JUNE 2025 / £3.95
PLUS
CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD
On his revealing tour heading to Basildon
•
JOSH KATZ
The chef looks back at 10 years of Berber & Q
• TOP OF THE POPS
Special treats for Father's Day
Over 30 pages of inspiration and insight SPECIAL
We believe you should never be held back because you are tired. That’s why we have devoted 75 years to perfecting the sleep that sharpens your mind and strengthens your body. Our beds are built in Norway using passion, tradition and innovation to make the most of your sleep. So you can make the most of your day.
Craig Revel Horwood On his revealing new show coming to Basildon
Father's Day From adventure to brewery tours, Essex treats for Dad
30 Josh Katz The chef looks back on 10 years of Berber & Q
34 Recipes Maldon Salt pays homage to Essex
40 The Shoot Summer looks from Radley Braintree
43 Sunglasses Our picks that put others in the shade
50 Kate Rose Morgan Why we should embrace dopamine decor
54 Jade Boyce What's hot in interiors in 2025 – and what's not
62 Real Home A stunning Grade II listed property in Epping Forest
For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 07861 994764 or email: claire@zest-media.com
86 Summer Learning Six ways to make use of the holidays
89 National Boarding Week Why it's worth celebrating
91 New Hall School Unveil their Learn-to-Ride Centre
ON THE COVER Radley SS25 (radley.co.uk)
ABSOLUTELY’S
June issue highlights
1
Back in March, for Mother's Day, I treated my dear old Mum to a five-star lunch in London, the full works. She is pretty social, my Mum, but even she was taken aback by the effort I put into the day itself and her beaming smile made it all worth it. But, when it comes to Father's Day, I am a little stumped. That's not to say Dad doesn't deserve to be treated, but he's rather like me: simple. We are both never happier than we are at home, with some free time to simply potter about, maybe doing the odd job here or there, or just putting the feet up and letting out a big sigh, with a nice cup of tea on the side.
Essex, however, has other ideas. Open your eyes and there's plenty out there to treat your own father figure, things that they may not even realise they will love. From beer brewing (definitely one for Dad) to adventure at Nuclear High Ropes (judging by his dodgy ticker, probably not), the experts at Visit Essex have come up with some truly daddy ideas.
Our Home special also returns this month with fresh interiors inspiration. Perhaps that's all I need, sit Dad down with this issue and stick the kettle on...
MARK KEBBLE EDITOR
La Isla Bonita is the theme of Celia B's summer collection, and it's sprinkled with a large dose of fantasy. The Guadeloupe dress is a handmade crochet yellow openknit piece that makes the perfect beach cover-up. celiab.com
Mulberry's Floral Square is an abstract printed scarf made from 100% silk twill that can be worn either around the neck, or attached to your favourite Mulberry bag. mulberry.com
Gingham meets fl orals in Pink City Prints' gorgeous Ava Picnic collection. Embroidered blooms adorn the blue and white check top, shorts and dress. pinkcityprints.com
Liberty's Wild Rosinda eau de parfum reimagines an iconic, archival print in olfactory form. Rose, wild currant, green ivy and smouldering woods create a beguiling take on the timeless fl oral fragrance. libertylondon.com
Really Wild's country-to-city style is clear in the Isabelle fitted shirt: it's a feminine fl oral piece with a sharp, tailored urban feel. reallywildclothing.com
A new fragrance joins C.Atherley's line-up: Geranium No.3, inspired by the magical Mabel Grey pelargonium with its delicious, sherbet-lemon scented leaves. c-atherley.com
New season, new bikini – and fl oral swimwear is huge this summer. You'll fi nd a vast selection of shapes and patterns at Amelie's Follies. ameliesfollies.co.uk
Moshino has teamed up with Sanderson to create a fashion collection inspired by iconic interiors fabrics – most of them fl orals, of course. moschino.com
EDITOR’S PICK
Kit Kemp's Flower Power cushion features a beautifully detailed appliqué pink fl ower on a branch, fi nished with a blue herringbone piping for a playful touch. kitkemp.com OFF THE WALL
Inspired by summers in the Cotswolds, the Flora Broderie Espadrille is a classic style for everyday countryside elegance. penelopechilvers.com
This June, the award-winning Gypsy Spirits is making an appearance at the UK’s biggest celebration of food & drink, Foodies Festival, and Chelmsford we're ready to turn heads.
Renowned for exceptional quality, unparalleled smoothness and embodying adventurous spirit, these spirits are 7 times distilled, non-GMO and gluten-free. Enjoy a clean gin, vodka, or 0 sugar, 0 carbs and keto-friendly ready-to-drink cocktail cans in 3 refreshing flavours: Vodka with Ginger Beer and Lime, Vodka with Iced Tea and Lemonade or Vodka with Wildberry and Pomegranate
Where? Hylands Park, Chelmsford When? Friday 20th June – Sunday 22nd June 2025
Whether you’re discovering Gypsy Spirits for the first time or already part of the tribe – this is your invitation to come explore the Gypsy Magic with us at Hylands Park! And if you can’t wait till then, you can try Gypsy Spirits at gypsyspirits.co.uk
Come for the flavour, stay for the spirit.
Buy your tickets now at www.foodiesfestival.com and give us a follow on Instagram for more @GypsySpiritsUK
Follow and DM us ‘CHELMSFORD’ to be entered into our giveaway for 2 free tickets!*
4 JUNE, CHELMSFORD THEATRE
Join Martin Fry for an intimate evening of strippedback music and conversation following a sold out tour of the UK. Frontman of iconic British pop band ABC, the band that redefined glamour and cool, Martin will take you on a journey through their well deserved place in pop history, from Poison Arrow to When Smokey Sings. chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk
JUNE'S HOTTEST HAPPENINGS
UNTIL 30 JUNE, VARIOUS
Essex Book Festival is one of the highlights of the county’s cultural calendar. Each year the festival hosts 100+ events in a range of venues across Essex. It is now recognised as one of the leading festivals of its kind in the East of England, inviting writers and artists from all over the world to take part in its activities and events.
essexbookfestival.org.uk
14-15 June
KINGS FARM, CHELMSFORD
Motorfest is an annual family day out and motoring festival held in the heart of Essex. The event o ers an unforgettable day out for the whole family, featuring diverse attractions such as live stunt shows, monster truck rides, bars, inflatable kids village, live performances, shopping and activities for all ages, making it perfect for the whole family. motorshowevents.com
19 June
CHELMSFORD CITY RACECOURSE
Head along for a spectacular day of racing, fashion, and live music at Chelmsford City Racecourse. This year's headline act, Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, will bring their legendary hits to the stage after an exhilarating day of racing. Expect premium hospitality, best-dressed competitions, and an electric atmosphere. chelmsfordcityracecourse.com
7-8 June
CRESSING TEMPLE BARNS
This foodie extravaganza has been running for over 20 years and shows no sign of slowing down. Expect a huge range of food and drink o erings at this Witham venue with something to whet everyone’s appetite and whistle. There will also be cooking demonstrations and tastings throughout the day, and craft and gifts stands as well. charlieowenevents.co.uk
12 June
MERCURY THEATRE
For four decades, Rory Bremner has mimicked Prime Ministers and Presidents, pundits and Princes. Now, the master satirist is back with an intimate show that combines his signature stand-up with candid conversation, accompanied by special guest hosts. His virtuoso display of vocal mimicry, topical satire and revealing insights will be on full display. mercurytheatre.co.uk
This summer, from 3rd June until 7th September, Museum of the Home celebrates the intimate connection between dwelling and dining by hosting a special exhibition dedicated to the World Food Photography Awards 2025.
ead to Colchester’s beautiful Castle Park for another year of this popular Food & Drink Festival. There will be lots of old favourites and this year they have some new and exciting stalls and products to tempt you. You can enjoy live music and stroll around the stalls trying some of the artisan produced local goodies, which will feature lots of local and international food and drink. foodanddrinkfestivalsuk.co.uk
Part of the Museum of the Home’s ongoing photography season, which foregrounds the power of the photograph as a window into everyday lives and the stories of home, the exhibition will showcase finalist images from both professional and amateur photographers, hailing from all over the world. From growing and harvesting to cooking and eating, celebrating to simply surviving, the awards’ 25 categories explore the diverse ways in which food touches our lives.
Chaired by renowned food photographer David Lo us, the awards’ judging panel includes Museum of the Home’s director Sonia Solicari. She joins a roster of leading figures from the worlds of food and photography, including James Beard Foundation CEO Claire Reichenbach, Fortnum & Mason CEO Tom Athron, lowwaste chef Max La Manna, and campaigning chef Jamie Oliver.
Now in their 14th year, these prestigious awards have garnered entries from 100 countries, spanning every kind of photography – from portraiture to photojournalism, travel shots to smartphone snaps. Sonia Solicari and the Museum’s curators have curated a bold, diverse and thought-provoking selection of images for display. museumofthehome.org.uk The World Food Photography Awards are a tasty proposition
With his UK tour in full swing, Craig Revel Horwood on why the show is a revelation
He’s known and loved by millions for getting to the point. And midway through our conversation, StrictlyCome Dancing judge, Craig Revel Horwood, does just that. He’s talking about his new tour, Revelations, when he says this: “This show is unlike anything I’ve ever done. People aren’t going to see ‘The Judge, Craig’. They’re going to see the real Craig. It’s about my life, it’s who I am. It’s the most personal tour I’ve ever done.”
Who Craig is can be traced back to his roots. The man who turned 60 in January and who has become a national treasure, started out in musical theatre. His first ever job was West Side Story, and he took singing lessons as a kid, in his native Australia. Music was in his life throughout his schooling. “It just seemed to be a very natural journey for me to go into musicals. I just loved performing in
musicals until I was 30. People don’t really know me as a singer because I’ve been in the background doing it, I suppose.”
Other areas of his life took over. He became one of the UK’s best and most influential directors and choreographers, winning Laurence Olivier Award nominations for Spend Spend Spend and My One and Only. He directed the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and was invited to join the judging panel for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2004. As of 2025, he’s Strictly’s only original judge. Strictly made him a household name as a stringent rule-follower who has dished out more low scores of ‘1’ than any other judge. Becoming famous for catchphrases and unique locutions – from chah-chah-chah to fab-u-lous – Craig has outlasted everyone. And yet there are many more strings to his diamante-encrusted bow, and singing is foremost among them. So when the opportunity arose last year to record an album of songs with the UK’s leading musical theatre record label, Westway, he jumped at the chance.
“I thought: ‘Come on, you’re 60. Do it.’ My mum’s always told me to get an album together, and do something. So I thought: ‘Yeah, I’ll do it.’ I grew up in the era before things were recorded – so there are no recordings of my earlier performances in theatre. No one had mobile phones and all of that malarkey back then. Now everything is recorded, no matter what you do, I walk out the hotel room, and it’s recorded by someone.”
Craig went into the studio and recorded Revelations – Songs Boys Don’t Sing It was a stunning collection of tunes that showcased a marvellous, emotive, pitch-perfect voice. His interpretations
“THIS IS THE MOST PERSONAL TOUR I HAVE DONE”
of such songs as Memory showed a discombobulating degree of warmth and empathy, Don’t Rain On My Parade cast him as the ultimate razzle-dazzle showman, while As Long As He Needs Me, from Oliver!, became a song that took on new meaning with Craig’s thoughtful tenderness.
Craig’s show will be about much more than his favourite songs, of course. He’ll also tell stories about the part they’ve played in his life – and, yes, spoiler alert, there’ll be plenty of tales about Stories, from the other side of the dancefloor.
“I want to talk about the songs that I love and the reasons they are still with me and in my life. I know I’ve
written three autobiographies, but my autobiographies were always about how I got Strictly. This show, for me, is strictly about music and my passion and love for it. That’s what drives my life and it’s just so nice to be able to get up there and sing and entertain people really because that’s what I was born to do.”
Craig will be joined on stage by the super talented musician, Ben Goddard, who fans will recall from their wonderful and hugely popular double-act on Celebrity Gogglebox. He can’t wait to hang out with one of his best mates, and is expecting plenty of laughter along the way.
“The tour will be the opportunity to have a good time along with Ben, who I love. I’ve worked with him quite a lot, either directing with him or we did a one-man show together, which was hilarious.
“For me, this is about the real Craig Revel Horwood, not the judge Craig Revel Horwood. It’s about my life before I became a judge, and then my life after being a judge, because that, of course, is the only thing that I’m famous for.”
Craig Revel Horwood will be appearing at Towngate Basildon on 14th June. Full tour dates are at craigrevelhorwood.com
Tickets are now on sale for The Essex County Craft Show, showcasing the cream of our county’s artisans
This summer, on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June, over 100 talented craftspeople and skilled artisans will be showcasing their handmade products at the biggest craft show in the county: The Essex County Craft Show 2025. This fantastic event is taking place within the beautiful grounds of Ingatestone Hall, nestled between Chelmsford and Brentwood.
From pottery to woodwork, fused glass to basketry, watercolour art to lino printing and everything in between, you can find something exquisite to add to your home, or commission a bespoke piece in one of the Craft Marquees.
Additionally, the Food & Drink Marquee will house food producers from across the region, o ering tempting treats, tasty tipples and plenty of samples.
There will also be a range of craft demonstrations and bookable workshops to get the creative juices flowing as well as live music, delicious food and licensed bars.
Show Organiser Darren Perry, of Prestige County Events, says: “We are excited to be bringing this new show to Essex. We have had many requests for an event of this type from our stallholders over the last few years, but it wasn’t until we visited Ingatestone Hall that we really felt we could bring our vision to life at this fabulous venue.
“We have an exceptional line-up of exhibitors attending already who will have a wide range of handcrafted items on display. Plus, many will also be demonstrating their crafts so visitors can see the creative process and get involved themselves.”
More information can be found at essexcountycraftshow.co.uk
Treat the father figure in your life with some special Essex days outs
From adrenaline filled fun to beer tastings, Essex has plenty to make this Father’s Day on 15th June memorable. Visit Essex, the county’s tourism organisation, o ers their top tips for gifts and experiences.
For beer loving dads give them an unforgettable brewery tour at Brentwood Brewery. They’ll be fascinated to get a behind the scenes peek at how beer is made and learn about the brewing process. There is also the bonus that visitors will get two free tastings of the beer on tap and a four-pint takeaway container to go home with. The brewery also o ers ‘Experience Days’ where adults will have the opportunity to make their own beer and take it home. Entry to the tour is £15 per person and the Experience Day is £119 per person.
“Dads with an interest in WWI will get a buzz from the Stow Maries Aerodrome”
If wine is more to dad’s taste, head over to Dedham Vale Vineyard for a guided tour through the rolling 40-acre estate. English wine has a fabulous reputation, and the tour will explain why the geology and climate of Essex makes the county such a great location for wine production. Apart from the stroll through the vineyards, the tour will also go behind the scenes to discover the secrets of winemaking. The visit includes a wine tasting session of four of Dedham Vale’s signature wines. Visitors can also roll out a blanket and enjoy a prepared picnic in the vineyard. Vineyard tours run on selected days throughout the year, from 11am to 2pm. Booking is recommended, the tour and tasting costs £30 per person, and the picnic an additional £15 per person.
Dads who dream about being the next rally driving champ will get a real kick out of the Langley Park Rally School, near Sa ron Walden. Treating dad to a rally experience will teach him essential driving techniques from a professional driver in a safe environment. After the briefing, dad will be able to get behind the wheel and navigate the loose gravel terrain himself. He’ll also get the chance to sit alongside a skilled driver for an exhilarating ride around
the course. The rally experiences are £99 per person and gift vouchers are available.
Nature loving dads will be pleased to step aboard a seal watching trip from Harwich. The tours depart from Harwich’s historic Ha’Penny Pier and travel along the coast, with fantastic views of Harwich old town and the Essex coastline. In the creeks of the Hamford Water Nature Reserve, a colony of around 250 common seals can be found along with an array of birdlife. The seal watching trip is a wonderful present not just for dad, but the whole family. Prices start at £19 for children under five and rise to £29 for adults. Booking is highly recommended.
Dads with an interest in WWI or aircraft will get a buzz from the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome near Maldon. The aerodrome dates from 1916 and is crammed full of flying history and is the largest surviving Great War aerodrome in Europe. In the museum there are WWI era biplanes, a collection of historic aircraft hangers, workshops, squadron o ces and a well-stocked café for treats. The site is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, with hares and Barn Owls seen around
the airfields. Stow Maries Aerodrome is open Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Admission prices are £12 for adults. Engineers will also be enthralled by the Museum of Power near Maldon. It’s a celebration of power from steam to diesel, plus valves and lathes. It even has a petrol powered iron! The museum is housed in a former water pumping station and still has its original working steam pumping engine. On site is the Steam Pump Tea Room o ering tasty breakfasts and lunches. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 9.30am to 4pm. Admission is from £8 for adults. Another fascinating place to explore is the Essex Police Museum. Here visitors can experience a Victorian police cell and explore the history of Essex Police. There’s even a chance to become a super sleuth and solve a mock crime scene. The museum is at the Essex Police Headquarters in Chelmsford, open Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, free admission.
Whereas The Essex Fire Museum in Grays o ers a superb collection of vintage
fire engines, equipment and uniforms. The exhibits show how the technology of fire fighting has changed over the years. The museum is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am to 3.30pm, and occasional weekends. Admission is free.
Potters Resort Five Lakes Resort near Maldon has some great activities for dads of all ages as part of its short
breaks. The resort o ers not just a golf course, but a range of sports including tennis, badminton, archery, bowls, laser clay shooting and air rifle shooting. Plus, there is a well-equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, spa and an 18-hole golf course. Something for every dad! Three-night breaks are available from £529. If dad likes a challenge, treat him to a session at Nuclear High Ropes in Brentwood – the biggest high ropes course in Essex. The centre has three levels, six courses and over 70 aerial obstacles to navigate before reaching the 40m long zip wire finish. Gift vouchers are available, sessions are £30 per adult and booking in advance is recommended. Or head over to Go Ape, Hylands Park, Chelmsford, where dads can go the full Tarzan! Go Ape has three high rope courses, a high-speed zip wire, and, yes, a Tarzan swing. Gift vouchers are available, and their Treetop Challenge starts at £36.95.
Cammas Hall at Hatfield Broad Oak is holding a Father’s Day Beer and Barbecue. Starting at 11am with live music and a DJ, there will be a fully stocked beer tent including wines and cocktails, plus barbecue with burgers, hotdogs and pizza along with vegan choices. Each dad will receive a free voucher for footgolf, which he can redeem before the end of the season. Tickets are priced £4.95 for adults, children are free.
Dads who love classic British humour will be left belly laughing at the Fawlty Towers Father’s Day lunch at the Park Inn by Radisson Palace in Southend. Dads can expect large portions of chaos and mayhem all served with the manner they would expect from Basil, Sybil and Manuel. Booking is advised with three courses priced £57.50 for adults and £28.50 for children.
Or wow dad with a dining experience at Marco’s New York Italian at Brentwood’s Holiday Inn. The restaurant features a superb menu, created by top chef Marco Pierre White all in a New York/Italian style.
To find out more head to visitessex.com
Success stories abound, including alumni like Amari Bacchus, seen in Netflix's Adolescence
estled within lovely parkland in Edmonton, North London, lies Millfield Arts Centre, a vibrant hub for creativity and performance. This welcoming centre encompasses both the impressive Millfield Theatre and the elegant, Grade II* listed Millfield House, o ering a diverse range of cultural experiences for the local community and beyond.
Millfield Theatre itself is a superb venue, boasting a 360-seat auditorium. It provides an intimate yet professional setting for a wide variety of performances, from touring productions and live music to comedy nights and community events. The theatre complex also includes a stylish, theatre-themed bar and kitchen facilities, making it an ideal spot for a pre-show drink or post-show gathering.
Adjacent to the theatre stands the beautiful Georgian Millfield House. Beyond its historical significance, the house serves a vital community role as the home of Platinum Performing Arts. This dynamic organisation supports over 300 young people, nurturing their talents in the performing arts and providing pathways to professional careers. Success stories abound, including alumni like Amari Bacchus, recently seen in the Netflix Adolescence. Both the house and theatre spaces are available for private hire, o ering unique settings for events.
can look forward to a tangled adventure with Rapunzel and The Revengers! It promises festive fun and laughter for all ages, showcasing the theatre’s commitment to engaging entertainment.
A highlight of Millfield Theatre’s calendar is its much-loved Christmas pantomime, known for putting a contemporary spin on traditional tales. This year, audiences
To explore the exciting programme of events, learn more about venue hire, or discover the opportunities at Platinum Performing Arts, visit the Millfield Arts Centre website. There’s always something happening at this North London gem.
millfieldtheatre.co.uk
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June
Set in the glorious surroundings of medieval barns, with over 100 Exhibitors, Catering, Licensed Bar and Live Music.
Adult £6 Concession £5 Children Free
Advance tickets available at:
Open 10 - 4
On the weekend of 14th-15th June, Haslers’ intrepid team of 15 will take on one of the UK’s most demanding endurance challenges: the Three Peaks Challenge.
This formidable test involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – within just 24 hours. With roughly 26 miles of trekking and a total ascent of around 3,000 metres, the challenge demands exceptional physical stamina, mental fortitude, and meticulous planning.
It’s not just about reaching the peaks – it’s about making a di erence. Haslers’ climbers are raising vital funds for the Haslers Foundation, established in 2008 to support local charities and community groups across East London and Essex.
To date, they’ve donated over £250,000 to a wide range of local causes. The Foundation focuses on three core aims: relieving financial hardship, improving health and wellbeing, and enhancing opportunities for young people. Through grants, fundraising, and by donating 1% of all company profits, the Foundation continues to make a meaningful di erence in our local communities.
As a special thank you for the incredible support they’ve received, when their team reaches each summit, they will raise a flag proudly featuring the logos of the suppliers who have sponsored the challenge. It’s a gesture of appreciation – and a symbol of how businesses can come together to support our community. They will proudly fly the flag from their o ces in Old Station Road, Loughton.
It’s not too late to show your support. Sponsor the team via their JustGiving page justgiving.com/campaign/haslers3peaks
“We wanted to be loud, brazen and push boundaries”
Josh Katz revolutionised the BBQ restaurant scene when launching Berber & Q a decade ago. He looks back at a flavour filled journey
This year marks a decade of flavourpacked feasting for Berber & Q, the trailblazing Haggerston restaurant founded by chef Josh Katz, renowned for its bold fusion of North African and Eastern Mediterranean flavours with the thrill of live-fire cooking inspired by American BBQ. Their industrial arch invites you to use all of your senses, boasting a laid-back, upbeat atmosphere. It’s undoubtedly one of Absolutely’s favourite spots, so we didn’t need a second invite to go and meet Josh and talk about a decade of BBQ beauties, the original idea and how they are marking the milestone.
Q Long before Berber & Q was a glint in your eye, when did you first get a taste for cooking?
A I started cooking as a teenager, really. Food was always a big part of my life growing up and it wasn’t long before I started cooking for myself, family and friends, mainly barbecues in the summer, but a little bit of everything in between.
Q What was your first job in a professional kitchen and how do you look back on it?
A Technically my first professional job in a kitchen was flipping burgers at a gourmet burger restaurant called Burgerman in Sydney, where I was studying at the time. Alas Burgerman is no more, but it was legendary in its day, long before gourmet burgers became a thing. In the UK, my first professional kitchen job was at Galvin Bistrot de Luxe on Baker
Street, which was a tough kitchen, but I learnt a lot about myself in the process.
Q You went on to work in some top establishments. Did you take something away from them all?
A Yes. Di erent things from all of them, some of them positive, some of them less so, but something none the less.
Q When did you first start thinking about launching Berber & Q?
A I had a lightbulb moment sitting in Fette Sau, one of my favourite BBQ restaurants in New York, when I was visiting in 2014. I felt there was an opportunity to take some of that BBQ culture that I loved so much and combine it with the ingredients and techniques I’d been using through my culinary career up to that point. Travel has always served as an enormous inspiration for me, particularly when it comes to food. I would say that I am one of those people who likes to see the world through the food culture of a particular country or city. All of our restaurants are inspired and influenced by travels overseas, be that to Morocco, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Greece and across other parts of the Mediterranean too.
Q Why was the Haggerston site perfect for you?
A It was the perfect blend of being slightly o the beaten track, hidden down a back street, but surrounded by lots of vibrant neighbourhoods and areas such as Dalston and Shoreditch. The site itself, an old railway arch with exposed bricks throughout, also had an aesthetic that lent itself perfectly to the kind of atmosphere and place we hoped to create, a den of iniquity of sorts.
Q Was it smooth sailing to open up?
A I’ve opened six restaurants now, for myself or for others. Not all of them have been smooth sailing and they haven’t gotten any easier the more we’ve done. You never really know how a launch will go as there are so many variables that can determine the outcome and it can be
di cult to control all of them. Berber & Q was one of our openings that just seemed to go well from the o . Everything seemed to just work, the planets aligned and, whilst it would be wrong to call it smooth sailing, it certainly felt less complicated than some of the others. The hardest part was managing the custom, because it got very busy, very quickly, and it was a real baptism of fire in that regard.
Q From day one, what did you want to o er?
A We wanted to o er something unique, something that felt di erent, that was unique to us and our individual and collective personalities. We wanted it to be loud, brazen and to push boundaries. But mostly, we wanted people to come,
eat good food and leave feeling fulfilled and that they’d had a good night out, regardless of what came before or after.
Q Have you evolved much over the last decade?
A I think invariably you evolve and change as you get older. Ten years is a long time, and so our concepts and o erings have also evolved as we have collectively grown older. We aren’t quite as young and wet behind the ears as we were ten years ago and I think this is reflected in what we do, since restaurants and food are ultimately an expression of personality.
Q We have obviously gone through plenty of tough times – and hospitality is still faced with lots of challenges – so how proud are you to make it to 10 years?
A Very proud. Restaurants have always been a di cult game and a tough industry, and the last ten years have coincided with some of the toughest times and challenges faced by hospitality in living memory, so just to make it this far feels like an achievement given everything that has been going on.
Q Over this time, what have been some of your favourite dishes to appear on the menu?
A It’s hard to look past our signature cauliflower shawarma, which was a dish that really put us on the map. But I also have always loved our slow-cooked lamb mechoui, inspired by our multiple trips to
Marrakech, which was the real starting point for the idea behind Berber & Q.
Q What can you tell us about the collaborative Sunday feasts that are marking the 10th anniversary?
A We’ve got a brilliant line-up of chefs of all di erent shapes, sizes and backgrounds. Past employees who have gone on to build their own careers, industry friends and supporters of our business, some with big profiles, others more up-and-coming but all equally as exciting, most of whom (but not all) with a connection to either cooking over fire or using the kind of ingredients familiar to us. It’s a great mix of talent and personalities and we’re very grateful they have agreed to be a part of the celebration. Ten collaborations to celebrate our ten years, cooking a Sunday roast with their own spin and recreating some of our signature dishes in their own style. It should be a lot of fun.
Q How do you see the future looking for Berber & Q?
A It feels like a precarious moment for the industry, so right now it’s hard to look too far into the future or to plan too far ahead. We’re focused on our tenth year for now, taking each day and month as it comes, and then we will reassess once we’re out the other side of these budget changes that are coming into play to see where we’re at come the end of it all.
berberandq.com
Maldon Salt rustle up three tasty recipes that o er a real taste of the county
Serves 4
Lemon sole, roasted simply with herbs and lemon. Thick-cut, triple-cooked chips, crisp and golden. A proper tartare sauce, chunky with gherkins and fresh tarragon. Everything kissed with Maldon Garlic Salt.
INGREDIENTS
For the fish
• 1 whole lemon sole, cleaned
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp Maldon Garlic Sea Salt
• ½ tsp Maldon Original Sea Salt
• A handful of soft herbs (parsley, dill, chives)
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
For the chips
• 3 large Maris Piper potatoes
• 1 tbsp Maldon Garlic Sea Salt
• Beef dripping or vegetable oil for frying For the tartare sauce
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp finely chopped gherkins
• 1 tbsp finely chopped capers
• 1 tsp chopped fresh tarragon
• Squeeze of lemon juice
METHOD
1 Prepare the chips. Peel the potatoes and cut them into thick batons. Rinse under cold water, then simmer in salted water for 8–10 minutes until just tender. Drain and let them steam dry.
2 First fry – heat oil to 140°C. Fry the chips in batches for 5 minutes, just until they form a light crust. Drain on a rack and cool completely (this can be done ahead).
3 Roast the fish. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Lay the lemon sole on a lined tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season with Maldon Garlic Sea Salt and Original Sea Salt. Scatter over chopped herbs and arrange lemon slices on top. Roast for 12–15 minutes, until the flesh is just opaque and flakes easily.
4 Make the tartare sauce. Mix mayo, mustard, gherkins, capers, and tarragon. Squeeze in a little lemon juice and stir. It should be thick, ‘spoonable’, and packed with flavour.
5 Final fry – heat oil to 180°C. Fry the chips again for 5–6 minutes, until deep golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels and toss with more Maldon Garlic Sea Salt while hot.
6 Pile everything onto a plate: fish, chips, a generous dollop of tartare. A cold cider or bitter on the side. Best eaten outdoors, fingers greasy, with a bit of salt still clinging to your lips.
Serves 4
There’s something about slow-cooked pork - its deep, smoky sweetness, the way it falls apart under the lightest touch. This one, kissed by Essex oak and cider, is worth the wait.
For the pork
• 3kg pork shoulder, skin removed, fat scored
• 2 tbsp Maldon Chilli Sea Salt
• 1 tbsp Maldon Original Sea Salt
• 2 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• A drizzle of cider vinegar
• A little oil For the smoke
• Oak, apple, or whatever good Essex wood you can get your hands on - something with warmth, depth, a little history.
For the sauce
• 250ml dry Essex cider
• 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 3 tbsp soft brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 heaped tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp MSG
• A pinch of Maldon Chilli Sea Salt
1 Rub the pork - massage in the salt, sugar, spices, a splash of oil. Let it sit while the barbecue comes to life.
2 Set for indirect cooking, low and slow, around 120°C. A tray of water beneath keeps things gentle.
3 Smoke for 6–8 hours, topping up the wood as needed. Mop with a little cider now and then.
4 Make the sauce - simmer everything until rich and glossy. Taste and adjust.
5 When the pork pulls apart with ease, rest, shred, mix with sauce. Pile into buns, let it drip onto fi ngers, eat outside with the smell of wood smoke still clinging to your clothes.
& Smoked Maldon Salt Caramel Serves 4
There are few things as deeply comforting as a well-made doughnut. Golden, light, and just the right side of sweet, they carry with them the scent of warm kitchens and childhood indulgences. These doughnuts, a true homage to Essex and its finest ingredients, bring together two of the county’s most beloved names: Maldon Salt and Tiptree Jam.
The jam-filled variety – seedless raspberry, of course – is a nod to those glossy, sugar-dusted bakery counter treats. The ‘holeless’ doughnut, drenched in a rich Maldon Smoked Salt caramel, takes things to a new level – sweet, buttery, with just enough savoury edge to make you go back for another bite.
These are doughnuts that demand to be eaten with fingers, warm from the fryer, still so at their core.
For the doughnuts
• 35g butter
• 35g lard
• 660g strong bread flour
• 50g Golden Caster Sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp Maldon Smoked Sea Salt
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 15g fast acting yeast
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 400ml whole milk
Dusting
• 100g Golden Caster Sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• Pinch of Maldon Smoked Sea Salt Maldon Smoked Salt Caramel
• 200g caster sugar
• 60ml water
• 90g salted butter, cubed
• 120ml double cream
• 1 tsp Maldon Smoked Salt (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
METHOD
For the caramel
1 Heat sugar and water in a pan over medium heat until dissolved. Stop stirring and let it bubble until deep amber.
2 Remove from heat, stir in butter, then slowly add cream.
3 Stir in Maldon Smoked Salt.
4 Cool slightly, then jar. Store in the fridge.
5 Warm the milk gently until just warm to the touch. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for a few minutes.
For the doughnuts
1 In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, nutmeg, and mace. Rub in the butter and vegetable shortening until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
2 Make a well in the centre and pour in the eggs, vanilla, and yeast-milk mixture. Stir to bring it together into a soft, slightly sticky dough.
3 Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4 Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1–1.5 hours).
5 Knock back the dough and roll out to about 2cm thick. Cut into rounds for filled doughnuts or rings if preferred. Place on a lined tray and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
6 Heat oil in a deep pan to 170°C. Fry the doughnuts in batches, turning until golden brown on both sides. Drain on kitchen paper and coat in sugar while still warm.
7 For the jam-filled doughnuts, use a piping bag to fill with Tiptree seedless raspberry jam.
8 For the caramel doughnuts, drizzle with Maldon Smoked Salt caramel just before serving.
9 Eat while still warm, preferably with fingers sticky from caramel or jam, the way all good doughnuts should be.
CELIA B
For Celia B, clothing is more than just fabric, it is an extension of your identity. With a passion for textiles, and a sensibility for craftsmanship, the brand is strongly committed to creating long lasting clothes for your wardrobe that break the moulds defined by mainstream fashion. celiab.com
Radley Braintree have unveiled their new collection, perfect for any summery occasion
By PENDLE HARTE
David Lloyd Harlow is opening its doors this winter. Located in the Innovation Park area towards the east of the town, the Club will offer a wide range of state-of-the-art health, fitness, racquets and spa facilities for families and adults of all ages.
If you’re looking to improve your health and wellness, learn a new skill, spend time with family and friends, or simply relax, then look no further than the brand new David Lloyd Harlow.
Get those endorphins flowing - The centrepiece of the Club will be the 100+ station gym, which will house David Lloyd Clubs’ cutting-edge gym concept. With personal trainers on hand to give expert advice and help you to reach goals you never thought possible.
The group exercise studios will host more than 100 classes each week including the David Lloyd Clubs’ exclusive Signature Classes Collection.
Members will be able to take part in high-energy workouts such as IGN1TE, find balance in Mind and Body classes including SPIRIT, Reformer Pilates and yoga, pedal through exhilarating RHYTHM and CYCLONE group cycling classes, and experience the adrenaline rush from the exclusive HIIT class BLAZE.
Raise your game - Fun for the whole family is guaranteed on the padel and premium cushioned acrylic tennis courts. An experienced team of racquets professionals will be on hand to offer first-rate coaching, so whether you’re an experienced player or complete beginner, there’ll be something for everyone.
Unwind time - The luxurious Spa Retreat and outdoor Spa Garden will be the perfect escape from the rigours of everyday life. A Himalayan salt sauna, rainforest experience shower, citrus steam room, ice cave and plunge pool, all in a stunning space designed to aid relaxation and rejuvenation.
Plus, for swimmers, the indoor and outdoor pools and hydropools will give members an energy boost from the water, whatever the weather.
Family Fun together - Family sits at the heart of David Lloyd Clubs. With structured, progressive swim and tennis coaching and DL Kids activities including after-school and holiday Clubs, there’s always something to keep the youngest members entertained while learning new skills. For little ones aged 8 and over, the David Lloyd Clubs ‘Rebels’ classes will offer kids a chance to enhance their fitness and wellbeing.
Clubroom - The stylish Clubroom is the heart of the Club and will offer the ideal place to unwind with friends and family and grab a delicious bite. For those sunnier days, enjoy dining alfresco and perhaps a refreshing drink while the kids play in the outdoor play area.
An adults-only business lounge will provide a comfortable alternative to working from home, where you can take advantage of refreshments being brought directly to your table - and then even squeeze in a quick class between work calls!
It’s all coming to the new David Lloyd Harlow. There are limited introductory memberships available before the Club opens this winter, so hurry to secure your space.
Join online or enquire now at: www.davidlloyd.co.uk/harlow
glossier.com
ANTINOMIE
JO MALONE
LONDON Beach Blossom, £86 jomalone.co.uk
ANTINOMIE
Rose Sage, £45 printemps.com COS
EDITOR’S
Fragrance collection antinomieparfum.com
FRAGRANCE
Oud Rose Intense, £295 fragrancedubois.com
DIPTYQUE
Olene, £135 diptyqueparis.com
GLOSSIER
You Fleur, £70 glossier.com
Solaire, £75 cos.com
SERGE LUTENS
Jeux de Peau, £242 harrods.com
CHANEL
Eau Splendide, £149 chanel.com
GREYCAINE
A bold departure from the ordinary, Greycaine’s outdoor collection introduces vibrant hues, sculptural silhouettes, and luxurious, weatherresistant fabrics that bring the sophistication of interiors outside. greycaine.co.uk
Inside this section
KATE ROSE MORGAN p50
JADE BOYCE p54
GARDEN TRENDS p66
YELLOW STYLE p78
Need an inspiration injection with your interiors? Then you need Essex’s Kate Rose Morgan in your life
Absolutely believes we all need a little piece of Wes Anderson eccentricity in the home – and that’s why Essex influencer Kate Rose Morgan has grabbed the attention of so many. For hers is a home that makes you smile, full of the fun things in life, with a colour palette that is simply bursting with positivity.
So when we heard that she was releasing her debut book, Dopamine Decor, we decided we had to get our fix and sit down in her happy space to discover more about her and uncover some interiors inspiration.
Q When did you first start to develop an interest in interior design?
A I’ve always loved home decor, even as a kid I would love it when my mum treated me to new bedding or when I had my bedroom room painted a different colour. I really started to get into it when I had my own place, and I could experiment more.
Q Have you always been a happy-go-lucky person with your approach to life?
A I’ve always tried to embrace the fun things in life. I’m not a very serious person.
Q How long have you lived in Essex for and when you started sharing room transformations online, was it from this home?
A I’ve lived in Essex all my life. I grew up in Harlow and then moved to Southend on Sea when I was 20. I started sharing my home on Instagram in 2019 with the home I’m in now.
Q What spurred you on to start sharing things online?
A When we first moved into our home it needed decorating, so I started to document it on Instagram to show friends and family and just to look back on. I never imagined that people would start following along.
Q What was the initial response like to what you were uploading?
A People have always been so supportive and really lovely about my home. It’s a wonderful community. My followers give me confidence to try new things.
Q From the very early posts, was it all about the dopamine trend?
A I have always decorated my home in ways that make me happy. When I first started to post my home there weren’t too many homes on the internet like mine. I think that’s why it gained so much attention. But now I feel that people have warmed to the idea of making our homes more fun and to decorate our homes in colours and styles that bring us joy. That’s what Dopamine Decor is all about. It’s about making your home your own sanctuary that brings you joy.
“Growing up shouldn’t mean we have to become boring”
Q How did you find putting together Dopamine Decor?
A I really enjoyed the process, it was great to finally be able to write everything down and answer people’s questions I’ve had over the years. It’s been an amazing opportunity.
Q What kind of things will we find in the book?
A You will find my tips and tricks on how to create your very own joyful home. I have split the book into three easy stages for you to complete your own dopamine home. I have included tips for renters, giving you colour confidence, room inspiration, low budget transformations and ways to get you started if you’re a complete beginner.
Q For those who don’t know much about the trend, how would you describe it?
A I describe it as fun, colourful and to listen to your inner child when making choices. What would your younger self want? Growing up shouldn’t mean we have to become boring.
Q Can you explain in what ways you have incorporated the trend in your own home?
A Fun decor pieces like cowboy boot vases, poodle lamp disco ball planters, drinking my everyday coffee from fun mugs like pink poodles – even my kettle is a strawberry.
Q What is your favourite room and why?
A My kitchen has to be my favourite room because it’s where we spend the most time. We have pink kitchen cabinets, a vinyl wall, cupboards full of fun kitchen ware and it is full of colourful decor pieces. I really love 1950s pastel kitchens, so I took a lot of inspiration from that era.
Q When did a conversation start about writing a book on the trend?
A About two years ago I was contacted by Penguin about writing a book on my home and how I decorate.
Q Given the subject matter, are you hoping people read it and have a huge grin on their faces?
A Oh absolutely, I hope this book will bring them joy as much as I enjoyed writing it. I want this book to be their go to every time they think about decorating. The book is jam-packed with tips and tricks, and with all the colourful pictures and details, it’s a feast for the eyes!
Q For someone just starting out on embracing the dopamine trend at home, what tips would you offer them?
A Start small, like painting a piece of furniture or a feature wall in a colour that you love. If you don’t fancy painting, you can bring in colourful furnishings like rugs, cushions and playful items such as vases and picture frames.
Q What does the future hold for you?
A I want to continue my quest to encourage people to embrace colour and decorate their homes in ways that bring them joy. We spend most of our time at home, so I want people to fully embrace their home life.
Follow Kate @kate_rose_morgan and Dopamine Decor is out now
JADE BOYCE
Exploring what’s hot in interiors in 2025, and what to skip this year
By JADE BOYCE
Every year, a fresh wave of interior trends rolls in – some are inspiring, some a little out there, and others you just know won’t last beyond the season. As someone who’s always been a bit house-proud but also budget conscious, I love finding that sweet spot between style and practicality. So, here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest (and most achievable) interior trends for 2025.
Good news for anyone who loves a bit of character in their home – warm wood tones, earthy textures, and natural finishes are sticking around for 2025. Think oak, walnut, and warm beech, paired with grounding shades like terracotta, olive, clay, and ochre. This palette creates a calm, lived-in feeling that doesn’t rely on constant upkeep or swapping things out every season.
And the best part? You don’t need to renovate to bring it in. Even adding a wooden side table, a thrifted pine dresser, or switching to linen cushion
covers in sandy tones can give your space that cosy, grounded update.
The days of harsh lines and cold minimalism are behind us. In 2025, curves are everywhere – from sofas to mirrors to arched alcoves. This soft, sculptural look adds instant comfort and a bit of luxury without having to overhaul your entire space. If you’re not ready to splurge on a curved boucle sofa, try something simple like a rounded coffee table, a scalloped lampshade, or even DIY arch wall art. It’s all about softening the space and making it feel inviting.
This year’s lighting trend is all about form meets function. Gone are the days of sticking to just one boring ceiling pendant. Layered lighting – combining wall lights, floor lamps, statement pendants, and even candlelight – is in, and it’s a really affordable way to elevate your space. Look for oversized lampshades, quirky secondhand finds, or paper lantern-style pendants (which are having a big comeback). Lighting is often
“The days of harsh lines and cold minimalism are behind us. In 2025, curves are everywhere”
underestimated, but it can completely change the feel of a room.
VINTAGE AND UPCYCLED OVER FAST FURNITURE
One of the biggest shifts this year is the move away from throwaway furniture. In part, it’s a response to rising costs, but it’s also a growing awareness around sustainability. And honestly? Vintage and second-hand pieces just have more soul.
People are hunting down sideboards on Facebook Marketplace, giving old chests of drawers a lick of paint, and mixing heirloom or antique finds with more modern elements. It’s less about perfectly matching sets, and more about creating a home that tells your story. That’s the kind of trend we can all get behind – both financially and emotionally.
PERSONALISED, IMPERFECT HOMES
This might be my favourite trend of all: the end of the Pinterest-perfect house. In 2025, it’s not about staging your home to look like a showroom – it’s about embracing real life. We’re seeing more homes that reflect real people and personalities: layered artwork, bookshelves that aren’t colour-coded, gallery walls with a mix of family photos and flea market finds, and homes that feel ‘collected’ rather than curated. People are getting more confident with colour, clashing styles, and even mixing metals. It’s permission to decorate for you, not Instagram. And isn’t that what home is all about?
This year, I’m stepping away from the urge to match everything perfectly. It’s something I used to do thinking it would make everything look more “put together”, but now it just feels a bit rigid. Instead, I’m mixing styles and eras, and it’s made our home feel so much more relaxed and authentic.
If your living room has a black floor lamp, you can still have brass cabinet handles. If your bedside tables don’t match – great. That layered, eclectic look feels much more modern and lived-in right now.
I’m also skipping anything that requires a lot of upkeep. Think delicate fabrics that can’t handle pets or kids, high gloss finishes that constantly show fingerprints, or open shelving in the kitchen that looks amazing in photos, but ends up being a magnet for grease and dust. This year, it’s all about low fuss living. Washable slipcovers, wipeable surfaces, and hardy plants (or faux ones).
2025 interiors are all about warmth, personality, and practicality – and thankfully, those are things you don’t need a massive budget to embrace. The most stylish homes this year aren’t the most expensive ones; they’re the ones that feel considered, comfortable, and genuinely you. So, whether you’re renovating, rearranging, or just refreshing a few corners of your home, I hope this year’s trends inspire you to do it your way.
Essex-based Jade Boyce is your go-to for home inspiration – see more @feel.at.home.inspo
30 this summer off
New windows will transform your home inside and out.
Slimmer frames and lighter profiles maximise the available light. And innovations in glazing and construction increase thermal efficiency to the new standards needed for a net zero carbon future.
Discover a wide range of new designs in materials and finishes to match heritage and contemporary homes, all fitted precisely and guaranteed.
Whatever you want to change this summer, it’s easy with SEH BAC
For inspiration search SEH BAC or visit your nearest showroom.
As SEHBAC customers the Thomases discovered, by focussing on quality and attention to detail, a conservatory can be anything you want it to be
You can put up with a lot when you move home if the new place has more of what you want than the old, but sooner or later you’re going to look at improvements.
For Rob Thomas, their 1980s conservatory was an obvious candidate.
“It was fairly typical of conservatories of the era,” he says. “Poorly insulated and not very well constructed with a perspex roof – you could be in there in the summer, but it wasn’t really a
usable part of the house for the rest of the year.”
A lot of older conservatories have a tacked-on appearance and an uninviting quality. The Thomases’ conservatory never really felt part of the house. “It was like half an outbuilding, with a cold, tiled floor – not very pleasant,” Rob adds.
“What we wanted was a stronger connection to the rest of the house, with doors through to the dining room to give it the potential to be a more flowing space.”
Seeing different suppliers can help to refine your ideas as well as build your confidence. While the Thomases had clear objectives for the improvement, they found the process of selecting a supplier helped to focus attention on quality and on getting exactly what they wanted.
They evaluated companies based on their professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to handle the specific challenges of the project. Ultimately, the professional approach of SEHBAC’s people and a lot of outstanding Trustpilot reviews were factors in the decision, rather than just focusing on the lowest price.
“I do think it’s important to be willing to pay a bit more for quality work,” Rob believes. In the end, a slightly more expensive project that gives you exactly what you want is worth the investment: “You’re going to live with it for a long time after the cost has ceased to be an issue.”
“It has totally changed the way we live here, creating a much more flexible space”
The rebuilt conservatory transformed a previously redundant part of their home into a stunning, enjoyable living space.
The new design offered a lot of improvements to the Thomases home. New construction materials and methods created a better insulated room with a bright, clear roof, and bi-folding doors. Now the conservatory is integrated to the existing building.
It’s changed the way they use the house. Not only do they now use the conservatory more of the time, they’ve found they even use the connecting dining room much more. “It’s totally changed the way we live here, creating a much more flexible space for living and for entertaining.”
For more information on how SEHBAC can help with your next home improvement project, search sehbac.com , call 0800 666 444 or visit your local showroom
How Jensen Beds can help you customise your dream bed
Agood bed is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make. The Norwegian-made Jensen Beds design theirs with passion and science, so you wake up rested every day.
A Jensen bed is always a personal choice. In fact, there are more possible ways to combine their different set ups than there are people in the world. Explore all their different bed types, spring systems, textiles, headboards, legs and other accessories to create your custom made sleep experience.
SLEEP COMFORT ALWAYS COMES FIRST
One important feature with Jensen beds is that the mattress tension can be individually chosen, even in double beds, without any gaps or disturbing hard edges between you and your partner. This lets you fine tune your sleep comfort to your body’s requirements, regardless of who you share the bed with.
CUSTOMISED BY YOU
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.
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, such as the Eicon bedside table, which combines style and practicality, offering a solid wood surface for everything you need close by, available in oak, white washed, and black finishes.
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.
Complete your bed with a nice headboard. Jensen Beds’ assortment is available in different designs, from classic to modern so you can find something that suits your interior design style.
Jensen Beds offer a wide range of highquality fabrics and colour tones, allowing you to customise the bed to match your personal style and bedroom.
For over 75 years, Jensen Beds’ purpose has been to help people improve their sleep. The team developing their beds has expertise in physiology and sleep science. Innovations such as Jensen Exact Comfort Adjustment, their unique zone system, and the Aloy® spring system all contribute to better sleep comfort, limiting the need to wake. Because the less disruption you experience during sleep, the more rested you will be in the morning.
Discover more at jensen-beds.com
Coopersale House is a stunning 17th- and 18th-century home set among expansive parkland on the eastern edge of Epping. The Grade II-listed period property is generously proportioned, affording almost 20,000 sq ft of living space, including extensive annexes and outbuildings for further development or staff accommodation.
The principal residence has accommodation over three floors and is designed for both entertaining at home and the demands of family life, with a number of reception rooms and expansive leisure facilities inside and out. The main façade of the house, restored in the Queen Anne style, faces southeast onto a fabulous carriageway driveway and an ornamental fountain, while the south-westerly elevation has two projecting window bays looking out onto formal parterre gardens and the private lake. The house is notable for its character features, including sash windows, a pedimented front door and, internally, original fireplaces, panelling, ceilings and a handsome staircase. Though the house has been extensively
restored and has been modernised for contemporary living, much of its original character remains. Coopersale House has a fascinating history, passing through the Archer-Houblon family for several centuries until 1908 when it was sold.
The beautifully presented interiors have been designed with seamless flow, the substantial reception areas situated separately from the living accommodations. Modern additions like new bathrooms and a stylish kitchen complement the older parts of the home: the sitting rooms, with their wood flooring and decorative wall and ceiling details; a stunning wood-panelled dining room; and the modern kitchen built around a stone fireplace inset with a woodburning stove. Upstairs, the bedrooms are well sized and almost all have their own bathroom. There is also a staff apartment providing further accommodation.
Connected to the main house is a leisure wing housing an indoor swimming pool, changing facilities, showers and a sauna. On the southeast elevation there is a double-height games room, perfect for teenagers or older children. In addition to the cosmetic upgrades, the
swimming pool has been refurbished and there are a number of solar panels and Cat 5 wiring throughout as well as fibre broadband. The house and its security can be controlled and viewed remotely via the Control4 application. The roof, plumbing and electrics have also been updated.
In addition to the main house and its extensive leisure facilities, the property also benefits from a number of outbuildings including a double garage, separate garage with barnstyle doors and a stable. Attached to the garage building is a self-contained annexe with a bedroom, shower room and a kitchen on the ground floor, a further double bedroom and living room upstairs and eaves storage.
In addition there is a further separate, self-contained detached annexe with a reception room, kitchen and two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Both annexes would work equally well as staff accommodation or for short or long-term lets.
The grounds at Coopersale House were laid out for William Eyre
Archer, a lawyer and politician, in the 1730s and designed by Adam Holt, who also landscaped the water gardens of Wanstead Park. Later, plans were drawn up by Capability Brown but were not carried out, though the garden is landscaped in a complementary style, including expansive parklands, specimen trees such as magnolia, old oaks and beech, and formal planning. There are entrances on both Stonards Hill, where there is a formal gated entrance with video entry phone, and Houblons Hill, which leads through dense shrubbery of rhododendrons to the detached annexe and the main house's turning circle. The driveways, particularly the main entrance, are grand and afford a superb first impression.
The formal gardens consist of manicured lawns and areas of attractive box parterre, including a particularly impressive plan to the south-west of the house, leading down a series of steps from the terrace to a lavender and
box pattern which separates the house from the ornamental lake. In addition to the lake there are fountains and ponds around the estate, and there is a beautiful enclosed 'secret' rose garden on the western side of the lake, which also incorporates an orchard with many fruiting varieties of apple, pear, plum and cherry. There are many paths leading through the grounds and an all-weather floodlit tennis court overlooks the lake.
“I absolutely love Coopersale House,” says property agent, Felicity Walker, “the setting is just perfect – from the views across the lake to the house emerging through the trees as you come up the carriage driveway, the house and grounds have it all. This house will forever be 'my Pemberley'.”
Coopersale House, Epping, is on the market for £9,000,000. For more information, contact Savills Loughton on 020 8498 6600 or visit savills.co.uk
It’s summer, and as we know, there’s nothing quite like a sun-soaked afternoon in your own garden – a chilled drink, a good book, the scents of the season in the air. But when the sunshine turns intense, Essex homes with large windows and open-plan layouts can quickly overheat, making it hard to relax, entertain or even sleep comfortably. This is where smart design steps in. External shading has become an essential addition for modern homes; for keeping cool, yes, but also for extending the way we live both indoors and out.
Caribbean Blinds, based in Sudbury, understand the balance between style and function. Their premium range of external blinds, patio awnings and louvered pergolas is made specifically for the British climate and designed to blend beautifully with contemporary and traditional homes alike. Their highly popular Outdoor Living Pods – sleek aluminium pergolas with motorised louvres – have become a firm favourite with style-savvy homeowners. Open the roof to let the sun pour in, or tilt the louvres for dappled shade and shelter from unexpected showers. Add integrated lighting, heating
or privacy screens, and suddenly your patio becomes a destination, not just a space.
For interiors, external blinds are an elegant solution to a very modern problem: too much heat through too much glass. These discreet systems are fitted to the outside of windows, blocking up to 97% of solar radiation before it hits the glass. This means that living spaces stay cooler, naturally, with blinds also reducing glare, protecting furnishings from UV damage and helping to cut energy bills all year round.
While summer comfort is the obvious draw, these systems earn their keep in the colder months too. Acting as an extra layer of insulation, they help to retain warmth and reduce heat loss through glass. So, you’ll notice a difference in winter energy bills as well as summer temperatures.
Beautiful, functional and built to last in the British climate, external shading is no longer a luxury. For homeowners who want to make the most of their outdoor space and protect what’s inside, it’s simply smart design.
For inspiration and ideas, visit Caribbean Blinds at cbsolarshading.co.uk
SUSTAINABILITY AND ECO-CONSCIOUS CHOICES
With a rising awareness of environmental issues, many people are choosing furniture made from eco-friendly materials such as recycled wood, bamboo, and sustainable metals. Companies are also moving towards materials that are durable and weather-resistant, ensuring that their products have longevity, reducing the need for constant replacements.
Timber furniture, often reclaimed or responsibly sourced, has become a statement of not only style, but also a commitment to ethical consumption. Similarly, woven outdoor seating crafted from recycled plastics and eco-friendly textiles is gaining popularity, providing both comfort and a reduced environmental footprint. Many people are opting for upcycled designs that tell a story of regeneration rather than waste.
The concept of sustainability also extends to the circular economy. Many garden furniture brands are taking steps to create products that are repairable and recyclable. As the capital becomes more eco-conscious, London’s garden spaces refl ect a sense of envi-
ronmental responsibility, where beauty and sustainability go hand in hand.
BOLD AND ECLECTIC DESIGNS
While minimalist Scandinavian-inspired garden furniture has had its moment, 2025 is seeing a resurgence of bold, eclectic designs that mix vibrant colours, textures, and patterns. Playful, statement pieces include brightly coloured furniture sets, neon cushions and geometric shapes, transforming gardens into dynamic extensions of the interior.
Garden furniture has become an extension of home décor, and lots of highend pieces blur the lines between the two. Think plush outdoor sofas adorned with velvet cushions or wicker lounges paired with rich, deep tones of green and gold. We are rethinking the boundaries of outdoor space, turning gardens into a continuation of our personal style. Another facet of this boldness is the use of multi-functional furniture that encourages a more fl uid use of space. Multi-tiered planters, modular seating arrangements, and foldable tables that can shift between casual and formal settings allow for fl exible outdoor living.
AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS
Gardens are becoming increasingly hightech. Whether it’s through built-in solar panels, Bluetooth speakers, or self-watering planters, the integration of technology in garden furniture is an undeniable trend. Smart garden lighting is one of the most popular tech-forward additions, with outdoor lights that can be controlled via smartphone apps or voice assistants. Additionally, many outdoor heating solutions, such as sleek fi repits or eco-friendly outdoor heaters, are designed with built-in smart thermostats for maximum comfort.
THE RISE OF MULTI-PURPOSE FURNITURE
Benches that double as storage, coffee tables with built-in fi re pits, and foldable chairs that can be tucked away when not in use are all gaining traction. These functional pieces allow residents to maximise their outdoor spaces while still maintaining an air of elegance. Our love for practicality and multi-functionality in design has bled into our gardens, ensuring that each piece of furniture has a clear purpose.
NATURAL MATERIALS AND TEXTURES
Rattan, teak, and stone have become ubiquitous in outdoor spaces, evoking a rustic, earthy vibe that feels at one with nature.
SMART
ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR TECH-FORWARD
The trend towards natural materials isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about fostering a connection with the environment, allowing the furniture to age gracefully and blend into the garden landscape.
The demand for stylish yet functional dining sets is growing. Dining tables with extendable leaves, comfortable
armchairs, and built-in seating arrangements make outdoor dining an experience in itself. From chic bistro sets to large, family-style tables, dining al fresco has become an integral part of our outdoor culture. With the unpredictable British weather, these dining sets are designed with durability and practicality in mind, often featuring weather-resistant cushions, rust-proof frames, and weather-tight finishes.
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Lalique has reimagined its Voyage de Parfumeur collection, showcasing three best-selling scents – Figuier, Neroli, and Santal. Each candle is adorned with a bespoke screen-printed design. lalique.com
Cath Kidston has always been a fan of geraniums and her C. Atherley brand is dedicated to them. The new scent No 3 has just launched and it's fresh and fl oral with a hint of citrus. c-atherley.com 1 3
Wander through a Victorian Greenhouse with the smell of cut grass fl oating in from the garden outside. The air is thick with the scent of freesias, lily of the valley, rose and wisteria... this is Petersham's signature Giardino candle. petershamnurseries.com
Conceived to elevate any space, this diff user uses rattan reeds that slowly soak up the perfumed concentrate, gradually diff using Diptyque's iconic fragrance creations. diptyqueparis.com
Daffodils and Wild Flowers was a scent to celebrate the launch of Laura Ashley in 1953. It's a fragrance inspired by Laura’s love for wild fl owers from her Welsh cottage garden. frecklefacehomefragrance.com
As the seasons change and your garden bursts into life, the desire to spend time outdoors grows. But what if you could create a luxury year-round retreat in the privacy of your garden? An indoor pool from Origin can give you just that, offering a space for relaxation, recreation and rejuvenation throughout the year.
When designing a pool to complement your garden, seamless integration is key. At Origin, they focus on harmonising the outdoor space with the interior of your home, ensuring that the transitionfrom garden to pool feels effortless. Large, expansive windows or bi-fold doors can open directly to your garden, drawing in natural light and framing the outdoor landscape while you swim. The feeling of being outside, even when indoors, is what makes an indoor pool such an invaluable asset. With custom finishes and thoughtful design, your indoor pool can reflect the aesthetic of your outdoor space. Whether it’s the soft hues of natural stone or the gentle curves that mimic the flow of your garden’s landscaping, your pool will become an extension of your outdoor haven.
The charm of an indoor pool lies in its ability to enhance your garden without constraints. Origin’s custom approach encompasses more than just the pool itself. Whether you desire a personal retreat or an area for entertaining, they collaborate closely with you to grasp your vision, tailoring each aspect of the design to align with your lifestyle. By incorporating a sauna, a steam room, a lounging area or a fully equipped gym, they ensure that your pool house serves as an oasis of joy and calm, offering endless opportunities for indulgence, connection and entertainment every time you enter.
YOUR
Summer should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment with your family and your friends. An indoor pool can transform your lifestyle, offering a year-round space where the best of indoor and outdoor living come together. At Origin, they combine over 40 years of expertise with a passion for perfection, designing pools that seamlessly integrate into your home and garden.
Your dream pool is within reach. Origin will work with you to create a bespoke design that complements your home and enhances your lifestyle. Contact their team of experts and book your consultation today. Limited 2025 building dates remain.
There’s a moment that signals you’re finally home – a moment that sits alongside the click of a light switch or the whirr of the kettle – and that’s hearing the solid, reassuring “thunk” of your front door closing behind you. It’s more than just a sound. It’s a cue that you’ve left the noise and rush of the world outside.
While many focus on how front doors look or how well they lock, only Gerda talks about how they make you feel. Yet the emotional response we have to that closing sound is real – and deeply rooted in both science and daily habit.
WHAT CREATES THAT GERDA “THUNK”?
Gerda’s aluminium and steel construction creates a balanced weight that moves smoothly but firmly. The seals compress in just the right way and the locking mechanism slots into place with quiet
certainty. Nothing squeaks. Nothing shifts. It simply closes – with presence.
The door’s added weight – about 30% more than many residential models –isn’t for show. It gives natural momentum to the closing motion. Combined with quality hinges, weather seals, and a multi-point lock system, the result is a sound that reassures, without effort or exaggeration.
Think about your everyday routines: your morning coffee, a quiet moment before bed, or unlocking your front door at the end of a long day. The sound that follows – the door closing behind you – is often overlooked. But it marks a transition. From public to private. From effort to ease.
Psychotherapist Maria Gonzalez puts it well: “Transitional moments help shape our mental space. A clear, consistent sound at the end of the workday helps reinforce the shift into rest.”
And this isn’t just useful during stressful periods – it’s grounding in all seasons of life. The quiet certainty of a well-made door closing becomes a part of your daily rhythm.
Physical protection and emotional safety go hand in hand. We all sleep better knowing our home is secure – and when that security feels present in how your door behaves, it goes beyond locks and bolts. According to consumer psychologist Dr Martin Reed: “What we hear matters. The sound of a door closing communicates safety – instinctively. It’s not just about specs; it’s about how people perceive them.”
Families especially value this peace of mind. A front door that stands firm without fuss lets everyone inside relax more easily. It’s a small part of your home’s design, but a big part of its impact.
That distinctive sound isn’t only about safety. It also signals quality: draught resistance, reduced noise from outside, and better energy retention – all without rattling in a storm or swelling in summer. Gerda doors stay solid in all seasons. That consistency helps maintain that same satisfying close year after year – unlike timber, or cheaper composite alternatives, which can warp, bow or creak with time. Every Gerda door carries the hallmarks of the company’s values: practical strength, reliable design, and attention to sensory experience. While many doors prioritise appearance or tech integration, Gerda considers how each use feels – year after year.
Find out more by visiting gerdadoors.co.uk/find-a-partner or call 01245 362236
Fresh from being the official House Partner of Grand Designs Live, Atkin and Thyme is stepping into the season with a new collection that captures everything the brand is known for –quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and a focus on pieces that feel special while fitting effortlessly into your décor.
From statement coffee tables to outdoor lounge sets built for real living, Atkin and Thyme designs with both function and form in mind. Every piece is made in small batches using carefully selected materials – from fluted woods and marbles to textured fabrics and soft-touch finishes. Whether it’s a contemporary take on a classic silhouette or something with a subtle vintage feel, the brand brings together detail, proportion and material in a
Introducing Summer 2025: effortless style from Atkin and Thyme
way that feels considered but never overdone.
This summer, the Westbourne Collection sets the tone indoors. A circular coffee table with a dark mango wood fluted base and forest-green marble top, it’s designed to sit beautifully in both modern and traditional spaces. It’s bold, but never overwhelming. The marble brings a rich, tactile surface to any room, while the craftsmanship of the wood base adds texture and warmth. Pair it with the matching dining table for a cohesive, elegant look that flows across open-plan spaces.
Outside, things are just as well thought through. The new Valentina Lounge Set is designed with generous proportions –something that sets it apart from most outdoor furniture. A sage-green powdercoated aluminium frame supports wide armchairs, a three-seater sofa, and a matching coffee table. Soft curves and
weather-resistant cushions make this set a practical and comfortable choice for long afternoons in the sun, or relaxed evenings with friends.
And if you’re after something a little more playful, the Karla Sunlounger returns this season with a new striped cushion in a limited-edition finish. Part of the much-loved Karla collection, it’s crafted in a soft-toned Ever Weave with a realistic rattan-style texture. The classic shape and durable design make it ideal for balconies, terraces or garden corners – especially when paired with the matching side table.
From indoor statement pieces to relaxed, high-quality garden furniture, Atkin and Thyme’s Summer 2025 collection is all about easy elegance – designed to be used, loved and lived with.
Visit atkinandthyme.co.uk to browse the full range
oft, warm, uplifting. A colour that’s been on everyone’s fashion radar for the past year, butter yellow has now permeated into interiors. More than a transient trend, this playful yet sophisticated shade is fast becoming a staple for living spaces, bathrooms and kitchens. But what is it about this understated pastel that suggests it’s here to stay?
Yellow is often considered a cheerful and energising colour, but it can also be surprisingly calming in interiors when used thoughtfully. The key to its calming effect lies in the warmth and soft tones of yellow, which evoke feelings of happiness and op -
timism without overwhelming the senses. Soft shades like pale butter or mustard can create a serene atmosphere, especially when combined with natural light. These lighter hues have a gentle vibrancy that can brighten a space without being too intense, making them ideal for relaxation areas such as living rooms or bedrooms. Yellow is also closely associated with nature, often reminding us of sunshine, golden fields, and blooming flowers, which can have a grounding and peaceful effect. When incorporated into interiors, yellow can enhance the sense of warmth and comfort, fostering a welcoming and harmonious environment.
Furthermore, yellow has been shown to stimulate mental clarity and creativity, which contributes to an overall sense of
well-being. When balanced with neutral tones or paired with calming accents like light greens or blues, yellow helps create a balanced, tranquil space that feels both inviting and peaceful. Therefore, when used in moderation and in the right tones, yellow can be a wonderfully calming colour for interior design.
Louise Ashdown, Head of Design at West One Bathrooms, explains: “Butter yellow is a fresh alternative to classic white, and has translated perfectly into bathrooms, wet rooms and shower rooms. A less daunting choice than dark or bold colour for sanitaryware, glossy ceramic designs in this softer sunny tone reflect the light and introduce a sense of warmth into a space. It can be a real mood booster when you get up in the morning.
“For us, a pared-back mango shade has given the butter yellow trend a really grown-up feel. Paired with everything from crisp white to strong reds, blues and greens, it’s surprisingly versatile and works in rooms of all styles, from retro spaces to cool contemporary homes. While it’s big in 2025, we can see this colour standing the test of time – after all, it’s hard to tire of a colour that’s both uplifting and understated.”
Grazzie Wilson, Head of Creative at Ca’Pietra, continues: “We can’t get enough of the butter yellow trend in tiling. The
into the darkest of rooms. Such a celebratory colour, it’s hard to feel anything but optimistic. Who wouldn’t want to be transported to sunnier shores, all year round? And our simple square glazed tile in a soft buttery shade works in a classic chequerboard pattern – period homes or anyone channelling the cottage-core look will love the subtle warmth and timeless style this look introduces.”
best thing is that it doesn’t restrict the rest of the room in terms of style inspiration. Take hexagonal stripe tiles – a crisp mix of yellow and white, they are stunning for a shower or splashback. Laid to create a vertical, horizontal or diagonal design – or even a bold chevron – the soft butter yellow colour takes on a vintage vibe or ultra-modern look, you can really personalise it to your room.
“In a completely different vein, our rustic lemon grove inspired collection, Nonna’s Kitchen Sorrento, uses yellow to bring the warmth of Italian sunshine
Keeley Sutcliffe, Design Manager at BC Designs, adds: “Choosing the colour for a freestanding bath can be really tricky – it’s an investment piece so naturally, you’ll want to get the balance between longevity and statement style. I’m a big believer that butter yellow ticks both boxes. As an accent colour, its milky tones are subtle yet wonderfully warm – and it can blend into a room with a period, modern or retro style.”
Keeley concludes: “Whether it’s for a space bathed in natural light or a north facing room, a yellow bath introduces just the right amount of colour – you could say it’s a new neutral. Team with crisp white, pops of brighter shades or tone it down with wood finishes, it’s fabulously versatile. We’re seeing it paired with sleek chrome fittings – a finish that’s having its own renaissance – to reflect the buttery yellow colour back into the room.”
•Specialists in accessible bathing
• Free home visits and quotations
• Full design and installation service
•VAT free for those with a long-term illness or disability
• Reduced costs for over 60s & less abled customers
• From walk-in baths, easy clean wall panelling to toilet lifters & bidets
• DFG & SSAFA Grant work undertaken
and planchas are designed to delight every type of alfresco chef. Just add a dining collection crafted from premium, weatherproof materials or the comfiest lounge collections you’ll find outdoors and keep your guests happy all year round.
Discover the Brentwoodbased, family-run Suns Lifestyle and their luxury collection of weatherproof pergolas and outdoor furniture, kitchens and accessories – designed for loving life outdoors.
Founded in 2019, Suns Lifestyle combines innovative, premium outdoor products with over 40 years of shared family knowledge to bring you the last word in outdoor luxury living.
Designed to offer something different outside of the traditional teak, rattan and lightweight gazebos seen in so many British gardens, Suns Lifestyle takes inspiration from sleek European designs crafted with high-quality, consciouslysourced materials. They have set out to deliver robust, comfortable collections that are a joy to use, and built to last. Perfect for busy UK homes and lifestyles.
Originally designed to be a trade-only business, the founders had to think quickly when lockdown began and pivoted to sell
directly to customers at the start of lockdown. Growing to become the onestop luxury destination for outdoor pergolas, furniture and wellness products it is today.
Suns Lifestyle were the first to introduce the aluminium manual louvered pergola to the UK market, and continue to offer the widest range of sizes and finishes available. More recently, Suns Lifestyle have expanded their pergola range to offer electric retractable and electric louver pergola options meaning they can service an even wider variety of projects and budgets both direct to consumer, or through their vast network of landscapers and industry professionals. Their fastest growing product category, outdoor kitchens, combine simple, modular contemporary builds designed to standalone or fit underneath their pergola options for a complete outdoor entertaining space.
Suns Lifestyle’s comprehensive range of Kamado egg ovens, pizza ovens sourced from Italy and outdoor grills
Last year saw Suns Lifestyle launch their outdoor living showroom, a complete experience centre showcasing their premium pergolas, outdoor kitchens and furniture. Located in the picturesque grounds of the Heron Country Club, it’s well worth a visit and easy to make a day of it with Padel courts available for hire, lunch at the country club and miles of scenic walks on the doorstep.
This year sees Suns Lifestyle expand on their already extensive collection with Thermowood chemical-free Saunas, Chill tubs, and a new range of natureinspired outdoor kitchens to bring luxury wellbeing to even more UK homes with their nationwide installation service, already top-rated by Trustpilot.
You can book a 1-1 dedicated appointment with their team of outdoor living experts, or simply pop in and browse their extensive collection with a coffee, or glass of fizz in your own time.
Suns Lifestyle, The Heron Country Club, Brentwood Road, Herongate CM13 3LW sunslifestyle.com
NEW HALL SCHOOL
New Hall School in Chelmsford has opened a new Learn-to-Ride Centre, which will take its equestrian offering to a whole new level. Turn to page 91 to find out how the Centre is set to revolutionise equestrian education and excellence at the school. newhallschool.co.uk
By ROSS MCTAGGART
The summer holidays are a period that many children traditionally look forward to: six weeks of fun. However, there are plenty of ways that you can help keep your child’s learning alive in fun, new ways during their time o .
In Essex, we are lucky to have access to a wide range of beautiful natural scenery. You don’t have to travel far to spend time in nature. Whether you choose to explore your local park, visit a nature reserve or spend the day at the seaside, pack a sketchbook and encourage your child to draw the scenery around them. Not only does this increase their observational skills, but spending time outside is proven to positively impact children’s wellbeing.
You can also use the Notes app on your phone to record their observations, or why not try a free app such as Seek, the World Wildlife Fund’s app to identify a new plant, bird or animal. Organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust o er a wide range of wildlife-themed events for families during the school holidays, including pond dipping, seashore discovery, and even holiday clubs that provide more structure to their learning experience. Our primary school pupils in Rettendon often enjoy visits to RHS Garden Hyde Hall with their parents to learn more about horticulture and the environment, and I am yet to meet a child who doesn’t enjoy a visit to Colchester Zoo, which
makes learning about animals, their habits and natural sciences fun and memorable!
With a plethora of historical and cultural sites in Essex, families are spoilt for choice when it comes to deepening their child’s historical knowledge. Many museums o er special events for families during the school holidays, while interactive displays inspire students’ curiosity about history. Through interactive and visually stimulating displays, museums and heritage sites can often bring learning to life in a way that is di cult to emulate in the classroom. For students studying World War One, a visit to Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome can provide useful insights into the period, while other children may enjoy a visit to one of our many castles, such as Stansted Mountfichet or Hedingham.
Not only is baking an enjoyable activity as your child will appreciate the reward of their hard work, but it can provide an opportunity for them to improve their understanding of measurements, fractions and even chemical reactions. Cooking and baking both demonstrate the physical and chemical changes that occur through emulsification and manipulation through heat.
Why not challenge your child to research and plan their own menu then cook together? Not only will this develop their understanding of nutrition, something our students at The Boswells School have been learning about through its collaboration with Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food initiative, but it will also prepare them with practical food preparation skills. There are also a variety of cooking schools in Essex that o er fun family workshops, such as Pippin’s Cookery School in Dunmow and Julie’s Cooking Academy in Sa ron Walden.
Reading to your child can help model good speaking habits while having them read to you builds their confidence and improves their tone, pace and fluency. Many of our local libraries o er a free programme of educational experiences, visits and challenges that you and your child can participate in. Not only are reading challenges a helpful way to develop your child’s vocabulary, comprehension and literacy – no matter how old they are – but having conversations with new people will strengthen their language and communication skills. Why not try reading your favourite childhood book together or even listening to
an audiobook during a car journey instead of the radio?
DOWNTIME AND DAYDREAMING
We often feel the pressure to manage every minute of your child’s time, but research increasingly shows that short doses of ‘boredom’ can foster creativity and imagination. It can encourage problemsolving and independence, promote emotional regulation and counter over-stimulation. Allowing deliberate, unstructured time with open-ended materials such as cardboard boxes and old clothes can be truly valuable. Modelling this as parents can be just as therapeutic too!
Finally, we all know that an English summer isn’t complete without a few showers. If you’re spending time indoors, educational games and apps can help keep your child entertained while developing useful skills for when they return to school. Coding fosters problem-solving, creativity and logical thinking skills and there are a number of reputable sites that o er free tutorials that your child can try. Raspberry Pi o ers coding clubs and you can find your local club using its website. Alternatively, if they are learning a language, why not try using Duolingo and challenging them to beat the highest score on the leaderboard?
While the summer holidays are always busy, with a little forward planning, you can have fun and support your child’s learning to ensure that they are ready for their first day back at school in September.
Ross McTaggart is Director of Primary Education at Chelmsford Learning Partnership. Find out more at clptrust.com
Each summer, the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) calls upon the boarding community to participate in the largest UK celebration of boarding in the school calendar.
National Boarding Week 2025, sponsored by Schoolblazer, is due to take place between 16th-22nd June and comprises an action-packed week of challenges, competitions and activities for all students to enjoy. The celebration was launched in 2017 and brings awareness to the unique experience boarding has to o er. The activities are designed to showcase the enjoyment of boarding, create special memories for boarders during their time at school and reinforce the value of boarding education in shaping well-rounded individuals.
BSA member schools are invited to run a series of challenges and activities in their boarding houses and school grounds. Stories are shared across social media throughout the week, building to a vibrant showcase of photos and videos of smiling faces, friendships, togetherness and community. Activities have included everything and
anything from sporting activities, quizzes, team pursuits, sustainability initiatives and local community schemes. Fortunately, the June dates coincide with the UK’s Summer Solstice, which is the perfect opportunity for schools to embrace outdoor activities including overnight camping, outdoor film club or house picnics – weather permitting! This year, schools will be participating in the following activities:
Monday: National Fudge Day
Tuesday: Mini Golf Competition
Wednesday: Big Art Challenge
Thursday: House Taskmaster
Friday: Summer Solstice Camp Out
Saturday: World Music Day
Sunday: Self-care Sunday
All challenges and activities are designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring there is something for all talents, skills and interests. Schools are also welcome to interpret activities in their own way and use their imaginations and resources.
Director of BSA, David Walker, says: “National Boarding Week is a special
time in the boarding calendar for schools to connect with communities, embrace the fun in boarding and recognise the every-day joy in the boarding experience. National Boarding Week is approaching its tenth anniversary and it has been wonderful to see it grow each year and become a tradition for many schools.”
BSA’s National Boarding Week truly is a celebration of boarding brilliance and we can’t wait to see how our schools mark the occasion.
To find out more about National Boarding Week, visit boarding.org.uk/bsa-active
Level 3 Diploma in Sport, a vocational qualification in which students can o er riding for one of the performance elements.”
New Hall boasts a vibrant and successful Equestrian Team that competes in a range of disciplines at National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) competitions, including a thriving grassroots team. Students regularly participate in county, regional, and national competitions, including the National Schools Championships at both Addington and Hickstead, with recent strong performances in dressage, show jumping, and arena eventing.
New Hall School unveils its Learn-to-Ride Centre
New Hall School in Chelmsford is proud to announce the o cial launch of its Learn-to-Ride Centre – a new facility that blends centuries of equestrian tradition with innovative technology. First unveiled during the school’s recent Open Day on Saturday 3rd May, the Centre is set to become a cornerstone of equestrian education and excellence at the school. Central to this new development are two state-of-the-art Racewood simulators: ‘Genesis’, focused on dressage, with advanced capabilities, as well as engaging programmes for beginner riders; and ‘Eos’, an eventing simulator which supports dressage, show jumping, and cross-country disciplines. These simulators, already
in regular use, enable students to train year-round, using advanced biometric feedback to refine technique and enhance performance. The New Hall Learn-toRide Centre also features a purpose-built arena and new stables, further enhancing the school’s equestrian provision.
“At New Hall, we are proud to build on our long tradition of equestrian success,” says school principal, Katherine Je rey. “With this fabulous new facility, we are able to support every rider, from beginner to national competitor. Investment in our Learn-to-Ride Centre, and our livery service for boarders, reflect our commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum and co-curriculum, with a special focus on outdoor learning. We are excited to be starting riding lessons on site, and a range of equestrian courses, using our stunning 170-acre parkland. We now o er the BTEC
The school has a rich equestrian history, including a royal visit by HRH Princess Anne in 1979, and national-level success dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. Notable alumni include Dr Veronica Lac, founder of The HERD Institute and a practitioner in equine-facilitated psychotherapy, who recently returned to New Hall to share her inspiring journey of combining her lifelong passion for horses with a distinguished career in psychology. The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) regularly attended New Hall, bringing people with disabilities for therapeutic walks with horses, supported by trained sta and New Hall riders. New Hall has a long tradition of charity support for RDA.
newhallschool.co.uk
Available To Purchase Off Plan, Enquire To Reserve
D£1,250,000
urden and Hunt welcome to the market this exceptional four bedroom home.
O ering picturesque views the property features an impressive kitchen, living and dining space, separate utility, two en-suite bathrooms, balconies, a downstairs bathroom and an additional WC. Externally there is an expansive garden with outbuilding, a double garage and gated parking.
A simply stunning Victorian property which has been completely transformed by the present owners. Offering a wonderful mix of both period and contemporary features the house offers three bedrooms, two luxury bathrooms, a spacious living room and a bespoke kitchen with a second sitting area looking onto a delightful rear garden.
Ideally placed for the Central Line Station, Queens Road’s shops and highly regarded state and independent schools is this well appointed three bedroom family home. The property features a spacious lounge/dining room, fitted kitchen, guest cloakroom, detached garage, south facing garden, and would appear to offer the potential to extend subject to planning approval.
James Hunt, co-founder of Durden and Hunt, on why a slowdown was always on the cards after a busy period, but the outlook remains bright
The property market is still adjusting to the aftermath of the much discussed and publicised end of the stamp duty holiday. Since the government’s announcement in 2024’s budget, clients, agents, mortgage brokers, and solicitors across the country were laser focused on one goal: pushing transactions through before the deadline. The industry’s urgency to, where possible, help save clients thousands in stamp duty costs meant a surge of lastminute completions, e ectively creating a bottleneck e ect where much of the activity became concentrated into a short window.
As a result, directly following the end of the holiday a natural dip in the number of exchanges taking place seemed to occur – not due to a lack of interest, but rather a temporary slowdown following an exceptionally high-pressure period. It’s important to note that this was not a sign of weakening demand, but
more a reflection of the intense workload the industry had just pushed through. What’s particularly encouraging is that agreed sales have remained strong throughout the following months. This signifies that buyer confidence hasn’t wavered, even without the financial incentive of the stamp duty holiday. People are still keen to move, whether it’s for more space, better locations, or lifestyle changes that reflect our evolving post-pandemic priorities. Looking ahead, I remain positive about the outlook for the rest of the year. With interest rates still relatively favourable and a consistent level of buyer activity, we anticipate a steady flow of transactions in the months to come. The market may have shifted gears slightly, but the engine is very much still running.
As always, if you’re considering buying or selling, now remains a great time to better understand your options and define your goals. The property market continues to be dynamic and with the right advice, there are still plenty of opportunities to make smart, timely decisions.
An impressive chain free home in Epping Forest Stapleford Tawney, RM4
Asking Price £1,935,000
Durden and Hunt welcome to the market this chain free, four bedroom home complete with a large garden and rolling countryside views. Located within a gated development the generously proportioned home offers an impressive kitchen/diner, multiple receptions rooms, separate utility, downstairs WC, two bedrooms with en-suites and a family bathroom.
durdenandhunt.co.uk
Listed in the prestigious Legal 500 Guide to the UK’s top legal practices, we are an established Essex legal firm, with experience and expertise in all areas of the law affecting you and your business.
Whatever stage you’re at in your life, our team are here to make your personal and professional lives fairer, smoother, less stressful and more rewarding whenever you need us.
BTMK Solicitors are not just for the here and now – we’re Lawyers for Life.
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Offices in Southend, Leigh, Rayleigh and by appointment in London.
We recognise that every client is unique, with individual circumstances and requirements when it comes to financial matters.
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Whether it be investing for the future, planning for retirement, estate and tax planning, or financial protection for families and businesses, we are proud to look after our clients in a way that we would want to be looked after ourselves. 01268 204266 hello@btmkfs.co.uk www.btmkfs.co.uk
A wonderful home in the heart of Brightlingsea
Lower Marsh Farm is a stunning five bedroom detached farmhouse nestled in peaceful surroundings in the coastal town of Brightlingsea. The property o ers sweeping countryside views with a number of versatile outbuildings and ample parking – all just moments from the thriving town centre and waterfront area, which is popular within the sailing community.
S et in approximately 1.75 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, this immaculate family home also includes a detached two bedroom annexe with a 0.7 acre paddock, making it ideal for multi-generational living or guest accommodation. For equestrian enthusiasts, there is also a three acre paddock available by separate negotiation.
On the market with a guide price of £1,350,000
Please call Fenn Wright on 01206 763388 to arrange a viewing
why everyone is talking about…
The popular festival returns to Chelmsford for its 11th year
St reet Eats ‘n’ Beats Festival is back for its 11th year on 6th September, bringing its signature mix of street food, house music, and family-friendly vibes to Central Park, Chelmsford. From 12 noon until 9.30pm, festival-goers can expect an unforgettable day of delicious eats, great music, and community spirit.
Local Essex girl, Jules Pinkney, created this gem of a festival after spotting a gap in the market where house music and community were key. The vision was simple: give people the freedom to be outdoors with loved ones, hearing the DJs play that tune everyone loves while the sun’s shining and drinks are flowing.
“I realised there was a gap for something family-friendly, especially within the electronic dance music (EDM) scene,” says Jules. “Why should we need a babysitter to hear music we love? And who says children don’t enjoy good music too? Why assume they only want “Baby Shark”? I wanted to create a festival where you could hear the best house music, eat something amazing, and have your children right there with you. A celebration of togetherness – music, food, and people across generations.”
This year’s headline acts bring even more energy to the main stage, with Kiss FM’s MAJESTIC leading the charge alongside a live performance from dance music icon
Alison Limerick, who will be performing her classic hit Where Love Lives
Beyond the main stage, the festival features several vibrant zones o ering something for everyone. Tropical Soul delivers funk, reggae, and soul; the Cultural Quarter dives into vinyl-only electro, jungle, DnB and tech; and a brand-new Disco Soul Zone promises funky, feel-good vibes throughout the day.
A standout feature for 2025 is the return of the Silent Disco, hosted in collaboration with local charity Kids Inspire. This unique space showcases under-18 DJs – some as young as eight – spinning live sets for a supportive, all-ages crowd. “Watching young talent shine on a stage like this, cheered on by
both their peers and seasoned DJs, is something really special,” says Jules. No festival is complete without sensational street food, and Street Eats
‘n’ Beats never disappoints. This year welcomes exciting new vendors including Oh Babu Indian, Made of Dough Pizza, Hide & Greek, Burnout BBQ, and sweet treats from Wa e Wands – just a few of the options available from a curated lineup of top food trucks and boutique bars. Recently named Best One-O Event at the Essex Panic Awards, Street Eats ‘n’ Beats continues to prove that small, independent festivals can deliver a huge impact.
Buy tickets now at streeteatsnbeats.com
