Surrey Homes | SH98 | March 2023

KITCHEN & BATHROOM SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes 

PRICELESS 

MARCH 2023

Surrey, Sussex & Hampshire’s 

Premier Oak Framed Specialist 

Tel: 01483 420 258 I info@surreyoakbarns.co.uk I www.surreyoakbarns.co.uk

EXPRESS YOUR 

EXTRAORDINARY 

WITH DANISH DESIGN FURNITURE 

GUILDFORD 89 WOODBRIDGE ROAD, GUILDFORD GU1 4QD | 01483 565027 

KINGSTON BENTALLS DEPARTMENT STORE, 2ND FLOOR, WOOD STREET, KINGSTON UPON THAMES KT1 1TX | 020 8546 6050

Discover original and distinctive furniture designs with the latest Scandinavian styles. Customise our furniture to 

suit your lifestyle with the help of our interior designers and find the perfect fit for your home. Change the size, 

colour, finishes, configurations and more. Call us today to book your free interior design consultation in-store or 

in the comfort of your own home. For further inspiration, explore our full collection online and in-store. 

BOCONCEPT.COM

Wood and Stone Floors 

Woodandstonefloors.co.uk 

Wood - Stone - Porcelain 

Studios across the south east 

Guildford - 189 High Street, GU1 3AW 

Tunbridge Wells - 6 High Street, TN1 1UX 

Design 

Home Consultation 

Supply & Installation 

Expert advice 

01483 577533

Contents 

March 2023 

28 

74 

50 

10 

21 

25 

28 

43 

44 

50 

65 

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 

Dream homes on the market 

NOTEBOOK 

March events for your diary 

THE MUST LIST 

Keep up-to-date with the latest 

must-see and must-have goodies 

IT’S A COLOURFUL LIFE 

Bedrooms take centre stage in this 

interior designer’s rich-toned haven 

GET THE LOOK 

Get involved with pattern, 

inspired by Evie 

UK STAYS 

Cut down on air miles with our 

pick of holidays closer to home 

BOYS OWN ADVENTURE 

Take a guided tour of Boys Hall 

after its extensive refurbishment 

GET THE LOOK 

Opt for luxe velvets and warm 

woods for a polished finish 

69 

70 

74 

80 

82 

83 

SUPER GREENS 

Shop fashion with 

a spring zing 

HIDE & CHIC 

Rebecca Cuffe compiles 

perfectly polished 

leathers and metallics 

EASY SPRING 

ENTERTAINING 

Charlotte Butterworth 

crafts a menu for a dinner 

party with friends 

PREENED & POLISHED 

Keep your hands and nails 

in tip-top condition with 

Jo Fairley’s expert tips 

HIGH FLYERS 

Sarah Maxwell tries 

out aerial fitness 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Pack in the veg with 

Charlotte Lau 

Published by Priceless Media Ltd. Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street, 

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF | Call 01580 714705 | Email info@priceless-group.com 

Visit priceless-group.com Copyright © 2023 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the 

advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd. 

87 

91 

95 

97 

98 

VERTICAL GARDENING 

The sky’s the limit when it 

comes to a garden’s air space 

THE GLASSHOUSE PROJECT 

Sue Whigham explores a 

fascinating social enterprise that 

harnesses horticultural skills 

MINDS MATTER 

New Beacon champions better 

mental health for pupils 

WHAT’S ON? 

Find out 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard’s hens hatch a 

welcome spring surprise 

KITCHEN & 

BATHROOM 

SUPPLEMENT 

26 pages of the 

latest trends and 

where to shop them. 

After page 66. 

5

Contemporary, 

reliable and expertly crafted 

swimming pools. 

For over forty years, Lagoon Pools have 

provided families and property developers 

with swimming pools that are reliable, 

expertly constructed and built to last. 

We pride ourselves on a dedication to 

embracing both the classic designs of 

swimming pools as well as the modern 

aesthetics of a luxury entertaining space, 

with stunning finishes that make each 

project unique from the last. 

If you are looking to add a new swimming pool feature to your home, please call us today on 

01932 569569 to speak to a member of our team or email us at info@lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk. 

229 Chertsey Road Addlestone Surrey KT15 2EW 

01932 569 569 info@lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk www.lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk

How many times have you wandered into a new friend 

or acquaintance’s home to find yourself surrounded 

by the most enviably beautiful kitchen? Now’s the 

time to make your own space stand out with our run-down 

of the most gorgeous designs to inspire and inform your 

kitchen project. And if you’re feeling extra productive, why 

not tackle the bathroom, too? From golden highlights to the 

prettiest powder rooms, we’ve got the most desirable trends 

wrapped up in our Kitchen & Bathroom Supplement. 

When it comes to updating your look for spring, then 

turn to this month’s fashion pages where we’ve teamed 

warm, tactile leathers with statement metallics for a fresh 

seasonal look. And if bold colour is something you’d love 

to embrace, see how our homeowners have incorporated 

rich hues in their interior schemes, combining pattern and 

texture with carefully selected navies, pinks and greens. 

We loved demolishing this month’s recipes created by Charlotte 

Butterworth. Be sure to give her easy entertaining dishes a go 

from page 70 – believe me, they’re so delicious! In health and 

beauty news this month, makeup aficionado Jo Fairley goes on 

a quest for the ultimate manicure and Charlotte Lau emphasises 

the power of a plant-rich diet, whilst Sarah Maxwell has some 

fun with aerial fitness and reports back to us with her findings. 

As the garden starts bursting back into life, Jo Arnell is on 

hand with her tips for making the most of the ground – and 

air – that makes up your outdoor space by exploring the 

possibilities of vertical planting. And Sue Whigham finds out 

about a horticultural project that is providing prison inmates 

with qualifications to help them rebuild their lives after release. 

Enjoy your Surrey Homes! 

Editor’s 

Letter 

Wealden Times & Surrey Homes Team 

Editor ............................................................................................ Lucy Fleming 

Supplements & Features Editor ...................................................Rebecca Cuffe 

Design Director ..........................................................................Anthony Boxall 

Sales Managers ..............................................................................Rachel Norrie 

Lisa Gordon-Hughes 

Senior Account Managers ............................................................... Maria Hurley 

Sarah Norwood 

Sub Editor/Features Writer ................................................................Emily Pavey 

Wealden Times Show Director ....................................................... Flo Simpson 

Events Manager .............................................................................. Liz Copping 

Events Sales Director ......................................................................... Jude Brown 

Thomas 

Mansfield 

Thomas 

Mansfield 

Thomas 

Mansfield 

The Family Law Solicitors 

The Family Law Solicitors 

WILL YOUR 

The ARE Family 

DIVORCE 

The Family Law YOU Solicitors Law 

COST GOING Solicitors 

THROUGH A SEPARATION? 

YOU EVERYTHING? 

ARE ARE YOU YOU GOING GOING 

THROUGH A SEPARATION? 

A When it comes to the breakdown of a 

relationship, seeking specialist advice on 

the financial arrangements is crucial. 

Getting specialist advice at the 

right time is crucial. 

At Thomas Mansfield, we have a team of 

Getting Getting specialist specialist advice advice at the at the 

At experienced Thomas Mansfield, lawyers ready to help you 

right we time have right is time an crucial. experienced 

is crucial. 

team of family lawyers achieve ready the to right help outcome. you achieve 

At Thomas At Thomas Mansfield, Mansfield, we have we an have experienced the an right experienced outcome. 

team of team family of family lawyers lawyers ready ready to help to you help achieve you achieve 

the right the outcome. right outcome. 

Finances Collaborative Children Finances Collaborative Children Mediation Agreement Court Litigation 

We We are are with with you you every every step step of the of the way way 

Collaborative Collaborative Finances Finances Children Children Agreement Agreement Litigation Litigation 

We are We with are with you every you every step step of the of way the way 

Call us today on 



01483 679332 


01483 610499 

01483 01483 610499 

610499 

For more information visit our website: 


www.tmfamilylaw.co.uk 





GUILDFORD WOKING ESHER LEATHERHEAD FARNHAM BASINGSTOKE 

GUILDFORD GUILDFORD GUILDFORD WOKING WOKING WOKING WEYBRIDGE WEYBRIDGE WEYBRIDGE ESHER ESHER LEATHERHEAD ESHER EATHERHEAD LEATHERHEAD FARNHAM FARNHAM FARNHAM BASINGSTOKE 

FARNHAM BASINGSTOKE BASINGSTOKE BASINGSTOKE 

Managing Director .............................................................. Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

Executive Chairman ...................................................................... Julie Simpson 

7 priceless-magazines.com 

ThomasMansfieldWT250- SURREY (Family Law).indd 1 21/02/2023 11:35

Find your copy 

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest 

distributor of Surrey Homes or to get free copies 

delivered for a year for just £25 postage 

12,000 copies of Surrey Homes are printed every month. 

We are available in the following outlets and are the only 

local magazine available at key commuter stations. 

If you have any questions re our distribution please contact 

Rachel Norrie – Distribution Manager 

rachel.norrie@priceless-group.com 

Ashtead 

• Patrick Gardner 

Bagshott 

• Howlands 

Estate Agents 

• Longacres Nursery 

Banstead 

• King of Cotton 

Betchworth 

• Buckland Deli 

• The Community 

Shop 

Bookham 


Bramley 

• Bramley Beds 

Buckland 

• Buckland Nurseries 

Camberley 

• Romans 

Cheam 

• Cook 

Chelsham 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Chobham 

• Melita 

• Pasha 

Claygate 

• Trew Art 

Cobham 

• Cobham Furniture 

• Fego Café 

• Oh So Coco 

Cranleigh 

• Notcutts 

• Roger Coupe 

Dorking 

• Dorking Travel 


• Princess Alice 

Hospice 

• Sainsbury’s 

Epsom 

• Mayfield Lavender 

Nursery & Shop 


Esher 

• Sandown Park 

Racecourse 

Farnham 

• Cook 

• ME Estate Agents 


• Waterstones 

Felbridge 

• Doves Barn Nursery 

Godalming 

• Cook 


• Sarah Louise Dix 


Godstone 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Guildford 

• BoConcept 

• Elm Nursery 

Farm Shop 

• Loaf 

• Neptune 

• Nuffield Gym 

Haslemere 

• Lythe Hill 

Hotel & Spa 

• Tesco Superstore 

Knaphill 


Leatherhead 


• Robert Leech 

& Partners 

Lingfield 


Lyne 

• The Farm Shop Lyne 

Milford 

• Secretts 

Old Oxted 

• Fish Plaice & Grill 

Oxted 

• Cook 

• Jackson-Stops 

& Staff 

• Limpsfield Stores 

• Morrisons 


Oxshott 

• The Bear 

Redhill 

• Priory Farm 

Reigate 

• County Clothes 


• RDO Kitchens 

Ripley 

• Ripley Nurseries 

Farm Shop 

• The Talbot 

Surbiton 


Walton on Thames 



Warlingham 

• Botley Hill 

Farmhouse 

• Rayners Estate 

Agents 

West Byfleet 

• Roman Tiles 

Weybridge 

• Tesco Extra 

Woldingham 

• Fine & Country 

STATIONS: 

• Dorking 

• East Grinstead 

• Epsom 

• Esher 

• Guildford 

• Haslemere 

• Kingston 

• Redhill 

• Richmond 

• Surbiton 

• Weybridge 

• Wimbledon 

• Woking 

Hettie Pittman ‘Seals Rock’ 60cm x 60cm 

Amanda Horvath ‘Light of the Wood’ 100cm x 100cm 

44 Bridge Street 

Godalming 

Surrey, GU7 1HL 

www.theweygallery.com 


WeyGalleryWT250.indd 1 20/02/2023 15:33

House 

Month 

of the 

£8,750,000 

Damien Pestell picks his favourite 

homes on the market 

Chiddingfold 

The dream: A picturesque Grade 

II listed principally Georgian home 

with ancillary accommodation and 

extensive farm buildings. Built in 

1805 but with some sections dating 

back to the 1500s, the house and 

farm were reunited by the current 

owners after years of separation. 

A home steeped in history. 

Where: Near to the pretty village of 

Chiddingfold with its cricket green, 

various pubs and a village store. 

Setting: A delightful country 

setting at the heart of an incredible 

250 acre sporting estate. 

Beds: 5 Baths: 3 

Special features: The fantastic 

Grade II listed party barn features a 

wonderful stained glass window by 

local artist Rachel Mulligan, installed 

to mark the reunion of the farm. 

priceless-magazines.com 

Pleasing details: Accessed 

independently from the farm 

drive are two semi-detached 3 

bedroom cottages with private 

gardens. Alongside the stables 

there’s also a two bedroom staff 

cottage with attached granary. 

Outside: The glorious formal 

gardens and grounds enjoy farreaching 

views over the surrounding 

countryside. The walled garden 

leads to a heated indoor swimming 

pool and tennis court. While equine 

interests are catered for with the 

stables and paddocks with a sand 

school. Beyond, the rest of the estate 

includes 131 acres of pasture land 

which is currently farmed organically. 

Time to town: From Witley 

station 3 miles away to London 

Waterloo in just 53 minutes. 

Agent: House Partnership 

01483 266705 housepartnership.co.uk 

10

£1,799,950 

Epsom 

The dream: This stunning modern home – 

built in 2020 in the style of the Georgian era, 

and completed to an extremely high standard 

– is set within an exclusive gated development. 

Where: Close to Horton Country 

Park with its ancient woodlands and 

also Epsom town centre, with all of 

the amenities you would expect. 

Setting: Detached and set back in its own plot. 


Special features: The enormous kitchen/ 

dining/family room opens up the inside 

to the outside and comes with hi-spec 

appliances and granite worktops throughout. 

Pleasing details: The amazing designer 

glass room can be used as a home office 

or just an additional space to reside. 

Outside: The beautiful landscaped garden 

was designed by Chelsea Flower Show 

gold award-winners, while a detached 

garage to the front of the property has been 

converted into a well equipped gym. 

Time to town: From Epsom station just over a 

mile away to London Waterloo in 30 minutes. 

Agent: Patrick Gardner Ashtead 

01372 271880 patrickgardner.com 

£1,400,000 

Esher 

The dream: An impressive family home full 

of charm, which seamlessly blends character 

with modern conveniences. Sophisticated 

grounds offer a level of seclusion not always 

seen in such a prime location. Perfect 

for those who treasure their privacy. 

Where: Just half a mile from 

the centre of Esher. 

Setting: Approached via a large carriage 

driveway and set behind attractive planting, 

offering good screening and privacy. 


Special features: The stunning open plan 

kitchen/dining space is well provisioned 

and opens out into the rear garden. 

Pleasing details: The extremely useful 

detached annexe with kitchen, bathroom 

and bedroom, is ideal for a guest, an au pair 

or could be converted into a home office. 

Outside: The flourishing landscaped garden 

also has a paved patio area and pagoda, 

perfect for al fresco dining and relaxation. 

Time to town: From Esher station just over a 

mile away to London Waterloo in 23 minutes. 

Agent: Savills 01372 461901 savills.com 

11 priceless-magazines.com

“ 

exceptional design 

and innovation 

” 

The four houses in the exclusive Woodlands 

Collection have been designed to complement 

each other while retaining a sense of individuality 

and timeless character. Traditional building 

practices, the finest materials and modern 

technology combines to create homes 

which offer all the creature comforts that 

today’s discerning homebuyers require. 

Situated on the prestigious Woodlands Road in the bustling 

Surrey village of West Byfleet, The Woodlands Collection is a 

stunning boutique development of four luxury family homes. 

Due for completion in April 2023, each of the large 

detached properties has its own unique character. 

Prices from £3.25m 

www.hawksmoorhomes.co.uk www.seymours-estates.co.uk Enquire today 01932 354494

ADVERTISEMENT 

Recharge 

Recreate 

Relive 

Rent now 

Receive 

50% 

off of your rent 

for 6 months* 

Stylish Later Living Apartments 

in Surrey: Ready to move-in homes at 

Pegasus Cobham Bowers and off-plan 

reservations at Highfields in West Byfleet 

now available. 

Pegasus offers beautifully designed, bright and spacious 

apartments, offering an independent lifestyle, as part 

of a sociable and welcoming community. Designed with 

well-being in mind, each of Pegasus’ communities boast 

contemporary shared lounges, perfect for socialising with 

friends or relaxing with a book. Enjoy landscaped gardens, 

alongside wellness facilities and a guest suite for visitors. 

With a dedicated Lifehost as the first point of contact for 

any queries, there will always be someone on hand for 

local area knowledge, or to help arrange movie nights, 

restaurant reservations and manage guest suite bookings. 

Downsizing to a Pegaus apartment can be the positive step 

into making your lifestyle more manageable and freeing 

up time to dedicate to passions and hobbies. Choosing to 

move to a new community can be a big decision, however 

Pegasus allows you to trial what is best for you. Pegasus 

offers the freedom and flexibility of rent or rent to buy 

options, whilst receiving all the outstanding service, 

access to facilities, and other benefits of living in one of 

our communities. 

“For one, my family can go on holiday and never have to 

worry about me. The space is a good size and I have used 

my second bedroom as a space for doing crafts. I’ve made 

lots of friends here, you can wander to the pavilion and 

there’ll be someone around. That’s the ideal thing here.” 

Pegasus Cobham Bowers features a stunning shared 

pavilion and landscaped courtyard garden and patio. 

Homes are just a short stroll from Cobham’s town centre, 

which boasts an excellent selection of boutiques, wine 

bars and restaurants. 

In the nearby village of West Byfleet, Pegasus has 

launched a stunning collection of 75 later living 

apartments, featuring two south-facing landscaped 

gardens and 35 allotments, to encourage community 

gardening. 

Prices start at £510,000 to purchase and £2,750 pcm to 

rent at Pegasus Cobham Bowers. Pegasus Highfields is 

due to complete this year, with customers ready to move 

in during the Spring/ Summer in 2023. Homes at Pegasus 

Highfields start from £400,000. 

For more information on our developments 

www.lifestory.group/pegasus/our-developments 

or call 01932-911092 (Cobham) and 01932 321 027 

(West Byfleet) to arrange your visit. 

Brin, a homeowner at Pegasus Cobham Bowers, expressed 

that her new home was ‘exactly what she needed’: 

Join us at Pegasus Cobham Bowers, on the 

30th of March, for a Spring open day event. 

Email for more information or to RSVP your space: 

cobhambowers@lifestory.group. 

*Terms and conditions apply. Your rent will be reduced by 50% for 6 calendar months if you reserve and 

move-in by 30th June 2023. This offer is available on selected developments only. We reserve the right 

to extend, reintroduce or amend any such offer as we see fit at any time. Prices correct at time of print. 

February 2023.

A CONTEMPORARY COLLECTION OF NEW HOMES IN REIGATE 

OPEN DAY SATURDAY 4 MARCH 

Make a reservation and Life 

Less Ordinary will pay your 

Stamp Duty, Legal Fees and 

Service Charge for a year* 

Each home at The Vale boasts its own underground 

secure parking space, German kitchens with 

Bosch appliances and beautifully tiled bathrooms 

with matt black Crosswater sanitaryware. 

All new homes will be ready to move in to in 

Summer 2023. Book your OPEN DAY slot today. 

CONTACT US TODAY TO 

RESERVE YOUR OPEN DAY SLOT 

Prices from £260,000 

SALES@L-L-O.COM +44 (0)1442 819 649 L-L-O.COM 

*Incentives applicable only to one bed apartments reserved on 4 March 2023 at asking price. The SDLT equivalent value at time of reservation will be deducted from purchase price on completion. 

Legal fees will be paid if using developers recommended solicitors and will cover fees of up to £1,200 including VAT Service charge will be paid by the developer for 12 months based on the actual 

service charge calculation. Photography is for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily represent final specification. Images used are of the show home at The Vale

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE 

FROM 

BUSINESS OWNER TO 

BRICKS & MORTAR 

INVESTOR 

With a portfolio of high risk investments, Surrey 

based entrepreneur, Neil Dickins, turned to 

property to see if he could lower his risk 

without sacrificing returns 

As the founder of a multinational recruitment 

consultancy, Surrey based entrepreneur, Neil 

Dickins, was used to taking risks. But having 

built a portfolio of high risk investments, 

Neil was looking to steady his risk: 

“I make very high risk, seed stage investments 

in tech companies, and wanted an investment 

to balance my portfolio. Like all assets, 

property values fluctuate but the likely 

downside compared to stocks (or earlystage 

companies!) is lower” Neil explains. 

Neil turned to Smarter Rent to see if property 

could be the answer he was looking for. 

“For me the most critical word in seeking 

success is ‘niche’. I loved the niche, underrepresented 

‘mid-term let’ idea which Smarter 

Rent specialises in”. These ‘mid-term lets’ Neil 

refers to are people looking for 1-12-month 

rentals. This niche offers investors up to double 

the rental income compared to long lets while 

attracting reliable and respectful tenants. 

Even better, Smarter Rent takes care of 

everything. From sourcing the perfect rental, to 

refurbishing, marketing and providing a 24- 

7-365 concierge service to renters. Buy to let 

owners can enjoy a true, worry free investment. 

The Smarter Rent team found Neil a one-bed 

house in the leafy village of Lightwater, Surrey. 

With excellent commuter links and close to 

local shops and amenities, it was the perfect 

rental property to bring in a monthly income 

while appreciating in value over time. 

Smarter Rent got Neil’s new investment 

rent-ready in weeks. In fact, the process was 

so hands off for Neil, the first time he saw 

his new investment was when it was fully 

furnished and ready for its first guests. 

And the outcome? Neil’s property was rented to a 

tenant on a 6-month contract before it was even 

listed. Since then, under Smarter Rent’s care, it 

has achieved an excellent 97% occupancy and 

an 11% gross yield (alongside capital growth), 

all without Neil lifting a finger. It has been 

such a success, Neil is now buying his second 

investment property with Smarter Rent. 

Are you interested in property 

investment? Let’s talk 

adrian@smarterrent.co 

0207 5509396 | www.smarterrent.co

More retirees than ever are choosing 

to rent because they want flexibility 

and a better quality of life. 

People are living longer and looking 

to prioritise their health and wellbeing… 

and stay independent. 

Leading 

the way 

in retirement 

rental living 

Why buy? 

When you can rent. 

Before you jump to buy… explore Birchgrove. 

We specialise in building high-quality, assisted 

living apartments – solely to rent – on an assured 

tenancy basis, giving you the same level of security 

as home ownership. There are no service charges, 

or exit fees. You simply pay an all-inclusive rent 

(see below) and a one-off joining fee. 

If you’d like to be part of a social community with 

extensive communal facilities and good transport links, 

we’d love to hear from you... 

Scan the code, visit the website, or call to find out more: 

www.birchgrove.life 

020 3929 5599 

What’s included: 

Electricity 

Water 

Heating 

Broadband & WiFi 

Line rental & telephone calls 

(some exclusions apply) 

Buildings insurance 

General maintenance 

(plumbing, appliance repair, gardening etc) 

Housekeeping (one hour per week) 

Window cleaning (exteriors) 

Security 

Events calendar 

Group exercise session 

 

Handyman 

Additional costs: Our monthly rent makes it much easier to 

forecastanyoutgoingswhicharenotincludedinyourrent. 

For example: council tax, contents insurance, TV licence, 

food (weekly meal plans are available from the restaurant 

to help you plan your food costs) and any leisure activities 

that are not part of our events calendar. 

Queensgate 

Apartments 

Sidcup, Kent 

Woodbank 

Apartments 

Hook Heath, Woking 

Lower Mill 

Apartments 

Ewell Village, Surrey


Assisted living at Birchgrove 

Many people in later life 

can feel increasingly 

burdened by everyday 

tasks or by a lack of 

accessible support, affecting both their 

wellbeing and their quality of life. At 

Birchgrove, the specialist developer of 

retirement properties for the over 65s, 

residents are offered onsite care and 

support on all aspects of day-to-day life 

– whilst retaining all their independence 

in the comfort of their own home. 

Birchgrove retirement communities are 

built specifically for people in later life to 

allow residents to live more comfortably. 

The self-contained apartments are easily 

accessible with large doors and corridors 

for wheelchair access; waist height 

appliances in the fully fitted kitchens 

and walk-in showers. The homes are 

also pet-friendly, and amenities such as 

car parking spaces and an onsite guest 

suite for friends and family enable 

residents to retain their independence. 

“What I love is that there is digital 

telecare in every apartment,” comments 

Beverley, whose mother Mary, 88, lives 

at Birchgrove’s Woodbank Apartments 

in Woking. “Mum is able to look 

up what she wants for dinner on the 

days she doesn’t feel like cooking and 

communicate with the onsite staff if 

she needs a bit of help. It’s the little 

things like that that mean so much 

because they take the worry away.” 

Birchgrove residents receive one hour’s 

domestic support every week to help with 

everyday chores such as cleaning or doing 

the ironing. “Mum was starting to find 

the day-to-day living stuff was taking 

all her time,” Beverley comments. “She 

had no time doing what she really likes 

doing, like pottering in the greenhouse, 

writing letters, watching television, 

knitting. Her quality of life wasn’t 

great, and it’s now so much better.” 

Each apartment is linked to a 24/7 

emergency call service, so those who need 

it can be offered immediate support. 

“When I visit I suddenly feel a complete 

sense of relief that somebody is on 

hand and able to look out for Mum,” 

comments Beverley. “I don’t have to worry 

because mum can remain independent 

but there is always staff on site.” 

At Birchgrove, Mary is also part of a 

friendly community with regular events, 

hobby groups and trip outs to promote 

a happier lifestyle. The onsite facilities 

include a restaurant and bar, club room, 

library, wellbeing suite, landscaped 

gardens as well as a greenhouse. 

Birchgrove operates retirement 

communities at Queensgate Apartments, 

Sidcup, Kent, Woodbank Apartments, 

Woking and Lower Mill Apartments, 

Ewell Village. If you would like to find out 

more, please contact the team who will 

happily talk through the options and tailor 

something that works to support your 

individual needs. Call 020 3929 5599 

or visit www.birchgrove.life

Notebook 

What to do and see near you this month 

All that Jazz 

istockphoto.com/Maya23K / petrenkod 

Prints & the Paper 

We love to celebrate local artists’ work along with traditional crafts. 

So we’re very happy to hear that The Landmark Arts Centre, 

Teddington, is launching a new biennial printmaking festival 

that will champion the art of hand-printmaking, artists’ 

books and papermaking. The inaugural fair will include a 

whole programme of talks, classes and demonstrations 

alongside special exhibits and over 50 stands of artists 

selling their work directly to visitors. This is a fantastic 

opportunity to learn about the processes involved and 

to see a wide variety of artworks. Among the artists 

you’ll find Lizzie Brewer, a conceptual artist, who has 

been invited to show her artists’ book “10 Meters 

of Mycelium” never before exhibited in its entirety, 

due to the scale of the work. Also exhibiting her 

incredible prints for the first time at the Landmark, 

is Shokoufeh Fallah, winner of the East London 

Printmakers Bursary Award in 2022. 

The artwork above is by Jocelyn Horsfall. 

landmarkartscentre.org/paper-ink-print-festival-2023/ 

Have you heard about the spectacular 

new performing arts venue – Hemsted 

Park? Set in the beautiful grounds 

of Benenden School it incorporates 

Centenary Hall, one of the foremost 

concert halls in the South East. 

The collection of spaces really has 

to be seen to be believed, we highly 

recommend a visit. The debut season 

looks super-exciting so take your 

pick from the line up, which includes 

the BBC Swing Band, comedianquizzer 

Paul Sinha and the London 

Film Music Orchestra. Saturday 22 

April sees world-famous jazz club 

Ronnie Scott’s All Stars present The 

Ronnie Scott’s Story with not-tobe-missed 

live jazz, narration and 

archive photos and footage. Find 

out more and book tickets at 

hempstedpark.com 

Good Eggs 

A floral fiesta of 

daffodils, irises and anemones 

(to name but a few) will herald 

the arrival of spring at National 

Trust’s Polesden Lacey with nearly 

200,000 planted. And on March 25 

this year’s Easter adventure trail will start 

(including responsibly sourced chocolate, 

vegan or free from egg). Get your family 

running wild through time, journeying back 

to when wolves and lynx roamed free. Plus 

there’s the new natural play area to check 

out, views across the rolling Surrey Hills 

and acres of countryside and grounds to 

explore. nationaltrust.org.uk 


Notebook 

Raise a Glass Celebrate Mother’s 

Day in style with a bubbly Afternoon Tea at Balfour Winery. 

Enjoy beautifully presented sandwiches, scones and cakes, 

alongside a glass of sparkling Balfour Wine. Make the most of 

your visit by enjoying a self-guided stroll through the beautiful 

400 acre estate, vineyards and ancient oak woodlands. On 18 

and 19 March from 1pm for £45 per person. balfourwinery.com 

Flower Power 

Blooming Green – near 

Maidstone – are offering two 

workshops the day before Mother’s 

Day at their idyllic HQ, both for aspiring 

florists and growers. A Hand-Tied Posy 

workshop, for those who love working and 

creating with seasonal British flowers, as well as a 

Grow Your Own Cut Flowers Workshop – Awesome 

Annuals, for anyone with green fingers and a love 

of growing. Either workshop offers the perfect 

opportunity to spend quality time with your 

mum – as well as goodies to take home. 

Hand-tied Posy Workshop: £65 and 

Grow your Own Cut Flowers £90. 

bloominggreenflowers.co.uk 

Of Course! An ideal treat for your 

mum or any special person in your life – a nurturing day at 

Curious House. They’ll be well looked after whilst exploring 

their creativity on one of the many courses that range from 

willow weaving and poetry writing to painting and stitching, 

plus many more. Even better, book two places and spend 

some precious time creating together – think of it as a Creative 

Spa Day. Courses run in two wonderful venues on the Kent 

and Sussex borders, The Bell in Ticehurst and Birchwood in 

Flimwell. You can book specific courses or buy a voucher for 

mum or your special someone to make their own choice. For 

dates and course costs see curioushouse.net 

NOT SO LONELY GOATHERD 

Do you know someone who dreams of becoming the G.O.A.T. 

at goat care? The wonderful people at Buttercups Sanctuary 

for Goats are running a goat husbandry workshop on 6 April 

(along with other dates later in the year). You’ll learn all you 

need to know to care for these entertaining creatures and 

could go on to foster for the sanctuary. Buttercups is the only 

registered goat charity in the UK and set in scenic parkland 

a few miles south of Maidstone. Well worth a visit. Find out 

about their open days and the workshop fees and details at 

buttercups.org.uk 


22

Picture Framing 

Purchase direct from the UK’s leading independent designer makers 

OLD TOWN HALL 

CHELSEA 

10 - 12 MARCH 

Admission £10 

10am - 5pm Daily 

£7 in advance with code CIFADV23 

Pop Art 

Sculptures 

Investment Art 

From inspiration to creation, 

define your space with 

ART 

11 The Parade, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0PD • WWW.TREWART.COM • PH 44 (0)1372 470997 

CIF_Desire23_130x90.indd CraftInFocusWT249.indd 1 1 11/01/2023 TrewArtWT250.indd 11:23 09:40 

1 14/02/2023 13:05 

RHS Orchid Show 

Fri 17 – Sun 19 Mar 

Celebrate the exotic houseplant in The Garden 

room at RHS Hilltop. Admire rare and delicate 

varieties, enjoy displays, demos and expert talks. 

Your visit supports our work as a charity. 

rhs.org.uk/wisley 

RHS 

Members 

go free 

JOIN THE RHS TODAY 

J O I N 

T H E R H S TO D AY 


MediaForceWT250-RHSWisley.indd 1 22/02/2023 10:55

Dovehouse Dorking A5 Flyer 2023 print file.pdf 1 05/09/2022 17:23 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

26 March . 30 April . 28 May . 18 June 

24 September . 22 October . 19 November 

DoveHouseAntiqueFairWT250.indd 1 07/02/2023 LandmarkArtsCentreWT250.indd 12:49 

1 08/02/2023 17:23 

Halima Cassell 

From the Earth 

14 March - 

18 June 

wattsgallery.org.uk 

Guildford, GU3 1DQ 

Halima Cassell, Modesty (clay sourced from Greece) from Virtues of Unity 

© Halima Cassell, courtesy of the artist. Photo by Jonathon Keenan. 


Surrey Homes ad.indd 10 09/02/2023 15:01:10 

WattsGalleryWT250.indd 1 09/02/2023 15:56 

24

With Crufts coming up, now is the 

pawfect time to show our dogs some 

love! Make yours feel like a pampered 

pooch with Barbour’s range of dog 

accessories – this teddy fleece jumper 

for £29.95 is utterly cuddly and great 

for keeping out the last of the winter 

chill in style. barbour.com 

must 

The 

From must-sees to must-buys and 

must-dos, don’t miss this month’s 

round up of what to buy, see, do, 

and generally get excited about! 

Red Nose Day is back on 17th 

March, and whether you’re out 

fundraising or donating from home, 

the new Mr Men and Little Miss 

TShirts are an adorable choice of 

attire. This one is just £12.99 and at 

least £5 goes to help children in the 

UK and around the world. Order 

yours at comicrelief.com 

There’s a new shop in town. That town being 

picturesque Rye, and that shop being the 

equally charming Ferry Road Store. Stocking 

fashion, homeware and lifestyle brands including 

Fenwick & Tilbrook, Made by Lottie Day and Liv 

Thurwell, it’s a lovely spot to pop in and browse 

if you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift (or a little 

treat for yourself). ferryroadstore.com 

Water Lane is Hawkhurst is the place to do 

lunch this month. It’s a walled garden with 

a vinery and Victorian glasshouses that 

are used for dining throughout the 

winter – English countryside scenery at 

its most charming. And in a new twist, 

they have launched a series of set lunch 

menus inspired by food writers and 

cooks including Simon Hopkinson and 

Joyce Molyneux. Wednesday to Sunday, 

12-3pm, you can get two courses for £27 

or three for £32. Book at waterlane.net 

Emma Dodi’s macarons are almost 

too beautiful to eat... almost. They are 

handmade and painted in London and 

make a lovely gift. These Mother’s Day 

treats come in rose, strawberries and 

cream, and passion fruit ganache flavours 

and are £32 for 6, but if that doesn’t 

tickle your fancy there are loads of other 

options. You could try chocolate hazelnut, 

salted caramel, vanilla, or something more 

adventurous like matcha tea or white 

truffle. emmadodicakes.com 

For gardeners looking 

forward to spring, 

these sunflower seeds are 

sunny and joyful for all the family to 

enjoy planting from March to May. Inspired by 

Nymans in West Sussex, they are a produced in 

a collaboration between National Trust and Blue 

Diamond which also features inspiration from 

other wonderful gardens across the country. They 

only cost £1.99, and at least 10% of that will help 

the work of the National Trust. bluediamond.gg 

Whether you’re looking 

for a Mother’s Day 

pressie or something 

to pamper another 

woman in your life (yourself?) 

for International Women’s 

Day, NoLoGo-Chic’s handprinted 

kimono robes make 

for a stylish and sumptuously 

soft dressing gown for the 

warmer months. This one is 

just £69 at nologo-chic.co.uk 

One thing we must have to enjoy our gardens now the sun is back, and 

spring is approaching, is a good cosy outdoor couch. This Hampstead 

modular option from Bridgman is classic enough to be stylish year after 

year, easily styled up with some accessories, and customisable to fit your 

space. This set is currently discounted too – just £3,779 (down from 

£6,299) including the matching table. bridgman.co.uk 


‘Excellent in 

all aspects 

of teaching’ 

Independent Schools 

Inspectorate report 

Reception, Year 1 and 2 places still available 

Open Morning 

Friday 17 th March 2023 

9.30am until 12 noon 

An independent Prep School for girls and boys aged 9 months – 13 years 

To book a place on our Open Morning, please go to our website: 

www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk 01883 733841 

Wolf’s Hill, Surrey, RH8 0QU

Improve, Don’t Move! 

Maximise the value of your home. 

It’s time to upgrade your current garage door to a Garolla. 

They’re strong, secure and thermally insulated. So if you’re 

transforming your garage into a home gym, office space, 

garden bar or simply using it to house your pride and joy, 

Garolla has the perfect solution to transform your home. 

SPACE-SAVING – MAXIMISE YOUR GARAGE HEADROOM 

SECURITY-ENABLED AUTO-LOCKING SYSTEM 

CHOICE OF 21 COLOURS TO MATCH YOUR HOME 

REMOVAL AND RECYCLING OF YOUR OLD DOOR 

DEDICATED AFTER-CARE TEAM 

TELEPHONE 

0800 357 9004 

FREE 

FITTING 

PAYMENT ON 

INSTALLATION 

GAROLLA PREMIUM 

Increased Security • Double Insulation 

One-Touch Close 

£1,990 

PREMIUM 3.4M ANTHRACITE 

www.garolla.co.uk 

4.8 out of 5 / 4,700 reviews 

4.8 out of 5 

9.8 out of 10 

£895 £2,740 

COMPACT • UP TO 2.4M PREMIUM 5.1M BLACK 

GarollaWT250-SH.indd 1 15/02/2023 15:15 

Your Dream, Our Vision 

Photo Credit: Louisa Grace Interiors 

Specialists in the supply & installation of contemporary bespoke aluminium glazing systems. Our showroom & offices are based in 

a historical boatyard overlooking the River Thames in Hampton. Specified by Architects, recommended by Contractors, referred by Clients. 

Urban & Grey Ltd 

Constable’s Boatyard 

5-9 Thames Street 

Hampton 

TW12 2EW 

Telephone: 020 8979 6367 

info@urbanandgrey.co.uk 

www.urbanandgrey.co.uk 

Sliding Doors • Bifold Doors • Flush Casement Windows 

Steel Replacement Doors, Screens & Windows 

Frameless Glazing • Frameless Fixed Rooflights 

Venting, Lantern & Walk-on Rooflights 

Front Doors, Pivot Doors, Glazed Garden Rooms & Verandas 


Urban&GreyWT243.indd 1 22/07/2022 14:07


28

It’s a Colourful Life 

Words: Damien Pestell Photographs: David Merewether 

Bedroom designer Evelyn 

M Lindley describes her 

journey to realise her creative 

passion, sharing how she 

incorporates playful colour 

into her dark-toned interiors 


Previous pages: The teal and turquoise living area has been papered in Cole & Son’s Palm Jungle. Evie freshened up the pre-loved sofas with some 

new covers. The leopard print footstool came from Cult Furniture Above: At the other end of the room, a walnut drinks cabinet takes centre stage 

I 

did something quite exciting recently, well I thought 

it was exciting. I did my first ever Zoom interview. 

I felt I’d missed out over the last few years, at least 

in a professional capacity. Watching on enviously from 

the sidelines, as it seemed the entire world migrated their 

working lives online. Of course, I’d heard the murmurs 

of discontent – ‘Yet another Zoom call’ – but everything 

is novel the first time you do it and I was finally getting 

to see this brave new world with my own eyes. I was 

about to join the party albeit unfashionably late. 

The call in question was with Evelyn M Lindley – Evie for 

short – a talented young interior designer who had recently 

completed the renovation of her three bedroom home in 

Sittingbourne. Evie describes her style as gothic vintage 

romance, which (while a bit of a mouthful) is certainly not 

going to go unnoticed. Looking through photos of Evie’s 

house before our meeting, I was struck by how different 

it is to others I have visited. A quick look at her website 

revealed another unexpected discovery. Her primary focus 

is on bedroom design and the importance of these spaces 

in childhood and relationship development. I’m a big 

fan of people doing things differently and admire anyone 

undeterred by the status quo. So I was looking forward 

to talking to her about how her work has emerged. 

It was time for our Zoom call and I felt fully prepared as I 

logged on to my new laptop. My joy was short-lived, however, 

and delight quickly turned to alarm as my computer informed 

me the camera and microphone weren’t detected. After much 

faffing I reverted to plan B and used my phone. As we started 

the call I thought to myself how not that much has changed. 

Before we began looking at the house, I wanted to ask 

Evie what felt like the most pressing question – “Why 

bedrooms?” I probed curiously. “They’ve always been the 

most important room to me,” she explained. “When I was 


30

Above left: Gilding features in most rooms of the house, a skill that Evie has been perfecting as she continues her interiors journey 

Above right: A mirror and glass cabinet houses a collection of American toy cars 

younger money was tight, so I didn’t have my own room. It 

wasn’t until I was a teenager that I got a room of my own 

and it was the place where I learnt about myself and found 

out who I am. I did everything there, I dressed up, I did 

photography, wrote poetry and designed things, like clothes.” 

Not only is the bedroom an important room to Evie, 

she also works with them from a therapeutic perspective. 

“Bedrooms are the spaces where people discover who they 

are as children, but as adults it can become a space for two 

people instead of one. It’s a space that can be used to bring 

two people closer together, created by both, which contains 

all their creative and restorative needs.” Grasping the concept, 

I summarised – “OK, so it’s like a cross between interior 

design and couples therapy?” – “Yes, that’s it!” she confirmed. 

Evie has always been a creative person, as a child she 

would spend lots of time being inventive in different 

ways. It led her to designing clothes, writing poetry 

and eventually interior design. “When I was 15 my 

mum told me we could decorate our rooms however we 

wanted and it sparked something in me,” she says. 

Evie left school knowing she wanted to use her creativity 

in her work: “I knew what I wanted to do, but when I left 

school my family told me I would never make any money 

out of being creative, so I went down a more businessy 

route instead.” Over the next few years Evie did everything 

but be creative, taking jobs as varied as a taxi driver to an 

embalmer. She was unfulfilled –“I was just so unhappy and 

it made me really low.” During lockdown she had time to 

think about her situation and decided to do something 

about it, enrolling on a course in interior design. 

Evie loved the course and passed with flying colours. 

“What I really learnt is that I knew it already,” she says and 

started to put what she’d realised into practice. Working 

on projects for friends and families, she transformed 

 


Above left: The pink hallway, papered in Happy Hills by Rebel Walls.is a pleasing contrast to the deep grey and teal walls of the 

sitting room Above right: Beneath the gallery wall, the bannisters and floorboards are painted in Burlington Arcade by Mylands 

their homes and, of course, their bedrooms, honing her 

style and understanding of what it meant to her. The 

Sittingbourne house has been the biggest project so far, 

re-imagining the bland and rather characterless interior to 

create a brilliant expression of Evie’s personality: “When 

we first got the house it was just magnolia everything!” 

Of course, there was only one place for us 

to begin, so we started with the two guest 

bedrooms. The first room is the darker of 

the two, which Evie describes as the dark 

floral room. The walls are painted dark holly 

green from Zinsser, while the ceiling is a 

contrasting lilac from Lick, separated by a 

gold trim. The inspiration for the room was a 

pair of dark floral curtains. I asked Evie if she 

always started with something that inspired 

her. She explained, “Yes, I like to find 

something I love and decorate from there.” 

Looking around the room Evie shows me some personal 

items which she has integrated into the room. A dresser, 

which belonged to her Nan who sadly passed away, has been 

lovingly upcycled with a set of pine shelves and painted to 

match the walls. Evie explains, “It helps give a sense of space 

and depth to the room.” The centrepiece of the room is a 

“The hallway 

is the best place to 

make a dramatic 

impression. You want 

people to say wow, 

but it’s not necessary 

that they like it” 

striking lampshade from Fringe Handcrafted Lampshades. 

On another wall there’s a large pink kimono displayed 

in the traditional way from Belle Empire in Tunbridge 

Wells. “I’ve always loved kimonos, they were a way of 

expressing myself when I didn’t have any confidence.” 

Evie loves pink and outside the bedroom there is lots more, 

this time it’s a striking gallery area. She 

explains the bold approach, “The hallway is 

the best place to make a dramatic impression. 

You want people to say wow, but it’s not 

necessary that they like it.” The photogenic 

landing area is the main thoroughfare of the 

house and certainly catches the attention. The 

gallery wall is bedecked with a mixture of 

framed prints including lots of inspirational 

and uplifting quotes, a theme throughout 

the house. Evie explains, “As someone who 

has had mental health issues I find them 

really helpful, it reminds me that [when times are hard], it 

does get better.” The bannisters and floorboards are painted in 

Burlington Arcade by Mylands, a blue which offers a pleasing 

contrast to the pink, while the stair runners are a clever hack 

from eBay. They’re actually not stair runners per-se, but rugs 

which have been put together to create a runner, which 

 


32

elegant 

home design 

HÜLSTA TETRIM 

PURISTIC CUBES WITH LED HIGHLIGHTS 

living room 

dining room bedroom home office hallway media units furnishing solutions 

hülsta Esher 

50 High Street, Esher KT10 9QY 

t: 01372 479726 e: esher@hulsta.uk w: webstore.hulsta.co.uk

Wealden Times 

Midsummer 

Fa i r 

8-10 JUNE 2023 

Wealden Times 

Midsummer Fair 2023 

8th, 9th & 10th June 

Hole Park, Rolvenden TN17 4JB 

Ticket price 

includes entry to 

Hole Park 

Garden 

For a great day out book your tickets today at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk

Above: The walls of the spare bedroom are painted a dark 

holly green from Zinsser, while the ceiling is a contrasting 

lilac from Lick, separated by a gold trim. A large pink 

kimono, from Belle Empire in Tunbridge Wells, continues 

the powder pink accents in this room Right: The landing 

Evie tacked and created herself. 

“We got quoted £700 for stair runners, so I just bought 

three rugs for £28 and stitched them together instead.” 

From the landing we turn into a study which leads 

into the master bedroom which is a very ‘Evie’ peacock 

themed room. “I really love peacocks. It’s designed to be an 

enveloping experience which is comforting and warm, like 

a big hug,” she explains. The inspiration for the room this 

time is the headboard, beaded with peacock feathers and 

upholstered by Evie. The walls and ceiling are all painted 

deep blue spruce, a colour which really does feel like you’re 

being engulfed, but in a good way. It’s a deeply relaxing and 

soothing space. Gold is interspersed throughout the room 

helping to bring balance, picked out in the chandeliers and 

many smaller items, including a flamingo and cockatoo. 

Moving back into the study is a totally different experience 

to the first two rooms. Previously just a beige walk-through 

room, it’s been transformed into a bright and welcoming 

space. Original floorboards replace the dingy carpet and 

are painted mustard yellow, which is mirrored by the 

ceiling above. Blush pink walls bring some fun, while the 

cork board is a place for creativity to happen, filled with 

ideas and inspiration. Further items of note are the 


Left: Evie has created the stair runners by 

stitching together three rugs that she bought 

for £28 each Below Left: A second guest 

bedroom has a decidedly tropical theme 

with paper by Congo Geometric Wallpaper 

inventive upcycled cot side, which is 

used as a rack for Evie’s fabrics and 

the pink Mustard Made locker – one 

of a number of items Evie has won 

in competitions over the years. 

Struck by the use of colour in the 

house, I ask Evie if she has always 

loved bright colours. She explains, “I’ve 

actually always preferred dark tones. 

I’ve never really been comfortable 

using colour that much. But something 

changed when I did my course and 

it opened me up to all these shades 

which I had never used before.” 

Moving back into the landing we 

come into the final bedroom and the 

lighter of the two guest rooms, this 

time with a tropical theme. “I had a 

tropical bedroom in my last house and 

I really liked it, so I wanted to do it 

again, but this time on a bolder scale.” 

An upcycled chest of drawers has been 

given a new lease of life with some chalk 

paint and fabric to match the curtains. 

Moving downstairs we enter the 

lounge/cocktail room and it’s every bit 

as wonderful as upstairs. The walnut 

cocktail cabinet is the hub of the room, 

a place where Evie can occasionally 

be seen enjoying a piña colada or an 

espresso martini – she confesses, “I 

just love anything sweet.” Cole & 

Son’s wallpaper continues the tropical 

vibes, while the teal ceiling is a further 

homage to peacocks. Evie explains, 

“I love teal because it’s rich yet cosy, 

bright in the day and warming at 

night.” Going further into the room 

the living area is furnished with a 

striking leopard print footstool from 

Cult Furniture, while both sofas are 

second hand bargains freshened up 

with some new covers. Behind the 

sofas a wooden bureau from Evie’s last 

home has been given a new lease of 

life to match the decor of the new, this 

time it’s deep navy with gold leaf. 

Moving into the kitchen and the 

final room of the house, Evie has 

refreshed the existing units with 

colour, lots of colour. It’s bookended 

with Jes Rose terrazzo vinyl, 

 


36

LUXURY WOOD FLOORING 

AND CLADDING 

Info@havwoods.com | +44 (0) 01524 737000 | www.havwoods.com/uk 

VISIT OUR GUILDFORD SHOWROOM 

Opening hours: Mon - Fri 8am-5pm 

11 North Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4AF

Sited_HalfPage_Advert.pdf 2 03/06/2021 21:18 

LIVE 

THE DREAM 

At Sited we source exceptional sites 

for clients requiring a bespoke 

service – facilitating the dream of 

developing their own home. 

An aspirational site 

finding service. 

See it, 

Source it, 

Sited. 

Sited Limited 

78 St Johns Road 

Tunbridge Wells 

Kent 

TN4 9PH 

07739 514350 

01892 579937 

www.sited.land 

SJDprojectsWT240-AD2.indd 1 08/04/2022 13:58 

Renovations & Alterations 

Barn Conversions & Developments 

ST 

CREATIVE DESIGN FOR 21 CENTURY LIVING 

We breathe new life into historic and listed buildings across Kent, Sussex & Surrey. 

www.jamesclague.co.uk 01227 649073 

Listed & Historic Buildings 

Feasibility & Concept Design Planning & Listed Building Consent Applications Technical Design Building Control Applications 

Construction 


38 

JamesClagueArchitectsWT249.indd 1 19/01/2023 11:38

This page: The peacock themed master bedroom has 

been designed to be an enveloping experience which is 

comforting and warm, “like a big hug”. Gold accents are 

interspersed throughout the room helping to bring balance, 

picked out in the chandeliers and many smaller items 

giving a lovely pink marble effect which works rather well. 

The colour scheme is the same as the hallway but with a 

different blue, which took some adjusting to. “I hated it 

initially,” she explains. “It took me hours to do and then 

when I finished I really wasn’t happy. But I let it settle and 

after a few days I got used to it – now I really love it.” 

Tour complete, Evie and I start to wrap up. I’m really 

impressed with what she has achieved. Her home is an 

experience for the senses. She has created some amazing 

spaces which really transport you into her world. She 

made a brave decision to follow her heart and be creative 

professionally, the result is that she has brought colour into 

her life and created a home which has launched what I’m 

sure will be a wonderful career. Her business is different and 

it feels like she may take her interior design in a new and 

interesting direction. Nurturing people through beautiful 

bedrooms and interiors matters to Evie and it feels like a 

valuable project which could make a real difference. These 

are the businesses that change the way we think and the 

way we do things. Who would have known that I would 

one day be interviewing someone on a screen and getting 

a tour of their house. Maybe soon we’ll all be improving 

our homes and relationships, all at the same time. 

 


Above: Evie has combined pinks 

and yellows in the spacious study, 

where she compiles her moodboards 

Left: The kitchen island has been 

given a revamp with the application 

of Jes Rose terrazzo vinyl 

Address Book: 

To find out more about Evie’s 

bedroom design and styling, see 

evelynminteriors.co.uk 

Belle Empire belleempire.co.uk 

Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com 

Jes Rose jesrose.co.uk 

Mustard Made uk.mustardmade.com 


40

AFFORDABLE | QUALITY | HANDMADE 

Kit form oak framed 

buildings & garages, 

ready to be installed 

by ourselves or 

our customers. 

An extensive palette of pigment rich, premium paint colours. 

Made to order in six beautiful, water-based finishes: 

Pure Matt | Pure Matt Plus | Claypaint 

Interior Eggshell | Exterior Eggshell | Ultimate Masonry 

www.swiftoak.com 

Fenwick and Tilbrook Ltd, Norfolk, UK 

T:01362 684125 @fenwickandtilbrook 

www.fenwickandtilbrook.com 

SwiftOakWT249.indd 1 17/01/2023 Fenwick&TilbrookWT250.indd 15:45 

1 15/02/2023 10:37 

IMPROVE 

DON’T MOVE 

The current challenges in the property 

market mean it’s better to improve 

instead of move. Add value to your 

home with an award-winning local 

company you can trust. 

UP TO 

40 % OFF 

WINDOWS • DOORS 

CONSERVATORIES 

& EXTENSIONS 

* 

Visit your nearest showcentre today 

Knights Garden Centre, Limpsfield Road, 

Warlingham, CR6 9DZ 

Get your quote online 

www.sehbac.com 

or phone 0800 666 444 

*Up to 40% OFF Windows, Doors, Conservatories and Extensions, no minimum spend. Terms and conditions apply, please ask for more information. Offer ends 2nd April 2023. 


PurplexMarketingWT250-SURREY.indd 1 15/02/2023 14:56

Seasonal 

Ethical 

Exceptional 

Matilda Delves Photography - www.matildadelvesweddingphotography.com 

bloominggreenflowers.co.uk 

bloominggreen 

blooming-green-90x130-2023.indd BloomingGreenWT250.indd 1 1 11/01/2023 01/02/2023 RoseberysWT250.indd 18:55 16:47 

1 15/02/2023 12:11 

RUG STORE specialise in a wide selection of new, old and Antique Persian, Turkish, Caucasian and Turkmen 

Carpets. Various antique, old and new Kilims are available. We offer a professional hand-cleaning and restoration 

service. We buy old and antique carpets - even damaged rugs. Part exchange and evaluations. 

312 UPPER RICHMOND ROAD WEST, EAST SHEEN, RICHMOND, LONDON, SW14 7JN. 

TEL / FAX: 020 8876 0070 INFO@RUGSTOREONLINE.CO.UK WWW.RUGSTOREONLINE.CO.UK 


42 

RugStoreWT249.indd 1 10/01/2023 14:40

Get the 

LOOK 

1 H2-028 Jacobean five light chandelier £1,225 Besselink & Jones besselink.com 2 Year Of Us A5 art print £7 Floppy Toast 

floppytoast.com 3 You & Me Always print from £4 Colour Your Life Club colouryourlifeclub.co.uk 4 Make it Happen A3 print £40 

Mint & May mintandmay.co.uk 5 En Route print from £25 The Noochkin thenoochkin.com 6 Personalised Lovebird Heart print 

£35 in frame £25 Mountain & Molehill mountainandmolehill.com 7 Limited Edition Greenery art print from £40 Judith P Raynault 

Studio judithpraynault.com 8 Candy wallpaper £69/roll Bobbi Beck bobbibeck.com 9 Bivain silk twill and velvet cushion £160 Lime 

Lace limelace.co.uk 10 Shoreditch sofa in royal blue easy clean plush velvet £1,710 Darlings of Chelsea darlingsofchelsea.co.uk 

11 Squishmeister sofa in Sopping Seagrass clever velvet £2,345 Loaf loaf.com 12 Bunny tales cushion £30 Lust Home lusthome.com 


Stay 1 

Stay 6 

Stay 6 

Stay 1 

UK 

Stays 

Stay 2 

Stay 1 

No need for expensive 

flights or long hours 

travelling – there are 

plenty of wonderful 

places to visit for your 

holidays here in the UK 

Stay 5 

Stay 3 

Stay 2 

Stay 6 

Stay 5

istockphoto.com/ AmArtPhotography 

Stay 1: Heckfield Place 

Location: Hampshire 

Sleeps: Up to 4 per room 

Bedrooms: 45 options 

Bathrooms: En suites available 

Special Features: Arboretum, walled gardens, upper and lower lakes, the 

Glass House, the Moon Bar, the Little Bothy Spa, screening room 

Sitting grandly at the heart of a bountiful 438-acre estate in a 

secluded corner of Hampshire, Heckfield Place is a beautiful 

Georgian family home that has been lovingly restored to its origins. 

For dining, there are two signature restaurants. Both deeply 

connected to the surrounding landscape, they are supplied by the 

estate’s Market Garden and organic Home Farm. Once the estate 

stables, Hearth, is a warm and inviting dining space with an outdoor 

courtyard and heartfelt classic meals. Meanwhile, the green-Michelinstarred 

Marle serves simple, pared-back dishes and has tranquil views 

across the woodland and lakes. 

To keep you amused there is The Assembly screening room showing 

movies, talks and workshops and The Little Bothy Spa by Wildsmith 

skincare, which will be joined in April 2023 by The Bothy. This 

new addition will offer outdoor hydrotherapies, healing thermal 

experiences, and a Sun Room, as well as a programme of journeys 

in the grounds including Woodland Movement, Forest Bathing and 

Cold Wild Water Immersion Therapy. 

heckfieldplace.com 

let ’s go to... THE COUNTRY 

Stay 2: Marrington Escapes 

Location: Shropshire 

Sleeps: 6-14 

Bedrooms: 3-7 

Bathrooms: 2-5 

Special Features: Secluded hot tubs, inglenook fireplaces, outdoor wood 

fire pits, lots of resident wildlife, nearby otters! 

A rural retreat nestled in acres of beautiful Shropshire countryside. 

From walking and fishing, to otter spotting and stargazing, this 

private estate offers a chance to reconnect with the great outdoors. 

You can get back to nature out in the Shropshire and Welsh hills, 

the National Trust’s Attingham Park and Carding Mill Valley, or the 

popular towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow, which lie on its borders. 

On the Estate itself, the calming River Camlad winds its way through 

a landscape of spectacular vistas, valley crests and rolling hills. 

With two luxury farmhouses, barns, an ancient Mill and 16th 

century Hall, there is a range of accommodation options to suit any 

group and each cottage has its own history and personality. What 

they all share is a warm but luxurious aesthetic with period features, 

rich furnishings, roaring wood burners and secluded hot tubs – a 

great spot to cocoon yourself away from the hustle and bustle of 

everyday life. The accomodation is all self catering but you can hire 

a private chef through Marrington to really pull out all the stops if 

you’re planning on staying for a big occasion. 

marringtonescapes.com 


45

Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse B&B 

BOOK 

DIRECT FOR 

10 

% 

OFF 

USE CODE: 

STAYSH 

“a beautiful place to stay in 

the grounds of Sissinghurst Castle” 

“amazing 

home-cooked 

breakfast” 

“luxurious 

rooms with 

stunning views” 

Tel: 01580 720992 

www.sissinghurstcastlefarmhouse.co.uk 

A stunning collection of unique, 

self-catered properties set deep in the 

South Shropshire countryside. 

01743 234232 

www.marringtonescapes.com 

stay@marringtonescapes.com 

SissinghurstCastleFarmhouseWT227.indd 1 16/03/2021 MarringtonEscapesWT250-SH.indd 00532MA_Surrey 09:57 Homes advert_90x130.indd 1 1 08/02/2023 07/02/2023 14:57 14:16 

BOSCREGE 

CARAVAN & TOURING PARK 

FOR SALE 

Park luxury lodges 

& holidays homes 

Book a Holiday 

NEW TARIFF NOW AVAILABLE 

We’ve made our pricing as 

transparent as possible, match 

a holiday to your budget 

then simply use our online 

availability and booking system. 

Local Attractions 

Beaches, walks, theme parks 

and much more to discover.... 

Click below to view a selection 

of some of the local attractions, 

which are sited close to our 

beautiful park. 

Pet Friendly 

We have a selection of 2 and 3 

bedroom standard and luxury 

static caravans available for 

hire which are pet friendly. 

TEL: 01736 762231 Open 12 months of the year. Book Online! www.caravanparkcornwall.com 


46 

BoscregeCaravan&TouringParkWT250.indd 1 14/02/2023 10:52

Stay 3: Horne’s Place Oast & Barn 

Location: Appledore, Kent 

Sleeps: 6 to 25 

Bedrooms: 3 to 10 

Bathrooms: 3 to 8 

Special Features: Hot tub, indoor swimming pool, open fire, pizza oven 

Horne’s Place Oast and Barn is a fantastic location for a family holiday or 

group getaway. It comprises three properties; the oast house itself (sleeps 

up to 16); the barn (sleeps up to 9) and the old church hall (sleeps up to 

9). It’s right next to the lovely Gusbourne vineyard, where you can visit 

for a tour, romantic picnic for two, or wine tasting experience. 

There’s also plenty on offer for all ages within the property’s outdoor 

spaces, including a large pond, spacious deck, children’s play area, 

barbecue, outdoor pizza oven, indoor heated swimming pool and hot 

tub (housed in a separate building), the Boat House games room and an 

outdoor hot tub. The facilities have been designed with families in mind 

so the pool house has locked doors and is a short walk away from the 

house and garden, the hot tubs have lockable covers and the pond 

area is fully fenced with padlocked gates. 

Originally used for drying hops, the converted oast house has 

been refurbished to a high standard. It has plenty of modern 

conveniences alongside older features like its inglenook fireplace 

and beamed ceilings for perfectly cosy time indoors once you’ve 

been exhausted by all the outside has to offer. 

hornesplaceoast.co.uk 

let ’s go to... 

THE VINEYARD 

Stay 4: Biddenden Vineyards 

Location: Biddenden, Kent 

Sleeps: 2 

Bedrooms: 1 

Bathrooms: 1 

Special Features: Wood-fired hot tub, that vineyard vista! 

Overlooking the vines of Biddenden Vineyards, this enchanting 

cottage offers a rural escape from everyday life that’s ideal for a 

romantic getaway. It has a cosy lounge/diner, compact kitchen, 

shower room and WC, and a quirky and snug king-sized sleeping 

area on the mezzanine accessed via a ladder. 

Outside, steps lead to a secluded garden with a wood-fired 

hot tub, patio table and chairs, BBQ and sun loungers – the 

perfect spot to relax after a busy day and enjoy watching the 

sunset over the vineyard with a glass of Ortega. 

istockphoto.com/ Astronaut Images 

There is plenty to do and see in this spectacular pocket of 

the South East. The Kent and East Sussex coastline just a 

short drive away, there are many footpaths to explore in the 

surrounding countryside, and historic Tenterden is nearby 

too, where you can go to browse independent shops, enjoy 

a delicious meal, or visit Bodiam Castle. Of course, there is 

also the award-winning Biddenden Vineyard. For those keen 

to sample the delights of English wine, you can try either a 

self-guided or private guided tour. 

holidaycottages.co.uk 


istockphoto.com/ allou 

Stay 5: Waters Edge 

Location: Greatstone 

Sleeps: 15 

Bedrooms: 6 

Bathrooms: 7 

Special Features: Seaside views, direct access to beach, state-of-the-art 

kitchen, outdoor bar with bbq and pizza oven, cinema room 

Waters Edge is the one of the latest additions to Bloom Stays, 

the Kent specialist holiday letting agency based in Canterbury. 

Overlooking Greatstone beach, there’s access to the dunes from the 

garden via a little gate. There’s even a garden shower for after 

swimming warmth and washing children and dogs. 

Perhaps best of all – if you’re planning a seaside getaway with 

friends and family – is the oh-so-fancy kitchen with every gadget 

you could require down to two dishwashers, two huge ovens 

(imagine Christmas dinner here), double width butler sink, 

Nespresso machine, Le Creuset pans and plenty more besides. 

In the garden, aside from the shower, you’ll find a bar right 

outside the kitchen with Weber bbq, pizza oven and even a paella 

ring and pans. They really have thought of everything. What with 

the cinema room with 85 inch TV, fully loaded with Netflix, Sky 

and Prime TV plus outdoor table tennis and foosball, plus an indoor 

bar, you may not find time to visit nearby Dungeness with its cafés, 

eateries and the famous Pilot pub. 

bloomstays.com 

let ’s go to... THE BEACH 

Stay 6: The Gallivant 

Location: Camber, East Sussex 

Sleeps: Up to 2 per room 

Bedrooms: 20 options 

Bathrooms: All en suite 

Special Features: The Open Space yoga studio, ecological coastal garden, 

Beach Hut Spa, restaurant with sustainable credentials 

A stone’s throw from Camber Sands, The Gallivant is an oasis of 

beachside tranquility. Nearby is historical Rye, with its excellent 

eateries, cobbled streets and charming shopping opportunities, or you 

could just hide out and tour the stunning beaches all around. 

To eat, you can look forward to the fresh flavours of seafood straight 

from the shore and produce from the surrounding countryside. The 

restaurant is one of the most sustainable places to dine in the UK, 

holding a 3-star rating from The SRA. They are also big champions 

of English wine and pour a glass at 5pm every night of the week 

(which is free with The Complete Gallivant package). 

If you’re looking to revitalise, there are daily yoga and wellness classes 

which are taken to the dunes for wild yoga overlooking the beach 

when the weather is kind. They are also currently doing a Cosmic 

Wellness Series – over this month and next there will be events 

including a botanical dyeing workshop, stargazing in the dunes and a 

spring equinox tea ceremony. 

thegallivant.co.uk 


Boys Own 

Adventure 

A Kentish lass and her husband have restored a historic house near Ashford to create 

a magical dream of a hotel Words: Maggie Alderson Photographs: David Merewether 

Above: The Banks room, tucked up in the eaves, is named after Lawrence Banks, who called Boys Hall his home after leasing it from the 

local Knatchbull family in 1762 

Well, this was a new experience. All the houses 

I’ve had the pleasure to visit for this magazine 

are gorgeous and it’s frequently hard to 

tear yourself away from them to go back to reality. 

But never before have I found myself standing with 

my hand on a door frame, listening to the house. 

Connecting with it. Because Boys Hall isn’t like a 

normal building, it has a personality – perhaps not 

surprisingly, considering all that’s gone on in it. 

The door frame in question, carved oak, blackened with 

time, links the huge, welcoming reception area – the centre 

of the original Wealden hall house – with the drawing room. 

But it actually came from a much older house, owned 

by the Barry family, that once stood half a mile away. 

Thomas Boys and his wife, Margaret (née Barry), dismantled 

that and built this one in 1616, using the door frame 

and as many other materials from the old place as they 

could. Architectural reclamation is nothing new. 

 


PLOT OR NOT? 

If you think your land or 

property has development 

potential, then give us 

a call without obligation 

and in confidence. 

We are always on 

the lookout for 

land and property 

with development 

potential. 

Many of our 

clients retain our 

services and, in the 

majority of cases, 

pay our fees saving 

property owners 

LAND AND significant PROPERTY costs. WITH DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 

Commercial buildings for residential 

conversion, former public houses, redundant 

buildings for redevelopment, buildings for 

conversion or replacement, houses for 

improvement, large sites on the edge of town, 

barn conversions, large gardens in residential 

areas and major regeneration projects. 

e majority of 

ificant costs. 

houses, redundant 

acement, houses 

ersions, large 

. 

Contact Stephen Donnelly on 

07739 514350 or 01892 579937 

website: sjd-projects.com 

email: steve@sjd-projects.com 

For more information contact 

Stephen Donnelly on: 

07739 514350 / 01892 579937 

steve@sjd-projects.com 

For regular updates, visit us at 

twitter.com/projects 

sjd-projects.com 

SJDprojectsWT245.indd 1 08/09/2022 12:04 

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION 

01959 565343 

WWW.THEWINDOWSANCTUARY.COM 


52 

WindowSanctuaryWT247.indd 1 14/11/2022 09:19

This page: This calm and tranquil space enjoys 

a birds-eye view over the garden. The en suite is 

papered in Brunschwig & Fils ‘Bird and Thistle’ 

If only wood could talk… I’m sure this 

door frame could have told me about 

sheltering priests and a King (Charles 

I…) from persecutors, welcoming Samuel 

Pepys as a guest and providing cover for 

all kinds of smuggling shenanigans. 

Perhaps it would even reveal the origin of 

the stash of Medieval gold coins that were 

found under floorboards in 1972. Three of 

them now reside in the British Museum, 

officially called The Boys Hall Hoard. 

Luckily though, I have Boys Hall’s current 

owner Kristie Lomas, who bought it with her 

husband Brad in 2019, to fill me in on it all. 

With so much to go into, we repair 

to an entirely new structure at the back 

of the house, an oak-framed glass-walled 

extension they have built to house the 

restaurant part of the hotel they’ve created. 

It sits on the site where a 1980s swimming 

pool extension stood when they took possession 

of the house, yet even though it’s freshly added, 

it doesn’t appear jarringly new. It looks like 


This page: Romney is one of Boys Hall’s 

super-suites which is accessed via its very 

own miniature staircase. A roll-top bath 

is positioned in front of an original stone 

mullion window 

an old barn that’s been converted. 

Kristie explains. “The beams 

came from trees nearby, but after 

the oak structure was erected, Covid 

delayed the glazing and the structure 

got rained on for a year – and it 

weathered the timber beautifully.” 

It’s not the only new addition 

that looks as though it has always 

been there. On the house side of the 

extension is a courtyard and to the 

garden side, a terrace. Both are new 

– and the work of Kristie’s father. 

A very handy relative to have when 

taking on such a big job as this. 

“Dad is a master craftsman,” says 

Kristie. “He can work with wood, stone 

and brick. He’s been doing projects in 

historical properties for years. He built 

new walls round the inner courtyard 

and the new outer terrace, using old 

bricks and ragstone found on the site.” 

Kristie’s dad, Richard, has another 

talent that’s come in handy – and 

which Kristie has very much inherited: 

finding great things second hand. 

Take the stone plaque on the wall 

along the terrace, saying ‘Boys’. I 

assumed it was original to the property, 

perhaps from an ancient gatehouse…? 

“Dad found it on eBay,” says Kristie, 

laughing. “It came from the playground 

of an old primary school. My whole 

family are hugely into reclamation and 

salvage. When I was a child, on holidays 

in the South of France, Dad and I used 

to go to the tip near where we stayed and 

found the most amazing bric-a-brac…” 

Second-hand smarts has been Kristie’s 

source for just about every piece of 

furniture in the hotel – which is 


54

0% 

INTEREST FREE 

CREDIT 

AVAILABLE * 

Experts in bespoke fitted furniture. 

Book a free, no obligation design appointment at sliderobes.co.uk 

or call our free phone number 0800 454 465 

*Credit is subject to status and affordability. Terms & Conditions apply. Reddington Jordan Ltd T/A Sliderobes Unit 3C Deacon Trading Estate, Forstal Road, Aylesford, Maidstone, Kent, ME20 7SP, Register No. 

728723 is a credit broker not a lender and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Credit provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised 

and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register no. FRN 311518).

D&S Wealden Times Ads 1-4 (Feb'18)_D&S 1/4 page 17/02/2018 11:23 Page 3 

Thomas 

Mansfield 

Wills Wills & & Wills Inheritance & Inheritance Planning Planning 

Planning Planning for for your your for future future your does future does not does not have have not to have to to 

be be costly costly be or costly or complicated or complicated 

Having Having a Having Will a Will gives a gives Will you you gives control control you over control over who 

who over who 

receives your receives your assets assets your and, assets and, if you if and, you have if have younger have younger 

children, children, it allows it allows you it allows you to assign to you assign to legal assign legal guardians, legal guardians, 

should should should anything anything happen. 

happen. happen. 

We create striking interior and exterior doors in the finest solid oak, ranging from 

simple planked doors to intricately carved panels finished in moulded framework 

modelled on the styles and design of the 17th century. 

+44 (0)1580 243331 

www.deaconandsandys.co.uk 

If you If you are If are you intending are intending to leave to leave to leave everything everything to your 

to your to your 

partner partner and/or partner and/or and/or children without children without any without any complex any complex 

wishes, wishes, then wishes, then we we are then are now we now offering are offering now a offering new a new Simple a Simple new Simple 

Will Will service service Will at service an at an affordable at an affordable price price but but price without 

without but without 

compromising compromising on our on our on specialist our specialist advice advice and advice and and 

service. 

service. service. 

DeaconSandyWT239.indd 3 03/03/2022 16:48 

A reputation built on 

quality craftsmanship 

and service 

And And we we have And have now we now have extended now extended this this offer offer this to Lasting 

to offer Lasting to Lasting 

Powers Powers of Powers of Attorney of (LPA). Attorney (LPA). If your (LPA). If your If circumstances 

your are are straightforward are and and not not and complicated, not complicated, we 

we we 

can can draft draft can Simple a draft Simple a LPA Simple LPA for for a LPA fixed a fixed for fee. a fee. fixed fee. 

Thomas Thomas Mansfield Mansfield Solicitors Solicitors 

Legal Legal experts Legal experts in experts in Inheritance in Inheritance Planning, Planning, Powers Powers of Powers of of 

Attorney, Attorney, Wills, Wills, Court Wills, Court of Court of Protection of Protection and and Probate. and Probate. 

OUR OUR NEW NEW OUR NEW SERVICES SERVICES 

Our Our new new Simple Our Simple new Will Simple Will Service Service Will costs Service costs costs 

£240 £240 plus plus £240 VAT VAT for plus a for single VAT a single for Will a single Will Will 

£310 £310 plus plus VAT £310 VAT for plus two for VAT two “mirror” for “mirror” two Wills “mirror” Wills Wills 

Kent Peg Tiling, Listed Building 

& Conservation Specialists. 

High quality work by experienced 

award winning craftsmen. 

01797 270 268 l kentpegs.com 

Our Our new new Simple Our Simple new LPA Simple LPA Service 

Service LPA Service 

From From £365 £365 From plus plus £365 VAT VAT for plus a for single VAT a single for a single application application 

Call Call today today Call on today on 01483 01483 on 01483 679333 679333 

For more For more For information more information and and the terms the and terms of the these 

of terms these of these 

offers offers please please offers visit visit please our website: 

our visit website: our website: 

www.tmwillsandprobate.co.uk 

GUILDFORD WOKING WOKING WOKING WEYBRIDGE ESHER WEYBRIDGE ESHER LEATHERHEAD 

ESHER LEATHERHEAD 


56 

KarlTerryWT229.indd 1 07/05/2021 ThomasMansfieldWT250-SURREY 12:40 

(Private Law).indd 1 21/02/2023 11:35

Top: Knatchbull features a superking 

half-tester bed. Splashes of orange give 

a cosy feel with texture provided by rich 

velvets and other tactile fabrics. The 

curtains are in Sanderson’s ‘Cantaloupe’ 

Below: Taking its name from a former 

inhabitant, Franklin is in one of the 

most original parts of the house 

why it feels so settled in, immediately on being finished. 

It really looks as though it has always been as it is now. 

The one exception to this is the dining room, where there 

is new furniture, for a very practical reason, which Kristie 

learned from the two bars she opened in Kings Cross earlier 

in her career. “We wanted to go new in this part of the house, 

because from the first bar I opened I learned that vintage 

chairs don’t last in a hospitality setting. The chairs that Ben 

Stokes from Kagu Interiors and I chose are by Bampton and 

we decided to also have banquettes upholstered with fabric, to 

soften the space. And they’re moss green because I absolutely 

love the colour – I think from doing all the gardening.” 

Which wasn’t their original plan to do first… our old friend 

Covid made that happen. The date they moved in seems 

portentous in retrospect – November 2019. So just four 

months in their new home before everything went superweird. 

The move came about after Kristie and Brad married and 

had their first son and she sold her interest in the bars 


This page: Named after Major Ernest Bengough Ricketts, a former Boys Hall owner who was born in 1840, Ernest is a spacious room with 

original hall-house beams 

to her business partner. “I had two years at home with the 

children and then it was time to do something. Brad also 

worked in hospitality in London and it was time for us both 

to have a new project. We were going to buy a hotel on a 

clifftop in North Wales, but that fell through and then I 

saw this – a former wedding venue, that had been on the 

market for five years. Brad’s from Cheshire, but I went to 

school in Ashford and had no idea this place was here.” 

The original plan was to start doing it up room by 

room and they were already renting out the ones that were 

ready on Airbnb, but then Covid hit and all the bookings 

were cancelled. And all the building work. “It quickly 

became hard to get materials, so we started in the garden 

– it was completely overgrown and we cleared it all. My 

dad built the courtyard and we designed and planted a 

Mediterranean style kitchen garden filled with herbs.” 

This work also enabled them to really get to know the 

terrain of the property, discovering an ancient mulberry 

tree, oaks and a pond, with wildflowers galore from 

spring onwards. Plus, they could see where to put more 

terracing, for outdoor dining, and where to apply for 

planning permission to put in some luxury lodges. 

Covid’s restrictions also gave Kristie acres of time to browse 

online auction catalogues. “The early Covid months were great 

for auctions. I found lots of period antiques that were the 

perfect fit for Boys Hall.” A particularly splendid find, from 

Bentley’s in Cranbrook, was the giant Rupert Bevan mirror 

that hangs behind the bar in the dining room. Which 


58

Transform your living space, with Shard 

Installed by Shard Solutions Ltd 

Bi-fold Doors Sliding Doors Front Doors Internal Doors Windows 

As Origin Platinum Partners, we can find the ultimate prestige products 

for your home. Offering 20 year guarantees on Origin products. Shard 

Solutions can provide a truly platinum service, Get in touch with our sales 

team today or why not take a visit to our showroom in Caterham, Surrey, 

to view our wide range of products for yourselves! 

45 Croydon Road, Caterham, CR3 6PB 

01883 627133 

sales@shardhome.co.uk 

www.shardhome.co.uk 

ShardSolutionsWT248.indd 1 28/11/2022 14:29 

MASSIVE 

SHOWROOM CLEARANCE 

SALE 

Quality Hot Tubs from the Experts 

The UK’s Largest Supplier of Wellis ® Premium European-made Hot Tubs 

• 14 UK Showrooms open 7 days a week 

• FREE Express Delivery & Installation 

• Knowledgeable staff & dedicated customer support 

• From Sales to Servicing - we take care of everything 

SAVE UP TO £6,545 

ON PREMIUM HOT TUBS 

Find us online 

FREE EXPRESS DELIVERY & 

INSTALLATION INCLUDED WITH 

EVERY MODEL 

Simply scan the QR code 

with your phone’s camera 

app and tap the banner 


JohnsonsGardenBuildingsWT248-AD1.indd 1 16/12/2022 14:45

Above left & right: Margaret features the 

largest roll-top bath in the whole house, plus 

a separate en suite shower room 

Left: Sovereign’s name is inspired by the 

hoard of seventeen gold coins found in 1970 

during repair work to the house 

“I bought lots of antiques 

not knowing where any of 

them would specifically go, 

but knowing they would 

all find their place. 

We splashed out on 

certain bits and were 

creative with others” 

exactly fitted the space – although it took four men to hang it. 

Also on a pleasingly grand scale are the massive wicker light 

fittings, perfect in the barn-sized space, supplied by Ben Stokes 

of Kagu Interiors, in Tenterden, who collaborated with Kristie 

on the interiors – a very natural fit, because: “We’ve known 

each other since childhood and I adore Ben’s interior style.” 

Having the perfect interior designer based locally chimes in 

with one of the very pleasing details of Boys Hall – wherever 

possible, products are supplied by local companies. 

The compostable tea bags in the bedrooms are by Debonair 

Tea Co, based in Hythe, and the compostable coffee pods by 

Lost Sheep Co in Whitstable. Guest toiletries – in refillable 

bottles – are by Pelegrims, of Aldington, five miles away, 

made using grape extracts from Westwell Winery, seven 

miles away. The hotel’s bespoke fragrance – a blend of rose, 

tomato and oakwood – was created by Hunter Jones in Rye. 

Other decisions I particularly appreciated are not having 

TVs ruining the décor in the beautiful bedrooms (because 

as Kristie says, people bring their own laptops and tablets 

now) and no complicated WiFi code. Your phone just 

hops onto it – which seems like the perfect metaphor 

for the welcoming atmosphere of the house/hotel. 

Going back into the body of the house, from the dining 

room at the rear, you pass through two more ancient 

recycled door frames and the shallow steps of the main 

staircase – one of several, I lost count – and into the 

reception hall, where two six-seater sofas sit next to a 

roaring woodburner, with original Delft tiles behind it. 

Off to one side is the original dining room – now 

available for private parties – a room of such splendour, 

that the famous Victorian novelist, Mrs Henry Wood, 

wrote a piece describing a Christmas party that took place 

there, in her periodical The Argosy. It describes in detail the 

exceptional features of the room, including the painted 

 


60

GIFT A SPARKLING MOTHER’S DAY WITH 

A TOUR AND TASTING EXPERIENCE AT 

OUR VINEYARDS IN APPLEDORE, KENT. 

EXPLORE, DINE AND ENJOY OUR 

AWARD-WINNING ENGLISH SPARKLING WINES. 

GUSBOURNE.COM/TOURS 

KENARDINGTON ROAD APPLEDORE, 

ASHFORD, KENT TN26 2BE

Top: The original dining room with its painted fireplace is now available for private parties Above left: A door leads back into the reception 

hall and across to the drawing room, painted a rich aubergine purple (above right) 

fireplace – which are still exactly as they were then. 

From here, across the reception hall and through 

that very special doorframe, you come into the 

magnificent, purple-painted drawing room, both 

grand and cosy, with velvet and old leather club chairs 

clustered round antique trunks and coffers and portraits 

on the wall of some of the illustrious visitors. 

Through an inner hall – this house has rooms I don’t 

have proper names for – you come to the bar, which 

they call The Pub. The shelving behind the bar is an old 

bookcase from a manor house in Windsor and it just fits, 

in that ‘meant to be’ way that happens when someone 

knows what they’re doing furnishing a house from secondhand 

and reclamation sources. And Kristie really does. 

As we tour the ten beautiful bedrooms, all finished 

with a mixture of pre-loved furniture, Kristie gets to 

the nub of how that style of decorating works best. 

We are in a room called Knatchbull – they are all named 

to reflect the history of the house – taking in the lovely 

half-tester bed, the warm old mahogany wardrobe and the 

curtains in Sanderson’s Canteloupe print on velvet. “This 

room had scarlet carpet and mustard wallpaper, black 

 


62

RichmondOakWT250.indd 1 20/02/2023 12:55 

Luxury Lodges, great fun and 

a great return on investment! 

Visit our four fantastic locations today.... 

www.goodlifelodge.com • info@goodlifelodge.com • 0800 564 2266 


GoodlifeLodgeCoWT242.indd 1 07/06/2022 09:28

This page: A picture-perfect arrangement sits on 

top of a reclaimed sideboard in Kristie’s signature 

green in the entrance hall; a deep blue velvet 

sofa from Kagu is topped with large squashy 

cushions in Mind The Gap’s Fasnacht Linen 

1980s built-in wardrobes and a pink marble 

shower in the bathroom…” she says. 

But although the room now looks as 

though it still has the furnishings that 

were there centuries ago, none of it was 

chosen for this room. “I bought lots 

of antiques not knowing where any of 

them would specifically go, but knowing 

they would all find their place.” 

With this approach, the whole house 

feels organic and uncontrived, as though it 

has been furnished over time – and proof 

of the decorating advice that if you just 

buy what you like, it will all go together. 

“We splashed out on certain bits and were 

creative with others,” says Kristie. “My dad 

made the doorframe for the bathroom from 

a walnut tree that had fallen in the garden. 

He already had the door itself in his shed.” 

Something the people who built 

the house in 1616, using bits of their 

old house to such great effect would 

deeply relate to. No wonder it has such 

a happy atmosphere. Which I can’t 

wait to experience as a hotel guest. 

To book a stay or meal at 

Boys Hall, see boys-hall.com 

or call 01233 427727 

Kagu Interiors 

kagu-interiors.co.uk 

Address Book: 

Bentley’s Fine Art Auctioneers 

bentleysfineartauctioneers.co.uk 

Chair Repair Workshop 

chairrepairworkshop.co.uk 

Failte Studio failte.shop 

George and James Furniture 

georgeandjamesfurniture.co.uk 

Hunter Jones hunterjonesstore.co.uk 

Pelegrims pelegrims.com 

Susan Stock Designs 

07973 299595 


64

Get the 

LOOK 

1 Bellamy pendant £165 Pooky pooky.com 2 W3037 Flemish curved arm wall light £350 Besselink & Jones besselink.com 

3 Set of four skeleton coral prints £395 OKA oka.com 4 Contemporary wood panel wallpaper in Sea Foam £16/roll I Love 

Wallpaper ilovewallpaper.co.uk 5 Super King Rum headboard in Porcupine Rocks Giraffe Blossom £1,499 The Headboard 

Workshop theheadboardworkshop.co.uk 6 Satari storage bench £649 Idyll Home idyllhome.co.uk 7 Imperium Plinth bath 

£2,515 The Albion Bath Co albionbathco.nl 8 Elca cushion £100 Tori Murphy www.torimurphy.com 9 Darlington chair 

from £1,313 Darlings of Chelsea darlingsofchelsea.co.uk 10 Nomad Taurus rug from £195 Weaver Green weavergreen.com 


traditional handmade 

furniture 

Woodworkkitchens.co.uk 

Kitchens 

Bedrooms 

Studies 

01892 533273 

WoodworkWT238.indd 1 04/02/2022 12:15 

AGA Eco Conversions 

With over a decade of Aga expertise and conversions, 

we’ve been carefully listening to our loyal customers 

who wanted a reliable yet more up-to-date conversion 

than the traditionally utilised 13amp systems. 

The eControl system is a retrofit product that 

converts existing gas, oil, and electric traditional 

Agas to a truly controllable system. 

23 Tally Road, Limpsfield, 

Oxted, RH8 0TG 

T: 07739 409 482 

We provide our electric conversion service for those 

who don’t wish to be parted with their beloved heat 

storage cooker but would like the advantages and 

flexibility of electricity. If you already have an Aga 

range cooker then converting it is a brilliant idea. 

Servicing | Repairs | Refurbishments | Conversions | Removals 

@smartrange_aga @smartrangeaga www.smartrange.co.uk 


66 

SmartRangeWT249.indd 1 09/01/2023 14:16

BESPOKE KITCHEN DESIGN 

DESIGN • SUPPLY • MANAGE • INSTALL 

SCAN ME

Come and visit our showroom: 

Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP 

01737240403 

www.rdokitchenstudio.co.uk 

rdokitchenstudio

13 

10 

10 

Hand 

Painted 

Kitchens 

Plus 

• 

01580 830 610 

Contents 

7 

13 

7 ONE POT WONDERS 

We shop all you need to get 

set up for making the best 

one pot meals 

9 BEAUTY & THE EAST 

Be inspired by all things 

Asian in the kitchen 

from aesthetic accessories 

to cookware 

10 CRYSTAL CLEAR 

Gems, stones and crystals 

– we moodboard kitchen 

ideas that pay homage to 

Earth’s most glittering and 

colourful gifts 

13 SEE THE LIGHT 

Let your lighting choices 

shine with bold and beautiful 

selections that really make 

a statement 

7 

9 10 

Transform your 

kitchen at a fraction of 

the cost of a new one 

handpaintedkitchensplus.co.uk 

HandpaintedkitchensplusWT214.indd 1 04/11/2019 09:49 

Cover Image: istockphoto.com Alice_yeo 

9 

13 


TenterdenTilingWT250.indd 1 15/02/2023 12:38

INTRODUCING 

OUR BOLD NEW BLUE 

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU VISIT A LE CREUSET STORE • BESPOKE CUSTOMER SERVICE • EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT RANGES 

AND OFFERS • PRODUCT EXPERTISE AND AFTERCARE • FREE DELIVERY OVER £50 • LOYALTY REWARDS • FREE RECIPE CARDS 

CALL & DELIVER | PAY BY LINK | FREE UK DELIVERY WHEN YOU SPEND £50 OR MORE | CONTACT THE STORE FOR MORE DETAILS 

LE CREUSET BLUEWATER SHOPPING CENTRE 

UNIT U012 UPPER ROSE GALLERY, BLUEWATER SHOPPING CENTRE, 

GREENHITHE, KENT. DA9 9ST. • TELEPHONE: 01322 381997 

• E-MAIL: BLUEWATER.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM 

LE CREUSET GUILDFORD 

143 HIGH STREET, GUILDFORD, GU1 3AD. • TELEPHONE: 01483 452689 

• E-MAIL: GUILDFORD.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM 

LE CREUSET WINDSOR 

UNIT 45 , WINDSOR ROYAL STATION, SL4 1PJ. • TELEPHONE: 01753 852205 

• E-MAIL: WINDSOR.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM 

LE CREUSET WIMBLEDON 

4 CHURCH RD, WIMBLEDON VILLAGE, LONDON. SW19 5DL. 

• TELEPHONE: 0208 9440624 

• E-MAIL: WIMBLEDON.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM

Kitchen Supplement 

One Pot 

Wonders 

Nice and simple, low on 

food waste, energy saving 

and less washing-up – we 

love one pot cooking! 

1 st Row: 5.3L Cast iron casserole dish £45 

Habitat habitat.co.uk; Azure Blue 4.7L oval 

casserole £309 and cereal bowl £17 Le Creuset 

lecreuset.co.uk; Pot grab £11.50 Sophie Allport 

sophieallport.com 2 nd Row: Cast aluminium 5L 

casserole dish £49.50 M&S marksandspencer.com; 

Kew Gardens oven glove £20 Pure Table Top 

puretabletop.com 3 rd Row: Seaweed trivet £16.50 

The Nautical Company thenauticalcompany.com; 

Botanic garden casserole and oven glove £53.99 

Portmeirion portmeirion.co.uk; 3L Cast iron 

casserole dish £38 Dunelm dunelm.com 4 th Row: 

Oven mitt and pot holder set £72 Mindthegap 

mindtheg.uk; 6.2L cast iron casserole £99 

ProCook 5 th Row: Masterclass 5L cast aluminium 

casserole £74 Fenwick fenwick.co.uk; 2.7L cast 

iron casserole £59 ProCook procook.co.uk; 

Seaweed potholder V&A Shop £10 vam.ac.uk 


Looking for fresh, flavour-packed 

recipes for a healthier 2023? 

Browse our website priceless-magazines.com/recipes 

for all the inspiration you need, with dishes 

created by Charlotte Butterworth, 

Anna’s Family Kitchen, Jo Arnell, 

Kent Cookery School and many more local chefs 

Recipe pictured: Goats cheese, nectarine & Parma ham salad by Jo Arnell

Camphor carved window panel 

£1,145 Shimu shimu.co.uk 

Yayoi Magewappa bento box 

£138 NishuraEast nishuraeast.com 

Bowl made with 

Kintsugi repair kit 

£28 V&A vam.ac.uk 


Dahlia ceramic 

teapot £39.50 

Oliver Bonas 

oliverbonas.com 

Susumuya 

teapot £145 

Objects of Use 

objectsofuse.com 

Circulon 7-inch stainless steel 

soft-grip handle santoku knife 

£30 John Lewis johnlewis.com 

Ken Hom bamboo 

steamer baskets 

£30 John Lewis 

johnlewis.com 

Seletti kintsugi glass 

£24 Naken naken.co.uk 

Kitchencraft 

teppanyaki grill £48 

Fenwick fenwick.co.uk 

Avifauna Asian 

style painting £255 

Sweetpea & Willow 

sweetpeaandwillow.com 

& Beauty 

the 

East 

Add some eastern flavour 

to your kitchen with 

Asian inspired details 

Fritz Hansen 

ikebana vase £198 

nest nest.co.uk 

Violet Studio 

‘Ramen’ framed 

print from £45 

John Lewis 

johnlewis.com 

Dahlia ceramic 

noodle bowl & 

chopsticks £15 

Oliver Bonas 


Ramen poster from 

£10.95 Desino 

desenio.co.uk 

Gaute teapot 

£14.99 Jysk 

jysk.co.uk 

Chinese tree 

mural wallpaper 

£395 Anna Jacobs 

annajacobsart.com 

Kraak bowl 

£125 OKA 

oka.com 

Matcha starter set 

£75 NishuraEast 

nishuraeast.com 

13 inch spun iron wok made in Britain 

£79 Brit Locker britlocker.com 

Crane bird in Japanese 

wallpaper £85/roll 

Woodchip and Magnolia 

woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk 


Crystal 

CLEAR 

Inspired by nature doesn’t have 

to mean all woods and greens. 

Branch out with inspiration from 

the Earth’s most glamorous and 

colourful offerings – semi precious 

stones, gems and crystals 

Jewel onyx aqua porcelain tiles 

£69/m 2 Porcelain Superstore 

porcelainsuperstore.co.uk 


10

Oken brick in 

Garnet £54.93/m 2 

Original Style 

originalstyle.com 

Gilded amethyst knob 

£22 Anthropologie 

anthropologie.com 

Onyx marble wallpaper 

£16 I Love Wallpaper 

ilovewallpaper.co.uk 

Jewel sky rose rug 

from £1,737 Sonya 

Winner Rug Studio 

sonyawinner.com 

Balance Agate poster 

£8.37 Desenio 

desenio.co.uk 

Tiffany quartz 

drawer handles 

POA Pullcast 

pullcast.eu 

Zaire agate cheese board 

£68 Anthropologie 

anthropologie.com 

Agate bottle opener (from a set with a stopper) 

£25 Honey Bee Home honeybeehome.co.uk 

Amazonite splashback POA 

Cullifords geraldculliford.co.uk 

Peach Melba 

geode agate print 

from £37/m 2 

wallsauce.com 

Caracole agatha 

sideboard £4,880 



Naomi crystal 

quartz wallpaper 

mural £26/m 2 

Bobbi Beck 

bobbibeck.com 

Deluxe blue 

onyx effect 

tiles £49.95/m 2 

Walls and Floors 

wallsandfloors.co.uk 

Rose quartz panel POA 

Cullifords geraldculliford.co.uk 

Martin Moore kitchen with Asia cream 

quartzite worktops & spashback from 

£45,000 martinmoore.com 

Agate coasters 

(set of 4) 

£80 Soho House 

sohohome.com 

Achates agate pendant £828 

där lighting darlighting.co.uk 

Moonstone agate bookends 

£220 Sweetpea & Willow 



By Appointment to 

Her Majesty The Queen 

Glass Restorers 

Wilkinson Ltd 

Sittingbourne 

Hand blown crystal shades, 

each with its own individual 

colour mix and shape. 

Specialist glass blowers. 

Creating custom glassware 

and lighting. 

Hundreds of modern and 

traditional lighting items in stock. 

Family business with over 75 

years experience in lighting. 

Enquire today about having your very 

own unique hand blown shades. 

Sittingbourne, Kent | Tel: 01795 830000 | www.wilkinson-ltd.com 

THE STONE TILE WAREHOUSE 

WilkinsonWT250.indd 1 21/02/2023 12:17 

NATURAL STONE - PORCELAIN - CERAMIC - MOSAIC - PATIO STONE 

HUGE RANGE OF 

KITCHEN AND 

BATHROOM TILES 

ON DISPLAY 

NATURAL STONE 

FLOORING SPECIALISTS 

OPEN TO THE 

PUBLIC & TRADE 

MON - FRI 7:30 - 17:00 

SAT 9:00 - 16:00 

EXPERT ADVICE, 

INSTALLATION 

AND CUTTING SERVICE 

AVAILABLE 

WWW.THESTONETILEWAREHOUSE.CO.UK | 01622 679157 

ACORN YARD, SUTTON ROAD, LANGLEY, KENT, ME17 3ND 

THESTONETILEWAREHOUSE THESTONETILEWAREHOUSE THESTONETILEWAREHOUSE 


12 

SouthernAdhesivesWT239.indd 1 16/03/2022 15:56

Image by Chris Snook for Sola Kitchens, Empty State 


Eris bead pendant lamp 

£2,495 OKA oka.com 

Garrick chandelier £520 

Neptune neptune.com 

Light Pipe from £1,120 

Empty State emptystate.com 

Marbled glass and 

brass Esme cluster 

pendant £229 

Cult Furniture 

cultfurniture.com 

Aros framed starburst 

pendant £198 

Elstead Lighting 

elsteadlighting.com 

Aquanura fountain 

chandelier, £1,640 



seethe 

LIGHT 

Textural, colourful, stylishly scaled up and 

sculpturally shaped – there are so many ways to 

spice up your kitchen with lighting so don’t settle 

for anything less than brilliance 

Plantation wall light 

£198 Elstead Lighting 

elsteadlighting.com 

Gem fairy lights £44.95 

Sparkle Lighting sparkle.lighting 

Deja easy fit rattan pendant 

£26.40 där lighting 

darlighting.co.uk 

The Bertie two tiered feather chandelier 

in flamingo pink £790 Coldharbour 

Lights coldharbourlights.com 

Mumford wall 

fitting £75, with 

rattan shade £30 

Pooky pooky.com 

Shore pendant in oak 

£165 Tom Raffield 

tomraffield.com 

Sintra charcoal 

marble wall light 

lightsandlamps.com 

Osby star lights 

from £13.99 and 

TruGlow candles 

£29.99 Lights4fun 

lights4fun.co.uk 

Layered mercuried 

glass chandelier 

£995 Cox & Cox 

coxandcox.co.uk 

Pentabulous 

chandelier £330, 

with stanlette 

pendants £42 (each) 

Pooky pooky.com 

Brass sputnik flush ceiling light 

£499 houseof houseof.com 


Cranleigh 

Tiles & Bathrooms 

Range of Tiles, Bathrooms and Showers from 

Thomas Crapper Bathrooms, Heritage Bathrooms 

and Burlington Bathrooms. 

Suppliers of Contemporary Ranges including 

Laufen, Roca, Vitra and Roper Rhodes 

15% off when you 

mention this Ad 

Open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday 

9.00am to 12.00 midday Saturday closed Sundays 

Due to covid we kindly ask for you to ring to make an 

appointment so we can be covid secure 

Cranleigh Tiles and Bathrooms 

Telephone 01483 272727 

craig@cranleighbathroomstudios.co.uk 

www.cranleighbathroomstudios.co.uk 

CranleighBathroomStudiosWT241.indd 1 20/05/2022 16:26 

THE WORKTOP EXPERTS 

INSTANT QUOTE 

Try our instant quotation tool and get 

a price right now not tomorrow. 

GET A QUOTE TODAY 

Stone Barns, Clock House Farm, Heath Road, Coxheath, Kent, ME17 4PB | Call Us 01622 747040 | www.henderstone.co.uk 


14 

HenderstoneWT245.indd 1 01/09/2022 10:15

Part Two: Bathroom 

sponsored by

22 

21 

21 

Contents 

17 PRIVATE PEACEFUL 

Opposite, we list our 

five top ways to dress 

bathroom windows 

19 SOMETHING BLUE 

Explore a standout blue 

bathroom packed with 

style ideas 

21 ALL THAT GLITTERS 

Get the golden look 

with all that’s gilded and 

glorious for the bathroom 

22 

22 

22 POWER TO THE 

POWDER ROOM 

We’re dreaming of 

fantastical maximalism 

to put the ‘POW’ 

in powder room 

21 

22 

Cover Image: Kast concrete basin £3,228 

from Aston Matthews astonmatthews.co.uk 

Celebrating 25 Years 

BLIND AND CURTAIN 

SHOWROOM 

Envelop your home with comfort and style this 

season. Luxury energy efficient curtains & blinds. 

Made from our inspiring collection of fabrics, including 

designers, Romo, Sanderson, Harlequin and more. 

• Bespoke Luxaflex blinds 

including SmartHome integration 

Browse and Buy our gifts online at 

www.curtain-call.co.uk 

Please call for Showroom appointments 

Opening Hours: 

Tues-Sat 10am to 5pm 

52 Friars Stile Road, 

Richmond, Surrey TW10 6NQ 

020 8332 6250 • www.curtain-call.co.uk 

info@curtain-call.co.uk 


16 

CurtainCallWT247.indd 1 02/11/2022 10:56

ABS Shutters 

These Java shutters from The 

VIP Shutter Co are crafted from 

high-grade ABS (acrylonitrile 

butadiene styrene), making them 

fully waterproof, but with a finish 

that doesn’t look plastic at all. 

thevipshutterco.co.uk 

Roller Blinds 

Curtain Call’s Luxaflex LightLine Roller 

Blinds are specially designed to be resistant to 

moisture, heat and sunlight, easy to wipe clean, 

able to filter the light to maintain privacy while 

allowing softly diffused natural daylight through 

when closed. curtain-call.co.uk 

Bathroom Supplement sponsored by 

Private 

Peaceful 

A key part of creating the dream spa-like 

bathroom getaway is privacy, so you can escape 

the outside world in your secret haven. These 

are 5 top ways to dress your bathroom window, 

balancing style, sunlight and seclusion 

Venetian Blinds 

These are faux wood Venetian blinds 

from English Blinds and are made 

with a high grade PV to make them 

hardwearing and waterproof. They 

are easy to adjust and in a bright 

white can still leave a room feeling 

light and airy. englishblinds.co.uk 

Window Film 

Pulfrost’s privacy window film is easy to 

apply yourself for a quick fix and comes in 

all sorts of designs including this art deco 

style stained glass effect. purlfrost.com 

Solid Shutters 

For a stunning style statement, full length 

solid shutters are an elegant choice. This 

bespoke option from Thomas Sanderson 

absorbs sound, insulates your room and 

offers complete privacy in a range of 

fabulous colours. thomas-sanderson.co.uk 


concrete 

astonian copper 

axis 

carlton 

alto 

astonian original 

burley 

aged brass


BLUE 

Amanda Lafontant, senior designer at Aston 

Matthews, explains how she transformed this 

family bathroom into an elegant retreat 

kast concrete 

axis 

Creating a family bathroom in a period property is always 

a challenge. The bathroom needs to function, but there 

are also architectural details to consider and of course, we 

want it to look great too. When I first viewed this space, it had a 

clunky shower enclosure, dated corner bath and utilitarian white 

tiles which jarred with the décor in the rest of this Georgian town 

house. I spent time with the client to find out about their style 

and how the bathroom would be used. As a family of four, they 

needed a shower and plenty of storage to keep the space clutter 

free, but they also liked the idea of a cast iron bath which would 

nod to the period of the property. 

The room is very spacious, but a slightly awkward shape with a big 

window, so my first step was to change the layout. It made sense to 

swap the position of the shower and the bath, which made space 

for a more spacious walk-in shower. To make this a real feature, and 

a strong visual impact as you enter the room, I used a stylish fluted 

glass screen. We added a built-in shelf to the stud wall, with an 

integral light for an extra sophisticated flourish. Meanwhile, the new 

cast iron Astonian Slipper bath (painted in Inchyra Blue by Farrow 

& Ball) was set at a slight angle for a more relaxed, less rigid flow to 

the room, and to give you a view out to the garden while bathing. 

I suggested under floor heating, so that we didn’t need a radiator, 

but included a heated towel 

rail in easy reach of both 

the bath and shower. 

The room already had 

some nice decorative coving 

which I wished to retain, 

but the wall behind the 

new bath was a prime 

spot for a transformation. 

All images by Alison Hammond 

Where once were plain white 

square tiles, there is now 

Designers Guild wallpaper with 

a rich blue/green palette. The 

clients chose it during their 

design service, which includes 

detailed technical drawings and 

a mood board complete with 

3D visuals. 

Another highlight of this design 

is the bespoke basin unit. We designed it specifically for this project 

so we could make it exactly the right size and style. The marble top, 

handles and paint colour were all carefully selected to work well 

with the décor, and the unit provides three large storage drawers 

plus a spacious worktop for soaps and cosmetics. The feature 

tile from the shower is also picked up here, bringing the scheme 

together. These tiles were chosen to combine many warm, subtle 

tones and bring all the colours of the room together. 

Acme unlacquered brass fittings are scattered throughout, from the 

floor standing bath mixer to the basin taps and shower controls 

– even down to the WC flush plate and magnifying mirror. Brass 

works particularly well against the tile, bringing out its golden tones. 

For a luxurious finish, we even added a matching brass trim to 

finish the raw edges of the tiles. 

A vintage mirror and chair add a personal touch along with the 

client’s collection of houseplants. This is now their unique bathroom 

– a space that looks good but works perfectly for them too. 

Amanda is based at Aston Matthews’ Guildford showroom. 

Find out more at astonmatthews.co.uk 


Our Alton Showroom has over 3000 products on display, why not visit us today. 

Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2QJ Tel: 01420 590510 

Open: 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday | 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday 

www.distinctivelightinguk.com

A Drummonds bathroom featuring Double Derwent 

lights with fluted shades from £762, round tilt mirrors 

from £996, glass shelves from £378, and a double Locky 

vanity with Arabescato marble top from £8,586 with 

basin taps from £1,290 drummonds-uk.com 


Single dimmer switch 

in smoked gold £53.99 

Dowsing and Reynolds 

dowsingandreynolds.com 

Tall slim gold 

arch wall 

mirror £123.95 

Melody Maison 

melodymaison.co.uk 

Tamara 3 light semi 

flush antique brass 

ribbed glass £156 

dar lighting group 

darlighting.co.uk 

Small brass door 

knob in gold hexagon 

£7 Pushka Home 

pushkahome.com 

Abode kite deck mounted 

tall basin mixer tap in 

antique brass £489 

John Lewis johnlewis.com 

Jonathan Adler gilded muse 

candle £98 Sweetpea & Willow 


All 

that 

Glitters 

Brass bulkhead round light £109 

Lime Lace limelace.co.uk 

Tradition brass exposed thermostatic 

shower valve, 5 inch fixed head 

and rigid riser £2,822.92 Aston 

Matthews astonmatthews.co.uk 

Medway brushed brass freestanding 

mixer tap £349.99 Bathroom Mountain 

bathroommountain.co.uk 

From statement pieces to fine details – 

add some golden glamour to your bathroom 

Tubby Tub bath 

in gold £1,975 

The Albion Bath Co 

albionbathco.com 

Beaumont basin with 

gold stand £3,518 

West One Bathrooms 

westonebathrooms.com 

Rainshower SmartActive 

130 handshower in 

brushed cool sunrise 

£199.34 Grohe grohe.co.uk 

New Ravenna Egrets custom 

hand-cut mosaic in jewel and 24K 

Gold glass West One Bathrooms 


Divine gold tile £66/m 2 

Porcelain Superstore 

porcelainsuperstore.co.uk 



Fresh bathmat 

£29.50 

Oliver Bonas 


Disco ball macrame 

hanging planter £48 

Rockett St George 

rockettstgeorge.co.uk 

Wavy frame mirror 

£120 Rockett St George 

rockettstgeorge.co.uk 

Tuscany Botanical 

mural £264/20cm 2 

Baked Tile Co 

bakedtiles.co.uk 

Beaded bug hook 

£7.50 Oliver Bonas 


Pierre blush wallpaper £85/ 

roll Woodchip & Magnolia 

woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk 

POWER 

to the Powder Room 

Who are you going to impress by playing it 

safe? The powder room is your opportunity 

to be brave and max out on style 

Ornate sconce with 

oval mirror £2,075 

Besselink & Jones 

besselink.com 

Checkered candle £14 Rockett 

St George rockettstgeorge.co.uk 

Palladian mirror 

£1,495 OKA 

oka.com 

Metal side table 

£110 Next 

next.co.uk 

Amara Moorish countertop basin 

£899 London Basin Company 

londonbasincompany.com 

Madrid curved 

coloured glass wall 

mirror £99 M&S 

marksandspencer.com 

Hide and Seek 

wallpaper £43/ 

roll Lust Home 

lusthome.com 

Swallow drawer 

knob £6.50 

National Trust 

nationaltrust.org.uk 

Scottie vanity unit £1,5636 

West One Bathrooms 


Rebel Knit tourmaline wallpaper 

£135/roll The Curious Department 

thecuriousdepartment.com

NEW BROCHURE OUT NOW 

Tunbridge Wells . 70 Calverley Road . TN1 2UJ . 01892 548 111 

Oxshott . 1 High Street . KT22 0JN . 01372 841 730

For amazing designer and bespoke 

hats and fascinators as well as seasonal 

hats, umbrellas and pashminas. 

We also stock Rainbow shoes which can 

be dyed to any colour imaginable. 

COUNTY CLOTHES MENSWEAR 

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

STORE 

NEW SHOE DEPARTMENT 

Proud stockists of: 

Barker, Geox, Jeep, Lacuzzo, Sergio Duletti, John White, R M 

Williams, Bugatti and Savelli, boots & shoes 

WWW.COUNTYCLOTHESMENSWEAR.CO.UK 

The Mad haTTer 

12 Castle Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UW 

01483 566845 

www.themadhattermillinery.com 

CountyClothesWT250-SH.indd 1 13/02/2023 TheMadHatterWT248.indd 10:11 

1 14/12/2022 13:27 

BLUE VELVET SHOES 

Visit Blue Velvet Shoes at 

174 Kings Road, SW3 4UP 

buy online www.bluevelvetshoes.com 


68 

BlueVelvetWT250.indd 1 07/02/2023 11:42

Super 

Greens 

Harness the power of soft leathers and shining 

metallics for an envy-inducing spring wardrobe 

Ball hoop earrings £45, Jean belt £70, Collagerie rock crystal bangle £130, Suede midi skirt £285, 

Maybell metallic sandals £110, all Jigsaw jigsaw-online.com Photograph: David Merewether Styling: Lucy Fleming

Gold flower cut 

out skinny belt 

£22 Oliver Bonas 


Tiny oak leaf pendant £650 

Lucy Sylvester lucysylvester.co.uk 

Hammered stud 

earrings £10 Fat 

Face fatface.com 

Hula bangle in 

silver £260 Lucy 

Quartermaine 

lucyqdesigns.co.uk 

Crew Diana 

leather boot £129 

Very very.co.uk 

Leather dress £350 Jigsaw 

jigsaw-online.com 

Gianetta gold penny 

loafers £85 Dune 

dunelondon.com 

Leather overshirt £350 

Jigsaw jigsaw-online.com 

istock.com/ Esin Deniz 

Eco leather A line skirt in forest green 

£120 Hope Fashion hopefashion.co.uk 

Vegan leather Into The 

Woods tote bag £65 Fable 

England fableengland.com 

& 

Hide 

Chic 

It’s spring, but does that mean your wardobe has to be all 

florals, pastels and frills? NO! The all leather look is still going 

strong and is perfectly polished up with some bright metallics 

Agnes leather jacket 

£299 Whistles 

whistles.com 

Oval earrings £45 

Scream Pretty 

screampretty.com 

Waist belt £105 Marc 

Cain marc-cain.com 

Gold trainers 

£95 Oliver Bonas 


Gold headband £32 

QueenMee Accessories 

queenmee.com 

Sostter metallic 

leather tote £80 

Wolf & Badger 

wolfandbadger.com 

Sophie silk top with metallic 

fringe £340 La Fixé lafixe.com 

Cream leather 

jacket Jaeger 

jaeger.co.uk 

Liverpool street 

faux snake 

multiway bag £219 

Radley radley.co.uk 

Metallic print 

sustainable 

cotton dress 

£42.50 Monsoon 

monsoon.co.uk 

Triple bar hammered 

Nomad cuff £425 

Dower & Hall 

dowerandhall.com 


Golden Trails gold gilded leather shoulder 

bag £750 Aranyani aranyani.com 

70 

Sophia off silver 

leather heels £149 

Calla callashoes.co.uk

UNIT 11 HART SHOPPING CENTRE 

FLEET | HAMPSHIRE | GU51 3LA 

01252 621035 

www.experiencethedifference.co.uk

Surrey’s 

Leading Occasion 

Wear Boutique 

Surrey’s 

Leading Occasion 

Wear Boutique 

www.melitaboutique.co.uk 

57 High Street, Chobham, Surrey, GU24 8AF 

Tel: 01276 856308 

Bring some of your personality to your wardrobe 

with a personally tailored suit or jacket with a 

choice of fabrics, linings and trims. Complement 

your look with our stylish footwear. 

48 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1AS 

01732 902019 | www.suitsshoessir.com 

MelitaOfChobhamWT250.indd 1 07/02/2023 SuitsShoesSirWT248.indd 11:32 

1 05/12/2022 10:56 

JeremyHobbsS53.indd 1 

Opening Hours 

Mon - Sat 09.30 - 17.30 

3 Oakdene Parade, 

Cobham, Surrey KT11 2LR. 

Telephone: 01932 865700 

info@jeremyhobbs.co.uk 

@jeremyhobbsmenswear 

www.jeremyhobbs.co.uk 

INTRODUCING RODD & GUNN 


72 

JeremyHobbsWT250.indd 1 08/02/2023 12:09

Looking for 

inspiration for a new 

dressing room? 

Explore our beautiful house shoots 

to find just what you’re looking for 


A corner of Cat Ridley’s coastal home 

from our January 2021 issue. 

Read more here: priceless-magazines. 

com/interiors/pretty-in-pink-2

Easy Spring 

Entertaining 

Charlotte Butterworth, AKA @theneedy.greedy, prepares a 

time-saving and super-satisfying dinner party menu that’s 

simple to put together and perfect to enjoy with friends 

Photographs: David Merewether 


74

Courgette, garlic & 

chilli crostini 

Prep time: 10 mins 

Cooking time: 30 mins, plus chilling 

This easy, healthy but-so-delicious 

courgette dip is gorgeous on crostini 

or pairs beautifully with crisps or 

cucumber to dunk. Perfect with drinks 

and the best way to start an evening. 

Prepare well ahead so it has time to chill 

– it will keep for 3 days in the fridge. 

• 1 courgette, cut into 2cm chunks 

• extra virgin olive oil 

• 3 cloves of garlic, in their skin 

• chilli flakes – half a teaspoon 

approx, but more if you like 

your spice, less if you don’t 

• salt and pepper 

• juice of ½ lemon 

• 1 tbsp Greek yoghurt 

• mint leaves, to decorate 

1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Put the courgettes 

and garlic cloves in a roasting tin, sprinkle with 

chilli flakes. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, and 

the salt and pepper. Mix everything together so 

the courgettes are coated in the seasoned oil. 

2. Roast for about 30 mins until they are 

soft, making sure they don’t burn. 

3. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 

a few minutes so that you can handle the garlic. 

When cool enough, pop the garlic cloves out of their 

papery skins and put them into a mixing bowl. Add 

the cooked courgettes, lemon juice, greek yoghurt 

and a splash of your finest extra virgin olive oil. 

Blitz using a hand blender. Taste, and season – you 

may want more lemon juice or olive oil too. 

4. For the crostini, simply thinly slice some sourdough 

or other good bread, brush with olive oil and cook in 

a 180˚C oven for 7-10 mins. Allow to cool on a wire 

rack. These will keep in a tin for at least 3 days. 


Roast beetroot & goats 

cheese salad with maple 

roasted spicy nuts 

Roasting beetroots is so easy and the 

beautiful earthy flavour works so well 

with the candied nuts, bitter leaves 

and creamy tangy goats cheese. All 

the elements can be prepared well in 

advance and put together quickly before 

serving. This is delicious as a starter, 

side salad or as a meal on its own. 

• 4 beetroots, topped and tailed and 

cut into wedges (leave the skin on) 

• fresh or dried thyme 

• 50g soft, creamy goats cheese, 

broken into small pieces 

• 70g of nuts – I used cashews, 

walnut pieces and pecan pieces 

• approx 1tbsp maple syrup 

• chilli flakes 

• salad leaves (such as rocket, 

beetroot, baby leaves) 

• balsamic dressing (see recipe below) 

As it’s a salad, please play 

around with quantities. 

1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Toss the 

beetroot in olive oil, add the thyme, 

salt and pepper in a roasting tin and 

roast for 40 mins, until tender. 

2. Line a baking sheet with non 

stick baking parchment. Mix the 

maple syrup, a pinch each of salt 

and chilli flakes in a bowl. Add 

the nuts and stir. Spread over the 

baking tray and cook for 8-10 

mins in a preheated oven. Remove 

from the oven and allow to cool. 

3. Assemble your salad by popping the 

leaves on a plate. Add some dressing 

and give it a toss through. Place the 

goats cheese and beetroot pieces on 

next, drizzle over a little more dressing. 

Finally top with the caramelised nuts. 

For the balsamic dressing: 

These measurements are guidelines 

only – you may prefer your dressing 

more oily, vinegary or sweeter. 

• 150ml extra virgin olive oil 

• 50ml balsamic vinegar 

• 1 tsp runny honey 

• 1 tsp wholegrain mustard 

• small clove of garlic, crushed 

• ½ tsp Maldon sea salt and 

crushed black pepper 

Put all the dressing ingredients in 

jam jar and shake like crazy. It should 

emulsify to produce a thick sauce. 

Taste and tweak to your taste. 


76

Charlotte’s 

ceramic oven-totableware 

dishes are 

from Wealden Times 

Midwinter Fair favourite, 

Polkadot Parsley 

polkadotparsley. 

com 

Beef 

it up: Paley Farm 

specialise in slow grown, free 

range and grass-fed meat. They 

have chosen Sussex cattle, a native 

breed, that is an excellent forage converter 

and thrives on the farm’s Pasture For Life 

grass fed system. All Paley Farm cattle are 

free range, home bred and reared to the 

highest welfare standards to produce 

ethically and sustainably farmed beef 

that’s packed full of flavour. 

paleyfarm.co.uk 

Beef daube 

Serves 4-6 generously 

(doubles easily) 

This stunning Provençal 

beef casserole is lovely to 

have with friends. Make 

it on Saturday morning 

to enjoy in the evening 

or on Sunday – it also 

freezes beautifully. The 

long, slow cook makes the 

beef meltingly soft, and 

this recipe contains an 

abundance of veg too. This 

is fabulous served with a 

crispy baked potato, mash 

or roasted rosemary baby 

new potatoes, as pictured. 

• 700g-1kg beef 

chuck steak or 

beef shin (mine’s 

from Paley Farm) 

• 30g plain flour 

• olive oil 

• 20g butter 

• 2 onions, 

finely sliced 

• 1-2 leeks, halved 

lengthways and 

then sliced 

• 2 sticks celery, 

chopped 

• 4 carrots, cut 

into small batons 

• 3 cloves garlic, 

crushed 

• 2 bay leaves 

• 2 tbsp herbes 

de Provence (or 

use thyme) 

• 2 tbsp tomato 

purée 

• 30ml brandy 

• 400ml red wine 

• 300ml beef stock 

(made from a 

cube if you like) 

• 400g portabellini 

or chestnut 

mushrooms, 

quartered. (Leave 

them out if 

you don’t like 

mushrooms!) 

• seasoning 

1. Preheat the oven to 180˚C. Chop the meat 

into chunks, and toss in seasoned flour. Heat a 

casserole dish with 2 tbsp of olive oil. When hot, 

brown the meat for about 3-4 mins. You may 

need to do this in batches. Remove the meat and 

set aside. Make sure you scrape all the bits off the 

bottom of the pan, as they contain lots of flavour. 

2. Add some more olive oil and the butter to the pan, 

gently fry the onions for 5-10 mins. When soft, add 

the leeks, carrots, celery, garlic. Cook gently for 15 

mins – stir from time to time to prevent burning. Then 

pop in the bay leaves, herbs and tomato purée. Cook 

for a further couple of minutes. Finally add the meat 

back in, pour in the wine, stock and brandy. Season. 

3. Bring to a gentle simmer, put a lid on and 

pop in the oven for a couple of hours. After this 

time add the mushrooms, and perhaps a bit 

more liquid if drying out. Cook for a further 

30 mins. Taste, season and serve. 

 


Apple & cherry 

flapjack pudding 

Prep time: 5-10 mins Cooking time: 

30-40 mins Serves 4-6 generously 

This pudding can also double up as a 

treat for morning coffee. The crunchy 

oat topping flavoured with cinnamon is 

a breeze to whizz together. I use frozen 

cherries (bonus of no stones) and the 

apples are roughly chopped – I keep 

the skin on for extra fibre (no food 

waste!). Desperately hope for leftovers 

as it’s gorgeous cold the next day. 

For the topping: 

• 150g butter, melted 

• 150g plain flour 

• 150g oats 

• 100g caster sugar 

• large teaspoon of 

cinnamon 

For the filling: 

• 2-3 large eating apples 

– approx 300g when 

cored and chopped 

• 250g frozen cherries 

1. Melt the butter in a pan on a low heat. 

While the butter is melting, weigh and mix 

all the dry topping ingredients in a bowl. 

Pour in the melted butter and mix until the 

mixture resembles large breadcrumbs. 

2. Chop the apples into chunks (I chop 

mine with an apple corer, no peeling – 

there is lots of goodness in the skin). Put 

in an oven proof dish, tip over the cherries 

and cover with the topping. It will now sit 

happily in the fridge until ready to cook. 

3. Cook in a preheated oven (180˚C) for 40 

mins until the topping is crispy and golden. 

Serve with cream, custard or vanilla ice cream. 

Recipe developer Charlotte 

Butterworth creates delicious, 

easy, healthy recipes that 

work around real life. Find 

more of Charlotte’s dishes 

and advice on Instagram or 

Facebook @theneedy.greedy 


78

“Don’t lift a finger - order a 

hearty dinner from cookfood.net” 

The Times 

To order, call 0800 999 8863 

or online at cookfood.net 

£40 minimum order value and 

Delivery Charge of £2.95 

COOK Teddington, 156 High Street, TW11 8HZ 

COOK Surbiton, 33 Victoria Road, KT6 4JT 

COOK Weybridge, 21 Baker Street, KT13 8AE 

Teddington_Surbiton_Weybridge_Ad_307x220.indd 1 18/01/2023 16:27 

CooksWeybridgeWT250.indd 1 20/02/2023 11:23 

Award-winning gastropub 

with real ales and decent wines 

Please scan the QR code to book a table at The Royal. 

For larger groups please call 01424 547797 or 

email contact@theroyalstleonards.co.uk. 

The Royal, 1 St Johns Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 6HP 


TheRoyalWT249.indd 1 18/01/2023 09:43

Preened 

Polished & 

Josephine Fairley gets to grips with 

products to beautify hands and nails 

istockphoto.com/Anastasia Pechnikova 

Hands, as I am wont to say, 

can give your age away 

faster than a glance at your 

passport. And while I have somehow 

always failed to make professional 

manicures a part of my maintenance 

regime – instead, elevating them to a 

rare, pampering treat – I have always 

strived to make sure my hands and 

nails look more than passable. 

So, this month I thought I’d share 

some of my favourite home manicure 

products and tips. And really, it all starts 

with cuticle care. Sounds dull? Caring 

for cuticles has a double-whammy 

benefit: it nourishes the nail bed, 

improving blood and nutrient flow to 

the nails to make them stronger and 

more flexible, over time; it also gives 

your nails a massive, instant makeover. 

I avoid cuticle remover products, which 

ironically can be quite drying, but 

instead reach for an oil. And you know 

what? Pretty much any old oil will do – 

sweet almond oil is great, but olive oil 

is pretty darned effective, too. Decant 

it into a little dropper bottle and keep 

it on your bedside table. (At a pinch, 

I have been known to soften hard 

cuticles with a dab or two of butter. 

Try it, and you may be surprised!) 

Alternatively, go for a dedicated 

cuticle oil: I’m a big fan of Fresh 

Therapies Nourishing Nail Elixir, 

£11.95 for 10ml, as well as CND Solar 

Oil Nail & Cuticle Conditioner, 

£6.95 for 7.3ml. I’m also a great 

believer in the idea that you’re more 

likely to use a product diligently if it’s 

got a high pleasure factor – which has 

proved the case with Chanel L’Huile 

Camélia Hydrating & Fortifying 

Oil, £28 for 11ml: sexily-packaged, it 

has a built-in gentle ‘hoof stick’, for 

pushing back cuticles as you smooth 

the peachy-toned gel-like liquid 

into the nail area. With regular care, 

cuticles should never need nipping – 

because in my experience, that leads 

to hangnails, rather than fixes them. 

When it comes to filing nails, 

meanwhile, I long ago ditched 

sandpapery emery boards in favour of 

a crystal file. My fave finds? Margaret 

Dabbs Small Crystal Nail File, £12, 

and Ruby Hammer’s red glass nail file 

are both easy to manoeuvre, leaving 

nail tips super-smooth; in the case of 

the latter, you might want to buy it 

as part of the Ruby Hammer Nail 

Kit, £22, which comes in a cute, 

clear pink pouch, accompanied by 

a terrific cuticle ‘pushy’. To create 

a smooth surface for painting, I 

recommend Leighton Denny Quattro 

4-in-1 Nail File & Buffer, £7, to 

shape, buff and glassily shine. 

Now, at that point, you could 

leave your shiny, healthy-looking 

nails stark naked. Or you can paint 

them. I’m aware that lots of readers 

out there will have gel, or shellac, but 

I’m way too impatient to sit there 

during the removal process – so, I 

tend to wear regular polish, to guard 

my nails against knocks and prevent 

flaking. And in the past few years, 

lots of ‘less toxic’ polishes have been 

introduced that aren’t just ‘3-free’ but 

‘10-free’ and even ‘21-free’, avoiding 

the nastiest chemicals (formaldehyde, 

toluene, phthalates, acetone etc). 

They don’t smell so strongly – yet 

there is truly no compromise in 


80

Beauty 

smoothness, shine, durability… 

‘Greener’ brands I’m impressed by, 

then, include Kure Bazaar, who offer 

a 90% natural origin formula that 

features the most unlikely of natural 

ingredients, including potato, wood 

pulp, cotton, maize and wheat – and 

honestly, you’d never know! At £16 

each, shades are fabulous, the polish 

dries fast, and lasts ages without 

chipping. I also swear by their Clean 

Base Coat, £16, which leaves a slightly 

matte finish that leaves nails looking 

clean and chic if worn on its own, and 

Final Touch Top Coat, £16, which 

is wonderfully chip-resistant. Proudly 

British Nails.INC 73% Plant Power, 

£9 each, again boasts a stunning range 

of shades – all ’21-free’, they promise. 

And at the seriously affordable end 

of the market, we have Sally Hansen 

Good. Kind. Pure, £7.99 each, with 

eight rich shades to choose from – 

though I’d call it ‘purer’ rather than 

‘pure’, compared to the other two. The 

key to getting good results from any 

polish, though, is first to shield nails 

with a base coat that protects them from 

staining, and not only to use topcoat to 

seal your manicure but sweep on a fresh 

coat every other day, to extend its life. 

Then when it comes to taking it off 

again…? A great remover. Interestingly, 

the idea that we should never use 

harsh acetone-based products has 

been slightly debunked, because they 

do the job so quickly, whereupon 

you can rinse and nourish again, to 

counterbalance the drying effect of 

the chemicals. Nevertheless, if I’m 

feeling flush, I do treat myself to a 

bottle of Chanel Le Dissolvant, £19, a 

super-gentle but mega-effective polish 

remover (it even has a faintly rosy 

scent), while for on-the-go removal, 

I slip a couple of Fresh Therapies 

Nail Polish Remover Wipes, £7.99 

for 10, in my overnight bag – a little 

more elbow grease required, but they 

do the trick effectively, while being 

natural, and very kind to nails. 

The hand care gesture that I love 

the most, though – and I suspect 

most women feel the same – is lavish 

application of hand cream. My 

recommendation is: keep one by every 

set of taps in your house, as well as 

on your desk, the bedside table and in 

your handbag. I have quite the arsenal, 

ranging from beauty ‘steals’ through 

to uber-luxe choices. I don’t think you 

can beat Heathcote & Ivory’s handcare 

formulations, which are priced from 

just £4 for 50ml: many different 

fragrance options 

(not to mention 

some fab keepsake 

tins, as packaging) 

– but the basic 

formula for all of them 

ticks all my important hand cream 

boxes: rich, sinks in swiftly, lets 

you open a doorknob straight away 

without you having to waft your 

hands round in the air for ages. 

My mid-priced choice is Evolve 

Organic Beauty Timeless Renewal 

Hand Cream, £18 for 75ml, creating 

a wonderful barrier for hands without 

feeling greasy, leaving them fragrant 

with ylang ylang, rose geranium and 

mandarin. And as for super-luxe 

choices, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask for 

these as presents – both very rich, 

both so scented that it’s as if you’re 

wearing perfume on your hands: 

Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle 

Portrait of a Lady Hand Cream, £38 

for 30ml, which swirls with raspberry, 

sandalwood, amber and patchouli, 

and Jo Malone London Jasmine & 

Neroli Luxury Hand & Body Cream, 

£56 for 100ml, a reincarnation of a 

stunning hand cream formerly produced 

by discontinued ‘cult’ beauty brand 

Rodin Olio Lusso, the scent of which 

is like lying under a jasmine bower. 

Last but not least? The nail product 

I’ve been most impressed by isn’t a 

cosmetic, it’s a supplement: Manifesto 

Beauty Vitamin Gummies, £35 for 

60, are so delicious I have to resist 

eating them like candy, but after three 

months of taking them, my nails are 

transformed – longer, stronger, less 

flaky. It certainly didn’t happen 

overnight – but recently, I even 

started having to trim them 

regularly, and realised: it could 

only be the gummies that 

were making a difference. 

But all in all, I’d like to 

put my (really rather nicelygroomed) 

hands together 

and give all of the above a 

big round of applause… 

See beautybible.com for 

more of Jo’s tried and 

tested beauty reviews. 

priceless-magazines.com

Wellbeing 

High Flyers 

Sarah Maxwell explores circus 

skills for every BODY 

istockphoto.com/ blackandbrightph 

Before you skip this page, I’d like 

to reassure you that aerial fitness 

is much more fun and accessible 

to everyone than you would think! 

Hammocks, silks, hoops, trapeze and 

pole are some of the exciting things 

available to you on the circus skills 

menu. Additional courses also look 

very interesting (I fancy trying out the 

fire spinning). Rest assured, you won’t 

be expected to be suspended high off 

the ground – unless that’s something 

you’re particularly aiming for. 

Aerial fitness has something for 

everyone, it’s open to people of all ages, 

abilities and gender – and don’t think 

it’s just for the slim, fit and young. 

It’s a fact that it’s especially brilliant 

for older generations and people 

with disabilities and limitations. 

The focus is on you and what your 

body is able to achieve at a pace and 

level suited to you. In addition to the 

promise of a strong, fit body for those 

participating regularly, it has enormous 

benefits for your mental health too. 

I recently had the pleasure of talking 

to aerial/circus skills coach, Elly Batten 

and finally learning the real story 

behind the urban myth of ‘the teacher 

who ran away to join the circus’. 

Elly was the head of the psychology 

department at a local grammar 

school until she got bitten by the 

the circus bug. She explains, “By the 

age of 37 I had had numerous knee 

operations, was a size 18 and decidedly 

unfit. I couldn’t sit down crossed 

legged or touch my toes, let alone 

contemplate doing anything circus 

oriented, but I kept going back! 

“It has been a great experience 

and such a supportive and friendly 

community, which is great for 

beginners and anyone who finds 

the usual fitness environment too 

much. I have also made some great 

friends during the process.” 

Fast forward 3 years and Elly is now 

a fully qualified aerial/circus coach, 

size 10, brimming full of confidence 

with an infectious joie de vivre. 

Diversity and inclusion are at the 

forefront of everything Elly and her 

fellow coaches do. They are able 

to adapt movements to whatever 

your age ability and needs. 

Working and learning from some 

outstanding occupational therapists 

during my years as a coach, the parallels 

are clear as to how this type of training 

can benefit all ages and abilities in a 

safe, supportive and nurturing way. 

Suspending the body decreases the 

pressure on joints and alleviates spinal 

compression, allowing movement that 

would otherwise be impossible in a 

regular exercise class. In addition, the 

psychological impact when someone 

achieves a movement they thought 

impossible is a wonder to behold! 

Simia Circus offers aerial and 

ground-based circus tuition for all 

ages and abilities. It’s a guarantee that 

whatever your age, disability, weight or 

fitness level, you will be nurtured and 

supported by a highly professional team 

of instructors who are able to work with 

you at a pace and level that suits you. 

Physical & psychological benefits: 

• Increases flexibility and strength 

• Relieves joint pressure and spinal 

compression (enabling free movement 

is a safe and controlled way) 

• Releases tension and stress 

• Increases balance and 

proprioception (body awareness) 

• Greatly improves core strength. 

• Enables you to get into positions that 

would be impossible on the floor 

• Improves back strength and flexibility 

• Increases bone density (essential 

to combat osteoporosis) 

• Improves breath awareness (this 

regulates your nervous system and is a 

key skill used in yoga and meditation) 

• Builds confidence and self esteem 

• Allows you to try new things and 

maintain your interest (boredom 

won’t ever hit doing this) 

More info: 

simiacircus.co.uk 

circusworks.org 

surreycircuscentre.com 

Sarah Maxwell is a multi award-winning 

weight loss, lifestyle and fitness coach. 

Find out more about her work... 

Facebook & Instagram: 

@sarahmaxlife 

Twitter: @sarahmax100 

sarahmaxwell.com 


82

istockphoto.com, miwa_in_oz , Magone , chokja , Elena Tsvetkova , Anna_Shepulova 

Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

asks whether five-a-day is actually enough 

Fruit and vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced 

diet and evidence shows there are significant health 

benefits to consuming the NHS’s recommended 

five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. 

The ‘5-a-day campaign’ is based on advice from the World 

Health Organisation (WHO), which recommends eating a 

minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables a day to lower the 

risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke 

and some types of cancer. The ‘5-a-day’ rule is a great place 

to start, but to support the trillions of microbes living in our 

gut – which all need different types of plant foods to flourish 

– we should try to aim for thirty different sources a week. 

Learn to… THINK ABOUT DIVERSITY 

For good gut health, the goal is diversity. Research has found that 

people who eat at least thirty different plant-based foods a week 

had more diverse gut microbes than people who ate less than 

ten. The more diverse plant foods we feed our gut microbes, the 

more diverse they become and the more ‘skills’ they have to help 

train our immune cells; increasing our resilience to infection, 

strengthening our gut barrier, balancing our blood sugar levels, 

lowering blood fats and, in the process, helping to prevent against 

disease. All fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes (beans and 

pulses), nuts and seeds, herbs and spices count, so focus on 

variety and colour and try things you wouldn’t usually think to 

put in your trolley! Try the mixed packs of plants, for example 

switch broccoli for stir fry veg; pumpkin seeds for 4 seed mix; rice 

for mixed grains; chickpeas for 4 bean mix – to increase diversity. 

Step away from… READY MEALS 

With ready meals and fast foods, it’s not easy to know exactly 

what has gone into the food you are eating! When you cook 

from scratch you are in control of what you add as well as 

avoiding the quantity of additives, salt, sugar and fat that is often 

used in many processed foods. Opting to use herbs and spices, 

rather than salt, helps to add flavour and including beans and 

pulses or opting for wholegrain alternatives like brown rice can 

increase the fibre content of meals, while adding extra vegetables 

boosts the vitamins and minerals. So every time you go to cook 

up a meal at home, stop and think, ‘What could I add?’ Chop 

a banana over your porridge and then sprinkle on some seeds, 

add roast vegetables to your plate or a colourful salad, add extra 

celery or carrots to dip in your hummus, or make nourishing 

vegetable soups with leftovers. 

Give it a go… START YOUR DAY RIGHT! 

With busy mornings and lack of time, many of us reach for easy 

options such as a bowl of cereal or a slice of toast with butter or 

jam for breakfast, missing out on the opportunity to add in a 

little extra fibre from plants. With some forward planning it is 

possible to include a few of your thirty portions, before 9am, 

whilst supporting more balanced blood sugar levels, too! If 

you love toast or cereal, choose options with multiple grains or 

seeds – think multi-seed breads or wholegrain breakfast cereals 

that contain multiple grains. Choose seeds, nut butters, mixed 

berries, cinnamon or stewed apples to add to your porridge, 

rather than a drizzle of honey. Or give a savoury breakfast a 

go. Try adding a side to your favourite eggs – mushrooms, 

tomatoes, courgettes and spinach can all be done in one pan. 

An omelette with mixed peppers, spring onions and tomatoes 

with a side of crispy kale is really delicious. My personal 

favourite, however, is leftovers from the night before! 

Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice for weight management, controlling 

cravings, sleeplessness, stress and increasing energy levels. Find out more at plumenutrition.com

Create an outdoor space to be truly 

proud of with the help of next month’s 

Garden Supplement 

Explore gardens open to the public across the South East, find 

out about the latest horticultural workshops, invest in statues and 

outdoor art, soak up expert tips and try out Greek-inspired trends 

priceless-magazines.com

tical 

Gar 

Veden 

 

ng 

Jo Arnell explains 

how to double your 

growing space by 

extending upwards 

Akebia quinata the chocolate vine istockphoto.com/ PicturePartners 

If you are lucky enough to own a 

garden, remember that it’s not just 

the ground that is yours – the air 

above is also at your disposal. When 

we are planning our gardens we look at 

the borders, the boundaries and at the 

ground. We can forget to look up and 

see that there’s lots of untapped space all 

around us. There are ways of bringing 

flowers into sight at eye level, scents 

directly to our noses, and various other 

ways we can make the garden a more 

three-dimensionally interesting place 

Using the whole space and tapping 

into the vertical can also have the effect 

of making a small garden feel larger. 

Jungle style 

gardens often 

have a very small 

footprint but feel huge. 

They wend their way around paths 

and focal points – and tend not to have 

a big open, flat space in the middle (the 

lawn). They are planted in layers to 

mimic the way that plants grow in the 

jungle – the tall canopy overhead, the 

understory and then the forest floor tiers. 

Vertical spaces are occupied by tall 

plants – trees and large shrubs, by 

climbers, or by structures that can 

support plants vertically – living walls, 

planting pockets – even a hanging basket 

will lift plants into another dimension. 

Using tall plants 

Adding a tree into a garden, or border, 

instantly changes the dynamic, brings 

in a focal point, a high note on which 

to hang the rest of the planting scheme 

– and it also lifts your line of vision. 

A tree doesn’t have to be huge – there 

are many slender and elegant small 

trees or large shrubs that will add 

height to a space without taking it over. 

One way to make a tree smaller and 

more sculptural is to plant a multistemmed 

version of the tree. Silver birch 

(especially those with very white trunks 

like ‘Jaquemontii’) Amelanchier and 

Prunus serrula work well as multi-stems. 

Fastigiate (slender and upright) 

trees are those with a naturally tall, 

narrow habit – picture the graceful 

Italian cypresses that punctuate 

and pierce the Mediterranean skies, 

or an upward facing cherry called 

‘Amanogowa’, or the slim and tall 

Japanese holly, Ilex crenate ‘Sky pencil’. 

Shrubs can be as wide as they are tall 

– like big fat puddings in the borders, 

but there are some elegant and slender 

cultivars that are useful additions. 

Viburnum plicata ‘Kilimanjaro Sunrise’ 

is a slim, tiered shrub with corymbs 

of white blossom and good 

 


Bourne Buildings Ltd 

THE LARGEST SHOWSITE IN THE UK WITH OVER 200 BUILDINGS, 

5,000 STONE ORNAMENTS & 100 FURNITURE SETS ON DISPLAY 

Set in a magical landscape of water and wildlife, Bourne 

Buildings is not your typical garden buildings showsite. 

Well known for its vast selection of garden buildings and expert 

advice, Bourne Buildings offer standard, as well as made-toorder 

designs of varying qualities and styles, fit for all budgets. 

Our complete range of services include product installation, 

base laying and a re-felting service. 

Visit our showsite to see an impressive array of stone 

ornaments, including eye-catching armillary. 

On display at our showsite in Farnham, we have over: 

• 60 Sheds 

• 60 Summer houses 

• 35 Playhouses 

• 35 Greenhouses 

• 20 Garden Offices & Garden Rooms 

• 8 Garages 

Opening Hours 

Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat/9.30AM - 5PM, Sun 10AM - 4PM 

CLOSED TUESDAY & WEDNESDAYS 

01252 718481 

sales@bournebuildings.co.uk 

www.bournebuildings.co.uk 

Bourne Buildings Ltd, 39-43 Guildford Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9PY 

BourneBuildingsWT238.indd 1 03/02/2022 14:33 

• Automation and installation 

• Entry phones and access control 

• Hardwood, aluminium and metal 

gates made to order for automation 

and non-automation purposes 

• Supply-and-fit service for fully 

automated electric garage doors 

• Brick piers 

• Brick walls 

• Driveway alterations 

FREE SURVEYS & 

QUOTES PROVIDED 

TEL: 01483 379954 

info@harriergates.co.uk 

www.harriergates.co.uk 


86 

HarrierGatesWT247.indd 1 31/10/2022 11:39

Framed moss wall panel 

£76.99 Dowsing and Reynolds 

dowsingandreynolds.com 

autumn colour. There are Berberis 

called ‘Helmand Pillar’ and ‘Orange 

Rocket’, and a conifer, Juniperis 

‘Sky Rocket’. These are great shrubs 

for bringing height, but are also 

valuable in a small garden because 

they don’t take up too much room. 

Climbing plants 

A climber is described as any plant 

needing some kind of support in 

order to grow upwards towards the 

light. Climbers are not able to support 

themselves and so use the sturdy 

habits of other plants. Climbers are 

naturally at home anywhere where 

there are supportive neighbours to lean 

on, typically woodland edges and in 

more tropical places, rainforests. They 

will throw themselves up towards the 

light in any way they can – by hook, 

curling tendril, or twining stem, taking 

advantage of the sturdy trunks and 

branches of nearby trees and shrubs. 

Some scramble, hooking themselves on 

with thorns; or twine their lax stems 

around the host plant, strangling as 

they go. Those with more delicate 

tendrils – modified leaves turned into 

springing coils ready to catch hold 

of anything within reach. The more 

insidious suckering types have aerial 

roots that tap into the moisture and 

nutrient supply of the host, enjoying 

their free ride to the max. But don’t 

let my grim descriptions put you 

off, because climbers are the perfect 

vertical plant – as long as you 

grow them up the right supports. 

Well supported 

Walls, walkways, arches and 

entrances all deserve embellishing 

(or disguising) with flowers 

and foliage in fact they look 

bleak and bare – in some cases 

indecently naked – without a 

softening covering or flourish. 

The appropriate support will 

hopefully enhance both plant 

and structure. Choose robust 

supports, as even the daintiest 

little Clematis can eventually get 

to a fair size. Something like a 

Wisteria, which I have seen romping 

down a suburban road across the 

front of several houses, will also 

need to be given plenty of space, 

as even the severest of pruning 

regimes won’t stop it for long. 

Planting an a climber on an 

obelisk, pillar or pole into a border 

will bring instant height and interest, 

take up less ground space than a 

shrub and provide a focal point 

through the seasons, especially if 

the support is attractive too. 

Fudge your fence 

You can camouflage a dull old 

fence and create a green screen 

using climbers. It will gradually 

turn into a slim hedge, or ‘fedge’ 

(a cross between a fence and a 

hedge) and blend into the scenery 

beyond your boundary – or at least 

improve the view on your side. 

Good candidates for smothering 

fences and unsightly features are 

ivy, which will self-cling, Virginia 

creeper, Clematis montana, or the 

rampant, but enticingly fragranced, 

chocolate vine, Akebia quinata. 

Wall shrubs 

These are sometimes lumped into 

the same category as climbers, 

because these shrubs need the 

support of a wall or other structure, 

they are lax in habit and don’t 

have the traditional shape that a 

tree or shrub would. They fall into 

a category of their own – not 

 


WINNER - OUTSTANDING POOL of the YEAR 2023 

TURNING YOUR DREAMS 

INTO REALITY 

Family Company celebrating 57 years of excellence. 

Call us for a no obligation 

FREE site survey on 

01883 622335 

• Pool Refurbishments 

• Service & Maintenance Contracts 

• Heating & Environmental Specialists 

• Chemicals, Equipment, Safety Covers 

• Moveable Floors 

• Saunas & Steam Rooms 

• Hot Tub Showroom 

• Supporters of Ordinary 2 Extraordinary 

Tanby Swimming Pools, 620-622 Limpsfield Road, Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9DS 

www.tanbypools.co.uk

Barrington Arch Trellis 

£70 Garden Trading 

gardentrading.co.uk 

Living walls 

These rely on the installation 

of a system of planting 

pockets that slot together, 

extending to the width and 

height of the area. The wall 

is irrigated by an automatic 

watering system that can be 

controlled by an app, so that 

the correct amount of water 

(and feed) can be supplied 

to the plants through the 

seasons. Cladding whole 

buildings and giant stretches 

of wall is possible and as 

technology improves these 

systems could be a viable 

form of living cladding – 

they will insulate in winter 

and cool in summer. 

So, if your garden is 

looking rather flat, or you’ve 

run out of space for plants 

at ground level, it could be 

time to look to the skies, 

find new vistas and vertical 

planting opportunities. 

Join Jo at her new Garden 

Design course starting 

in April. For more info 

call 07923 969634 or see 

hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses 

Bespoke design 

and elevated build treehouses, 

platforms. 

playhouses 

Commercial & 

and 

International 

elevated platforms. 

commissions welcomed 

Commercial International commissions welcomed 

TEL: 01403 262219 

www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.co.uk 

www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.co.uk 

CheekyMonkeyWT249.indd 1 24/01/2023 17:06 

climbers, but not quite 

shrubs either. These plants 

are very useful for tight 

spaces, for training upwards, 

or against garden walls and 

buildings. Pyracantha is a 

familiar wall shrub. It is 

stiff and thorny, but has 

spring blossom and gorgeous 

autumn berries in shades of 

red, orange or yellow. For 

winter interest there’s the 

graceful evergreen Garrya 

elliptica, which hangs out its 

shimmering catkins in late 

winter, until the whole plant 

is a mass of dangly silver 

arrings. Abutilons will flower 

endlessly, they are a little 

tender, but will thrive grown 

on a warm wall or in a large 

pot on a sunny terrace. 

Slatted Wall Planter 1 

Shelf £99.99 Forest 

forestgarden.co.uk 

Garden Perfection 

City Escapes provide domestic & commercial garden solutions 

■■ 

■■ 

■■ 

■■ 

■■ 

Regular Maintenance 

Design & Construction 

Small one off works 

Turf care management 

Problem area Solutions 

■■ 

■■ 

■■ 

■■ 

Seasonal Bedding plant displays 

Approved pesticide/ 

herbicides operators 

Habitat Management 

RHS qualified gardeners 

Tel: 01435 868211 | M: 07831 302107 

E: gardensmanager@gmail.com 

www.cityescapes.co.uk 


CityEscapesWT250.indd 1 07/02/2023 16:52

The 

Glasshouse 

Project 

Garden 

Sue Whigham goes behind the 

scenes at a social enterprise 

which enables women 

approaching the end of 

their sentences to develop 

skills in horticulture before 

their release from prison 

‘I 

believe everyone should have a second chance,’ 

said the lady in the corner shop yesterday afternoon. 

East Sutton Park is a women’s open 

prison established in a Grade II listed 

Jacobean manor house near Sutton 

Valence, Kent. The prison is complete 

with a working farm and eighty acres. It 

originally opened as an all female Borstal 

in 1946 and has been an all-female 

institution ever since. The women 

at East Sutton are at the end of their 

sentences which they will have served in 

a closed prison, and rehabilitation both 

before and after release is a priority. 

One of the co-founders of The 

Glasshouse Project was introduced to 

East Sutton Park by a volunteer in 2019 

and on a visit there she spotted that 

two of the old glasshouses on the site 

were underused due to cuts in funds 

for land based training. She thought 

that these glasshouses would be an ideal 

site to support a social enterprise which 

would enable women to develop skills 

in horticulture before their release from 

prison. Social entrepreneur Melissa 

Murdoch and Kali Hamerton Stove, 

MD of The Glasshouse Project, with her 

career in international marketing and 

retail, then approached the Ministry of 

Justice and presented their ideas to the 

Ministry’s new futures network. They 

loved the concept and suggested that the 

project could start in East Sutton and 

thus The Glasshouse Project was born. 

Launched in February 2020 with a 

£50,000 Director’s Loan, the project 

faced an awful lot of challenges at 

first including, of course, the Covid 

pandemic. They also had to learn how to 

work with the prison system as well, but 

within a couple of years they’d doubled 

their turnover. Recently, their Finance 

Director, Laura Bellhouse, applied for 

and secured further funding from the 

People’s Postcode Lottery. All profits are 

being ploughed back into the scheme. 

So what do they do? Through 

the growing on and nurturing of 

fabulous houseplants the project 

helps and supports the women in 

the months before and after release. 

During that time they work with 

a tutor towards the Level 2 RHS 

Certificate in Practical Gardening 

which covers all aspects of planting, 

propagation and maintenance of plants 

as well as taking part in workshops 

covering further horticultural skills. 

When I met them at their temporary 

premises, they were tidying up and 

re potting large specimens of fiddle 

leaf figs (Ficus lyrata). Other treasures 

there included Rhipsalis paradoxa, a 

succulent epiphyte from Brazil which 

is a particular favourite of ours. It is 

endangered in the wild due to habitat 

loss. We must be doing something right 

as ours flowered last year with strings 

of tiny white flowers followed by little 

pink translucent berries along its long 

chain-like leaves. It’s perfect for growing 

in a hanging basket to give a very jungly 

effect and, over time, its leaves can 

reach up to five metres long. Wow! 

The plants are destined to be sold 

in their stylish shop in Cranbrook, or 

online from their website, with some 

taken up to London to supply their 

scheme of ‘landscaping in corporate 

situations’ which involves regular 

maintenance and care of the plants 

ensuring that they are in tip top 

condition. They have fifteen clients, 

the largest of which has plants in 

offices over six floors. What a fantastic 

statistic! And some clients prefer a 

scheme of ‘revolving plant installations’ 

to ring the changes. Through regular 

contact with their clients the women 

develop their social skills as well as 

increasing both their self esteem 

and self confidence. And, of course, 

being surrounded by plants in their 

workspace benefits the clients as well. 

Clients include multinationals and 

start ups, such as Redemptive Roasters 

who now have a dozen coffee shops 


istockphoto.com/venimo 

in London, having started with just 

one in Lamb’s Conduit Street. Their 

coffee is roasted in HMP The Mount, 

who, like The Glasshouse Project, 

help with what comes after release. 

And then there is the scheme for 

corporate gifting. Plants are sent to 

recipients with personal messages 

and the appropriate logo as well as 

information about the project. This 

can all be done online, meaning that 

any number of plants can be sent out 

across the UK. I like the fact that all 

the plants are sent to their new owners 

using sustainable packaging and that 

they leave with a comprehensive label 

giving details of how to look after 

them in the future. Just think of all 

those houseplants that are sold either 

unlabelled or poorly labelled and that 

succumb to neglect within no time at 

all. As well as providing decent labelling, 

Kali has sourced good looking charcoal 

clay pots, designed by Berg in Denmark 

and made in Italy. These pots can be 

bought in the Cranbrook shop, too. 

So this holistic approach to the 

women’s welfare and future, allowing 

them to learn skills and earn a living 

wage whilst they are part of the project, 

means that they are very employable 

when they leave East Sutton. Maria 

Love, who is the project’s Head of Social 

Impact, provides practical and emotional 

support to the women, liaising with 

both them and prison staff prior to 

their release. She works with landlords, 

too – as finding decent housing can be 

difficult for ex offenders – and keeps 

in touch with the project’s alumni. 

100% of the women finishing the 

programme find employment within a 

month of leaving East Sutton as well as 

finding that other essential – somewhere 

stable to live. Another great statistic. 

One of the women who has been 

part of the project said that The 

Glasshouse gave her ‘a reason to get 

up during a dark time’ for both her 

and her family. She felt like a normal 

woman again and that her life was 

enhanced because of the project. 

The enthusiasm, energy and dedicated 

commitment to the women who are 

part of The Glasshouse Project is 

wonderful. I’ve no doubt that Kali’s 

hope that they will be able to set up 

a similar enterprise in other women’s 

prisons up and down the UK in the 

next ten years will happen. In the 

meantime, this summer’s plans include 

setting up in two Surrey prisons, 

Send and Downview, with a shop 

opening up in Surrey in late summer. 

For more information on the project, 

see theglasshouse.co.uk or visit the shop at 

3a Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent, open 

from Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. 

Sue Whigham can be contacted on 07810 457948 for gardening advice and help in the sourcing and supply of interesting garden plants. 

92

Create a stunning affordable entrance 

All our canopies, heritage and contemporary, are manufactured by hand using 

traditional skills and traditional sustainable materials, all by our artisan workforce. 

Inspired by us manufacturing zinc and copper work for some of England’s most historic buildings. 

We are working in association with English Heritage to proudly present this officially licensed product. 

Porches, Verandas and Door Canopies 

You can contact us by email or call - we are happy to help. 

www.zac.ltd | 02039 576150 | info@zac.ltd

Mental Health 

Masterclass 

CONFERENCE DETAIL 

Wednesday 15 March 

7pm Dick Moore, global speaker on young people’s mental health – 

on behalf of The Charlie Waller Trust. 

Friday 17 March 

9am Keynote Address: Pooky Knightsmith 

‘Anxiety, Autism and ADHD: Practical Ideas 

for Understanding and Supporting.’ 

Join Pooky to explore why anxiety is such a 

common feature within the ADHD / Autistic 

communities. We’ll consider the steps we can 

take to prevent and manage anxiety for these 

groups as well as exploring a range of skills and 

strategies that children and young people can 

take to support themselves. Many of the ideas 

shared are also suitable for neurotypical children 

(or adults), so this fast-paced, resource-rich 

session will have something for everyone. 

60 minutes + 15 minutes Q&A 

10.30am Coffee & refreshments 

11–11.45am James Storey-Mason, Head of 

Digital Wellbeing, Tonbridge School 

Getting the best from an online 

presence – safely. 

1–2pm Lunch & Networking 

2–2.45pm Supporting Mental Health 

in Schools 

Mental Health leads from two Skinners’ 

Schools & the experiences of their pupils. 

3–3.45pm Panel Q&A 

Pooky Knightsmith, Alice Palmer, 

Dr. Liz Maslin (MH Lead The New Beacon), 

Skinners’ MH leads. 

3.45pm Pooky Knightsmith: 

Self-care Ideas for Busy Adults 

We’ll wrap up the day by thinking briefly 

about small acts of self-care, compassion and 

kindness that can be easily built into our busy 

lives in order to reduce anxiety and burnout 

and to promote a little joy! 

4pm Close 

12–12.45pm Alice Palmer – on behalf of 

The Charlie Waller Trust 

Self-harm: warning signs, stigma and how to 

have conversations which help. 

For more information 

and booking

Education 

Minds Matter 

New Beacon give us the lowdown on their forthcoming Mental Health Masterclass 

Ask any teacher about the impact 

of Covid and lockdowns 

on children’s development 

and it will not be long before the 

words ‘anxiety’ and ‘focus’ make an 

appearance. It may be the case that we 

are generally better at identifying such 

traits as ADHD though, more likely, 

such traits are on the increase. This is 

the central theme of the forthcoming 

‘Mental Health Masterclass’ at The 

New Beacon School on 17th March. 

The keynote speaker is the globally 

recognised expert on young people’s 

mental health, Dr. Pooky Knightsmith, 

with her talk entitled, Anxiety, 

Autism and ADHD: Practical Ideas 

for Understanding and Supporting. 

The intended audience is educators 

and parents – or simply those who 

are interested in the development 

and wellbeing of young people. 

Of concern to all parents is their 

children’s online presence. James 

Storey-Mason, Head of Digital 

Wellbeing at Tonbridge School, 

will educate and advise on not just 

the pitfalls of social media but also 

the benefits, giving tips to parents 

on how to support and monitor 

their children’s online activity. 

Alice Palmer (on behalf of the 

Charlie Waller Trust) will speak 

on the sensitive topic of self-harm, 

identifying the warning signs, 

recognising the stigma and helping 

to enable supportive conversations. 

The day will finish with a panel 

of speakers, experts in this field, 

taking questions from the audience 

and Pooky Knightsmith giving 

closing advice on how those who 

look after others should make sure 

they are looking after themselves. 

On the evening of 15th March Dick 

Moore – who has spoken to audiences 

of educators and parents across the 

world to great acclaim – will give 

his own masterclass. He identifies 

behaviours which can signal warnings 

about mental health while touching on 

neuroscience and ways of supporting. 

Admission is free to this event with 

donations requested to The Charlie 

Waller Trust, mental health charity. 

You can book your place by 

visiting newbeacon.org.uk 


9 – 12 MARCH 

Battersea Park, London 

Contemporary art from over 100 galleries 

Book your tickets at 

affordableartfair.com 

Free Shuttle Bus from Sloane Square 

E XPR E S S 

YO U RS E LF 

WITH ART 

Antique Profiles XI, collage by Clare Packer 

£330, Kittoe Contemporary Limited

Social icon 

Circle 

Only use blue and/or white. 

For more details check out our 

Brand Guidelines. 

CONCERTS 

What’s On in March 

Fri 3 Mar 7.30pm 

White Rock Theatre, 

White Rock, Hastings, 

East Sussex, TN34 1JX 

SOMETHING ABOUT 

GEORGE - THE GEORGE 

HARRISON STORY 

Starring West End actor and 

musician Daniel Taylor, this is 

the truly remarkable tale of one 

of music’s most understated 

icons. Featuring a five-piece band 

performing beautiful songs such as 

“My Sweet Lord”, “Something”, 

“Got My Mind Set On You” and 

“Handle With Care”, the show 

includes incredible solo material 

and music from rock n’ roll’s 

greatest supergroup, The Travelling 

Wilburys – not forgetting more 

than a few Beatles’ classics along 

the way. From heartbreak to 

hedonism and song writing 

to instant success, Something 

About George will show you a 

life that was anything but quiet. 

Entry: £24-£28 (a £3.65 

transaction fee may apply) 

whiterocktheatre.org.uk 

Weds 15 & Weds 22 Mar 

70/76 Knights Hill, 

London SE27 0JD 

ROSEBERYS FINE ART 

AUCTIONEERS 

Roseberys’ Modern British & 

20th Century Art sale will offer 

a brilliant and eclectic selection 

from the last century on 15 

March. Including major 1980s 

pieces from the collection of 

Saatchi & Saatchi, London; 

the collection of an important 

patron of British Art; alongside 

master works by Marion Adnams, 

Aubrey Williams and John Piper. 

The Auction House will be 

hosting their Design Since 1860 

sale on Wednesday 22 March, 

which offers the chance to buy 

a wonderful range of decorative 

items and furniture, dating 

anywhere from 1860 right up to 

the present day. Arts and Crafts 

silver and copper sits alongside 

midcentury furniture and 

contemporary Studio ceramics. 

roseberys.co.uk 

Sat 1 April 10am-3.30pm 

Penshurst Village Hall, 

Penshurst TN11 8BP 

THE WEALDEN BAZAAR 

SPRING VINTAGE MARKET 

AT PENSHURST 

Showcasing vintage home 

and garden wares, French 

finds, antiques and decorative 

Enjoy the pieces, perfect fabrics, art vintage filled day fashion, out this spring as London’s 

Affordable Art Fair 

jewellery, 

returns 

furniture 

to Battersea 

and gifts. 

Park from 9 – 12 March 

The Wealden Bazaar returns 

Sat 25 Mar Affordable 7.30pm Art Fair to is Penshurst home Village Other Hall highlights for include a large-scale 

Pamoja Hall, Sevenoaks to over School, 100 exhibiting another marvellous mural Vintage which will be created live across 

High St, Sevenoaks TN13 galleries 1HU all under Market. one Upstairs the and week down of the Fair by Margate based 

SIMPLY SCHUBERT roof, bringing together this beautiful an old artist building David will Shillinglaw, be and curated 

Sevenoaks unparalleled Philharmonic selection Choir of emerging filled with and more than edits 25 of fabulous the best art under £500. 

conducted established by Robyn contemporary Sevastos artists vintage from traders from throughout 

with Sevenoaks across the Philharmonic UK and around the Kent world. & Sussex. For Soak further in all info the fun of the fair after 

Orchestra, Immerse present yourself this celebration in 1,000s contact of pieces on Estelle hours 07904614824 at the Art After Dark Late 

of Schubert in all with styles performances and genres, of from Entry: original £2.50 (Friday 10 March) or bring the whole 

Mass in painting E Flat, Magnificat and sculpture in C to printmaking Instagram: @thewealdenbazaar family for an inspiring day out on 

and Tantum and Ergo. photography An immersive – there’s a host of the weekend. There are delightful 

evening of brand choral new music art from waiting to be Listings discovered. are correct bars at time and of going eateries to help keep you 

one of the great composers of to press but may be subject to change. 

the early With Romantic the Fair’s period. preview coinciding Readers are with advised to check with 

01732 467765 International / Women’s Day venues (8 March), before making arrangements. 

sevenoaks-philharmonic.org.uk 

look out for an exciting exhibition We can list of your event in the next 

work by female identifying issue artists of Wealden from Times for only 

the Affordable Art Fair community £75+VAT. Please supply up to 100 

AUCTIONS exploring & unique FAIRS and powerful words stories. that should include date, time, 

venue, contact for enquiries and any 

entry price to whatson@pricelessgroup.com 

or send with payment 

(cheques payable to Priceless Media 

Ltd.) to What’s On, Priceless Media, 

Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street, 

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF. Priceless 

Media reserves the right to edit 

text to fit space allocated. Deadline 

for the next issue is 7 March. 


Fall in love 

with art this spring 

Studio Open Days 2023 

17 18 19 March 14 15 16 April 19 20 21 May 

11am to 3pm 

Etchings, watercolours, posters, books, cards and more... 

Up The Garden Studio 

White Cottage, Green Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, 

Kent, ME17 4LF 

We are open by appointment throughout the year, 

wendy@grahamclarke.co.uk 07801 922081 

www.grahamclarke.co.uk 

refreshed and refueled, including delicious 

gin from the Silent Pool Distillery 

– the fair’s official Spirit Partner. 

GrahamClarkeWT250.indd 1 21/02/2023 11:05 

Celebrate Spring 

Whether you’re an art afficionado, looking 

to buy your first piece, or freshen up your 

home this spring, Affordable Art Fair is the 

perfect destination to fall in love with art. 

9 – 12 March, Battersea Park 

Evolution London, SW11 4NJ 

Tickets from £10 - £27 

For more information and to book, 

visit Affordableartfair.com 

at Smallhythe Place 

Open Wed-Sun from March 1st 

11am - 5pm 

Discover the theatrical world at Smallhythe 

Place from exhibitions on set design to Easter 

Adventures among the flowers. 

For more information, please visit our website. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place 


SmallhythePlaceWT250.indd 1 22/02/2023 11:08 

© National Trust 2023. Registered charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images/Layton Thompson

The Coopers Farm hens aren’t 

always as productive as hoped, 

as Jane Howard explains 

Spring is in the air. The daffodils 

are out, bees are buzzing 

around on a sunny day and 

in the garden birds are collecting 

hair, moss and twigs for their nests. 

The chickens are also getting in the 

mood to deliver some Easter chicks – which 

we absolutely don’t want but will probably 

end up with as I’m too soft to turf a broody 

chicken off her clutch. We have old-fashioned hens, 

Brown Sussex, related to the far more common Light 

Sussex – read on to find a possible explanation of their 

rarity! They may look beautiful but, unlike their Light 

(actually white) cousins who lay an egg most days, the 

production schedule of this now quite rare breed is far 

less reliable. Sure we get an egg most days during the 

summer, but in September they start to moult, shut up 

shop – we actually have to buy eggs 

– and won’t get back in the swing till 

the evenings start drawing out again in When a hen 

January. But very annoyingly, not long 

goes broody her 

after that, one or two will come over 

all hot and bothered and go broody, temperature rises, she 

they want to be mothers not layers. plucks the feathers 

Hens lay eggs whether or not there’s 

a cockerel, but, and this might be 

from her chest so 

stating the obvious, for an egg to be there is direct contact 

fertile and become a chick you need a 

between skin and 

rooster. We have Phil, we’ve had him 

for years so goodness knows how old shell and sits tight 

he is but he remains a loyal servant to on a clutch of eggs 

the farm and dedicated to his duties. 

Not much fun for the hens, there’s no 

romance, he just jumps on board, pins them to the 

ground using his spurs, keeps them there by using his 

beak to grab the feathers on the back of their necks 

and the whole thing is over in a couple of seconds. 

Once done the hen will lay fertile eggs and these 

are viable – can develop into a chick – for about two 

weeks after being laid, but that only happens if they’re 

kept constantly warm. When a hen goes broody her 

temperature rises, she plucks the feathers from her chest 

so there is direct contact between skin and shell and sits 

tight on a clutch of eggs, which she will have craftily 

hidden in a remote corner of a barn. She will sit there 

stock still, rarely leaving and, hey presto, three weeks later 

she will hatch her brood and emerge with a troupe of 

fluffy bundles – our record is fourteen. 

Trouble is they don’t stay like that, they 

soon become gangly and ugly with the 

added annoyance that mum spends the 

summer clucking around and teaching 

them the ways of the chicken world so, 

blow me down, I still have to buy eggs! 

At this time of year the bees are at it 

too. Most insects overwinter by either 

laying eggs in the autumn that hatch 

in the spring or by a fertile queen 

hibernating during the cold winter 

months. Honey bees are the exception. A 

typical hive will have around 50,000 bees 

in the summer busy collecting nectar and 

making honey. Numbers drop to around 

10,000 in the autumn and these overwinter eating the 

stored honey and caring for the all important queen. So 

right now she’s very busy building those numbers back 

up again. Between February and May she’ll be laying up 

to 500 eggs a day… now that’s what I call productive, 

makes those pesky posh chickens look like non-starters! 

But at least the hens and the bees do motherhood 

unaided. We start lambing in April, long days 

and sleepless nights coming our way soon but 

happily always something we look forward to. 

Find out more about daily life at Coopers Farm by visiting coopersfarmstonegate.co.uk 


98

Showrooms 

Sevenoaks - Tel: 01732 762682 

Tunbridge Wells - Tel: 01892 520730 

KITCHENS DESIGNED TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME

Surrey Homes | SH98 | March 2023 | Kitchen & Bathroom Supplement inside

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Surrey Homes | SH98 | March 2023 | Kitchen & Bathroom Supplement inside

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?