IDE LINCOLNSHIRE
Polesta —
Julian Wilkinson CEO & Publisher julian@pridemagazines.co.uk
As Pride goes to press, harvest is underway and gradually, fields of thick bushy barley and tall ears of wheat are already giving way to stark fields and to piles of neatly-stacked rectangles of straw.
My wife hates harvest time; she reckons it marks the end of summer. But for me, the end of one season is the beginning of another, with each one bringing with it unique pleasures, rituals and events. This month sees the return of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, in which Louth rider Ros Canter hopes to repeat her victory in the competition last year, and again lift the silver salver. The event is a world-class sporting fixture, a country show of sorts, and a highlight in the social calender. We’ve a preview in this edition, and we look forward to seeing you at the event too.
Remaining on a countryside theme, look out for this month’s Families in Farming feature in which we meet the next generation of livestock farmers like 13 year-old Joe Trofer-Cook and his brothers Stanley and Ernie. At a time when farming can seem challenging at best, it restores the faith to think that there’s a new generation of those who enjoy caring for livestock and serving as custodians of the countryside... a new generation keen to preserve Lincolnshire’s role as one of the biggest contributors to Britain’s rural way of life.
Elsewhere this month, we’re enjoying dining out at Lincoln’s White Hart Hotel on Bailgate, we’re profiling the area’s best schools and colleges, and we’re wishing upon a star to raise money for a very important children’s charity.
Our very best wishes for a great month!
Send your very best photos to our editor Rob Davis, robin@pridemagazines.co.uk
Homes & Gardens
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Local News
Skegness Beach is ‘Magnificent’
The Sunday Times’ Best UK Beaches guide names Skegness the best beach in the East of England region, with ‘unapologetically cheap and cheerful’ praise
‘North/South divide’ proposed
Lincolnshire could be split into two under proposals to create two new authorities replacing current boundaries
A north/south divide? Lincolnshire could be split into two under plans announced last month by South Holland and East Lindsey District Councils. Plans to rationalise the borders of Lincolnshire’s various city, district and borough councils have been announced by central government, which has asked local councils to put forward proposals to rewrite local borders.
“The current system is complex, inefficient and confusing. The proposal, A Greater Lincolnshire for All creates two new unitary councils responsible for delivering all council services – Northern Lincolnshire and Southern Lincolnshire – to replace current structures,” says Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council.
A series of events across the county will take place over the coming months allowing residents, communities, parishes and businesses to get involved with the proposal and have their say. Final proposals need to be submitted to government by the end of November.
Life’s a beach in Skegness, according to The Sunday Times which has named Skegness Beach the best in the East Midlands in its recent Best UK Beaches guide.
Editor of the guide and the newspaper’s chief travel writer Chris Haslem visited 756 beaches in a month-long camper van tour and named Skegness Central Beach the best in the East Midlands.
“While many of our once-buzzing seaside resorts are slowly fading, Skegness seems to be going the other way. Unapologetically cheap and cheerful, with a magnificent beach and all the traditional ingredients. Skeggy’s got what it takes in buckets and spades, the beach, is big, soft and golden, with views across the Wash to the Norfolk coast.”
The beaches were evaluated with an 11-point inspection checklist.
Nick Worth (SHDC), Craig Leyland (ELDC).
Nick Worth (SHDC),
Supplies
for Artists at Easton
Griffin of Easton sees the launch of a dedicated artists’ materials shop at Easton Walled Gardens
Easton Walled Gardens has opened a new artists’ materials shop, Griffin of Easton, in the courtyard of its beautifully restored gardens between Grantham and Stamford. Artists can feel and see papers, paints and brushes that are
made by artisans and that cater for every budget, from Wallace Seymour oils, gouache, acrylic, inks and watercolours to Gallo handmade Italian watercolours and Rosa watercolours. The new shop is open from Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
Spilsby landmark’s future
Spilsby Sessions House is set to undergo a respectful restoration and reopening, says East Lindsey
Spilsby Sessions House is set to undergo a ‘respectful restoration and reopening.’ The approved plans for Spilsby Sessions House include major repairs and adaptations to enable its use as a cultural and arts venue, as well as a versatile daytime community space. A brand new café, also part of the plans, will also provide a welcoming environment for both local residents and visitors.
Send your press releases & business news to us via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.
A Room with a View
Leading hotel The White Hart Hotel on Bailgate adds four luxury en-suite bedrooms within newly converted and upgraded 16th century annexe
The White Hart Hotel in Lincoln’s Bailgate has added four new luxurious en-suite rooms to its portfolio, following the conversion and upgrading of the adjacent 16th century half-timbered building, Leigh Pemberton House.
The impressive rooms are located on the first and second floors of this iconic 16th Century Grade II star listed building – one of the most photographed in this part of the city – which is now being operated as an annex to the main hotel.
The fascinating building has a 500 year history, including being used as a merchant’s house, furniture shop and silver and tinsmiths, as well as the notorious ‘Blue Boy’ Inn. It gained its current name from the former Chairman of NatWest, who was also Governor of the Bank of England.
These latest additions bring the total of elegantly decorated and luxurious bedrooms now offered by the White Hart Hotel to 53 across the main hotel, Leigh Pemberton House and a Georgian townhouse at No. 7 Castle Hill. The Lincoln Visitor Information Centre will continue to be a tenant of Leigh Pemberton House at ground floor level.
See our feature on the White Hart Hotel later in this edition.
And Finally... Well done to 80-year-old John Whitbread who completed an amazing challenge last month, cycling over 400 miles in six days, to and from six different locations across Lincolnshire, covering an impressive 66 miles per day. John helped to vital funds for LIVES — the volunteer Emergency Responders charity.
High Life
When You Wish Upon A Star
Grantham Preparatory International School recently hosted a charity ball at Newark’s Kelham Hall to raise money for local charity When You Wish Upon A Star, making dreams come true for sick children
Images: Joy Hutchinson Photography, 07989 173567.
Grantham Preparatory International School hosted a spectacular charity ball at the stunning Kelham Hall recently, raising an incredible £18,608 for national children’s charity When You Wish Upon a Star. The funds raised will go directly towards granting magical wishes for children living with lifethreatening or terminal illnesses. The event was a celebration of community spirit and generosity, featuring a live auction with prizes including a holiday to Florida and an exclusive overnight stay at Belvoir Castle, graciously donated by Her Grace the Duchess of Rutland who was also in attendance.
“We are so grateful for the continued support from Grantham Preparatory International School. Their commitment to instilling values of kindness and compassion in their pupils is truly inspiring,” says Emma-Kate Wyrley-Birch. For more information see www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk.
Eat Drink & Enjoy
FIND JOY IN THE ART OF EATING WELL
DINING OUT AT LINCOLN’S WHITE HART HOTEL ON BAILGATE
RAISING A GLASS TO ARTISAN GIN WITH TIPPLEMILL PLUS: RESTAURANT LISTINGS: OUR LOCAL SUGGESTIONS WITH OLD FAVOURITES AND NEW DISCOVERIES
Dining Out
The White Hart Exciting Times at
One of Lincoln’s most renowned chefs is now leading the team at Bailgate’s White Hart Hotel, and his plans include the launch of a brand new tasting menu to sit alongside an already excellent à la carte offering. This month we’ll enjoy revisiting one of the city’s most well-respected hotels
Words: Rob Davis.
At the time of writing it’s three years since the White Hart Hotel, on Lincoln’s Bailgate, temporarily closed its doors to guests to undertake a huge refurbishment. Reopening in October 2023, the results were very successful indeed.
The upmarket feel of modern interiors, 49 fresh new bedrooms and a brand new restaurant, named Antlers, were matched by exceptional service from a team led by General Manager Paul Noble.
Lincoln businessman Andrew Long had taken on the hotel and invested a huge amount of time, effort and capital in transforming a building that dates back to the 14th century, carries a Grade II listing and is located right in the centre of Lincoln. It’s permanently hustling with locals and tourists keen to visit the twin landmarks of Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle, to which the hotel is pretty much equidistant. It was a development not for the faint-hearted, but the results justified the effort with the Gibson Bar evoking a gentleman’s club of the 1930s and the Colonnade Cocktail Lounge providing a swish space to meet friends.
Antlers, too, was an immediate win with a very light restaurant courtesy of a large skylight and its sociable banquette seating, its elevated coffee lounge and bar plus a private dining room too.
The restaurant’s menu was an instant success as well, with a range of comfort food classics plus some upmarket à la carte dishes.
Whilst it has evolved a little in its ethos, and changed seasonally over the past couple of years, fundamentally Antlers’ offering of food was well-conceived, well-executed and very popular right from the start.
That fact was underwritten when the White Hart was named Lincolnshire’s only AA 4 Silver Star Award Hotel, and accepted into the Good Food Guide. The White Hart was also named Lincolnshire Pride’s Restaurant of the Year, as voted for by our readers.
And now, with the arrival of its new Head Chef, Billy Frost, the White Hart is about to become even better...
Above: Breast of local wood pigeon, fillet of sea bass, duo of beef.
Dining Out
ON THE MENU
Antlers Restaurant
STARTERS
Breast of wood pigeon, £9. Chicken parfait, £8.50
Lincolnshire sausage meat Scotch egg £9.
CLASSICS
Fish ‘n’ chips £18. Dry-aged steak burger £19.50.
À LA CARTE MAINS
Fillet of sea bass, £27. Duo of beef, £29. Loin of lamb £30.
DESSERTS
White chocolate and vanilla cheesecake £8.50. Belgian chocolate delice £9.50.
AFTERNOON TEA
Classic £29.95/person.
TASTER MENU £80
Grimsby Crab with yuzu mayonnaise, baby coriander.
Stuffed breast of wood pigeon with pickled carrot purée, kohlrabi and truffle jus.
Fillet of Sea Bass with miso and wild mushroom broth, dill oil, crispy rice noodles.
Cannon of Gelston Lamb with confit lamb shoulder, asparagus, wild garlic emulsion, caper and lamb jus.
55% Chocolate Millionaires
Chocolate Ganache with dulce de leche, shortbread, salted caramel ice cream.
NB: Sample menu and featured dishes, subject to availability and change.
Three months ago, Billy was asked to join the team. If his name sounds familiar, it should, since the chef has worked in many of the better restaurants in Uphill Lincoln... and he trained at The Ritz in London!
Billy is keen to maintain the ethos of quality and consistency in the kitchen, and takes his customers’ satisfaction as the most important metric of success. It’s not unreasonable to predict a second rosette for the restaurant in the future, but Billy, Paul and the team are happy to maintain a reputation that is based on happy customers, rather than awards.
One introduction that will take the White Hart’s dining into the Billy Frost era, though, is the introduction of a new tasting menu which will sit alongside its existing à la carte dining options.
Daytime diners enjoy a prix fixe menu at £24 and £28 for two or three courses respectively, and is served exclusively in Antlers, with Colonnade having a dedicated bar menu
comprising sharing platters, hot and cold sandwiches, salads and small plate dishes plus a range of burgers and pizzas.
Evening diners are able to choose from seven starters, five Classics, three grill/steak options and five à la carte dishes plus a range of snacks, sides, and four desserts plus a cheese board of artisan British examples, not least among which is Lincolnshire Poacher.
The new taster menu will be available for £80 and will offer five courses with an additional supplement for a cheese course and optional flight of wine for £50.
Billy is keen that across the White Hart’s provision of food, the hotel’s menus express respect for the quantity and quality of local producers and suppliers. It’s (more or less) a 30-mile menu, although the team make concessions for more specialised ingredients, or for consistency and quality.
Meat is sourced from Wards of Ruskington, with lamb supplied by Gelston and pork from
Lincolnshire’s Redhill Farm, with Fosters of Lincoln also providing the locally-reared beef for which they’ve been renowned now for six generations and over 130 years.
Fish arrives courtesy of Sailbrand via Grimsby’s markets and freshly made bread is delivered each day to the hotel via Lincoln’s Vines Bakery, justly renowned for the quality of its traditional sourdough.
Also worth mentioning is an exceptional Sunday lunch, the centrepiece of which is black treacle-cured rump of dry-aged beef, with Stilton and mushroom rarebit, goose fat Yorkshire puddings, and clotted cream mash, with Lincolnshire Poacher cauliflower cheese and Merlot gravy. To say it’s recommended is somewhat of an understatement.
Also recommended is a refreshed afternoon tea offering which allows Billy and the team to show off their skills in the patisserie section. Our tiered afternoon tea came with Billy’s trademark Battenberg and a white chocolate and raspberry dome with tempered white chocolate dome, sablé biscuit and caramelised meringue. Afternoon teas are served daily so there’s no need to book either!
The White Hart is seriously excellent in the presentation of the premises, from the gentleman in the bowler hat greeting guests as they enter through the hotel’s revolving doors, to the smart bars and lounges and a very light and beautifully appointed restaurant.
Add to that attentive service from an assiduous team as well as exceptionally presented and delicious dishes elevated further thanks to Billy’s presence. The White Hart is clearly entering a new and even brighter era for its customers... one that we highly recommended you enjoy, very soon!
Antlers Restaurant at The White Hart Hotel
The Restaurant: “Sophisticated à la carte menus at Antlers Restaurant, where seasonal, locally sourced produce takes centre stage, plus the refined small plates and signature cocktails of the Colonnade Cocktail Bar & Lounge: a celebration of flavour and craftsmanship.”
Antlers Opening Hours:
Lunchtime 12noon3pm. Evening 6pm 9.30pm. Sunday 12noon4pm.
The White Hart Hotel Bailgate Lincoln LN1 3AR Call 01522 526 222 or see www.whitehartlincoln.co.uk.
Above: Belgian chocolate delice with dulce de leche caramel, shortbread and caramel ice cream, £9.50.
Grilled Oysters with Mornay Sauce on Samphire
An indulgent seafood starter, perfect for cosy autumn suppers—plump oysters baked in a rich cheese sauce, topped with golden breadcrumbs and seasonal, salty samphire.
This month’s recipe Grilled Oysters with Mornay Sauce on Samphire
Cut out and collect our great seasonal recipes each month in Pride Magazine.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4 as a starter
Ingredients:
12 fresh oysters, in shell
100g samphire
25g unsalted butter
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 tsp plain flour
100ml whole milk
1 tsp Dijon mustard
40g mature Gruyère, grated
10g Parmesan, grated
Freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt
Lemon wedges, to serve
October calls for comfort with a touch of elegance, and this indulgent oyster dish
ticks both boxes. Served warm with a rich Gruyère Mornay crust and nestled on a bed of salty, seasonal samphire, these grilled oysters make a luxurious starter for a cosy dinner party or a romantic supper by
candlelight. Best served with a chilled glass of English sparkling wine or crisp Chablis, they also pair beautifully with grilled sourdough or a lightly dressed fennel salad for added texture and freshness.
1. Prepare the oysters by carefully shucking them over a bowl to catch their liquor. Discard the top shells and nestle each oyster into its base shell. Strain and reserve the oyster juices.
2. Arrange the oysters on a baking tray lined with rock salt or scrunched foil to keep them steady.
3. For the Mornay sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Add the chopped shallot and sauté gently for 2 minutes until soft but not coloured.
4. Stir in the flour to make a roux and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk along with a tablespoon of the reserved oyster liquor.
5. Add the mustard and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring continuously, until smooth and thickened.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the Gruyère and half the Parmesan. Season with black pepper and a pinch of sea salt.
7. Preheat the grill to high. Spoon a little Mornay sauce over each oyster and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.
8. Grill the oysters for 2–3 minutes until golden, bubbling, and just beginning to brown.
9. Meanwhile, blanch the samphire in boiling water for 30 seconds, then drain well and arrange on serving plates.
10. Sit the grilled oysters atop the samphire and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.
Autumn in a glass
Fresh citrus satisfaction right from the Cotswolds
Cotswolds Dry Gin is a really delectable blend of nine carefullyconsidered botanicals, including lavender from the Cotswolds and freshly peeled pink grapefruit and lime zest. Due to the high volume of botanicals used, adding tonic or ice causes beautiful pearlescent clouds. A juniperled gin with fresh citrus notes and a hint of lavender.
£38.50 / 70cl / 46% ABV cotswoldsdistillery.com
The Wine Cellar
As the golden hues of early autumn envelop the county, it’s time to transition your drinks cabinet to reflect the season’s elegance. This month’s selection is tailored for those who appreciate the finer things
Our Selection of Wines for Autumnal Elegance
Drouhin Vaudon’s Chablis Premier Cru is a crisp, mineralrich wine with notes of green apple and citrus, ideal with seafood or cheese, £30 / 85cl / 13% ABV.
Murrieta’s rich, complex Rioja offers dark fruit, subtle spice, and velvety tannins. Perfect with grilled meats, £25 / 75cl / 14% ABV.
Laloue’s Sancerre is a delicate rosé with notes of strawberry and citrus, offering a refreshing counterpoint to autumn, £20 / 75cl / 12.5% ABV.
Wine of the Month
Château Léoville Barton 2015 from the SaintJulien appellation of Bordeaux with its Médoc terroir uses predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with blended with a small amount of Merlot and Cabernet Frank. It’s a quintessential Bordeaux, this wine exudes elegance with its deep cassis notes, refined tannins, and a hint of cedar.
Aged to perfection, it's an impeccable choice for autumnal gatherings or a quiet evening by the fire £95 / 75cl / 13.5% leovillebarton.com.
Make the most of the coast with Sea Arch non-alcoholic spirit
Inspired by the Devon coastline, Sea Arch Coastal Juniper is a refreshing nonalcoholic spirit crafted with botanicals like sea kelp, plus samphire and juniper from the coast of Devon. Its crisp, herbaceous profile offers a delightful alternative to gin, perfect for those seeking a sophisticated, alcoholfree option. £25 / 70cl / 0% ABV Available from seaarchdrinks.com
Our featured wines are available from local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary.
Tipplemill’s Gin Harvest
Milled, distilled and served chilled... this month we’re gathering in the harvest with Tipplemill Distillery’s Lily and James Craven whose cereals harvest under the vast skies of Lincolnshire contributes to creating the premium London Dry Gin that has taken the gin market by storm since the family launched it in 2023
After the warmest spring on record, and a sweltering June, Lincolnshire’s cereals farmers began their harvest earlier than usual this year. The county produces over 10% of the UK’s total wheat crop; 1,260 local farms growing over 175,000 hectares.
After a busy day harvesting, a farmer needs just three things... a rest, a good yield, and a (very) large G&T. Happily, we’ve the perfect recommendation in the form of Lily and James Craven’s Tipplemill London Dry Gin.
Its ‘seed to spirit’ creation is unique because it uses wheat grown on the family’s own farm to create the base spirit.
For five generations the family has farmed land near Boston. In 2023 Lily wanted to celebrate the British countryside and her family’s farming heritage whilst reaffirming the link between farmer and consumer. That vision was realised in Tipplemill, whose namesake is their farm’s founder and Miller Frank Craven.
Tipplemill’s dedication to values of quality, sustainability, and traceability starts at the very beginning with the core ingredient, the base alcohol spirit. “Instead of purchasing industrially made ethanol from around the globe, we use our own farm grown wheat, meaning we have control over every stage of Tipplemill’s creation.”
Bringing communities together really and championing this traditional British craft of windmilling makes Tipplemill truly unique.
Using the power of the wind at nearby Moulton Windmill, their family’s farm grown wheat is milled into the flour which serves as the foundation for their smooth and sumptuous base alcohol spirit.
Distilled with the luxury of time in a traditional copper pot still. The Tipplemill botanical recipe is built around elderflower and sweet fennel: two crops which are found in hedgerows in the Lincolnshire countryside! Alongside the finest juniper berries and coriander seeds, sun-dried grapefruit, orange and cassia bark (to name a few) are ingredients which all come together to craft a delicious, moreish and refreshing tipple. Championing high quality and sustainability in the production process of the gin follows through into the creation of the eye-catching Tipplemill bottle. The glass bottle, the gold and white artwork and the label are all made in the UK. “Presentation of our spirit is just as important as the contents. We wanted people to taste luxury with their eyes and then again when they sip our gin!” says Lily.
The logo design references the family’s faming, milling and distilling links and the five generations. The stopper is cleverly designed as a millstone to reference the unique to the UK windmilling aspect of the gin creation.
Tipplemill’s quality and originality was underwritten with a double-gold award at the World Spirit Awards in New York and again the following year in San Francisco, the most prestigious accolades to archive in the spirits world, really putting Lincolnshire on the map. As Drinks Producer of the Year, and recently Business Innovator of the Year, they really are a spirit to look for behind the bar!
Tipplemill can be found in restaurants and hotels in Lincolnshire, Rutland and Stamford. “It is brilliant that bars and restaurants are setting the standard for promoting not only British-grown produce to serve on plates, but to serve in people’s glasses too like Tipplemill gin. “Food menus have information about food traceability so
it’s great to be working with establishments who can now offer the equivalent standard with our gin.”
“We feel a true connection to our land and have the privilege of taking care of it into a fifth generation. Farming in harmony with nature is how we roll. Looking after the soil health, the wildlife which shares our land and growing the highest quality crops for you to eat (and drink!). We take a crop, we spend a year tending to it and then turn it into a product that is enjoyed on all occasions and which brings people together. It also gives us immense pride in British agriculture and optimism for the future.”
“Authenticity and traceability were two of the values we wanted to reflect in our gin, so I hope as you drink a Tipplemill and a tonic, you can feel a sense of connection with the British countryside,” says Lily.
Tipplemill Gin is available directly from www.tipplemill.com, £44, 70cl, 44% ABV. Or why not ask for a Tipplemill & Tonic next time you are out!
THE GOOD FOOD GUIDE
BOSTON
THE BALL HOUSE
A familyfriendly pub with a cosy atmosphere, offering traditional British fare. Known for its Sunday carvery and extensive menu that includes options for vegetarians, vegans, and glutenfree diners. Wainfleet Road, Boston, PE21 9RL. Call 01205 364478 theballhouseboston.co.uk.
MEET & MEAT
A distinctive fusion of Mediterraneaninspired cuisine with a modern touch. West Street, Boston PE21 8QN. Call 07723 237070 or see www.meetandmeat.co.uk.
OUR GOOD FOOD AWARDS WINNERS
Each year we ask our readers to vote for their favourite restaurants, coffee shops and food producers, revealing our winners in our January editions. We’ve highlighted this year’s winners in buff to make sure they’re easy to see!
Promote your business in our Good Food Guide for just £15 + VAT per month! Get in touch with our friendly team on 01529 469977 or email us at sales@pridemagazines.co.uk to find out more.
Help us keep Lincolnshire Pride up to date: If you notice a change to any restaurant, pub or café featured, we’d love your help to ensure our listings are comprehensive and up to date... email any updates to editor@pridemagazines.co.uk
YE OLDE RED LION
THE MILL INN
A popular pub known for its warm ambiance and classic British pub dishes and Italian too.
Spilsby Rd, Boston, PE21 9QN. Call 01205 352874 or see www.themillboston.co.uk.
MONKEY & I
Conveniently located in Church Street, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere for visitors to meet up, relax, and enjoy our authentic Thai cuisine. Church Street, Boston PE21 6NW. Call 07808 590203 or see www.monkeyandithai.co.uk.
THE ROPERS ARMS
Italian bistro serving authentic dishes, set in an early C19th public house overlooking the Maud Foster mill and river. Horncastle Road, Boston PE21 9BU. Call 07572 456110.
THE WHITE HART
Part of the Coaching Inn Group, set within a charming 19th century hotel, this restaurant provides a varied menu focused on British cuisine. The riverside views make it an ideal spot for a memorable meal.
High Street, Boston, PE21 8SH. Call 01205 311900 or see www.whitehartboston.com.
An awardwinning country pub that prides its self on producing satisfying dishes. Cosy atmosphere in the winter, with Low beams & log burning fires. For great summer dining there’s also a relaxing beer garden. Try the Lincolnshire Tapas, too! Bicker, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE20 3EF. Call 01775 821200, www.redlionbicker.co.uk.
GRANTHAM
ANGEL & ROYAL
Reputedly England's oldest inn, with the Kings Room Restaurant and Bertie's Bistro and Bar.
High Street, Grantham, NG31 6PN. Call 01476 565 816 or see www.angelandroyal.co.uk.
BELTON WOODS
Bar & Grill with a warm and welcoming atmosphere and offers an inviting selection of flavourful grilled dishes. Spa, golf course and fourstar accommodation on site.
Gonerby NG32 2LN. Call 01476 593 200 or see www.beltonwoods.co.uk.
BROWNLOW ARMS
In the heart of a picturesque village in Lincolnshire, the Brownlow Arms is a 17th century country inn formerly owned by Lord Brownlow. Providing good old fashioned country hospitality and modern comforts in a tranquil and relaxing location.
Hough on the Hill, NG32 2AZ. Call 01400 250234 or see www.thebrownlowarms.com.
THE CHEQUERS
Seasonal dishes from longstanding favourites to monthly changing dishes, from a team passionate about creating the tastiest and most interesting food they can.
Woolsthorpe By Belvoir, NG32 1LU. Call 01476 870701 or see www.chequersinn.net.
THE GREEN MAN
A traditional British pub offering hearty meals in a friendly setting, specialising in steaks and classic pub fare. High St, Ropsley, NG33 4BE. Call 01476 585897 or see the-green-man-ropsley.com.
HARE & HOUNDS
17th century public house promises good dining, and a friendly atmosphere. Fulbeck, Grantham NG32 3JJ. Call 01400 273322 or see hareandhoundsfulbeck.com.
PLOUGH, WILSFORD
Exceptional pub restaurant home to Paul Reseigh, formerly of the George of Stamford. Fabulous à la carte menu of satisfying dishes prepared with excellent chefcraft and imagination. Wilsford, NG32 3NS. Call 01400 664037 or see theploughinnwilsford.co.uk.
RESTAURANT JERICHO
Fine dining in the Vale of Belvoir courtesy of this fascinating 20course tasting menu based restaurant, with just 12 covers a night. Orchard Farm, Plungar NG13 0JA. Call 01949 728288 or see www.restaurantjericho.com.
Restaurant Jericho.
LINCOLN
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2024 ANTLERS AT THE WHITE
HART
Lincolnshire Pride’s Restaurant of the Year for 2024, as voted for by our readers. Antlers serves seasonally inspired à la carte lunch and dinner menu. For those who are looking for a perfect way to celebrate, Antlers also serves a full Afternoon Tea menu and classic cocktails as well as offering a unique private dining option.
Bailgate, LN1 3AR. Call 01522 526222 or see whitehart-lincoln.co.uk.
THE BRONZE PIG
A stylish, modern restaurant known for its seasonal menu featuring locally sourced ingredients with an innovative Mediterranean twist. Burton Road, Lincoln, LN1 3LB Call 01522 524817 or see www.thebronzepig.co.uk.
GRAIN STORE
Delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunches, with evening dining Friday and Saturday, based at Doddington Hall, utilising ingredients sourced from the farming estate. Doddington, Lincoln LN6 4RU. Call 01522 243189 or see www.doddingtonhall.com.
HOBBSONS
Formerly Browns Pie Shop & Restaurant. A ‘Best of British’ restaurant specialising in home crafted pies.
Steep Hill, Lincoln, LN2 1LU. Call 01522 527330 or see www.hobbsons.co.uk.
THE JEWS HOUSE RESTAURANT
Our restaurant is housed in one of the oldest building; we’re in our 19th year, offering a set menu and tasting menu. Artisan produce, seasonal, freshness and excellent service is what we are about. The Strait, Lincoln, LN2 1JD. Call 01522 524851 or see jewshouserestaurant.co.uk.
NO.38 AT THE TOWER
3 AA star hotel offering exceptional dining for nonresidents too, delivering satisfying à la carte dishes. 38 Westgate, Lincoln LN13BD. Call 01522 529999 or see www.thetowerlincoln.com.
THE OLD BAKERY
A notforprofit restaurant offering tasting menus that highlight seasonal ingredients. 26-28 Burton Road, Lincoln, LN1 3LB. Call 01522 244646, www.theold-bakery.co.uk.
BEST INTERNATIONAL DINING RESTAURANT 2024 OLÉ OLÉ
Familyrun authentic Spanish restaurant set in the heart of Lincolnshire’s historic Lawns. The Lawn 3 Ingleman Place, Union Rd, Lincoln, LN1 3BU. Call 01522 534222 or see www.oleolelincoln.co.uk.
THE THOROLD ARMS
Paul Vidic, renowned Lincolnshire chef, took over the running of a community pub, in 2021 to provide excellent food and drink in a relaxed and beautiful setting in Harmston. High Street, Harmston LN5 9SN. Call 01522 722788 or thoroldarmsharmston.co.uk.
WASHINGBOROUGH HALL HOTEL
Grade II listed, 4star Georgian Manor House hotel two miles east of Lincoln. Serving two AArosette awardwining dishes under Head Chef Mark Cheseldine. Washingborough, Lincoln LN4 1EH. Call 01522 790340, www.washingboroughhall.com
LOUTH & RASEN
ADVOCATE ARMS
Award winning restaurant serves fabulous meals created from local ingredients. The restaurant has been awarded two stars for its dining by the AA. Queen Street, Market Rasen LN8 3EH. Call 01673 842364 or see www.advocatearms.co.uk.
KENWICK PARK
Fantastic food and drink in the family friendly Fairways Restaurant and Keepers Bar. Kenwick Park, Louth LN11 8NR. Call 01507 608806 or see www.kenwick-park.co.uk.
MANSION HOUSE
British eatery known for warm service and delicious meals, featuring an inviting open fire Upgate, Louth LN11 9HD. Call 01507 610305 or see mansionhouselouth.co.uk.
NEWARK
TAYLOR’S FINE DINING
Familyrun, finedining restaurant in the heart of Newark. Locally sourced, seasonal produce with tasting menus and set menus. Castle Gate, Newark NG24 1AZ. Call 01636 659986, or see www.taylors-restaurant.co.uk.
NORTH & NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE
FOREST PINES
Spa, hotel and golf estate with restaurant near Brigg offering bistro dining. Brigg, DN20 0AQ. Call 01652 650 770 or see www.forestpineshotel.co.uk.
HOPE & ANCHOR
Fantastic Michelin Bib Gourmand lauded pub restaurant run by Slawomir Mikolajczyk. South Ferriby, DN18 6JQ. Call 01652 635334 or see thehopeandanchorpub.co.uk.
PIG & WHISTLE
Locallysourced British dishes with a rustic charm and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Healing, Grimsby, DN41 7QF. Call 01472 884544 or see www.healingmanorhotel.co.uk.
SAN PIETRO
TwoAA Rosette Award winning fine dining restaurant benefitting from the Sicilian heritage of Pietro Catalano who runs the business with wife Michelle.
Scunthorpe, DN15 6UH. Call 01724 277774 or see www.sanpietro.uk.com.
WINTERINGHAM FIELDS
Lincolnshire’s only Michelinstar restaurant offering an immersive dining experience with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Winteringham, DN15 9ND. Call 01724 733096 or see www.winteringhamfields.co.uk.
SKEGNESS
GINGERLILY, THE VINE
Cosy, friendly atmosphere and delicious dishes including traditional English meals prepared by our experienced Chefs using local ingredients. Vine Road, Seacroft, Skegness, PE25 3DB Call 01754 610611 or see www.thevinehotel.co.uk.
SAN RUFO’S
Familyfriendly Italian eatery known for its authentic pizzas, hearty pastas, and welcoming staff Roman Bank, Skegness, PE25 1SD. Call 01754 612242 or see www.sanrufos.co.uk.
The Jews House, Lincoln.
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SLEAFORD
THE BARGE AND BOTTLE
A canalside pub with a relaxed ambiance, and a wide range of satisfying food, including a good provision of Sunday lunch.
Carre St, Sleaford, NG34 7TW. Call 01529 303303 or see www.thebargeandbottle.co.uk.
THE BUSTARD INN
Beautifullypresented quality pub restaurant, whose awards include two AA rosettes and a Traveller’s Choice award. Exceptional dining courtesy of Head Chef Phil Lowe. Main Street, South Rauceby Lincolnshire, NG34 8QG. Call 01529 488250 or see www.thebustardinn.co.uk.
THE CARRE ARMS
Charming Edwardian hotel and restaurant renowned for quality service & fabulous food. An eclectic mix of modern English and Mediterranean dishes. Mareham Lane, Sleaford NG34 7JP. Call 01529 303156 or see carrearmshotel.co.uk.
THE MALLARDS RESTAURANT
Classic British cuisine in a cosy setting, known for its Sunday roasts and welcoming service. Eastgate, Sleaford, NG34 7DJ. Call 01529 413758.
THE QUEEN’S HEAD
This charming village pub and restaurant in Kirkby la Thorpe serves classic British fare in a warm, inviting atmosphere with friendly service. Church Lane, Kirkby la Thorpe, Sleaford NG34 9NU. Call 01529 300750 or see www.thequeensheadpub.com.
THE SOLO BISTRO
Bistro bar and hotel with traditional dishes presented in a contemporary style making the most of local ingredients. Market Street, Sleaford NG34 7SF. Call 01529 303200 or see www.thesolo.bar.
Magpies, Horncastle.
TABLEZ BISTRO
Awardwinning cafe bistro. With indoor and outdoor seating as well as a fantastic balcony, a great place to pop in for breakfast or lunch. Southgate, Sleaford NG34 7RZ. Call 01529 300922.
THAI SABAI
Contemporary Thai restaurant specialising in Authentic Asian cuisine. Dishes are expertly prepared on the premises. Thai Chefs using only the finest ingredients along with herbs and spices which are import directly from Thailand. Millstream Square, Sleaford NG34 7RZ. Call 01529 413333 or see thaisabaisleaford.co.uk.
SPALDING
THE BLACK BULL
Quality pub restaurant
offering a wellcurated menu packed with hearty, food. Market Place, Donington, Spalding, PE11 4ST. Call 01775 822228 or see theblackbulldonington.co.uk.
JASHIR INDIAN RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
A culinary destination that offers unforgettable Indian dishes made with the finest ingredients and spices. 11 Double Street, Spalding PE11 2AA. Call 01775 423001 or see www.jashir.co.uk.
THE PARLOUR
Authentic, Edwardianstyle restaurant for lunch and afternoon tea, overlooking Springfields’ Festival Gardens. Camelgate, Spalding PE12 6EU. Call 01775 760949 or see www.springfieldsoutlet.co.uk.
STAMFORD
THE BULL & SWAN
Everything a traditional English inn should be, with gastro food and real ales, on the magnificent Burghley Estate.
High Street St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LJ. Call 01780 766412 or see www.thebullandswan.co.uk.
RESTAURANT WITH
ROOMS 2024 CROWN HOTEL
This historic former coaching inn is now a wellregarded restaurant and hotel. A warm atmosphere and dishes with quality local ingredients. All Saints' Place, Stamford, PE9 2AG. Call 01780 763136 or see www.kneadpubs.co.uk.
MILLY’S BISTRO
Located within the Georgian William Cecil Hotel, Milly’s offers a homely vibrant feel and an inspired menu. St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LJ. Call 01780 750070 or see www.millysbistro.co.uk.
THE OAK ROOM AT THE GEORGE OF STAMFORD
An elegant, historic venue offering a fine dining experience with classic British cuisine. Located in The George Hotel, this restaurant features candlelit tables and oakpanelled walls, ideal for special occasions. St. Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LB. Call 01780 750750 or see georgehotelofstamford.com.
WOODHALL SPA, HORNCASTLE AND CONINGSBY
THE ADMIRAL RODNEY
200 year old coaching inn
offering daytime and evening dining as well as comfortable accommodation.
North St, Horncastle, LN9 5DX. Call 01507 523131 or see www.admiralrodney.com.
THE DOWER HOUSE
Elegant country house hotel providing a range of freshly cooked dishes in a Victorian country house once home to Col Stafford Vere Hotchkin. Woodhall Spa, LN10 6PY. Call 01526 352588 or see www.dowerhousehotel.co.uk.
COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR 2024 KITCHENETTA
Deli and coffee shop providing freshly baked cakes and hampers as well as daytime favourites. Broadway, Woodhall Spa LN10 6ST. Call 01526 268008 or see www.kitchenetta.co.uk.
THE LEAGATE INN
Quality dining pub, run by the Dennison family since 1983 with Harry & Laura offering delicious seasonal dishes. Leagate Rd, Coningsby, LN4 4RS. Call 07957 756495 or see www.theleagateinn.co.uk.
MAGPIES
Small family run Restaurant with Rooms set in a row of 200 year old cottages in Horncastle serving a menu of fine dining dishes created by Andrew Gilbert with Caroline Gilbert at front of house. East Street, Horncastle, LN9 6AA. Call 01507 527004, www.magpiesrestaurant.co.uk.
PETWOOD HOTEL
Serving delicious and creative food with an AA rosette award for quality and consistency. Restaurant and terrace bar, popular classic afternoon tea provision, historic links to the Dambusters Squadron which once counted the Petwood at its home, and handsome Petolandscaped grounds. Also renowned for Sunday lunches, and a popular wedding/events venue.
Woodhall Spa, LN10 6QG. Call 01526 352411 or see www.petwood.co.uk.
ZUCCHI BISTRO
Established in 2011 as a Mediterranean bistro with culinary influences. Tapas and sharing dishes as well as stonebaked pizzas, pasta and al forno dishes. Station Road, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6QL. Call 01526 354466 or see www.zucci.org.
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FOOD & DRINK ACROSS LINCOLNSHIRE BUTCHERY
Boston Sausage/Mountains, home to the Lincolnshire Sausage, with a dedicated farm shop at Abbey Parks near East Heckington. Call 01205 821 610 or shop online at www.mountainsfarmshop.com.
LINCOLNSHIRE PRIDE’S BEST FOOD PRODUCER 2024
Gary Simpson Butchers, offering traceable and exceptional butchers including dryaged beef plus Lincolnshire sausages, haslet, stuffed chine and more. Sleaford, Heckington, South Hykeham and Stamford. 01529 460403, shop online at www.gsimpsonbutchers.co.uk.
BAKERY
Myers Bakery, home of the Lincolnshire Plum Loaf and artisan bakers founded by Charles Myer in 1901. Call 01507 525871 or shop online at www.myersbakery.co.uk.
Vine’s Bakery, specialise in baking artisan breads and pastries using the highest quality ingredients and time honoured traditions. Call 01522 581353 or shop online at www.vinesartisanbakery.co.uk.
LOCAL CHEESE
The Cheese Society, cheese ambassadors, retailers and cheese café in the heart of Lincoln. Subscriptions and gift boxes available. www.thecheesesociety.co.uk.
Cote Hill Cheese, home to Michael and Mary Davenport who have been creating Cote Hill White, Blue, Red, Yellow and Snowdrop from their farm since 2004, now ably assisted by son Joe, second generation cheesemaker. www.cotehill.com.
Lincolnshire Poacher, F W Read’s Tim and Simon Jones produce Lincolnshire Poacher, with a little help from their 230 Holstein Fresian cows... www.lincolnshirepoachercheese.com.
FISH
Alfred Enderby, traditional smokehouse in Grimsby specialising in drysmoking haddock, salmon and trout. www.alfredenderby.co.uk.
East Lincs Seafood, established in 1987 and providing the freshest wet fish and shellfish to consumers. Call 01205 364372.
LINCOLNSHIRE DRINKS
Bateman’s, good honest ales since 1874, including flagship XXXB ale, available in bottles or on tap in the best Lincolnshire pubs. See www.batemansbrewery.co.uk.
Belvoir Fruit Farms, the home of delicious elderflower cordials and pressés, more than 40 drinks, all with natural ingredients. See www.belvoirfarm.co.uk.
LINCOLNSHIRE PRIDE’S BEST DRINKS PRODUCER 2024
8 Sail Brewery, multiawardwinning microbrewery based in Heckington Windmill. See www.8sailbrewery.com.
Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company Multiaward winning and passionate about supplying roasted coffee, fine leaf tea, barista training & equipment with excellent customer service. Proud sponsors of The Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Typhoon Display Team. Products include Great Taste awardwinning Lincolnshire Tea. A true fresh approach. www.thelincolnteaandcoffeecompany.co.uk
Mayfield Vineyard, located in the heart of Burton Pedwardine on a 100yearold family farm, producing still and sparkling wines. See www.mayfieldwine.co.uk.
Stokes of Lincoln, artisan coffee roastery at The Lawn, Lincoln and on the city’s High Street at High Bridge café. www.stokescoffee.com.
Tipplemill London Dry Gin, dry gin with locallymilled wheat, juniper and bittersweet citrus and elderflower. See www.tipplemill.com.
What’s On
Thursday 4thSunday 7th Sept
The 2025 Defender
Burghley Horse Trials
A world-class sporting fixture, a celebration of the countryside and one of the poshest events for well-heeled shoppers.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials is back and will attract more than 160,000 visitors with 70 competitors and over 500 trade stands creating an unrivalled experience.
The three day event comprises dressage, cross-country and showjumping rounds and is one of the few five-star FEI-affiliated events in the world, ensuring spectators enjoy the very best in horsemanship.
Burghley House, Stamford, for tickets call 01780 752131 or see www.burghleyhorse.co.uk
Celebrating Lincolnshire
Send your press releases and events to us via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk
Sunday 7th September
Wings & Wheels at the IBCC
Join the teams from Canwick’s International Bomber Command Centre and Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire as they bring together the motorised heritage of the county, celebrating the heritage that is to be found right across Bomber County. Classic cars and bikes from Clubs across the region and beyond. Last year saw over 70 vehicles attending. Featuring 1940s music, children’s activities and BBQ.
International Bomber Command Centre, call 01522 514755 or see www.internationalbcc.co.uk.
Sunday 14th September
Stourton Woods Food & Drink Festival
Sunday 7th September
The Marvellous Makers Market
A celebration of the phrase ‘Made in Lincolnshire,’ with over 100 curated makers in attendance, including local food and drink producers, creatives, artists, designers and more – there’s something for every taste and every budget! Complimentary colouring corner, and outdoor musicians. Relax with a bite to eat on the picnic benches and enjoy the lawn games on site too!
Lincolnshire Showground, see www.lincolnshiremakers.co.uk.
Quality Lincolnshire food & drink producers all showcasing their goods, plus demonstrations and talks, farm safaris, and self-guided trails around the estate.
Baumber, Horncastle LN9 5NL, call 01507 578236 or see www.stourtonestates.co.uk.
Saturday 13th/27th September
Yoga in the Garden
A gentle, uplifting yoga session at Easton Walled Garden’s White Space Garden, from 9.15am.
Call 01476 530063 or see www.visiteaston.co.uk.
Send your press releases and events to us via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk
Sunday 28th September Apple Day 2025 at Gunby Hall
Over 50 varieties of apple on display from the gardens and orchards at Gunby. There will be craft and trade stalls dotted around the garden; something for all. Step inside the house, explore the gardens or wider estate, or visit the visually
stunning art display in Orchard Gallery. A historic delight for horticulturalists across eight acres of gardens, the property has been owned by the National Trust since 1944 with a Grade II* listed 42-room country home at its heart, formerly the country home of the Massingberd family.
Call 01754 890102 or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Saturday 20th September
Where is
Mrs Christie?
Part of Boston Book Festival this is a one-woman show presented at Blackfriars Arts Centre exploring the 11-day disappearance of the queen of whodunnits, Agatha Christie. In 1926, she was at the centre of a mystery as perplexing as any of her plotlines. The famous author was missing and was at one point even presumed to be dead. She claimed amnesia upon being found at a hotel in Harrogate. Was her story a lie, was it a publicity stunt or is the truth a dark secret in the life of the author? Liz Grand explains...
Blackfriars, £10/adults, 7.30pm, call 01205 363108 or see www.blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk.
Wednesday 24th September Susie Dent: Word
Perfect
A brand-new tour of the joys of the English language with Britain’s best-loved wordsmith and star of Countdown since 1992. Following on from her hit show ‘The Secret Life of Words,’ Susie Dent is back with a brand-new collection of facts and stories from the wonderful world of words. With the help of funny, insightful, head-scratching examples, Susie will entertain and educate us with her pick of language’s greatest hits. Word Perfect will remind us all of just how unpredictable, wayward, and utterly magical our mother tongue can be.
tickets £33, from 7.30pm, Lincoln New Theatre Royal, call 01522 519999.
Saturday 27th September and Saturday 25th October
The Princess Proms at Lincoln Cathedral
Calling all princesses and budding Princess Charmings too. If there’s a youngster in your life who loves to get dressed up, we’re certain they’ll enjoy he glittery magic of the Princess Proms with an enchanting evening of song and sparkly dresses at Lincoln Cathedral. Music includes popular hits from Frozen, Wicked, Moana, Taylor Swift, Swan Princess, Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast and The Greatest Showman. Performances from 2.15pm and 7.30pm, tickets from £16.49, suitable for young children, 16 years and over must purchase adult ticket.
n Also, on Tuesday 9th September, enjoy the Cathedral’s Mindful Mile: take a moment out of a busy day to reconnect with the outdoors and complete three laps of the Cathedral. The building’s team are all there to set a gentle pace, and to share a topic of interest. Afterwards you are welcome to join them for a hot drink. Lincoln Cathedral, see www.lincolncathedral.com.
The 2025 Defender
Burghley Horse Trials
Back to Burghley this month with world-class riders and horses offering a thrilling spectacle, and the usual combination of luxury lifestyle, shopping and fun!
Words: Rob Davis. Images: Peter Nixon/Defender Burghley Horse Trials.
Each September, the normally tranquil parkland of Burghley House is transformed into a spectacular celebration of equestrian sport, style and socialising as it welcomes more than 175,000 spectators for the world-famous Defender Burghley Horse Trials. The four-day event draws visitors from across the globe and generates an estimated £20 million for the local economy—making it not only a sporting highlight, but also a vital fixture in the region’s economic and social life.
Recognised as one of just seven CCI5* competitions in the world (the highest level in the sport) the Burghley Horse Trials forms the final leg of the prestigious Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, alongside the Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Badminton Horse Trials. Riders must demonstrate versatility across three demanding phases: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.
The event last year attracted no fewer than 175,887 spectators
Last year’s victor, Lincolnshire’s own Ros Canter, returns to the grounds this season and shares her thoughts on competing, winning, and what makes Burghley so special in our interview over the page.
The scale of the event is immense. No fewer than 42 television cameras are required to capture the action, beaming it to a global audience, while 1,074 officials and volunteers ensure its smooth running behind the scenes. With a £400,000 prize fund up for grabs, the competition is fierce. But Burghley is about much more than elite equestrianism.
Over 600 trade stands transform the park into a vibrant shopping village, offering everything from fine country fashion and artisan gifts to luxury homewares and gourmet food. And with over 8,000 glasses of champagne expected to be enjoyed over the weekend, Burghley is as much a social occasion as a sporting one.
THREE COMPETITION STAGES
Attracting elite international riders and 175,887 passionate spectators, Defender Burghley Horse Trials is a triathlon of equestrian excellence, spanning three distinct stages.
Dressage: The first phase tests precision, obedience and harmony between horse and rider.
In a rectangular arena, competitors perform a pre-set sequence of movements, such as extended trots, halts and transitions, that are scored by a panel of judges. Each movement is awarded marks out of ten, with the goal of achieving grace, fluidity and poise. The emphasis here is on control and discipline, with penalties converted into points. The lower the penalty score, the better the performance.
Cross Country: Arguably the most thrilling day for spectators, the crosscountry phase sees riders navigate Derek di Grazia’s 6,420 metre (four mile) long
outdoor course comprising about 30 obstacles from solid fences to water jumps. It tests endurance, speed and bravery. Each combination is timed, with penalties incurred for refusals, falls, or for exceeding the time limit. This phase can dramatically shake up the leaderboard, favouring boldness and stamina over finesse.
Showjumping: The final day tests the horse’s athleticism and carefulness over coloured fences in a short arena course.
Here, precision returns to the forefront, as a single knock-down or refusal results in added penalty points. With the scores already close after the first two phases, showjumping often becomes the decisive stage, demanding accuracy under pressure. Together, these phases crown the most complete horse and rider partnership in the sport. Over the page we meet Ros Canter who achieved the best ever finishing score in the event’s history.
COMPETITION TIMINGS
Wednesday Gates open 2pm 2pm Gates Open 4pm First Horse Inspection
Thursday Gates open 7.30am, Shops open from 9am 9.15am Dressage Guinea Pig 9.45am5pm CCI5* Dressage starts Lunch Break Masterclass End of Dressage Masterclass 9am5pm House Arena: LeMieux Pony Club Team Jumping Competition
Friday Gates open 7.30am, Shops open from 9am 9am5pm Dressage
Lunch Break Carl Hester Masterclass 9am5pm House Arena: Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Final
Lunch Break House Arena: Stallion Parade
End of Dressage Masterclass
Saturday Gates open 7.30am, Shops open from 9am 10am Shetland Pony
Grand National 11am5pm Cross Country
Sunday Gates open 7.30am, Shops open from 9am 9am Final Horse Inspection 10.30am Morning Jumping 11.30am Racehorse to Riding Horse (HOYS) Qualifier 1pm Shetland Pony
Grand National 1.30pm Military Band 2.15pm Afternoon Jumping Session (top 20) 3.25pm Parade of Hounds 3.45pm Presentation of Prizes 9am5pm House Arena: BSPS Gold Cup Sports Pony Competition.
General admission from £29, membership from £365, Saturday £49.50, call 01780 752 131 or see www.burghley-horse.co.uk. NB: Timings subject to change.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials
ROS CANTER RETURNS TO BURGHLEY
Last year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials winner was Ros Canter on the exceptional Lordships Graffalo. Having already won Badminton twice and captured gold at both the European Championships and Olympic Games, Ros’s win at Burghley was a hugely memorable moment in a golden 18-month run that has placed her firmly at the top of the international leaderboard.
Born in 1985 to Heather and Chris Canter, she grew up on the family’s mixed farm. Her mother, a local riding instructor, gave Ros her first taste of life in the saddle, and it quickly became clear that this was more than a hobby. After studying Sport Science at Sheffield Hallam University, she returned home to pursue eventing professionally and the rest is hard work, history and horses.
“We often have our horses all the way through their careers so we start them as young horses, maybe as five-year-olds. Normally they don't get to Burghley until they’re around eleven years old at the earliest. Often you have horses that have quite a lot of potential and you hope that they might one day get to Burghley, but there might be hurdles to cross along the way.”
“I had one called Pencos Crown Jewel who went round Burghley twice. Every time she stepped up a level, I thought it would be her limit, but we had such a great partnership and she loved the job so much that she ended up becoming a competitive Burghley horse.”
“It’s quite hard to always identify whether a horse will go around Burghley, but they definitely need to have a big love for the job, a big heart, and it really helps if they have a lot of stamina because Burghley is very physically demanding on them.”
“A lot of time goes into preparing and building a relationship with a horse to get to five-star level and compete at an event like Burghley. The relationship often starts as young as five. With Lordship’s Graffalo, my best horse, I started, I was the one who taught him from the age of three.”
“We’ve had a long relationship together and that involves riding the horses five to six times a week, really understanding their personality, understanding their physical needs, and appreciating the fact that some horses need more time than others to turn them into real athletes.”
“They have a fitness training programme, a technical training programme to make them good at the dressage and we train for the jumping as well. There’s a lot of time spent training, but also away from that there's a lot of time put in from my staff and my team at home managing each horse’s daily routine to make sure they’re happy, fine-tuning their feeding programmes to make sure they’ve got enough energy when they get to the competitions and everything that goes around that too.”
“They’re very much treated as elite athletes and there’s a whole team and system behind that; physios, vets and so on, so it’s a long and time-consuming effort.”
“In terms of preparation for a current year’s Burghley, we tend to have a ‘spring aim’ for the horses so for example, you might well have a horse that goes to Badminton as a five-star event in spring or you might have a horse that goes to Luhmühlen to do a five-star in June. Normally by the end of June, we start to build a plan for the rest of the season with a horse.”
“If that includes Burghley I start to work back from the event. They’ll want probably two preparation runs, the last one will be about a month before Burghley, and an event that would be a level down from Burghley, perhaps a shorter version. It’s a really good stepping stone to their fitness.”
“From their fitness work at home we work back six to eight weeks before Burghley, and that’s when we gradually increase their fitness programme and then taper off about ten days before the competition actually starts. From the end of June or the start of July things start to rev up in the preparation for an event like Burghley.”
“We tend to arrive at Burghley on the Tuesday. The veterinary inspection starts on a Wednesday and then the actual competition starts on a Thursday. When we arrive, the first thing we do is have the horses inspected by the vets where they also have passport checks and temperature checks to make sure they’re healthy and they are indeed the horses the organisers think they are. We get the horses settled in their stables, we get the stables bedded down and make sure they’ve got food and water, then it’s time to kind of set up our camp.”
“All the kit for the horses comes off in trunks and they go by the stables so that everything’s on hand when we need it and then our lorry gets parked up fairly close to the stables and we get that all set
Defender Burghley Horse Trials
up for the week. We clean out the horse area where the horse has travelled, we get that all matted down and set up so we can put our suitcases and our kit in the back to give us more space. That’s the first few hours when you arrive at Burghley, and it’s when the mental side kicks in too.”
“When I arrive at Burghley, I’ve already had a thought about how I want to behave when I’m there too. You want to come across as confident, to have good posture. But the real thoughtful side of it starts on Wednesday as you get closer and closer to your competition day.”
“Even the vet check itself can be quite a nerve-wracking experience because you've put so much hard work and effort in, to get the horse to that point. It’s so easy for something to go wrong, even on the walkup to the veterinary inspection. A horse might trip and lose a shoe and go a bit sore, for example. So it’s always a big relief to get that bit out of the way.”
“After that it tends to be very busy. Along with the vet check on the Wednesday, there's also a briefing and then the cross-country course is open for walking too. We tend to walk the course about five times throughout the week before the Saturday morning and each course walk will take approximately two hours.”
“We’ll complete a course walk on the Wednesday, and for Thursday’s dressage we’re normally allowed to walk around the main arena to familiarise the horses with the space. There’s plenty of training going on, practising, getting everything ready.”
“There’s not a huge amount of time for sitting around and wondering how I feel, but we factor in time to deal with the mental side. I’ll make sure I catch ten minutes here and there to sit down, to visualise how I want the week to pan out and try get myself in the right frame of mind.”
“Each discipline is extremely difficult, and the challenges with the dressage stage at five star level is that when you get to a competition like Burghley, you’ve done an awful lot of fitness work to make sure that the horse has the stamina and the speed for the cross-country phases.”
A World Class Rider
2011: World Young Horse Champs, Aprobanta
2015: Burghley debut, best British firsttimer
2017: Placed fifth at Badminton; Team Gold, Europeans
2018: Individual & Team Gold, World Equestrian Games
2019: Married Christopher McAleese
2021: Daughter Ziggy born
2022: Fourth Individually & Team, World Champs
2023: First at Badminton; Double Gold, Europeans
2024: Team Gold, Paris Olympics; placed first at Burghley.
2025: First at Badminton
“That often means that the horses will be a little bit more excitable and harder to settle for the final phase. Particularly when you get lots of people watching and there’s lots of atmosphere, it can tend to send the horse a little bit over the edge. There’s definitely a challenge with each horse in the understanding of their personality, understanding what the atmosphere might do to them and what impact it might have on how they’re going to listen and perform. You work out a pre-warmup routine in the days before and on the morning of the dressage stage to make sure that you can try and optimise their performance when you actually get into the arena. That’s probably the biggest challenge; coping with each horse’s individual personality when they're very fit.
“I really do love the dressage. I love being able to train the horses, to do different movements. And I think I love it because I think the better the horse goes on the dressage, often the easier they become in the jumping phases. I think there's a real link to that.”
“The challenges for the cross country are huge. It’s a long round. It’s a massive stamina test for horse and rider. You gallop the horses for probably eleven and a half minutes at Burghley, so that’s quite a lot to ask on a rider's concentration levels.”
“A lot has already gone into preparing and walking the courses to make sure you have a plan, but the thing about cross-country is that plans often have to change in a split-second because things often don't go how they're supposed to go.”
“The challenge is always being able to react to what's happening underneath you on the day and to know exactly how you think your horse might behave, being ready to adapt at any time. Cross country is the stage that I have a slight love-hate relationship with. I guess it’s where you get a real kind of spike of nerves and adrenaline.”
“On the Saturday morning I wake up early, because I can’t get to sleep – thank to the nerves and adrenaline – I think for a brief moment that I wish I was a spectator for the day or I could just go off into Stamford and do a shopping or something different! But only for a moment!
The feeling of galloping round Burghley, hearing the cheers in the crowds and when something goes really well… it’s an incredible feeling.”
“When you reach the finish and you know that you’ve done the job, and if it’s all gone really well, there's no other feeling like it. Likewise, with the show jumping, if you’re in a competitive position for the show jumping, the challenge is definitely met with a great deal of pressure.”
“It’s reverse order, so the better you're doing, the longer you have to wait to have your turn, which means more people there are watching and there’s even more intensity.”
“The other challenge is that the horses galloped for 11 minutes the day before. They’re not always the same horse as the one you’ve been preparing in the weeks approaching the competition. But the show jumping is probably the round that I love most. When it comes to something as intense as Burghley, I love it when it’s over, and when I feel like I’ve done the best I could for the horse I’m riding.”
“There are always points that you think you can win. But for me, it’s very important that I stick to the process, visualise how I want to jump a clear round and not get distracted by the feeling of winning. I tend to perform much better if I just think about the process.”
“It’s an amazing feeling to win something like Burghley though. The emotions are very mixed. Firstly, it’s a relief. Relief that you've done the right job, that you've ridden well, that you’ve shown off the horse to the best of its ability, and that you’ve been able to pull it off for the team of people that support you. That team includes the owners of the horses and everybody that helps us to get to Burghley.”
“And then just… elation, I think. It’s an amazing feeling, being able to gallop round with the crowd cheering and for them to appreciate what’s just happened and for everybody else to get behind it too. You kind of just feel very satisfied as well.”
“After Burghley, there’s the prizegiving ceremony, and then you’ll tend to go straight to the media tent to do interviews. Then what happens after Burghley is that we all go home as soon as possible! It’s a fairly quick packup and everybody heads off, generally because we tend to be very busy and because we have other horses to compete. The ball has to keep rolling.”
“We’ll get home on Sunday evening and first thing Monday morning we’ll be out on the other horses. It’s likely there will be a competition
within three or four days of winning Burghley on some of the other horses, so there’s never much time to stop and to take it all in!”
“If things go very well, we definitely stop the following day at lunchtime and have a glass of fizz with everybody at home that’s helped me to get to that point. And if it's gone really well, we tend to organise a party at the end of the year when everything has slowed down a little bit!”
“Burghley is just a very special event. Being local and in Lincolnshire, I’ve been going to the event for many, many years, but it’s not just that. It just has a fantastic feel about it. Even though there are thousands of spectators at the event, everything still feels quite calm. The way the site is managed from a horse’s point of view is superb, they're always so well cared for. There’s never a rush; the horses get very relaxed in their stables.”
“There are so many things to love about Burghley. The countryside is amazing, the house is beautiful and it's got a real magical feeling about it. It’s so nice in fact, that I do miss not being able to be a spectator, especially when I'm getting nervous and I think, ‘gosh, I’d just love to be able just to wander around the shops for the day’ and things like that… but the reality is I am a competitor and there's no better feeling than winning!”
Ros Canter will compete at this year’s Burghley Horse Trials from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th September at Burghley House.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2025
DEFENDER BURGHLEY’S 2025 CROSS COUNTRY COURSE
Saturday is regarded as one of the most exciting days for spectators of Defender Burghley Horse Trials, as that’s when the cross-country element of the competition takes place. This year is set to be especially exciting though, thanks to a radical change by course designer Derek di Grazia.
For 2025, the cross-country course will be reversed, so competitors will encounter iconic obstacles such as the Lion Bridge much earlier in their round.
In addition, competitors will face a number of new obstacles which will be revealed during the event’s Press Day in August.
Typically the course is four miles long and comprises around 30 obstacles. Derek took over from Captain Mark Phillips in 2022 and is charged with the responsibility of designing a course which is challenging yet fun for horse and rider. His previous work has seen him design courses for Tokyo’s 2021 Olympics and Defender Kentucky, securing his reputation as one of the world’s most renowned course designers.
Previous Defender Burghley Horse Trials course designers since the event was first held in Stamford in 1961 have included Bill Thomson, Lt. Col. Henry Nicoll, and Mike Tucker.
THE 2025 DEFENDER BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS: FACTS & FIGURES
£110,000 First prize for this year’s winners, from a fund of £320,000 prizes for the top 20 riders. 175,887 The number of spectators, along with 70 competitors and around 420 equines.
530 acres Area needed to host the event within Burghley’s 2,000 acres of parkland.
600 Number of trade stands at the event, plus more than 100 food stands and retailers.
23.6 Ros Canter’s score at Burghley in 2024 broke all previous records for the competition.
Six William FoxPitt has won the event on six occasions: 1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011.
DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE ACTION WITH BURGHLEY TV AND RADIO
For those unable to attend in person, Burghley TV brings the action of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials directly into your home.
For just £25, viewers can enjoy comprehensive live coverage of the event, including expert commentary, behindthescenes access, and exclusive interviews.
The broadcast is fronted by wellknown equestrian presenter Nick Luck alongside Tom Stanley, Tina Cook and Nicola Wilson, offering insight, charm and a deep understanding of the sport throughout the weekend.
From the elegance of the dressage to the thrill of the crosscountry and the final showjumping phase, every moment is captured in crisp detail, allowing fans to experience the drama as it unfolds.
Whether you're following the competition from the comfort of home or keeping up with the action as you shop Burghley's TV broadcast coverage ensures you won’t miss a moment of the competition’s action.
Burghley TV combines uninterrupted livestream footage of this most event, see www.burghley-horse.co.uk/burghley-tv.
FOOD & DRINK AT BURGHLEY
Burghley Horse Trials is as much a treat for food lovers as it is for equestrian enthusiasts. Across the event, visitors can sample and take home artisan produce, including fine meats from Grasmere Butchers and local specialities from Launde Farm Foods.
For refined dining on-site, The Members’ Restaurant and the elegant Avebury Restaurant offer a more formal experience, with afternoon tea served at the Trot Up, complete with fizz courtesy of another Defender Burghley sponsor, Pol Roger.
For those glamping at Burghley, the luxury doesn’t stop at the canvas; guests can enjoy a licensed bar on-site for evening drinks and relaxed socialising.
LUXURY SHOPPING
With over 600 carefully curated trade stands, Defender Burghley Horse Trials offers one of the most prestigious shopping experiences in the British sporting calendar.
From luxury country fashion and fine leather goods to bespoke interiors, art, and jewellery, the event brings together an exceptional array of premium brands and artisan makers.
Whether you’re seeking timeless tailoring, exquisite gifts or unique homeware, the shopping village at Burghley has it all... over the page, we’ve a few of our favourite luxury brands from the event.
YOUNG EVENT RIDERS AND COMPETITIONS
Away from the main competition, there’s a trio of crowd-pleasing competitions to add extra excitement to the event. The LeMieux Pony Club Team Jumping is a spirited and fast-paced contest, showcasing the skill and confidence of young riders representing their regional teams. Always a highlight for families, it reflects the grassroots enthusiasm that feeds into future equestrian success.
Equally compelling is the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse class, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the sport’s future stars. Judges assess each horse’s conformation, movement and jumping potential, making it a must-see for serious followers of eventing.
Meanwhile, for sheer delight and entertainment, the Shetland Pony Grand National never fails to charm. Tiny riders thunder around the track on their equally diminutive mounts, to the joy of crowds!
UNSTOPPABLE 4X4 VEHICLES
As the title sponsor of the Defender Burghley Horse Trials, Land Rover plays a key role in the event’s experience both on and off the course. Visitors can enjoy offroad demonstrations and explore the marque’s latest models, including the new flagship Octa with its 4.4 V8 engine.
Younger guests can get behind the wheel of electric Defender toy cars, while owners arriving in Land Rovers or Range Rovers will benefit from dedicated, preferential parking, adding convenience and style to one of the sporting calendar’s most prestigious events.
STEVENSON BROTHERS
Bright Bay handmade rocking horse, £4,980. The company can also replicate your own horse, immortalising him or her as a bespoke design made in Kent by brothers Tony and Marc Stevenson, www.stevensonbros.com.
Animal print leather belt, tiger, silver buckle, 120cm long, £65, www.guinealondon.com.
MACKENZIE & GEORGE
Clifton tote bag, limited edition in cowhide, also leopard and tiger, £355, www.mackenzieandgeorge.com.
REALLY WILD
Traditional leather waistcoat in Loden, also in dark brown, £495, www.reallywildclothing.com
CLARE HAGGAS
Spiritual Awakening Bluebell medium square scarf, 100% British silk, £65, www.clarehaggas.com.
LOAKE
Wolf premium sheepskinlined boot, rubber sole, £349, www.loake.com.
GUINEA
HERMÉS
Rocabar dog collar, inspired by 19th century racehorses, £650, www.hermes.com.
HOLLAND COOPER
Milan shoulder bag in light tan suede, £349, www.hollandcooper.com.
DUBARRY
Galway ladies country boot, shown in brown, seven colours available in total, £379, www.dubarry.com.
Defender Burghley Horse Trials
Luxury Shopping at Burghley
The undisputed home of luxury countryside brands, this month we’re previewing a few of the brands to be found at this year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials
MACKENZIE & GEORGE
Brown fedora with peacock and hen pheasant pin, £98, www.mackenzieandgeorge.com.
FAIRFAX & FAVOR
Daphne tan suede doublebreasted blazer, also in denim suede, £425, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.
Families in Farming Farming Families in
This month we’re meeting some Lincolnshire families who have dedicated their lives to the custodianship of the countryside, and we’re meeting the next generation of farmers keen to preserve Lincolnshire’s reputation as the county that feeds the country...
Across Britain, agriculture utilises 17m hectares or 69% of the UK’s total land area. There are 102,000 farms, of which 41,506 farms are arable/horticultural, and 52,000 are for livestock or grazing.
There are 3,431 farms in Lincolnshire, collectively 492,046 hectares in size. And of those, 2,348 farms are arable/horticultural, whilst 826 are livestock or dairy farms (257 are mixed/unclassified). Growing cereals takes up nearly 270,000 hectares of land in Lincolnshire and the county has a population of nearly 71,000 heads of cattle, 103,000 pigs and over 135,000 sheep, plus 15m chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys... not to mention an agricultural workforce of 12,000!
It’s easy to be proud of Lincolnshire’s contribution, but a little more tricky to put our hand on our hearts and say we’d be happy for our children to pursue a career in farming.
After all, the work is hard – even you’re assisted by the latest technology and machinery – the hours are long and even good judgement and expertise can be undermined by events in an international supply chain or a run of bad weather.
On paper, farming is a difficult sell to youngsters, but for those who dedicate their lives to a career in arable farming or working with livestock, it goes beyond a job, a career, or even a vocation: it’s a way of life.
Opposite: Mother and daughter Penny and Harriet Whitbread of the Lincolnshire Flower Company. Image: Yuliia Paranidi.
Lincolnshire’s produces 11% of the country’s crops and livestock, valued at £2bn, including 30% of the country’s vegetables, 20% of the country’s sugar beet and over 10% of the country’s wheat. As a county, Lincolnshire grows, processes and transports 30% of the nation’s food, £13.6bn worth, supporting 75,000 jobs in agriculture and allied sectors.
This month, we’re meeting three families in farming who are contributing to preserving rural Britain, protecting the countryside and securing our domestic supply of food, we hope to prove that despite all of its aridity and disenchantment farming is also as perennial as the grass.
Families in Farming
Generations of Farming in Bardney
For three generations now, the Armstrong family have been keen custodians of their land near Bardney. What’s changed in that time and could they still put hand on heart and recommend that little Archie – aged just eight months old and on his little John Deere – devote his life to becoming the fourth-generation of farmer?
Archie is on his little John Deere, complete with its squeaky horn and lift-up bonnet. It’s very much in keeping with the rest of the kit used in the fields surrounding Abbey Farm near Bardney. Just eight months old, he arrived on the very day that his mum, Kate, was due to talk about the rally held by farmers in Westminster back in November concerning the Labour party’s inheritance tax changes for farmers.
Back in 1957 Bob Armstrong, now 92, left Stirling for a new life in Bardney, with wife Margaret, where their four children would eventually grow up. Also on the train – although hopefully not in the same carriage – were Bob’s 22 dairy cows, who arrived in Lincolnshire just a couple of miles from the farm.
By the time Bardney Station closed in 1970, Bob was running a successful farming operation, and his sons, David and Jim, were enjoying growing up on a family farm, with all the joys that such a life can bring. “We did everything with horses back then, although we did have a little grey Massey tractor, but with metal wheels, not tyres. You’d never drive it on the roads!”
What does Bob think now, with monster combines and enormous tractors? Impressive, he reckons. Nowadays one man and a decentsized machine can do the job of a dozen men or more. Although he does miss seeing lots of people busy on the farm at harvest time.
Speaking of harvest time, we turned up when rain stopped Bob’s grandson, David’s son Ross, from getting back on their Claas Lexion combine and getting stuck into about 700 acres of cereals harvest... which with modern kit constitutes about a week of work, should the weather be a little kinder to them.
The machinery may have become a lot larger, the cows have now left the farm in favour of the family pursuing a purely arable operation, but those aren’t the only changes across the generations.
The third generation of the family, Ross and his sister Kate (Archie’s mum), started The Spud Barn in the spring of 2020, with Covid ensuring a healthy contingent of customers keen to purchase potatoes from the farm gate. The idea of the new business was to sell some of the family’s potatoes directly to the public, putting them back in touch with their food.
Today they’re delivering several tonnes of potatoes a week in 10kg bags to customers’ homes, around a 15 mile radius, as well as selling them at the farm gate. The family’s potatoes are better than any spuds
they’ve had before, say many of their customers, and they’re available from September right up until summer the following year. In addition to selling their potatoes at the farm gate though, another customer of the farm is Branston Potatoes which handles around 350,000 tonnes of potatoes a year – about a trillion potatoes.
However, as David acknowledges, so many things can impact the fortunes of a farmer, despite their good judgement and expertise; the Ukraine and Russia conflict (which has had an impact on fertiliser prices and international grain prices) or more obviously, the weather.
And of course, the current government’s determination to push ahead with its policies of inheritance tax is continuing to put the family’s plans for succession in jeopardy. It’s meant they’re reluctant to make any investments in the farm, like new machinery or additional land, for fear that they could need to raise a six figure sum for the Chancellor – in addition to the corporation tax they already pay – from a business whose value is not realised in free capital, but in land and machinery, without which the business can’t generate revenue.
“It’s a joy to live in the countryside, and to experience the environment just as it’s meant to be, with the changing of the seasons. We love the idea of feeding the nation. The idea of farmers being paid to grow wild flower and SFI crops instead is much less appealing than producing really good quality, high yielding British crops.”
“A much as farming is a pleasure, it’s also really hard work and it can make you feel isolated with so few people working on farms today. As a profession it’s a bit like playing tennis. If you’ve had poor weather or a particular crop isn’t yielding well, you’ve different crops in the ground so it’s like playing different games or sets. There’s always hope somewhere across the farm.”
The ultimate question, then is as follows. If, in a few years, Archie says he wants to be a farmer when he grows up, will the family be keen to encourage him to make his living from the land?
“I was always keen for Kate and Ross to get a good education, and I love having my family around me,” says David. “I wouldn’t push him into farming, but to see him one day taking on the farm and becoming the fifth generation of the family farming the land would be wonderful!”
The Armstrong Family have been farming are Bardney since 1957, and as well as combinable crops, they sell their Melody and Maris Piper potatoes from the farm gate with delivery in a 15 mile radius, call 07580 849759 or see www.thespudbarn.co.uk.
Families in Farming
Growing Flowers near Lincoln
Meet Rhoddy and Penny Whitbread and their daughter Harriet, founders of the Lincolnshire Flower Company, who grow their beautiful blooms on an acre of land on the Aubourn Estate near Lincoln
We all love flowers, whether in borders, planters and pots all around our garden, or cut flowers in a vase on the table. The UK floristry industry is worth around £1.4bn, and until the 1950s, most of the flowers we admired on our kitchen tables were grown in Britain, many in the fertile soils of South Holland, which enjoys a long association with tulips and daffodils.
Sadly, things have changed. Today, over 86% of the cut flowers that UK consumers purchase are imported, supermarkets are responsible for 56% of all cut flowers sold – twice the volume of independent florists, who sell just 23% (the remaining retailers are garden centres and nurseries). 41% of cut flowers sold are purchased as mixed bouquets, whilst roses account for another 15% of purchases; lilies for 9%, chrysanthemums for 8%; carnations for 7%.
The result is that choosing to pick up a bunch of cheerful cut flowers during our weekly supermarket shop means supporting international growers, and encouraging imports... which is not at all sustainable.
Happily, over 1,000 UK-wide independent flower farmers are keen to provide consumers with an alternative. Among them, The Lincolnshire Flower Company which was founded in 2020 by Harriet Whitbread and her parents Rhoddy & Penny.
In 2021 the family outgrew their garden in Hough on the Hill and were able to secure an acre of land on the 2,500-acre Aubourn Hall Estate near Lincoln, set in 12 acres of formal gardens adjacent to the estate’s C17th manor house. The company is affiliated with Flowers from the Farm which aims to support local independent growers like The Lincolnshire Flower Company.
Harriet is a really talented florist, and over half of the flowers the family grows are utilised in arrangements for weddings and other occasions. However, the family also provides the opportunity to purchase cut flowers and arrangements, from the farm gate or with local delivery available. In addition, Harriet can create beautiful arrangements with gift bouquets from around £40, flower subscriptions and gift vouchers are also available. That’s not all, though.
On Saturdays and Sundays in August and September, from 10am-noon you can visit The Lincolnshire Flower Company and pick your own flowers, enjoying the sight and scent of the vibrant blooms to create DIY arrangements, with jam jars of flowers (popular with children) for £8, zinc buckets of flowers for £33 and larger buckets of cut flowers for £55.
The family’s flowers are mostly grown from seeds in the company’s polytunnel which extends to more than 6oft, and those blooms are kept in the very best condition thanks to organic material dug into the soil, relying on organic nutrients rather than chemical-based aids. Among the flowers grown by the family are cosmos, ranunculus, dahlias, delphiniums, chrysanthemums, poppies, phlox and roses including several David Austin varieties.
Stuck for how to arrange your flowers with flair? That’s not a problem either. Harriet provides one-to-one floristry tuition, workshops, and towards the festive season Christmas wreath workshops too.
“We’re also really popular with brides seeking a timeless look for their wedding flowers. Our style is romantic, natural and quintessentially British; wonderful pieces of floral design that are unique to your day. Every bride is an individual, and we believe that our designs should reflect that, and they should use the most beautiful seasonal flowers nurtured right here in Lincolnshire!”
“We choose new things to grow each year and we love being led by the changing seasons. We cherish what is available now and let the flowers inspire our designs... we live in the moment!” says Harriet.
07786 567 202, www.thelincolnshireflowercompany.co.uk.
Images: Yuliia Paranidi.
Families in Farming
The Happiest Kids in Lincolnshire
Meet the Trofer-Cook family, starring Farmer Joe, aged 13, eight year-old Stan and seven year-old Ernie, with a supporting cast of mum Clare and dad Adam, as well as their animals: 40 Jacobs, 20 Rylands, three Angus cows, 20 chickens, a couple of dogs and a cat or two... life’s never dull for the happiest kids in Lincolnshire!
Kids... you can never get them up in the morning, right? And you can never get them off their video games or away from their phones, right? We think Clare and Adam Trofer-Cook are probably missing a trick not offering some kind of parenting boot camp for other kids, because their three sons are up at six o’clock each morning (even at the weekend!). And what’s more, video games and social media are way down the list of priorities for ‘Farmer Joe,’ aged 13, and his brothers Ernie and Stan.
Back in lockdown, Joe became fascinated with farming and desperately wanted his own sheep. Planting seeds and growing veg to sell from the front garden of the family’s home in Billinghay, he worked hard enough to finally purchase three Jacobs, and within a couple of months, invested in a couple of chickens to sell eggs at the garden gate too.
Today, Joe’s livestock comprises 40 Jacob and 20 Ryeland sheep, three Angus cows, and about 20 chickens... that’s in addition to a couple of dogs and two cats. Joe’s brothers, Ernie and Stan, have also caught the livestock bug and a year ago, the family moved out of their existing property to take on a smallholding for the boys’ animals.
At six o’clock every morning, the boys are up making sure their animals are fed and watered, with clean bedding. Afterwards, it’s back inside for a scrub behind the ears, breakfast and then off to school.
The evening routine is similar... and show season is just drawing to a close too. The boys have exhibited their sheep at about a dozen country shows including Lincolnshire, Rutland and the Great Yorkshire Show. The dresser in the kitchen is covered in rosettes, with ribbons spilling down into trophies and cups. Mum and dad are understandably proud, but also determined that the spoils and the struggles alike are for the boys to experience. From the outset they’ve refused to spare them from either the financial or emotional challenges of keeping livestock.
“Joe has always had to make his own way financially to support his animals. He needs a tractor, and his tractor fund was looking healthy, until one of the cows, Petunia, became ill. Joe had to sell three of his Jacobs to cover the £900 vet bill. As a parent you’d love to give them just the nicer experiences of keeping livestock, but it wouldn’t be right. They’ve got to see the good and the bad alike. He’s lost animals that he’s helped to lamb or calve, bringing them into the world and being with them when they’re put to sleep. It never gets any easier but he’s become really mature and understands the reality.”
Clare says Joe doesn’t get on well with mainstream education, but upon our arrival, with Clare speaking to somebody who’s arrived to purchase some of the family’s chickens, he confidently walks up to me and gives me a firm handshake. He’s calm, mature and articulate well beyond his age. All three boys are lively, but brilliantly behaved with lovely personalities and bags of enthusiasm for their rural life and for their animals. Joe operates machinery and drives around the family’s smallholding – carefully and confidently, under his parents’ supervision – and he’s never afraid or reluctant to undertake the hard work that keeping livestock necessitates.
Talking to him about anything from the best feed mixes to breed standards and getting a few tips on how to present a Jacob in the show ring, Joe is well-spoken, clearly an expert and calmly confident, even on live camera, hence the reason that he’s appeared on a number of TV shows already, from the BBC’s Countryfile to Channel Five’s Milkshake. The family produce a calendar each year and will soon offer rural AirBNB breaks in their old house where visitors can meet and greet Farmer Joe, who already has five and a half thousand followers on social media and is supported by Scotts Trailers who provided Joe with a trailer for taking his livestock to shows.
All three of the boys enjoy a great relationship with each other, they’re lively, happy and clearly love the responsibility of their animals. If we were Clare and Adam, we’d be very proud, and we look forward to following the future careers of Joe and his brothers!
Follow Joe’s Garden Patch (Farmer Joe) on Facebook.
Our regular On The Farm spread with Andrew Ward MBE will return next month.
Opposite: Farmer Joe with ‘Fenland OhHeck’ the Jacob sheep. Above: Ernie, seven, Stan, eight and Farmer Joe TroferCook.
Learning Together Education
Lincoln Minster School
The best in everyone
At Lincoln Minster School our priorities are simple: we want our pupils to be happy and to achieve, in that order.
We cultivate a lifelong love of learning and inspire the best in everyone. As an independent co-educational school for pupils aged 4 to 18, we support intellectual, emotional, and physical development within a compassionate and nurturing environment. Shown in our glowing ISI Inspection Report, our students are ‘confident and articulate individuals, comfortable in putting forward their ideas, within a supportive environment, both inside and outside the classroom’.
Located in Lincoln’s Historic Cathedral Quarter, our Preparatory and Senior School campuses are fully equipped to prepare our pupils for the
careers of tomorrow. In 2024, 86% of our GCSE pupils achieved grades 9–4; way above the national average.
Pastoral care at Lincoln Minster School underpins everything that we do. Every pupil receives the support and network they need to develop as an individuals. Our team of skilled staff teaches lessons on health and social wellbeing, citizenship and careers.
Here at Lincoln Minster School, we have over 100 cocurricular clubs and activities for pupils of all years to participate in. These activities provide pupils with the opportunity to pursue a passion, explore their interests, stretch their imagination and develop new skills.
Call 01522 551307 admissions@lincoln minsterschool.co.uk.
Highfields School
A thriving and supportive environment for children
Highfields Independent School & Day Nursery is a thriving and nurturing preparatory school with an aspirational curriculum. The school provides a supportive environment, with embedded values and traditions, providing pupils with a wealth of learning experiences to enable their potential and discover new talents. Offering an extended day, with wraparound care from 7.30am until 6pm, Highfields offers flexibility and peace of mind for working parents who want the finest education and best academic outcomes for their children.
As a gateway to the most prestigious Grammar and Independent Senior Schools, Highfields prepares children for the 11+, Common Entrance Exams and scholarships with an excellent success rate.
Personal growth and wellbeing are valued as highly as academic success, with an emphasis on the holistic development of the individual.
Headteacher, Sarah Lyons, says, “We develop ‘Highfeldians’ who are prepared for life beyond school. Flexible, independent thinkers and learners with a love of adventure and a strong sense of identity, Highfields pupils are spirited, resourceful and self-motivated with respect for both themselves and others.
Highfields latest ISI inspection was a huge success, with the ISI praising their outcomes and culture of mutual respect and kindness.
Contact Highfields Admissions Manager, Anna Eason on 01636 704103. admissions@highfieldsschool.co.uk
New Youth Theatre
Passionate about performing arts for 15 years
New Youth Theatre offers a great theatre experience for all kinds of children and young people. Performing arts classes are divided to accommodate different overlapping age ranges; Tiny Tots (3-5yrs), Juniors (6-12 yrs), and Seniors (12-18 yrs).
Here your child will do much more than learn lines, dance steps and song lyrics; they’ll learn about teamwork and confidence building.
They’ll discover that side of themselves which encourages others as they progress through the New Youth Theatre experience.
NYT provide 3 shows a year for the children to be a part of a classic production specially written and scored for children such as The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Footloose, Fame or Peter Pan to name just a few.
NYT provides a wonderful outlet for emerging talent.
As a theatre group, New Youth Theatre is always looking for its next star.
Maybe you’ve held a secret wish to perform on stage. Perhaps you’ve told yourself that this sort of thing is not within your abilities.
Well, you needn’t worry. New Youth Theatre is famous for its friendly welcome.
And you never know where you might go from here. Most West End stars began in such groups; after all, we all have to start somewhere.
The main thing is to get involved and to enjoy every moment as you tread the boards; who knows where it may lead in the future!
Call 07715 369920 or see www.newyouththeatre.co.uk
St Hugh’s School
Developing your child's independence and individuality
Our Upper School curriculum supports children in Years 6 to 8 and provides a secure foundation to secondary schools and a smooth transition to their next school at 11+ or 13+.
Our innovative approach balances current needs with future preparation, focusing on research skills, collaboration, and reflection. Our Visible Learning Programme promotes challenge, teamwork, perseverance, reflection, curiosity, independence, and creativity throughout the curriculum.
Educational trips enhance learning, including visits to local attractions like Burghley, theatres in London and Nottingham, and a cultural and sporting trip to France.
Leadership opportunities abound, from sports captains to prefects mentoring younger pupils.
Our older students take pride in being role models, fostering responsibility and confidence. Sports, music, and drama opportunities increase as students progress, with national competition participation, overseas tours, and high-quality performing arts productions. Advanced music students take ABRSM grade exams and also perform in choirs and bands.
Our Independent Project Qualification (IPQ) encourages research, communication, and presentation skills, with students tackling topics such as AI or gender equality in sport. Such projects develop skills vital for future qualifications, such as the A-Level Extended Project Qualification and the International Baccalaureate. Call St Hugh’s School on 01526 352169, or see www.sthughs.lincs.sch.uk.
Golden September Skies
Sheep graze peacefully beneath a warm Lincolnshire sunset this autumn
Image: Sheep grazing near Louth by Madasabee.
As summer begins its graceful retreat, September paints the Lincolnshire landscape in rich, mellow hues. Our cover captures a quiet rural moment — sheep grazing contentedly on the hillside, as the setting sun casts long shadows and a golden glow washes over the fields.
This is a time of year that speaks to the soul. The air is softer, cooler, tinged with the scent of hay, ripe hedgerow fruit, and woodsmoke. The days may be drawing in, but they’re no less beautiful — often ending in sunsets that seem to set the whole sky ablaze. For a fleeting few weeks, the countryside glows.
On the hillsides and in the fields, the rhythm of the land is gently changing. Trees begin to blush with the first hints of bronze and crimson, and the quiet industry of early autumn hums beneath the surface — birds gathering, harvests finishing, nature preparing itself for the stillness to come.
It’s in these in-between moments that the Lincolnshire landscape feels its most poetic — timeless, pastoral, and deeply grounding. A reminder that beauty doesn’t always shout; sometimes, it simply grazes, slowly, in the evening sun.
September is neither quite summer nor yet autumn. It holds both warmth and stillness, light and longing. And in the hush of a hillside at dusk, with nothing but the gentle movement of sheep and the whisper of a breeze through the grass, you can sense it: the quiet majesty of the land, caught in a golden pause.
Think your photography has what it takes to appear on our front page and as our cover story? Send your highquality images to our editor and get the chance to enjoy the ultimate bragging rights: your work on our front cover and this double page spread!
Send your very best photos to our editor Rob Davis, robin@pridemagazines.co.uk
Homes & Gardens
FIND JOY IN THE ART OF LIVING WELL
WELCOME HOME TO THE OLD RECTORY, HARRINGTON
AUTUMN GARDENING TIPS AND STATEMENT CHAIRS
PLUS: THE LARGEST SELECTION OF LUXURY HOMES IN AND AROUND LINCOLNSHIRE
The Old Rectory
‘Not for Oneself Alone!’
This month we’re in Tennyson country, near Spilsby, enjoying an absolutely beautiful Victorian rectory now on the market and seeking new custodians
Words: Rob Davis.
“It felt like I was coming home,” says the current owner of Harrington’s Old Rectory. Her grandfather was raised in Lincolnshire but with family in Scotland, Norfolk, Hertfordshire and now in Lancashire, it’s time for a reluctant relocation, although the vendor wishes she could just pick up The Old Rectory, and relocate it somewhere else.
“I fell in love with the house as soon as I saw it,” she recalls. “I moved into the property back in February 2019 and the day after that we had snow, it was so pretty, like the house and its gardens were welcoming me.”
The current owner has ensured that the roof, conservatory, heating and plumbing system, and the property’s wiring are now in perfect condition, and they have improved the grounds significantly, remaining sympathetic to the style of the property at all times.
The previous owners had also invested in the creation of a Vale House conservatory accessed from the morning room. It is, she says, a wonderful place for entertaining and stays at just the right temperature all through the year, not least at Christmas when there were 12 around the table enjoying lunch, the youngest being just 10 months old and the most senior an octogenarian.
Built in multi-colour red bricks with a slate roof, and commanding a Grade II listing, the property’s magnificent gothic-revivalist design is a credit to its creator, the renowned ecclesiastical architect SS Teulon, who also create Riseholme College’s stableblock, and Norfolk’s Holkham Hall. >>
“In the warmer months, the conservatory and terrace adjacent to the kitchen provide a sunny place to enjoy breakfast, morning coffee and lunch...”
>> The property is arranged over two floors and has six reception rooms and six bedrooms, as well as a separate, selfcontained two-bedroom coach house.
The old adage about never having a second opportunity to create a satisfactory first impression clearly rang true with Teulon, who incorporated a stone on the front elevation of the property which reads ‘Non Sibi Solum,’ or ‘not for oneself alone,’ which also appealed to the vendor who says that she entertains a fair bit and agrees that the property should be shared with guests, friends and family.
Upon their arrival, visitors will certainly be charmed by the lovely thick arched timber door under the storm porch with its quarry tiles and timber arches.
Stone mullion windows with leaded panes feature all around the building, and there’s a grand entrance hall with Ancaster stone fireplace next to which winter visitors can enjoy a welcome drink and admire a huge Christmas tree. Also ideal for the winter months, the owner has created a reading room or library in what was once just a room for the storage of clutter. Bespoke oak bookshelves and a new oak floor allow you to hunker down in the cooler months and lose yourself in a good book (or magazine!).
In the warmer months, the conservatory and terrace adjacent to the kitchen provide a sunny place to enjoy breakfast, morning coffee and lunch.
The property’s six reception rooms are currently arranged as a drawing room, morning room, reading room, breakfast kitchen, dining room and that very lovely conservatory.
The kitchen is incredibly light and is likely to provide busy families with that well-worn cliché, ‘the heart of the home.’ The owner prefers to cook in the kitchen and entertain in the property’s reception rooms, though. And cook she does... there’s an oil-fired Aga, plus some modern cooking appliances from
The Old Rectory Harrington, Spilsby
Location: Spilsby 5 miles. Louth 10 miles. Lincoln 30 miles.
Provenance: 19th century, Grade II listed, former rectory designed by renowned ecclesiastical architect SS Teulon. and situated in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Rooms: Six receptions, six bedrooms, plus selfcontained annexe.
Guide Price £1,300,000.
Find Out More: Currently on the market with Fine & Country, Lincoln, call 01522 287007 or see www.fineandcountry.com.
Siemens including a warming drawer and a separate prep sink, plus a built-in dishwasher and refrigeration.
There’s a dedicated utility room, and a separate larder too, adjacent to the terrace, which affords a little extra space to store fruit from the garden. Creating an aluminium glasshouse painted to match the conservatory and extending the property’s orchard means there’s a plentiful supply not just of apples and pears but damson, quince, medlar and crab apples which find themselves preserved in jams, jellies and chutneys. We’re assured that those fortunate enough to enjoy an invitation to lunch or dinner enjoy pavlovas, trifles, panna cotta and many other treats, so we’d advise leaving room for pudding.
The garden is pretty exceptional, extending to around two acres and with the usual garaging and stabling, a cart shed and log store. Other features include a naturally fed pond with an area of decking and an old well.
Set in an idyllic location in the heart of Tennyson country and in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Old Rectory’s neighbour is the 13th century Grade II* listed parish church of St Mary, which was largely rebuilt by Teulon in the mid 1850s. Whilst four services are held in the church each year, the villagers arranged an additional six occasions to gather together in worship and have coffee afterwards.
With its Victorian-era gothic revival grace, its famous architect and its beautiful grounds and interiors, we think The Old Rectory is one of the most handsome – and welcoming – properties currently on the market in Lincolnshire.
ELEGANT IN EMERALD & GOLD
Velvet tub chair with scroll arms — ideal for fireside lounging, £529, www.alexanderandjamessofas.com.
SCANDINAVIAN WICKER
Chaise Lounge with Tuxedo Arm — ideal for garden rooms, £1,703, www.litfad.com.
WINGED & WONDERFUL
Herringbone wool wingback chair with smart piping detail, £1,210, www.rydaninteriors.co.uk.
RUSTIC REVIVAL
Handmade oak bench with natural grain —perfect for hallways or kitchens, £599, www.rustichouse.co.uk.
PETITE & PRETTY
Slipper chair in floral fabric— tuck into any bedroom, £995, www.westcothouse.co.uk.
Casey from Neptune, Arts & Crafts style, £1,250 as seen here in tan leather, www.neptune.com.
MODERN MINIMALIST
Curved Open Back Cream Boucle Fabric
Dining Chairs With Black Metal Legs £429, www.pictureperfecthome.co.uk.
BOHEMIAN BEAUTY
Handcrafted Kilim upholstered mango wood armchair, £655, www.kireifurniture.co.uk.
TEXTURAL TOUCH
Cosy sheepskin occasional chair — soft, sculptural, beautifully simple. £1,600, www.thewhitecompany.com.
CASEY ARMCHAIR
Homes & Gardens
LIBRARY LUXURY
Leather club chair — ideal for fireside reading, £972, www.litfad.com.
LONG ISLAND LOVE SEAT
Long Island from Neptune, 26 fabrics available including the pale oat linen seen here, £2,195, www.neptune.com.
ALFRESCO ELEGANCE
Rustic Ornate Cast Iron for autumn afternoons, £620, www.blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk.
Sit Down in Style
From button-back armchairs to modern rustic benches, we pick statement seating perfect for cosy reading corners and elegant dining rooms
NATURAL LINEN LOVE SEAT
A soft, gently seat in natural linen— perfect for bay windows, reading corners. £2,000, www.susiewatsondesigns.co.uk.
in over 30 loose covers including machine washable, ideal for homes with pets, £1,529, tetrad.co.uk.
SHEEPSKIN BUTTERFLY CHAIR
Soft Icelandic sheepskin adds warmth and texture to this iconic design, £2,999, www.naturescollection.co.uk.
Luxurious leather recliner with sleek Nordic design and ultimate comfort, £3,509, www.shop.stressless.com.
HAVANA
Tetrad Havana
SLEEK NORDIC RECLINER
There’s a particular kind of magic in the September Garden— the lazy hum of bees, the last blush of roses, and the golden spill of low sun across flowerbeds. While summer may be on the wane, your garden is far from finished. Now’s the time to savour its final flourish and prepare for the cooler, quieter months ahead.
September in Full Bloom
Soak up the golden light of early autumn—plant, prune, and perfect your garden with colour, texture, and elegant seasonal touches
Planting with Purpose
Wildlife Wisdom
Allow some seed heads—echinacea, verbena, teasels—to stand. They offer birds both a snack and a perch. Ivy and sedum spectabile are still working hard for late pollinators, while leaving a shallow dish of fresh water near dense cover will help small mammals as the nights get cooler.
Get your bulbs in now for spring spectacle; think drifts of daffodils, crocuses peeking through frosty grass, and pots brimming with tulips. Choose the best-quality bulbs you can afford and plant them in generous groups for maximum impact. There’s a joy in the promise of what’s to come.
Now’s also a great moment to divide tired perennials. Lift and separate clumps of phlox, rudbeckia, day lilies and astrantia, replant the healthiest sections and gift the rest to friends. It’s the gardening version of recycling and just as satisfying.
A LateSeason Star Turn
Don’t neglect colour in these early autumn weeks. Dahlias are still dazzling (keep deadheading for longer bloom) and add bursts of drama with Japanese anemones, sedums, heleniums and penstemons. Tuck in a few autumn crocuses or nerines near a well-trodden path for an unexpected splash of brilliance.
Flagging borders? A few well-placed pots brimming with violas, cyclamen, trailing ivy or ornamental cabbages can lift tired
corners in a flash. Group in threes for style and fill gaps with bark chippings to neaten up the look.
Style and Substance
As the nights draw in, garden accessories really come into their own. Fire pits, copper lanterns and soft wool throws create irresistible nooks for warming a cuppa (or something stronger).
Add structure with a smart terracotta urn, a zinc planter, or even a sculptural water bowl. September’s all about layering (plants, colours, and materials) so mix ornamental grasses with rusted metal or stone features for an effortlessly elegant feel.
The Finishing Touch
Finally, refresh paths and patios with a sweep and a pressure wash. Trim hedges neatly, give garden furniture one last clean, and tuck in a few pots of scented herbs, e.g.: thyme, rosemary, and lemon verbena, for picking through winter.
Your garden will thank you come spring, and in the meantime, you’ll have a beautifully calming space to enjoy autumn at its most glorious.
CABOURNE
• Stunning C19 Farmhouse • Tennis Court
• Fabulous Grounds • Extensive Outbuildings inc Steel Portal Frame Barn
• Seven Bedrooms • Bathroom and Two En-Suites
• Four Reception Rooms • EPC: E
GUIDE PRICE: £795,000
BASSINGHAM
• Detached substantial three storey residence • Five Double bedrooms
• Generous garden
• Driveway & Double garage
• Popular village location
• Large kitchen/diner
• En suite and dressing room
• EPC: D
GUIDE PRICE: £550,000 - £575,000
BRAUNCEWELL
• Detached Residence • 1.79 Acres
• Stables & Outbuildings • Paddock
• Four Reception Rooms • Four Bedrooms
• Two Bathrooms • EPC: E
GUIDE PRICE: £700,000
FULBECK
• Detached Farmhouse • Versatile Reception Rooms
• Country Kitchen • Office/Snug
• Boot Room/Utility
• Three Double Bedrooms
• Family Bathroom • EPC: D
GUIDE PRICE: £450,000
• Spectacular Lifestyle Opportunity Comprising Working Historic Windmill,
• Restored Grade 2 Mill with Bakery and Tearooms and Four Bedroomed House
• Spectacular Views Over the Trent Valley Set in 0.75 Acres
• Fully Operating with Business Available Trading as a Going Concern
• Spacious and Secluded Town Centre House with Parking and Gardens
• 3 Bedroomed Detached House, 2 Reception Rooms
• Modern Fitted Kitchen, 2 Bathrooms
• Large Living Room with Spacious Master Bedroom
• Exceptional Architect Designed Barn Conversion Set in 2.3 Acres with Equestrian Use
• Secluded Formal Gardens with Water Feature
• 5 Paddocks, All Weather Surface Manège, Stables, Solar Array with Battery Storage
A handsome Grade II listed former rectory with seven bedrooms, an annexe, and stunning gardens in the peaceful village of Heydour, about 8 miles from Grantham. Dating from 1857 and designed by renowned architect William White, the property features splendid limestone elevations and a wealth of character details inside, paired with understated modern fittings and décor—offering historic charm in a picturesque setting.
Offers in excess of £1,500,000
Savills Olympic House, 995 Doddington Road, Lincoln LN6
or see www.savills.co.uk
Heydour House Grantham
Built in 2022, discover Victoria House hidden away up a sweeping gravel driveway, on the approach to the crossroads at Lenton. Flanked by open fields and fringed by mature trees, upon arrival, beyond the driveway where parking is abundant, the land stretches out to the horizon beneath the vast blue sky.
Guide Price £1,475,000
Pelham James 3 Saddler’s Court, Oakham LE15 7GH. Call 01572 497070 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk
Victoria House Grantham
Set in the peaceful village of Aisby, this charming stone-built family home enjoys over three acres of gardens and paddocks with views across open fields. Inside are four double bedrooms, period features, a Rayburn kitchen, and spacious living areas. Outbuildings include a detached annexe with a kitchen, bedroom, and office—ideal for guests or multigenerational living. Just 10 minutes from Grantham, this is a tranquil yet well-connected rural retreat.
Guide Price: £1,150,000
Moores Estate Agents Goodwood House, Hackamore Way, Barleythorpe, Oakham, LE15 7FS Call 01780 484555
Aisby Grantham
Luxury Homes
Blyborough Hall
Gainsborough
An outstanding Grade II* listed country house with stunning period detailing, extensive accommodation, far-reaching grounds and three additional properties, set in a peaceful rural position.
Guide price £2,950,000
Savills Olympic House, Doddington Road, Lincoln LN6 3SE Call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.co.uk
Tillbridge Road
Lincoln
Idyllically located in a quiet rural setting on the edge of the sought-after village of Sturton by Stow, this exceptional seven-bedroom family home offer s over 4,975 sq. ft. of versatile living space over three floor s.
Guide price: £950,000
Fine & Country Central Lincs & Grantham High St., Navenby, LN5 0DZ Call 01522 287008 www.fineandcountr y.co.uk
Far Lane Coleby
Tucked away in a quiet, private position on the Cliff edge with uninterrupted vistas over the open countryside for miles around, this glorious residence has been refurbished and recently extended by the current owners.
Guide price: £1,200,000
Mount & Minster 32 Eastgate, Lincoln LN2 1QA. Call 01522 716204 or see www.mountandminster.co.uk
Eagle Moor
Lincoln
Executive five bedroom family home plus a self contained annexe occupying a generous plot within the semi-rural hamlet of Eagle Moor. Must be viewed to truly appreciate everything on offer!
Guide price: £1,075,000
Martin & Co 33 The Forum, North Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 8HW. Call 01522 503727 or see www.martinco.com
Luxury Homes
Maltby House
Raithby cum Maltby
Maltby House and Lodge forms a substantial early 20th Century country residence, alongside a lodge within the grounds – which total 3 and a 1/3 acres (sts).
Guide Price: £1,150,000
Robert Bell & Company Old Bank Chambers, Horncastle, LN9 5HY Call 01507 522222 www.robert-bell.org
The Manor House
Castle Bytham
The Manor House is a charming Grade II Listed detached residence positioned on a generous plot of approximately 1.2 acres, offering over 4500sqft of accommodation with a total of 7 bedrooms.
Offers over: £1,200,000
Moores Estate Agents Barleythorpe, Oakham, LE15 7FS Call 01780 484555 or see www.countryequestrianhomes.com
Elm Grange East Heckington
A splendid unlisted Victorian former grange, peacefully positioned within approximately two acres (STS) of private, mature grounds. Elm Grange presents a rare opportunity to acquire a distinguished period home.
Guide price: £995,000
Fine & Country Central Lincs & Grantham High St., Navenby, LN5 0DZ Call 01522 287008 www.fineandcountr y.co.uk
Beagle Cottage
Boothby
Pagnell
An exceptional country home blending character, charm and modern living, nestled within mature, private grounds. Dating back to 1897, Beagle Cottage stands as a beautifully reimagined family home of rich heritage and character.
Guide Price: £1,040,000
Savills St Martin's, 9 High Street. St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LF. Call 01780 484696 or see www.savills.com
Reimagined Classic Fashion
The little Chanel jacket gets a 2025 update: here’s how to wear the look now…
Few garments in fashion history are as instantly recognisable— or as enduring—as the little Chanel jacket. First introduced by Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel in 1954, it redefined women’s tailoring with its cropped, collarless silhouette, soft shoulders, and signature braid-trimmed tweed. It’s a piece that whispers sophistication, not shouts it.
While Chanel continues to reinterpret the look on the runway, a host of designers are now reimagining the silhouette for a modern wardrobe. And today, it’s not just reserved for formal occasions. This season’s jackets are as happy paired with jeans and ballet flats as with a midi skirt or wide-leg trousers.
Cut and Fit
Today’s jackets offer a mix of slim and boxy shapes, cropped or longline. A neat, hip-length jacket works beautifully with tailored trousers, while cropped versions offer perfect contrast to fuller skirts or wide-leg trousers. Some feature soft shaping at the waist, others are straight and relaxed, ideal for throwing over a tee and denim for an elevated off-duty look.
Fabric & Texture
Tactile tweeds and bouclé are still key, but this season, expect subtle shimmer, frayed hems, and intricate threadwork in gold or pastel tones. Sleeker options in silk-wool blends or even velvet give the look an evening-ready feel, while tonal herringbone adds depth and quiet luxury.
Colour & Contrast
Soft neutrals (ivory, blush, stone) remain favourites, but there’s a richer palette for early autumn: forest green, burgundy, caramel, stormy grey. Or make a statement in fuchsia or cobalt. For a tonal look, pair oatmeal or grey tweeds with matching knits or trousers, or keep it classic with denim and a white tee.
Style It Your Way
The joy of the little jacket is how easily it works into your everyday wardrobe. Pair a structured style with raw-hem jeans and boots for a polished, effortless look. Try it over a silk midi dress with a belt at the waist, or wear it buttoned-up as a top with wide-leg trousers and statement earrings.
Opposite: Cropped tweed jacket, £1,175. gb.balmain.com. Right: Meiradith Cropped buttoned jacket, £345, www.bash.com.
It can feel smart without being stuffy, refined but never too formal. Add a quilted handbag and a red lip for a touch of Parisian nonchalance.
Why It Works
The appeal is timeless. It flatters every age, fits most body types, and adds instant polish without effort. This season’s updates offer versatility: wear it to lunch, layer it for the school run, or dress it up for evening. It’s never about fashion for fashion’s sake; just good style, made effortless.
As the weather cools and layering becomes essential, now’s the time to embrace a modern classic, refined, reimagined, and ready to wear.
Above: White checked bouclè jacket, £175, www.mintvelvet.com.
Left: Chelsea jacket in lavender bouclé, £499, www.hollandcooper.com.
1. Ashby jacket, black/white check, £199. www.saintandsofia.com.
2. Darcy tweed jacket, £199, www.hobbs.com.
3. Ripley bouclé jacket, £149, www.phaseeight.com.
4. Houndstooth box jacket, £350, www.meandem.com.
5. Layla jacket gold tweed, £1,190, www.suzannah.com.
6. Bouclé jacket, £379, www.karl.com.
Below: Charlie treetop green and birch tweed and trim jacket, £349. www.lkbennett.com.
£295, fairfaxand favor.com
TAN TRENDS
£295, fairfaxandfavor.com
£275, uk.coach .com
Suede handbags with tassels or fringes dominate this September, offering a chic bohemian vibe that effortlessly elevates autumn outfits with timeless elegance and playful sophisti ti
£190, gb.max mara.com
£550, hogan.com
£66, boden.com
£79, mintvelvet.com
£1,190, isabelmarant.com
£1,750, tino.com
£185, ralph lauren .co.uk
£165, meandem.com
Blue Stripe Chic
Timeless blue and white striped blouses offer chic versatility, blending classic elegance with modern flair for any occasion.
Chanel No.5, £109/50ml
SCENT STYLE
Pair your classic Chanelinspired jacket with one of the house’s signature scents — from the timeless allure of No.5 to the modern elegance of Coco Mademoiselle. www.chanel.com.
Coco Mademoiselle, £125/100ml
Coco Noir, £149/100ml
Gabrielle Chanel, £155/100ml
Chance Eau Splendide, £149/100ml
Allure, £149/100ml
STYLE MEETS SUBSTANCE this season with Oliver Sweeney, the British menswear brand renowned for impeccable craftsmanship and contemporary design. From artisan shoemaking to beautifully tailored clothing, every piece is a masterclass in understated luxury. Their creative collaborations and commitment to quality ensure timeless pieces with a modern edge—perfect for the discerning gentleman who appreciates detail. Whether dressing for the office, weekend, or travel, Oliver Sweeney delivers effortless sophistication. Discover classic style, reinvented for the season ahead.
1. 100% Linen overshirt in Corby biscuit, £249. 2. 100% cotton overshirt in blyford mid blue, £159. 3. Calf leather holdall in kella tan, £499. 4. 100% cotton knitted jacket in layham mustard, £199. 5. 100% cotton knitted riviera shirt in garras navy, £129. 6. Calf leather belt in montefiore tan, £129. 7. Selvedge denim jeans in lagoa midnight, £149. 8. Wool baker boy hat in monsanto brown, £79. 9. Washed & tumbled calf leather hiker boots, £399. Kid suede biker Jacket in dimson truffle, £549. 10. Italian cotton chinos in besterios stone, £129. Suede cupsole trainers in Kendal chocolate, £179, see www.oliversweeney.com.
Makeup Musings with
Lincolnshire’s Tina Brocklebank
Are you primed and ready? In my previous columns we’ve discussed SPF and good skincare. So now, let’s talk about makeup primers. Primers are those mysterious tubes of silky sorcery sitting in your makeup bag. They’ve been described as ‘Photoshop in a bottle’ or ‘shapewear for your pores!’ But what are they for, really? Is it just glorified glue for your face?
If you, like me, spent the 1990s thinking moisturiser was enough and that primers were a bit of a scam – after all, we were all led to believe that moisturising was the be-all and end-all of our skincare regime, only to be told that we now need a pre-makeup primer too. What’s next... a pre-primer primer?
Here’s the truth. After the age of 40, our skin starts embarking on an elaborate midlife rebellion, and this is where primers step in, all calm and silky. Just to confuse consumers further, some claim to blur, some claim to hydrate, others to give you a glow so luminous you’ll look like you’ve just returned from a wellness retreat.
Some primers do actually make your makeup last longer, instead of failing you by 3pm. But a word of warning, not all primers are created equally. Silicone-heavy examples can feel like you are shrink wrapping your face, which is great for blurring, but less than desirable if your skin is on the dry or sensitive side.
Conversely, hydrating primers are wonderful for thirsty skin but might leave oilier skin types looking more like a glistening roast potato than a dewy goddess. And anything with glitter? Save it for your niece’s unicorn party.
Be careful when purchasing primers that sound too good to be true. The point about primers is it’s not about what they actually promise, it’s about what they actually do. Find one that fits your individual needs, one that doesn’t irritate you and makes you feel supported, cosmetically speaking.
Primers should be applied after moisturiser but before foundation, using clean fingers to warm and blend the product evenly across the skin, especially around areas where makeup tends to slip, like the T-zone, although a sponge or brush can be used for precision or hygiene, fingers remain the best option for most, giving you better control and helping to work the product into the skin, but the key is to use a small amount and allow it to settle for a minute before applying your foundation. A good primer should help your foundation to glide on like a dream and enable your foundation, or your eyeshadow for that matter, to last that bit longer.
Until next time, stay fabulous and remain primed for anything!
Tina’s Recommended Products (above):
1. Embryolisse LaitCrème is a French pharmacy classic that makeup artists – including me – swear by. It primes, moisturises, removes makeup, it’s a great face mask and after shave cream. Hydrating and plumping and leaves a softfocus finish, £15/30ml.
2. Erborian Pink Primer & Care, smooths, blurs and brightens pores with a whisper of pink to perk up tried skin, £18/15ml, £34/45ml.
3. Lancôme perfecting makeup primer, £32/25ml.
4. MAC Prep & Prime Natural Radiance gives skin a subtle luminosity, hydrates and really helps your foundation to stay put, £32/50ml.
5. Beauty Pie’s Wonderfilter Brightening Primer: A bit of a wonder! Lightweight, radiance boosting packed with goodness, £23/30ml.
Tina is a professional makeup artist available for weddings, tuition and commercial work. You can see Tina’s work and keep up to date with her at www.tinabrocklebank.co.uk or via @tinabrocklebankmakeup on Instagram; Tina Brocklebank Makeup on Facebook.
of Luxury Eyewear Since 1979
SALT. OPTICS a collection in stock now.
43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS
Tel: 01652 653595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear
Forever Begins Here
From a New York proposal, to a wedding in the quintessentially English Washingborough Hall, and with personal touches to their day, Sarah and Lee’s wedding was a joyful, elegant celebration with family, friends, and fun
Images: PM Photography, 07834 015 808, www.pmphotography.uk.
When Sarah and Lee met through online dating in December 2021, little did they know that three years later, they’d be celebrating their dream wedding at one of Lincolnshire’s beautiful Washingborough Hall.
Although neither Sarah nor Lee were born in Lincoln, the area has come to hold a special place in their hearts.
Lee’s family are from Lincolnshire and he’s lived in the area for many years. Sarah, originally from Nottinghamshire, made the move
across the border four years ago. Their connection to the county made it the perfect place to say “I do.”
Lee proposed in spectacular style on Christmas Day in New York City. With the iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree glittering in the background, he dropped to one knee and surprised Sarah with a stunning round brilliant cut solitaire diamond ring.
He’d also asked Sarah’s father for his blessing beforehand, making the moment all the more thoughtful.
The couple set their sights on a May wedding, drawn to the promise of spring blooms.
After viewing a few venues that didn’t quite feel right, Lee suggested Washingborough Hall. Although he was working away at the time, Sarah visited with her parents and knew instantly they’d found the one.
“Washingborough Hall is full of charm and warmth,” says Sarah. “From the beautiful Georgian façade to the intimate atmosphere inside.”
“It just felt special, both Lucy and her entire team were incredible: so calm, kind, and attentive.”
Sarah’s dress came from The Bridal Suite in Woodthorpe. She chose a romantic Bardot A-line gown by Essense of Australia, customised with an embellished belt and paired with a sparkly cathedral-length veil.
Her bridesmaids wore elegant oneshoulder gowns in dusty sage green from Azazie. Hair was styled by Samantha Kate, with flawless makeup by Estera of Kokoshka, who ensured the bridal party looked and felt their best.
Lee and his groomsmen (James, Joe and Stuart) wore smart suits from Next, perfectly complementing the spring colour palette. Bridesmaids Sabrina, Nicola and Rachel completed the elegant wedding party.
The day was styled and brought to life by Ruby from Ruby & Co, who captured Sarah’s vision perfectly with stunning floral arrangements.
Ceremony music was provided by Simply Strings, whose repertoire of classic and contemporary pieces enchanted guests. Celebrant Pamela Sidney-Bussey delivered a heartfelt, personalised ceremony.
After the couple’s romantic first dance, which was made even more special by a surprise personalised video performance by Roy of Scouting for Girls—the entertainment continued with Floorfillers Entertainment and a lively game of Mr and Mrs.
Capturing every special moment was Jonathan Mank of PM Photography.
“Jonathan was absolutely incredible,” says Sarah. “He made us feel so at ease, and the photos tell the story of our day so beautifully.”
“We’re so thankful to our parents, bridal party, family and friends for their love and support,” says Sarah.
“Choose your suppliers carefully, trust them, and remember what really matters is the two of you.”
Local Suppliers
Celebrant: Pamela SydneyBussey, 01529 461354. Reception: 01522 405452, washingboroughhall.com.
Photographer: Jonathan Mank, PM Photography, 07834 015808, www.pmphotography.uk.
Wedding Dress: Essence at Bridal Suite, Woodthorpe, 0115 920 2040, www.bridalsuite.co.uk.
Bridal Hair: 07946 823078, www.samanthakate.com.
Bridal Makeup: Estera Sutton, Kokoshka, 07715 611675.
Floristry and Venue Styling: Ruby & Co, Lincoln, 07519 369682, rubyandcoevents.com.
Wedding Music: Simply Strings, 07866 892 668.
Wedding Music: Floorfillers 01522 275119.
Miniature Golf: ACE party, www.aceparty.co.
Explore Slovenia
“Experience Slovenia’s enchanting landscapes and refined elegance with a stay at Grand Hotel Toplice...”
September in Slovenia offers that magical cusp between late summer and early autumn — crisp alpine air, golden light, and just enough warmth to enjoy lakefront strolls and mountain vistas without the summer crowds.
You’ll arrive easily from London Heathrow, landing at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport after just two hours in the air. From there, a smooth hour’s drive brings you to Bled — a place that feels lifted straight from the pages of a storybook.
Your home for the weekend is the illustrious Grand Hotel Toplice, a five-star retreat steeped in history and glamour. Nestled directly on the shores of Lake Bled, this legendary property has hosted royals, poets, and presidents.
The hotel oozes old-world charm, from polished parquet floors and crystal chandeliers to the elegant lakeside terrace where you’ll take breakfast while gazing across to the island church. With a private beach, thermal pool, and renowned Spa Luisa, this is where you come for true lakeside luxury.
On Saturday, ease into the day with a sunrise coffee as the morning mist drifts off the lake. Then, hop aboard a traditional pletna boat — wooden and hand-rowed, a centuries-old tradition — to reach Bled Island.
Once there, climb the 99 stone steps to the Church of the Assumption and ring the
wishing bell for good luck, as locals have done for generations of locals and visitors before.
Afterwards, head up to Bled Castle, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake. Explore its fascinating museum, take in sweeping alpine views, and enjoy a slice of the legendary Bled cream cake on the castle terrace — light, flaky, and utterly indulgent.
For your afternoon, we recommend a scenic drive (just 15 minutes) to the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge. Wander along wooden boardwalks suspended over crystalline waters, past waterfalls, rapids, and moss-covered cliffs. It’s nature at its most raw and beautiful — and wonderfully photogenic.
Back at the hotel, treat yourself to a few hours of pampering. Spa Luisa draws thermal water directly from the lake’s natural springs, offering a wellness experience steeped in both tradition and luxury. Sink into the thermal pool or book a signature massage to truly unwind.
“Indulge in Slovenia's alpine beauty and lakeside luxury at the historic Grand Hotel Toplice this September.”
“Savour gourmet delights at Julijana, where Slovenian flavours meet culinary artistry...”
Above:
For dinner, reserve a table at Restaurant Julijana, Grand Hotel Toplice’s Michelin-recognised fine dining restaurant, helmed by chef Simon Bertoncelj.
Expect seasonal tasting menus celebrating local flavours: delicate lake fish, wild mushrooms, chestnuts, and the region’s finest wines. The lakeside setting, softly lit and elegant, is the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening.
On Sunday, make your way to Ljubljana, just over an hour’s drive away. Slovenia’s compact capital charms with its cobbled streets, pastel-coloured facades, and café-lined riverside. Stroll through the Old Town, cross the iconic Triple Bridge, and browse the Central Market for local cheeses, truffles, and honey.
A funicular whisks you up to Ljubljana Castle, where panoramic views stretch over the red rooftops to the surrounding hills. For lunch, we recommend Strelec Restaurant, inside the castle itself — where Slovenian cuisine is served in a setting rich with medieval history.
Before you know it, it’s time to head back to the airport, but you’ll leave with Slovenia’s beauty and hospitality etched into your memory — and perhaps already dreaming of your next visit.
Whether you’re seeking alpine adventures, refined gastronomy, or simply a weekend of rest and elegance, Slovenia, and especially Grand Hotel Toplice, offers the perfect September escape.
Top: Aerial view of Lake Bled with the Church of the Assumption of Maria, pletna boats and Bled Castle. Triglav national park. Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Ljubljana old town and castle. Pletna boats anchored on the lake.
Here are the top five must-eat foods in Slovenia
Kranjska Klobasa (Carniolan Sausage) – £8–£12: Juicy pork sausage with garlic and spices, best with mustard.
Bled Cream Cake (Kremšnita) – £4–£6: Light pastry, whipped cream, custard – Bled’s iconic dessert.
Štruklji – £5–£9: Rolled dumplings filled with cottage cheese, walnuts, or apples, both sweet and savoury.
Jota – £6–£10: Hearty stew with sauerkraut, beans, and smoked pork – perfect autumn comfort.
Prekmurska Gibanica – £5–£8: Rich layered cake with poppy seeds, apples, walnuts, and cheese.
Must-Visit Attractions
Lake Bled: Slovenia’s most iconic lake, with its island church, castle and stunning views.
Postojna Cave: Explore vast underground chambers and ride a train through this famous karst cave.
Ljubljana Castle: Take the funicular for city views, exhibitions and a slice of history.
Predjama Castle: A medieval fortress built dramatically into a cave mouth — utterly unique.
Triglav National Park: Alpine peaks, turquoise rivers and pristine hiking trails in Slovenia’s only national park.
Škocjan Caves: UNESCOlisted and breathtaking, these caves boast the world’s largest underground canyon.
Vintgar Gorge: A dramatic ravine walk with boardwalks over rushing waterfalls and rapids.
Piran Old Town: Venetian charm, sea views and cobbled lanes on Slovenia’s coast.
Bohinj Lake: Tranquil, beautiful and uncrowded — a glacial lake in alpine surroundings.
Logar Valley: Unspoilt and peaceful, this alpine valley is perfect for scenic walks.
Left, from top: Štruklji are Slovenian cheese dumplings. Kranjska klobasa is served with mustard and other condiments.
Kremsnita; traditional Slovenian cream cake in Lake Bled.
Ljubljana, Slovenia in summer.
STAY: TRAVEL:
I’m in... just get me there!
Here are our five suggestions of where to stay for all budgets:
HOTEL PARK BLED
Cesta svobode 15, Bled Contemporary lakeside hotel with spa. £80–£120 per night; £160–£240 for two nights. www.hotelparkbled.com
HOTEL CUBO
Slovenska cesta 15, Ljubljana
Boutique city hotel with modern flair.
£100–£150 per night; £200–£300 for two nights. www.hotelcubo.com
HOTEL HERITAGE
Čopova ulica 38, Ljubljana
A chic midrange stay in the heart of the old town.
£110–£140 per night; £220–£280 for two nights. www.hotelheritage.si
INTERCONTINENTAL
LJUBLJANA
Slovenska cesta 59, Ljubljana
Fivestar city luxury with rooftop dining. £200–£300 per night; £400–£600 for two nights. www.intercontinental.com/ljubljana
VILA BLED
Cesta svobode 26, Bled Lakeside heritage villa once owned by Tito, the longserving leader of Yugoslavia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
£250–£350 per night; £500–£700 for two nights. www.vilabled.com
BY TRAIN
Departure: London St Pancras International
Destination: Paris Gare du Nord
For those who prefer relaxed overland travel, take the Eurostar to Paris, transfer to Munich, then onward to Ljubljana. The journey takes around 20 hours in total and offers a picturesque and civilised route through the Alps.
Return tickets cost £200 to £300. Website: www.eurostar.com
BY PLANE
Departure: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, or Luton.
Destination: Ljubljana Jože Pučnik
The fastest and most comfortable way to reach Slovenia is by air. Direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport take just over two hours. Return fares range from £50 to £150 depending on the season and airline. British Airways and EasyJet both operate routes, with premium options available. Price Range: £50–£150 per adult, return Website: www.skyscanner.net
BY BUS
Departure: London.
Longdistance coach services from London take around 24 hours and are not recommended for comfort or efficiency, though fares can be as low as £70 return. Price Range: From £70 per adult, return Website: www.rome2rio.com
BY CAR
If you enjoy road travel, Slovenia is reachable via France, Germany and Austria. It’s around 1,000 miles from the East Midlands and takes 14–16 hours of driving, excluding overnight stops. You'll need a vignette for Austrian motorways. Website: www.eurotunnel.com
Above: Tromostovje bridge and Ljubljana, the capital and largest city of Slovenia.
Opposite: Predjama Castle in Postojna.
Land Rover Defender
This year represents the 20th anniversary since Land Rover became the Burghley Horse Trials’ title sponsor, promoting its Defender model and changing the prefix of the event to its most off-road focused model back in 2024. A newly-facelifted version of the model is now on sale delivering subtle but compelling improvements for late 2025 models
Words: Rob Davis.
It’s difficult to think of a car that’s more desirable right now than Land Rover’s Defender. In 2024, Land Rover sold 112,635 Defenders, and its most expensive vehicles (Range Rover, Range Rover Sport & Defender) accounted for 77.2% of its total sales.
People love a big, plush, capable vehicle, and whilst Range Rover is still seen as the epitome of luxury, it’s the Defender which is attracting tonnes of attention, not least at Burghley, where the vehicle appeals to those who need to tow and tackle off-road terrain.
Those who doubted the reinvention of the iconic off-roader with its new technology and vastly improved levels of comfort have been silenced. The 21st century Defender is just as capable off-road as ever but now stunning to drive on-road too, compelling enough for the company to use Defender, rather than Land Rover, as the title of the Burghley Horse Trials in the 20th year of its title sponsorship.
At this year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials you can see the Octa, a firebreathing 626bhp flagship Defender costing £160,000, however, the sale figures show a preference for more modestly specified Defenders, not the most potent V8 models.
70% of Defenders sold are the five-door ‘110’ versions, whilst just under 30% are threedoor ‘90’ versions and fewer than 3% of sales are of the enormous 5.3 metre-long ‘130.’
Furthermore, 80% of Defenders purchased are diesel models, just 12% are the powerful V8 petrol versions, and only 8% of Defenders are sold as plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Well-equipped HSE versions are most popular too, with their premium offset by better residual value. So, taking a Defender 110 HSE with its entry-level D250 diesel as the most popular variant, what does the 2026 facelift provide?
Outside there’s very little change, although there are two new colours, Borasco Grey and the very handsome Woolstone Green shown here. The facelifted car also features new front and rear lights, new alloy wheel designs and refreshed bumper design.
Inside, there’s an updated infotainment system with a larger 13.1” screen, and new technology in the form of an Adaptive Off-Road Cruise Control system and Driver Attention Monitor.
Elsewhere it’s business as usual. Bags of space inside, formidable off-road capability, and comfortable on-road manners.
As well as Burghley Horse Trials and an appearance at Glastonbury, Defender was also the sponsor of the recent Oasis Live 2025 comeback concerts... quite fitting really, for if any vehicle exemplifies Cool Britannia, it’s the Defender... a true rock ‘n’ roll star.
The Details
Land Rover Defender 110 D250 X-Dynamic HSE
Price: £62,795.
Engine: 3.0 litre 6cylinder 250HP Twin Turbocharged Diesel MHEV (Automatic) All Wheel Drive.
Performance: 117mph, 060mph 7.9 secs.
Economy: 33.1mpg (combined).
Equipment: 20” wheels. Windsor leather, 14way electrically adjustable, heated and cooled seats, plus climate control. Meridian sound system with wireless device charging and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Adaptive cruise control, 3D surround camera.
Our recommended Land Rover dealership is Duckworth of Boston and Market Rasen, call 01205 722110, www.duckworth.co.uk.
Dexter & Sharpe
Don’t Panic!
Accountancy and Making Tax Digital Compliance with Dexter & Sharpe
With offices across the county and a pledge to take the jargon and frustration out of accountancy, compliance and business planning, Dexter & Sharpe are your ideal partners for ensuring you can prepare for the recently announced Making Tax Digital changes
Words: Rob Davis.
Nobody goes into accountancy because they love accountancy... apart from accountants of course! For the rest of us, the task of staying on top of your business ranges from being a nagging job on the to-do list to a source of worry. Fortunately, Dexter & Sharpe’s David Nicholson has some advice that’s reassuringly simple: ‘Don’t Panic!’
Recently the government announced the next stage in its ongoing effort to modernise the tax system via Making Tax Digital. The changes make it mandatory for sole traders – including landlords – with an income of more than £50,000 annually to comply with the requirement to keep digital records, submitted quarterly to ensure adherence to tax compliance.
What’s more, it’s expected that the requirement will soon be extended to those earning £30,000 and eventually £20,000, which means the requirement to modernise your financial reporting workflow is more of a priority than ever.
The good news, says David, is that the newest generation of accountancy software packages available not just for desktop or laptop computers but tablets and smartphones makes it easier and more intuitive than ever to ensure you’re always in control of your business.
“We have upwards of 500 businesses that we work with, across our six offices, across every different sector that you can think of,” says David. “These businesses range from sole traders to limited companies with several hundred employees, and across sectors as diverse as retail, hospitality, farming, transport and many more besides.”
“No client is the same, but that’s OK, because as a firm we’ve been advising clients since the company was established in 1882 and have only ever treated each client as an individual.”
“Accordingly, we’d never advocate a ‘one size fits all’ solution to your accountancy, tax and compliance needs, but rather we work according to a client’s specific requirements.”
“That enables us to pair our reliable and jargon-free services that really understand your business and your objectives, with technology that suits you and your needs.”
Common to most software today is the ability to work from mobile devices as well as a computer based back in the office, plus cloud-based software for peace of mind that your data is safe, and the ability to ensure your data can be accessed by your accountant for remote troubleshooting and reporting.
Opposite: David Nicholson of Dexter & Sharpe.
The objective is to utilise a new generation of intuitive software that you can use to keep on top of reporting, from purchase and sales ledgers to payroll and tax, ensuring a constant and dependable set of records both for reporting purposes and in order to plan for the future of your business.
“Less stress, up-to-date accurate records, no last minute scrambles to submit returns and the peace of mind of knowing your business is compliant, and can plan for the future with accurate information,” says David.
“We’ve a range of software from Sage, Xero and QuickBooks depending on your needs, and our services are just as adaptable.”
“We can empower clients to do as much or as little of their accountancy, bookkeeping and compliance work as they wish, providing a balance of saving expenses on outside services and delegating accountancy roles –when you’re too focused on running the rest of the business – according to your needs.”
“Our 130 years of experience have ensured we can offer a range of services and insight into individual sectors, making the technicalities of accountancy and compliance easy to understand and jargon-free, whilst still offering access to modern technology designed to make your life easier.”
Dexter & Sharpe have offices in Lincoln, Boston, Bourne, Horncastle, Louth and Skegness, offering a range of accountancy, auditing, compliance, tax and business planning services. For a free, no obligation discussion of your business needs, call 01507 526071 or see www.dextersharpe.co.uk.
Almanac
FIND JOY IN THE ART OF LIVING WELL IN SEPTEMBER
HELLO SEPTEMBER
Poetry & Literature
September in Verse
September, John Keats (1819)
The goldenwinged angels, Flitting past in dream, Carrying with them soft light
Like September’s gentle gleam. The harvest moon, so bright, Shines like a distant star, A pale reflection, warm, On earth below, from afar.
September, Elizabeth Browning (1850)
O, love is like the autumn's fall, When colours fade to yellow, And winds through boughs of distant trees, Unveil a truth more mellow.
September’s days are tinged with gold, A beauty calm, serene— A graceful hush, the world grows old, Before the winter’s sheen.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy (1891)
“It was a warm, delicate day in September, when the earth is still mellow and rich in fragrance, and the summer’s full glory slowly bows to the softness of autumn. The trees shed their first leaves, and the earth seemed to rest in a dream before the chill winds.”
Going Wild Migrating Swallows
As summer wanes Lincolnshire’s skies fill with swallows gathering for migration. These elegant, forktailed birds swoop over meadows and farmland, feeding up before their epic journey to southern Africa. Look for them in September, perching on wires or skimming water near the county’s nature reserves or across the Fens. Their departure signals the changing seasons, a bittersweet farewell to summer. By midmonth, most will have left reminding us that even the most fleeting visitors leave a lasting impression on our countryside.
September Facts
Symbols: September’s zodiac signs are Virgo (until the 22nd), symbolising precision and intellect, and Libra (from the 23rd), associated with harmony and grace. The birthstone is sapphire, and the month’s flowers are aster and morning glory... signifying love, affection, and the transition to autumn.
In The Garden
The Start of Autumn
September signals the start of autumn, a time for tidying and planning ahead. Borders still dazzle with rudbeckia, sedum, asters and Japanese anemones, while dahlias and roses continue to flower if deadheaded. Start planting spring bulbs; daffodils, crocuses, and alliums go in now, while tulips can wait until next month. Trim evergreen hedges before growth slows, and begin lifting and dividing herbaceous perennials. Harvest apples, pears, and late plums; clear out greenhouse crops that are spent. Sow green manure or cover crops in empty veg beds to enrich the soil. Continue mowing lawns but lower the blades, and scarify or aerate as needed. September is a gentle, golden month to restore order and prepare for next year.
John Keats. Rudbeckia.
Seasonal Food: The British harvest includes apples, blackberries, damsons, leeks, squash, and game such as grouse and venison. Traditional fare includes fruit crumbles and hearty game pies. Sound & Vision: Brief Encounter film premiere (1945, film), Abbey Road (1969, music), Frasier (1993, TV), Downton Abbey (2010, TV), Coldplay – Parachutes (2000, music).
Barn swallow.
TRIVIA, FOLKLORE AND HISTORY FOR SEPTEMBER
Folklore & Traditions
Michaelmas and the Autumn Equinox
September marks the threshold between summer’s bounty and autumn’s quiet descent. Traditionally, it was the time of the Harvest Festival, when communities gathered to give thanks for a successful yield.
The final sheaf of corn was shaped into a corn dolly, believed to hold the spirit of the harvest. It would be kept over winter and ploughed into the first furrow in spring to bless the year ahead.
This month also brings Michaelmas, on 29th September, the feast of St Michael the Archangel. It marked the end of the farming and legal year, when rents were paid and hiring fairs held.
In some local villages, it was custom to eat a Michaelmas goose, said to bring financial
good fortune: “Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day, want not for money all the year.”
Astronomically, September is marked by the autumn equinox—usually around the 22nd or 23rd—when day and night are of equal length.
For the ancient Celts and later Pagan traditions, this was Mabon, a time of balance, reflection and gratitude.
Look, too, for the Harvest Moon (the full moon closest to the equinox) which rises low and bright, historically lighting the fields for farmers working late to gather crops. September’s folklore weaves together Christian ritual, rural tradition and ancient seasonal rhythms—celebrating the land’s gifts as we turn toward autumn.
September in History
2nd September 1666
The Great Fire of London begins, raging for four days, destroying 13,000 homes and 100 churches including St Paul’s Cathedral rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren from 16751710.
3rd
September 1939
The United Kingdom declared war on Germany, two days after the German invasion of Poland. France also declared war on Germany later the same day.
9th
September 1950
Soap rationing ends. It started in 1942, with 3oz toilet soap or 6oz powdered soap rations. Butter and sugar, however, continuing to be rationed until 1954.
1st
September 1951
Premier, the first British ‘supermarket,’ opens in Earl’s Court, owned by Express Dairy’s Patrick Galvani.
26th September 1955
Bird’s Eye fish fingers go on sale in Britain for the first time. Made in Great Yarmouth, the company sold 600 tonnes in the first year at a shilling and eight pence a pack.
22nd September 1955
ITV begins broadcasting at 7.15pm, showing a ceremony at the Guildhall in London. At 9.12pm the first British TV advert – for Gibbs SR Toothpaste –is broadcast.
19th September 1960
The London Borough of Westminster deployed new 40 traffic wardens in central London, The first ticket was given to Dr Thomas Creigthon, who had parked his Ford Popular at a West End hotel whilst answering an emergency call to treat a man having a heart attack. The parking fine was later dropped after public outcry.
30th September 1967
BBC Radio 1 broadcasts for the first time, from 7am, replacing The Light Programme. DJ Tony Blackburn plays Flowers in The Rain by The Move as the first track.
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UNEXPECTED ENCHANTMENT
Reader Ann Hastings submits this month’s five minutes fiction
As a widow in my mid-eighties I moved into a residential home in the Lincolnshire countryside. I had resigned myself to a quiet and uneventful journey towards the end of life. I imagined a time of no more work, cares and responsibilities, no more travelling and exploring and trying out new things. It would be a time to just enjoy memories of the past. There were moments when I feared that perhaps I would not cope with this reality and I was apprehensive about suddenly living with a group of complete strangers.
Once settled in my room I decided to venture to a coffee area where a group of residents were happily enjoying time together. As I walked in nervously my eyes met those of a gentleman standing against one of the walls. He was smiling broadly at me and I was surprised by the shock that I felt.
I found a group to sit with, had a coffee, and went quite quickly back to my room, feeling a need to recover. Was I more of a foolish old woman than I had thought? Meeting a stranger across a crowded room! Some enchanted evening! It could surely not have happened.
Unbelievably it turned out that it had. Peter, 94, a widower with prostate cancer, had experienced the same kind of shock on seeing me. He went back to his room telling himself firmly that he was much too old and ill for such a thing. Then soon we were sitting at the same table for meals and spending some time with each other every day.
We came from very different backgrounds and there was a lot to talk about. He had been in management in the car industry in the Midlands and enjoyed sailing and boating for relaxation.
I worked in further education and married a university professor so was rooted in the academic world. My husband and I had both lived and worked in Africa and valued and maintained our connections with that part of the world.
Peter and I accompanied each other on outings arranged by the residential home. There were lunches in local pubs and visits to places of interest followed by tea and cake.
In the bus his hand would come to rest gently on mine as if that was where it belonged. Instead of the impetuousness, passion and embarrassment of youth, there was now wonderfully comforting reassurance.
Every moment was a tick of the clock. Within a few months Peter’s cancer took over. He was looked after in a care room and I followed his request not to visit, knowing that he thought this would spare me distress.
On Christmas day I sent him a message: I wish you peace and rest today. Back came the surprising answer: See you at lunch. This lunch was our last time together. He came to the dining room in a wheelchair, already very ill. He wanted it to be ‘normal’ so we sat at table in paper hats and read cracker jokes, able still to enjoy the togetherness of it.
When Peter left this world I felt more pain than I could remember. As his coffin was carried past me there was a trembling in the hand he had held. It had, however, been a short relationship and I found that in a little while nature’s restorative healing began.
I am left transformed by this experience of the strength of life striving for itself. I know now that it is a force which is always at work, at the fall of the eventide, in a care home for the elderly or wherever and whenever it wills.
Story by Ann Hastings. Are you a budding writer? Share your work with us and reach thousands of readers! Write a compelling short story—fictional or, even better, nonfiction—up to 650 words, and send it to editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.
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