Absolutely Surrey December 2025 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

Surrey

DECEMBER 2025 / £3.95

Jingle BELLS

PLUS CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE

GAMES NIGHT Why we're all obsessed with Backgammon DECK THE HALLS How many decorations is too many? SHOW TIME Plays, musicals and ballets not to miss

More than 50 pages of inspiration and insight SPECIAL STYLISH /

/ ELEGANT

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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE

MAMA EDITOR CARLY GLENDINNING

ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA

MAGAZINE DESIGNER MARIANA SUZUKI DESIGNERS

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LETTER Editor’s

ABSOLUTELY’S December issue highlights

Colour ways

How to transform an apartment by thinking carefully about paint combinations...

Can we talk about baubles? Do they get better every year? By better, I mean cleverer, and more beautifully crafted. At Selfridges, the Christmas shop has been open since late September, selling a vast selection of tree decorations that encapsulate trends, hobbies and objects of desire in miniature. In glass, ceramic, felt and other materials, these are the new heirlooms: we collect them, gift them and keep them. They reﬂect the zeitgeist, and our own tastes. Highlights of this year's crop include foodie ones: miniature bottles of Sriracha, tiny tins of baked beans, elegant glass Perello olive cans, small ceramic Camemberts, crochet sardine tins, plus there are lots of people: we've seen Charles Darwin, Mick Jagger, Wednesday Adams and Chappell Roan baubles. But my favourite bauble of all time? It's my miniature coﬀee machine. A very merry Christmas to all our readers.

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

Gift Guide Inspirational ideas for homebodies

3 It's a wrap Don't forget the trimmings... we love Molly

Italian

design Kartell has relaunched some classics for Christmas

Mahon's block printed fabrics and accessories.

Baubles This one by Gava, for instance, is ﬁlled with O.R.S Hydration sachets, for the hangover.

Wish LIST

SHINE ON

Maeve's sequin muscle shirt will update any skirt or pair of trousers into an instant party outﬁt, with the perfect amount of sparkle for any occasion. anthropologie.com

RING RING

EDITOR’S PICK

Summerill & Bishop has teamed up with Solange Azagury-Partridge for the limited edition Hotlips napkin ring. There's a classic red one, but we love the polished gold-plated edition. summerillandbishop.com

Stay stylish on the slopes with My Sunday Ski's striking collection of snowsuits and two pieces. This shimmering cropped jacket zips neatly into its matching trousers. mysundayski.co.uk

TOE TAPPER

It's not all about bras at Battersea's Amelie's Follies. A range of sparkly accessories includes these fabulous party socks ameliesfollies.co.uk

CHARM SCHOOL

Claridge's has launched a collection of 18ct gold charms inspired by some of the hotel's most cherished signature symbols and designed by longstanding friend of the hotel, Annoushka Ducas MBE. claridges.co.uk

GOLDEN YEAR

There's a new oversized take on the original 1970 Bella Freud candle, and we love the gold version. Blended in the UK, the fragrance is inspired by the incense-heavy scents of the decade. bellafreud.com

DANCING SHOES

For party season, Russell & Bromley's House of Fab collection is all colour explosion, sharp silhouettes and fun textures, inspired by punk, club kids and mod culture through the ages. russellandbromley.co.uk

fabulous jewelled stud earrings are on

is a fabulous party top. Pair it with a sparkly skirt and a furry

large drop sequins in a distinctive

olive green that reﬂ ect light elegantly, producing a

shimmering eﬀect as you move. .

CULTURE

‘The

The Hunger Games: On Stage

TROUBADOUR CANARY WHARF THEATRE

The Agenda

EVENTS NOT TO MISS IN LONDON Skate, Somerset House

The Wharf Pole

THROUGHOUT DECEMBER, CANARY WHARF

Welcome to the Wharf's magical festive celebration, where twinkling lights, winter ﬂavours and joyful experiences bring the season to life. The neighbourhood is ﬁlled with places to shop, craft, dine and explore, featuring exclusive festive moments from much-loved retailers as well as performances from The Kings Voices Choir.

canarywharf.com

ICE SKATING

To 11 January

PICTUREHOUSE CENTRAL

In celebration of the dazzling ﬁnale to Somerset House’s 25th birthday year, Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a destination-inspired Christmas tree and a ﬁrst-of-its-kind Clubhouse lounge bringing the Virgin Atlantic experience to the ice. Skaters can enjoy drinks by the rink and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts. somersethouse.org.uk

WORKSHOPS

Christmas at Petersham

Throughout December PETERSHAM NURSERIES

From wreath-making to scented fruit garlands and seasonal ﬂower arrangements, these workshops o er a hands-on creative experience, crafting beautiful decorations — a joyful way to share time, creativity, and the magic of Christmas. petershamnurseries.com

EXHIBITION

Marie Antoinette Style

Until March 2026

V&A

A complex fashion icon, Marie Antoinette's timeless appeal is defined by her style, youth and notoriety. Explore the lasting influence of the most fashionable (and ill-fated) queen in history – with over 250 years of design, fashion, film and art.r. vam.ac.uk

A CULTURE LOVER'S GIFT GUIDE

Recommended by Lisa Baker

PETER DOIG: HOUSE OF MUSIC

To 8 February 2026

SERPENTINE GALLERY

Transforming the gallery into a listening space, House of Music brings together recent paintings and, for the first time, integrates sound into Doig’s work. Music selected by the artist – from his substantial archive of vinyl records and cassette tapes accumulated over decades – plays through a set of ‘high fidelity’ 1950s wooden Klangfilm Euronor speakers. serpentinegalleries.org

This Month’s Must See

Colour of Optimism

TO 13 JANUARY, THE EXHIBITIONIST HOTEL

In an age deﬁned by distraction, uncertainty, and digital noise, London-based Japanese artist June Mineyama-Smithson (MAMIMU) invites audiences to rediscover optimism. This solo exhibition explores how colour, geometry and human imperfection can reawaken our capacity for focus, joy, and resilience. Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross note in Your Brain on Art, “arts and aesthetics can quite literally rewire your brain” - and Mineyama-Smithson’s paintings channel this idea into bold colours. mamimutokyo.com

Some gift ideas for art enthusiasts and culture seekers.

Marquee TV: A World of Performance, OnDemand For the culture devotee, Marquee TV, the leading streaming platform for the arts, o ers an inspired gift. A subscription provides a front-row seat to world-class theatre, opera, dance, music, and ﬁlm from the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Bolshoi Ballet, Glyndebourne Opera and beyond. With unlimited access to a curated library and new shows added regularly, it’s a thoughtful choice for anyone who cherishes the arts. marquee.tv

Ronnie Wood’s Paint It Black Prints Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood has released a new series of limitededition prints. Celebrating his 50 years with the band, the Paint It Black collection blends music history with artistic expression and features Wood’s exceptional portraits of the band. Wood will hand-sign and personalise orders placed before Christmas — a rare chance to gift an artwork with genuine rock ’n’ roll pedigree. shop.ronniewood.com

Herb Lester’s Cult Travel Guides Finally, for the design-conscious traveller, Herb Lester’s illustrated fold-out guides make charming stocking ﬁllers. With over 70 beautifully produced maps exploring the quirkiest corners of the world’s great cities, these guides have earned a devoted following and remain a triumph of independent publishing. herblester.com

SHOW TIME

1 3 2 4 5

INTO THE WOODS BRIDGE THEATRE

In Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s dazzling musical, the Baker, the Baker’s Wife, the Witch, Jack, Little Red Ridinghood, Cinderella and Rapunzel take us beyond happy ever a er to discover what really matters. From 2 December. bridgetheatre.co.uk

MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO

GILLIAN LYNNE THEATRE

The RSC's delightful production of Studio Ghibli's story of kindness, courage and the power of imagination continues its West End run with bookings now until August 2026. totoroshow.com

TOP HAT

QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL

Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Irving Berlin’s eﬀervescent, elegant and exhilarating musical takes up residence on the Southbank for a christmas season. 12 December - 17 January tophat-musical.com

THE NUTCRACKER

ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Sir Peter Wright’s classic production of The Nutcracker, created for Birmingham Royal Ballet and o en referred to as the ﬁnest in the world, comes to the Royal Albert Hall from 29 to 30 December. brb.org.uk

BALLET SHOES

OLIVIER THEATRE

In a house full of dinosaur bones and fossils, three adopted sisters – Pauline, Petrova and Posy – are learning who they are and what they want to be. Noel Steatﬁeld's classic is back. To 21 February 2026. nationaltheatre.org.uk

AMERICAN BEAUTY

Wayne Thiebaud: American Still Life at The Courtauld Gallery is the ﬁrst major presentation of Thiebaud’s work in the United Kingdom. It o ers British audiences a rare opportunity to experience the full force of an artist who transformed the humblest of American subjects—cakes, pies, gumball machines, and hot-dogs—into luminous icons of painterly devotion. Born in 1920 in Mesa, Arizona, Thiebaud came of age during a period of rapid cultural and economic change. After working brieﬂy as a cartoonist and commercial artist, he began painting in the late 1950s and found his mature voice in the following decade. His subjects were resolutely ordinary: confections lined up in bakery cases, sandwiches, and roadside diners. Yet the paintings transcend nostalgia or Pop irony. They are built on a profound understanding of art history, extending from Chardin’s 18th-century still lifes to Cézanne’s structured brushwork and the modern luminosity of Matisse. Thiebaud translated these

Above, Wayne Thiebaud, 1961. Photographer Betty Jean Thiebaud. Collection of the Wayne Thiebaud Foundation. © Wayne Thiebaud VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2025. To the le , Wayne Thiebaud, Candy Counter, 1969, 120.7 x 91.8 cm, Private Collection © Wayne Thiebaud VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2025

traditions into the vernacular of post-war America, creating a body of work that is both celebratory and quietly critical.

The Courtauld’s exhibition is carefully curated to reveal the painter’s dialogue with the still-life tradition. It presents works drawn from across his long career, though the focus remains on the pivotal 1960s when Thiebaud’s style crystallised. In these canvases, the everyday is elevated through disciplined geometry and lush colour. A row of lemon meringue pies sits against a pure ground of white and blue; their shadows stretch too long and too dark to be natural. A display of pastel-tinted cakes forms a rhythmic composition, the brushstrokes thick enough to seem carved rather than painted. The e ect is seductive, but it is also disquieting. The objects are isolated,

regimented, and eerily still—both emblems of plenty and meditations on excess.

Thiebaud’s method relies on control as much as exuberance. His paint is applied with deliberate heft, creating ridges that catch the light like icing. The colours, although candy-sweet, are balanced with subtle tonal harmonies that evoke the precision of classical painting. Light in Thiebaud’s world is never incidental: it deﬁnes and exaggerates, suggesting a Californian glare that ﬂattens surfaces while intensifying hue. The combination produces a heightened realism that is almost abstract, a visual language that makes consumer objects appear simultaneously desirable and distant.

Critics have long debated whether Thiebaud should be considered a Pop

artist. The Courtauld’s exhibition positions him more accurately as a parallel ﬁgure— one who shared Pop Art’s fascination with the banal but retained the moral weight and craftsmanship of traditional painting. His cakes and counters are not mass-produced fantasies but painterly meditations on form, repetition, and memory. Unlike Andy Warhol, Thiebaud painted by hand, and the trace of the artist’s gesture is always present. His subjects may be common, but his approach is devotional. The galleries at Somerset House provide an elegant counterpoint to the American modernity of the work. Displayed alongside the Courtauld’s own collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, Thiebaud’s paintings appear both familiar and startlingly new. The

Above, Wayne Thiebaud in his studio in Sacramento with Professor Paul Beckmann, 1962 or 3. Collection of the Wayne Thiebaud Foundation. © Wayne Thiebaud VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2025. At the top right, Wayne Thiebaud, Three Machines, 1963, Oil on canvas, 76.2 x 92.7cm, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco © Wayne Thiebaud VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2025. Image Photograph by Randy Dodson, courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. On the right, Wayne Thiebaud, Five Hot Dogs, 1961, Oil on canvas, 45.72 x 61cm, Private Collection. © Wayne Thiebaud VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2025. Image credit John Janca

lineage is unmistakable: the attention to light recalls Monet, the structural clarity suggests Cézanne, and the sensuous surfaces echo Bonnard. Yet the mood is distinctly mid-century American. The exhibition reveals how Thiebaud’s vision bridged the Atlantic, translating European painterly traditions into the idiom of diners, counters, and city streets.

A striking feature of the show is its emotional ambiguity. The rows of desserts, so often read as symbols of abundance, carry an undertone of melancholy. Each object is perfectly placed, but together they evoke a sense of order verging on loneliness. The confections seem to wait endlessly for consumption, suspended in a state between o ering and denial. The result is a subtle critique of post-war optimism—a world of plenty that conceals its own emptiness. Thiebaud’s still lifes are at once joyful and elegiac, celebrating surface pleasures while acknowledging the quiet anxiety of consumer life.

THE MOOD IS DISTINCTLY MID-CENTURY AMERICAN

The exhibition highlights Thiebaud’s longevity. He continued painting well into his centenary, reﬁning rather than repeating his motifs. Late works display a softer palette and looser touch, but the essential sensibility remains: the celebration of the everyday as a site of beauty, longing, and reﬂection. His art resists cynicism; it insists that sincerity and pleasure are not incompatible with thought.

What emerges most powerfully from American Still Life is Thiebaud’s enduring belief in the vitality of painting itself. At a time when photography and mass media threatened to eclipse traditional mediums, he rea rmed the relevance of the painter’s eye and hand. The exhibition shows that his subjects—whether a slice of pie or a city intersection—are merely vehicles for exploring perception, composition, and the human desire to ﬁnd meaning in the mundane.

The result is an exhibition of quiet splendour. Every canvas feels both fresh and deliberate, a reminder that art can ﬁnd depth in simplicity. Thiebaud’s paintings turn the commonplace into icons without irony, investing the ordinary with grace and gravity. Seen together, they amount to a meditation on looking, appetite, and the fragile pleasures of modern life.

Wayne Thiebaud: American Still Life confirms the artist’s position not as a footnote to Pop but as one of the great painters of the 20th century—a master of colour, composition, and empathy. His cakes, pies, and pastries, suspended in their radiant stillness, continue to reflect the sweetness and solitude of modern existence. The Courtauld’s exhibition o ers not merely a feast for the eyes but a profound reflection on the art of seeing.

Wayne Thiebaud, Cakes, 1963, Oil on canvas, 152.4 x 182.9cm, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. © Wayne Thiebaud VAGA at ARS, NY and DACS, London 2025. Image Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington.

FESTIVE FAMILY FUN

This Christmas you shall go to the ball with the magical family pantomime, Cinderella

Starring Call The Midwife’s Helen George as The Fairy Godmother, musical theatre sensation and West End and Broadway star Charlie Stemp as Buttons, and TV icon Basil Brush as Baron Basil, Cinderella will be everything you’ve dreamed of. They will be joined by musical theatre performers Michael Lin (Evita) as Dandini, Tom Major (Only Fools and Horses: The Musical) as Prince Charming and panto returner Hope Dawe as Cinderella who played Belle in last year’s show, Beauty and the Beast. Rachel CrocombeLane, Theatre Director at Richmond Theatre said:

“It’s a real privilege to welcome this outstanding cast to Richmond for our 2025 pantomime. Cinderella is a timeless tale and a favourite with our audiences - and with Helen, Charlie and Basil at the heart of it, this year’s production will be nothing short of spectacular. We’re already counting down the days to Christmas.”

Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients Richmond Theatre audiences love, this enchanting panto features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. The clock is ticking — book early to guarantee the best seats.

Cinderella plays at Richmond Theatre from Saturday 6 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. Head to atgtickets.com/Richmond to book your tickets.

ATTUA APARICIO, DIGIT TEXTURE,

PHOTO BY JIXIAO TONG

HOUSE at County Hall

Pottery: contemporary

ceramics

meet everyday life

County Hall Pottery is fast becoming one of London’s most interesting new spaces for contemporary ceramics. Run by ceramicist Emma Louise Payne and artist-teacher Alex Simpson, and supported by County Hall Arts, the project is dedicated to showing how clay can be both creative and practical — part of daily life as well as the art world. Rather than treating ceramics as something fragile or elite, County Hall Pottery brings it down to earth. Its programme includes exhibitions, markets, workshops, and a ‘potter in residence’ scheme that supports makers at all stages of their careers. The aim is simple: to make ceramics accessible, relevant, and connected to how people actually live.

This winter, the gallery presents HOUSE, an exhibition and marketplace that reimagines what ceramics can look like in the home. Instead of displaying

objects on plinths or behind glass, HOUSE transforms the space into a sequence of domestic settings — a kitchen, a living room, a dining area, a hallway, even a bathroom. Each “room” is carefully curated to show how contemporary ceramic pieces can work within everyday spaces. The exhibition features work from 50 ceramic artists from across the UK and beyond, bringing together a wide mix of styles, techniques, and approaches. There are functional pieces such as tableware, lamps, stools, and planters, alongside more playful and sculptural designs — ceramic BBQs, tape dispensers, and bookends among them. The result is a show that highlights the ﬂexibility of clay and the imagination of those who work with it.

HOUSE invites visitors to see ceramics not just as decorative, but as part of the rhythm of daily life — the objects you touch, use, and notice every day. By placing pieces in familiar domestic scenes, the

THE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

THE FLEXIBILITY OF CLAY AND THE IMAGINATION OF THOSE WHO WORK WITH IT

ARJAN VAN DAL

exhibition encourages a di erent kind of viewing. Instead of walking through a white-walled gallery, visitors move through environments that feel lived-in and personal. It’s an approach that makes contemporary craft approachable, even for those who might not usually visit art exhibitions.

The curators’ goal is to change the perception of what a ceramics show can be. HOUSE is about connection as much as it is about display — between makers and users, objects and interiors, creativity and utility. It reﬂects a growing movement in contemporary design that values tactility, sustainability, and longevity over mass production.

— whether as a gift, a design investment, or simply a piece to live with and enjoy.

Visitors are encouraged to take their time in the space, to look closely and consider the materials and processes behind each piece. Clay has a unique physical presence — its textures, colours, and weight connect us to something human and enduring. In a city dominated by the digital and disposable, HOUSE o ers a slower, more grounded experience.

The exhibition follows last year’s successful FEAST show, which explored the relationship between clay, food, and communal dining. FEAST invited visitors to experience ceramics through shared meals and table settings, reminding audiences of the social and sensory side of pottery. HOUSE builds on that idea, expanding it to the wider home. It looks at how clay sits not only on the table, but throughout our living spaces — how it can bring warmth, individuality, and craftsmanship into our surroundings.

Beyond the exhibition itself, County Hall Pottery has been building a reputation as a platform for ceramic artists working in innovative and thoughtful ways. The team’s approach is open and collaborative: they work directly with makers to curate shows

All works in HOUSE are available for purchase, and every display includes clear maker and price information. That openness is deliberate: the organisers want to make collecting handmade pieces easier and more inviting, especially for people new to contemporary craft. For many, it’s a chance to ﬁnd something original and meaningful in time for the festive season

CLAY HAS A UNIQUE PHYSICAL PRESENCE

that have strong narratives and real-world relevance. Through its public programmes, workshops, and markets, the space has quickly become a gathering point for London’s growing ceramics community.

HOUSE continues that momentum, combining creativity with practicality in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. It’s less about grand gestures and more about quiet design — the kinds of objects that subtly transform the spaces we inhabit. Each piece, whether functional or sculptural, speaks to the time, patience, and skill of its maker.

The exhibition also reﬂects a broader shift in how people think about their homes. After years of fast interiors and ﬂeeting trends, there’s a renewed interest in craftsmanship and longevity — in owning fewer things, but better ones. HOUSE taps into that sensibility, showing how ceramics can bring personality and calm into domestic life without feeling precious or inaccessible.

HOUSE is a show about materials and making, but also about how we live with the objects we choose. Whether you’re a collector, a designer, or simply curious, you’ll ﬁnd ideas here that connect craft with everyday experience. HOUSE brings together 50 artists from around the world in a fresh take on contemporary ceramics and the modern home.

SPECIAL EVENt

Late-night shopping evening Thursday 11th December 2025, 6:00 – 9:00pm Discover meaningful, last-minute gifts at the late-night opening. Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and conversations with exhibiting makers as you explore the gallery after hours.

HOUSE continues until 24 December; countyhallpottery.com

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COUNTER CULTURE

Backgammon clubs are emerging all over London. Here are some places to play

Backgammon, one of the world’s oldest board games, has seen a remarkable resurgence in London over the past few years. A new generation of players is being drawn to its perfect blend of strategy, luck, and sociability. Across the capital, from west end wine bars to south east pubs, players are rediscovering the pleasures of a game that sits somewhere between chess and chance. It’s fast, ﬁercely tactical, and irresistibly social — the sort of contest that invites conversation as much as competition. In a world that’s increasingly digital, the tactile appeal of rolling dice and moving handcrafted checkers across a wooden board feels refreshingly analogue. A growing number of clubs host everything from relaxed Sunday meet-ups to full-ﬂedged league tournaments in a small but thriving subculture where beginners and seasoned players mingle over pints and precision play — proof that backgammon’s ancient charm still has a very modern pull. Here are some places to play.

1. FULHAM BACKGAMMON CLUB

Where Amuse Bouche, 51 Parsons Green Lane, SW6 4JA

When 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month

Website fulhambackgammon.com

Vibe Fun and friendly but with some competitive play. Newcomers are welcome; you’ll need to bring your own board. Why go Great for South-West London players looking for a welcoming but structured club.

2. GREENWICH BACKGAMMON CLUB

Where The Richard I, 52/54 Royal Hill, SE10 8RT

When Every Wednesday, 6 pm – 11 pm Website meetup.com/greenwichbackgammon-club

Vibe Very inclusive, all levels welcome; lessons available for beginners. They run a club ladder and link into national rankings. Why go Reliable weekly sessions in South-East London.

3. BACKGAMMON LONDON

Where The Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, N2 9HR When Every Thursday + ﬁrst Monday of each month

Website backgammonlondon.com

Vibe Enthusiast-run, with tournaments and online leagues. Why go Ideal for North London players interested in competitive or tournament backgammon.

4. BGIE – BACKGAMMON IN EALING

Where The Rose & Crown, Church Place, St Mary’s Road, W5 4HN When Every Monday from 6:30 pm

Website bgie.club

Vibe Friendly West London club, a liated with the UK Backgammon Federation.

Why go Perfect for those based in Ealing or nearby, with a regular weekly meet.

5. CUMBERLAND LAWN TENNIS Club – Backgammon Section

Where Cumberland LTC & Hampstead Cricket Club, NW3 When Roughly twice monthly, evenings from 7 pm Website cltc-hcc.com/backgammon-2-2 Vibe A clubhouse environment with mixed skill levels and league matches. Why go More structured and clubstyle setting than a pub meet.

6. LONDON PLAYERS’ BACKGAMMON LEAGUE

Where Matches take place across multiple London venues

When Ongoing seasonal league (two 11-point matches per round) Website londonplayersbackgammonleague.com

Vibe Competitive league format for serious players wanting regular rated play. Why go Ideal if you want to track performance and play structured matches.

7. PALMERS GREEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT

Where The Alfred Herring pub, Palmers Green

When Wednesdays – weekly knockout (£10 entry, with consolation bracket)

Website ukbgf.com/backgammonin-palmers-green

Vibe Tournament-centric; good mix of social and competitive play. Why go Great for North London players wanting a regular tournament night.

8. SAPPHIRE BACKGAMMON

Where Central London (venue announced on Meetup)

When Sundays, every two weeks around 3 pm

Website meetup.com/sapphirebackgammon-in-london

Vibe Relaxed, social, and beginner-friendly.

Why go Excellent choice if you’re learning or prefer a casual atmosphere.

9. CITYGAMMON

Where Various venues – Camden, Clapton, Ealing Common, etc.

When Each local group meets monthly (di erent Mondays per area)

Website sites.google.com/ view/citygammon

Vibe Informal network of small backgammon groups across the city. Why go Perfect if you like variety and want to try di erent local meet-ups.

festive SHOW TIME

From a West End spectacular to family pantos, six festive shows perfect for holiday season

ROBIN HOOD

New Wimbledon Theatre

Ashley Banjo & Diversity lead the cast as Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men in this annual crowd-pleaser created by Crossroads Pantomimes, so that guarantees cool dance moves. Panto regular Steve Arnott promises to be a wonderfully wicked Sheri of Nottingham, while Lauren Hampton (The Great Gatsby) plays Maid Marion and Amelia Walker takes on the role of Spirit of Sherwood. It’s a whole-family show with plenty of magic and comedy.

Dates: 6 December-4 January

Prices: from £15 atgtickets.com

SLEEPING BEAUTY

The London Palladium

With a cast, led by Catherine Tate, Julian Clary, Jon Culshaw and Nigel Havers, it is the 10th-anniversary of this starry pantomime at The London Palladium. The show draws in a West End crowd, with lots of group bookings, so expect innuendo aplenty, especially at an evening performance. Tate, a panto ﬁrst-timer in a seasoned line-up, plays Carabosse, the Wicked Fairy, alongside master of double entendre Julian Clary as King Julian. Big laughs are promised.

Dates: 6 December-11 January

Prices: From £25 lwtheatres.co.uk

PINOCCHIO

Shakespeare’s Globe

One of the most delightful traditional stories comes to Shakespeare’s Globe in the world premiere of this

musical directed by the theatre’s Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes, and with writing and music by Charlie Josephine and Jim Fortune. There is also wonderful puppetry from Peter O’Rourke. Another treat is attending a family show in the setting of The Globe –adding that extra layer of magic, especially after dark. Associated puppetry and drama workshops are taking place over the festive period to coincide with the show.

Dates: 29 November-4 January

Prices: From £5 shakespearesglobe.com

MAMA GOOSE

Stratford East

Classical musician, writer and comedian Vikki Stone is on the creative team at Stratford East this year. Having added clever twists to panto at Lyric Hammersmith and Liverpool Everyman, she knows how to keep the genre fresh. Here, she has joined forces with writer and director Tonderai Munyevu, while music is by Robert Hyman, who has been involved with the Stratford East production for the best part of 30 years. Mama and her golden egg-laying fowl (called Gary) are played by Duane Gooden and Che Walker. Alongside good and bad fairies, there’s a baddie called Tax Man.

Dates: 21 November-3 January

Prices: From £10 stratfordeast.com

CINDERELLA

Theatre Royal Windsor

Windsor’s hugely popular family pantomime returns for its 87th year, and with regular favourites Steven Blakeley, Je rey Harmer

(Ugly Sisters) and Kevin Cruise (Buttons) on the comedy cast, alongside Michael Praed as Baron Hard-Up. Expect big costumes and the grandest ball in a show that bills itself as the ‘royal pantomime’ – and why not when this year’s story is Cinderella?

Dates: 21 November-11 January

Prices: From £19 theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

THE SNOWMAN

Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells

Now in its 28th year, the wonderful stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman is an introduction to dance for a very young audience – and a delight for all the family. The Birmingham Repertory Theatre production at Sadler’s Wells’ Peacock Theatre is directed by Bill Alexander, with music and lyrics by Howard Blake and choreography by Robert North. With ethereal aerial moments – including for the song ‘Walking in the Air’ – the show also features a live orchestra.

Dates: 22 November-4 January

Prices: From £18 sadlerswells.com

THE SNOWMAN AT PEACOCK THEATRE, SADLER’S WELLS. PHOTO: TRISTRAM KENTON

A new poster exhibition at the London Transport Museum celebrates the tube’s Art Deco era

London Transport’s poster art has become iconicis as much about vision and branding as it is about beauty. For more than a century, London’s buses and trains have been more than just ways to get from A to B—they’ve been rolling galleries, their walls and tunnels adorned with some of the most iconic graphic art ever produced. It all began in the early 1900s, when the newly formed Underground Electric Railways Company of London faced a serious problem: not enough passengers. The fragmented, confusing network struggled to win over Londoners. Enter Frank Pick, a sharp-minded administrator with a radical belief that good design could transform public perception. He didn’t just want people to use the Underground; he wanted them to love it. Pick began commissioning artists to design posters that did more than advertise train services. His idea was to use art to

make the Underground part of London’s cultural fabric. From 1908 onwards, stations ﬁlled with striking designs urging Londoners to “Explore London” or “Visit the Zoo by Underground.” The posters were bold, colourful and modern, far removed from the cluttered typography typical of advertising artwork at the time.

Soon some of the biggest names in art and design were getting involved. Edward McKnight Kau er, an American émigré influenced by Cubism and Futurism, produced more than 140 posters for the network. His stylised trees, abstract forms and dynamic shapes turned mundane travel messaging into avant-garde art. Artists including Dora Batty, Charles Paine and even Man Ray followed, helping to define a distinctly modern, metropolitan aesthetic. This fusion of art and public service became a defining feature of the London Underground. The posters didn’t just sell

THE GOLDEN AGE OF POSTER DESIGN

Art deco: the golden age of poster design in the Global Poster Gallery is now showing at the London Transport Museum. Celebrating 100 years of art deco style the exhibition explores how this revolutionary visual arts, design and architectural style influenced London transport’s iconic publicity posters, station architecture, train design and visual identity. Visitors can see original historic transport posters, photography, artworks, short films and ceramics alongside private, national, and international archives, revealing the power of the graphic poster and its influence on mass communication since the 1900s to the modern day. ltmuseum.co.uk

tickets, they sold the idea of London itself as a modern, cultured, and connected city. By the 1930s, when the newly uniﬁed London Passenger Transport Board took over, design had become central to the network’s identity. The elegant Johnston typeface (introduced in 1916) and Harry Beck’s 1933 Tube map completed a visual language that was as clear as it was beautiful.

The spirit of Pick’s vision never disappeared. In 2000, Transport for London revived the tradition with Art on the Underground, commissioning contemporary artists to create posters and installations for Tube stations. Names like Cornelia Parker, Yinka Shonibare and David Shrigley have continued the legacy, bringing fresh ideas to commuters every day.

Today, the poster collection at the London Transport Museum is hailed as one of the ﬁnest design archives in the world. What began as a clever marketing strategy has become a cornerstone of Britain’s visual culture. The posters still speak to a simple truth Frank Pick understood over a century ago: that even the most practical systems can be beautiful, and that good design, when done right, becomes part of the city’s soul.

FOOD & DRINK

LINA STORES

Our favourite Panettone is the Lina Stores traditional one, which follws a traditional Milanese recipe. Other versions might feature chocolate, pistachio, limoncello and other additions, but for us it's the tradtitional raisin and candied peel one all the way. linastores.co.uk

WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news

Wine recommendations for the month

By THE WINE SOCIETY

Ulysse Cazabonne Sauternes, 37.5cl

 £11.50

Made predominantly from semillon, with a splash of sauvignon blanc, the wine is rich, sweet and highly satisfying. Sauternes is a Christmas essential, pairing beautifully with Christmas pudding.

TASTING

London’s food news and most exciting openings this month

By PENDLE HARTE

Alma de Tinto Mencía, Monterrei 2024

 £10.50

With aromas of wildberries, subtle pepper and earth, this light, vibrant red captures the essence of the mencía grape, native to north-west Spain. Its juicy, proﬁle makes it a perfect choice for fans of pinot noir.

The Society’s Exhibition Valdeorras Godello 2024

 £14.50

This exclusive blend from grapes grown on slate soils results in a fresh, layered and complex white, with notes of lemons, white peach, stony minerality and godello’s characteristic weighty, creamy texture, balanced by precise freshness.

Since it was founded back in 1874, The Wine Society has dared to do business a little differently. Bringing together a community united by a shared love of wine, The Society is a co-operative and owned by its members. This means there is no requirement to pump profit into annual dividends or bonuses for shareholders – all profits go back into the business.

The Wine Society welcomes all wine lovers. Become a member today and receive £20 oﬀ toward your ﬁrst order. thewinesociety.com

Mary Christmas

MARY MARY

Mary Mary is a devilishly refined premixed Bloody Mary with an eccentric twist. These small-batch, big flavour cocktails come in two punchy spice levels, – Bit of a Kick and Fiery – both packed with British ingredients and a good lick of artisanal vodka. They’re bold, beautifully balanced and irresistibly moreish. Available in 150ml cans, these firecrackers prove that indulgence doesn’t need an occasion, just ice and garnish. drink-marymary.com

Mince pie heaven

THE NEWT IN SOMERSET

The Newt in Somerset's excellent mince pies are ﬁlled with Bramley apples, candied peels, spices, and a good glug of aged Somerset Cider Brandy, then ﬁnished with a nutty almond and hazelnut crumble topping. Serve them warm with The Newt’s brandy butter. newtinsomerset.com

On

the roof

STANLEY'S

Stanley's at The Chesterﬁeld Mayfair is an elegant year-round rooftop retreat with a fully retractable roof. Stanley’s Signature Cocktails range from the crisp Stanley’s Martini to Thymes in Paris, a fragrant blend of gin, thyme, blackberry liqueur and foam, and the bold Passion for Chilis, a mix of chili-infused vodka, passion fruit and lime. chesterﬁeldmayfair.com

TOP THREE

Bottles for Christmas

CLARIDGE'S GIN

Claridge’s Gin is a masterful blend of delicate chamomile and Yorkshire rhubarb, artfully combined with juniper, caraway, coriander, angelica and liquorice, creating a spirit that is both reﬁned and distinctive. £75

APRES SKATE

THE CHALET

claridges.co.uk

OATNOG

Think Eggnog, but better. Decadent, creamy and dairy-free, Oatnog combines winter spice and buttery rum for a rich, velvety ﬁnish. £1 for every bottle sold will be donated to support children and families in Gaza. £20 blacklinesdrinks.com

ABERFELDY

Cosy Alpine-inspired restaurant, The Chalet restaurant is back at Somerset House. Its easonal menu features winter favourites and warming drinks, perfect for post-ice skating. Decked out in retro ski memorabilia, twinkling fairy lights, (fake) fur and warm wood, The Chalet is a charming, festive experience. Each table is decked out with a raclette machine to serve yourselves DIY style. @jimmyspopup

Aberfeldy Single Malt Scotch Whisky's limited-edition collaboration with Scottish artist Steve Cox celebrates Aberfeldy's Scottish heritage and appreciation for artistry and cra smanship, reﬂecting the spirit of the Highlands. £72 sohowine.co.uk

COPAS

Our favourite Christmas turkey supplier is Copas, whose freerange birds are raised on a family-run farm with the highest welfare standards. Delivered to your door a few days before Christmas, these are the best turkeys we've found for ﬂavour, quality and customer servcie. copasfarmshop.co.uk

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Q You’ve said that many legal welfare standards still fall far short of what most people would consider acceptable. How does Partridge Hill Farm go beyond those minimum standards?

A While I’m not a big enough enterprise for it to be financially viable to be certified as organic, I ensure I keep to all of the Soil Association and RSPCA welfare standards. I look forward to the day when I can justify their certification; in the meantime my customers are happily reassured of my standard through the direct relationship I have with them. I stay in touch with a quarterly newsletter and I process all of the orders and make all the local deliveries myself and by doing so have built a loyal customer base. They have faith in the provenance of their food because of their direct relationship with me. By observing these standards for the sheep, pigs and turkeys on the farm the common theme in animal welfare becomes quite clear; the farmer must enable all species to fulfil their potential. That is that they must be reared in an environment that facilitates their natural behaviour. It is important to consider their mental wellbeing as well as physical. While the idea of taking the mental wellbeing of a turkey might not have occurred to some, to me it is obvious. I shelter the birds overnight in polytunnels for protection from predators and the worst of the weather, but I make sure I’ve five times the minimum space allowance and every trick is used to enrich the enclosure

TOP OF THE (FREE) RANGE

Benjamin Upchurch, the founder of Partridge Hill Farm, on raising ethical standards and what this means for the taste of his turkeys

for when they are in doors with disco balls, hay nets, and play bales etc provided. In the paddock, where they free range, I’ve planted willow trees and dug ponds, as well as grow fodder and cover crops for their interest and distraction. Each month they are allowed into a fresh range to help keep them healthy and happy.

Q What can Londoners buy from you this festive season, and when do they need to get orders in?

A There’s a range of whole or butchered oven ready Christmas turkeys from a flock of organically or conventionally fed free ranging birds. They are all from the Norfolk Black breed, the oldest breed in the country and therefore best suited for outdoor life and as a result the slowest growing. The benefit of this is that they are the most natural breed to keep free range and grow the slowest helping to produce the finest flavour and texture excelling beyond all others in the eating experience. Also available from our freezer are the gammons produced from the rare

CUSTOMERS SAY IT'S THE BEST BIRD THEY'VE EVER EATEN

breed Berkshire Pigs used earlier this year to clear last season’s turkeys and to prepare the fodder seed beds.

Orders have been arriving all year but there’s still plenty of stock, though the smaller ones do sell out ﬁrst. Your meat will be delivered on a prearranged date direct from the farm to your door.

Q What makes your turkeys di erent from the rest?

A My USP is about the eating experience. There genuinely is a di erence between my Norfolk Black breed, slow reared outdoors, dry aged birds. I’ve got countless testimonials from first time customers telling me it’s the best bird they’ve ever eaten. They really are something special. They have more colour, a firmer texture that doesn't crumble when it’s carved, and a flavour that modern breeds have forgotten about.

07986 175 612 / partridgehill.co.uk

BENJAMIN ON THE FARM

PLANT LIFE

Is Bubala London’s favourite vegetarian restaurant? A new cookbook lifts the lid on some of its best dishes

Sprouts With Dates And Harissa Crumb

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• olive oil, for drizzling

• 130g (4½oz) Brussels sprouts

• rapeseed (canola) oil, for frying

• 2 tbsp capers, drained

• 2 tsp lemon juice

• 10 sprigs of dill

For the harissa crumb

• 2½ tsp rapeseed oil

• 20g (¾oz) panko breadcrumbs

• 15g (½oz) rose harissa

• sea salt and freshly ground

• black pepper

For the mustard-whipped tofu

• 290g (10¼oz) pack tofu, drained

• 85g (3oz) Dijon mustard

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 20g (¾oz) piece of white onion

• 5 tbsp sherry vinegar

• 1½ tsp salt

• 1½ tsp cracked black pepper

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• zest of ¼ unwaxed lemon

METHOD

• 30–35g (1–1¼oz) medjool dates, stones (pits) removed

1 For the harissa crumb, heat 2½ teaspoons of rapeseed oil in a frying pan, add the breadcrumbs and toast until golden brown. Stir in the harissa.

2 Season and set aside to cool. For the mustard-whipped tofu, put all the ingredients and 6 tablespoons of water in a blender and blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning. It should be punchy.

3 Chop the dates in half, and each half into thirds. Dress with a little olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.

4 Bring a small pan of salted water to the boil. Halve the sprouts and blanch them for 45 seconds to 1 minute, then scoop out and refresh in a bowl of ice-cold water. Squeeze the capers to remove as much brine as possible and pat dry.

5 Heat 5cm of rapeseed oil in a heavybased pan until it reaches 180ºC on a digital probe. Drop the sprouts into the hot oil and deep fry, turning, until deep golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.

6 Brieﬂy fry the capers in the hot oil until they stop sizzling and turn crispy, then scoop out and dry on a paper towel.

7 Toss the fried sprouts with the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the harissa crumb, the crispy capers, the dill sprigs and the chopped dates.

8 To serve, spoon about 4–5 tablespoons of the whipped tofu onto a large serving plate and spread it over the base. Pile the sprouts on top and sprinkle more harissa crumb over to ﬁnish.

Mother Hummus

Serves 6–8 (Makes 520g/1lb 2½oz)

Over the years, having worked at some of the best Middle Eastern restaurants and tested pretty much every single hummus recipe there is, we believe this is the winner. But everyone else feels the same about theirs too. For us, it is about the temperature (cool), texture (completely smooth) and using the best tahini possible. The bicarb (baking soda) helps break down the natural pectins in the chickpeas (garbanzo beans), resulting in a quicker cook time and so er chickpeas. This recipe can be simply halved for the recipes that follow. It keeps covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

INGREDIENTS

• 140g (5oz) dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

• pinch of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp lemon juice

• ½ tsp cumin seeds

• scant tsp table salt

• 55g (2oz) tahini

• sea salt and freshly ground

• black pepper

METHOD

1 Soak the chickpeas for at least 6 hours or overnight in a large container, with three times their volume in water. The next day, strain o the water, cover with fresh water (again three times the volume), adding the bicarbonate of soda; see note, above. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down and simmer until the chickpeas are cooked. They should be completely soft with no bite, with most of the chickpea skins coming away from the peas. This should take around 2 hours.

2 When you drain them, make sure to keep the cooking liquid, or aquafaba. You will need about 110ml (3¾ﬂ oz) aquafaba for this recipe. You should end up with about 280g (10oz)

3 cooked chickpeas.

4 Put the cooked chickpeas, garlic, lemon juice, cumin seeds, measured aquafaba and salt in a blender and blitz until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender jug a few times. This could take 5–10 minutes.

5 Add the tahini and blend for a few more minutes, then taste and check for seasoning, adjusting as needed. The hummus should have a pillowy, silkysmooth texture. It can be a little thinner than desired at this stage as it will thicken in the fridge.

Middle-Eastern Inspired Vegetarian Recipes to Share by Marc Summers (Quadrille, RRP £28) photography © Patricia Niven

Halloumi with Black Seed Honey

Serves 2-3

This was a dish that, for all its simplicity, took approximately 16 attempts before we were happy with it. The combination of cheese and honey is a winner but we wanted to take it to the next level. A er trying lots of diﬀerent honeys and spices, and before giving up, we tried black seed honey and the rest is history. The honey recipe here will make enough for roughly 2 halloumi blocks –perfect for a larger serving size if you want to double the recipe, and it’s also delicious with a cheeseboard.

INGREDIENTS

• 225–250g (8–9oz) block halloumi

• 1 tsp lemon juice and zest of

• 1 unwaxed lemon

• ﬂaky sea salt

For the black seed honey

• 1¾ tsp coriander seeds

• 2½ tsp nigella seeds

• 4 tsp whole black peppercorns

• ½ tsp urfa chilli ﬂakes

• 125g (4½oz) clear blossom honey

• Preheat the oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan/350ºF/Gas mark 4.

METHOD

1 Put the ground pistachios, ground almonds, sugar, mastic, baking powder and ⅛

teaspoon of salt into a large mixing bowl and mix well, just enough to combine everything together. Add the preserved lemon, lemon zest, vanilla, honey, egg and butter and give everything a good mix, using a wooden spoon or spatula. The mixture should be slightly sticky.

2 For the black seed honey, toast the coriander seeds in a dry frying pan (skillet) until fragrant and just changing colour, then transfer to a pestle and mortar with the nigella seeds, peppercorns and chilli ﬂakes and roughly

grind. Combine with the honey. Set aside. The recipe makes more than you need, so keep the remainder in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 3 months.

3 Heat a frying pan (skillet) over a medium heat, add the halloumi and fry on all sides until turning golden. Transfer to a baking tray and heat in the oven for 15 minutes.

3 Drizzle with the lemon juice and generously spoon over the black seed honey (about 3 tablespoons is perfect). Sprinkle over a little lemon zest and a pinch of sea salt to serve.

Order for home delivery or click & collect from one of our locations across the South East

GLOBAL BITES

Canary Wharf’s food scene is one of the best in the capital, with more than 80 restaurants, cafes and bars serving cuisine and drinks from around the globe

BARBARELLA

THE VENUE HAS A GORGEOUS VIEW OF THE CITY SKYLINE

At Roe, sister to the acclaimed Fallow St James’s and FOWL, with a large southfacing terrace, marvel at what ‘conscious culinary creativity’ can taste like, with seasonal ingredients taking centre stage. Just a few doors away, Mildreds on the Wharf awaits. All the vibrant, plant-based dishes that have made Mildreds a London favourite since 1988 are here – and for a limited time only, they've set up shop in Canary Wharf. At Hawksmoor Wood Wharf, found in a striking floating pavilion, the award-winning steak restaurant is serving British pasture-raised beef and sustainable seafood with a great cocktail bar. New to the Wharf is Nora, a Turkish restaurant inspired by Istanbul. Founded by brothers Ozgur and Sidar Akyuz, Nora blends the street-cart culture of the city with dining. Baked breads like sesame and caraway pide, meze platters and charcoal-grilled meats and fish from British pastures and waters are rooted in Ottoman-era recipes. The wine list spans producers from across the former Ottoman region, including those preserving Turkish vines, while raki-based cocktails capture the spirit of Istanbul's dining culture. The interior features midcentury furnishings, Anatolian textiles and lighting, o ering an escape filled with flavours and storytelling through every dish. Barbarella, in a gorgeous spot right by Eden Dock, transports diners into a 1970s Roman cinema dream. With mirrored ceilings, seating and a tropical-jungle aesthetic. The menu features wood-fired

Neapolitan pizzas, pasta, tru e spaghetti and a T-bone steak that makes dining here feel theatrical. Cocktails, twists on Italian classics and a Brunello di Montalcino wine list add to the indulgence. During the festive season, Barbarella feels like a holiday party under lights, a place where food and fun go hand-in-hand. Nestled under the railway on Canary Wharf’s North Dock, Kricket’s modern take on authentic regional cuisine represents a truly unique space that is open for lunch and dinner. At Blacklock, enjoy a leisurely lunch or evening feast in a welcoming atmospheric spot. You’ll feel transported back in time to the 17th century chophouses. If you enjoy dinner and drinks, there’s Boisdale of Canary Wharf, which certainly knows how to put one on. The venue has a gorgeous view of the city skyline, which you’ll notice only if you can drag your eyes away from sparkling live performances including A Very Rat Pack Christmas and Sinatra Christmas Lunch; there’s something to suit all tastes. That goes for food, too, which has plenty of Scottish ﬂair. Across the Canada Square Park, you’ll ﬁnd, The Ivy in the Park which boasts a menu that spans breakfast, brunch, and dinner, bringing relaxed all-day dining to this lively London neighbourhood. At Crossrail Place, surrounded by the waters of North Dock, allow time to walk through the spectacular Crossrail Roof Garden before settling down at the dock-facing Big Easy and Pergola on the Wharf. If you’re strolling quayside, you’ll pass a number of enticing waterside pitstops, ranging from Ding Tai Fung, Lina Stores, Sticks n ‘ Sushi and Notes to Ippudo and Ole & Steen.

MILDREDS

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

Casa Felicia

Dining Napoli style in Queen’s Park

By PENDLE HARTE

There’s a lot of red at Casa Felicia, from the striking painted shopfront to a curtained private dining space inside. It reﬂects the restaurant’s Campari theme – this is designed to be a ‘soulful Italian kitchen’ with a focus on handmade pasta (just semola and water), and an ethos of simplicity. One well-chosen wine by the glass, a small menu, a friendly vibe. It’s only been open for a week when we visit, but it’s busy and feels established. The menu is in

Italian, with minimal detail, and we take advice from the charismatic manager to create our feast. He insists that we try “a special bread that we only have in Naples”, pane cafone, which has a golden, crispy crust and a lovely, almost cakey, texture, and comes with sweet and moreish salami Napoli. Then there’s puntarelle salad, with artichoke, parmesan, pear and hazelnut. Puntarelle turns out to be an Italian variant of chicory – and the salad is an intriguing blend of sharp, sweet and mustardy. Squid skewers are citrussy and minty with lots of chilli, while vitello tonnato, a classic dish of thinly sliced veal

“Potato doughnuts, eaten with your ﬁngers as a Neapolitan street food dessert”

with a sauce of tuna and caper, is creamy and rich, with an extra delicious large caper that almost fizzes in my mouth. Linguine nerano – the iconic courgette pasta dish from the Amalfi coast – is a highlight: creamy, melty and herby, a decadent creation that elevates the humble courgette into a rich, textured treat. From the specials board there’s cotoletta Bolognese, a meat feast featuring a vast veal cutlet topped with thin slices of mortadella and a coating of melted cheese. This is not for the faint-hearted but oozes flavour and depth. For pudding we love the potato doughnuts, designed to be eaten with your fingers as a Neapolitan street food dessert, and dipped into a heavenly mix of mascapone and dulce de leche, and we also try the house tiramisu which is impossibly light and frothy. To finish, a freezer-cold bottle of Limoncello is produced and left on the table. “In Naples, we leave it there for you to help yourself,” we’re told. Lucky Queen’s Park.

Authentic Italian, focused on Naples

FOOD

A stylish red and white look DECOR

Pasta £16-£22

Secondi £23- £85 (for two)

PRICE

Authentic, characterful, fun

By PENDLE HARTE

C O SMIC

girl

An Interview with Ryan Tully

Showroom Manager at Prestons Guildford

Ryan describes his experience working with Rolex at Prestons Guildford, discusses his favourite Rolex watches and offers his advice on how to start your Rolex journey.

What do you enjoy most about working with Rolex at Prestons Guildford?

I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with Rolex at Prestons for just over three years at our showroom in Guildford. I thoroughly enjoy my role at Prestons, as no two days are the same, being an Official Rolex Retailer is exciting, and it makes a great working environment. I am delighted that my career has taken this path as I have always had a passion for luxury timepieces and for me, a Rolex is the ultimate watch.

One of the most enjoyable elements of my role is guiding our clients through the collection and seeing their reaction.

“One of the most enjoyable elements of my role is guiding our clients through the collection and seeing their reaction”

A Rolex watch is often used to commemorate a special occasion, perhaps a birthday or an anniversary, it is wonderful to help create these memories and be a part of such a special event. I honestly feel our showroom is the perfect place to not only experience Rolex wristwatches but also to learn more about what makes the brand and their collections so special, it truly embodies their values.

What makes the Prestons Guildford experience so special?

Prestons Guildford is a truly beautiful showroom, and the team and I feel incredibly fortunate to work in such an inspiring space. We love welcoming both new and returning clients, inviting them to sit down with us in a warm, relaxing, and comfortable environment. Here, we can take the time to guide them through the collection and truly understand what they are looking for.

Whether a client is beginning their Rolex journey or returning after many years, we aim to make every visit personal to them. For many, a visit to our showroom becomes a cherished memory in its own right. That’s why it’s so important to us that every interaction feels as special as it deserves to be.

On occasion, we’ve even arranged private moments within the Rolex area to help clients surprise loved ones and mark meaningful milestones, creating memories that last well beyond the day itself.

What advice would you offer to a client looking to start their journey with Rolex?

Every client’s journey with Rolex is unique. I always encourage clients to take their time and enjoy the process. Choosing a Rolex is such a personal decision, and it often marks an important moment, whether that’s a career milestone, a special occasion, or simply something they’ve been thinking about for a long time.

hen rst meet one o o r clients, it is important to me to understand why they are looking for a Rolex watch, what their lifestyle is like, and whether there are any particular colours or metals they enjoy wearing, I then present them with a selection of watches I think might meet their nee s, an e or together to n the perfect one for them.

One of my favourite parts of the role is hearing the stories behind each visit. Recently, a client came to us to celebrate a huge achievement in his new business. He wanted a watch that would re ect the etermination it ha ta en to get there, a lasting reminder of his success. Together, we chose the Rolex Datejust 41mm, a versatile timepiece he could wear for any occasion, accompanying him seamlessly throughout each part of his day. Moments like these are what make my job so meaningful, helping someone choose a watch that will forever carry the story of their special milestone.

Do you often assist clients in finding gifts for their loved ones?

At Prestons Guildford, some of the most memorable moments we share are when a client comes to us in search of the perfect gift. Whether it’s a wedding, a milestone birthday, a well-earned retirement, or an anniversary, these occasions call for something extraordinary, and few gifts are as timeless as a Rolex. Built to be worn and cherished for decades, a Rolex becomes not just a gift, but a lasting symbol of love, achievement, and legacy.

One recent celebration stands out. A client visited us to mark a wedding anniversary. Her husband had long dreamed of owning a Rolex Yacht-Master, and she wanted to surprise him with the watch he had always desired. We worked with her to create a private, unforgettable moment, welcoming her husband and their son into our showroom, where the watch was waiting. The look on his face was priceless; it was a memory that will live on for the family, and for us, for years to come.

O r sho room o ers the er ect bac ro for these celebrations, with discreet VIP lounges designed to host private unveilings and special presentations. Every detail is considered, every moment elevated, ensuring the gift-giving experience is every bit as special as the occasion itself.

What was the first thing that you learnt about Rolex?

One o the er rst things learnt abo t Rolex as the amount of care and precision that goes into each and every timepiece. All Rolex watches are assembled by hand, and each is built with an incredible focus on quality and detail. This understanding shaped how I approach the brand in the showroom, by focusing on the story, the craftsmanship, and the legacy that make Rolex truly distinctive.

remember ring m rst ee on the sho room oor, a client came in earing a intage bmariner that had been passed down from their grandfather. As they spoke about its history, I realised that a Rolex often carries far more than its technical excellence, it hol s ersonal signi cance an a sense o heritage That moment stayed with me and has shaped how I’ve approached the brand ever since, with a respect not just for the watch itself, but for what it represents to the person wearing it.

Do you have a favourite Rolex watch?

There are so many Rolex models I admire, each o ering their o n ni e st le, nction, and personality. If I had to choose just one, it would be the Explorer II. It’s a truly exceptional timepiece and one I’ve recommended to many of my clients over the years. I’m drawn to its understated elegance and versatility; it’s a watch that can transition e ortlessl rom a to night, casual to formal. For me, the watch perfectly re ects m ersonal st le s a ro essional mo el, the Explorer II carries a subtly sporty edge, complemented by its distinctive design details and striking black dial. It’s a true classic; timeless, functional, and undeniably sophisticated.

“As

“As a professional model, the Explorer II carries a subtly sporty edge, complemented by its distinctive design details and striking black dial”

a professional model, the Explorer II carries a subtly sporty edge, complemented by its distinctive design details and striking black dial”

Explorer II

Rolex Explorer II

If you have an enquiry regarding the Rolex collection, or the service of your Rolex watch, we encourage you to contact our team online, by telephone on 01483 454 091 or to visit us in-store. The team and I look forward to welcoming both new and existing clients to our showroom.

For further information please visit: prestonsdiamonds.co.uk

Rolex

TA LEGACY OF

Ensure your Rolex performs at its peak with Rolex World Service at the Watches of Switzerland Group

he Rolex moniker is synonymous with precision, luxury and enduring excellence. The brand’s reputation as one of the biggest names in Swiss watchmaking has been built on uncompromising standards – and protecting that legacy means only a select few are trusted to work on its timepieces.

“OUR ROLEXTRAINED WATCHMAKERS ARE ACCREDITED BY THE BRAND”

At the Watches of Switzerland Group, we are proud to honour this legacy by being part of Rolex World Service, the brand’s network of Authorised Service Centres. Our Rolex-trained watchmakers are accredited by the brand, ensuring every timepiece continues to perform with exceptional accuracy and reliability for years to come.

Selected Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland showrooms across the UK now o er the opportunity to have your Rolex serviced in-house by our Rolex-trained watchmakers, all of whom are dedicated to caring for your watch in line with the brand’s exacting standards. These Authorised Service Centres mirror the standards of Rolex’s own workshops and from routine maintenance to intricate movement servicing, every watch receives meticulous care and attention.

Every Rolex service begins with a thorough inspection of the case, bracelet and movement. Our highly skilled watchmakers diagnose any issues and replace worn components with genuine Rolex parts where necessary, before cleaning and reassembling the movement, and rigorously testing the completed timepiece for precision, accuracy and waterprooﬁng. Each timepiece that receives a full service in one of our Rolex Authorised Service Centres leaves with a two-year international service guarantee for the work, reﬂecting the shared commitment of Rolex and the Watches of Switzerland Group to performance and longevity.

For our clients, seeing this process in one of our showrooms is a rare insight into the complexities of watchmaking and servicing for one of the biggest names in horology. It elevates the experience of owning and wearing a Rolex, highlighting the decades of excellence on which the brand has been built, and demonstrating the high standards that its founder, Hans Wilsdorf, established over a century ago.

At the Watches of Switzerland Group, being a part of the Rolex World Service ensures every watch continues to perform with unparalleled precision and reliability, ready to accompany its owner through the next chapter of life.

watches-of-switzerland.co.uk mappinandwebb.com goldsmiths.co.uk

SHEAR LUXE DIOR

The Dioralps après-ski ankle boot is a winter statement. The ecru lambskin shearling upper is subtly contrasted by camel suede goatskin details and two-tone laces that cross to achieve an ideal ﬁt. £1,400 dior.com

CHELSEA GIRL ARIAT

The Fatbaby Chelsea Cozy Western Boot wraps your feet in cosy shearling and looks super cute to boot. It'll keep you toasty whether you're running out for more ﬁ rewood or heading to the pub. ariat.com

TOUGH LOVE SOREL

The Torino boot features premium waterproof details, insulation, faux fur collar and a cosy microﬂ eece lining to keep feet warm and dry. Underfoot, the rugged moulded rubber outsole provides traction and stability. £150 sorelfootwear.co.uk

DRY RUN PAJAR

The Galaxy Mini from Canadian brand Pajar features waterproof man-made uppers and durable rubber outsoles. Perfect for stomping in snow, or pounding icy pavemnets. £115 schuh.co.uk

SNOW QUEEN PENELOPE CHILVERS

Penelope Chilvers has teamed up with Olympic snowboarder Jamie Anderson for this version of her popular and stylish Cosmos suede boot in tan and ecru. £269 penelopechilvers.com

By PENDLE HARTE

HADES Joni Mitchell knit, £240 hades-shop.co.uk

BAUKJEN

SPECIALISTS

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare

By PENDLE HARTE

AVEDA

Aveda has delivered new heights in plant-powered volume with the

LEMON AID

EDITOR’S

HAIR HERO GO WILD

WILD ENGLAND

Wild Englandoﬀers a beautifully curated range of organic, reﬁllable toiletries and home fragrances that blend indulgence with integrity, perfect for thoughtful gi ing and festive hosting. The scents are fresh, natural and comforting. wildengland.uk

BRONNLEY

Bronnley’s ﬁne-milled Lemon Soap was created over 100 years ago, and it still looks just like a real lemon, conforming to the original fruit shape, right down to the grainy texture. Bronnley has a warrant as a Supplier of Soap to the King, so you’re in good company with this one. bronnley.co.uk

BLUE TIT LONDON

The B-Corp salon that delivers A-grade service

It’s a big achievement for any business to become B-Corp certiﬁed. And for a hair salon, especially a new one, that means a lot of elements need to be considered carefully. Blue Tit London is a growing group of salons all over the capital, many of them franchised, and they are all committed to maintaining the B-Corp status.

I have come to the newest outpost in Hammersmith. It’s a lovely shop on Shepherds Bush Road that’s been beautifully ﬁtted out by owner Stefania, all with an eye on sustainability. Muted shades of dusky pink and putty, plus stylish pendant lights, create an elegant feel that’s nothing like the clinical look of some salons: this could almost be a cocktail bar. Stefania looks at my hair and agrees that it’s become too blonde after years of highlights. What I need, she says, are some lowlights to take away the yellowness, plus a few lighter strands to lift it. She applies the colours quicky and precisely, leaving it to develop for a while. After washing it, she applies a toner and a treatment, then gives me a quick and expert trim before blowdrying it just right.

BOXOUT A gift voucher makes a thoughtful Christmas present, o ering someone the chance to unwind with a gorgeous salon experience. With stylish Blue Tit locations all across London, they can choose the perfect spot to relax.

BLUE TIT LONDON

115 Shepherd’s Bush Road, W6 bluetitlondon.com

Photograph by

Oladimeji Odunsi

By PENDLE HARTE

LIFE CHANGE

CHD Living: care with purpose, joy and possibility

At CHD Living, care is never just a serviceit’s a relationship. It’s the morning cup of tea shared with a smile. The ﬁrst steps taken after rehabilitation. The moment a family feels, for the ﬁrst time in weeks, that their loved one is safe and truly seen.

For over 40 years, our familyowned group has supported people across Surrey, Hampshire and South London through every chapter of life’s journey. From residential care homes to pioneering neurorehabilitation centres and highly personalised home care services, we o er a complete spectrum of support tailored to individual needs.

But what truly sets us apart is our guiding philosophy: Creating Happiness Daily. It’s more than a motto. It’s our commitment to making every day brighter, warmer and more meaningful for those we care for.

TAILORED SUPPORT AT EVERY STAGE

Whether someone is recovering from a stroke, living with dementia, or simply needs a helping hand to stay independent at home, CHD Living provides specialist care that adapts as life changes. Our joined-up services are built around the individual, so no matter where someone starts their journey with us, we can walk with them every step of the way.

WHERE CLINICAL EXPERTISE MEETS EVERYDAY JOY

Our teams bring together medical knowledge and emotional intelligence in equal measure. At our rehabilitation centres, therapists help people rebuild strength, conﬁdence and independence after life-changing injuries. In our care homes, teams go above and beyond to provide not only practical support but heartfelt companionship. And across our home care division, we empower people to continue

living where they feel happiest, surrounded by the memories and comforts of home.

STORIES THAT STAY WITH US

Behind every care plan is a story. A son who sees his father smile again. A grandmother who takes part in a painting class for the ﬁrst time in years. A couple who reunite for an anniversary lunch organised by the team. These moments are why we do what we do. This winter, we are proud to be growing our CHD Living family with the opening of two brand-new care homes: Woking Care Home, situated in Pyrford, and Wey Meadows in Elstead. At CHD Living, we don’t just care for people - we care about them. Every day is a chance to bring comfort, spark a smile, and create lasting memories. That’s what Creating Happiness Daily means to us.

To ﬁnd out more about our services, or to register interest in our new homes, visit www.chdliving.co.uk, or call 01428 772 469.

CLASSIC ELEGANCE

CARL HANSEN & SØN

Carl Hansen & Søn’s Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel collection now includes the Vita Sofa and the ND55 Coﬀee Table, adding to the extensive collection of Danish classics.

Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store London 48A Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP carlhansen.com

inside this section

THE TOP TEN: DECORATIONS p88

DESIGN NEWS p91

A EUROPEAN APARTMENT p92

THE KARTELL LEGACY p108

THE CHRISTMAS SOFA p120

DEC the HALLS

10 of the best...

RAJ TENT CLUB

These glass decorations give a convincing impression of twisted balloons, with a Jeﬀ Koons vibe. £12 each rajtentclubshop.com

FERM LIVING

Ferm Living’s Chritsmas collection revisits familiar traditions through a contemporary perspective. Rooted in organic forms, each object reﬂ ects the contradiction of being both seasonal and enduring. Colours are muted and tasteful, as you’d expect from this Danish brand. my-furniture.com

MERI

This Christmas Candy garland features 3D colourful paper sweets, paper candy canes and fan designs, it’s perfect to add a playful, nostalgic touch to your decorations. £15 merimeri.co.uk

KOIBIRD

Crochet artist Kate Jenkins has created a collection of tinned ﬁ sh ornaments for Koibird. Each piece embodies the artist’s celebrated fusion of humour, cra smanship, and conceptual design. £55 koibird.com

MERI

PENDLE HARTE

DB CERAMIC

Deborah Brett recommends dotting these bud vases in clusters of three, grouping them in colour themes to create a beautiful tablescape. There’s no better way to display winter berries and foliage. dbceramic.co.uk

BLOOM & WILD

The Luxury Woodland Wreath features pinecones, berries, and delicate ﬂ owers. £55 bloomandwild.com

CAPITAL GARDENS

Nothing says Christmas quite like a real tree. The distinctive fragrance, sparkling decorations, and glowing lights create the heart of a festive home. Capital Gardens know how important it is to ﬁ nd the perfect tree and bring you the very best in quality and choice. Step into their Garden Centres and discover their Christmas Trees, decorations and lights. capitalgardens.co.uk

MOLLY MAHON

Molly Mahon’s tapestry kits and block print sets, vibrant linens and hand-printed paper stationery transform simple rituals into small luxuries. mollymahon.com

ST-GERMAIN X GLASSETTE

This limited-edition festive collection brings together ST-GERMAIN Elderﬂ ower Liqueur with beautifully cra ed pieces from independent British makers as chosen by Laura Jackson. From £150 glassette.com

Amsterdam-based design house &Klevering is having a moment –and these hand-blown decorations are made from borosilicate glass, each one unique. Set of three, £24.95 scp.co.uk

PRETTY GREEN

LICK

Lick's Colour Edit for 2026 features eight expertly curated colours. Nostalgic primary colours have been reimagined with a grownup, reﬁ ned feel and are joined by rejuvenating greens and grounding neutrals. The result is a palette that feels joyful yet considered. lick.com

12 SHADES

BIRDIE FORTESCUE X FENWICK & TILBROOK

NEWS

Updates from the industry IN THE

Compiled by PENDLE HARTE

LIGHT WORK

HUMANSCALE

Birdie Fortescue has launched a paint collection in collaboration with Fenwick & Tilbrook. The 12 shades are designed to harmonise with Birdie’s signature style of timeless, cra ed interiors. birdiefortescue.co.uk

SCROLL TIME

PARLOUR BY LAURA STEPHENS

Parlour by Laura Stephens is a new furniture design studio from interior designer Laura Stephens.The debut piece is the Scroll Chair - a sculptural, statement armchair inspired by a 1930s antique. laurastephens.co.uk

The Nova from Humanscale is the perfect task light to function as both an ergonomic task light with a charging base and stunning bedside light. Its halo eﬀect works as a ﬂattering light for Zoom calls too. humanscale.com

NEW WEAVE

CHRISTOPHER FARR

Christopher Farr's rug collection at SCP includes pieces from Devon-based weaver Nancy Nicholson. Her Afghan ﬂatweaves designs are made using a balanced weave technique. scp.co.uk

Colour WAYS

Absolutely chats to Dominic Myland about using paint to transform an Edwardian mansion ﬂat in north London

Q One of the ideas for the ﬂat was to create a ‘European’ feel. What does that mean for colour?

A It meant embracing bold and light colours that create a feeling of warmth and conﬁdence. In the kitchen, Huguenot ™ No.60, a crimson red, was chosen for the kitchen cabinetry to contrast with the black granite worktops. I then suggested Rose Theatre™ No.30, a greyish, neutral with slight red undertones to help carry light through the space.

Q Can you explain the overall scheme for the project?

A Ruth created a clear vision for the scheme of an elegant “European apartment”, this was achieved by harnessing the natural light and through a considered use of bold colour. Each room has its own mood, but

there’s a ﬂow throughout the home in tone and ﬁnish of colours, from chalky neutrals to deep reds, robust blues and olive greens.

Q Colours are used in groups or pairs throughout - how does that come about?

A Choosing colour combinations can be an intuitive process, but it also depends on how light moves around the space and the personality you want the room to have. In the primary bedroom, Lemon Salts™ No.41, a pale yellow was chosen for the walls and soon became Ruth and her husband’s favourite colour in the house. We paired it with Maugham White™ No.2 on the ceiling to brighten the room and a traditional muted green paint, Mint Street™ No.95, to bring a natural, earthy depth, whilst remaining light and not feeling heavy.

“Choosing colour combinations can be an intuitive process, but it also depends on the light”

Q What original features of the ﬂ at were inﬂuential in choosing colours?

A The previous owner, a French actress, fi lled with space theatrical details, from feathered slippers and top hats to family heirlooms. The unique history of the flat encouraged some of the lively colour choices. Before the kitchen was even renovated, Ruth already had our strong red Huguenot™ No.60 paint in mind for the cabinetry. In addition, the restored parquet and terrazzo floors, set the tone for warmer, more grounded shades like Egerton Place™ No.35.

Q What do people generally get wrong when choosing colours?

A A common mistake is picking a colour based on the shade you see on a sample

pot and not testing it in the context of light or texture of the space. We always advise testing paint choices in a space ﬁ rst to see how they appear in diﬀerent lights throughout the day.

Q How do you know when the colours are right?

A You’ll know the colours are right when it enhances your space and nods to your personal style. When the colours feel balanced the tones work with the light, the finish enhances the surfaces, and the overall atmosphere reflects your vision. The right colour should feel effortless, transforming a room without overwhelming it.

mylands.com

MAUGHAM WHITE NO.2 (WALLS) AND LONG ACRE NO.102 (WOODWORK)

MAUGHAM WHITE NO.2

HUGUENOT ™ NO.60, A CRIMSON RED, WAS CHOSEN FOR THE KITCHEN CABINETRY TO CONTRAST WITH THE BLACK GRANITE WORKTOPS

Ruth Corbett

When interiors editor and journalist Ruth Corbett set out to renovate her Edwardian mansion ﬂat, she knew colour would be central to its transformation and she turned to Dominic Myland for guidance.

With over 25 years of experience writing about some of the UK’s most stylish homes, Ruth brought a clear vision to the project: to create an elegant “European apartment” with light, space, and bold use of colour. Early conversations with Dominic helped her reﬁne the palette for key rooms, but achieving her vision required a complete refurbishment, including new electrics, plumbing, plastering, and glazing before painting could begin.

Mylands’ products were also used on the home’s original parquet floors. After sanding, Earth Oil Castanea was chosen as a warm, mid-range finish. In the guest bathroom, original terrazzo flooring was uncovered and restored. The kitchen floor, the only one without original parquet, now features terracotta tiles chosen to complement the rest of the flat while providing a change in texture.

Ruth said: “ Our previous house’s colour palette was muted, so I’ve loved bringing bolder shades to this place. Dominic Myland carries on the family tradition of perfection in paint, still creating colours that are lustrous, ﬂawless and with guaranteed quality. I love the romance of the story behind this paint”

“I’ve loved bringing bolder shades to this place”

Danish classics

Carl

Hansen & Søn expands its Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel collection with the Vita sofa and ND55 coﬀee table

Nanna Ditzel and Jørgen Ditzel are two of the biggest names in Danish design in recent times, and their bold and innovative approach to design broke with the strict functionalism of the 1950s. The couple designed furniture that encouraged play, freedom of movement and discussion. The Vita Sofa and the ND55 Coﬀee Table are a testament to this curiosity, and are now joining Carl Hansen & Søn’s extensive collection of Danish classics.

ND52 VITA SOFA

Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel’s three children had a major influence on the couple’s approach to design, and the sofa from 1952 is named after their daughter Vita. The sculptural shape reflects the Ditzels’ experimental approach with its floating, open shell that seems to balance freely on an elegant wooden frame. The sofa’s organic design idiom, with its soft shapes, high back, and armrests, creates a sense of serenity that generously invites you to take a seat. Beautiful from every angle, the exposed solid wood frame lends the sofa an understated look and with its tight upholstery, the sofa is effortlessly stylish

and inviting - suitable for both private homes and the contract market.

The Vita Sofa is made by the skilled cabinetmakers and upholsterers at Carl Hansen & Søn using responsibly sourced materials, and the seat cushions, buttons and backrests are meticulously hand-upholstered in either fabric or leather.

ND55 COFFEE TABLE

The ND55 Coffee Table from 1955 is designed with a playful approach to functionality. At first glance, it appears to be a simple coffee table - but a closer look reveals a beautifully integrated, practical pullout feature. The fixed extension leaf can be easily lifted up and pushed in towards the centre of the table to create more table space. Crafted from solid oak or walnut, the table features rounded edges and brushed brass fittings. It is manufactured at the Carl Hansen & Søn factory in Denmark.

Knud Erik Hansen, CEO and third generation owner-manager of Carl Hansen & Søn, says: “Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel were the industry’s ‘ensemble terrible’, constantly pushing boundaries both intellectually and technically, and never taking no for an answer. And thank goodness for that! They quickly developed into a recognised

Both pieces of furniture are produced as close to the original versions as possible

designer duo, achieving success both in Denmark and internationally. Today, we are therefore particularly proud to expand our collection with two more playful pieces from the Ditzel family.”

Dennie and Vita Ditzel, daughters of Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, say: “It means a lot that a renowned furniture manufacturer like Carl Hansen & Søn is relaunching the sofa and coffee table – it has been important to us that production remains in Danish hands, and that no compromises are taken with regard to quality, craftsmanship and aesthetics, but that both pieces of furniture are produced as close to the original versions as possible. Carl Hansen & Søn has successfully refined the original designs, launching the furniture with deep respect for both their form and history. We’re immensely grateful that the sofa and coffee table will be given a new lease of life as part of Carl Hansen & Søn’s portfolio – and we think they deserve it.”

The ND52 Vita Sofa and ND55 Coﬀee Table are available in stores from December 2025.

Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store London, 48A Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP 020 7730 8454 @carlhansenandson_london carlhansen.com

Kasia Fiszer

By PENDLE HARTE

COX & COX

glass candle holder, £20 coxandcox.co.uk

Circular Thinking

Designer Nina Woodcroft dedicates her working life to creating elegant, textural spaces with minimal environmental impact. We look at her own home in north London

Nina, whose studio Nina + Co was responsible for the interiors of the UK’s first zerowaste restaurant among other projects, bought the 1970s semidetached house with her partner Joe Hutchinson in early 2023. Determined to turn what was then a cold, leaky and soulless property into a warm, energy-eﬃcient retreat for themselves and their young son Arlo, they commissioned architecture ﬁrm ROAR to help. The brief: to make the most of the existing footprint without extending, using natural, local or recycled materials wherever possible.

‘It was something of an unusual move,’ says Nina. ‘ Many people would have built over the side return or done a loft conversion, but we wanted to focus our time and budget on improving what we already had – a quiet protest against demolition culture.’

First, the rickety porch and a small garage were incorporated into the main structure, draughty windows were replaced with high-

performance triple glazing and an airsource heat pump and ventilation system were installed. The entire house was then wrapped in cork – a highly insulating and carbon-negative material, harvested from regenerative forests in Portugal without any damage to the trees themselves.

Cork was also chosen for the flooring inside, with any lifted floorboards retained and repurposed as ceiling cladding in certain sections of the house. The walls were covered in lime plaster, which has been left exposed to showcase its texture and sealed with a VOC-free transparent glaze. On the walls that were inaccessible from the outside, this was mixed with cork granules to replicate the insulative properties of the exterior finish.

Laid out with busy family life in mind, the once-fragmented downstairs now consists of one large, ﬂowing space, with dedicated zones for cooking, reading, sharing meals and, adds Nina, ‘even dancing’. At its heart is the kitchen.

Here, the star feature is a chunky island with rounded, child-friendly edges. This was crafted by local joinery company Craftworks

Partially enclosed by the staircase on one side and opening to the garden on the other, the main sitting area is furnished with a vintage 1970s sofa and matching ottoman whose green velvet upholstery echoes the leafy planting outside. Nina and Joe also have an impressive collection of indoor plants, which form a running connection with nature throughout the house.

A TACTILE MIX

The principal bedroom features a rattan headboard, glossy-leafed plants and linen bedding in a sun-baked terracotta pink. The organically shaped bedside table was cra ed from le over plasterboard by Walthamstow-based designermaker Byron, who works mainly with waste materials and found objects, and almost looks like an extension of the textured wall behind.

URBAN JUNGLE

BRANCHING OUT

Nina made a patchwork café-style curtain for the kitchen using swatches of natural fabrics that she had accumulated over the years. Strings of pine cones and dried orange slices bring nature into the space. The cabinets are made of Douglas ﬁr from Scotland.

Nina also created a sculptural lighting installation above the island by wiring branches from the garden to a suspended LED strip.

Productions from a rescued London plane tree that had been felled in Soho Square by Westminster Council.

The cabinets behind were made using tri-ply board from British-grown Douglas ﬁr and paired with a practical recycled-plastic work surface that sets up a beautiful contrast with the visible knots and grain of the wood.

The curves of the island are replicated in the custom cabinetry in the smaller of two sitting areas, located to one side of the kitchen. A space created with coﬀee, reading and listening to music in mind, it features a mix of open display shelves and closed storage cupboards built from kitchen oﬀcuts, their rounded end section extending around a corner to soften the angles of the internal walls.

The focus on natural materials and reuse continues in the furniture and decorative accessories, many of which are vintage. Some of the pieces in the dining area and the main sitting area, which overlook the garden at the rear of the house, belonged to Nina’s parents; others were sourced from online marketplaces. Rattan, linen and cane appear regularly, both here

STATEMENT PIECE

With its tactile wood, generous proportions and rounded bullnose edges, the kitchen island forms a striking yet graceful focal point (right). Both it and the cabinets behind were made from responsibly sourced British timber. ‘It feels like a privilege to be surrounded by grown materials that have had a rich past life,’ explains Nina.

and in the bedrooms above, as do items made from waste products by local designers. Dotted here and there are natural ﬁnds such as pine cones and bare branches, together with houseplants in all manner of varieties and sizes.

It’s perhaps no surprise that Nina and Joe’s home has been shortlisted for several awards, and a year after the works were completed, the couple are enjoying its calmness and comfort.

‘I feel very lucky to inhabit a space that I know inside out, and it gives me peace of mind to know that most elements can one day be returned to the earth without causing harm,’ says Nina.

‘I hope sharing our experience encourages more people to explore natural materials – not just for our wellbeing now, but for the beneﬁt of generations to come.’

“It gives me peace of mind to know that most elements can one day be returned to the earth without causing harm”

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE

Timber ceiling cladding made from floorboards removed during the renovation adds cosiness to the rear of the downstairs, subtly differentiating the dining space and the main sitting area from the kitchen at the front. The red leather-and chrome dining chairs belonged to Nina’s parents, and the table was an eBay find. Nina and Joe have plans to grow climbing plants up the fence by the window, creating another green link between indoors and out.

By PENDLE HARTE

Reﬁned living

Espresso Design: a bold new chapter in contemporary kitchens

For over two decades, awardwinning Espresso Design has been at the forefront of luxury kitchen innovation, redeﬁning how London lives, cooks and entertains. Based in Wandsworth, the recently refurbished, double-fronted showroom marks a striking new era — one that blends cutting-edge technology, exquisite craftsmanship and sustainable design into a seamless, sensory experience.

Espresso Design’s newly transformed showroom is a dynamic design destination — an immersive environment that invites clients, designers, and architects to explore the latest in contemporary kitchen living. Every detail has been considered, from the bespoke coﬀered ceilings and rich oak ﬂooring to the sophisticated lighting design that illuminates each kitchen as a fully functional, working showpiece. Bond and Hicks Interior Design were bought on board to dress the new displays, an authentic environment featuring ceramics and glassware.

Clients begin with an immersive introduction to Espresso Design’s world — smart technology integration, sculptural island forms, hidden pantries — before being led to a dedicated materials and samples zone. Here, textures, finishes and colours can be mixed and matched, encouraging free creative exploration. A show-stopping five-metre Patagonia Quartzite wall takes centre stage as the space opens out into a rear area that evokes the essence of modern London living — open, fluid and bathed in natural light — offering visitors a real sense of how Espresso’s kitchens transform homes into personal sanctuaries.

Espresso Design’s evolution isn’t only aesthetic. Alongside the refurbishment, the brand has launched a bold new identity — a reﬁned logo, fresh palette, and the tagline ‘Kitchens by Espresso’ — reinforcing its position as one of London’s most design-driven kitchen specialists.

After more than 20 years at the heart of London’s design scene, Espresso Design remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what a kitchen can be — functional yet beautiful, sustainable yet luxurious, personal yet universal.It’s no wonder The Sunday Times once described Espresso Design as creators of “the world’s coolest kitchens.” Today, that statement feels truer than ever.

espressodesign.co.uk

KARTELL

TItalian icon Kartell relaunches some of its design classics for Christmas

hink plastic and the design world thinks: Kartell. The iconic Italian design brand is celebrated globally for its innovative use of materials, bold aesthetic experimentation and seamless blending of industrial technology with artistry. Founded in Milan in 1949 by chemical engineer Giulio Castelli, Kartell emerged during Italy’s postwar economic boom, a period marked by optimism, rapid industrial growth and a ﬂourishing design culture. From its inception, the company’s mission was to revolutionise the use of plastics in everyday life, transforming them

PLASTIC

from low-cost, utilitarian substances into reﬁned materials for sophisticated design. Initially, Kartell produced technical objects for the automotive and household sectors, such as car accessories and laboratory equipment. However, in the late 1950s, the brand began to shift toward domestic furniture and home accessories. This transition was catalysed by the company’s embrace of innovative plastic molding technologies and its collaboration with prominent Italian designers, including Gino Colombini, Joe Colombo, and later, Anna Castelli Ferrieri — Giulio Castelli’s wife and a pioneering architect and designer in her own right. Her designs, such as the Componibilimod-

ular storage units (1969), became timeless icons, representing Kartell’s ethos of functionality, ﬂexibility, and modernity. The 1960s and 1970s marked Kartell’s rise as a leader in modern design. During this era, the brand became synonymous with vibrant color palettes, organic forms, and the democratization of design — making stylish, durable furniture accessible to a broader public. The use of plastic was not merely aesthetic but ideological: it symbolized progress, experimentation, and a break from traditional materials like wood and metal.

Kartell’s products, such as Joe Colombo’s Universale chair (1967), were among the first entirely made from

TERESA SUSPENSION

The company’s mission was to revolutionise the use of plastics

injection-molded plastic, showcasing the material’s potential for mass production and creative expression.

Under the creative direction of Claudio Luti, who took over the company in 1988, Kartell entered a new phase of global recognition. Luti expanded collaborations with internationally renowned designers such as Philippe Starck, Patricia Urquiola, Ron Arad, and Tokujin Yoshioka. Starck’s Louis Ghost chair (2002), a transparent reinterpretation of the classic Louis XVI style, became one of the world’s best-selling design chairs and a symbol of Kartell’s philosophy: merging historical references with contemporary technology. The chair’s use of clear polycarbonate represented not only aesthetic innovation but also the culmination of decades of research in plastic transparency and durability.

In the 21st century, Kartell continues to innovate with sustainability at its core. The brand has invested in bio-based and recyclable plastics, aligning its manufacturing practices with environmental responsibility while preserving the vibrant, futuristic aesthetic that deﬁnes its identity. Collaborations with new-generation designers and ventures into lighting, home décor, and fashion have further diversiﬁed Kartell’s creative portfolio.

Today, Kartell represents the perfect synthesis of Italian craftsmanship, industrial design, and technological innovation. Its legacy is deeply intertwined with the story of modern design itself — a continuous dialogue between art and science, beauty and function, tradition and experimentation. Through its visionary use of plastic, Kartell has not only transformed material culture but also redeﬁ ned the way the world perceives modern living.

And for Christmas 2025 the brand has launched a colourful new collection of reimagined classics. The iconic KD28 lamp by Joe Colombo, first introduced in 1967, is back, updated by the use of recycled materials and a satin finish shade that diff uses a soft, warm light. KD28 is a bridge between

Kartell’s past and its spirit of innovation, an object that embodies the past while looking to the future. Anna Castelli Ferrieri’s Componibili now comes in an all-new look thanks to a new industrial print that enhances both quality and appearance. Giotto Stoppino’s Magazine Rack now comes in a choice of colours that gives it a more modern look. Innovative graphic impression technology has allowed the oval tray from the Jellies Family by Patricia Urquiola to be personalised with Liberty London ﬂoral patterns, transforming it into a striking decorative canvas.

kartell.com

LA COUPOLE

THE ICONIC KD28 LAMP BY JOE COLOMBO

GIOTTO STOPPINO’S MAGAZINE RACK

Onice Rigato

BEAUTY

Since 1947,

Jensen Beds has been crafting highquality beds in Norway – combining passion, science and craftsmanship to help you achieve a good night’s sleep

Beauty sleep isn’t just a saying – it’s science. Research shows that people are perceived as more attractive when well-rested, and that lack of sleep affects not only mood, but also skin and immune function. Good sleep is essential for how we look, feel and perform.

When you sleep well, your body gets the time it needs to repair itself, regenerate cells and clear away waste. It’s during deep, restorative sleep that both body and mind truly recover.

Sleep is a vital beauty secret that works wonders from inside out. During deep sleep, our body enters a highly regenerative state, where skin cells repair and renew themselves. This process boosts collagen production, a key protein that

keeps skin ﬁrmer and elastic, helping to prevent wrinkles and sagging. Without enough good sleep, collagen production slow downs, contributing to premature ageing and dull complexion.

Also, sleep reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which when elevated, causes inflammation, breakouts, and sensitive skin issues. Good sleep promotes blood flow to skin, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen for a radiant glow. Lack of sleep disrupts skin’s moisture balance, leading to dryness and fine lines, and increases dark circles and puffiness around eyes.

Scientiﬁc studies indicate that the critical hours between 9 pm and midnight are the best time for skin healing. So regular, restful sleep isn’t only for feeling fresh – it’s crucial for youthful, vibrant skin.

Prioritising sleep is perhaps the most effective, natural way to maintain beauty over a long time.

MAKE

THE MOST OF YOUR SLEEP

In a world full of distractions, it’s not always easy to prioritise rest. That’s why the quality of the sleep you do get matters so much. With a Jensen bed tailored to your body, you enjoy optimal support and pressure relief – helping you reach deep sleep faster and wake up refreshed.

CUSTOMISE YOUR DREAM BED

A Jensen bed is always a personal choice: there are so many possible ways to combine their diﬀerent set ups. Explore all their diﬀerent bed types, spring systems, textiles, headboards, legs and other accessories to create your custom made sleep experience. Combine your favourite textures, colours and accessories into a bed that is fully tailored to your taste. The Jensen website is your starting point to exploring the endless possibilities to make your sleep experience truly yours.

EXPLORE LEGS & TABLES

You can adapt your Jensen bed with bed legs in several diﬀerent models and materials. It gives you the opportunity to make your bed ﬁt perfectly with the decor in the bedroom.

The bedside table is both a piece of furniture and a practical surface for everything you want close at hand without having to leave your bed – and, again, Jensen have a whole host of options.

TEXTILES CHOICE

Jensen oﬀer a wide range of high-quality fabrics and colour tones, allowing you to

customise the bed to match your personal style and bedroom

ENJOY A WORLD OF HEADBOARDS

Complete your bed with a nice headboard. Jensen’s assortment is available in diﬀerent designs, from classic to modern so you can ﬁnd something that suits your interior design style

HANDMADE IN NORWAY

Every Jensen bed is handmade in Norway, crafted with care, precision and a deep respect for Scandinavian design traditions. Their commitment to quality runs through every detail – from the choice of sustainable materials to the advanced sleep technology inside each bed. Each Jensen bed comes with a 25-year guarantee against frame or spring breakage – a promise of lasting comfort, built to endure.

SLEEP QUALITY SINCE 1947

Along the coast of southeastern Norway, just outside of Oslo and right by the powerful Drammen Fjord is where you’ll ﬁnd Svelvik. Instantly noticeable about this idyllic town are the winding streets and the white houses. But what happens when you scratch the beautiful surface? You’ll ﬁnd hard work and craftsmanship passed through generations.

EXPERIENCE JENSEN IN CHELSEA HARBOUR

You can discover Jensen beds at their showroom in Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, London – a destination for design enthusiasts and interior professionals alike. Here, you can explore the full range of Norwegianmade beds, feel the quality of materials, and receive expert guidance in creating your perfect sleep experience.

Discover more at jensen-beds.com/uk

FAMILY

LIFE

INSIDE A PRIMROSE HILL TOWNHOUSE THAT COMBINES PRACTICALITY AND STYLE

Photography PHILIP VILE

Having a client with a bold, open-minded vision is every interior designer’s dream. When Cigal Kaplan Interiors were brought in to renovate a four-storey period house in trendy London enclave Primrose Hill, this dream was realised. A young American couple with two small children were looking to put their mark on the project to create a beautiful home that would suit their tastes and lifestyle. Cigal Kaplan made functional changes to the layout, starting from the moment the front door is opened. The entrance hall was reconﬁgured to accommodate hidden storage for coats, shoes and everyday family use. A built-in banquette, upholstered in vibrant fabric by British designer Kit Miles, includes a step for children, instantly reﬂecting the familyoriented nature of the scheme.

An generous square arched doorway clad in dark timber creates a dramatic transition into the ground floor living room, where in the formal sitting and entertaining area the design features a striking black-and-white palette with modern furnishings. The bespoke multi-toned geometric flooring inlaid with brass strips is in a deep-toned wood to set off the dark, architectural joinery and brass accents.

The black-and-white theme continues with layered cornices, mouldings, and bespoke wall panelling inspired by the period building and its English heritage. Furnishings highlights are a custom white rug from Portugal and a bespoke upholstered turquoise bench inspired by Chanel, using materials from French brand Dedar and British textiles house Evitavonni, which feature consistently throughout the home.

A multifunctional office/music room off the sitting room was carved out for the father in the family, for working from home and teaching guitar to his children in the evenings – passing on some of his rock musician heritage and expertise. Warm timber fluted wall panelling, open shelving and integrated lighting make this room functional yet personal, with the client’s guitar collection carefully displayed on custom mounts.

Upstairs in the first floor master suite a curved wooden bed inset with dark green velvet from Soho House paired with textured silk wallpaper from Arté and a Dedar blind in a naif pattern bring a 1970s-inspired luxurious feel. Bespoke rope-hung teardrop brass gold pendant lights serve as bedside reading lamps and an oversized circular glass chandelier with antique brass accents is a glamorous focal point. The high-gloss painted ceiling reflects light and adds depth, and skirtings, window frames and doors were all colour-matched to the wallpaper, along with the custom-clad wardrobe doors with bamboo-style brass handles and fabric covered cupboard interiors.

The master bathroom continues the theme of understated luxury with a neutral design of smooth Tadelakt walls and polished concrete floors. Twin sinks are in bronze, echoed in the sanitaryware finishes and bespoke handles on the symmetrical cupboards. The bathroom is entirely wipeable and low-maintenance, with no risk of mould – delivering a space that is both practical and visually seamless. To take the edge off the minimalist feel, curves are repeated in the joinery, the

TO TAKE THE EDGE OFF THE MINIMALIST FEEL, CURVES ARE REPEATED

IN THE JOINERY

vanity and the overall spatial ﬂow leading into the master bedroom.

The lower ground ﬂoor basement is separated into ﬁve distinct spaces along with the private courtyard garden, all designed as the main family living and entertaining zones. The open-plan kitchen features a round edged island wrapped in a brass plinth, with brass taps, pearl brass handles and a black glass unit contrasting with the white cabinetry. Above the island hangs a statement pearl chandelier, reinforcing the soft, circular lighting concept seen throughout the home.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a fun, colourful dining area with a bespoke wave-shaped banquette upholstered in Kit Miles multicoloured Escher-style fabric design and the upstand in child-friendly and hardwearing dark green faux leather. Integrated LED lighting behind the seating subtly illuminates the seating area and three pearl pendant lights hang overhead.

The TV family space at the end of the lower ground ﬂoor continues the downstairs theme of deep greens and rounded forms. A green Roche Bobois Bubble sofa anchors the space, alongside a custombuilt TV unit with brass handles and inset green wallpaper. A round-ended desk provides space for children’s homework and arts & crafts, and a custom-made

CIGAL KAPLAN

TIMELESS ACCESSORIES

Børge Mogensen wooden plate in oiled FSC®-certi ed teak or oak. Made from leftover wood from furniture production. Ø19 cm, Ø23 cm, Ø27 cm or Ø31 cm. Price: from £24

A classic weekend bag in soft goatskin. Spacious and in a size that is approved for most airline cabins. Available in natural, cafe, black and green.

Price: £563

Beautiful wooden trivet and tray in one, in oiled FSC®-certi ed teak. Made from leftover wood from furniture production.

Price per piece: £114

Exclusive Christmas hearts in oak. Available in 3 di erent sizes and colors. Made from leftover wood from furniture production.

Price: 5 pcs. small £19

1 pc. medium £15

1 pc. large £19

Mouth-blown glass art from Northern Jutland in Denmark. 10.5 x Ø4 cm. Size may vary.

Price per piece: £33

A luxurious toiletry bag in soft goatskin, perfect for travel or everyday use. Available in natural, cafe, black and green.

Price: £74

Flagship Store London

48A Pimlico Road, Belgravia London, SW1W 8LP

london@carlhansen.com

Monday - Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm

+44 0 (20) 7730 8454

Hand-embroidered napkins in cotton. 42x42 cm, set of 4.

Price: £53

Exclusive, handmade napkin rings in oiled FSC®-certi ed teak. Made from leftover wood from furniture production.

Set of 4. Price: £40

Create the Christmas spirit with our large selection of handmade accessories, and nd beautiful gifts for your loved ones in your nearest Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store.

Beautiful iconic champagne glass, made of mouth-blown Murano Crystal glass from Nason Moretti. Each glass is unique, so there may be slight di erences in size.

Price per piece: from £101

FSC-C135991

Retail prices incl. VAT.

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

WERE DESIGNED WITH FAMILY LIFE IN MIND

pinboard in black-and-white fabric from Casamance with a burgundy Samuel & Sons trim is a grand ﬂourish for displaying their artworks. The guest WC is entirely decorated in green, from walls to ceiling to the sanitaryware, and a squirrels wallpaper by British designer Juliet Travers adds charm.

The cellar space beneath the street is tiled in rich burgundy and functions as a stylish wine cellar. A high-gloss burgundy ceiling, burgundy-and-white ﬂoor tiles, and integrated LED ﬂoor lighting create a moody, luxurious atmosphere which also acts as useful storage.

Custom joinery is functional as well as an aesthetic decision. Storage solutions were designed with family life in mind: the coat and shoe cupboards at the entrance, shoe storage beneath the children’s seating bench and a hidden laundry rack that slides out from under the staircase – perfect for drying clothes discreetly in a compact urban home. Rounded corners on the furniture was a design decision made for aesthetic appeal as well as child safety, and built-in shelving and pinboards create opportunities for organisation and creativity. Soft-close drawers and integrated wiring in the bespoke desk and TV storage area keep

the living space tidy and eﬃcient. Sourcing chairs covered in a Casamance fabric in the Ukraine was both a stylistic and ethical decision. Cornices, skirtings and panelling throughout the house encompass modern practicalities and respect the traditional detailing of the original build, reﬂecting the thoughtful and considered approach to this – now much-loved – family home. An enclosed outdoor courtyard features green furniture and textured planting and is a private place to sit and enjoy alfresco suppers or for the kids to play.

cigalkaplaninteriors.com

How to HOST

Is your home Christmas ready? Here’s what to do if not

It’s sometimes said that the world divides into natural hosts and natural guests. Which one are you? If you’re a natural host then Christmas will come easy to you. But what if you’re not? And what if you’re not a natural host but you’re still having family and friends at yours for the big day? What if your house is not ready for guests?

First of all, don’t panic. There’s still time. Not everybody has Christmas sorted before the pumpkins and ghouls have been cleared away. But it is important to look at your space and think about the numbers. If there are 10 of you for lunch, do you have 10 chairs? Desk chairs from upstairs are ﬁne, but stools aren’t. Nobody wants to be uncomfortable for the duration of the feast. And after lunch, what will people do? Stay at the table for board games or migrate to the sofa for the King’s speech and a ﬁlm? Because the sofa is another concern entirely. Not only is this the workhorse of the living room for Christmas Day, but it’s a huge part of any gathering, and a place to retreat every evening too. So if your sofa’s not up to scratch, now’s the time to think about replacing it.

Many people assume that a new sofa needs to be ordered well in advance, and the anticipation of delays and missed deliveries, especially over Christmas, might put some of us oﬀ. But this is not the case with Swyft. The original sofa in a box company has countless options that are ready for delivery immediately – and they’re bound to have a shape and size to suit your space. And if it’s the fear of ﬁtting a hulking sofa through your front door or hallway is stopping anyone from upgrading to a newer or larger model, then Swyft has the solution for that too, because all sofas are cleverly deconstructed into manageable sized boxes, which the delivery team will deliver straight into your living room. And while they’re happy to assemble the piece, it’s designed to be simple enough for a child to do. You're welcome. Merry Christmas.

Swyft has just opened its ﬁrst store in Islington Square, N1 1QP swyfthome.com

SWYFT’S HOSTING TIPS

1. Start With the Spaces That Matter

When it comes to Christmas cleaning, focus on the rooms guests will actually use: the living room, kitchen and bathroom. Declutter surfaces, give everything a quick wipe and open a window for a fresh burst of air (even if it’s freezing). If your sofa’s seen one too many movie nights, refresh it with a lint roller and fabric spray. Or, if you’re ready for an upgrade, look for sofas that are made with easy-clean fabrics. Spilt red wine? Dropped mince pie? No problem. Hosting over Christmas suddenly feels less risky.

2. Bring Out the Baking Soda

Your secret weapon for festive freshness is probably already in the cupboard. Sprinkle baking soda on sofas, rugs or even mattresses, leave it for half an hour and then vacuum it up. It instantly neutralises odours and makes your space smell brand new.

3. Declutter Like a Pro

When in doubt, channel your inner home organisation inﬂuencer. Anything that doesn’t have a festive function goes. That pile of random post on the coﬀee table?

Gone. Spare blankets for guests? Keep. Storage ottomans and storage sofa beds are a game-changer for quick cleanups. Hide away the clutter, keep your living room looking sleek and still have somewhere to rest your feet

4. Focus on the Cosy Details

Once the deep clean is done, it’s time to make things feel warm and inviting. Light a candle, throw on a so blanket and add a few festive cushions. Comfy seating is key. The Model 02 armchair is basically built for curling up with a Christmas ﬁlm and a mug of mulled wine. Turn the big light oﬀ, add a so rug and some fairy lights, and you’ve nailed that cosy hosting aesthetic.

5. Quick Fixes for Last-Minute Guests

Here are your instant clean-up tricks:

• Dim the lights (it hides everything).

• Light a candle or two for an instant atmosphere.

• Close any messy room doors.

• Add a few throws and cushions to distract from imperfections. Hosting over Christmas is about creating a space that feels warm, relaxed and welcoming.

SOCIABLE

LIVING

How Kitchen Architecture’s individual approach – combined with a minimal aesthetic – created an elegant and functional kitchen for a family that loves cooking, socialising and entertaining

An impressive island creates a sleek stage for living in this beautiful, minimal family kitchen.The client’s love for cooking and entertaining as a family was a key consideration in the design process and this kitchen, crafted to be elegant and highly practical, has ample storage to meet their needs.

Kitchen Architecture worked closely with Lewandowski Architects to bring the concept for the new living space to life and ensure a seamless ﬂow between the kitchen and the connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. The impressive island in anthracite and stainless steel adds to the minimal aesthetic kitchen, creating a stage for life. The bar formed from the stainless-steel work surface provides an informal social and dining spot. From the island, the cook can socialise with ease while enjoying stunning views through the ﬂoor-to-ceiling glazing.

THE VISION: SLEEK, MINIMAL, AND PRACTICAL

The clients, a couple with two adult children, envisioned a kitchen seamlessly blending into their living space. They wanted a design more akin to bespoke furniture than a traditional kitchen, allowing it to integrate eﬀortlessly into their home. The result is a sleek and minimal space, achieved through Kitchen Architecture’s high-end materials and calm colour tones, ensuring both style and practicality.

KEY DESIGN ELEMENTS

Ths beautiful Kitchen Architecture kitchen features

bulthaup furniture in anthracite, selected for its soft and smooth appearance. This ﬁnish interacts beautifully with the natural light that ﬂoods the space, thanks to the almost fully glazed rear elevation. Stainless steel worktops add a timeless touch, creating a seamless and expansive work surface that is practical and visually striking.

LAYOUT AND FUNCTIONALITY

A meticulously planned layout improves the space’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. A long kitchen island serves as the central hub. The tall appliance block, featuring Gaggenau ovens and a Bora hob with downdraft extraction, is recessed to maintain a sleek proﬁle.

ARCHITECTURAL HARMONY

Working closely with Lewandowski Architects, the kitchen design complements the home’s modern architectural style with the almost entirely glazed rear elevation maximising the connection to the grounds and enhancing the sense of openness and connectivity.

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Using high-quality materials and intelligent storage solutions ensures the kitchen is beautiful and highly functional. Hidden storage within the extended-height tall units and the unobtrusive downdraft hob adds to the minimalist aesthetic.

kitchenarchitecture.co.uk; 020 8785 1960

Kitchen design by Kitchen Architecture

Architects: Lewandowski Architects

Photos: Darren Chung

CHRISTMAS SALE

UP TO 20% OFF

Sleepeezee Mattresses, Divans & Headboards

Available 5th - 31st December only

Test kitchen

Absolutely tries out two gadgets that are worthy of counter space

THE AIR FRYER

As late adopters, we have watched from afar as air fryers enjoyed an unstoppable rise in popularity. As many as 45% of households now own one, and air fryer cookbooks remain a publishing sensation. We are testing a model that claims to have AI power: does that mean it will make dinner for us while we relax with an aperitif?

Not quite. The AIRX digital air fryer does, however, make life fairly easy, while promising to save as much as 70% of energy costs. It’s a compact unit, admittedly not the prettiest addition to the kitchen, but that’s not really an air fryer’s job. Without taking up too much space, it has a ﬁ ve litre capacity and a simple display. The promise is that an intelligent sensor analyses the temperature and volume of food to calculate the optimum cooking temperature. So we can choose from presets including wings, ﬁsh, prawns, fries, steak and (surprisingly) cupcake - or use manual mode to decide for ourselves. It’s ridiculously simple. And results are reliable: marinated salmon steaks cooked in less than 20 minutes and gained a crispy surface without being overcooked. Chicken pieces too, and sweet potato fries crisped perfectly. And cupcake mode? We haven’t tried that one yet. £79.99 towerhousewares.co.uk

THE ESPRESSO MACHINE

If your kitchen is small, it’s hard to decide what has to give. Filling up valuable counter space with gadgets can leave you with no room to work – and once there’s a kettle and a toaster, possibly a blender – maybe an air fryer – can you justify an espresso machine?

Of course it depends on how important coffee is to you – but also, on how big the machine is. Generally the most compact ones take capsules, which are great for hotel rooms but on a daily basis, can you live with the waste? Even recyclable capsules need to be cleaned of coffee, and the process is complex. Better, surely, to compost your grinds. Breville’s Barista Slimline Espresso Machine ticks all the boxes: it has a compact, narrow footprint, it takes ground coffee and it fi ts in a steam wand. Granted, there’s no grinder but that’s all that’s missing. It even comes with a milk jug and tamper. Setup is simple: a QR code sticker takes you straight to an online manual. There aren’t many functions, but a guide to getting it right focuses on colour, grind and tamp force; our fi rst attempt delivers a solid result. Steaming milk takes a bit of practice, but we’re confident that our latte art skills will improve with time. This one's a winner. £239.99 breville.co.uk

NEW COLLECTION

Inspired by our heritage, designed for the modern bedroom. The Iconic Collection features floating beds with unparalleled comfort and exclusive fabrics. Handmade in Sweden

NEW ARRIVALS Bed: Sandö Iconic I Headboard: Otterö & Sälö I Fabric: Loop Oyster by The Romo Group I Rug: Hemsedal Taupe

Bed Linen: Vindstilla I Bedside table: Holme Chrome I Dog Bed: Hunnebo I Foot Stool: Kobbe Round MADE BESPOKE WITH FABRICS FROM DESIGNERS GUILD KVADRAT AND THE ROMO GROUP

Fresh: Art Fair is back with more galleries, more artists, and more to discover. From emerging talent to iconic names, buy original art you’ll love. Plus enjoy artist demos, free workshops, and licensed cafés.

Hot lava

Two icons of the 1960s – the Rolling Stones and the LavaLamp – are united in a new design collaboration

Words PENDLE HARTE

There’s a queue outside the Rolling Stones shop in Carnaby Street one morning in November.

The reason? Mathmos, the original maunfacturer of the lava lamp, has launched an exclusive collaboration with music legends The Rolling Stones to create a limited-edition red vinyl Astro lava lamp. Only 1,000 numbered editions of the lamps have been made, and collectors are keen to get their hands on one – and ideally one marked with a low number.

The collaboration celebrates a remarkable shared heritage that dates backs to the 1960s; Mathmos was founded in 1963, the very same year The Rolling Stones released their debut single. This serendipitous connection inspired the design, which features artwork from the band's November 1963 single "I Wanna Be

“Love it or hate it, the lava lamp is an enduring icon of British manufacture”

Your Man" on the product packaging. Love it or hate it, the lava lamp is an enduring icon of British manufacture, widely recognised as a 20-century design classic. It has been in continuous production in Dorset ever since its launch.

The Astro lamp came to market in 1963, when inventor Craven Walker said: "If you buy my lamp, you won't need drugs... I think it will always be popular. It's like the cycle of life. It grows, breaks up, falls down and then starts all over again". The lamp was an instant hit, becoming a deﬁning product of the swinging ‘60s appearing in cult TV series The Prisoner and Dr Who. In 1964 the Astro lamp was taken on by Selfridges and Habitat and was soon followed by the Astro Mini.

In 1968 Lava lamps appeared on stage with Paul McCartney’s band, Wings. Linda McCartney loved lava lamps and often likened them to "A pet goldﬁsh

that never dies". In 1971 David Bowie was photographed with an Astro Mini lava lamp in his recording studio. In 1980 a bespoke lava lamp was designed for the hotel suite scene in Superman II. Lava lamps fell out of fashion in the 1980s until young entrepreneurs, Cressida Granger and David Mulley relaunched them to a new generation. Since then, millions of lava lamps have been manufactured in Dorset and sold throughout the world, gaining a host of business and marketing awards including two Queens Awards for Export. Innovations include a range of candle-powered lava lamps as well as wall-mounted and giant lava lamps. The factory is still based in Poole, Dorset –and to this day the wax formula remains a strict trade secret.

The Rolling Stones Red Vinyl Astro Lava Lamp £170, mathmos.com

WSurface AREA

“Stone can be used throughout the house”

hite, beige and grey have dominated home décor for several decades now. But people are bored with playing safe and are looking for ways to add excitement and glamour to their homes and express their personality.

Stone is a perfect way to do this. The choice and variety of colours is virtually endless, and each slab is diﬀerent from the next, making your room unique. Its good looks and durability mean that it can be used throughout the house, whether you are revamping your kitchen, bathroom or living area. It can also be used in the bedroom to create drama.

In the kitchen, a quartzite or granite island worktop in a deep colour with striking veining accompanied by a splashback in the same stone will draw the eye and create a focal point.

Choosing a heavily veined marble in the bathroom will allow you to play with bookmatching, where the slabs are cut open and laid side by side like the pages in a book, so that the veins match to create symmetrical patterns. Quad-matching is a variation of this where four slabs are laid symmetrically to create an X or diamond pattern. This can be used on walls, ﬂoors or for a more subtle eﬀect, just as a point of detail on a bath panel or in a shower.

In the living area, stone ﬂooring can be as simple or dramatic as you want to make it. Waterjet cutting and CNC technology has made it possible to produce intricate patterns in inlaid marble which can mimic architectural features, or simply look stunning.

A marble ﬁreplace in a deep red or green creates visual impact and acts a centrepiece to the room. Backlit onyx shelving and wall panels glow as a beautiful warm source of light.

stoneCIRCLE has been fabricating stone for interiors since 1968, and works with top architects and interior designers on some of the most desirable residences. They have their own teams of installers working across the south of England ﬁtting the stone they fabricate. Please contact them to discuss how you could use stone to transform your home.

For more information on stoneCIRCLE’S range of stone and services, visit stone-circle.com or call 0125 685 0380

YEAR-ROUND LIVING

Make the most of your outdoor space with Crown Pavilions’ garden rooms, gazebos and equestrian spaces

As December’s early dusk falls and the garden takes on its winter silhouette, luxury outdoor living often seems to retreat. But for homeowners who demand the best, the garden shouldn’t hibernate; it should perform. That’s where Crown Pavilions steps in, with its bespoke garden rooms, handcrafted wooden gazebos, and premium equestrian buildings. Each is engineered to deliver elegance, comfort, and style throughout the year, not just when the sun shines.

Winter is a pivotal moment for the garden, a time when many spaces become purely decorative or unused. Yet it’s precisely during these colder months that the right structure, if well insulated, thoughtfully designed, and weather-proofed, can transform your garden into a true yearround extension of your home.

Crown Pavilions emphasises that its buildings are created for all-year-round use. Their gazebos incorporate marinegrade blinds that zip together to create a weatherproof seal, infrared ceiling heaters, and solid infill panels. These features ensure that no matter the weather, the

space remains cosy, comfortable, and inviting throughout winter.

Garden Rooms For All Seasons

While the term garden room might evoke the long days of spring or summer, discerning buyers recognise that it should be just as usable in December as it is in June. Crown Pavilions’ bespoke garden rooms are fully insulated, double-glazed, and built to residential-grade standards. Each is designed to withstand the cold and deliver everyday comfort.

Picture this: a garden room serving as your home office or gym on a crisp

December morning. Fog drifts over bare trees outside, yet inside you’re warm, focused, and inspired. The pitched-roof Heritage Collection, for instance, oﬀers exceptional ceiling height, skylights, and slimline electric heaters with thermostats. Every detail is designed to help you enjoy the space far beyond the summer-only mindset.

Gazebos: Al Fresco Living Without Compromise

Then there are the gazebos, often thought of as summer “party huts” or open-air lounges. Crown Pavilions challenges that assumption. Their luxury wooden gazebos feature design innovations that are ideal for winter, including full-height marinegrade blinds that zip shut, robust timber posts, cedar-shingle roofs, and integrated heating options.

Imagine hosting an early-evening December cocktail party beneath your gazebo’s roof. Lights shimmer across the frost-touched lawn while a gentle heater hums above. The structure keeps out the chill, becoming a true living room for the outdoors. As the brochure puts it, “You want to be certain that your gazebo won’t simply look stunning in the spring, summer and autumn, but that it will also cope with British winters.”

Crown Equestrian

Beyond the garden, Crown Equestrian brings the same uncompromising quality to stables, barns, tack rooms, and riding arenas. Built for performance, safety, and visual harmony, these structures complement their rural surroundings while providing outstanding durability and functionality.

From private estates to professional equestrian facilities, Crown’s bespoke approach ensures every design meets the needs of both horse and rider. Each structure is created with architectural

detailing, superior materials, and true allweather practicality.

Why Choose Crown Pavilions?

What sets Crown Pavilions apart is not only the product, but the service and craftsmanship behind it. The company carries the prestigious Marque of Excellence and is TRADA-certified, meaning every timber joint, panel, and ﬁnish is engineered to last.

With over 20 years of British craftsmanship and thousands of installations across the UK and Europe, including many for highproﬁle clients, Crown Pavilions has earned its reputation as ‘The World’s Finest Garden Rooms and Gazebos’.

For those who expect true luxury, the extras matter. From bespoke ﬁnishes and engineered oak flooring to fully customised layouts, integrated lighting and heating, every detail is considered to make your garden building feel like part of the home, not an add-on.

Visit a Crown Pavilions Show Site

To truly appreciate the craftsmanship and atmosphere of a Crown Pavilions structure, nothing compares to stepping inside one in person. Whether you’re exploring a luxury garden room, an all-season gazebo,

or a professional equestrian building, the Crown team will guide you through every detail from concept to completion.

Show Sites:

•Chessington Garden Centre, London

•Longacres Garden Centre, Bagshot, Surrey

•Van Hage Garden Centre, Ware, Hertfordshire

•Alton Garden Centre, Essex

•Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes

•Bridgemere Garden Centre, Cheshire

And now, for a limited time, Absolutely readers can enjoy an exclusive 10% OFF their order, applicable to all installations completed before March 2026. To invest in Crown Pavilions is to embrace more than a building; it’s to choose a lifestyle deﬁned by elegance, excellence, and enduring luxury.

Visit: crownpavilions.com and crown-equestrian.com

Call: 01491 612 820

Email: sales@crownpavilions.com

Reader Offer: 10% OFF installations completed before March 2026

DECO DELIGHT

Pullman Editions’ limited-edition posters are both classic and contemporary

In an age deﬁned by digital noise, ﬂeeting content and AI-generated imagery, Pullman Editions stands as a rare and refreshing beacon, reviving and continuing the lost art of the vintage travel poster. With an unmistakable Art Deco aesthetic and a commitment to artisanal excellence, the London-based publisher has carved out a unique place in the world of contemporary illustration, proving that timeless design still has the power to transport, excite and inspire.

Founded with a love of the golden era of travel and of vintage travel posters, Pullman Editions realised that the antique original posters were becoming very collectable and expensive, the best examples achieving prices in the £10,000s, out of reach of the average person. They therefore launched a new range of over 130 original designs, commissioned from leading artists with the aim of providing a more aﬀordable alternative, limited in number, that would appeal

“These original artworks echo the visual language of the Art Deco masters”

to collectors and lovers of vintage poster art. These commissions are entirely original artworks that echo the visual language of the Art Deco masters while oﬀering a fresh perspective suited to modern tastes. This creative balance, honouring heritage without lapsing into nostalgia, gives their posters a distinctive vibrancy.

The designs celebrate the lavish glamour of the 1920s and ’30s, an era when ocean liners, mountain railways and sun-drenched coastlines were remembered not through selﬁes or video reels, but through bold geometric forms and elegantly stylised landscapes captured by an artist. Pullman Edi-

tion’s limited-edition posters are printed to the highest standards to capture that same spirit of romance and discovery. Each piece is an invitation to step into a world shaped by optimism, adventure and the promise of escape. Whether depicting the crisp slopes of Gstaad, the glittering curves of the Côte d’Azur, or the excitement of historic motor racing, each image feels both classic and contemporary.

Pullman Editions’ continued success demonstrates that the appetite for thoughtful, well-crafted design is stronger than ever. In celebrating the splendour of landscapes and the wonder of travel, the company enriches the modern visual landscape with rare clarity and charm. Their posters do more than decorate walls—they inspire daydreams, fuel wanderlust, and remind us that art can still oﬀer a window to a more stylish, more hopeful world.

pullmaneditions.com

Quiet

LUXURY

Tucked away in the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds, you’ll

ﬁnd Laceby Manor - a sanctuary of calm, comfort and contemporary country living

The five-star luxury lodges at Laceby Manor offer more than just a place to stay. They promise a lifestyle where wellness, design and investment potential meet in perfect harmony. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful weekend retreat, a second home that always feels like a holiday or a savvy addition to your investment portfolio, Laceby Manor’s lodges redefine what it means to escape to the country.

A SETTING LIKE NO OTHER

Nestled within 150 acres of pristine parkland and woodland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Laceby Manor is where laid-back luxury meets mindful living. This independently owned resort has evolved over the past decade into one of Lincolnshire’s leading wellness destinations, thanks to

continual investment and an unwavering focus on sustainability.

Guests and owners alike enjoy access to an award-winning spa and gym, two acclaimed restaurants and a beautifully maintained 18-hole golf course – all just moments from your lodge door.

Venture beyond the gates and you’ll find everything that makes Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire. Traditional pubs, independent eateries, boutique shops and unspoiled countryside, as well as Louth’s market town, Lincoln’s rich heritage and the old-school seaside charm of Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe and Skegness.

AN INVESTMENT THAT JUST MAKES SENSE

Wellness tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors and is forecast to grow 16.6% annually through 2027, with nearly 94% of travellers seeking wellness

LODGE INTERIOR

experiences as part of their stay. Oﬀering high-end, health-focused staycations that attract discerning guests yearround, Laceby Manor is ideally positioned to meet this growing demand.

For lodge owners, that translates to a compelling investment opportunity, with average net returns of around 8%, rising year-on-year thanks to strong domestic holiday demand.

Working in partnership with Landal Green Parks, Laceby Manor’s dedicated team handles every aspect of rental management to maximise occupancy and income. In addition, there is no stamp duty surcharge, no solicitor fees and notable tax advantages compared with traditional buy-to-let properties.

Each lodge is built to the BS 3632 residential standard, comes with a 12-month unrestricted holiday-use licence and includes a 50-year site lease, oﬀering the perfect blend of ﬂexibility, luxury and long-term security.

EFFORTLESS OWNERSHIP

Owning a lodge at Laceby Manor can be as hands-oﬀ as you want it to be. The experienced on-site management team

takes care of everything, from bookings and check-ins to maintenance, repairs and even daily hot tub checks.

Every lodge is also meticulously maintained, with regular exterior care and weekly servicing by the resort’s inhouse housekeeping team. As an owner, you’ll also enjoy two complimentary golf memberships, two gym and spa memberships and invitations to exclusive member events throughout the year.

So, whether you choose to rent, retreat or combine the two, your investment – and your peace of mind – are in expert hands.

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE

Experience the serenity, sophistication and smart investment potential of luxury lodge ownership at Laceby Manor.

Visit www.luxurylodgeslincolnshire.co.uk, call 01472 873468, or email lodges@lacebymanor.co.uk to arrange a private viewing or request further details.

VOTED THE WORLD'S LEADING ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS

Scattered across eight idyllic Caribbean islands, discover our 17 breathtaking adults-only resorts. Enjoy creatively crafted cocktails and indulge in mouth-watering cuisine at up to 16 on-resort restaurants, all included within your stay. If you’re looking for a bit of adventure, look no further – we include that too with unlimited land and water sports. For the ultimate relaxation experience enjoy our award-winning Red Lane® Spas - each a tranquil sanctuary to rejuvenate and heighten all your senses. Here at Sandals Resorts we’ve been perfecting our holidays for over 40 years, leaving you to sit back, relax and enjoy all that’s included.

The key to a successful family holiday? Preparation. And air-conditioning, discovers Pendle Harte

Villa bliss

“The tone for the next few days: eating, and jumping into the pool”

We had got pretty good at family holidays, or at least we thought we had. Our small daughters loved roaming around French campsites, playing freely into the evening as the wine flowed equally freely over long dinners. A trip to the beach and an ice cream was enough to keep everyone happy. But suddenly everything changed, and we had teenagers. No longer was a rope swing and the promise of a late bedtime enough. Ice cream lost its leverage. Demands were greater, and spending the day procuring ice co ees and aperol spritzes for ungrateful teenagers is not my idea of a holiday. So either family holidays need to be confined to the past, or our approach needs to change. A teenager wants to bring their boyfriend, and they don’t want to spend every waking moment with their parents. Equally, we're not keen on spending our precious annual leave catering for and taxiing teenagers. But we are still entertaining the dream of a mixed-generation vacation, where we spend happy, relaxed time together. How to make this happen? Add to this the pressures of the extreme heat of recent summers and a terrible memory of a Croatian Airbnb without air conditioning, and we soon find ourselves with quite the checklist of holiday requirements.

This is when we realise that the key to a successful holiday lies in the prep. We decide on a villa holiday in Crete: a week in Sisi, a small town on the northern coast of the island. Two adults and four teenagers: we thought, let’s not hire a car. We don’t want to bundle everyone into their seatbelts every morning as if we’re running a school trip, planning days out for reluctant teenagers and waiting for them to get out of their beds. No, we thought, we’ll stay in a town, near beaches, and everyone can wander around at their own pace. And of course we will need a pool. And air conditioning. And some shade, please.

There's not much stress in the build up, thanks to all the helpful communication we’d

had from the concierge team at Oliver’s Travels ahead of our trip. Would we like to be met at the airport? Should they fill the fridge? Might we be hungry on arrival? Do we have any dietaries? Well, of course everybody is hungry on arrival. As soon as we pull up outside our villa, we are greeted by Octavian who seems genuinely delighted to see us and welcomes us as if we’re family. A tour of the villa is met with whoops of excitement from all of us. So much space! And so much comfort. Three spacious bedrooms, each with a bathroom, a large living area, a well-equipped kitchen plus an outdoor kitchen, a shady dining area and, of course, the pool. Villa Hayes is new and along with its neighbouring sister property, it’s been designed by an experienced team who know exactly how to create a luxurious space – and they’re very proud of their eco credentials too, having won a Travelife Gold certificate for accommodation sustainability. This takes into account the building work and the whole project's minimal environmental impact, which is a significant win. The pool is saltwater, the air conditioning is set to cut out as soon as doors are opened, filtered drinking water on tap eliminates any need for bottled water.

Once we’ve toured the space, we’re left to our own devices very brieﬂy before pizzas arrive and our hungry group devours them before jumping into the pool. And that sets the tone for the next few days: eating, and jumping in the pool. Our fridge has been stocked with an generous initial shop, and there’s a co ee machine plus a milk frother. Octavian appears the next day with an assortment of pool ﬂoats, and when the cleaners come on day two (already?) they leave the freezer full of ice creams, a friendly note on the counter alerting us to the fact.

It’s this kind of detail that makes it all work. Crete in July is hot – there’s no getting away from that, and some days are almost

unbearably hot. But we are sheltered from the heat in our climate-controlled villa, sleeping in impossibly comfortable beds in cool rooms, jumping into a refreshing pool and dining in the shade. Sisi is a pretty town focused around a small port; the sea is astonishingly blue and clear, and there’s a good spot for diving near the port. Not far away is a large beach with lots of loungers and umbrellas, plus a cafe with beautiful views. We taxi a few miles out of town to visit the Minoan remains of the Palace of Malia, and spend our days wandering from beach to pool to restaurant in a haze of relaxed pleasure. This, we think, is how it’s done.

Villa Hayes in Crete is managed by oliverstravels.com With over 20 years’ experience, award-winning Oliver’s Travels is the go-to luxury villa holidays specialist with a stunning portfolio of handpicked quirky and memorable villas and chateaux that are far from ordinary.

VILLA HAYES

THE SALTWATER POOL

SPACIOUS LIVING AREA

Luxury

in the Derbyshire Peak District

w Lodges sleep 2 - 8 people

w Perfect for couples, families & celebrations

w Hot tubs available

w Pet friendly

w Health & ﬁtness centre

w Restaurant & bar

w Woodland location

w Visit the Peak District

w Activities for all ages

w Soft play centre

w Mini golf, tennis & games room

w Cycle hire & nature trails

INTO THE WOODS

CA long weekend in an eco treehouse in Scotland is the getaway we all need, discovers

Jasmine Robertson

ome and enjoy a coolcation in Scotland,’ they said.

‘Escape the heat and the crowds down South’. Well, there we were on day three of our long weekend in Stirlingshire. The promised Scottish mizzle was nowhere to be seen. The late summer sun was warm, we had been walking in the Gargunnock Hills for a couple of hours and we were all hot. Each of us quietly yearning for the loch in the hills, teasingly mentioned in the welcome pack, that we still hadn’t managed to ﬁnd.

We came out of the woods, through the deer gate and found the already familiar path back down into the valley. And then we all saw it suddenly, a glimmer of water behind some oak trees. The loch! We had walked right passed it before, in duller light and in the other direction. Inveterate outdoor swimmers one and all, we had ﬁnally found our holy grail.

The most perfect, hidden loch – or to be quite correct, a lochan, a small inland lake – was ringed by oak trees and dense dark green conifers and

sparkled invitingly in the early afternoon sun. We needed no more invitation and stripped down to our underwear and jumped straight in; the clear, brown peaty water was complete heaven. It was cold enough to make us gasp but not so cold that we couldn’t all indulge in a proper wild swim. It was magical and the perfect ending to a perfect stay at The Treehouses at Leckie.

Just 15 minutes from Stirling, and equidistant between Glasgow and Edinburgh, lies the ancient Leckie estate. Tucked beneath the Gargunnock Hills, this patchwork of parkland, mixed woodland and heather-topped crag has been shaped by traditional farming and forestry for centuries. But new owners are steering the estate in a di erent direction, one rooted in rewilding, regenerative land use and luxurious wilderness escapes.

There’s something cinematic about arriving at Leckie. The road narrows, hedges climb higher and the magniﬁ cent hump of the Gargunnock Hills dominates the skyline. As the road becomes a single track, we entered an ancient woodland where we excitedly spotted a small collection of elevated wooden

hideaways hidden in the branches. These are The Treehouses at Leckie – architecturally striking, low-impact retreats where modern luxury meets Scottish wildness: log burners, outdoor copper baths, and huge windows framing oak and sycamore crowns.

The four treehouses — named after the birds you might spot in the vicinity; Siskin, Wren, Chi cha and Goldﬁnch – aren’t in the trees as such but more at one with the trees. They are all elevated buildings with immersive views that have been ingeniously built into the canopies of large sycamores and majestic 300-year-old oak trees and boast stunning views across the rewilded parkland to the heather-clad hills. Inside they feel magical, as if you are living within the canopy of the trees. Our house, Wren, had a bridge across a burn to a spacious dining area that was enveloped by a large branch of a vast oak tree. Sitting there felt like being wrapped in a hug by the tree itself.

The Treehouses at Leckie were opened as a deliberately eco-minded development and have been built largely using timber sourced on the estate and meticulously designed to

ensure minimal impact on the environment. The construction emphasises airtight, e cient building fabric, aided by air-source heat pumps and log burners for toasty nights, so the treehouses are as comfortable in January as they are in July.

Each treehouse is completely unique in character and design. Comprising two onebedroom treehouses (52sqm with super king size bed and sofa bed, sleeps up to 4 guests) and two two-bedroom family friendly treehouses (57sqm sleeping up to 5 guests, super king size bed, wooden bunk beds and sofa bed), the collection is designed in harmony with its natural surroundings. The luxurious interiors are all Scandinavian simplicity with good furniture, ﬁtted kitchens, and creature comforts presented without screens and noise. Wi-Fi free, guests are invited to disconnect from the digital world, read a book, take an outdoor bath or just stare at the hills.

The Treehouses at Leckie are just one strand in the estate’s vision and ambitious pioneering project to transform the landscape. By staying there, you can enjoy the stunning

scenery and provide the income the estate needs to further invest in the land restoration. Leckie Estate’s primary focus is restoring biodiversity with habitat restoration and regenerating the land with native trees across the moorland. Expanses of parkland are being allowed to soften at the edges, allowing nature back in. We saw this transition for ourselves, right outside our treehouse where a section of the ﬁeld had been fenced o from the Belted Galloway cows; in this less managed land, a pond had spread out, reeds and grasses grew in abundance, and the air was thick with insects and dragonﬂies. Other projects include the addition of bird boxes and new beehives, the gentle removal of invasive species such as the beautiful but unwelcome rhododendron, and the introduction of large herbivores such as pigs and cows to break down the wetland and woodland areas to create a managed ecosystem.

There is lots to do in the local area - The Trossachs National Park: Scotland’s ﬁrst National Park, home to 21 Munros and over 22 lochs is no more than 20 minutes away in

“The treehouses aren’t in the trees as such, but more at one with the trees”

the car. It o ers all you could want whether it’s mountain climbing, canoeing, wild swimming or walking. And this is Scotland, there is history wherever you turn, we counted castle after castle from the car.

But I would recommend going precisely nowhere. We swam in a beautiful loch in the Trossachs but we had to share it with lots of other people. There is walking and swimming aplenty right outside your door on the Leckie estate, from endless hikes up into the Gargunnock Hills where there are waterfalls cascading from the crags and if you go high enough, stunning views across the Trossachs as far as the East and West coasts of Scotland. But more than that, there is deep deep peace. This is a very special place where you can relax and unwind and listen to the trees. And just by being there, you aren’t just enjoying the landscape but quietly supporting its recovery, too. And if that isn’t’ the very deﬁnition of cool, I don’t know what is.

From £265 per night (min 2-night stay) leckietreehouses.co.uk

In the spirit of architectural curiosity, Absolutely takes a London staycation at the iconic St Pancras Hotel

By PENDLE HARTE

ROOM SERVICE

“For a visitor, especially one travelling by Eurostar, the location is impossible to beat”

One of the things we learn during our stay is that hotels have changed signiﬁcantly since the 1870s. When the Midland Grand Hotel opened in 1873, eight years after George Gilbert Scott won a competition to design a railway hotel, the vast building had 300 bedrooms – but only ﬁve bathrooms. Though normal at the time, today this seems like an extraordinary architectural oversight, and in fact it was partly this lack that led to the hotel’s demise. The vast number of sta needed to collect and empty all those bedpans made the hotel ruinously expensive to run, and it closed in 1935.

Of course now there are bathrooms galore. After sitting derelict for decades, its vast Gothic Victoriana looming over Euston Road, the building reopened as a hotel in 2011, and this year it has rebranded as St Pancras London, Autograph Collection, part of the Marriott group. It’s an intriguing site for anyone with an interest in history, or Harry Potter (the exterior was used as a location for some of the ﬁlms) or the

supernatural (there are various rumoured hauntings). It is also a great destination of course for dining and London’s eighth Hawksmoor outpost is set to take over the Grand Dining room imminently. We arrive at the original entrance, once a cobbled path for Hansom cabs and now a covered lobby and bar area. The building’s legacy is celebrated, with QR codes displayed prominently at points of interest, leading to the hotel’s online history pages. Our room is in the new wing, on the top floor, and it’s a stylish space with blue walls and a sleek midcentury feel, a ridiculously comfortable bed and, of course, a luxurious bathroom. Even as a lifelong Londoner with a home not all that far away, it’s impossible for me not to be impressed by the view of the British Library and over to the Francis Crick Institute – and for a visitor, especially one travelling by Eurostar, the location is impossible to beat. Exploring the rest of the building, we’re struck by the scale and opulence of it. The famous staircase (famed also for its starring role in the Spice Girls’ Wannabe video) is beautifully restored, all patterned carpets and wallpaper, opulent lighting, Gothic windows and a painted ceiling. On the first floor, the Ladies’ Smoking Room proudly announces its status as the first

public place in Europe where women were allowed to smoke. Now it’s just one of the hotel’s event spaces, and a wedding is in full swing. In the basement, the spa is housed what was the original hotel kitchen; tiles and arches remain but otherwise this is a relaxing area with a pool, sauna, steam rooms and treatment spaces.

For dinner, we head to Booking O ce 1869, in the station's original 19th century ticket hall, overlooking the Eurostar terminal.

It’s a fantastic space, ﬁlled with actual palm trees and oversized lighting. Food is brasserie style – impressive steaks and, for me, delicious trout – while breakfast, in the same space, eschews the standard bu et for an entirely a la carte o ering.

This has always been an extraordinary building, described by Gilbert Scott himself as “almost too good for its purpose” after his project cost £438,000 (equivalent to £438 million today). It survived WW2 bombs, it was listed in 1967 and today’s incarnation is a fantastic testament to its original grandeur and architectural charisma. If you’ve ever felt curious in passing, now’s the time to visit.

stpancraslondon.com

BEDROOM IN THE NEW WING

THE GRAND STAIRCASE

ROOM DETAIL

STUFF YOUR STOCKINGS WITH STORIES!

Return to the true meaning of Christmas in the beloved Dr. Seuss classic!

From number one king of comedy David Walliams comes his first Christmashilarious caper!

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through the Arctic from the best-selling author of The Last Bear

Enjoy the much- loved Christmas classic with Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends!

Celebrate Christmas with everyone’s favourite bear in a brand-new festive adventure!

Enter an enchanting adventure through Wonderland, starring new characters and old favourites.

From the creator of The Tiger Who Came to Tea comes the delightful adventureChristmas about a really remarkable cat!

Get lost in the magical land of Narnia that has enchanted readers for 75 years!

Discover the magic of Shakespeare in this wonderful collection by the nation’s favourite storyteller!

In this section: BABY GIFTS

Make their first Christmas magical

• GIFTS FOR KIDS

Lighting up little faces

• PRESENTS FOR MUMS

Covet-worthy picks for your list

• GIFTS FOR DADS

Stylish gift picks for cool dads

winter WONDERS

Twinning doesn’t get much more festive than the family Christmas pyjama collection from PO.P. From magical gingerbread prints, to winter wonderland scenes, presents, reindeer and even Christmas cats, the range starts from 0-12years for little ones and comes in adult sizes too. Perfect for family photos. polarnopyret.com @polarnopyret

QUALITY SWEDISH KIDSWEAR SINCE 1976

FESTIVE Simplicity

Scandinavian family Christmas traditions to try this year (and the festive kids’ clothing to match)

Scandinavian families are known for creating Christmas magic through simple, meaningful rituals. Here’s how to bring a little Nordic spirit into your celebrations with the top Scandinavian Christmas traditions to try at home (and the timeless festive clothing to match).

ADVENT RITUALS: BUILDING THE EXCITEMENT

Advent is at the heart of Scandinavian Christmas celebrations. Families light a candle each Sunday of Advent, and children count down with calendars ﬁ lled with small treats or activities. Known for their timeless Scandinavian design and commitment to clothing that lasts, Polarn O. Pyret (known as PO.P) create festive collections that bring these traditions to life: from cosy nightwear and durable outerwear to thoughtful pieces for the Christmas season.

BAKING AND JULMYS: SWEET TREATS AND COSY MOMENTS

One of the sweetest Scandinavian traditions is gathering in the kitchen to bake gingerbread biscuits and lussekatter (sa ron buns enjoyed during St. Lucia’s Day on 13 December).

But it is not just about the baking itself. In Sweden, families talk about creating ‘mys’ (a word that describes the feeling of cosiness and togetherness). After the baking is done, the real julmys begins: snuggling up on the sofa. PO.P’s matching Christmas pyjamas ﬁt perfectly into this, making the baking fun and the sofa snuggles even more memorable.

OUTDOOR FESTIVITIES:

EMBRACING WINTER WEATHER

In Sweden, winter is not something to escape from. It is part of the magic. Families head out to skate, sledge, or walk through snowy forests. With the right durable outerwear, children can enjoy the fresh air whatever the forecast. Designed for layering, we love PO.P’s coats and waterproofs to keep little ones snug and dry, ready for hours of outdoor play.

JULAFTON

AND THE CHRISTMAS EVE FEAST

Unlike in the UK, the main celebration in Sweden takes place on Julafton (Christmas Eve). Families gather for a julbord, a bu etstyle meal. There is also the magical hidden almond tradition. Whoever ﬁ nds the almond in their rice pudding is said to be married before the next Christmas. Gifts are usually opened on Christmas Eve too, making festive nightwear a special way to mark the moment with children.

SUSTAINABLE, SIMPLE CELEBRATIONS

Perhaps the most inspiring part of Scandinavian Christmas is its focus on simplicity. Homes are decorated with natural materials and gifts are chosen to last. It is a philosophy that extends to clothing too. PO.P’s timeless Christmas collection is made from high-quality fabrics that can be loved, washed and passed down from sibling to sibling, year after year.

COSY WINTER DRESSING TIPS FOR FAMILIES

These Scandinavian-inspired tips will help keep the whole family comfortable and festive this winter.

• Balance indoors and outdoors: Choose versatile clothing that works for both winter outings and cosy moments at home.

• Invest in quality fabrics: Soft cotton nightwear for sensitive skin and durable outerwear for frosty days.

• Prioritise comfort: Whether in matching pyjamas or festive knits, children should feel free to play, run, and relax.

• Add seasonal layers: Thermals, hats and socks make it easy to adjust to changing temperatures.

• Choose timeless over trend: Opt for festive clothing that lasts beyond one season and can be handed down to siblings.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

Whether it is baking sa ron buns, enjoying the outdoors or cosying up in matching pyjamas for Christmas Eve, Scandinavian traditions remind us that it’s all about togetherness. With festive clothing that is built to last, you can add a little Nordic magic into your own celebrations this year.

polarnopyret.com

PO.P Christmas Sleepsuit, £24; polarnopyret.com

PO.P Adult Heart Pyjamas, £45; polarnopyret.com

PO.P Winter Family Matching Pyjamas, From £24; polarnopyret.com

POLAR POST The Bespoke Letter Collection, £23.99; polarpost.co.uk

WONDERBLY When You Were Born, From £29.99; wonderbly.com

ORGANIC ZOO X MAIN SAUVAGE So Teddy Toy, £35; organic-zoo.com

INGLESINA Welcome Pod, £139; inglesina.uk

WIGIWAMA Pink Playset, £219.95; sorenshouse.co.uk

ETTA LOVES X WALALA STUDIO Wooden Puzzle Board, £25; ettaloves.com

MUSHIE Shape Sorting Box, £34.99; mabelandfox.com

1. Happyology, Hand-Embroidered Bonnet, £32; happyology.co.uk

2. Wheat, Olga Jacquard Pullover, £34.95; wheat.co.uk

3. Polarn O. Pyret, Knitted Dungarees, £18; polarnopyret.com

4. Organic Zoo, Cotton Knitted Booties, From £36; organic-zoo.com

5. La Coqueta, Dusty Pink Merino Cardigan, £56; lacoquetakids.com

ROCKAHULA Angel Stars Headband, £9; rockahulakids.com

LEAPFROG

LeapMove, £60; selfridges.com

Mountain MAGIC

Hayley Barclay explores South Tyrol with her young family…

Tucked between the jagged peaks of the Dolomites and the gentle valleys of northern Italy, South Tyrol is one of Europe’s most family-friendly hidden gems. With its mix of Austrian e ciency and Italian warmth, it o ers mountain air, picture-perfect villages and outdoor adventures for all ages. For parents travelling with young children, it’s an easy and enriching escape – and two hotels, in particular, make it extra special.

GETTING THERE

We flew to the Dolomites with Sky Alps, a small Italian airline that runs weekly summer flights from Gatwick to Bolzano. The twoand-a-half-hour journey feels more like a private jet experience, with complimentary drinks and snacks. From Bolzano, our first stop – the opulent Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier – is around 45 minutes by

transfer, while our second destination, the boutique Das Mühlwald near Brixen, is about an hour further on. Taxis in South Tyrol can be costly, so we opted for public transport, which was blissfully easy, clean and on time – a refreshing contrast to home.

QUELLENHOF LUXURY RESORT PASSEIER

If you’re after a resort that has absolutely everything, Quellenhof is it. Nestled near Merano, this vast, ﬁve-star property blends Alpine chic with world-class facilities: multiple spas, a waterpark, indoor rock climbing and ﬁne dining. Despite its size, it feels serene – more sanctuary than family free-for-all. We stayed in a one-bedroom family apartment with mountain views, a stocked minibar and a sleek, restful interior. The kids’ club runs from 9 am to 9 pm, with meals included, and our three-year-old loved joining in despite not speaking the language.

DAS MÜHLWALD

After the grandeur of Quellenhof, Das Mühlwald o ered something cosier and utterly child-centred. Surrounded by apple meadows and ﬁr forests, it feels like a stylish nursery rather than a traditional hotel – there’s even a slide that whizzes straight to the play area. We stayed in the “Pippi Suite”, with a bright children’s berth, kitchenette and balcony. The atmosphere is calm, playful and warm, with wooden toys scattered through the lobby and thoughtful touches everywhere. Milli’s Kids’ Club, named after the resident hedgehog mascot, o ers everything from farm visits and crafts to discos and baking. Parents can unwind in the tranquil adultsonly spa while little ones splash in the heated inﬁnity pool or explore the playground.

Meals follow a set rhythm – soup, salad, two courses and dessert – chosen at breakfast, with hearty lunches and homemade cakes in the afternoon. The 24-hour baby station stocked with organic food is a gift for parents, while the family-run friendliness makes everyone feel at home.

VERDICT

South Tyrol is a dream for young families –clean air, mountain adventures and hotels that genuinely understand children. Quellenhof o ers indulgent, ﬁve-star ease, while Das Mühlwald captures the joy of simple, child-led travel. Together they prove that family holidays can be as relaxing as they are memorable.

dasmuehlwald.com quellenhof.it

QUELLENHOF RESORT

DAS MÜHLWALD RESORT

Shorter commute; more time for school-life balance

Preparation for university; strong academic foundation

Single, en-suite bedrooms in a brand new state-of-the-art Boarding House

2 or 3 night packages

EDUCATION

Top of the class

HABERDASHERS’ ELSTREE SCHOOLS

During what was a landmark evening for the school, Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools (Habs) won the overall top accolade of Independent School of the Year 2025, as well as Independent School of the Year for Outstanding Educational Partnerships at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards. habselstree.org.uk

VALUE-ADDED

MUSIC

The Association of British Orchestras is highlighting the lifelong value of music education, whatever young people’s future pathway

The Association of British Orchestras (ABO) is highlighting the value of studying music at school – and its positive impact in diverse careers. The aim is to raise awareness of the social and economic impact this has on the UK and its industries. Linking to its ‘An Orchestra in Every School’ initiative, the ABO is targeting young people choosing GCSE and A-level subjects for the 2026 academic year and beyond. The aim is to emphasise how live music making delivers a diverse skillset and beneﬁts wellbeing and work-life balance.

A recent survey of adults who make music in their leisure time found that transferable skills, including practice and perseverance (89%), focus and concentration (87%) and teamwork and collaboration (85%) proved vital in

respondents’ career paths. The survey, conducted by Making Music in collaboration with the ABO, also revealed that for almost 80% of respondents, music education developed performance and presentation skills transferable to their working life.

Almost half of respondents have used these skills in non-music or nonSTEM professions and over a quarter cite a direct skills benefit in their STEM career. Respondents find music helps with areas such as social skills, physical awareness and proprioception. The most common professions which respondents work in are financial services, medicine, emergency services and religion. More than a fifth work in education. Almost 80% of respondents play in an ensemble, orchestra or band and listen to music at home in their leisure time. Respondents noted how live music helps them balance home and working life. “Live music making in all its forms develops a range

of skills that can be utilised in any career path,” says Sophie Lewis, Chair of the ABO. “There are numerous beneﬁts to having access to live music-making experiences from a young age, whether that is academic achievements, developing conﬁdence, creativity or improvements to mental and physical wellbeing.”

Laura Baxter, Creative Learning Director of Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO), says: “Access to high-quality music education, and all the knowledge, joy and connection that brings, opens doors that help children and young people move from school into the world around them and to do so conﬁdently, creatively and in community with others”.

While there has been some growth in the number of GCSE Music entries over the past two years, a lack of school resources across many parts of the state sector means some young people rely on alternate approaches to develop their music-making skills – including online tutorials and self-study.

The ABO and its members pledged to deliver over 1,000 live music-making opportunities this year, with the aim of giving over a million young people the opportunity to experience live music. These activities take the form of workshops, training sessions and live performances.

Find out more about An Orchestra in Every School (#AnOrchestraInEverySchool) and ABO’s work at abo.org.uk

LONDON SINFONIETTA SOUND OUT CONCERT. PHOTO: BEN REASON

SCO MUSIC MAKING DAY

MUSIC MATTERS

Music is part of the creative landscape of our schools, but feeds into so much more – from academic skills to wellbeing, conﬁdence and community spirit. We talk to two schools that passionately believe in its transformative power

DUKE OF YORK’S ROYAL MILITARY SCHOOL

At The Duke of York’s Royal Military School (DOYRMS) in Kent, music is a deﬁning part of school life that grows with every student and supports their interests and ambitions. From their ﬁrst day, students are encouraged to explore and express themselves through music, with a programme designed to evolve in a way that matches individual aspirations.

With exceptional facilities and a deep belief in the power of performance, the school says that music remains an intrinsic part of education, bringing academic, social, and creative beneﬁts – a natural and everyday part of school life. Every Year 7 student receives free music lessons, o ering a foundation for musical discovery and building conﬁdence.

As students move through the school, the music programme becomes more specialised. Options range from tailored tuition and ensemble opportunities to performance pathways.

DOYRMS’ Performing Arts Centre stands at the heart of this creative journey. It provides a professional stage for concerts, recitals, and the school’s much anticipated annual musical. These events bring together students from across year groups, whether they study music formally or simply wish to take part in a shared creative experience. While this supports

a vibrant musical life, so does the school Chapel – home to whole-school weekly hymn practice and to the Chapel Choir.

Opportunities extend beyond classroom and other formal spaces. Keyboards and instruments are available in every boarding house and also in the school’s co ee shop for impromptu performances. This means that students can practise or perform at any time. A culture of

informal music making reﬂects the school’s belief that creativity should be encouraged and be accessible to all.

One important aspect of life at DOYRMS is the tradition of a Military Marching Band, which remains a source of great pride. Performing regularly at school and community events – as well as important national events such as the King’s Coronation – the band represents the discipline,

THE KENT SCHOOL OFFERS MANY PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

“DOYRMS’ tradition of a Military Marching Band remains a source of great pride – even performing at the King’s Coronation”

DOYRMS

teamwork, and heritage that underpin the school’s history and ethos. Through these performances, students not only develop musicianship but also a deep sense of service and connection to the wider community.

“Music enriches every aspect of life at DOYRMS. It builds conﬁdence, fosters teamwork, and brings joy to our community,” says Principal Alex Foreman. “From the classroom to the stage, and everywhere in between, music truly matters here.”

MALVERN COLLEGE

At Malvern College in Worcestershire, the focus is on education beyond academics.

Malvern considers it vital to develop not only academic strength, but also EQ (emotional intelligence) and CQ (cultural intelligence). The team say that music is a perfect reﬂection of why this approach is important. Under the leadership of recently arrived Director of Music, James Ramm, it is making a big impact on students and the whole school community.

Malvern College says that learning music sharpens IQ. It also builds focus, discipline and creativity – whether mastering an instrument, composing, or experimenting with digital recording. But music also does something more profound in developing students’ emotional skills (EQ). Playing or singing together demands empathy, listening and respect. Director of Music James Ramm says is not about being the loudest voice but about ﬁnding balance and harmony within a group – life skills every bit as valuable as the ability to

“From informal ‘Live Lounge’ sets to the Concerto Concert, the aim at Malvern College is to provide opportunities for every kind of musician”

solve an equation or compose an essay.

Cultural understanding (CQ) is also seen as a vital part of the mix. Malvern is a diverse, global boarding community, where pupils bring di erent backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. The team here believe music is one of the most powerful ways of bridging those cultural di erences. A choir, jazz group or Live Lounge performance is not just a showcase of talent, but an expression of cultural exchange and shared experience. In a world that can sometimes feel divided, this is giving students something in common and something to celebrate.

While music education has been in decline across the UK, it remains a central part of school life here in the Malvern Hills.

“We believe music is not an optional extra, but a vital thread in building conﬁdence, wellbeing and community. Music helps young people ﬁnd their voice and, just as importantly, to listen to others. At a time when the world feels increasingly polarised, those are lessons that extend far beyond the classroom,” says James Ramm.

This ethos is seen in action every day, he adds. From relaxed ‘Live Lounge’ sets at The Grub café, where pupils build conﬁdence in a relaxed setting, to large-scale showcases such as the Concerto Concert, the aim is to provide rich opportunities for every kind of musician.

As an All-Steinway School, Malvern also ensures pupils who want to take their musical ambitions further have access to the very best instruments, matching their persistence and enthusiasm with world-class resources and tuition. That commitment is

now reflected in the transformation of the Music School into a vibrant new space, with specialist teaching and rehearsal rooms, a purpose-built performance area, and a state-of-the-art digital recording studio. Whether a pupil is picking up an instrument for the first time or preparing for conservatoire, this setting is designed to nurture talent. Initiatives like the Young Malvern Musician of the Year competition highlight the school’s commitment to both excellence and inclusion. The event inspires beginners and advanced performers alike to share their music, says James Ramm. This event also supports the school’s boarding ethos. When young people are living and learning together, community spirit is vitally important. Music at Malvern provides shared opportunities and a sense of connection – both of which help to support young people’s confidence, resilience and sense of belonging.

HOUSE SINGING AT MALVERN

JAZZ NIGHT CONCERT

Poetry by Heart, the national poetry speaking competition for young people, opened on National Poetry Day in early October with a call to all schools to sign up.

It has also released a preview of Poetry By Heart: the Movie, a feature ﬁ lm documentary following schools as they enter the competition.

The ﬁ lm details the impact that Poetry By Heart has on young people – from poetry being used to create unity in challenging environments to encouraging children to explore and manage their emotions. It was ﬁ lmed in schools across the country, from Newcastle to the Scilly Isles and Great Yarmouth to Barrow, and features

PO ETRY IN MOTION

By Heart

The annual poetry competition Poetry is open, and there’s a forthcoming documentary about this transformative experience

freestyle entries, poetry clubs and sessions where teachers and pupils work on poems, run competitions and ﬁ ne-tune video submissions. The full documentary will be released next year. “Poetry belongs everywhere,” says Dr Julie Blake, co-founder and co-director of Poetry By Heart. “But it has a special place in schools. As revealed in our movie, teachers and the young people who take part in Poetry By Heart understand the joy, satisfaction and deep learning that comes from knowing a poem by heart.

“We can’t wait to release our ﬁ lm on a big screen in 2026 and in the meantime, we urge all schools to sign up now,” she adds. “It doesn’t have to be a big undertaking but however you choose to take part, the impact will be huge.”

Poetry By Heart is open to all schools and colleges in England and invites young people to choose a poem they love, learn it by heart, and perform it out loud. Schools hold internal competitions to select their own winners, with the best from each region then invited to a Grand Finale at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre next summer to compete for the title of national champion. This year, over 1,600 schools across England took part, with 128,000 performances and 4,300 ﬁ nalists.

Find out more about Poetry By Heart, with information about age groups and how to enter, at poetrybyheart.org.uk Watch a preview of the forthcoming documentary at vimeo.com/112314

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POETRY BY HEART 2025 FINALIST MARIA

PLANNER ADMISSIONS

Robert Milne, Master of Dulwich College, gives timely pointers on managing the complexities of the school admissions process

With admissions’ season underway, families and young people are getting to know schools and preparing for visits, tests and interviews. Every school knows how emotional this experience can be and works really hard to make it as positive as possible for prospective pupils and their families. The most important point to keep in mind is that these admissions experiences are not about measuring someone’s value or talent, but everyone working together to feel conﬁdent that a young person will be happy and thrive at school over the coming years. It is made harder because decisions are made at a speciﬁc age for each child and there is no failsafe way to know how they may develop in the coming years. Time and again, I am amazed, in a good way, by the strides a young person makes over time, given the right environment. By this, I mean a place where they feel they truly belong, are known, well-

taught, encouraged and looked after. However, there are some key points to keep in mind during the admissions process and, regardless of the ﬁnal outcomes, I hope that they prove useful.

• While it is hard to avoid looking at a school through the lens of your child’s age now, try to consider how a school might suit them in the years ahead. School years may well be the most concentrated period of positive development in their lives. Their needs alter, just like their character, year to year.

• Get beyond the publicity material, ask your questions and really listen to what senior leaders and teachers are saying. Connected to this point is the importance of shared values – what schools stand for, how they act, what they celebrate. If school qualities and values align with your family’s, that is a good way to start a positive relationship. Also think carefully about how you are made to feel during the process. Above all, do you feel welcomed, valued and heard?

• Speak to other families with pupils in the school. Of course, everyone’s views

are shaped by personal experience, so getting a range of thoughts, often from those who may not naturally wish to ‘post’ but who you believe will o er a measured and clear perspective, is advised. Some schools o er a chance to chat with current families – I strongly recommend this opportunity if it arises.

• Discuss scholarships and funded places. There are usually opportunities to help young people gain entry and schools really do want to o er support if they can. Many schools, Dulwich College included, have social mobility embedded in their values and operations, so asking about funded places is always sensible.

• Finally, listen to current pupils, and – if the chance arises – those who have been through the school. In my experience, pupils are disarmingly honest in what they say.

ROBERT MILNE, MASTER, DULWICH COLLEGE

PUPILS AT DULWICH COLLEGE

WHEN CHILDREN BELONG, THEY BELIEVE

WHERE THE MAGIC

BEGINS

And believing turns to becoming. Exploring what makes Clayesmore so special

Wouldn’t every child love to go to Hogwarts?

Clayesmore is about as close as you can get, not just because of its iconic turret or incredible food, but because it’s a place where every child discovers their own special strengths. Whether you’re curious and creative, bold and adventurous, thoughtful and kind, or driven and determined, Clayesmore is where you discover who you are – and all you can become.

Tucked away in the rolling Dorset countryside, Clayesmore has spent over 130 years weaving this quiet kind of magic – the kind that doesn’t rely on spells, but on connection, care, and curiosity. Success here isn’t deﬁned by a single path; it’s a journey that unfolds uniquely for each individual.

Clayesmore is a school where every child is known – not just by name, but by nature. Teachers recognise each child’s spark, strengths, and story, and

in that recognition, children experience something transformative: belonging. When a young person feels seen, understood, and valued, something extraordinary happens – they begin to believe, and from that belief comes possibility.

The journey begins in the Prep School, where specialist teaching in art, design, music, languages, and sport helps children explore their gifts and build a foundation not just for learning, but for life.

As students move into the Senior School, the world opens wider. The curriculum challenges and inspires, encouraging each child to shine – whether through science or sculpture, coding or climbing, drama or debate – while building resilience, leadership, and independence.

Boarding is the heart of Clayesmore, a close-knit community where trust, support, and respect guide every moment. It’s a home where friendships ﬂourish, individual strengths are celebrated, and pupils learn the enchantment of caring for others.

Sixth Form, students stand tall in their own stories. Small class sizes, expert guidance, and a wide choice of A-levels and BTECs give each individual the freedom and support to carve their own path. As one grandparent reﬂected: “Clayesmore has given our grandchildren an exceptional education, strong values, and the conﬁdence to take on the next stage of their lives.”

When children belong, they believe; and when they believe, they become – scholars, artists, visionaries, leaders – whatever their story is meant to be. If you’re searching for a school that o ers more than results, Clayesmore is ready to welcome you.