, foam or fire-retardant chemicals (due to the high wool content in the mattress covers).
The company grows natural fillings on its Yorkshire farm, weaves naturally fire-resistant fabrics in-house and makes award-winning recyclable springs.
Here, managing director Nick Booth tells us more:
YOU ARE RENOWNED FOR BEING A FAMILY BUSINESS. HOW MANY GENERATIONS HAVE WORKED AT YOUR COMPANY?
We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing heritage, with five generations of the Spinks family leading the business to success. Since being established in 1840, the Spinks family values of quality and innovation have been at the core of who we are. We are passionate about the use of natural, local materials, as well as the handcrafting skills of our bed-making artisans.
WHICH ELEMENTS OF YOUR BEDS ARE HANDMADE?
Every Harrison Spinks bed is handmade in our Yorkshire factory. Our mattresses are assembled by hand, where each supportive spring layer and luxurious filling layer is stacked
to create the perfect combination for comfort. Our highly skilled artisans use a centuries-old technique to handstitch rows of side-stitching. This can take over eight hours per mattress. Each mattress is then handtufted, where thread is inserted with a needle through the backing material in the form of a loop, holding all the fillings in place to provide an ultra-comfortable sleep surface. The upholstering of our bases, headboards and divans – which are made from sustainably sourced FSCcertified wood – is also done by hand.
HOW DO YOU HELP PROTECT AND BOOST
NATURAL HABITATS?
Owning a farm gives us an unbreakable connection to nature,
which is why we’ve recently taken more steps towards restoring the local natural habitat. Our focus and agenda shifted from overseas carbon offsetting to investing in premium climate initiatives in Britain, such as the Wild Ingleborough landscape conservation initiative led by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
We’ve taken additional measures to encourage biodiversity on our farms, including planting 2,750m of native hedgerows to support animal welfare and encouraging rare bird species through our farming practices. A higher stewardship grant from Natural England has enabled us to create and maintain 33 acres of wildflower, bird and butterfly margins.
“Each supportive spring layer and luxurious filling layer is stacked to create the perfect combination for comfort”
WHY IS SUSTAINABILITY IMPORTANT?
We’re passionate about where everything comes from, how it’s made and how it affects our people and the planet. We use materials from British and local businesses as much as possible. We were the first to partner with British Wool to ensure that all our wool can be traced back to the source, guaranteeing animal welfare and fair payment for farmers.
We’ve recently partnered with Scottish luxury fashion manufacturer Alex Begg to upcycle clean, high-quality cashmere offcuts to replace the virgin cashmere in our mattress fillings.
We pride ourselves on working towards leaving the environment around us richer than how we found it.
YOU RECENTLY RECEIVED A KING’S AWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?
It’s a tremendous honour. Achieving the Award for Sustainable Development is a testament to our whole team’s efforts. It demonstrates our commitment to driving the business forward through industry-leading practices that enrich the lives of our colleagues and communities. We know the importance of making a positive difference, whether that’s encouraging biodiversity, helping our employees achieve a better worklife balance or supporting charities such as Zarach, where we provide a monthly donation of mattresses to support families in poverty.
Having previously won seven Queen’s and King’s Awards for
“We were the first to partner with British Wool to ensure that all our wool can be traced back to the source, guaranteeing animal welfare and fair payment for farmers”
Sustainable Development, Innovation, and International Trade, this latest achievement reflects our dedication to creating high-quality beds and components with as little impact on the environment as possible.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR HARRISON SPINKS?
We are becoming more people-focused within our sustainability plans. This includes strengthening our charitable partnerships, working with more education institutions and community groups and investing in our workforce with skills, wellbeing and diversity programmes.
We’re weaving a new upholstery fabric using our home-grown hemp and British Wool, which is inherently fire-retardant and chemical treatmentfree in line with our mattress ethos.
We’ve also been refining our manufacturing processes to be even more responsible and are working on industry-leading ways to repurpose our clean waste back into production, such as our non-woven fillings, mattress borders and fabrics. Our ultimate goal is to create a circular production process, making the highest-quality luxury mattresses and beds for our customers to help as many people as possible have a happy and healthy night’s sleep.
Entertain effortlessly
CHELTEN HAM
ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS WALTON-ON-THAMES
THE SUNDAY ROAST SECRET
Elite chef Hrvoje Loncarevic shares a roast potato masterclass that will transform everyone’s favourite family meal
The Sunday roast has been gracing Great British tables for centuries. It is believed to date back to the reign of King Henry VII in the 15th century. Legend has it, his guards enjoyed a meal of roast beef, hence the term Beefeaters.
Traditionally, a roast dinner consists of meat and vegetables but other things have been added over the years. During
the 30s and 40s, people turned to suet puddings and offal to bulk out their plates as meat was expensive during wartime. Beef and Yorkshire puddings made a comeback after the war, as eggs, milk and fat were no longer rationed.
The jewel in the crown of a good Sunday dinner is the humble roast potato, and we asked Hrvoje Loncarevic, executive chef at The
Grand, Eastbourne, to share the secret to a perfect roast spud.
“You want a flavourful, floury potato with a dry texture to give you a fluffy middle and crunchy exterior,” he says.
“If you’re wondering which variety to go for, you really can’t go wrong with Maris Piper or King Edward.
“First, don’t skimp on fat. For an average roasting tin, you’ll need at least
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
TERRY BENSON
5tbsp (75ml). We use vegetable oil to be vegan friendly, but if you prefer, use goose fat or duck fat.
“Our other new favourite for cooking potatoes is ghee. It is clarified, so less likely to burn. It gives the finished roasties a wonderfully rounded, brownbutter flavour.”
Hrvoje says that, when it comes to roasties, size is everything. “Very small pieces will cook more quickly but have a thinner, crispy exterior,” he says. “Medium chunks have more time to develop a thicker crust and contrasting interior, but don’t go large – the ratio of exterior to interior reduces with size.”
Chef also says that preparation is key. “Boil potatoes until they’re tender on the outside but firm in the middle. Once par-boiled, drain them well, put them back in the pan, then put the lid on and give the pan a good shake to bash up the edges (the potatoes will only roughen up if they’ve been cooked for long enough). Cooked starch granules absorb water, swell and separate a little from each other, becoming fluffy. This causes myriad tiny cracks on the outside of the potatoes into which hot oil can penetrate. This creates a greater cooking surface area – so the outside cooks more rapidly and crisps up.”
“YOU WANT A FLAVOURFUL, FLOURY POTATO WITH A DRY TEXTURE TO GIVE YOU A FLUFFY MIDDLE AND CRUNCHY EXTERIOR”
Hrvoje says that, for really crispy potatoes, you need them to be dry.
“Leave the par-boiled, roughed-up potatoes in the still-warm pan to dry for a few minutes before adding them to the hot fat. The drier the potato, the crisper the result.”
To maximise crunch, chef says that the fat must be hot when the potatoes hit the pan. “Heat up the fat in the oven for a few minutes before adding the roughed-up potatoes and turn them in the hot fat so they’re well coated before going in the oven,” he says.
“Tempting though it is to pack more potatoes into the roasting tin when you’re cooking for a crowd, DON’T. The potatoes will steam rather than roast –or take a very long time. Use two tins instead if you’re short on space.”
There’s plenty of options when it comes to seasoning, too.
“Salt is essential – so if you’re going for just one seasoning, make it that,” says Hrvoje. “We also love the pep of pink peppercorns, earthy bay and garlic. Rosemary, sage and thyme work well too. For more crunch, toss in a few fine breadcrumbs or grated parmesan 10 minutes before the end of cooking time (no longer or the crumbs/ parmesan will burn).
And the golden rule when preparing Sunday lunch?
“Never rush the roast potatoes!” Sample the perfect Sunday roast in the Garden Grill at The Grand Eastbourne, the Anderida Restaurant at Ashdown Park, and the Oak Room Restaurant at Tylney Hall.
Left Hrvoje Loncarevic, Executive Chef at The Grand Eastbourne
COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY
Elite Hotels care deeply about the environment. Here are six initiatives happening right now
GOING ELECTRIC
All our hotels feature electric vehicle charging points to encourage guests driving EVs, while our concierge team now have electric vehicles to use when transporting guests across our estates.
GREENER ESTATES
Our estate teams use peat-free planting compost, organic fertilisers, recyclable plant pots, and plant-based weedkillers. They re-use wood from pallets, use water butts to recycle water and encourage wildlife through rewilding, leaving fallen trees and creating bug hotels.
ABLUTION REVOLUTION
All our bathrooms feature Molton Brown dispensers instead of 30/50ml bottles, displacing 1039kg of plastic, and reducing use by 60 per cent. Also, Molton Brown has an ethos to create products in an environmentally friendly way.
LOCAL SOURCING
Many of our drinks are locally sourced, including Kingsdown Presses (Kent), Folkington Juices (East Sussex), Longman beers and Ditchling Toffee Vodka (East Sussex), Mayfield Gin, Andwell Brewery beers (Hook), Nyetimber wines (Kent), Bluebell Vineyards (East Sussex), and Kingscote Vineyard (West Sussex).
SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIERS
The food suppliers we use have fully sustainable credentials including Tablehurst Farm beefburgers, locally and sustainably caught seafood from MCB Seafoods, fruit and veg from Watt’s Farm, Hampshire trout from Direct Seafoods and milk from West Horsley Dairy.
SMART LAUNDRY
In our laundries we’ve just completed the roll-out of new lower-temperature detergents, which are projected to reduce water and electricity consumption by 203,979 KwH pa. It will reduce wash programme duration, improve washing performance and operational efficiency.
WELCOME TO THE DREAM FACTORY
The McLaren story reads like barely believable fiction. From its obsessive young genius founder to its space-age Surrey home, on road and track, the company has blazed a Boy’s Own trail for 60 years
Inside the restaurant at McLaren’s Surrey HQ the atmospheric pressure is kept lower than everywhere else in the building. This prevents the smell of food from spreading. Throughout the complex, every screw head is tightened to the vertical, not the horizontal, so they don’t attract dust. The supporting blades on the building’s façade look like an F1 car’s suspension wishbone, the glass lifts resemble a piston. Such obsessive attention to detail befits a construction that was briefed to architects Norman Foster & Partners as “90 percent NASA, 10 percent Disney”. The fastidious, exquisite way they set about realising that brief
20 years ago would certainly have been appreciated by the man whose own obsessive genius started it all back in 1963 – Bruce McLaren. This uniquely gifted young New Zealander came to Europe aged just 21, and created from nothing a race team and later supercar maker that revolutionised the world of automotive high performance, taking on and beating the mighty Ferrari. On the track, McLaren’s roll of honour has included 12 F1 Drivers’ Championships, eight F1 Constructor’s titles, 184 race wins, a total domination of America’s thunderous Can-Am series, victories at Le Mans and the Indy 500, making legends of names
such as Senna, Lauda, Prost, Hunt, Häkkinen and Hamilton. On the road, Bruce envisioned injecting racing know-how into a road car by creating the radical M6 GT in 1969, which paved the way first for the world’s finest road car (1992’s McLaren F1), and later for the creation of countless astonishing cutting-edge supercars inside the dream factory.
It all happened right here, in the south of England.
Bruce was just 26 years-old when he started his eponymous racing team in 1963, but he had already packed a lot in. At 21 he was selected for the ‘Driver to Europe’ scheme, joining the Cooper
F1 team. A year later, victory at the US Grand Prix made him the youngest ever F1 winner. But driving wasn’t enough – Bruce wanted to build his own cars. By 1966 he was racing in an F1 car he had designed himself, and two years later became only the second driver in history to win in a car bearing his
own name. But it was quickly obvious that Bruce was an even better designer and engineer than he was a driver. In 1967 he invented ground effects aerodynamics on the M6A, which went on to win all but one race in that year’s Can-Am series. A year later he was a pioneer of aero wings in F1, establishing
a principle that holds good to this day: science is the key to winning on track. Bruce’s story had a tragic end. In 1970, aged just 32, he was testing the new McLaren M8D at Goodwood circuit when the car’s rear bodywork failed, spinning the car into a trackside bunker and killing him instantly. Prophetically,
The McLaren Technology Centre is a swooping fantasy in glass and stainless steel McLarens from every generation on display at the MTC
“I FEEL THAT LIFE IS MEASURED IN ACHIEVEMENT, NOT IN YEARS ALONE“ – BRUCE M c LAREN
Bruce had written a book six years earlier in which he referred to the death of teammate Timmy Mayer: “The news that he had died instantly was a terrible shock to all of us, but who is to say that he had not seen more, done more and learned more in his few years than many people do in a lifetime? To do something well is so worthwhile that to die trying to do it better cannot be foolhardy. It would be a waste of life to do nothing with one’s ability, for I feel that life is measured in achievement, not in years alone.” It was almost as if Bruce had penned his own epitaph. It might have been the end of McLaren, but it was just the beginning. Such was Bruce’s gift as a leader and team-builder he left behind an organisation even more determined to
fulfil his legacy. The team’s first F1 title came in 1974 with Emerson Fittipaldi, followed by James Hunt’s infamous 1976 triumph over Ferrari’s Niki Lauda. Then, in 1981, the team merged with Project Four Racing, run by another obsessive genius who over the next three decades would go on to finish what Bruce started: Ron Dennis.
It was Dennis, a skilled race mechanic and shrewd businessman, who supercharged the team, hiring designer John Barnard to begin McLaren’s game-changing use of carbonfibre, a substance so strong and so lightweight it quickly became unimaginable to design a race car without it.
“When I came into motor racing so many things were a black art,” said Dennis. “But black art was a cloak for
‘we don’t really know’. It was intuitive engineering. I decided to make it a science.” Carbonfibre technology not only led to racing success, but enabled McLaren to astound the car world with the roadgoing F1, the first production car to use a complete carbonfibre reinforced polymer monocoque chassis.
The F1 packed a raft of innovations including ground-effect aero, an arrow-shaped three-seat cockpit and a magnesium substructure, and with its 240mph top speed remains the world’s fastest naturally aspirated road car.
Dennis’s fastidious approach to everything was behind the building of the Woking dream factory in 2004.
Officially called MTC (McLaren Technology Centre), it was a masterclass in macro vision meets micro detailing,
a swooping fantasy in glass and stainless steel which, when viewed from above, forms a perfect circle with its surrounding lake. Every room in the building was set to precisely 21degC, deemed by Dennis to be the optimum working temperature.
But although MTC was a stunning HQ, it couldn’t cope with Dennis’s ambition to turn McLaren into a major supercar manufacturer when McLaren Automotive was born in 2010. So, a second building, equally ambitious, equally minutely specified, was built next door. Called MPC (McLaren Production Centre), it had to be built half-buried underground to meet planning stipulations, and had to be delivered in just two years – a third of the time MTC had taken. “It was ambitious, to say the least, and quite frightening!” says Iwan Jones, a partner at Foster & Partners, whose portfolio includes Wembley Stadium and the Gherkin. “The first car was still in the development phase, so we had to try to second-guess the assembly process.”
A dozen years after its opening, MPC is a car factory with the feel of an operating theatre, where 2,000 skilled technicians have hand assembled more
than 30 different McLaren models to date, including modern legends such as P1, 750S, 765LT and the McLaren Senna.
Then there is today’s new Artura, a car which looks even more futuristic than the factory in which it was built. Like every McLaren road car before it, Artura is a ferociously quick, deft-handling supercar, unthinkably lightweight due to its carbonfibre chassis, visually dramatic, thanks to its dihedral doors and rapturous curves. But unlike every McLaren road car before it, Artura is a petrol/electric hybrid. It can run silently on electric power for more than 20 miles, produces barely 100g/km of
CO2 and achieves 60mpg. It is the future of the supercar.
Creating the future has defined McLaren. In 2012, the P1 became the first hybrid hypercar, and in 2019 the teardrop-shaped Speedtail ‘hyper-GT’ took the technology to new heights, achieving 250mph to become the fastest hybrid and fastest McLaren road car. McLaren’s story contains courage, ambition, vision, excitement, tragedy, achievement… tucked away behind the 100,000 trees they’ve planted on the 50-hectare MTC site. Begun by a Kiwi, but today a thoroughly British, futurefacing success story.
On the right, the 2012 McLaren P1, the world’s first hybrid hypercar, and on the left, the futuristic-looking Artura, today’s hybrid supercar
Skilled technicians hand assemble a variety of McLaren vehicles inside the space-age Woking factory
‘We wouldn’t change a thing’
Wedding couple Emma and Jack married this summer at The Grand Eastbourne – and call it ‘the perfect wedding venue’
What could be considered a more romantic setting for a white wedding than The White Palace, as The Grand Eastbourne is affectionately known. And for Emma and Jack, who had their dream day here in June, the setting, which they themselves also described as palatial, very much suited their vision – and Emma’s traditional, princess-style ballgown.
Even before the newlyweds tied the knot, they felt happy that The Grand was a perfect match for them. Despite Jack growing up in Eastbourne, and having seen the hotel before, he had never actually been inside. “Though I’d lived there for 20 odd years, I wasn’t too bothered about getting married in Eastbourne,” he says. “But, because of the staff and just how amazing the hotel is, I think from the moment we looked in we both knew The Grand was where we wanted to get married.”
“Everything about the service and treatment we were given convinced us we’d be in capable hands,” Emma agrees. “And it was well explained to us what was possible with everything.”
As the couple live more than 120 miles away in Newbury, Berkshire, they had considered other venues closer to home.
“We looked at other options up here, such as barns and halls, but you have to do everything yourself,” Emma says. “I think we also liked the fact that, at The Grand, they offer packages, so that elements such as your catering are covered.”
When it comes to the catering, Jack and Emma were thrilled to have so much input into their wedding menu: “We got the opportunity to go beforehand and try two or three different starters, mains and desserts between us and work out what we wanted on the day,” says Jack.
“Then the chef actually came out and asked if there was anything we wanted changing on the plate,” Emma adds. “It was like the whole menu was tailored to us.”
Emma and Jack opted for our ‘Gold’ Wedding Package for their big day, but The Grand offers a host of wedding experiences to suit a variety of needs and budgets – from the ‘Classic’ to the ‘Grand’, and an ‘Intimate’ offering for smaller celebrations. These allow for the balance between structure and guidance, and flexibility and personalisation – which it seems worked perfectly for Emma and Jack. The option to swap out their flower
allocation for a room upgrade meant that they had the Presidential Suite set up so that all the bridesmaids could also stay in the room the night before. For Emma, who’s originally from Manchester, this made the morning of her big day really easy, as it meant that everyone’s prep could begin right away. The day itself was a beautiful summer’s day. “We were really lucky,
because I think for the rest of the summer it rained, but because you’ve got all the indoor and outdoor space, there was a clear plan B and they’d covered all bases,” says Jack. What was particularly beneficial was the capacity to utilise multiple spaces, throughout different stages of their day, all under the one roof – as it combined the convenience of one venue with the variety of different areas.
one was decorated and made up in such a way, it was just so impressive.”
The ceremony was held in the Princes Room, a fairytale setting featuring crystal chandeliers, after which everyone enjoyed drinks on
“Because we weren’t local, it was really helpful to get The Grand’s recommendations of people they’d had good experiences with previously”
“We used all the different locations that we could within the hotel, so we had a journey of moving from room to room on our day, which was nice for us,” says Emma. “And because each
the lawn. “It was really nice to do part of the day outside,” says Emma. But, for this happy couple, part of the appeal of The Grand was the ornate décor of the rooms – so they especially
enjoyed having their celebration in the Compton Room, complete with all its architectural splendour. “I think the Compton Room – the beautiful ballroom – is outstanding,” she says. Their admiration for the space as it was, meant that they felt very little needed to be added; however, they still appreciated the ability to make it their own: “I think it was really flexible,” says Jack. “We were essentially able to use it as a blank canvas.”
“We had flowers and personal touches everywhere,” adds Emma.
The satisfaction of hosting Emma and
Jack’s perfect day was shared by our staff at The Grand. “Emma and Jack were a lovely couple and a pleasure to look after,” says events office manager Lottie Hook. “The rooms were dressed so beautifully for their big day and really showed off The Grand’s passion for hosting weddings. Lots of thought was put into every aspect – even down to Berocca tablets for the morning after and flip-flops for those sore feet!”
Having met a lot of people at The Grand’s wedding fair and been given a list of suppliers by their wedding planners and co-ordinator, the pair felt assured that they had trusted traders involved. “Because we weren’t local, it was really helpful to get The Grand’s recommendations of people they’d had good experiences with previously,” says Jack.
One such example is photographer Zoltan Kecskes, who Jack tells us knew exactly how he wanted to use certain spaces within the hotel to capture their day. “In the lobby, where they do cream
“I think it’s the perfect venue if you want to feel extra special on your wedding day,” says Emma. “It felt like such a unique place to get married.”
tea, he sounded us out for that in the morning and said, ‘I want to get a really dramatic shot here later in the day’; it was the same with the outside and using the amazing façade of the hotel. He had a clear idea of how he wanted to make the most of the location we had chosen, which was great.”
The overarching impression that radiates from Jack and Emma, as they reflect on their wedding day, is that they had a relaxed, seamless experience from start to finish – and they put this down to the thoughtfulness and meticulous attention to detail of the staff involved. “The thing that I really liked is, they obviously do this all the time and know
exactly what they’re doing but they made all our guests feel special and took time away to speak to us directly and let us know what was going on,” says Jack.
“We just didn’t have a stressful wedding day at all,” Emma says.
For those considering having their big day at The Grand, Jack and Emma say, “Go for it!”
“I wouldn’t change anything about the day – it’s an amazing place get married,” says Jack.“I think it’s the perfect venue if you want to feel extra special on your wedding day,” says Emma. “It felt like such a unique place to get married.”
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