W ILDIST Fee Drummond looks forward to gathering the herd at Christmas
WORD Our small island still has spirit, says Michael Hayman
SLOANE Temperley is back
STYLIST Find the perfect festive garb
EDIT Fashion, beauty and jewellery news
THE PARTY LINE Dress to the nines
NEVER ENDS K ate Youde on t he trend for buying jewellery for your friends
STYLE Nadja Swarovski-Adams
GROOMED Men’s style
HEALTH & WELLBEING
THE GREAT OUTDOORS Forget Ozempic, and get a dose of fresh air for the ultimate medicinal hit
SCOOP Something for ‘down there’
BODY & SOUL Optimising your reproductive health
LANGUAGE Finding bliss at Bamford before the festive onslaught
TECH THE HALL Nathalie Eleni recommends the beauty tech to put under the tree
NAD TIDINGS The lowdown on wellbeing’s latest superhero, Nad+
BOTTOM ’ S U P The RSC ’s A Midsummer Night ’s Dream comes to London
CULTURAL CALENDAR Book your carol concert tickets now before it’s too late
BOOKS OF THE YEAR Richard Hopton chooses the tomes to make your bookshelves a ta lking point
THE EXHIBITIONIST The RA brings us glad tidings this month, says Ed Vaizey
ARTIST’S STUDIO Olivia Cole meets Na ncy Cadogan, who’s still obsessed with oils
THE CONSERVATIONIST Do we need therapy to build resilience? asks James Wallace
GOOD NEWS Yes, we need it
THE SOLUTIONISTS It is possible to have a greener Christmas – here are th ree ideas, just for starters
CONVERSATION AT SCARFES Sarah de Lagarde’s story is one of the utmost bravery
FEATURES
THE FUTURE ICONS POWER PEOPLE
Introducing the 50 people who are helping to make our planet a cooler, fairer, happier place
PHOTO: MATTHEW SHAVE; STYLING NICOLE SMALLWOOD
Maria Bakalova takes on the role of a young Ivana Trump in the controversial film about a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice
Contents
DEV 202 4
FEATURES CONT...
108 AMERICAN STORY As the US goes to the polls, Amel Mukhtar interviews Maria Bakalova, who plays a young Ivana Trump in controversial film The Apprentice
114 WHAT A DAME A conversation with one of the world's most beloved conservationists, Dr Jane Goodall
119 RETURN TO RUTSHIRE As Disney+'s Rivals goes down a storm, Clare Naylor gives us a lesson in all things Jilly Cooper
122 A SLICE OF THE PIE Tessa Dunthorne examines the trend of fractional ownership when it comes to artistic assets
125 THE C&TH GIFT GUIDE What will you be putting under the tree?
INTERIORS
149 CARAMEL LATTE A rich and creamy palette is doing it for Carole Annett
152 DESIGN NOTES Interiors news
156 BRITCORE Cool British homeware
158 FUTURE HOMES Trends for 2025
160 MY INTERIOR LIFE Anna Vail
ON PISTE
163
Hit the slopes in style with our annual sk i guide, edited by Felix Milns
TRAVEL
185 OUR MAN ON MUSTIQUE Meeting Roger Pritchard, who quite possibly has one of the most enviable jobs in the world
189 TREASURED ISLANDS If you're going as far as the South Pacific, make sure you linger awhile, says Yasemen Kaner-White
201 SWING! Love golf? Welcome to our guide. From how to dress stylishly to where to invest sensibly, we've got you covered
FOOD & DRINK
215 DINNER AND A SHOW The Great Christmas Feast
216 GASTRO GOSSIP Is the turkey dead?
218 SUPPER CLUB A vegan roast
PROPERTY
221 HOUSE OF THE MONTH
222 FIVE OF THE BEST Lavish London homes
REGULARS
18 EDITOR’S LETTER
Gare helping to make our planet a cooler, fairer, happier place. From those who are ghting for the health of our rivers or for access to toiletries for abused women, to those making fashion a climate solution or campaigning for more female representation on the climate stage, ours is a broad tent –and their stories are equally important. Lisa Grainger is also granted an audience with one of the world’s leading conservationists, Dame Jane Goodall, who is making the most of her 90th year with a 12-month globe-trotting calendar of activity that people half her age would nd exhausting (p114).
If like me, you’ve been obsessed with American politics (and how could you not have been?), I write this letter just days before the US heads to the polls in what must be one of the most consequential elections of a generation. We must be mindful that the right to vote is fragile, as our democracies worldwide face unfathomable challenges.
Our cover star, Maria Bakalova, who plays a young Ivana Trump in e Apprentice, the lm Donald Trump tried to ban, would concur. Like the rst Mrs Trump, she hails from Eastern Europe, and knows only too well that freedom is not a God-given right. Read Amel Mukhtar ’s interview with her on page 108.
Editor’s LETTER
ratitude is something we could probably all embrace more. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the minutiae of the day to day and the overwhelm of the big news events that we forget to notice and acknowledge the little things that make our lives worth living – so here’s to an issue packed full of gratitude.
First up, I’m proud to announce the launch of C&TH ’s inaugural Future Icons Power People on page 101 – if ever there was a time to be grateful for extraordinary people, it’s now, and this list acknowledges 50 names who
Lightening the atmosphere somewhat is Clare Naylor’s dive into the Jillyverse on page 119. Rarely has a TV series been as widely anticipated – and devoured – as the adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals on Disney+; it’s real water-cooler television and is a complete and welcome switch o from the travails of the day. More Jilly, please – and another shout out to exceptional women of a certain age (Jilly is 87).
Travelling further a eld from the mythical Rutshire, lies Mustique, a sliver of elite escapism in e Grenadines. It is this paradise island that Roger Pritchard oversees, in his role as managing director of e Mustique Company. Dream job? Quite possibly. I had the privilege of spending time with him on the island to nd out what it was like when Margot Robbie decided to swing by for New Year’s Eve... (p185).
Whatever you’re doing this festive season, remember the little things. ey sometimes make all the di erence.
Half my friends travelled to Stratford to see this play, but hallelujah, it’s coming
CONTRIBUTORS
AMEL MUKHTAR
What is the best thing about winter? Less FOMO; more cuddles; being in bed when it’s raining; hearty meals; sad girl tunes; Gluhwein; Christmas lights; more time with my cat; feeling the sun on a cold day; holding hands with gloves on.
Seasonal cultural highlight?
Blue Now at Southbank Centre, a live performance of the moving, mournful swan song by artist Derek Jarman as he began to lose his battle with AIDS. Voiced by Travis Alabanza, Russell Tovey and more, it is showing on 1 December to mark World AIDS Day. How do you find balance at Christmas? By spending hours and hours watching movies, but sleeping an almost equal amount.
What is the most original gift you’ve been given? A piece of toast in the mail.
If you could change one thing? I’d stop the wars.
CLARE NAYLOR KATE YOUDE
What is the best thing about winter? The days getting longer after 21 December. After that, we’re on the home straight to spring.
Seasonal cultural highlight?
Listening to the Kings College Cambridge carol service on the radio, ideally by the fire with my Dad, presents wrapped, but usually stuck in my car. How do you find balance at Christmas? By buying a present for myself every time I buy one for someone else.
It’s the only time I go shopping in real life and the temptation is too great.
What is the most original gift you’ve been given?
A kindle loaded with all my friends’ favourite books. My husband gave it to me for my 40th birthday.
If you could change one thing? I would make dogs live for longer. They’re with us for much too short a time.
FELIX MILNS
What is the best thing about winter? Bluebird days in the mountains and fresh snow. Seasonal cultural highlight? The Christmas lights at Kew. It’s part of the festive infrastructure for our kids, who love the projection onto the giant greenhouses.The icing on the cake is always hot chocolate and the vintage helter skelter. Sometimes the oldest treats are the most memorable. How do you find balance at Christmas? By eating as many sprouts as roast potatoes. They are the yin and yang of Christmas. What is the most original gift you’ve been given? A course with a Reiki healer. It was incredibly powerful and brought new meaning to hands-on learning.
If you could change one thing? I’d arrest the passage of time. The older I get, the quicker it goes.
What is the best thing about winter? The lights. I love seeing all the festive displays. They help compensate for the shorter days.
Seasonal cultural highlight?
Taking my godson to his first panto, Dick Whittington and his Cat, at the Hackney Empire. How do you find balance at Christmas? By having a cosy time on the sofa with films and delicious treats, but also taking bracing walks. I grew up in the Isle of Man and like to blow away the cobwebs with sea air. What is the most original gift you’ve been given? I can’t single one out. I’m always touched by the thoughtfulness and generosity of friends and family.
If you could change one thing? I’d fix it so that everyone has a warm, secure, peaceful home this Christmas. The world is a very depressing place right now.
Return to Rutshire, p119
Meeting Mrs Trump, p108
Ski special, p163
Friendship Never Ends, p54
LUCY CLELAND
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
DEPUTY EDITOR LUCINDA BARING
EDITOR-AT-LARGE ALICE B-B
ASSOCIATE EDITOR CHARLOTTE METCALF
ASSISTANT
EDITOR & SUB EDITOR TESSA DUNTHORNE
SUB EDITORS K ATIE BAMBER, ANDREW BRASSLEAY
FASHION DIRECTOR NICOLE SMALLWOOD
BEAUTY DIRECTOR NATHALIE ELENI
INTERIORS DIRECTOR CAROLE ANNETT
CULTURE EDITOR ED VAIZEY
EXECUTIVE RETAIL EDITOR MARIELLA TANDY
TRAVEL EDITOR-AT-LARGE FR ANCISCA KELLETT
EDITOR-AT-WILD FEE DRUMMOND
SUSTAINABILITY EDITOR LISA GRAINGER
PROPERTY EDITOR ANNA TYZACK
MOTORING EDITOR JEREMY TAYLOR
ONLINE CONTENT DIRECTOR REBECCA COX
DEPUTY ONLINE EDITOR ELLIE SMITH
ONLINE WRITERS CHARLIE COLVILLE, OLIVIA EMILY
ONLINE ASSISTANT MARTHA DAVIES
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER DANIELLA LAXTON
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PARM BHAMRA
DESIGN & PRODUCTION MIA BIAGIONI
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ELLIE RIX
HEAD OF FASHION EMMA MARSH
SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR PANDORA LEWIS
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR SERENA KNIGHT
DIGITAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JOEY GOLDSMITH
SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER SABRINA RAVEN
ACCOUNT MANAGER HONOR PHEYSEY
B CORP & PROJECTS MANAGER XA RODGER
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR MARK PEARSON
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER GARETH MORRIS
FINANCE CONTROLLER L AUREN DELGADO
FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR RIA HARRISON
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT ZOE JONES
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER TIA GRAHAM
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER JAMES THROWER MANAGING DIRECTOR JEREMY ISAAC
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS AND WRITERS
TIFFANIE DARKE, JAMES WALLACE, FIONA DUNCAN, OLIVIA FALCON, DAISY FINER, AVRIL GROOM, MICHAEL HAYMAN, LAUREN HO, RICHARD HOPTON, EMMA LOVE, MARY LUSSIANA, CAROLINE PHILLIPS, STEPHEN BAYLEY THE EDITOR editorial@countryandtownhouse.co.uk FASHION fashion@countryandtownhouse.co.uk ADVERTISING advertising@countryandtownhouse.co.uk
What to do with Country & Town House when you’ve finished reading it
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Alice B-B on daily love letters and discovering an elusive sleep elixir
ROMANCE… It was totally unexpected. I went to the middle of nowhere in Patagonia, a breathtaking private island to learn about cooking on fire with an Argentinian chef (plansouthamerica.com) Not just any old cook, mind you. But Francis Mallmann, ‘The Master of Fire’, star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, with restaurants throughout the world. It was a thrilling few days; we built huge bonfires on secret beaches and ate Catherine-wheels of sausages, whole skinned pineapples cooked on elaborate greenwood barbecues, and lake-caught trout baked in a blanket of foraged clay from the water’s edge. But more searing than barbecue school, was the morning I opened my curtains to see Mallmann in his blue linen nightshirt, denim beret and slippers, carrying an armful of logs ready to light the first fire of the day. When I came down for breakfast, those logs had fired up the stove to make the coffee and warm the croissants. As I sat down, Mallmann said, ‘I’m so happy at this time in the morning. Another day to love, to dream’. We talked about poetry, reveries, books, and later he picked up his guitar and sang love songs. Like a pinball in a machine, every person you meet has an impact on your trajectory – whether gentle, violent or somewhere in between. But there’s just a handful that have a profound influence. I think of Francis Mallmann nearly every day. As I make my own coffee in a stove pot I hear his words, feel the sensation of the morning and how this coffee slowly bubbling on the Aga is a love letter to the day and to myself. I had gone to Patagonia, to the world’s most remote cookery school, but what I really learnt was how to live life as a true romantic.
THAT MOMENT… when you realise sleep is no longer a given. It’s like the Father-Christmas-isn’t-real moment, there’s a loss of innocence, knowing that never again will you curl up on any old floor with a shoe for a pillow and get a solid eight hours. Suddenly, sleep has to be worked at. So I’ve thrown myself into the job with gusto. There’s all the regular (frankly dull) stuff: cutting back the cocktails, early supper, a hot magnesium-filled bath, same bedtime every night. And then the alternative panaceas: self-hypnosis, synthesised sound-waves and a daily dose of NSDR (non sleep deep rest). But I’m always searching for the magic pill… Could Ainslie & Ainslie’s Night Powder be it (ainslieainslie.com)? When TV presenter Georgie Ainslie had her ‘Santa’s-a-lie’ moment, she turned to her husband – superstar sailor Sir Ben – and his team of performanceoptimising sports scientists. Two years later, Sleep Powder was born, with ingredients said to work on relaxation, immune system, reduce fatigue and protect cells from oxidative stress. I’ve trialled it for the last five nights (nicely timed, just as Sir Ben’s Ineos Britannia team cruised into the America’s cup final. I’ll have what he’s having!). Half an hour after knocking it back, my peepers are lead-weighted. Glorious sleep. The next day I feel pretty damn perky and productive. Screw Santa! n
From bonfire cooking in Patagonia to living as a true romantic
The RURBANIST
Philip Colbert on triumphant failure, fresh oranges and everything coming full circle
What’s bringing you joy at the moment? My kids, who are nine and seven. I took them to Harry Potter World recently and the craftsmanship and detail of the sets was incredible. As an artist, to see the scale of JK Rowling’s worldbuilding translated into something so well done was very cool. The way they have captured oldness on entirely fake beams challenged my notion of what’s authentic. What’s annoying you most right now? World politics; the news. We always hope and strive for progress, but there are so many things that remind us progress might be an illusion.
Advice you’d give to your 15-year-old self? Go for it! We often feel imprisoned by our own fear of failure as we get older, so I’d say just keep walking towards something, even if you don’t know how to get there.
What keeps you awake at night? The kids; logistical challenges of exhibitions; the pressure and fear that lots of things go wrong.
What could you have been arrested for? Sending a giant inflatable lobster up and down the Giudecca canal in Venice during the Biennale, without the proper permissions. It will be the giant lobsters that land me in prison. Luckily, this time, the mayor loved it and came and took pictures. Best life hack you can share with us? Play with the line sometimes and break the rules. That’s the beauty of art. Once you become governed by institutions, the freedom and spirit can be lost.
Where do you go to escape? Hydra. We stay in a little historic house in the port. The island has an amazing artistic legacy – I always used to bump into John Craxton, who lived there – plus lovely people and a great way of life.
What’s the best way to put a smile on your face? Finding something comic in the every day. Humour is a big part of my energy and a sense of irreverence is key to my work, this rebellion against pretension. I love irony too. You wouldn’t know it but… I’m obsessed by antiquity. People see hyper colour and hyper pop, but I love history and the layered reality of time. Everything comes full circle, analysing the past is the same as looking into the future.
What does sustainability mean to you? I love nature: lobsters, forests, ecosystems. Nature is the bank of our soul. It gives us context, meaning. How can we save the world? Not with big overwhelming ideas. We all have to be mindful and do our best, living our lives respectfully, and create the right spirit for others to do the same. Being preachy doesn’t always provoke change – it needs to come from the grass roots up.
Your greatest failure? Art is triumphant failure in a way. It is about risk-taking, going off grid and exploring and challenging. All that comes with risk of failure. That’s a motivation for me. Success can bring narrowness, but you need to keep leaning into the risk of failure. Your greatest triumph? To fail boldly, brilliantly.
Your epitaph would read... The boy who became a lobster lies here. What does a life in balance mean to you? My star sign is Libra and it feels very relevant to me. My brain works like a set of scales and I’m always striving for balance – for good and bad; it can lead to a sense of indecision. In these times of extreme polarisation, we need to find balance to avoid the tragedy of conflict. n
QUICK FIRE FAVOURITES...
SCENT Fresh oranges. SERIES Pachinko. CHOCOLATE BAR 100 percent cacao, with orange nibs or dipped in peanut butter. SONG Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. DISH Pasta arrabbiata. RESTAURANT Cipriani. HOLIDAY Seoul.
PHOTOS:
Philip Colbert urges us to break the rules sometimes
“What do we take and what do we give when we make things? We must never forget we are intricately entangled with the planet.”
The World’s Most Sustainable Man-Made Diamond Created Entirely from the Sky.
The WILDIST
Fee Drummond encourages us to find calm amid our family herds this Christmas
When exercising a string of ponies for a friend, Fee was struck by their collective calm
Never more than at Christmas does the overload of life come training at you. Try as we might to hold back the torrent of festivities, it is impossible to ignore the global circus of chaos and consumerism.
I have been thinking about our herd mentality having spent time this year riding horses – at home, and also away in India and Spain. My daughter Daphne and I had the great luxury of exercising a friend’s string of resting polo ponies (cantering four horses in hand is no mean feat, especially for an eight-year-old). The way the ponies moved with a collective calm in the herd struck a chord with me, their sense of symbiotic belonging overwhelmingly strong. They stand without moving an inch if left with their reins slack to the ground, so secure in their group, trusting that they will go to places but they will always be together, their bodies almost always touching. Once we moved one horse into a canter,
the others followed instinctively, creating a beautiful ripple effect across the pack. The herd exists without the need to question where they are going, who is leading, or who may or may not be leaving. They are just there together, in the moment, ready for whatever comes next.
Complain as we might about the madness of family, Christmas and the coming together offers an annual antidote to our temporary and shifting times. We need this intervention to force us out of digital isolation and remind us of the simple security of hanging with the home gang. It feels good to belong; only then can we relax and let go. Bring on the family herd.
WILD HACKS
1 SURI SUSTAINABLE ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
These have recyclable plantbased heads and 40-plus days of battery, helping reduce global piles of plastic. From £75, trysuri.com
2 PURE BEESWAX CANDLES
Prepare your festive spaces consciously this Christmas with natural, non-toxic candles. Pair of pillar candles, £5.99. matersandco.com
Collezione ANNIVERSARY LOVE
STYLE
Edited by Mariella Tandy
Somerset SLOANE
Alice Temperley is coming back to the Big Smoke – and making a stunning new home on Sloane Street, Chelsea. Known for her signature boho style, AW24 looks to leopard, suiting and eveningwear to see you through the long winter ahead. temperleylondon.com
The STYLIST
The best thing to wear this party season is something old, says Tiffanie Darke
Ihope we’re in time, as this might take a few weeks: you need a good tailor, some imagination and a rummage through the back of your wardrobe. Ready? We’re upcycling for party season ’24 and you’re about to have a lot of fun.
‘ You can spend a lot of money on occasionwear, then only wear it once or twice,’ notes designer and upcycling queen Lisa Redman. Her clients come back time and again with existing pieces for her to reimagine – altering the silhouette, upgrading the neckline, adding a frilly shoulder, a belt, an oversized corsage or some embroidery. One client brought a treasured Lanvin dress with stains on the skirt; Redman beaded over them with splashes of crystal and pearls. For this season, try adding a velvet collar to a cocktail dress or coat to nail the debutante trend; hand-bead some sparkles and pearls onto an old cashmere cardigan; or turn a dress into a skirt and use the remnants to make a top-knot hairband or bow. Ta da!
Another strategy is to hunt down something secondhand. From October, most charity shops offer edits of party-ready looks. Vintage influencer Emily London recommends High Street Kensington, the Kings Road and Streatham High Road for the best finds. ‘Don’t think you have to go head-to-toe with sequins,’ she advises. ‘Look for separates that can work with items you already own. Frank Usher, Louis Feraud, Roland Joyce and Oleg Cassini produced a lot of sequinned tops and jackets in the 80s and 90s. These pieces tend to have a boxy cut and look great with boyfriend jeans, a fitted t-shirt and statement flats.’
Meanwhile Stella McCartney, Burberry Prorsum and Isabel Marant have good back catalogues of lamé, particularly as shirts. Retro Woman, the preloved store in Notting Hill, is London’s go-to, as they reduce the price of each item every week it’s on the rails: ‘You can score a real bargain if you visit regularly.’
Finally, the oversize tuxedo jacket will still take you everywhere, and the mens section of every charity shop in the UK has options.
The best are by Yves Saint Laurent, Kilgour, Armani or Dior, but a vintage 100 percent wool jacket by Moss Bros, Jaeger or M&S will be good too. Find one with satin shawl lapels and check for where the shoulder pad of the jacket sits against your shoulder. If it slopes off, it may be too oversized.
‘Don’t worry about long sleeves,’ says London. ‘Push a rubber band up to the elbow and scrunch the fabric over it for a slouchy-cool effect. Or for a sharper silhouette, cinch the jacket with a skinny leather belt.’ Time to get going… n
CELESTIAL BEAUTIES
Taking the night sky, moon and shooting stars as its foundation, the new Orrery jewellery collection from 886 by The Royal Mint is named for the 18th-century instrument used to map movements in the solar system, capturing light and movement in exquisitely crafted cobalt blue enamel and recovered silver and gold.
886.royal mint.com
TheEDIT
Mariella Tandy’s seasonal style update
ONE FOR THE GIRLS
London-based designer Edeline Lee – whose fans range from pop princess Taylor Swift to the Princess of Wales – has launched a line of partywear for girls ‘not yet big enough to raid their mother’s wardrobes’. Exclusively at Harrods, from £160. harrods.com
SECOND SKIN
Maximalist Milanese fashion flair meets precise Austrian craftmanship in the new collaboration between Etro and Wolford. Find ultra-fine catsuits, tights, tops, dresses and undergarments featuring Etro’s signature paisley motifs designed with a tattoo-like effect and luminous metallic threads. etro.com and wolford.com
GOLDEN TEMPLES
Beauty doyenne Kathleen BairdMurray has debuted a new fragrance brand. La Pyae Apothecary (meaning full moon in Burmese) launches with Catch Me If I Fall, created with perfumer Frank Voelkl and inspired by the temples and sandalwood prayer beads of the country where her mother grew up. £185, lapyae.com
WATCH THE FILM
AFTER DARK
Loro Piana’s elegant new evening collection has been designed to bring joy and flashes of originality to festive parties. From double silk Mireille satin dresses to tuxedoes and immaculately tailored separates, expect clean silhouettes and hand-embroidery executed with the Italian maison’s signature savoir faire. loropiana.com
LUCK BE A LADY
Eleven international artists, including Sara Flores and Faith Ringgold, have been given the signature Lady Dior bag as a blank canvas to explore themes of sacred symbols and ancestral traditions for the Lady Dior Art Project, now in its ninth year. Seoul-based painter Woo Kuk Won has embroidered the printed calfskin with beads, raffia, resin and lacquered flowers (pictured above, £POA). dior.com
SKIES OF BLUE
Boodles has designed three one-off pieces of jewellery inspired by three iconic paintings in the new exhibition Discover Constable & The Hay Wain (until 2 Feb) as part of its partnership with the National Gallery. The Stratford Mill pendant’s oval Labradorite encircled by brilliant-cut diamonds calls to mind Constable’s cloud-strewn sky. £POA, boodles.com 1
ALL THAT GLITTERS
For its new-season party collection, Wiggy Kit has standout skirts in animal-print jacquards, printed silks, sequins and metallic tweeds, alongside dresses (lace overlay; off-the-shoulder printed black velvet) and last year’s sellout full-length opera coat, this winter in quilted black silk velvet. Gold skirt, £455, wiggykit.com
WINTER GRACES
Nourish and protect your skin
John Constable’s Stratford Mill painting is the inspiration for a new pendant necklace by Boodles
Chopard has reinvented its iconic Ice Cube design with an Haute Joaillerie capsule. The clean geometry of the bracelets (and choker) is softened by the brilliance of diamonds, creating a glamorous yet wearable collection. £POA, chopard.com
IN PINK
The Magpie
Mariella Tandy
Festive season sparklers, as chosen by
STRIKE A LIGHT
Harry Winston’s signature Cluster Collection is based on a design from the 1940s. By positioning the diamonds at varying angles, the sculptural stones capture the light from every direction. Sapphire and diamond earrings. £POA. harrywinston.com
COLOUR ME HAPPY
Colorhythms is the debut collection from New York jeweller Kia Schwaninger, who cut her teeth at Tiffany & Co, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston. Each design in the art deco-inspired collection is fully customisable, with clients choosing from a variety of colourful stone lozenges, gemstones and precious metals, including rose and yellow gold. Kia Schwan Abacus Rings, from £5,000. kiaschwan.com
£8,990.
TIED WITH A RIBBON
De Beers Jewellers has the diamond gifts to make your Christmas simply spectacular
There’s no better Christmas gift than a small box containing something sparkling.
Diamond jewellery is always the best gift to find secreted beneath the tree – and De Beers Jewellers has some of the finest in the world.
Its jewellery collections in particular will become instant family heirlooms, featuring timeless pieces that transcend trends, and will be treasured and worn for generations to come.
‘As the holiday season draws near, our festive campaign transports us to a universe of brilliance and beauty, where our wildest dreams come true thanks to the rare treasures inside a De Beers Jewellers box,’ says Céline Assimon, CEO.
‘For me, the gift of De Beers jewellery is not just the ultimate expression of love, for others or for ourselves: it is an everlasting reminder of a precious moment in time.’
This Christmas, give the gift of joy, in the form of matchless De Beers diamonds.
ABOVE: Enchanted Lotus open bangle in white gold, with round brilliant and pear-shaped diamonds, £POA; Enchanted Lotus ring in white gold, with round brilliant and pear-shaped diamonds, £9,150.
DB Darling half eternity band in white gold, with brilliant pavé diamonds, £5,900.
BELOW: Enchanted Lotus open bangle, as before, and Enchanted Lotus stud earrings in white gold, with round brilliant and pear-shaped diamonds, £10,900.
Explore the COLLECTIONS...
ENCHANTED LOTUS
Inspired by the flowers that bloom throughout the Okavango Delta in Botswana, a country De Beers Jewellers is deeply connected with, the Enchanted Lotus collection is ideal for Christmas gifting. The lotus flower is a symbol of the power of life through its renewal each day, with the pieces in the collection a celebration of the eternal. They’re crafted from 18ct white, yellow or rose gold, and feature round brilliant pavé diamonds, designed to mirror the petals of the flower.
ARPEGGIA
Inspired by the rhythmic symphony of southern Africa’s wilderness – a harmony of sounds and movements – the Arpeggia collection celebrates nature’s melodies. Each impossibly elegant piece translates these notes into intricate designs, where natural diamonds of different sizes form captivating dances of light, capturing the essence and beauty of nature’s composition.
DEWDROP
The diminutive pavé and bezel-set round brilliant diamonds in this signature De Beers Jewellers collection are designed to evoke the dew that clings to the petals of flowers in the morning light. Inspired by dawn, the collection, which is crafted in 18ct white, yellow or rose gold, celebrates the endless possibilities that come with new beginnings.
Discover the magic of De Beers jewellery at debeers.com or at one of its stores
LEFT: Enchanted Lotus pendant in white gold, with pear-shaped and pavé-set round brilliant diamonds, £POA; Enchanted Lotus open ring in white gold, with round brilliant and pear-shaped diamonds, £POA; Enchanted Lotus stud earrings, as before
TOP RIGHT: Arpeggia Three Lines necklace in white gold, with pavé and prong-set round brilliant diamonds, £POA
CENTRE: Dewdrop ring in white gold, with pavé and bezel-set round brilliant diamonds, £5,900; Dewdrop ring in white gold, with 16 bezel-set diamonds, £2,525.
Friendship NEVER ENDS
Kate Youde on the rise of friends celebrating their love for each other – with jewellery
When Cece Fein Hughes posted on Instagram about a bespoke signet ring she had made for a client to give to their best friend, she didn’t expect it to attract quite so much attention.
‘People were fascinated,’ says the founder of Cece Jewellery.
‘ e Taylor Swift e ect is real.’
e gold ring, commissioned for the singer by the model Gigi Hadid, features a hand-painted enamel likeness of Taylor’s cat Benjamin Button, her favourite number (13) and her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s American football jersey number (87). e inside of the band is engraved ‘TTPD’ for her 2024 album e Tortured Poets Department
While this piece garnered global headlines, it’s not unusual for Cece to make personal pieces to celebrate friendship. She designed matching butter y rings for two friends before one of them got married. And jewellers are reporting a rise in jewellery gifting as a way of showing appreciation for our mates.
‘Fine jewellery has taken o so much, especially since Covid,’ says Cece. ‘Gifts are becoming more sentimental, more thoughtful, moving away
from that fast-fashion aspect of shopping. I think that’s really played a part. What are you going to give to your friend on a really special birthday? It’s going to be bespoke and something that people are happy to wait for.’
Sheherazade Goldsmith launched Loquet in 2013. She says that at the time women tended to wait for a partner or family member to buy them jewellery. ‘In the last ten years there’s been a massive shift in that viewpoint, where lots of women are going out and buying jewellery for themselves,’ she says. ‘And as they’ve got more comfortable in doing that, then we’ve seen a lot more women buying jewellery for each other.’
Loquet sells gold and crystal lockets, which hold charms representing someone’s story. ‘One of the greatest loves that you can have are friendships,’ says Sheherazade. ‘ ere’s an understanding about two people who’ve been with each other throughout di erent stages of their lives, where they intricately know every detail about them, so being able to give someone a locket that says “I see you” is a lovely thing.’
BELOW:
Monica Vinader now offers more than 20 styles of friendship bracelets; Monica Vinader Delphi gemstone friendship bracelet, £178, monicavinader.com
e brand introduced gold and gem-set tequila, cosmopolitan cocktail and champagne charms aimed at the friendship market this summer. Sheherazade says they are reminders of your ‘silliest nights’. A friendship gift set, including a locket containing a cosmopolitan, a palm tree and a ‘BF’ script charm, sold out within a couple of weeks of its initial launch. ‘Often a group of friends will come together and purchase a locket for somebody and then each of them will add something that relates to their friendship with that person,’ says Sheherazade.
e gold ‘BF’ charm is designed to represent a loved one, be that your best friend or even a four-legged one.
Requests for Jessica de Lotz’s personalised wax seal charms featuring a paw print of man’s best friend have overtaken those for children’s handprints.
e jeweller was inspired last year (by a desire to mark her relationship with her best friends ahead of their 40th birthdays) to launch her shared friendship heart charm duo, where each friend wears one half of a heart. is is reminiscent of the split-heart necklaces of the 1990s. ‘It is really popular at the moment,’ she says. ‘People are having kids later, or not at all, and having these lovely friendship pieces is a real statement of that love and loyalty and unity between friends, which I think is really important right now.’
Diamond jeweller Jessica McCormack recently made initialled bangles for three friends, another contemporary take on matching friendship jewellery. Her recent Tapestry collection, a ‘high-end ode to friendship’, features designs in diamond, emerald and di erent colours of sapphire that are inspired by the chevron and striped knotted friendship bracelets of the 1970s.
She crafted her own bracelets as a child in the 1980s. ‘I remember them being tied to the sofa leg or the back of the headrest in the car, and sitting with my sisters making them in the summers when we had nothing to do for many a week,’ says Jessica, whose Tapestry jewels come with a fabric friendship bracelet.
ere has been what Monica Vinader calls a ‘renewed buzz’ around friendship bracelets in the past few years thanks to Taylor Swift fans. Swifties attending the star’s Eras Tour are swapping homemade, often beaded bracelets inspired by a lyric in the song You’re on Your Own, Kid: ‘So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.’ Monica launched her eponymous demine jewellery brand in 2008 with the Fiji friendship bracelet and now o ers 20 styles.
For many of us, friendships are our longest-lasting relationships, outside family. Following the breakdown of a couple’s marriage, Jessica de Lotz reworked the interlocking rings they wore, replacing the engraved initial of her client’s ex-husband with that of her best friend. ‘It’s [now] representing the promise of eternal love in a friendship as opposed to that of a marriage,’ she says. Friendship ‘is such a special relationship,’ says Cece. ‘It’s mad we don’t celebrate friends more.’
FROM ABOVE: Cece Jewellery butterfly rings, £POA, cecejewellery.com; Loquet Lacrima Teardrop rose gold locket, diamond rose gold necklace, BF script charm, cosmopolitan charm and palm tree charm, £3,980, loquetlondon.com; Jessica McCormack Tapestry is an ‘ode to friendship’; Tapestry wide emerald, diamond and sapphire chevron bracelet, £POA, jessicamccormack.com
MY STYLE
Peek inside the winter wardrobe of Nadja Swarovski-Adams
What’s your daily uniform? Long, flared, dark blue stretch jeans, Gucci loafers, a Really Wild silk shirt, a fitted velvet jacket and either a silk or cashmere scarf
Who’s your style crush? I have two: Victoria Beckham and my mother.
What’s your go-to piece in your wardrobe for winter?
Anything McQueen for evening; Habsburg for daywear; and one of my many multicoloured, paisley-patterned Etro puffa jackets for outdoors.
What does country style mean to you? A fitted tweed or Loden jacket or field coat, a lightweight, cashmere roll neck, a cashmere shawl, chic loafers or Spanish leather boots and a trilby.
Favourite accessories for a finishing touch? You can’t beat a silk scarf. I also like Etro handbags, either leather
or fabric, and fine jewellery with coloured gemstones –I love Pomelatto’s rings with coloured cabochons.
What will you be wearing to festive parties this year ?
From our collections: a Really Wild blue or red Liberty-silk halterneck top with velvet flares and a cropped, wool-blend boucle jacket.
Favourite under-the-radar labels?
Sabina Savage makes wonderful linen shirts and dresses, and incredible, hand-illustrated scarves in warm colours. I also like sustainable fashion brand Cortana from Barcelona.
D o you go for timeless or trend-led pieces? Timeless, always. I will always say I am wearing vintage, whether the outfit is a year old or 20 years old. Good quality and great style lasts forever.
Any style hacks? Wear clothes that make you look good rather than something on trend. Confidence is the best fashion statement.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Caped gown, £3,300, alexander mcqueen.com
POMELATTO Mora peridot and diamond cocktail ring, £35,700, pomelatto.com
ETRO Libra bag £1,395, etro.com
REALLY WILD
Cara Liberty silk blouse, £315, reallywild.com
SABINA SAVAGE
The Floating Rabbits silk twill scarf, £200, sabinasavage.com
Style crush Victoria Beckham
Nadja Swarovski-Adams believes confidence makes the best fashion statement
AVENUE, CHELSEA, LONDON
LEGENDS OF THE FALL
In his debut for Dunhill, creative director Simon Holloway has drawn from the house’s archives but also its tradition of dressing cultural icons, such as Capote and Frank Sinatra. dunhill.com
For its AW24 collection, Hackett London celebrates the city of its origins, with an emphasis on layering and easyto-wear pieces in a colour palette reflecting the seasons.
hackett.com
Well Groomed
BET YOUR BOOTS
With both countryside rambles and city chic in mind, Manolo Blahnik has created boots that merge lugged outsoles with supple fabrications in a range of warming winter colours, ensuring they cut a dash from London to lakeside strolls. manoloblahnik.com
Matt Thomas singles out seasonal pieces for style-savvy men
Charles Tyrwhitt has reintroduced velvet jackets for the party season, including a natty, slim-fit number with peak labels in airforce blue, woven at a five-generation family mill in Italy. £279. charlestyrwhitt. co.uk THAT’S CAPITAL
SOFTLY, SOFTLY
GIVE ME A HYGGE
Cosy up indoors this winter
SPEAKING SCENTS
New evocatively woody fragrances for under the tree
GLITTER BALL
The watch and jewellery glitterrati were out in full force
There’s something about dark evenings and diamonds – so C&TH gathered together the great and the good of the watch and jewellery world at the Mistress of Mayfair just off London’s Piccadilly, to celebrate the launch of its annual guide, edited by Avril Groom. You may well wonder who the original mistress was before she lent her moniker to this suitably sophisticated venue – think plush red velvets and sumptuous swag. Indeed, Doris Delevingne hailed from Beckenham but during the First World War found herself cavorting with the aristocracy before eventually landing herself a billionaire, a Rolls Royce and a clutch-full of Cartier jewels. The perfect venue then...
Jeremy Isaac and James Amos
Marie Adams, Rania Karaouzene and Marianna Laboccetta
With doctors now prescribing spending time outdoors as a salve for stress, depression and anxiety, carve out a bit of me-time – wherever and whenever you can – this festive season. The exposure to sunlight increases Vitamin D levels (which are particularly low in winter) and being outside strengthens the immune system and improves cardiovascular health. With the government calling for Ozempic – and its fat-blasting pals – to help us get off the sofa and back into work, falling in love with the Great Outdoors is possibly the best and safest medicine there is.
The SCOOP
Hooray for care down there, says Caroline Phillips
IN HOPE
Want to tackle your emotional and skincare needs in one go? Mental ill health adversely impacts the skin and nervous systems, but psychologist Dina El Adani offers unique facials that combine talk therapy (CBT), AI skin analysis, and her pioneering, moodenhancing, world-first psychodermatological skincare® products, Espérer, which target the skin and mind at a neuro-cellular level. Rooted in psychodermatology (which addresses the interaction between mind and skin) and neuroscience, Espérer’s potent botanicals repair the skin and encourage the release of positive neurotransmitters – boosting joy-increasing dopamine and reducing stress-induced hyperpigmentation to stimulating serotonin, thus smoothing wrinkles. In trials, 87 percent reported improved mood (and skin) after two weeks. Don’t ditch the antidepressants yet, but do head to John Bell & Croyden for these all-natural elixirs. Or book a luxury facial in Dina’s Marylebone consulting suite. The world’s first psychodermatological skincare® brand, she developed it to alleviate her own anxiety and hormonal skin. And succeeded. Ninety-minute ESP signature facial, £450. espererskincare.com
CARE DOWN THERE
Hurrah. Some new intimate wellness solutions for the sisterhood. Gentil focuses on pH balance, gut and skin microbiome, alongside urinary tract health. From Come Clean – a creamy, fragrance-free cleanser formulated with electrolytes and probiotics – to A Quiet Night In, a water-based lubricant with the consistency of your own lubricant (albeit this one’s full of Aloe Vera and free of petroleum). Time to bin the antibiotics too. Gentil’s Take Care of U supplements support a healthy urinary tract and immune system, relieving symptoms of cystitis. Thumbs up to this holistic, natural healthcare brand that’s empowering women and boosting their wellbeing. From £13. johnbellcroyden.co.uk
THE MATRIX
When La Prairie brings out a new product, there’s a flutter of excitement. The cult Swiss skincare brand’s latest launch is Life Matrix Haute Rejuvenation Cream. It’s been years in the making, with Clinique La Prairie (the vaunted longevity clinic on the shores of Lake Geneva) reviewing the impressive scientific research. The results are that this new iconic product –which works by enhancing the performance of cellular processes, and thus extending skin health – has now been integrated into two of their programmes. For those who can’t get to Switzerland, head to Harrods instead, for a potion that revitalises skin from within. £1,550. harrods.com
BODY & SOUL
Camilla Hewitt on the holistic treatments available to optimise your reproductive health
For women or couples considering egg freezing or IVF, the outcome of an egg retrieval can often feel entirely in the hands of science and statistics. e process typically starts with an AMH (anti-mullerian hormone) test, which provides an indication of ovarian reserve or the amount of eggs you have remaining in your ovaries. However, this is only a snapshot of reproductive health, and there’s a bigger picture to consider. Since it takes around 90 days for an egg to fully mature, your overall health during that time can in uence egg quality and potential. With this in mind, it’s important to adopt a holistic approach to health rather than focusing on fertility alone.
Chinese Medicine can be useful for anyone wanting to address all aspects of their health in preparation for egg retrieval. At her Marylebone clinic, Ada Ooi (001london. co.uk) supports patients by optimising their overall wellbeing. Her methods include acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional advice, lifestyle adjustments, and stress management. Like most Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners, Ada begins with a comprehensive assessment, including a tongue and pulse examination to gauge energy levels and organ function, along with an analysis of the menstrual cycle. ‘ e length, regularity, and consistency of the ow give insights into hormonal balance, de ciencies, or stagnation,’ Ada explains. She also discusses emotional and psychological health, including stress and anxiety, which can directly a ect hormonal balance and reproductive health.
and regulate hormones. roughout regular visits, Ada monitors lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and sleep, adjusting them as needed. She may recommend warming foods to support digestion, noting that ‘e ective and e cient nutrition and energy distribution are essential for reproductive health,’ along with breathwork for relaxation and low-impact exercise like walking or yoga to reduce physical stress.
1 Vitamin D Essential for reproductive health, Vitamin D has been linked to improved ovarian stimulation. £9.45, betteryou.com
Treatment plans are personalised but often include acupuncture to enhance blood ow to the uterus, creating a more favourable environment for the formation of healthy eggs, and herbal supplements to balance organ function
e goal of Ada’s practice is to cultivate a warm, nurturing environment for eggs to grow. Her advice is to begin treatment three to six months before an egg retrieval, emphasising that, ‘there is no shortcut; you need to allow time for physiological changes for optimal egg preparation’.
CHECK IN:
The Evewell Clinic and 001 London
Before starting any treatment, it is important to consult both a TCM practitioner and a fertility specialist to ensure it is safe for your specific health needs. For fertility treatment, The Evewell Clinic (evewell.com) offers outstanding care and expertise. For holistic support, Ada Ooi (001london.co.uk) specialises in integrative medicine for reproductive health.
2 Ubiquinol A powerful antioxidant, Ubiquinol is thought to improve egg quality. £57.50, solgar.co.uk
3 Folic Acid This B vitamin plays a crucial role in the development of healthy eggs. £16.25, pureencapsulations. co.uk
Our overall physical and psychological wellbeing can affect egg quality and potential
PHOTOS: CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL, UNSPLASH
BODY Language
Olivia Falcon shakes off the Christmas chaos at the Bamford Wellness Spa
It doesn’t have to be Christmas for me to get that warm, fuzzy, grateful feeling. I have a lot of bad habits, but the good one I religiously stick to is counting my blessings (however small) in bed every night before I power down my iPhone or Netflix (yes, I know, two horrible habits right there). A wise person once said, ‘If you want to find happiness, find gratitude,’ but often this simple practice gets lost in the noise of busy modern lives. So, if you’re looking for a reset and a place to gently steer yourself onto a more mindful course (which I guarantee will take the anxiety out of Christmas socialising), about a 90minute drive out of London across the stunning patchwork folds of the Cotswolds is Daylesford Farm, home to the Bamford Wellness Spa and club.
‘We all know about Daylesford,’ I hear you say. Yes, I’m sure you have made the pilgrimage here for Lady Bamford’s excellent organic cheeses, biscuits, chutneys and sparkling wines, which I swooped up for my Christmas kitchen this year. However, a lesser-known treasure is her soulful spa staff, many of whom hail from India. These magical people are real-deal healers with deep wisdom and skills that go far beyond the bounds of a massage or facial.
‘It’s important to take a moment for the host,’ says Lady Bamford. ‘The festive period is a busy social time, so finding small moments to pause and recharge keep me feeling grounded, full of energy and able to really throw myself into every celebration or gathering.’ On Lady B’s advice, I scoop up one my favourite multitasking friends who has twanged her lower back and we head to the Bamford Wellness Spa for Sound Healing with Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowls with instructor Vikrant Koli. I can’t tell you much
1LUCKY STAR
A nod to Mr Dior's superstitious nature, Lucky is elegantly moody: a woodyleather accord with notes of lily of the valley. It's impossible not to nuzzle in. La Collection Privée Christian Dior Lucky Esprit de Parfum, £380. dior.com
about what happened in the next hour as I was so deeply relaxed that at one point, I was convinced I was levitating, but when we got off our mats a lot had shifted – my angst, her back pain, and a collective amount of emotional baggage.
Souls soothed, it was down to the more practical elements of Christmas admin, namely decorations. Again, Lady Bamford’s advice is bountiful: ‘I’m most inspired by the scents, colours and textures in my garden – so I always let its beautiful seasonal foliage dictate the decorations in my house. Foraged branches and bright skimmia berries add interest to mantelpieces, and I love hanging a big, welcoming wreath on the door, woven with fragrant blue spruce, white mistletoe, eucalyptus and bay.’ n
SCENTS OF OCCASION
2 MOONLIT
Bergamot with a dab of patchouli creates a warm scent best worn under cashmere. Van Cleef & Arpels Moonlight Patchouli Parfum, £153. selfridges. co.uk
3 LIGHT AQUATIC
Notes of freesia, lotus and pear imbue an instant hit of clean. Think sparkling Italian fountains. Santa Maria Novella Acqua EDP, £160. smnovella.com
4 VELVETY
For guys as well as girls (fun fact, Snoop is a huge de Marly fan), this conjures violet, lavender and a Mandarin twist. Palatine, £245. parfums-demarly.com
Find a moment to pause and power down amid the festive mayhem PHOTOS: BAMFORD; SHUTTERSTOCK
HEALTH & WELLBEING | Beauty
TECH THE HALL
Amp up your beauty routines with the latest gadgets, says Nathalie Eleni
Elevate your skin, health and overall wellbeing with cutting-edge beauty technology. These tools make for the perfect Christmas gift, but which tech is best?
LED: LED devices are a popular choice for at-home use, but it’s important to remember that not all masks are equal. Sue D’Arcy, CEO and founder of iSMART, a leader in the LED phototherapeutic device industry, says ‘Check the dosage!’ Clinical research shows it is the wavelength (ie, the colour) and not the intensity (how quickly the light is delivered) that matters; more powerful does not mean more effective. Blue light (to target bacteria) should be at 415nm, red light (to reduce inflammation and boost collagen production) should be at 633nm, and near-infrared light (which helps to further reduce the visible signs of aging) should be at 830nm and 1070nm. We recommend looking to CurrentBody, Omnilux and Dr Sabrina.
MICROCURRENT: Dubbed the at-home facelift, microcurrent technology helps to lift, tone, and contour the face. It works by delivering low-level electrical currents to the skin and underlying muscles, emitting microcurrents that mimic the body’s natural electrical signals. This stimulation activates and tones facial muscles, improving firmness and elasticity. Choose a device, from a brand such as Ziip Halo or PMD Beauty, that is straightforward to use, comes with a conductive gel, and has an app to help guide you through the treatment.
LASER: Non-fractional laser technology is a gentle, collagenstimulating method. To work effectively, a non-fractional home laser, such as Nira’s Pro Laser (£569, niraskin.com) should warm the skin at a wavelength of 1450nm, achieving peak absorption in the dermal layers. This process triggers collagen to rebuild, renewing the skin from the inside out. This technology is particularly effective at helping with hooded eyes, smoker’s lines, and tightening the jawline.
BEAUTY SUPPLEMENTS: With so many skin supplements over-promising, spending a fortune on products that you can’t really tell are working or not can be disappointing. Opt for a high-tech company that tailors your vitamins and minerals specifically to your body’s requirements. Aurea vitamins and minerals are personalised down to the microgram, allowing you to track effectiveness with a follow-up blood test (from £50, clubaurea.com).
FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING: Look for some new exciting technology or something frivolous, such as Beautifect, an LED light-up makeup box, or Alpha-Stim, a wellbeing gadget that can help with sleep, mood, and overall wellness. n
Beautifect box – storage, lighting and mirror all in one, £279, beautifect.com
ZIP IT UP
Ziip Halo Nanocurrent™ and microcurrent facial toning device, £379, ziipbeauty.co.uk
FACE OFF
CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask, £299, currentbody.com
DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Dr Sabrina Eye Regenerate LED mask, £250. drsabrina.com
HIT SNOOZE Alpha-Stim AID, £599, alpha-stim.co.uk
PRETTY IN PINK
PMD Wave Pro using SonicGlow and E Wave technology, £119, uk.pmdbeauty.com
1
TWELVE DAYS OF PLENAIRE CHRISTMAS
On the first day of Christmas, Plenaire gave to me... the gift of glowing skin and a festive season filled with mindful, sustainable moments
6
Six wrapped treasures that reflect the spirit of giving back –reimagine old scarves or newspapers and add a touch of greenery for seasonal flair.
7
Seven dots of Plenaire Violet Paste – don’t forget the violet pyjamas from fellow B Corp brand Desmond and Dempsey.
8
One tube of our rich and creamy Skin Frosting Mask – a nourishing cloud of hydration for winter skin. Cosy up with friends and apply generously.
2
Two Tripler Masks, one for you and one for your bestie. Exfoliate, detox and polish in one indulgent ritual – perfect for glowing skin through every holiday party.
3
Three DIY projects – make your own natural ornaments from dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks; wrap gifts in furoshiki-style recycled fabric; and pour your own refillable wax candles.
4
Four steaming cups of chai tea –shared with loved ones around the fireplace while soothing your skin with Rose Jelly Makeup Remover, melting away the day as you unwind.
5
Five moments of pure glow with Tropique Enzymatic Exfoliant – the gentle fruit enzymes revealing radiant, polished skin ready to catch the cool pallid light of winter mornings.
Eight drops of Daily Airy to gently cleanse after every festive celebration. This sulphate-free face wash transforms from liquid into a cloudburst of airy bubbles, leaving skin feeling conditioned yet perfectly clean and refreshed.
9
Nine drops of precious Plenaire Aesthetique Brighten and deeply exfoliate with pure glycolic acid offset by African marula, passionflower oil and Japanese cherry. Ten percent of profits from Plenaire Aesthetique go to Anna Freud, a charity supporting the mental wellbeing of children and families
10
Ten marshmallows atop hot chocolate as friends gather for a skincare night with our dreamy Droplet. Packed with mega hydrators, hyaluronic acid and mattifying white peony, skin feels instantly nourished and dewy soft.
11
Eleven hours of restful beauty sleep ahead of party season. Wrap yourself in your favourite weighted blanket and enjoy a peaceful night after your Plenaire skincare ritual.
12
Twelve moments of mindfulness to ground yourself amid the festive whirlwind. Take a breath, practice gratitude and bask in small joys, whether that’s a quiet morning walk or the simple pleasure of pampering your skin – Plenaire style.
plenaire.co
HEALTH & WELLBEING | Beauty
Have you had your NAD+? Welcome to the new skin superhero
NAD TIDINGS
With a multitude of benefits, NAD+ is the new powerhouse of skincare
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, is a skincare ingredient garnering a lot of attention –and with good reason. You may be familiar with it as an infusion or supplement being used to combat the all too familiar signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. But this co-enzyme that is found in every cell of the body has also been associated with speeding up metabolism, helping with weight loss and even reducing mental fatigue.
The NAD+ molecule is made up of two nucleotides: nicotinamide, which is derived from niacin (or vitamin B3), and a nucleotide base that is linked to DNA and RNA synthesis (the proverbial ‘building blocks of life’). This is what makes it a game-changer: NAD+ can actually slow the ageing process by re-energising and rejuvenating stem cells.
Certainly IV infusions may not be for everyone – the good news is that NAD+ can also be used in skincare for topical application, and the results are outstanding. It is an
incredible hydrator, reduces hyperpigmentation, promotes collagen production, and actively reduces cell damage caused by UV exposure or environmental pollution.
NAD+ works in combination with other skincare ingredients too, such as retinol and vitamin C, which gives the skin an extra boost of vitality and strength. Paired with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid, and Beta Hydroxy acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid, NAD+ improves exfoliation and is able to penetrate the skin barrier even more effectively. Used with hyaluronic acid (HA), it creates a hydration level that leaves the skin plumped, smoothed and radiant.
NAD+ promotes skin healing at a cellular level, so it is also great for recovery from treatment or surgery, and even the most sensitive skin is unlikely to react. It is truly a skincare powerhouse. Watch this space.
Written by Alexander Johnston from John Bell & Croyden. All products stocked at johnbellcroyden.co.uk n
Five NAD+ heroes
1 INTUISSE Active NAD+ Eye Mask, £15. johnbellcroyden. co.uk
2 INTUISSE Active NAD+ Face Serum Double, £210. johnbellcroyden.co.uk
3 DR SAM’S Flawless Vitamin C NAD+ Serum, £62. drsambunting.com
4 INTUISSE Active NAD+ Cleansing Lotion, £50. johnbellcroyden.co.uk
Mathew Baynton will reprise the role of Bottom in the classic switch-‘em-up comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The RSC’s Stratford-Upon-Avon production will transfer to the Barbican for its London run. 3 Dec to 18 Jan 2025, rsc.org.uk
THE CULTURAL CALENDAR
Delving into dreams, nightmares and shipwrecks. By Tessa Dunthorne
TINKER TAILOR PRINTMAKER
BLONDE AMBITION Marilyn – The Exhibiton takes you deep into the life (and wardrobe) of iconic starlet Marilyn Monroe. The exhibition draws out 250 historical objects from the world's largest private collection, tracing her blazing path from Norma Jean to the Blonde Bombshell. Until 23 February 2025, marilynlondonbridge.co.uk
Picasso’s prints are the subject of a new British Museum exhibition. Though better known for his paintings, the artist was a frenetic printmaker, producing over 2,400 works throughout his life. Until 30 March 2025, britishmuseum.org
DIRECTOR’ S CUT
Take a peek into the mind – and sketchbook – of director Tim Burton, thanks to this new major exhibition chronicling the director's work (beyond his filmography). Explore his personal archives from childhood until today, be it drawings, sculptural instillations or costume designs, and be inspired by his whacky, wonderful worlds.
The World Of Tim Burton runs until 21 April 2025, designmuseum.org
ON THIN ICE
Get your skates on – the rink returns to Somerset House for the festive period. From skate lates with DJ takeovers, to kids’ clubs to coach smaller skaters, there’s a little bit for everyone. Until 12 January 2025, somersethouse.org.uk
WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
Fight for tickets to see Sigourney Weaver make her West End debut as the wizard Prospero in Jamie Lloyd's The Tempest at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. 7 Dec to 1 Feb 2025, lwtheatres.co.uk
DADDY ISSUES
Mark Strong and Lesley Manville lead the company in Oedipus, a reimagining of the Ancient Greek tragedy about complicated family relationships, by director Robert Icke. Until 4 January 2025, wyndhamstheatre.co.uk
Location: Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland.
THE C&TH GUIDE TO…
The Critical LIST
CAROLING AT CHRISTMAS
’ Tis the season to be singing, so whether you like your carols posh, classical or contemporary, we've got you covered
This year, we’re looking to upgrade our carol singing (along with our charity donations).
‘Luckily,’ says Richard Gowers, director of music at St George’s Hanover Square, ‘quite a lot of London’s services are posh,’ and – bonus – ‘London is the best city in the world for choral singing.’ So, where will we be caroling our hearts out this year then?
Firstly, you’ll nd us at St James’s in Piccadilly for the Quintessentially Foundation’s annual Fayre. Tickets start from £150 and rise to £500 if you want to stay for dinner and a live auction at Loulou’s – proceeds of which goes to its Fire y Project, which helps young people deal with loss. You’ll be crooning alongside the likes of Daisy Edgar-Jones, Ellie Goulding and Emeli Sande (26 November, quintessentiallyfoundation.org).
e following week, we’ll be hotfooting it to Holy Trinity Church in Chelsea for Place2Be, where tickets start from £30. It attracts performances from everyone from Keira Knightley to Paloma Faith, while raising funds for improving children’s mental health through various initiatives (5 December, place2be.org.uk). ere are also concerts with exceptional musical pedigree. Cadogan Hall, for example, will feature 100 singers from e Bach Choir as well as London City Brass (11 December, cadoganhall.com); while Raymond Gubbay’s
Christmas Festival returns to the Barbican. is festive bonanza sees a host of celebrations across the season from King’s College Choir to the Glen Miller Band (7 Dec to 1 Jan 2025, barbican.org.uk).
R ichard, though, suggests something a little more esoteric: ‘London’s oldest church, St Bartholomew the Great, runs an annual Charles Dickens-themed carol service – reading passages from Dickens, singing carols he’d have known, and often people dress in costume.’ (22 December, greatstbarts.com)
So, you see, there’s plenty to sing about.
St George’s Hanover Square’s annual Nine Lessons carol service is on 15 December. stgeorgeshanoversquare.org
A collection of meditations on poetry, art and life, taken from the lectures of one of South Korea’s most prominent living poets, Lee Seongbok. Indeterminate Inflorescence, out now
Sharon Horgan originally intended her Irish dark comedy Bad Sisters to be a one-off, but she decided to gift fans with a sequel, set two years after John Paul’s death. Out now
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star as Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked, a duology inspired by the beloved musical, with the first instalment arriving in cinemas this November. 27 Nov
Ncuti Gatwa makes his National Theatre debut, playing bachelor Algernon Moncrieff in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest 20 Nov to 25 Jan 2025.
St George's Hanover Square
Cadogan Hall hosts concerts with exceptional musical pedigree
PREVIEW
Dazzling displays are lighting up the country this season, says Ellie Smith
It may be dark outside, but sparkling winter light festivals are keeping things bright and cheerful across the UK. These see the country’s parks and castles come alive with sculptures, artworks and trails, alongside festive food and drink pop-ups.
In London, the Kew Light Festival returns with one of the year’s most anticipated light trails. A soundscape accompanies the twinkles, as do plenty of food and drink stalls (13 November to 5 January 2025, kew.org).
A lways a highlight on Scotland’s festive calendar is Christmas at the Botanics, which is returning to Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. Guests are invited to weave through the one-mile light trail, where flickering candles float high in the sky, and batons of colour-changing light dance around you. Street vendors serve hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows – plus little visitors can spot Father Christmas along the way. Better still, a visit here helps support the Botanical
Gardens’ plant conservation work (21 November to 30 December, rbge.org.uk)
Windsor Great Park is also being transformed this winter. Its festive light trail is back with a new design – think lasers, floodlit fountains and projections, all set amid the park’s magical woodland setting. Bonus: rest spots are dotted along the route, where you can pause with a cup of mulled wine (15 November to 4 January 2025, windsorilluminated.com).
L ast year, Country Durham welcomed a new light display called AGLOW at Auckland Castle. This is set to be just as majestic for 2024, with a one-and-a-half mile trail featuring some of the country’s largest illuminations, including an outdoor light tunnel and a giant Christmas tree. With Santa’s Village to explore too, it’s a great one to visit with children (22 November to 31 December, aucklandglow.org).
MY Cultural Life
Aoife Hinds shares her culture fixes, ahead of Dune: Prophecy
I'm tuning into... the Off Menu podcast. I’m abnormally curious about what people eat and how they relate to food. It’s also very funny.
I go through dry spells with books... But you’ve caught me at a good time, I’ve got two on rotation: A Thousand Moon by Sebastian Barry and Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge.
The last film I watched was... Do the Right Thing by Spike Lee. What an amazingly shot film, such visceral and articulate storytelling. Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee have my whole heart.
A few years ago I saw... Les Méssagères, an adaptation of Antigone directed by Jean Bellorini, performed by nine Afghan actresses aged 18 to 30 who fled the Taliban in 2021. It gave me the most vivid feeling of the power of theatre. It will be on again at Les Bouffes du Nord in Paris next spring, and I will definitely be there.
My favourite painting... depends on my mood. I’ll give you a drawing – Orchestre by illustrator Sempé.
It's too hard to say my favourite film of all time… But I can watch 10 Things I Hate About You almost anytime.
I've been listening to... Japanese Breakfast on repeat. I discovered them after reading Crying in H Mart by their lead singer Michelle Zauner and I’m hooked.
My cultural guilty pleasure is always... Love Is Blind , accompanied by a glass of Morgon wine.
Aoife Hinds will appear in Dune: Prophecy, streaming from 18 Nov on NOW TV. nowtv.com
BIBLIOFILE
Sisters, sex and skipping – Tessa Hadley talks to Belinda Bamber about her new book The Party
You're acclaimed for writing about ‘ordinary’ lives. Is that your focus? I’m not sure there are any ordinary people. Chat to anyone at a bus stop and you quickly discover how extravagantly brave, crazy, desperate, insightful, horrible or funny people are. My interest in people’s stories, and what happens next, never runs out. The Party is a post-war, coming-of-age novella in which two sisters hurtle towards seduction, their pursuit of men blinded by inexperience. What's the male/female dynamic? Men are often just an idea, a dream for (straight) girls. When nally something real happens between a man and a woman, it can have the momentousness of a collision between di erent worlds, and the shock and friction of that strangeness and hostility is good to write about. e Party is very much a story about women, though. All the complexity of character and relationship is between the two sisters. Which authors have taught you about life? I can’t easily separate what I know about life from reading, rather than lived experience. e two have been tangled since I was a child and fantasised about belonging to the Swallows and Amazons. All my key life decisions were based on the thinking of the writers I loved, such as DH Lawrence, which was quite rash, but I’d rather have Lawrence’s passionate wrongness than too much dry irony or disenchantment. Has it got easier for women to balance writing and family? I think it's a deeper issue of a culture attributing lesser seriousness to women’s stories –the so-called domestic. In a literary hierarchy, the important male writers seem somehow weightier, their wisdom sexier and more awe-inspiring. But we need all kinds of writing. We want weighty arrogant ferocious writing from women too. We don’t want everything to be domesticated, sensitive and nice.
words, and are they true? It doesn’t really get easier, but perhaps I've gained con dence and I’m more ambitious. How would you spend a grant for the arts? I would endow libraries up and down the land. ere are two shuttered libraries near where we live in Cardi , beautiful buildings that used to be full of teenagers doing homework, older readers borrowing large print books, mothers reading to children, young refugees searching the internet. e closing of a library is like a death, or a light going out.
Why are clothes so vivid in your stories? I love writing about how much is coded in the clothes women wear. My mother was a dressmaker and had a gift for putting out ts together, even in her nineties. Dressing up is a performance of yourself in the world, and you learn to get better at performing as yourself, instead of trying on costumes. Wearing something good can feel like strapping on armour to go out, whereas the wrong clothes can make you feel undefended, as Evelyn does in e Party
The Party is your 13th adult fiction book. Does writing get easier? I’m always excited about writing, and always full of trepidation it isn’t going to work. I test each sentence against some perceived reality: have I done it justice? Are those the right
You write powerfully about female desire. What's the greatest erotic novel? I think in all the great novels, there’s eros. It doesn’t need to be explicit. In Jane Austen’s Persuasion, when Anne is left alone with Captain Wentworth for the rst time, her naughty little nephew climbs onto her back while she’s kneeling and won't get down. en the Captain lifts him away without saying a word. e intensi cation of awareness between them, her palpitating heart! It’s all in her sensations; not a word spoken, or glance exchanged even. It’s incredibly erotic. Your characters often indulge in games. Did you have a playful childhood? I played incessantly in my childhood, from skipping games to enacting the execution of Mary Queen of Scots or pretending to be a herd of wild horses (we took our hairbands o and tossed our hair like manes). It’s out of that world of dreaming and playing that storytelling and ction comes. How will you celebrate Christmas? My mother and aunt died last year, so this will be our second Christmas in the country without them. I’ve always cooked – pork, because my aunt wouldn’t eat anything that ew (why?) – pigs in blankets, stu ng, gravy, sprouts with chestnuts, homemade Christmas pudding and brandy butter, wonderful mince pies using my grandmother’s recipe for aky pastry. ere’s a kind of glory in turning out a full roast dinner, once in a very long while.
e Party by Tessa Hadley is published on 7 November (Vintage £12.99). Read the full interview at countryandtownhouse.com
BIG NAME NEW NOVELS
A painted red line signifies dread to lost children in the dystopian landscape of Ali Smith's enigmatic but gripping GLIFF (Penguin, £18.99); satirist Jonathan Coe treats us to a droll crime caper in THE PROOF OF MY INNOCENCE (Penguin, £20); Alan Hollinghurst's hero, Dave, is the clever outsider magnetised by traditional English life and class distinctions in OUR EVENINGS (Pan Macmillan, £22); the lovelorn narrator of THE CITY AND ITS UNCERTAIN WALLS by Haruki Murakami (Vintage, £25) works as a librarian and dream reader as he slips between real and shadow worlds.
LIBRARY OF GIFTS
Richard Hopton chooses his books of the year
DIARIES
The fourth volume of Michael Palin’s diaries, There and Back (W&N, £30), covers the period 1999-2009. As Palin writes, diaries ‘show what it’s like to survive’, but he provides much humour, interest, and insight along the way.
POETRY
Fast Music (Faber & Faber, £12.99) is the latest collection of poetry by Hugo Williams. Williams’s work is always a joy to read – packed full of humour and wistfulness, quintessentially English.
WINE
An anthology of essays by renowned wine writers, On Tuscany (Academie du Vin, £35) explores the region’s famous wines, its grapes, and winemakers. A must for any oenophile.
ART HISTORY
Paul Gauguin has long been a controversial figure, but Sue Prideaux’s new biography of the artist, Wild Thing (Faber & Faber, £30), reappraises him in the light of recently emerged evidence and looks anew at his work.
Martin Gayford’s new book, How Painting Happens (Thames & Hudson, £35), examines the creative process through the eyes of the painters themselves. The result is a fascinating exploration of how and why paintings come into being.
BRITAIN
Cornwall considers itself a land apart. Trelawny’s Cornwall (W&N, £22) by Petroc Trelawny offers an impressionistic, beautifully written exploration of the Duchy’s past and present.
Henry Hemming’s Four Shots in the Night (Quercus, £22) tells the story of a notorious murder in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. A compulsive read.
POLITICS
Liz Truss’s tenure of 10 Downing Street was the shortest and most ignominious in British history. Anthony Seldon’s Truss at 10 (Atlantic, £22) lays bare the hubris and political ineptitude which precipitated her fall.
FICTION
Wife by Charlotte Mendelson (Mantle, £18.99) is an acutely observed, emotionally intelligent, witty account of the rise and fall of a marriage. The two central characters, contrastingly domineering and self-effacing, are brilliantly drawn.
A new William Boyd novel is always an event and Gabriel’s Moon (Viking, £20) is no exception. This spy story displays all of Boyd’s customary invention, narrative élan, and eye for detail.
HISTORY
Cypria (Bloomsbury, £20) is a history of Cyprus but also a travelogue, reflecting the author Alex Christofi’s background and many visits to the island. The result is an engaging portrait of Cyprus’s variegated and sometimes troubled past.
Dan Jones’s gift is in bringing the distant past alive, something he achieves in spades with Henry V (Head of Zeus, £25). The victor of Agincourt leaps off these pages, full of fight.
ARCHITECTURE
Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain’s Greatest Architect? (Triglyph, £20) was a practitioner whose scope extended from the domestic to the monumental and commemorative. This sumptuously illustrated book by Clive Aslet is an ideal introduction to Lutyens and his work.
CRICKET
Ostensibly about the 1961 Old Trafford Test between England and Australia, Richie Benaud’s Blue Suede Shoes by David Kynaston and Harry Ricketts (Bloomsbury, £22), ranges widely and enjoyably across the social and cricketing history of its era.
POP MEMOIR
The Swedish singersongwriter Neneh Cherry’s memoir A Thousand Threads (Fern Press, £22) is a vivid account of her life and career, from her bohemian childhood to her breakthrough hit Buffalo Stance in 1988 and beyond.
LAND & CONSERVATION
The Lie of the Land (William Collins, £22) is an angry book. Its author, Guy Shrubsole, an impassioned campaigner for land reform, explains his ideas for the future of landholding and stewardship of the countryside in Britain.
Carol Donaldson’s The Volunteers (Summersdale, £10.99) is a gentle, reflective account of the author’s time as leader of a team of countryside conservation volunteers. It affirms the restorative power of nature and collective activity.
COOKERY
Mediterra (Bloomsbury, £26) by Ben Tish is a treasure trove of recipes from around the Mediterranean littoral, taking in Spain and North Africa, Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia, Sicily, then Greece, its islands and the Levant.
If veggie or vegan food is your thing, then Dinner (Fig Tree, £27) by Meera Sodha is required reading with 120 recipes offering an array of mouth-watering flavours, mostly with an Eastern or Middle Eastern accent.
CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS
Older children will enjoy Alex Bell’s spelling-binding novel of fantasy The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts (Faber & Faber, £7.99) and also Rosa by Starlight (Macmillan, £12.99) by Hilary Kay, which is set in Venice. n
MILAN
The EXHIBITIONIST
The Royal Academy bears artistic gifts this yuletide season, says Ed Vaizey
Christmas celebrations traditionally involve the three wise men (that gender balance may have to be updated) bearing gifts. So what better way to celebrate Christmas than with three great artists, brought to you as a gift from the Royal Academy?
The RA show, which opens this month, brings together three of the greatest masters of the Renaissance, indeed of all time –Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael. Like Madonna, Beyoncé and Cher, all are famous enough to have just the one name.
As well as making for a stunning exhibition, the hook for this show would make a wonderful play, beautifully carved by the hand of a Tom Stoppard or a James Graham. At one moment in time, in 1504, all three artists found themselves together in Florence. Both Leonardo and Michelangelo had recently returned to the shores of the Arno, and the occasion was a debate among the city’s most prominent artists about where to place Michelangelo’s nearly completed monumental statue of David, still one of the most celebrated and striking works of art.
The RA has not pulled off the feat of borrowing David – he has never left Florence, understandably – although many copies have been exhibited around the world. David was carved from a block of stone that had been in Florence for more than 50 years, and Leonardo had been one of the artists who had competed for the right to carve it, losing out to Michelangelo. This was one of the many reasons for their rivalry and animosity towards each other.
Instead, the exhibition brings together drawings and prints by the three great artists, and explores how each influenced the other. Leonardo was the elder statesman, in his 50s, and almost twice as old as Michelangelo in his late 20s. In turn, Raphael was almost a decade younger than Michelangelo. As well as Michelangelo’s David, which had attracted so much attention, both Leonardo and Michelangelo had been commissioned to paint scenes from different battles on the same wall at the Palazzo Vecchio. This very public competition cemented their antagonism. Then one adds into the mix Raphael, who beat both Leonardo and Michelangelo to a commission f rom the Pope to paint a fresco in the Vatican library. The chronicler of the great artists, Vasari, comprehensively documents the rivalry of this Renaissance triumvirate.
The only sculpture shown in the exhibition is the Taddei Tondo, by Michelangelo, which is part of the RA’s collection (it was acquired fortuitously by British collector Sir George Beaumont for £1,500 in 1822 and bequeathed to the Academy in 1830).
The marble Tondo – the Renaissance term for a circular relief – is the only Michelangelo sculpture in Britain, carved at the
same time as David, so there is this rather emotional and powerful link between the two. It depicts the virgin and child with John the Baptist. Taddei is the name of the family that commissioned it, and again Vasari records its creation. Taddei was a patron of Raphael, and Raphael explicitly drew inspiration from the Tondo in two drawings and one sculpture.
These three Renaissance artists have never been surpassed. While this is not a major exhibition, it is an important one. The RA knows its audience and this does not disappoint.
Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c.1504 is at the Royal Academy from 9 November to 16 February 2025. royalacademy.org.uk n
FROM TOP: The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John the Baptist (‘The Esterhazy Madonna’) by Raphael (c.1508); The Virgin and Child with Infant Saint John (the ‘Taddei Tondo’) by Michelangelo (c. 1504-5)
NANCY CADOGAN
Olivia Cole talks trees with the artist committed to oil paints
Ifirst met Nancy Cadogan as a talented young artist. Her exuberant commitment to paint at a time when very few noughties art school graduates thought that was a good idea was memorable. Over the years since, she’s gathered her own contemporary art following but stayed true to that first love.
She is still to be found covered in oils. The traditional medium is just right for the sense of timelessness in her world. In recent work, she has been obsessed with the Romantic poet John Keats. Her response to him was the subject of a moving and atmospheric collaborative exhibition, Gusto, with his final home, the Keats-Shelley Museum in Rome in 2020. But none of Nancy Cadogan’s compositions necessarily belong to our own noisy, distracting time.
‘There are no obvious references to modernity in my paintings,’ she says. ‘I suppose that sometimes gives them a hint of melancholy. Sometimes stillness, sometimes nostalgia, but I don’t see them as nostalgic. I see the things that interest humans as the same things that have always interested humans.’
Or perhaps, her vivid colourful canvases speak to our hankering for a simpler way of life. She likes to ‘conjure an idyll’. You might find a stack of favourite books (like in her painting at the entrance to Soho House in Greek Street, with the attendant fantasy of the time to re-read them) or a candle burning as an inky dusk gathers, framed by an open window. There’s the play of light on her and her husband’s favourite spot on Lake Como, where the landscape never alters, or closer to home, as she says, there’s ‘nothing more wonderful than lying under the branches of a comforting oak’.
She says: ‘I think there’s a currency in images of things that are beyond time.’ Her female figures in her paintings (in particular in Mind Zero, at the Saatchi Gallery) are solitary and at peace. As if unaware of being observed,
they are alone with thoughts and daydreams. These imagined compositions –with the moon or a glass of wine, or a few stems in a vase – are an invitation to the viewer too, to simply be. Just as for the Romantic poets she finds so inspiring, ‘the world is too much with us…’
That feeling is everywhere around her studio location. Nancy works in a basement in Westminster with amazing windows. It’s an unexpected oasis of calm right underneath city streets where everyone has at least one place to be, many devices and pressing deadlines. All that frantic activity somehow helps her focus on her own.
Her next big show, at the Garden Museum in London in 2025, will be a direct confrontation with the pastoral and that element of escapism that’s always been present in her work. I get an in-progress glimpse of The Lost Trees exhibition on her studio walls. These new paintings explore our emotional connection to trees, grief for the altering landscape, and draw on her love of the shelter of those comforting oaks in Oxfordshire where she escapes with her family at weekends. ‘It is not lost on me that I seem to always paint the place I’m not,’ she says.
She’s excited to have found such a perfect home for this exploration to be shared. ‘There’s a lot of ambition in the art world and the act of creation,’ she says. ‘But this is a project that I’m able to be really ambitious about because it’s kind of bigger than me.’ The idea of exploring the emotions around trees that have been displaced from the landscape was already taking root before public outrage over the felling of Sycamore Gap but, as ever, she seems to have tapped into a universal feeling.
Nancy Cadogan shows at the Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in Palm Beach from 26 January to 22 February 2025, kristinhjellegjerde.com; The Lost Trees exhibition from 4 June to 15 July 2025, thegardenmuseum.org.uk n
Nancy’s figurative paintings invite viewers to engage in mindful contemplation
CHELSEA | HAMPSTEAD | HATCH END | GUILDFORD | BRENTWOOD | HAMPTON HILL
Step into Luxury
The POSITIVE DISRUPTOR
Therapy can help us build resilience for our uncertain future, says James Wallace
With the news filled with ever more horror, technological ‘solutions’, such as drones, electric cars, wind turbines, satellite weather stations and antiviral vaccinations, abound.
But are we prepared for the inevitable impact these concurrent crises have on our souls? As Anima Mundi, the soul of the Earth, struggles with its constant assault, we should consider how it affects us too.
While hurricanes, war, starvation and mass migration might once have felt like distant nightmares, we are waking up to the idea that Britain’s on-tap supply of food, water, healthcare and artisanal gin is no longer guaranteed. This year, heavy rain caused a 21 percent slump in wheat harvests (government data by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit); absolute poverty hit 12 million Brits (according to the Department for Work and Pensions); and tornadoes ripped through Aldershot and Luton. Global problems are coming home.
So we double-down and hide from the growling bear at the cave-mouth, receding further back into the safety of emotional darkness. In England, between 2022-23, around 8.6 million people were prescribed antidepressants. As we increase our reliance on screens, intoxicants, consumerism –any coping mechanism that keeps us going – we decrease our ability to cope with the assaults perpetrated on our individual and collective psyche.
What can we do? Step forward Abby Barton. We met when grieving the loss of a mutual friend, and again when my
wife Becca died. Through a gentle process of discovery, she helped me realise that grief is present everywhere, not constrained to the loss of a loved one. We grieve for the loss of butterflies once clouding our hedgerows, for the innocent victims of fossil-fuel wars, for whole communities washed away by floods, for the very planet as she burns under our flame of rampant capitalism.
We grieve for lost mothers, lost lovers, lost jobs, lost security, lost opportunity. If we are really brave, we imagine what it feels like for our young people. Seventyfive percent of them are frightened about the future - their fears are not constrained to the unfolding terror of being totally unprepared for the crisis of living in a 50°C world, but knowing they might be robbed of their career, their dream of home ownership, their right to travel freely...
Abby is part of a new breed of therapeutic coach who brings light to the dark lands of trauma and grief that we all perhaps unknowingly wander. With the breakdown in intergenerational families, loss of neighbourly support networks and craze for individualism, we need to seek out people who can guide our transition to a place of resilience within ourselves and rebuild caring, selfsustaining communities.
W hether we are older, like me, or young like my daughters, we are already experiencing the emotional impacts of this world on fire. Rather than fan the flames through further procrastination, we should have more Abbys at the heart of society, helping us to help each other prepare for an uncertain future.
NOW Get climate change back on the political agenda
HELP GEN Z
Develop young climate leaders with the Resilience Project, an 8-10 week free course empowering young people. theresilienceproject.org.uk
TRANSITION TOGETHER
Reimagine and rebuild our world, locally, by creating resilient communities across Britain. transitiontogether.org.uk
NURTURE YOUR SOUL Turn anxiety into embodied action with transition guide and therapeutic coach Abby Barton. abbybarton.com
LEND YOUR VOICE
Join 22 million Brits in the Climate Coalition. theclimatecoalition.org
BACK THE BILL
Ask your MP to back the Zero Hour Climate and Nature Bill. zerohour.uk n
The constants of life as we know it are under threat and we need to build resilience
TAKE A BREATH
Meditation, it appears, works for pain – and isn’t just a placebo effect. Research in Biological Psychiatry, using brain imaging techniques, revealed that mindfulness meditation produced significant reductions in patterns of pain intensity. It was found to reduce the brain activity patterns associated with negative emotions, thereby affecting the underlying experience of pain.
GOOD NEWS
8 HANDS DINNER
We knew octopuses were bright, but they exhibit more complex behaviours than previously thought. According to a new study, the eight-limbed cephalopods form ‘hunting packs’ with other fish species to scout out potential prey. The weirdest finding? They punch any opportunistic fish that are hanging around rather than helping out.
Tessa Dunthorne has some cheerful updates from around
the world
FELINE FETCH
Fetch isn’t just for dogs – as a new study in PLOS ONE reveals. Forty-one percent of pet cats will retrieve toys, with breeds like the Burmese, Siamese and Tonkinese cats the most enthusiastic.
Analysing data from 8,000 cat owners, it found that playful, active and indoor cats are the most likely to engage in the behaviour.
COAL’S CURTAIN CALL
A wrap for the UK’s use of coal. Ratcliffe-on-Soar, its last coal-fired power station, has shuttered its chimneys for good. As recently as 2012, coal was providing 40 percent of our electricity, but it has faced a swift demise as the UK’s carbon tax made it nigh on impossible for the sooty stuff to compete. Power sector emissions have reduced by three-quarters since 2012.
NEXT WATCH
At a loss for what to watch over Twixtmas? WaterBear’s Sea, Land & City is the documentary to put straight to the top of the list. Producer Mairead Cahill treks, climbs, wades and forages throug the south west of England as she visits pioneering nature restoration projects. Guaranteed to bring you hope. waterbear.com
NATIONAL PARK
A makeover for Ackerson Meadow, part of the Yosemite National Park, sees one of its largest wetland restoration projects to date. Once a cattle pasture, the meadow is being returned to its natural state with massive erosion repairs, 425,000 native plants, and over 700lbs of wildflower seeds being planted. This $17.7m effort aims to reverse the effects of logging, grazing and water diversions that began in the 1880s, restoring the meadow’s original biodiversity. Home to bears, great grey owls, and the endangered little willow flycatcher, Ackerson will soon reopen as a revitalised haven for wildlife.
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The SOLUTIONISTS
A greener, less wasteful Christmas is within our gift, says Matilda Cox
THE PROBLEM
The festive season is upon us. Around the world, this time of year often signals a schedule full of parties, celebratory dinners, and gift-giving – whether you’re marking Christmas, Hanukkah or the New Year. In this jam-packed jamboree, it can be easy to let sustainability fall by the wayside and forget about the waste we’re creating. Between all the feasting, it’s estimated that British families waste almost a third more food during this period than in other months, sending £64 million of Christmas dinners into the bin every year. The mince pies alone that Brits consume create 175 tonnes of aluminium foil waste. Although much of the season has historically been about overconsumption (at least for the last century), embracing more eco-friendly practices doesn’t need to compromise enjoyment. These three innovators demonstrate we can still deck the halls – sustainably.
Matilda Cox is Content Editor at Springwise, a leading global innovation platform. springwise.com
THE ANSWERS
1
Waste-free, circular spirits
The turkey may be the star of the show, but delicious drinks also play a big role in the festivities. One way to help make your next cocktail more planet-friendly is to use more responsible ingredients. British brand Discarded Spirits Co produces three delicious (and waste-free) spirits: Banana Peel Rum, Grape Skin Vodka, and Cascara Vermouth, which is made using rich and fruity coffee bean husk. You can use these to add a sustainable twist and unique flavour to some of your favourite cocktails – whether that’s an espresso martini, Manhattan, negroni, daiquiri or even a festive Eggnog. discarded.com
2
Gift boxes made from beeswax
Likely the biggest culprit when it comes to volume of waste is wrapping paper – the UK throws away 227,000 miles of it by the end of every festive season. As an alternative, Canadian company Spiral Melt creates hollow beeswax candles, which can be used as a stylish gift box for small presents. The candles come in various shapes, colours, and scents, including cinnamon and pomegranate. Once they’ve served their purpose as gift packaging, you can then also use them as table decor. The candles burn down in a patented spiral pattern, eventually leaving only the fully recyclable aluminium base. spiralmelt.com
3
Eco-friendly cocoafree chocolate
The festive season is a time for sweet treats, whether that’s trifle, Christmas pudding, or advent calendar chocolate. Chocolate is often a staple in our favourite puds, but cocoa farming can also be detrimental to the environment, with 70 percent of the Ivory Coast’s illegal deforestation linked to cocoa production. ChoViva is doing away with cocoa altogether. The German start-up has developed a chocolate alternative made from roasted sunflower seeds and oats that has the same rich, delicious taste as chocolate, but without the environmental footprint. choviva.com n
When Sarah de Lagarde fell on the Tube tracks, her life was altered unutterably. She’s determined to use her experience as a force for good, says Charlotte Metcalf
PORTRAIT BY ALEXANDRA DAO
IN BRIEF
COUNTRY COTTAGE OR PENTHOUSE?
I’m a city girl and so I’ll stay true to my area and plump for a penthouse in Camden.
DOG OR CAT?
Cats for sure. We have two Russian blues and a white khao manee. Cuddling them is a comfort.
COUNTRY PUB OR MICHELIN STAR?
I love the Beetle and Wedge on the Thames at Moulsford – I’ve even swum from there.
COUTURE OR COUNTRY CASUALS?
A bit of both.
THEATRE OR GARDENING?
Theatre – the last play I saw was The Book of Mormon.
Sarah de Lagarde’s prosthetic leg makes her instantly recognisable as she arrives at Scarfes Bar. Many of us read her story so, recapping brie y, in September 2022 Sarah lost her footing and fell into the gap between the train and the platform at High Barnet Tube station. e train left, severing her right arm. A second train arrived, crushing her right leg. Despite shouting for help no one heard or saw her lying bleeding on the tracks.
A month before the accident, she climbed Kilimanjaro with her husband. ‘I grew up in a very rural area of the Pyrenees so I’m truly at home in the mountains,’ says Sarah. ‘During Covid, we went on huge walks every Sunday and I’ve always loved the outdoors, so we went for it. It’s seven days up and the last day you leave base camp at midnight to reach the top seven hours later at sunrise, so you still have seven hours to come down before it gets dark again. It was -20C and my husband had hypothermia and altitude sickness, but we both made it. It was staggeringly beautiful as the sun rose. e experience exceeded all our expectations. We felt invincible, at the zenith of everything. A month later, I was under that train.’
If Sarah had panicked, she’d probably have bled to death: ‘On Kilimanjaro the guides taught us how to slow our breathing right down so we didn’t expend unnecessary energy. Also, my job involves managing crises so I’m always expected to be the calmest person in the room, nding solutions.’
With a broken nose, smashed teeth and two severed limbs, Sarah stayed calm. ‘When the doctor nally arrived, I remember saying, in a very British way, “I hate to rush you but I might be dying.” en my chest turned to ice and I thought I’d gone. I’ll never forget the paramedic, Kevin Cuddon, holding my hand and coming with me on the gurney under the entire length of the train to where they could lift me o the tracks.’
After 15 hours of operations, she was told her limbs were ‘no longer viable’. After amputation and intensive rehabilitation, she was home in time for Christmas, months earlier than expected. More astonishing is that less than a year later she climbed Kilimanjaro again. ‘My mother had put a picture she’d painted of Kilimanjaro up in my room at the rehab centre,’ she says. ‘I couldn’t even go to the loo, but that image became my ctitious goal to get me up and doing the agonising necessary physio.’
On 16 August this year, Sarah made it to the top with Cat and Kat, medical sta from her trauma physio unit.
Her 13-year-old daughter reached the crater just an hour away below, while her husband and ten-year-old daughter stayed at base camp. ‘My husband said it would boost my con dence to do it alone. I was blistered, bruised and in agonising pain, and kept wondering why I wasn’t just chilling on a beach. But when you’re very small in a gigantic landscape your problems feel so insigni cant.’
Today, she appears so competent that she has to remind me she can’t cook, let alone do up a bra, tie her shoelaces or put earrings in. Her prosthetic leg hurts and she has phantom limb pain. She is entirely dependent on others, while being alone in a dark room still transports her straight back to being abandoned on those tracks as the second train thundered towards her.
Yet Transport for London has not apologised, let alone compensated her. She could only a ord her ‘bionic’ arm via her husband’s crowdfunding campaign that raised £300,000. We laugh as, powered partly by arti cial intelligence (AI), the hand seems to buzz and make a st whenever she mentions TfL.
‘CCTV can’t replace sta cuts at stations when no one is monitoring it,’ she says. ‘Did you know 22 people a month die or su er life-altering injuries from accidents on the Tube? But I survived a unique event, I have a voice and I am determined to use it. e sacri ce of my limbs must be used to teach valuable lessons and inspire innovation. ere are relatively cheap solutions that could make our stations safer straight away, like AI-assisted CCTV, which would have picked up a body on the track immediately – especially as I was wearing my new, bright-pink coat. It’s too late for me, but I owe it to my girls to make travelling around London as safe as possible. It’s my civic duty to call out when public services, which we’re encouraged to rely on, have forgotten to serve the public.’ Making TfL safer, she believes, is her next big goal, dwar ng scaling Kilimanjaro.
Sarah credits her loving family for much of her recovery. ‘My husband’s Christmas present to me was a tattoo shop voucher. I was surprised, but it was for him, though he hates needles. In solidarity, he tattooed a line across his arm and leg where mine were amputated.’ It’s an emotional note to end on. Besides, at this point, I’m welling up, simply dumbfounded by Sarah’s courage and determination.
Sarah is writing a memoir. For more information, visit grahammawchristie.com or sarahdelagarde.com
Sarah de Lagarde
INTRODUCES
FUTURE ICONS Power People
Introducing the 50 people who are helping to make our planet a cooler, fairer, happier place
As the world’s first glossy magazine to attain B Corp certification, Country & Town House has had its eye on the people who are creating impact through our editorial ethos. Many of our writers and editors have met these neoterics and highlighted their work over the years. But to create a list that took on life outside the editorial office, we asked our sustainability consultants, CYD Connects and all the brands who entered our Future Icons Awards (check them out online at countryandtownhouse.com) to nominate the people who they felt had had a major impact and influence on their own businesses and lifestyles. The result is an exciting, wide-ranging list of people – some of whom are, of course, global changemakers such as King Charles III and Sir David Attenborough, others who are brand leaders whose very businesses engender change and operate in new and exciting ways, and individuals who are changing the conversation around consumption through their influence and activism.
Ours is a wide tent: fighting for the health of our rivers, for access to toiletries for abused women, or for travel where conservation is at its heart – all part of a huge tapestry of how our world will begin to heal. Siloing off sustainability into simply net zero activations, or nature restoration or biodiversity initiatives is to ignore that all of it matters. Without clean water, we get sick; without biodiversity, our crops fail; without a route to net zero, our world gets ever hotter until all tipping points are reached – and we contend with the terrifying consequences. So our list is a thank you to those who are changing conversations, telling new stories and having real-world impact. We champion you. We celebrate you. We will continue to tell your stories.
Lucy Cleland, Editorial Director
1 Aditi Mayer
Sustainability activist, thought leader and visual storyteller
The 2013 collapse of the Rana Plaza Factory in Bangladesh reshaped the fashion world –and stirred Punjabi-American Aditi into action. Over a decade later, this LA-based activist focuses on ‘weaving narratives of climate, culture and craft’ – and how fashion can champion all three. @aditimayer
2 Aisling Connaughton Co-founder, Cyd Connects
Diagnosed as neurodivergent, B Corp expert and co-founder of women-led sustainability consultancy Cyd Connects, Aisling delves deep into the climate crisis through the lens of inclusivity. Her mission is to create solutions that not only heal the planet but also uplift marginalised communities. @aisling_connaughton
3 Alice Aedy
Documentary filmmaker and Earthrise Studio co-founder Award-winning filmmaker Alice co-founded Earthrise, a climate storytelling studio and platform that highlights social and environmental issues. It has collaborated with Greta Thunberg, Sonia Guajajara and David Attenborough, and recently launched digital content series Climate+ with Oxfam. @aliceaedy
In 1998, Alistair founded Extreme International, a purpose-driven adventure brand. Two decades later, Alistair and his wife Amber established Extreme Hangout, a global community and climate action platform. So far, they have enabled 21 events and hosted 1,000-plus speakers from 140 countries. @alistairgosling; @ambernuttall
5 Amy Powney
Creative director & co-owner, Mother of Pearl
Af ter being awarded the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund prize, Amy used her winnings to launch sustainable clothing brand Mother of Pearl. Since then, she has collaborated with The King’s Foundation, BBC Earth, Monica Vinader, John Lewis, Papier and Allbirds. @amy_powney
6 Anabel Kindersley
CEO & owner, Neal’s Yard Remedies
7 Dame Anya Hindmarch
Founder & CEO, Anya Hindmarch
8 Arizona Muse
Model, activist and founder, DIRT Charity
9 Ayesha Barenblat
Founder & CEO, Remake
Anabel’s mission is to ‘change the world, one blue bottle at a time’. She has also been name-checked twice in parliament for #StandByBees, her campaign to end the use of hazardous pesticides in the UK. Over 105 businesses have signed up, including the British Beauty Council. @anabelkindersley_
Ever since Anya founded her company in 1987, she has taken a head-turning sustainable approach to her luxury lifestyle brand. Her ‘I Am Not A Plastic Bag’ project highlighted the issues surrounding single-use plastic consumption, contributing to the decision to charge for plastic bags in the UK. @anyahindmarch
Having fronted campaigns for global brands, Arizona wants to ‘turn fashion into a climate solution’, changing how we ‘grow’ our clothes through DIRT, her charity which champions biodynamic farming. This includes creating ten new standards for the processing and composting of textiles. @arizona_muse
Growing up in Pakistan, Ayesha saw the impact of factory production first hand. In 2015, she founded Remake, a non-profit which fights for human rights and climate justice in the clothing industry. Its viral campaign #PayUp has recouped around $22bn in cancelled contracts to unlock millions in wages for workers. @remakeourworld
10
Ben Goldsmith Environmentalist
Following in the footsteps of his environmentalist father, Sir James Goldsmith, Ben’s goal is ‘to rewild Britain’. He also set up the Iris Prize, which supports young environmentalists, in memory of his daughter Iris who died in a tragic accident in 2019. In 2023 Ben published God is an Octopus, on love, loss and solace in nature. @bengoldsmith
11
Bianca Pitt Co-founder, SHE Changes Climate
While on the Development Board for ClientEarth, Bianca noticed the lack of women at the table of climate policy. In response, she founded the Women of the Environment Network and co-founded SHE Changes Climate, a campaign to get women equally represented at international climate negotiations. @sheclimate
12
Carmel Rafaeli Founding partner, The Table
Af ter a diverse career, Carmel shifted into venture funding to support women founders on their journey of financing their climate-positive ventures. In May 2024, she launched The Table, a community of investors who want to increase the amount and frequency of investment into womenled climate tech ventures. LI: carmelrafaeli
13
Clover Hogan
Climate activist and founder, Force of Nature
Raised in Indonesia, and living in the UK, Clover was inspired into action by Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. In 2019, aged 19, she founded Force of Nature, a nonprofit mobilising young mindsets for climate action. Named one of Forbes 30 under 30, Clover’s TED talk has been viewed a staggering two million times. @cloverhogan
14
Carole Bamford
Founder, Daylesford Organic and Bamford
For over 40 years, Carole has been driven by her belief that we need to live in harmony with nature. Her hard graft has paid off with a B Corp accreditation for Daylesford and Bamford, a Michelin Green Star and Positive Luxury Innovation Awards. Her charity work is also inspirational, from supporting British farmers to helping communities in India. @carolebamford
15
Dale Vince OBE
Founder, Ecotricity
Dale’s mission ‘to create a Green Britain’ was born while living off-grid in his very own modified van. In 1995, he founded Ecotricity, providing green electricity and gas. Other accolades are as exciting as they are innovative – and include Skydiamond, the ‘world’s first zero-impact’ diamond, and Ecojet, the world’s first electric airline. @therealdalevince
16
Sir David Attenborough Broadcaster and naturalist
Known as the ‘voice of nature’, Sir David has spent his life raising awareness of environmental crises. His TV programmes, including Planet Earth and The Blue Planet, have inspired generations worldwide. Now, aged 98, he continues to educate the globe, with the strong message that the natural world is at risk more than ever before.
17 Diana Verde Nieto
Co-founder & COO, Edify Collective
Diana co-founded Positive Luxury in 2011. Now she leads Edify Collective, an innovative micro-learning platform equipping teams to embed sustainability across every role. She was trained by Former US VP Al Gore at the Alliance of Climate Protection and recently published Reimagining Luxury @dianaverdenieto
18 Dominique Palmer Climate justice activist and writer
From connecting music and activism on global stages and co-authoring a children’s book on restoring nature to walking the catwalk for sustainable brands, Dominique harnesses the arts ‘to protect the only planet we call home’. She is a founding member of the Youth Climate Justice Fund. @domipalmer
19 Duncan Grossart Founder, Journeys With Purpose
The world’s highest-scoring travel B Corp, Duncan’s company, Journeys With Purpose, champions and celebrates the natural world.
Duncan wants to encourage purpose-first travel ‘to help shift the needle in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss’.
@journeys_with_purpose
20 Feargal Sharkey Environmental activist
Northern Irish former punk singer Feargal has left behind rock ‘n’ roll to crusade as loudly as possible for Britain’s waterways. A lifelong fisherman, Feargal is on the frontline as vice chairman of River Action, a charity which aims to save Britain’s rivers from pollution. @riveractionuk
A scion of the Clarks shoe family, Galahad’s B Corp company Vivobarefoot produces shoes that allow feet to move and function as nature intended. Then there’s ReVivo, for professionally reconditioned footwear to keep the shoes in use and away from landfills, and their impact hub Livebarefoot Fund. @vivobarefoot
22 Henry Dimbleby Managing partner, Bramble Partners
Henry is a food trailblazer with a mission ‘to create a food system that restores human and planetary health’. He cofounded Leon Restaurants, The Sustainable Restaurant Association and has led two independent government reviews. Now, he furthers his mission through his investment and advisory firm Bramble Partners. X @HenryDimbleby
23
Isabella Tree Author of Wilding and co-owner of Knepp rewilding project
‘Rewilding our landscapes is one of the fastest, most effective ways of restoring biodiversity, solving the climate crisis and helping re-engage people with nature,’ says Isabella of Knepp Estate, an inspirational 3,500-acre rewilding project. Thanks to Knepp, beavers have returned to Sussex after 400 years. @Isabella.tree
24 Isaias Hernandez Environmentalist and storyteller
25 John Gummer, Lord Deben Member of the House of Lords
‘Environmental educator’ Isaias is more commonly known by his moniker, Queer Brown Vegan, a media platform to make environmental education accessible to all – a mission prompted by growing up in poverty in LA. He’s also launched two web series: Sustainable Jobs and Teaching Climate Together @queerbrownvegan
Lord Deben is the founder and chairman of Sancroft International, a sustainability and ESG consultancy. Between 2012 and 2023 he was chairman of the UK’s Independent Climate Change Committee. Lord Deben is currently chairman of Valpak Ltd which helps businesses to reduce waste.
Through Joycelyn’s award-winning media, communications and consulting work, she is making climate conversations more accessible and diverse. In between, she’s doing a PhD at the University of Cambridge and Penguin will publish her first book Natural Connection next year. @climateincolour
27 Juliet Davenport Board advisory and NED
Founder of Good Energy, the UK’s first 100 percent renewable energy business, Juliet has been innovating for over 20 years, working on ideas to fight climate change and transform the energy sector. Now president of the Energy Institute, her recent book The Green Start-Up cements her vision. @davenportjuliet
28 Juliet Kinsman
Sustainability editor, podcaster and consultant Juliet shares stories to ‘inspire impact’, focusing on luxury travel and boutique, eco hotels. She raises awareness around climate-friendly travel, as first-ever sustainability editor of Condé Nast Traveller and through her awardwinning podcast for the Evening Standard @julietkinsman
29 Karen Harvey MBE
Founder of Toiletries Amnesty
Curator, collaborator, consultant, photographer, writer, publisher, social entrepreneur… Karen has a lot of roles. But one of her most ambitious projects is Toiletries Amnesty, an award-winning NGO that works to end hygiene poverty and divert beauty industry waste. @harveyhotdog
30
His Majesty King Charles III
Aged 21, the then Prince of Wales warned of the dangerous effects of plastic pollution. Since then, he has been leading the charge against climate change. He pioneered organic farming on his Duchy Estate. In 2020, he launched The Sustainable Markets Initiative, with its mandate, the Terra Carta, which aims to reunite people and planet. @theroyalfamily
31Kresse Wesling CBE
Co-founder, Elvis & Kresse
Kresse co-founded Elvis & Kresse in 2005, a multi award-winning brand that transforms London’s decommissioned fire-hoses into beautifully crafted homewares and accessories. In 2020, the company bought a farm near Faversham to implement a host of environmental initiatives, including a regenerative vineyard of 12,000 vines. @elvisandkresse
32 Laura Clarke OBE
CEO, ClientEarth
Laura decided to focus on environmental issues after her time as UK High Commissioner to New Zealand. In 2022, she joined ClientEarth, which uses the law to protect the planet. In May 2024, ClientEarth and partners won a case against the UK government, arguing its climate plan breached the UK Climate Change Act. LI: laura-clarke-obe
33 Ludovic Du Plessis
President of Champagne Telmont
Ludovic is transforming Champagne Telmont with a pioneering regenerative organic agriculture approach. Telmont ‘Réserve de la Terre’ is crafted from organic grapes without herbicides. Bottles are made from 87 percent recycled glass, and the brand stopped using gift boxes and developed with Verallia the lightest champagne bottle (800g). @ecoludo
34 Marine Tanguy CEO, MTArt Agency
B Corp MTArt Agency is disrupting the visual sector. It was founded by Marine Tanguy, a passionate advocate for the role of the artist in our society. MTArt was listed as one of the fastest growing companies in the country.
Marine has also published The Visual Detox, an indispensable tool to be visually literate. @marinetanguyart
35 Mikaela Loach
Author and climate justice organiser
Mikaela gave up her medical studies in pursuit of climate justice. The 27-year-old has called out billionaires at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s annual event, taken the UK government to court and challenged Shell over human rights abuses –while writing her bestselling book It’s Not That Radical @mikaelaloach
36 Monica Vinader
Co-founder & CEO, Monica Vinader Fifteen years ago, Monica co-founded her company on ‘doing the right thing’. Cue quality jewellery designed and made with both integrity and responsibility. ‘We need to cherish pieces and ultimately pass them on to support a more responsible future and move away from our very disposable culture,’ says Monica.
@monicavinader
37 Nina Marenzi Founder, The Sustainable Angle and Future Fabrics Expo
Nina is the mastermind behind The Sustainable Angle, a not-for-profit initiating and supporting projects that lower the environmental impact of the textiles industry. Its main initiative is the Future Fabrics Expo, a platform that enables fashion industry brands and creatives to source sustainably produced materials.
@thesustainableangle
38Patrick Grant Founder, Community Clothing
Patrick may be known for the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, but his influence goes much deeper. After buying a manufacturer to save it from closure, Patrick launched Community Clothing, a clothing line that uses locally crafted material and has recently published Less, a book examining our destructive consumption habits. @patrickgrantism
39 Prince And Princess Of Wales
40 Rachel Arthur Sustainability strategist and writer
41Raymond Blanc OBE
Just like his father, the Prince is passionate about the environment. In 2020, he and The Royal Foundation, supported by the Princess, launched the Earthshot Prize to discover and scale-up innovative solutions to repair the planet. The aim is to fund at least 50 climate change solutions by 2030. @princeand princessofwales
Rachel is shifting the fashion narrative. In 2023, she was the lead author of The Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook, copublished by UNEP and UN Climate Change. She also works with non-profit Textile Exchange on a postgrowth fashion future and writes a substack called ‘Owning It’. @rachelarthur
Raymond Blanc, Chef Patron, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel
Raymond’s dedication to sustainability in both food and the environment sets a powerful example for the food industry. He is an advocate for seasonality, biodiversity, food waste reduction and the promotion of sustainable farming techniques. @raymondblanc
42 Shailja Dubé Deputy director, Institute of Positive Fashion, British Fashion Council
Shailja is spearheading the BFC’s climate action. She directed the BFC’s flagship sustainability initiative
The Circular Fashion Ecosystem Project, a blueprint to move the UK to a circular fashion economy, which acts as inspiration for nations across the globe. LI: shailja-dube
43 Sian Sutherland
Co-founder & chief changemaker, A Plastic Planet and PlasticFree
Sian’s mission is ‘to ignite and inspire the world to turn off the plastic tap’. Sian is doing exactly this through A Plastic Planet, which works with industry, policy makers, media and innovators to accelerate impact on the plastic crisis. A big part is having conversations. ‘We need to face the truth,’ says Sian. LI: siansutherland
44 Sophia Li Journalist and climate advocate
Sophia’s powerful storytelling cuts through the noise. A former American Vogue editor, this UN Human Rights Champion and Earthshot Prize’s Global Correspondent uses her skills to humanise complex environmental and social issues, hosting Meta’s Climate Talks podcast and serving as impact editor for Family Style magazine. @sophfei
45 Tayshan Hayden-Smith
Founder & creative director, Grow to Know and activist
Tayshan, a former professional footballer, discovered plants’ healing power after creating the Grenfell Garden of Peace in response to the Grenfell Tower Fire. In 2020, he founded not-for-profit Grow to Know, a creative changemaker collective imagining green spaces to reconnect communities with nature. @manliketaysh
46 Tiffanie Darke
Fashion consultant
Former fashion editor Tiffanie is the woman behind the Rule of Five campaign that invites people to commit to buying only five new items of clothing a year. Her tips and tricks can be found in her new book What to Wear and Why, and on her Substack: It’s not Sustainable. Tiff also co-founded Agora Ibiza, a sustainable fashion hub at Six Senses Ibiza. @tiffdarke
47
Tolu Coker
Designer and multidisciplinary artist Central St Martins graduate and Celine alumni, BritishNigerian Tolu is passionate about using her clothes to promote social change. Her distinct designs are rooted in three pillars – ‘community, craftsmanship and culture’ –and locally crafted in London from a mix of deadstock fabrics and upcycled materials. @tolucoker
48 Tom Kay
Founder, Finisterre
Born from a love of the sea passed down by Tom’s parents, Finisterre makes consciously built outerwear for an inspired life in and around the sea. The first outdoor apparel brand in the UK to achieve B Corp status, it operates from a clifftop workshop in Cornwall and has 11 stores, including three Repairs Workshops.
@tommykay7
49 Tori Tsui
Activist and author
Tori is a senior advisor for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Climate Justice Lead for Brian Eno’s Earth Percent. Her debut book It’s Not Just You was short-listed for the Wainwright Prize; she sailed across the Atlantic in 2019, sponsored by Stella McCartney; and she was featured on the front cover of Vogue with Billie Eilish in 2023. @toritsui_
50 Torsten Van Dullemen
Group director of sustainability, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group MOHG is known for pioneering sustainable luxury hospitality. This is thanks to Torsten, who has built a culture of responsibility among his colleagues. One of his biggest successes is eliminating 99.9 percent of single-use plastic across all operations. @torstengm_mohydepark n
Dress Suzanne Neville
Shoes Manolo Blahnik
Amethyst and diamond necklace, earrings and rings; topaz and diamond ring, all Kiki McDonough
American STORY
As the United States heads to the polls to decide its future, The Apprentice, a controversial film exploring former President Donald Trump’s formative years, has (finally) hit the big screen. AMEL MUKHTAR meets Maria Bakalova, who plays Trump’s first wife Ivana, and reflects on the influence she had in shaping the man he would become
FASHION DIRECTOR NICOLE SMALLWOOD
PHOTOGRAPHER MATTHEW SHAVE
‘I’m so happy to be seeing a woman,’ says Maria Bakalova once the Zoom loads, with a warm smile wide across her face. Playing Ivana Trump in The Apprentice, has she had to talk about this film to a lot of men? ‘Yeah,’ she deadpans. ‘It’s always a bit more satisfying to see a woman.’
You kind of feel the same way every time that Bakalova is on screen as Ivana, a bold and coiffed glamourpuss who becomes a welcome breath of (probably heavily perfumed) air in a film depicting the many sordid actions of greedy men. It is the Frankenstein story of the creation of the Donald Trump we know today – the man who would become the first former president in US history to be convicted of a felony – by the ruthless lawyer Roy Cohn, who is, in Bakalava’s view, ‘one of the most vicious people that has ever lived’. The film takes a slice of Trump’s life from the seventies to the nineties, the era in which he would meet and marry Ivana, his first wife and a different guiding force.
‘I was voluming my hair for probably two hours,’ says Bakalova, explaining how she got the part. While shooting another film in New
York, her agents told her director Ali Abbasi was in town. With only one day off, she had to find a way to meet him and, if she pulled it off, had to make an impact. Her face fully powdered and kohl-lined, hair teased to the gods, she powered down New York for their midday meeting. ‘It’s tricky because you don’t know this person [and] you might seem kind of mental, but I want to give him an idea that I can look like her.’
Twenty-eight-year-old Bakalova hadn’t known much beyond the surface level prior to the role. ‘I knew that Ivana was a beautiful model, a fashion queen. I knew that she’d been married to this person. But apart from that, I didn’t really know about her,’ she says. ‘I fell in love with her the moment I started reading. She’d been so outspoken and ahead of her time… Imagine that person back in the seventies growing up in a communist country, which is even more patriarchal and misogynistic in a lot of ways than the United States.’
Ivana hugely helped to shape Donald, Bakalova found. For example, ‘she started calling him “the Donald” first, because she didn’t know the language well… It’s still like “you are the man, the Donald”, boosting your confidence, making you believe. But that’s the tricky part, that when you give someone too much power, when you make them bigger than you… if you do it too much and neglect yourself, they will start taking advantage of you and dismiss you.’
Deleted scenes expanded on Ivana’s fiery, independent nature, which Bakalova says helped inspire Trump’s own. ‘I wish we had them in the film – I hope they’re released in a different way.’ They include her first dinner with the Trumps, where, following his father, everyone orders steak. ‘I’ll have the halibut,’ recounts Bakalova as Ivana. ‘Never has anyone dared to do that before. It’s like “just order the fucking steak”. I’m not doing it. I have my own mind. I have my own decision, even if that’s going to piss off your family.’
In another, Ivana didn’t mention that she was a competitive skier and smashed Trump at it… She tells him how she grew up in a place she knew she had to escape if she was to become something. ‘She knew you had to be competitive in order to succeed,’ she says, with a soft smirk. ‘I do think Ivana was just as important as Roy Cohn in Donald’s development, but we would have had, like, a five-hour movie if we had everything.’ But doesn’t that mean the film ends up consolidating male power and obscuring the hidden role she strongly feels a woman played? She hesitates a little. ‘I agree,’ she says, quietly.
Growing up in post-communist Bulgaria, as a child Bakalova wanted to be a Led Zeppelin-esque rock star, but due to the ‘patriarchy’ of her country, she was told to play something feminine instead. She
Dress Elie Saab Diamond Fringe necklace and earring, round diamond Promise ring, all Graff
Dress Louis Vuitton
Earrings Louis Vuitton
chose the flute and sang competitively. ‘In countries like Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia, the government depends on people to deliver medals and scholarships from competitions, whether music or sports. My reality was music. Ivana’s was sport.’ Although she started in pop and jazz, she switched to folk as there were more festivals, which meant she could travel further – to spend a month in Germany, Italy, France and Austria instead.
But after a vocal injury, as a very shy and quiet child, she tried acting. ‘What can I do in order to be somewhere else? Be somebody else? Have the opportunity to expand and put on a mask, and get rid of my shyness, my shame, all the fears and self-doubts?’ She used to draw the Hollywood sign on her school desk, but her teacher told her, ‘That’s never going to happen. You’re eastern European. You have an accent. You don’t speak English. They don’t cast people like you.’ But Maria Bakalova was born a miracle, to parents who couldn’t conceive for 15 years. She knew better than most that there is always a possibility that you beat the odds. When the high school she had just been accepted into cut its acting class, her mother sent all her medals and diplomas in a
letter to the Minister of Culture. ‘We were nobodies with a big dream. My dad was always more realistic, even pessimistic. He was like, “Nobody’s going to open this.” But by the end of summer they got a letter back: find three other people and they could open the class. That changed my life.’
Strangely, her breakout debut part in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm in 2020, released just before another US presidential election, centred on Trump, and ended up depicting the shady dealings of his lawyer – at that time, Rudy Giuliani. The scene that probably got Bakalova her Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination sees her character seeming to start pulling down Giuliani’s trousers. ‘I guess [Donald] just made some interesting choices about the lawyers around him,’ she says of the parallel. But she diplomatically avoids the subject of Giuliani, his defence of Trump’s infamous pussy-grabbing line, or that her scene with him became part of the evidence in a $10m sexual assault case against him. ‘I’m not familiar with that.’
The film’s content – including a sexual assault scene – provoked Trump’s lawyers to send cease and desist letters to its makers in an attempt to stop its release. Bakalova felt its weight at the time. ‘I’m getting emotional now, because I do have family members that have been through this [assault], and it’s just something that we really need to talk about more and be more supportive of,’ she says. ‘It’s been challenging to go through this even as a character and as a scene in a movie. I don’t even want to imagine what it is like to go through it in real life.’ The real Ivana would go on to distance herself from the allegation that she made in a 1990 court deposition, ahead of Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2015. But, ‘for the time that we focus on in our movie, that’s her truth,’ says Maria.
With the film’s release just before the US presidential election, does she think it will help or hinder his chances against Kamala Harris?
‘I don’t see the movie being a political piece at all… The movie is bigger than just Donald Trump as a person. It’s about relationships, the influence of other people, the choices that you make. You can find yourself empathising with these characters, you can find yourself criticising them. As long as you feel something, that’s what makes art important.’ But anyway, in America, she says, ‘I don’t have the right to vote. I don’t think it’s my place to say you should do this or that. But I think it’s important to appreciate the fact that you have the right to vote. You have the right to express your opinion. And that’s what I’m hoping people will do.’
The Apprentice is in cinemas now n
Suit Stella McCartney
Earrings Louis Vuitton Shoes Malone Souliers
TEAM
Make-up: Lan Nguyen-Grealis
@ Eighteen Management using Ilia Beauty Hair: Davide Barbieri
@ Aframe agency
Nails: Christie Huseyin
@ Eighteen Management
Video: Tracer Ital
Fashion assistant: Lacie Gittins
Photographer’s assistants: Alicia Colarusso and Benji Meredith Hardy
From left: Masterpiece Kingdom paraiba tourmaline ring, Lukusuzi aquamarine and diamond ring, Masterpiece Astoria diamond ring and Kingdom pink tourmaline ring, all Pragnell
What a DAME
PHOTOS: VINCENT CALMEL; HUGO VAN LAWICK
In 1960, Jane Goodall left her home in England to research chimpanzees in Tanzania. Today, at 90, her passion for saving them – and the planet – is as strong as ever. LISA GRAINGER meets the world-leading ethologist and conservationist
If you haven’t seen the YouTube footage of Dr Jane Goodall being greeted by orphan chimpanzee Wounda in the Republic of Congo, then please treat yourself to a viewing.
Not only is it incredibly moving to see this slight, gentle, white-haired woman being looked at adoringly like a long-lost friend by a great ape, even though they had not previously met, but it also makes you realise that the chimp is only doing what so many of us would like to do – to give this extraordinary 90-year-old environmentalist a big fat hug.
Across the world, few other nonagenarians, other than perhaps Sir David Attenborough, are quite as loved as Goodall. In the US,
she is such a legend that she was name-checked in e Simpsons and was the woman that Michael Jackson said had inspired him to write Heal the World. In the UK, she’s been made a dame of the British Empire and UN Secretary-General Ko Annan named her a messenger of peace. And every day, messages ood in for her from around the world – from her 2.4million followers on Facebook and 1.4 million on Instagram, ranging from children in Africa telling her about the vegetable gardens they’ve grown, and environmentalists in South America who have dedicated forests to her, to Inuit communities who want to consult her on climate change.
W hen I meet her for tea at her assistant’s at in west London, I notice how reluctant she is to talk about her achievements. In person she is incredibly modest, sometimes even slightly shy. ‘I’ve come to realise that the only way to get to humans is to reach out to their hearts,’ the Cambridge-educated environmentalist says quietly, looking down thoughtfully at the elegant hands that have rescued so many chimpanzees. ‘Only if we understand from the heart will we care – and will help. And only if we help can this world be saved.’
Goodall frequently speaks on the themes of hope and love: two of her books are titled With Love and e Book of Hope. But her understanding of the natural world is deeply rooted in science – in particular, the chimpanzees research in Tanzania she started for the palaeoanthropologist Louis Leakey in 1960. It is the decimation of these animals about which she is most vocal. ‘A century ago, there were thought to be about two million chimps across 25 African countries,’ she says. ‘Now there are 340,000, if that. And in three of those 25 countries, there are no chimps left at all.’
FROM LEFT: Dr Jane Goodall is on a mission to raise funds and awareness about the plight of chimpanzees and the planet; she first started work in the forests of Tanzania in 1960
One of the key reasons for their rapid decline, she says, is the bushmeat trade: the hunting of wild animals in the forest for food. Once, hunting for wild meat was done sustainably by local people for food. Now, thanks to industrialised logging throughout Africa – for wood that goes to America, Europe and Asia – roads have been cut deep into the forests, making it far easier for hunters to truck the meat out. Some research, she says, shows that about a million metric tonnes of bushmeat is being removed from the Congo Basin forests each year, resulting, in some areas, in ‘empty forest syndrome’, where no species are left at all. ‘The hunters go into an area and kill everything they find,’ Goodall says quietly. ‘Antelope, bushpigs, porcupines, birds and, of course, primates.’
Such mass slaughter of wild creatures is grim – but for her, the killing of chimpanzees is particularly horrifying. ‘Eating chimpanzees is, of course, wrong, partly because they’re so close to us – only about one percent of their DNA is different to ours. They have emotions. They make family bonds. And when you know them as I know them, as personalities, to eat one would be like eating another person, like cannibalism.’
W hile governments around the world know that to kill endangered animals is illegal (as she says, ‘It’s illegal to kill a chimpanzee; it’s illegal to catch one; it’s illegal to keep one’), preventing the undercover trade, she says, is extremely difficult and law enforcement ‘depends on who is in government in that country at the time’. And while it is also illegal to keep apes as pets in many parts of the world –including the UK and most states in the US – in the Middle East and China, she says, there is still a demand for them for private zoos. ‘What people don’t seem to understand is chimpanzees are not pets,’ she says passionately. ‘They are wild. They are sociable. They have family units, to which they’re attached. But still, these creatures are being flown out of countries and often in diplomatic bags, which means there is nothing anyone can do. It’s like the ivory trade. Except these are live animals, which have been torn from their families.’
for rescued apes across Africa – she has seen particularly heartbreaking sights. ‘Some animals brought to us are in a terrible condition: bald, ill, depressed,’ she says, shaking her head sadly. ‘In other places, they have been loved by their owners but were not treated as wild animals. One chimp had been owned by a Middle Eastern princess and arrived with four suitcases of clothes. Four suitcases! What sort of life had this animal had? Another chimp was brought to a sanctuary by an owner who loved him very much but had shaved him totally and put aftershave on him and a suit. The big problem in cases like this, is that these chimps can never be released into the wild again.’
Many that are released have only a small chance of survival – thanks to hunters, the territorial behaviour of other chimps and the encroachment of man into previously wild areas. ‘When I arrived in Gombe, western Tanzania, almost 65 years ago,
Then often, when the adult chimpanzees turn aggressive and become too difficult to keep as pets, their owners dump them. In her Tchimpounga Sanctuary in the Republic of Congo – one of two Goodall Institute refuges
FROM LEFT: Goodall as a young child; the Cambridge-educated ethologist is most vocal about protecting the primates she has devoted her life to
and spent 19 years studying wild chimpanzees, there were forests all around. It was completely cut off. Now, the national park is surrounded by cultivated fields.’
It was this encroachment, she says, and the almost overnight disappearance of nearby forests, that made her realise that unless populations valued wildlife and learned to be conservationists themselves, the chimps were doomed. ‘There is absolutely no point in protecting chimps if we are not raising new generations to be better stewards,’ she says passionately. ‘What we need is a new generation who will look after the world.’
W hich is why, having set up the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 to protect chimpanzees, she established the Lake Tanganyika Forest and Education Project (Tacare) in 1994, to empower communities in the Kigoma area with community-led conservation programmes. In 1991, Jane began her global environmental and humanitarian programme Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, which seeks to empower young people to become involved in hands-on projects of their choosing. It is now active in more than 70 countries.
It’s visiting these youth projects and meeting the students involved that has really given her hope, she says, her eyes suddenly sparkling. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, she visited a group of children in a refugee camp who’d learned how to grow vegetables and created the only green patch in the camp. There was also a boy who’d learned how to farm chickens, persuading more than 70 former hunters to keep and sell poultry, rather than to hunt. ‘I even got a letter from a Bronx boy who said that, because of what we’d learned, he’d written to Kellogg’s, complaining that chimpanzees shouldn’t be dressed in clothes on its cereal packets. And Kellogg’s wrote back telling him that it’d now stopped that packaging, as a result. So he realised that he could make difference. And that’s what it’s all about. Making people care and then helping them to do something about it.’
Forests are something about which the conservationist really cares. It was in the forests of Gombe in Tanzania that she made the celebrated finding that chimpanzees, like man, use tools. It was also there that she met her first husband, the wildlife photographer Baron Hugo van Lawick, with whom she had a son, and then her second husband, Derek Bryceson, who was the head of Tanzania’s National Parks.
She only left the forest, reluctantly, when in 1986 she realised that across Africa chimpanzees were vanishing – and that to save them, she must become an activist. From that day on, she says, her home became ‘everywhere… everywhere where I could meet other inspirational people who are as passionate as I am to try and save what we can. To make every individual realise that they matter and have a role to play. Every individual can make a difference.’
At the age of 90, her mission has broadened from the plight of chimpanzees to the demise of our planet. Today, she gives talks to packed audiences around the globe, to fundraise and to raise awareness on topics such as how to eat ethically (she is vegan), why we should boycott environmentally unethical companies and what do to about the melting icecaps.
A lthough she is unmistakeably British – in her modest dress, her clipped accent, her no-nonsense attitudes – her reach is worldwide. In her late eighties, she launched a podcast that was downloaded by more than 400,000 people in 130 countries, featuring guests from the author Margaret Atwood to the foreign correspondent John Simpson (who admitted he was once so besotted with Goodall, he used to carry with him a Sunday Times Magazine feature about her).
As I write, she’s on tour in Australia, then New Zealand, speaking in stadiums usually reserved for pop stars (if you want to track her on social media, use #wheresjane).
She is a woman on a mission. And, given the state of our planet and the urgency of the work that needs to be done, there is little hope of her retiring, she says, raising a slightly rueful eyebrow. ‘While I can still do something, I must. Besides, if I didn’t, I’d always want to return to Gombe. Under those trees is where I most feel at home.’
janegoodall.org.uk; rootsnshoots.org.uk n
FROM ABOVE: Today, there are 340,000 chimpanzees across 25 African countries, where once there were two million; Goodall sells out stadiums usually reserved for pop stars
Return to RUTSHIRE
To mark Disney+’s new adaptation of Rivals, CLARE NAYLOR – one of the screenwriters –gives us a refresher on all things Jilly
h en the new adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s eighties novel Rivals hit TV screens earlier this autumn, there was no doubt a collective rush to bookcases across the country in a bid to break out the old paperbacks and revisit the canon – Riders, Polo, Appassionata – as readers reacquainted themselves (and younger viewers take an inaugural leap) with the particular magic that’s made this newly anointed dame one of the nation’s most beloved novelists for almost ve decades.
Like most girls of my generation, I was inculcated with the joys of Jilly Cooper through her early shorter novels such as Imogen, Harriet and Octavia, where the young heroines had sex on barge holidays with devilish Welsh lovers and were seduced by men in tennis whites. It was only many decades later, when I was asked to write an episode of Rivals for Disney+ and took a deep dive into all things Jilly, that I encountered Rupert Campbell-Black for the rst time. Long after she rst dreamed him up, he was still galloping and romping across the pages of her juicier, more adult novels such as Riders and Polo. Only then did I begin to understand what I had missed. Not just Cooper’s heroes but her very idiosyncratic literary style.
What makes Dame Jilly a true national treasure (aside from the fact she’s sported the same hair-do for longer than the late queen did and still has exquisite legs at the ripe age of 87) – and what sets her apart from the leopard-print legion of bonk-busting novelists of her era – is her humanity and warmth. She sees only the good in everyone, real and ctitious, and her characters are as lovable as old friends, despite their peccadillos and often appallingly bad behaviour. ere’s also a light-hearted, very British esprit to her novels that consists of outrageous puns and heady superlatives; earthy sex and unearthly sex; dog hair and body hair (Jilly loves a ‘bush’, and her heroines are often caught spritzing theirs with Anais Anais before a night of passion with somebody else’s husband); the people are unerringly beautiful; and her dulcet depiction of the English countryside is as pretty as any Wordsworth might have conjured. It’s the spell of joy that Jilly Cooper casts that makes the current TV series such an unapologetic delight in a schedule heaving with true crime and psychopaths. Her novels are the antidote to grim reality. During the writing of the show, Jilly would occasionally appear like a fairy godmother in the writer’s room, sharp as a tack and poised with the perfect anecdote to ll a gap in the plot; or at the o ce Christmas party, fragrant and giggling, likening champagne to ‘Snow White’s orgasm’ and handing out compliments like delicious canapés. It’s this irrepressible joie de vivre that ensures when her readers put down her books, they’re left basking in an afterglow that usually only comes from, well… let’s not get ahead of ourselves. All that is to come (pun always intended). Before we go too far (which we obviously will), here’s the lowdown on Rivals
WHERE IS RUTSHIRE? Rutshire is basically Gloucestershire with more sex, as the name cheekily suggests. It’s staggeringly picturesque. As arch-villain Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) says to Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) at one point, ‘What are you doing dodging dogshit in Fulham? Come to Cotchester. Even I have to pinch myself sometimes at how fucking beautiful it is.’
WHO LIVES HERE? More speci cally, who doesn’t? Rivals 2024 has a cast for days – apart from Tennant and Turner, there’s Danny Dyer, Victoria Smur t, Katherine Parkinson, Bella Maclean and Alex Hassell, to name hardly any of them. Everyone behaves in main character style. ey drink champagne from oral
teacups at breakfast time, indulge in naked tennis with other people’s wives before lunch, share baths with labradors and, in consummate 80s fashion, dance drunkenly around handbags to the Birdie Song at garden parties. ey also, obviously, have a lot of sex.
PROPERTY PORN, MUCH? Every home in the show is a work of art, some admittedly more eighties Athena print than Constable, but there are Laura Ashley prints, swags and pelmets, glass co ee tables and peach satin sheets galore, as we step back through louvred doors into the decade that taste forgot. From the classical grandeur of Penscombe Court, Rupert Campbell-Black’s family seat, to the cosy, rambling chaos of e Priory, where the O’Hara family live, and Green Lawns, where Freddie and Valerie Jones reside in nouveau riche splendour among shagpile so deep it needs to be raked, not vacuumed, by the trusty daily Mrs Makepiece. It’s the television equivalent of stumbling across the November 1986 issue of World of Interiors by the loo in a country house.
RUPERT CAMPBELL-BLACK... Clearly this was going to come up. Jilly’s love of superlatives is not wasted here. ‘ e most handsome man in England’ is played to wicked perfection by RSC alumnus Alex Hassell and there will inevitably be an initial, Daily Mail-style, national outpouring of fury that he isn’t blond, as Dame Jilly intended him. But hold your horses (yes, literally), because I promise you that three-and-a-half minutes (a bit quick, I know, but as it takes place in the loo on Concorde, the brevity is forgivable) into the rst episode you’ll have entirely forgiven and forgotten the travesty of converting one of literature’s hottest blonds into a brunet. Viewers, it works!
HAS RIVALS REALLY GONE WOKE? is adaptation is as riotous as Dame Jilly intended and not for the delicately disposed. No attempt is madeto avoid the thornier issues of the era –homophobia, atcher, AIDS, domestic and sexual violence – which are all dealt with head-on and with veracity. Much like in the current climate, the men are unconstructed bounders who mostly get away with their terrible behaviour; it’s 1986 and nobody had heard of the patriarchy. e women have their own response to despicable cads and aren’t averse to delivering deft slaps to the cheek or withering put-downs when the occasion demands.
APART FROM THE OBVIOUS, WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Rivals is set in the world of Corinium Television, which is turned upside down when megastar broadcaster Declan O’Hara and his restless, feckless, red-headed wife Maud (Smur t) arrive in Cotchester with their three children, Taggie, Patrick and Caitlin, trailing clouds of glamour and wreaking romantic mayhem. e O’Haras throw parties, put dastardly Tony Baddingham in a very bad mood and reignite the creative spark in erstwhile novelist Lizzie Vereker (Parkinson), the neglected wife of cheesy TV host, James. ere are a airs and alliances, passes are made and electronics millionaire (no vulgar billionaires back then, such a relief) Freddie Jones (Dyer) assumes the role of heartthrob by stealth. With the novel coming in at 716 pages, this is obviously not everything. Most crucially, the adaptation of Rivals can’t be pinned down to a single note – it’s poignant, riotous, funny, sexy, sad and sometimes even dark. It’s also a respite from modern life, which can sometimes seem such very hard work. Welcome to the Jillyverse.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker; David Tennant as arch-villain Tony Baddingham; Alex Hassell as Rupert Campbell-Black and Luke Pasqualino as Bas Badingham; Nafessa Williams as TV exec Cameron Cook; Aidan Turner as Declan O’Hara. CENTRE: Dame Jilly Cooper
A Slice of the PIE
Fractional investment in rare collectibles is gaining in popularity. TESSA DUNTHORNE investigates
It might be tiny, but this stamp is the most expensive item in the world by weight. The 1¢ Magenta is among the most famous in the world – if you’re into that sort of thing. Not because of a manufacturing error (which is why most stamps’ values soar) but because it’s a true one-of-a-kind. And, until 2021, it had only had 12 owners in its history.
‘Now it has 1,600 owners,’ says Aaron Carter, managing director of Showpiece, a platform that allows users to invest in rare collectibles.
Collectibles are having a moment, particularly as a fashionable arm of your investment portfolio. The late American investor David Swensen was credited with legitimising the practice – his work demonstrated that by aggressively splitting your assets across alternative funds, you get the best return on investment. Rare items – whether art, limited-release trainers, or indeed the world’s most famous stamp – don’t respond to the stock market, so may retain value when your traditional portfolio is in the red. And, says Aaron, ‘It’s more interesting than buying a few quid of a company on the FTSE index.’
In fact, according to Deloitte, 85 percent of wealth managers agree that art pieces (and similar collectibles) are important additions to any balanced portfolio. Which is great – if you’ve got the readies to invest in rarefied artefacts.
However, what if you want a piece of the action for a fraction of the price? The 1¢ Magenta is just one example of how fractional investment is gaining traction, providing its 1,600 new buyers the chance to buy a slither of it from only £100. And this practice, according to Charlotte Stewart, MD of MyArtBroker, is ‘a zeitgeist’ that’s only growing.
‘It’s not been around for ages, but there’s a huge variation on what people fractionalise,’ she says, ‘from fine wines and whisky to James Bond’s underpants and even a piece of cake from Queen Victoria’s wedding…’
Masterworks, the US based art-market that sells visual media by the slice, is the biggest platform. To date, it self reports to have raised ‘over a billion dollars’. When Scott Lynn founded it in 2017, he’d come to it as a collector himself. ‘I’d been collecting art for a decade,’ he says, which inspired him to ‘create an investment vehicle for art, so that millions of people who didn’t have millions of dollars could include it in their portfolios’.
says Aaron. ‘There was a 92-year-old who had been collecting stamps since he was a boy. For him to be able to come in and own that little piece – it was something quite magical.’
There’s another reason that fractional ownership may spark passion in would-be buyers. ‘When owners pop into our place on the Strand, we can show them the item they own,’ Aaron says. ‘As long as our users own various items, they’re out on public display.’
Why is this important? ‘Museums are struggling,’ he says. ‘Foot traffic is falling year-on-year. They’re cash-strapped, and can’t afford to acquire apex assets and keep them on public display.
‘Some public museums no longer display items owned by ultra-high net-worths for fear of being seen as a shop window. Museums and galleries can’t compete for assets anymore – the only way to keep these items in the public realm is through fractional ownership, because benefactors alone can’t sustain it anymore.’
Collective ownership of assets is a vehicle that can facilitate common access of goods, then. ‘I definitely think that’s right,’ says Scott. ‘Our artwork is either lent to museums or kept in storage, with efforts to display as much as possible. A lot of culturally significant art goes into private collections and is never seen again. Fractional ownership allows for pieces to be displayed publicly.’
As core government funding for arts councils has decreased in the past few years – by 18 percent in England, and up to 66 percent in Northern Ireland – this kind of action might be necessary. Many of Britain’s major cultural institutions have been sounding the alarms over their ability to invest in their collections – Woking’s the Lightbox told The Arts Newspaper this year that council funding’s sudden drought meant it was losing about a third of its income – and so it’s no real surprise that the solution offered by platforms such as Showpiece and Masterworks is appealing to philatelists.
The average user attracted to this kind of service, he says, is a high-networth individual who earns at least $100,000. They’re of all ages – ‘we have investors from their 20s to their 60s’ – and they want to diversify beyond stocks and shares, aiming for about a five percent allocation of their portfolio to be in paintings and prints. They’re global too: ‘There’s definitely interest among wealthy Chinese individuals and the Korean market.’
But it’s not just about the investment’s financial performance, according to Aaron. ‘We’ve found that many people who purchase investable assets don’t necessarily expect to make profits that outperform the FTSE or S&P 500,’ he says. ‘If they get back what they invested and it derisks some of their portfolio – and they get an experience out of it – they chalk it up as a win. For our users, the fractionalisation is about the passion of ownership.’
The 1¢ Magenta is a great example. Stanley-Gibbons, the world’s largest stamp dealer, chose to sell the stamp via Showpiece in 2021; the sale attracted thousands of people willing to invest. Most were passionate about the stamp itself. ‘The 1¢ is the only one the Royal Collection doesn’t have. It’s also the one that everyone knows will never be in your stamp book,’
But as an actual asset, fractional ownership is not guaranteed to be a surefire investment. Charlotte says she tends to advise caution on collectibles without a solid investment background – they only buy and sell those which have at least seven years of data to follow. ‘It’s helpful to know what the artwork has done across a decade or so,’ she says, ‘because the whole thing hasn’t been around for ages. That’s actually one thing Masterworks do really well, for example – how much data they’ve got on the performance.’
And, more widely, there’s been a slowdown in the luxury industry that’s affecting the entire investable asset market. Christie’s recently reported a 22 percent drop in auction sales; the value of a collectible is ultimately dictated by the upper limit that a buyer is willing to pay, so this spells trouble. Fractional investment platforms aren’t isolated from this because their users have smaller stakes in the game and, in fact, may face hidden management fees in final sales, which affect their eventual return. ‘Transparency is essential,’ says Aaron. ‘The breakdown of costs and expected returns must be straightforward with no workarounds. That isn’t always the case.’
This is a key reason one end-user – David, 67, a retired GP who invests in fine wine for resale purposes – wouldn’t consider fractional ownership. ‘As soon as you go in with a company, you pay management charges – and you don’t have control over the asset.’
And though a drive for community benefit is all well and good, he sums up the final reason that it may not appeal: ‘If you own the asset – in my case, wine – and it all hits the rocks, you can always drink the stuff.’ n
The 1¢ Magenta stamp is the world’s most expensive item by weight – and since 2021 has been owned by 1600 people
The C&TH Christmas
GIFT GUIDE
It’s been one helluva year, so gather loved ones and spread good cheer. Which gifts you decide on is your call, but Happy Christmas one and all!
The WARDROBE
Choose the one thing over the many – and make it last
1 Philippa Herbert Bobble necklace, £285, philippaherbert.co.uk. 2 Longchamp Blouse, £545, longchamp.com. 3 Van Cleef Moonlight Patchouli parfum, £185, selfridges.com. 4 Pleasing The Kissing Swan lambswool knit, £260, pleasing.com. 5 Cos Funnel-neck shearling, £1,190, cos.com. 6 Robinson Pelham Moonraker collar, £12,500, robinsonpelham.com. 7 Hermès Stately Wheels silk scarf, £450, hermes.com. 8 Mulberry Lily shearling bag, £1,195, mulberry.com. 9 Olivia von Halle Mimi Cocteau robe, £590, oliviavonhalle.com. 10 Knatchbull Tuxedo, £1,795, knatchbull.com. 11 Asprey Shoulder bag, £3,250, asprey.com. 12 Pragnell Letter pendant charm in 18ct yellow gold, £1,515, pragnell.co.uk. 13 Graff Spiral Collection diamond watch set in white gold, £POA, graff.com. 14 Malone Souliers Bardot shoe, £745, malonesouliers.com.
The DRESSING TABLE
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?
1 Madeleine Thompson Bower cardigan, £450, madeleine-thompson.com. 2 Chantecaille Gilded Garden limited-edition lip crystals, £48, chantecaille.co.uk. 3 Inlight Hair elixir, £44, inlightbeauty.co.uk 4 Ettinger Capra ecru mini jewellery roll, £165, ettinger.co.uk. 5 Baobab Mexico scented candle, £49, fenwick.co.uk. 6 14 Day Mani Gel polish vanity bag kit, £109, 14daymanicure.com. 7 Dr Sebagh Iconic trio, £329, drsebagh.com. 8 Davidson London The Crysler dressing table, £35,231, davidsonlondon.com. 9 S’able Labs Rooibos micellar water, £23, uk.sablelabs.co. 10 Neill Strain Haute petite couture, £74.50, neillstrain.com. 11 Hermès Barénia eau de parfum, £137, hermes.com. 12 Kri Organic rosehip seed oil, £15, kri.skin. 13 Adler ‘ Marquise 1925’ earrings in 18kt white gold set with diamonds, £POA, adler.ch.
The JEWELLERY BOX
Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are
1 Boodles Blossom mini yellow gold diamond drop earrings, £1,400, boodles.com. 2 Fope Flex’it bracelet with diamonds, £2,160, fope.com.
Chant earrings with Akoya pearls and diamonds, £4,920, tasaki.co.uk. 6 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak frosted gold self-winding, £53,900, audemarspiguet.com. 7 Giovanni Raspini Cocktail earrings, limited edition, £520, giovanniraspini.com. 8 Kiki McDonough Petal ring with diamonds and rubellites, £3,500, kiki.co.uk. 9 Cece Sweetheart bracelet, £3,750, cecejewellery com. 10 Skydiamond Stilla 1.16 open ring in platinum, £3,300, skydiamond.com. 11 Recarlo Anniversary love heart cut diamond earrings, £12,295, james-porter.com. 12 Lugano Sapphire eternity ring, £POA, luganodiamonds.com. 13 Patek Philippe 5738/1R golden ellipse self-winding, £POA, patek.com. 14 Gucci Horsebit wide diamond ring in 18k gold, £1,770, gucci.com.
The LIBRARY
Settle down, crack a book – or play with your new oh-so-shiny toys and gadgets
1 Brugal Coleccion Visionaria rum, £72, bbr.com. 2 Intrepid The Intrepid List: 100 Uncommon Experiences To Change The Way You Travel, £22.99, waterstones.com. 3 Jo Malone Moonlit camomile cologne, £118, jomalone.co.uk 4 Oliver Brown Cable-knit quarter zip, £445, oliverbrownlondon.com. 5 Alexandra Llewellyn Beetle and signature playing cards, £145, alexandrallewellyn.com. 6 Roberts Radio Rambler Uno, £129, robertsradio.com. 7 Turnbull & Asser Silk cravat, £205, turnbullandasser.co.uk. 8 Jimmy Choo Patent slip-on shoe, £895, jimmychoo. com. 9 Assouline James Bond Style, £100, eu.assouline.com. 10 Richard Mille RM 17-02 Tourbillon in titanium, £POA, richardmille.com. 11 Smythson Chess roll, £550, smythson.com. 12 Cambridge Audio All-in-one wireless streaming speaker, £1,299, cambridgeaudio.com. 13 Manolo Blahnik Agasio loafers, £725, manoloblahnik.com. 14 Favourbrook Velvet Nehru jacket, £1,450, favourbrook.com.
The DESK
‘If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what are we to think of an empty desk?’
1 Diptyque Pencil pot, £56, diptyqueparis.com. 2 The Conran Shop Roto table lamp, £325, theconranshop.com. 3 Floris Golden amber eau de parfum 100ml, £180, florislondon.com. 4 Rolex GMT-Master II 40mm, Oystersteel, £9,350, rolex.com. 5 Swaine Baby Mayfair portfolio, £750, swaine.london. 6 Sabina Savage The Menuki print waistcoat, £990, sabinasavage.com. 7 Nina Campbell Max mahogany desk, £11,010, ninacampbell.com. 8 Jo Loves Amber, lime & bergamot, oversized candle, £375, joloves.com 9 Farrar & Tanner Rapport London wireless charging valet and watch tray, £350, farrar-tanner.co.uk. 10 Strathberry Sunglasses case, £125, strathberry.com 11 Westley Richards Leather notebook , £65, westleyrichards.com . 12 Carl Friedrick Palissy briefcase, £645, carlfriedrik.com. 13 Rémy Martin 300th anniversary coupe, £2,200, remymartin.com. 14 Breguet Type XX chronographe 2067 with rose gold navy dial, £35,500, breguet.com .
DESIGN DESTINATION
Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour never stands still, inspiring visitors with 130+ showrooms, plus events and a personal shopping service
What’s the secret to decorating like a professional? With its mix of luxury flagships, independent companies and some 600 brands, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is a global destination for interior designers. However, anyone with a passion for design is welcome to visit, including individuals looking for products and ideas for their own homes.
To help narrow down the options, seek out the Design Centre’s personal shopping service, which knows the showrooms inside out. Source at Personal Shopping has its own dedicated suite: make an appointment to unlock access to thousands of products, pinpoint exactly what you need – and discover brands that you may have never considered before.
Source at Personal Shopping recently added a new service, offering more than 40 china and glass brands, plus exquisite table linen. Visit the suite for the latest from British household names such as Wedgwood and Royal Crown Derby, as well as the cream of European heritage brands, including Meissen and Lalique, plus smaller independent brands.
Discover more at dcch.co.uk
ON THE RADAR
Mark your calendar with these two upcoming events at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour
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CHRISTMAS DESIGN DAY
On 3 December, join the Design Centre for a special Christmas Design Day and get your festive fix with a host of experiences, accessing specialist know-how at hands-on workshops and demonstrations. This is a lovely time of year to come together and get into the Christmas spirit: from wreath-making and stylish ways to personalise presents to creating handmade decorations and cards, and advice on table centrepieces, the day promises to engage, inspire and bring seasonal good cheer. Christmas Design Day is held in aid of Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity with over 30 years’ experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools.
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ULTIMATE INTERIOR DESIGN SALE
A new year calls for a new look, and what better way to brighten up your home than a trip to the Ultimate Interior Design Sale, from 13-17 January 2025. This is the perfect way to upgrade interiors with some unbeatable deals from some of the biggest names in design. Snap up furniture, lighting, accessories, carpets, fabrics, and more. Whether you want to kickstart the new year with a cosy rug, invest in some chic furniture or upgrade your accessories and cushions, take advantage of some serious discounts, as well as ex-display pieces at greatly reduced prices. Look out for some brilliant deals on big purchases such as sofas, armchairs and decorative lighting.
The BOOT ROOM
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing
1 Fairfax & Favor Elizabeth gilet, £585, fairfaxandfavor.com 2 Dubarry Tweed cap, £55, dubarry.com. 3 Crockett & Jones Stags head velvet slippers, £380, crockettandjones.com. 4 Acne Studios Scarf, £330, mrporter.com. 5 Humphrey Butler Diamond and enamel grouse brooch, £3,950, humphreybutler.com. 6 Sipsmith Sloe gin, £30, sipsmith.com. 7 New & Lingwood Brown check wrap coat, £1,250, newandlingwood.com. 8 Holland & Holland Shooting socks, £120, hollandandholland.com. 9 Luca Faloni Cashmere hoodie, £325, lucafaloni.com. 10 Edward Green Newmarket Chelsea boot, £1,390. cedwardgreen.com. 11 Groundtruth Crossbody sling, £56, groundtruth.global. 12 Swaine Malacca Prince of Wales umbrella, £750, swaine.london.
The DRINKS CABINET
Dry January is in the distance, now it’s time to restock the shelves
1 Zanaboni Rendez-vous decor bar cabinet, £25,695, artemest.com. 2 CRANBOURN Sunset in Ibiza fragrance diffuser, £38, cranbourn.com.
3 Wiston Estate Blanc de Blancs 2018, £58, wistonestate.com. 4 The Glenturret Gift set, £75, theglenturret.com. 5 Masion Flaneur Cocktail & nibble Murano glass sticks, £95, maisonflaneur.com. 6 No.3 London dry gin, £39, bbr.com. 7 Theo Fennell Silver Tabasco sleeve, £900, theofennell.com. 8 Linley Trafalgar olive sticks, £60, davidlinley.com. 9 Matilda Goad Green lacquered ice bucket, £320, matildagoad.com. 10 The White Company Ferne twisted stem champagne coupes, £58, thewhitecompany.com. 11 The Botanist Islay cask aged gin, £70, thebotanist.com. 12 J Adams & Co Porto mini table light, £642, jadamsandco.com. 13 Silent Pool Black juniper gin, £295, silentpooldistillers.com .
The PANTRY
A veritable feast for the eyes –and the stomach
1 Gozney Pizza cutter, £49.99, gozney.com. 2 Sea Sisters Cuttlefish caponata with basil and pine nuts, £12, seasisters.co.uk. 3 Moser Montagne crystal vase, £569, from Source at Personal Shopping, Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, dcch.co.uk. 4 Remnant Revolution No frills apron in embroidered upholstery fabric, £75, remnantrevolution.co.uk. 5 Bollinger PN VZ19 75cl, £79, bbr.com. 6 Nyetimber A year in the life of England’s finest sparkling wine, £49.95, nyetimber.com. 7 Bordallo Pinheiro Lobster appetiser plate, £375, koibird.com. 8 Golden Hooves Double Gloucester 200mg, £5.50, blasarfwyd.com. 9 Blenheim Forge Santoku knife, £275, blenheimforge.co.uk. 10 Difference Coffee Hawaii Kona coffee pods, £35, differencecoffee.com. 11 Truffle Bee Set of four wooden placemats, approx. £216, truffle-bee.com. 12 Kind Bag Lunch bag, £28, kindbag.co. 13 Pullman Editions Annabel’s Club print, £420, pullmaneditions.com .
The POTTING SHED
When the world’s gone mad, there’s always this delightful retreat
1 East London Parasol Company Peony jade octaganol parasol with 3m canopy, £1,250, eastlondonparasols.com. 2 Sentei Garden scissors, £32, niwaki.com. 3 Le Chameau Vierzonord neoprene boots, £250, lechameau.com. 4 RHS The Garden Almanac 2025, £14.99, waterstones.com. 5 Daylesford Copper watering can, £79, daylesford.com. 6 Juliet Travers Lily of the Valley limited-edition A5 print, £75, juliettravers.com. 7 Hambledon Première Cuvée Rosé, £78, hambledonvineyard.co.uk. 8 Bramley Cracker hand cream, £10 bramleyproducts.co.uk. 9 Purdey Outdoor backed blanket, £595, purdey.com. 10 Beards and Daisies Bird of paradise plant 60-70cm, £45, beardsanddaisies.com. 11 Sapling Raspberry and hibiscus vodka 70cl, £35, saplingspirits.com. 12 Johnstons of Elgin Double face check lambswool throw, £325, johnstonsofelgin.com
What makes a design last generations? Is it exceptional craftsmanship? Is it honest materials? Is it timeless design? For us, it’s all of these. at’s what makes a Neptune home.
The YOGA STUDIO
Keep yuletide festivities chilled with some serious me-time
1 Pairs Scotland Bamboo socks, £7.50, pairs-scotland.com. 2 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100 headphones, £1,299, bang-olufsen.com. 3 Elliot Bra, £39, and shorts, £24, elliotorganics.co.uk. 4 Lululemon Yoga block, £18, net-a-porter.com. 5 BAM Boxy oat gilet, £89, bambooclothing.co.uk. 6 If Only If Eyemask, £55, ifonlyif.co.uk 7 LYMA One-month starter kit, £199, johnbellcroyden.co.uk. 8 St Eval Fig Tree, Sea & Shore candle, £12.99, st-eval.com. 9 Made for Life Organics Skin solve balm, £32, madeforlifeorganics.com 10 Mr Marvis Astons terry shorts, £69, mrmarvis. com. 11 Tusting Washbag in canvas and leather, £200, tusting.co.uk 12 Onyx Pilates ball, £14.99, onyx-fitness.com. 13 Bamford Amethyst water bottle, £49, bamford.com. 14 Longines Conquest watch, £2,000, longines.com. 15 Lalage Beaumont Keyring, £79, lalagebeaumont.com .
POWER THE FESTIVITIES
One Iconic Christmas at Battersea Power Station
As the festive season approaches, elevate your gift-giving with the finest luxury watches and jewellery at Battersea Power Station. This iconic destination not only captures the spirit of Christmas with its stunning decorations but also showcases an exquisite selection of over 150 British and international brands that will dazzle anyone on your gift list.
Elevate your holiday shopping with the finest selection of luxury brands at Battersea Power Station. Step into a world of elegance with IWC Schaffhausen, known for its unique engineering approach to watchmaking, combining the best of human craftsmanship and creativity with cutting-edge technology and processes. Explore the curated offerings from Watches of Switzerland, where luxury meets unparalleled service. Their exclusive collections from brands like Breitling, Zenith and Bulgari feature iconic timepieces that are sure to leave a lasting impression. For those looking to add a touch of sparkle, Rox presents contemporary jewellery with classic sophistication, the perfect statement for festive celebrations.
Battersea Power Station is more than just a shopping destination; it’s a festive wonderland. The stunning architecture, adorned with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations, creates the perfect backdrop for a day out. After indulging in luxury shopping, unwind at one of 50
restaurants or bars onsite, each offering a unique culinary experience that complements the joyous spirit of the season.
Enjoy a Christmas classic at The Cinema in the Power Station, or follow Santa up the chimney at Lift109, for magical 360-degree views of London. Whether you arrive by tube, rail, bike, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, bus, or car, the Power Station is easy to reach.
And for a bit of holiday magic, take to your skates on the Boots presents Glide at Battersea Power Station ice rink, returning for a third year in a row, and enjoying an enviable position on the River Thames with the Power Station’s iconic chimneys as a backdrop. It’s the perfect way to create lasting memories with friends and family during this festive season.
Shop luxury gifting and create one iconic Christmas at Battersea Power Station. batterseapowerstation.co.uk
Christmas decorations at the Power Station
Watches of Switzerland
IWC Schaffhausen
The Power Station Rox
The TOY BOX
Make playtime – and early mornings –as delightful as possible
1 Amazon Kindle paperwhite signature edition (32 GB), £189.99, amazon.co.uk. 2 Lego BMW M4 GT3 & BMW M hybrid V8 race cars, £44.99, lego.com. 3 Holland Cooper Little Town coat, £499, hollandcooper.com. 4 Florence London Personalised bracelet, £75, florence-london. com. 5 Anya Hindmarch Anya Brands Stabilo Boss Original coin purse, £295, anyahindmarch.com. 6 The Art of Pingpong Artbat set, £120, theartofpingpong.co.uk. 7 Colour Your Streets Colour in Notting Hill, £14.99, colouryourstreets.co.uk. 8 Stych embroidered tulle cape, £35, stychaccessories.com. 9 Merry People Bobbi Wellington boot, £39,95, uk.merrypeople.com. 10 Love Brand Crazy Coral Staniel swim shorts, £90, lovebrand.com. 11 House of Bruar Small hot air balloon, £69.95, houseofbruar.com. 12 The ZooFamily Dino walkie-talkies, £54.95, harrods.com. 13 WOLF Ballerina musical jewellery box, £495, wolf1834.com/uk. 14 Jellycat Amuseables croissant bag, £30, jellycat.com. n
INTERIORS
Edited by Carole Annett
Caramel Latte
A city pied à terre makeover mixes rich shades of chocolate, toffee and cream. Carole Annett savours every aspect
‘Our client was drawn to CLEAN, minimalistic interiors, and while open to the use of colour, leaned towards MUTED tones, RICH textures and NATURAL materials’
‘It was more of a light update, rather than total overhaul,’ says Charu Gandhi of Elicyon, the interior design studio best known for creating timeless luxury. The property, a ground-floor lateral mansion block flat, is a London base for an American client whose two children visit regularly, and was fully renovated a few years ago. Charu and her team were keen to retain as much of the base build as possible, with the owner’s approval, including honed limestone floors and walls that look beautiful but lacked warmth. Charu explains the concept: ‘Our client was drawn to clean, minimalistic interiors and, while open to the use of colour, leaned more towards muted tones, rich textures, and natural materials’.
The first step was to temper the expanse of stone, which had been used generously on walls and floors. Charu opted to lighten the grout colour, which softened its overall look. She added a polished plaster ceiling, which offers an alternative texture to the suede limestone pattern and helps to bounce light around. The flat has a proper hallway – it’s small but gives a sense of arrival. It features a framed textile wall hanging from Morocco, Julian Chichester console table and bespoke floor-to-ceiling light. Venture further and you enter a sitting room and dining room divided by a half wall. Here the client requested a sophisticated space with touches of softness and warmth. ‘We aimed for a tailored look but using relaxed materials that felt welcoming,’ she says. ‘We agreed on a tonal, mostly neutral colour scheme with accents of terracotta’. The dining table was the client’s own, which Charu complemented with upholstered chairs. As space was tight in order to maintain a walkway between dining and sitting areas, a bespoke cream hexagonal rug was commissioned from Holland Cassidy. ‘The client didn’t want anything too decorative or feminine, so we added interest through texture, form and wood finishes.’
When it came to the bedrooms, the design team took a more relaxed approach, introducing pink in the university-age daughter’s bedroom. The two smaller guest bedrooms have limited natural light, which allowed for a more playful use of colour, including caramel tones, soft pinks and warm oranges. Plush bedding and layered lighting all work together to enhance comfort and warmth. Charu tends to choose ivory or cream over white bedlinen for its warmer tones. Woven rugs, soft linens, tactile wall finishes including moiré wallpaper and interesting shapes such as a rounded headboard all add character. ‘The materials we selected for furniture, joinery and accessories all played a part in creating this softer effect,’ she says. ‘We used fabric and textiles where possible – for example, choosing linen shades rather than glass and adding woven fronts for the cabinets in the living room rather than a hard finish.’
The overall aim of the project was to balance the client’s desire for minimalist elegance while adding practical functionality. Charu and her team have created a sophisticated and welcoming environment, a perfect place to work, rest and play, and hopefully, sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee.
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LESSONS IN GEOMETRY
Wallcovering from the Desert Garden collection designed by Neisha Crosland for George Spencer Designs, £451 per roll. georgespencer.com
FRENCH DRESSING
Highly regarded for its beautiful bedlinen, Yves Delorme also o ers luxurious tablewear. Fresque tablecloth, from £269. yvesdelorme.com
Design NOTES
ARMCHAIR TRAVEL
Cole & Son’s Winter collection, Shinrin Yoku, or ‘forest bathing’, celebrates the Japanese art of connecting with nature. Japanese Chinoiserie is one of 12 designs, from £310 per roll. cole-and-son.com
SAGE, FIG, PUMPKIN
1 Romo’s Edu velvet
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JUST SAY IT
‘Thank Fuck For You’ candle by Martha Freud, £220. marthafreud.com
WELL FASHIONED
Henry Holland, the former creative director of fashion label House of Holland ,discovered a love of ceramics during lockdown, which has since inspired a fabric and wallpaper collection for Harlequin. Fabrics from £65 a metre; wallpaper from £79 per roll. harlequin. sandersondesigngroup.com
GOT SOME BALLS
The baubles best set to deck your halls
DANCING FAIRIES
The Ivy Shadow chandelier comes to life when lit, forming dancing shadows on the ceiling. Seen here in persimmon, £14,934. portaromana.co.uk
CHIC TO CHIC
Bancci’s Luna armchair, a classic club chair made in the company’s British workshop, is named after the Roman goddess of the moon. Luna chair, £3,495. bancci.co.uk
1 Miami Pastel Hand blown Miami, £50. gather.glass
COUNTRY CLASSIC
Little Magnolia from the Eldon collection is an archive print dating back to 1913, reimagined for a new generation. £95 a metre. gpjbaker.com
2 Kate Medlicott Hand-painted star, from £15. katemedlicott.com
Britcore is back. We’re talking ’90s nostalgia, Oasis, Damon Albarn and The Spice Girls. We’re taking the theme and we’re elevating it. The colour palette? Rich reds and blues, not so loud that they shout ‘Union Jack’, but toned down and you’ve got a subtler nod to Brit pride. And we’re plumping for brands that manufacture locally, too. You can’t get cooler Britannia than that.
NINA CAMPBELL
Handmade Forget-Me-Not metal study, £1,119.50. shop.ninacampbell.com
Snape chair in Stockford stripe rouge, £2,332. sofasandstuff.com AGA Cast iron olivine 26cm casserole dish, £245. agacookshop.co.uk
NAIM AUDIO Mu-so second generation, £899. naimaudio.com
FUN & GAMES
Everyone should own a luxury, design-led game in 2025. Two brands to know: Ettinger has expanded into games, with leather cases to hold dice, dominoes and cards, and Alexandra Llewellyn has built a name with her backgammon boards and poker sets. Geometric poker set, £13,800. alexandra llewellyn.com
WARM METALS
Whether shiny or matt, gold and brass taps add a rich element to bathroom design, particularly when paired with white. One Hundred Collection modern bath filler with matt antique brass levers, £3,832 (plus VAT) at Samuel Heath. samuel-heath.com
Future Homes
Carole Annett is crystal ball-gazing for next year ’s design heroes
GO GREEN
We’re still in love with green but instead of colour drenching, look for mixed colour combinations. Life Kitchen’s 1909 Slab Portal collection is painted in a combination of Ives Blue and Bay Green, with statement granite surfaces. Kitchens, from £40,000. life-kitchens.co.uk
BOLD RUGS
In 2025, we anticipate seeing more bold rugs that combine artwork with sumptuous underfoot feel. But they can be intimidating to use. Najwa Mroue of Atelier NM says throw caution to the wind: ‘Don’t be afraid to use statement rugs – they can transform a room from ordinary to extraordinary’, she says. ‘For me, they are another layer of art’. Luscious Lips rug, £1,400. atelier-nm.com
CUT A FRINGE
Rose pink and winterberry hues are colour-combo favourites. Add a striped fringe and you’ve hit the jackpot. Fringes will be hanging from everything next season – lampshades, cushions and even your sofa. Lani decorative cushion, from £122. heirlooms-linens.com
Upgrade your everyday
When everyday life becomes an extraordinary moment. Discover the Duravit D-Neo series at duravit.co.uk
My INTERIOR Life
Anna Vail
, founder of tableware brand Balu London, is dazzled by colour
What’s your typical day like? My alarm goes off at 7am, and I then take my dachshund Pear for a walk to Aries – my local coffee spot – and then it's onto my bike and to the studio with her tucked in the basket. The first part of my day involves catching up on emails and plotting out my to-do list. With new launches looming, my morning is spent reviewing samples and collaborating with the artisans I work with. Designs often go through four or five iterations before they’re right; the process can be slow, but watching a design that began in my London studio take shape in the hands of my talented team across the world is a part of my job that never loses its wonder.
By lunchtime, I make it a point to step away from my desk and head to a Barry’s Bootcamp class before swinging by Atis for a Green Goddess salad. Taking an hour to move and clear my head after a morning filled with creative decisions helps reset me for admin-heavy tasks in the afternoon. If it's past the midweek hump, I’ll wrap up the day with a trip to Lulu’s in Herne Hill, catching up with friends over a drink before heading home to unwind for the night.
Tell us a bit about your home? After five years in my current home, I recently felt the itch to redecorate. Colour, as you’ve probably noticed with Balu, brings me so much joy. Since the kitchen is the heart of my home – whether I’m hosting friends or winding down with some cooking at the end of the day – I wanted it to feel calming but full of character. I went for Clove by Edward Bulmer on the walls, paired with dark olive green cabinetry.
The dining chairs, an old set I couldn’t part with, got a weekend makeover. I sanded them down and gave them a coat of rich maroon. The walls are a mix of artwork and plates, leading into a blue sitting room. It might sound a little chaotic on paper, but somehow all the colours work together; the space feels warm and lived-in. Where inspires you in terms of design? Kempton Market is a treasure trove of inspiration. If you time it right, you can sit down with a steaming coffee and watch the sunrise over the racecourse before diving back in. My mornings there usually start with an hour of darting between dealers' vans at dawn, head torch on, measuring tape in hand, catching glimpses of hidden gems before they've even had a chance to unload.
Further afield, I recently snuck away for a belated summer break to Greece in early October. The house we stayed in felt like something straight out of The Durrells, with its charmingly higgledy-piggledy layout. Are there any pieces you’re coveting right now? My phone holds two prized folders – one filled with endless screenshots of design ideas, colour combinations I’m eager to explore, and patterns I’ve picked up along my travels. The other is a collection of dream pieces I’d love to own someday, though most will likely stay right there. At the top of that list are Beata Heuman’s Dodo Egg lights, an Alfred Newell table, and a set of Paolo Buffa dining chairs. Each one feels like it’s waiting for a home that only exists in my imagination, but maybe one day they’ll make the leap. n
Alfred Newall's Bobbin dining table, £7,250. alfrednewall.com
Anna started her career as a graphic designer – which inspires her joyous use of colour
Ianthe vases, £155 each. balulondon.co.uk
Ripple wine glasses in green, £80 for a pair. balulondon.co.uk
Discover the unlimited range of styles proposed by the Antarès interchangable strap system and give free rein to your creativity. Finally express your personality with elegance and distinction.
Available at exclusive retailers around the country
ON PISTE
SKI SPECIAL Ed ited by Felix Milns
Who’s opening, and how the climate crisis is impacting the slopes
COOL KIT
Sort your style on the slopes
SLEEP THE SLOPES
Where are the C&TH editors hoping to stay this season?
ONE SKI AT A TIME
One Tree at a Time is setting an example of how to build a circular economy in the mountains
LET
THE RESORT RIVALRY COMMENCE
Who wins? Courchevel or Davos?
LOOK AHEAD
Francisca Kellett visits the Austrian resort determined to turn the white greener
VERTICAL LIMIT
Felix Milns faces the fear on the treacherous North Face
EDITOR’S LETTER
And so another ski season is open us. One in which, on one hand, there is massive early snowfalls and cold temperatures, hooray! While on the other, the stark realities of the climate crisis continue to chime ever louder. While average temperatures have risen one degree since pre-industrial times, the average in the Alps is closer to two, with alpine glaciers predicted to shrink by 50 percent by 2050. News of fabulous new sustainability-driven openings in our news pages are tempered by lower lying resorts choosing to close their lifts for good. This year marks the 90th anniversary of Inghams launching the first ever winter package holiday to the Alps by, you guessed it, train. Today it’s not always easy to replicate, as Francisca Kellett, our sustainability expert and Travel Editor-at-Large, discovered when checking out Italy’s Sudtirol. However, there is sustained commercial pressure from the ski industry to improve train links to create a truly viable alternative to flying.
Resorts across the world continue to adapt and a host of grass roots innovations are starting to create truly circular Alpine economies, as reported on in Tessa Dunthorne’s fascinating piece on the community repair hub that started a global movement.
Alongside all the choicest fashion, and reviews of recent openings, we have re-introduced our resort head to heads; place your bets on the heavyweight title fight between Davos and Courchevel. Meanwhile, I travelled back to La Plagne to ski the famed North Face of the Bellecote, a conquest 20 years in the making.
A nd for those of you wondering how best to prepare, and recover, from the slopes, take a leaf out of Britain’s most successful female racer’s book. After recovering from a seemingly career-ending injury with the help of natural wellness products, Chemmy Alcott has teamed up with Swiss Mountain Rescue to launch a high-performance range of alternative products for skiers and athletes. Their rescue pack looks a dialled in Christmas favourite.
FLYING START
Three chalets perfect for heliskiing
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Rio Palena Lodge, Patagonia
SLEEPS 14, CHILE
A spacious, remote retreat nestled in the crook of the Andes Mountain range, Rio Palena Lodge is an adventurer’s dream. Those visiting in winter can enjoy guided heliskiing expeditions, taking you right to the tips of surrounding peaks. Think untouched, rugged pistes, open bowls, steep couloirs and gentle glacier runs – all at your fingertips. Should you visit over the warmer months, you’ll benefit from fly fishing gear, NRS rafts, Hyde Power Drifter jet boats among other key amenities.
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Flying Moose Chalet, Revelstoke
SLEEPS 16+1, CANADA
This spectacular eight bedroom property looks out to the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains – as well as the Columbia River Valley – promising ultimate access to the outdoors. Spread across three floors, the chalet has something for all ages – a media lounge to entertain little ones, a swim-spa to be enjoyed by all, and a wellstocked bar just for the grown-ups. Savour a coffee in the spacious heli lounge before taking off from the chalet’s private helipad. Designed to accommodate helicopters carrying up to 15 passengers, the helipad allows your entire group to be whisked away from basecamp to explore pristine mountain terrain in complete privacy.
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Sand Creek Ranch, Bella Coola
SLEEPS 5, CANADA
A short flight from British Columbia’s highest peak in the heart of the Coast Mountain range, Sand Creek Ranch is an impeccably restored lodge with bundles of authentic charm. The heliskiing programme is among the world’s most exclusive and customisable: when you book the lodge you’re provided access to your own helicopter and guides. That means total freedom. Unlock a vast alpine terrain in the Molsey Valley. To boot, it’s powered by selfsufficient hydro electricity so offers an off-grid element to your stay.
All three chalets are bookable via Leo Trippi. Leo Trippi has been recognised as the World’s Best Ski Travel Agent for 10 consecutive years, providing a gateway to the world’s most exceptional alpine properties and mountain adventures. Book your luxury ski holiday: leotrippi.com/luxury-ski-chalets/
Rio Palena Lodge’s heliskiing will take you to untapped territories
FRESH TRACKS
Gabriella Le Breton and Tessa Dunthorne chase down the latest news from the slopes
HAPPENING HOTELS
SWITZERLAND
Two landmark Swiss hotels are set to reopen after extended closures: the Grand Hotel Belvedere (beaumier.com) in Wengen and the Mürren Palace Hotel (hotel-muerrenpalace.ch). The former is the newest member of the discrete Beaumier group (which has exceptional properties in Provence, Ibiza and Courchevel); the latter dates back to 1874, and promises to blend old-school glamour with pared-back, four-star comfort. Both properties sit in the jaw-droppingly scenic Bernese Oberland.
USA
The skiers-only Deer Valley resort is on track to triple its ski area over the next two winters (adding 3,400 acres to its existing 2,026). As such, it’s launched the sumptuous Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (hyatt.com), alongside a new 300-acre terrain pod serviced by three lfits. Down the road in Big Sky, Montana, One&Only Moonlight Basin (oneandonlyresorts. com) is the first stateside resort venture from the prestige group in a staged launch. The Ski Lodge and Gondola opens on the flanks of Montana’s Lone Mountain this winter, with accommodation coming next spring.
FRANCE
French specialist ski operator Peak Retreats puts to use its decades of expertise crafting snowsport holidays. New sister brand the Ski Collection (skicollection.com) is its one-stop shop for some of the best luxury chalets in the French Alps (like eight-bedroom Ultima Megève), and adds a dedicated concierge team to arrange all aspects of your trip. An Experimental Chalet opens on the site of Val d’Isère’s former L’Aigle des Neiges hotel – the flourishing hotel group started life with a suave Parisian cocktail club in 2007 and has gone on to create speakeasies, restaurants and hotels in the likes of Menorca, Verbier and Venice.
AUSTRIA
The Barn (peppercollection.com) in Oberlech is the latest knockout property to join the discrete Pepper Collection. Set on the pistes near Oberlech, the seven-room property is the epitome of tasteful Scandi-chic design, courtesy of its Norwegian owners. Bag the stunning Rock master suite for a bathtub overlooking the mountains, chillax in the black granite spa and ask chef Charlie to whip up his homesmoked salmon with jalapeño ice cream for the ultimate decadence.
The views from the Mürren Palace Hotel are sublime
The Barn is a jewel in Austria added to the Pepper Collection’s portfolio of alpine properties
The Experimental Chalet takes over the former site of L’Aigle des Neiges
EXPERIENCES
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With some of the world’s most exclusive chalets, heliski operators and vineyards on speed dial, Leo Trippi (leotrippi.com) has carved out a name for itself as the ultimate Alpine luxury specialist. However, as travel evolves, Trippi’s role is adapting too and the ski specialist is now accustomed to piecing together elaborate itineraries for its clients that might see them drive a supercar to their plush chalet in the Alps, or visit a remote Inuit community while heliskiing in the Arctic. New for this winter is a two-week journey through Japan combining skiing on an active volcano with exclusive VIP tours in Tokyo and Kanazawa, renowned for its exquisitely preserved samurai houses.
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The Alps are looking a whole lot more American these days. Two major multiresort season lift passes – the Ikon Pass (from $1,359; ikonpass.com) and Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass (from $1,025; epicpass.com) – make Europe more accessible for American skiiers, and are expanding. The former includes skiing in 50 resorts in North America, plus Chile, Japan, Australia, and six major European resorts – new this winter is St Moritz. The Epic Pass allows unlimited ski in over 40 resorts, including Vail, Park City and Whistler, and it now part-owns the Swiss resorts of Andermatt and Crans-Montana.
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Swiss ski resort Crans Montana has launched guided yak hikes this winter (approx £249 for two, including lunch). Its most challenging walk is 10.4km, which includes a day along the forest trails where you can explore frozen lakes and ponds to the sounds of cowbells, underneath pretty snow-tipped canopies.
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The Wiltshire indoor ski centre has opened. This new infinity slope is situated in an old barn at Bapton Manor Farm, converted into an alpine chalet. It is opened by Moonpig founder Nick Jenkins, who reports that skiing for an hour here is the equivalent to skiing from the top of Mount Everest to sea level. (southwiltsski.com)
Journey through Japan with Leo Trippi’s new two-week ski-meets-culture break
Leo Trippi organises places to stay as well as incredible experiences
THE GREEN STUFF
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Vialettea resort, which sits in the crook of the French-Italian alps, has extended 8,900m of snowmaking lines in the Alpette – this will stretch across Borgata and Lower Banchetta, to guarantee snowsure slopes at lower altitudes. Expect these snow generators to be state of the art; they enable faster snow production while reducing energy consumption. The resort is currently powered by 100 percent renewable energy, and is commited to promoting sustainability.
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Gastein ski resort in Austria’s Salzburgerland has ‘planted’ solar trees. These trees sit on the roof of car parks near lifts, gobbling up morning sunlight to power its lift infrastructure. Gastein has to date also invested €2.5m into its spa complex to make its heating climate-neutral.
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Eurostar’s ‘snow train’ service returns for the 2024/25 winter, promising greener travel to the French alps. These trains will operate from December to March, running from St Pancras on Saturdays with returns on Sundays. Though it’s not a direct
train, it’s an easy journey; change at Lille to head to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which serves nearby resorts Tignes, Val D’Isere, Les Arcs, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Courchevel, La Tania, and Meribel. (From £99 one way, eurostar.com)
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Entrepreneur Camille Lambert has designed a fully recyclable ski. Her brand, ADN Skis (adnskis.com), makes its gear with a resin that when submerged into a chemical solution completely separates, allowing components to be recycled or reused. Currently, 260,000 pairs of skis are scrapped in the French Alps each year. Her company is now working with Salomon to develop a more circular economy for snow equipment.
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In gloomier news, two French resort have shut up shop for winter: Seyne-lesAlps and Grand Puy have closed their ski area permanently due to decline in visitor numbers thanks to too little snow. Both saw votes put to residents who opted to close winter ski. To date, more than 180 small ski areas in France have closed since the 1970s.
Whizz over to the French Alps on the relaunched Eurostar
Solar trees will help power
Vialettea’s ski infrastructure
260,000 skis are scrapped in the French Alps each year
UNCOVER YOUR LEBENSGEFÜHL
Discover a uniquely Austrian joie de vivre
Whether your heart races at the thoughts of carving down pristine, snow-covered slopes, or your soul finds peace meandering through powder-topped villages aglow with twinkling lights, Austria in winter is where you truly can be yourself. This season, Austria invites you not just to witness its breathtaking landscapes but to immerse yourself in ranging, vibrant experiences that make winter there so unique – and find your own ‘Lebensgefühl’.
That is: the feeling of being alive. ‘Lebensgefühl’ is an attitude to life that Austrians strive to embrace; from your welcoming chalet hosts and the skilled chefs crafting local delicacies, to the dedicated ski instructors guiding you down slopes, they’re all about this joie de vivre. And they’re eager to share this outlook to make your visit not just memorable but transformative.
In Austria, winter is not just a season – it’s an opportunity to explore your passions in an environment that feels both invigorating and comforting. It’s a place where everyone, from the adventurer to the serenity seeker, can find their perfect fit. So, this winter, don’t just visit Austria. Dive deep into its culture, connect with its people, and discover your own ‘Lebensgefühl’. Austria is ready to welcome you – exactly as you are.
Strut your stuff on the slopes
But of course there’s no one set Austrian winter holiday – each region of the country has its own quirks and unique charms. For those who seek culinary adventures, for example, Lech am Arlberg might be the place to be; those seeking a familyfriendly Christmas might find more joy in the twinkly markets of Kitzbühel. Whatever the Lebensgefühl you’re seeking, one of these 13 destinations is sure to have it.
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ARLBERG
One of the snowiest regions in the entire alps, Arlberg’s snow-covered slopes have enchanted ski pioneers since the turn of the 20th century. Its five distinct villages – St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech and Zürs – all offer a blend of alpine charm and thrilling vertical descents. And there’s something for everyone. Gourmet? Head to Lech for its relaxed yet elevated restaurant scene. Bringing the whole family? Stuben has lots for the littles. And sportier types should plump for Zürs and St Anton – but whichever way you head the region boasts 300km of pistes and 200km of deepsnow slopes.
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INNSBRUCK
With 12 ski resorts in the Innsbruck region and the Stubai Valley, this a total haven for snows sports. The Kühtai toboggan run towers at a mighty 2,000m and offers a 1.5km run illuminated daily ’til late. Winter hikers will fall in love with the Sellrain Valley, which enjoys sun against the powder. Innsbruck’s city centre is also a total joy, boasting great shopping, day spas, and historic landmarks like the Golden Roof and Imperial Palace.
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ISCHGL
With guaranteed snow from late November to early May, Ischgl is a skier’s paradise. Reaching 2,872m and offering 239km of pistes, it’s one of the largest ski areas in the Alps. It boasts one of the highest densities of fourand five-star hotels of any ski destination, so you’d be staying in the lap of luxury. After skiing, the Silvretta Therme Ischgl offers relaxation and a unique view of the village and the surrounding mountains.
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KITZBÜHEL
This historic former mining town was voted Austria’s best ski resort in 2023. And no wonder: Kitzbühel combines rich history with thoroughly modern infrastructure, offering 233km of groomed piste, 58 state-of-the-art lifts, and the world’s longest ski circuit. This is a top destination for pros, as the host of the annual Hahnenkamm races, and is home to the legendary Streif, offering thrill-seekers a chance to take on a death-defying 85 percent gradient run. But for families, no fear: there are seven quality ski schools, and plenty of non-sports activities to enjoy. During Christmas, for example, Kitzbühel has its magical festive market, delighting visitors of all ages.
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SÖLDEN AND GURGL
Renowned for its impressive altitudes ranging from 1,350 to 3,340 metres, Sölden guarantees reliable snow from October to May. And just a moment away, Gurgl offers a season stretching from November to late April with snow-sure slopes that peak at 3,030m. Both are interconnected by a short shuttle bus. Start your day with a breakfast in Gurgl, take on the fun slops, before heading over to Sölden with its sports attractions (catch a view of the BIG 3 Rally). Finally, finish with sky-high gourmet restaurant the IceQ.
6 SKI JUWEL ALPBACHTAL WILDSCHÖNAU
This hidden ski gem is nestled in the heart of Tirol, with the Wiedersberger Horn and Schatzberg mountains providing a stunning backdrop for a variety of winter activities. Its variety of pistes, snow parks and fun slopes make it especially good for families. Little ones can sharpen their ski skills at one of ten schools on exclusive children’s slopes, leaving parents to their own adventures, and excellent child supervision facilities mean plenty of free time to explore cosy huts with delectable dining options. After they’ve headed to bed, there’s 6km of brilliant night time ski to be enjoyed on the Reither Kogel.
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ALTENMARKT-ZAUCHENSEE
Altenmarkt-Zauchensee is a true winter sports haven offering everything from exhilarating descents and freeriding to adrenaline-pumping fun parks, all on perfectly groomed slopes. A charismatic town with snow guaranteed until mid-April, it’s a paradise for skiers of all levels. Zauchensee-Flachauwinkel boasts 45km of slopes and 16 lifts, making it a top-class destination, while the family-friendly Radstadt-Altenmarkt ski area offers 18km of pistes, perfect for kids and leisure skiers.
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SKIWELT WILDER KAISER-BRIXENTAL
Experience the thrill of over 275km of pristine, expansive slopes, surrounded by panoramic views of more than 70 towering peaks. One of the largest, most modern and eco-friendly ski resorts in the world; ahead of the curve, SkiWelt has been powered by 100 percent green electricity for more than 20 years. And, with direct access to nine ski areas, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental offers something for everyone, from newbies to seasoned pros.
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ST. JOHANN IN TIROL
Spanning St. Johann in Tirol, Oberndorf, Kirchdorf, and Erpfendorf, this ski region offers a lot beyond the norm for your winter holiday. Fancy trying the Flying Fox winter course? Or how about tandem paragliding, skydiving and hot air balloon rides? Of course, the skiing gets top marks. It has 40km of slopes that are wide, varied and will appeals to athletes of all skill levels. The three practice areas in Kirchdorf and St. Johann are free, too, to get newbies up to speed. After you’re all tuckered out, be sure to take advantage of your Guest Card, which includes bus and train travel. A plethora of chocolate box villages await your exploration.
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ZILLERTAL
There’s so much to ski here; Zillertal boasts 548km of pristine piste ripe for the carving. From family-friendly runs to sporting valley descents, a winter enthusiast really can’t get bored here. Give a go at tobogganing; 48km of perfectly groomed runs await you, 28km of which are floodlit in the evening. Its positioning on the Hintertux Glacier provides it with Austria’s longest ski season, meaning you can check out the slopes well into spring. It promises a sunny visit – and it helps that the people you meet in Zillertal really embrace the spirit of Lebensgefühl, living in and around nature. Most hotels here are family-run.
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SERFAUS-FISS-LADIS
Hospitality and community are deeply valued in Serfaus-FissLadis, a trio of eponymously named mountain villages. These three picturesque escapes are perched on a sunny plateau in the Tirolean Alps, and enjoy 214km of impeccably groomed slopes. But the magic here extends far beyond skiing: not only snowshoeing and cross-country trails, but dollops of unforgettable moments to take home. Watch the sunrise at Hexensee, catch demonstrations of snowsport skill at Night Flow in Fiss, and luxuriate at the water-light show Magic Ladis in Ladis. Charmingly, guests here often say they feel like they’re coming home when they visit here, and return year-after-year.
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ST. JOHANN IN SALZBURG
Just 60km from Salzburg city, with easy access by train, combine your alpine adventure with a beautiful baroque city escape. Then to St. Johann in Salzburg, where you can enjoy the optimal blend of a vibrant village atmosphere and mountain lifestyle. The Snow Space Salzburg ski area offers 210km of impeccably groomed slopes right at your doorstep. With ski-in, ski-out convenience, you can hit the slopes the moment you step outside.
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ZELL AM SEE-KAPRUN
Piste, glacier, lake, repeat (maybe sleep): there’s something to everyone’s taste at Zell am See-Kaprun. The Ski ALPIN CARD here unlocks three premium areas and a total of 408km of superb slopes. If you’re an advanced skier, you might want to take on the challenge of the Black Mamba, a total thigh-burner, or the regions ‘blackest’ route, the Trass run with its 70 percent gradient and 1,000m drop. Families are catered for, too: Zell am See-Kaprun is home to one of the world’s longest fun slopes.
Find out more at austria.info/en/winter. n
SLEE P THE SLOPES
Our editors choose the places they’d like stay at this season
VALSANA HOTEL, Arosa
STAY Situated in Arosa, a charming Alpine village in the Schanfigg Valley, Valsana is everything you could want from a contemporary ski resort – with first-rate environmental practices. Thinking further than refillable bottles and elective housekeeping, the retreat truly goes the extra mile, running on 98 percent recycled energy. It’s not just the hotel’s green credentials that makes it stand out from the crowd. The impressive interiors are the work of international architect and designer Carlo Rampazzi, the decor attuned to a cosy mountainside chalet but with a contemporary twist; think soft colours, functional wooden furnishings and plenty of natural light. Sophisticated but with an informal feel that makes you want to kick your feet up – preferably fireside in the snug hotel lounge. There are only 40 rooms, so everything has a personalised touch.
Plus, Valsana’s in-house spa is second to none, inspired by the Swiss mountains, and complete with a warm relaxation pool, a steam bath and multiple saunas.
DO It’s not all ski here – make the most of the spectacular surroundings. From snowshoe hiking
to Swiss snowball chess and ice bathing (renowned for its health benefits), Valsana offers alternative experiences. But should the pistes call, the Arosa Lenzerheide ski area certainly won’t disappoint. There are excellent pistes, and buzzy après-ski destinations. First-timer? The Arosa snow sports school is your introduction.
EAT The hotel’s restaurant, Twist, is a relaxed day-tonight destination, focused on producing nourishing but delicious dishes with, as the name suggests, a contemporary spin. Outlined as ‘healthy, mindful, yet creative cuisine’, the innovative menu spotlights seasonal and local produce; imagine Lostallo salmon with a coconut broth, orange-ginger chicken with pumpkin gnocchi and, for dessert, the raspberry-pistachio tart is a must, served with raspberry-thyme sorbet. There is a broad selection of plant-based options from beetroot carpaccio to spinach knödel, boiled dumplings served with a forest mushroom ragout. Breakfast is a treat, too. You can enjoy your morning espresso on the terrace, overlooking the beautiful mountain backdrop.
INSIDER’S TIP The hotel can facilitate a glorious fondue right on your own private balcony.
BOOK IT: Doubles from approx £403 B&B. valsana.ch
CHALET KIPNUK, Avoriaz
STAY Snow-sure Avoriaz is the high point of the vast Portes de Soleil ski area and Chalet Kipnuk is right in the heart of this inspired architectural gem. Sat atop the cliffs above Morzine, the resort was the brainchild of ex-Olympian Jean Vuarnet who set out the blueprint for a car-free resort Kipnuk is a vertical chalet right above the main pedestrian area, with three double rooms (one including bunk beds), swish indoor hot tub, and large open-plan living and dining space. Masterfully hosted by VIP Ski.
DO Car-free Avoriaz brings new meaning to ski-in ski-out, so there is little option but to click into your bindings from the front door. Avoriaz is the best base in the Portes de Soleil, with easy access across to the Swiss side or down the valley towards Morzine and Les Gets. Off the slopes the hugely popular Aquariaz is a jungle-themed indoor water park – five minutes away.
EAT VIP Ski specialises in high-quality chalet board catering six nights a week, complete with afternoon tea, tailored to your dietary requirements. Check out La Cabane for lunch or dinner, with its irregular-shaped architecture. It’s Avoriaz in miniature, with a fine menu to boot. Channel your inner mixologist for a cocktail masterclass in the chalet one evening.
INSIDER’S TIP Despite being built 60 years ago, Avoriaz leads the field in sustainability. Heating and hot water to the entire resort is centrally provided by burning renewable pellets, horses and sleighs transfer guests from parking, and the resort lifts have begun the transition to solar.
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £1,376 a person chalet board (based on two sharing), including coach transfers from Geneva. vip-chalets.com
HUBER’S, Mayrhofen
STAY There’s no better base in Mayrhofen than Huber’s. Literally – being a valley town, there’s no ski-in ski-out and the little hotel is a three-minute stroll to the base of the Penkenbahn Gondola. Rooms are relaxed and enjoy impressive views of snowy vistas; pick from a range of suites and doubles. Top marks go to the spa – in terms of value for money this is wellness on an epic scale, with outdoor pool, three saunas, brine steam room and vast relaxation areas.
DO Mayrhofen’s 145km of slopes are ideally suited for a long weekend’s skiing for all levels. The mountains have a classic Austrian feel, with a host of well-priced and welcoming Stuben restaurants and sun terraces dotted across the tree-lined mountain. Further afield, it’s a 30-minute drive to Austria’s premier glacier, the famed Hintertux.
EAT You will want to eat out to get the most out of Mayrhofen, but reserve one night for chef proprietor Huber’s seasonal-inspired fare. On the mountain, check out Almstüberl or Gschösswandhaus. Or shake off the sauerkraut at the Italian Pane e Vino.
INSIDER’S TIP Take your Apero’s at Bar Rique, a glorious little bar specialising in Austrian wine and small plates. They also mix a mean G&T.
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £1,825 a person (based on two sharing) B&B, including flights and private transfers. igluski.com
HOTEL BARRIÈRE LES NEIGES, Courchevel
STAY This must be the most elegant hotel in the three valleys. Les Neiges’s 42 elegant rooms and suites are outfitted like rom-com chalets (think pale larch wood and silky sheets) but visitors can enjoy the wider facilities found in a five-star establishment. Should you be tempted to leave your room, check out the Spa Diane Barrière for its Biologique Recherche treatments and heated pool. (For chillier kicks, how about a dip in the Nordic ice bath?) To boot, the hotel enjoys a private cinema room seating up to 15.
DO The Hotel Barrière Les Neiges sits at Courchevel 1850 on the Bellecôte run, offering easybreezy ski-in ski-out. (The team warm your boots for you ahead of the day, to make it even easier.) Beyond the skiing, there’s lots of fun to be had: a tobogganing circuit, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and even hot-air balloon rides.
EAT Parisian restaurant Loulou opens its doors at the Palace Barrière Les Neiges on 6 December. Brought to life by interior architect Corinne Sachot, expect two floors of luxury, plus its menu brimming with Italian classics with a Piedmont twist – and a glorious dessert buffet for kiddies and adults alike.
INSIDER’S TIP Leave room when you dine at Loulou... The denouement to supper is a glorious, all-singing, all-dancing dessert buffet.
BOOK IT: Doubles from £1,418 a night B&B. hotelsbarriere.com n
CLUB MED, Alpe d’Huez
STAY High-altitude Alpe d’Huez is one of the sunniest resorts in the Alps, and yet it’s still snow-sure and budget-friendly, making it a perfect family destination and base for that bastion of French skiing, Club Med. The Alpe d’Huez edition is situated ski-in ski-out just above the Marmottes one-chair. Rooms are well designed, clean and spacious, with a wide choice of interlinking options and family suites. It’s a wellness haven with its daily yoga and pilates, plus an epic 25m indoor pool and sauna, with outdoor hot tub. As with most Club Meds a stage looms large over the lounge for nightly themed shows.
DO The resort’s sun-kissed slopes spread over the high-altitude pastures of the Oisins mountains. Part of Club Med’s USP is guided groups or lessons for everyone, so while your kids are making new friends you may also choose to join a group. Off the slopes, thrillseekers can try ice driving, while for kids there’s an alpine coaster right next to the hotel. The kids club and teen programme is second to none.
EAT Club Med is all-inclusive and famed for the endless variety of the buffets, with daily changing themed specials and the stapled family favourites. There’s an a la carte option for a change of scene.
INSIDER’S TIP Take out the Club Med snow insurance cover when you book. If conditions are not good, they’ll move you to another resort or carry your booking over to the next season.
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £4,698 for a family of four, all-inclusive, including flights, transfers, lessons and lift passes. clubmed.co.uk
ONE SKI AT A TIME
Tessa Dunthorne discovers how a repair-hub is championing the circular economy for snowsports
‘Idon’t like the word “scale”,’ says Gavin Fernie- Jones. ‘For three reasons: I’ve owned two very busy ski shops, I have two young children, and I quite like my life.’
In fact, Gavin’s work has scale whether or not likes it or not – his snowsportsequipment repair hub in Bozel is setting a precedent for other resorts around the world to take heed and set up similar operations.
Skiing and other snowsports are increasingly challenged by the climate crisis. You need only read about the melting glaciers and curtailed winter ski seasons to understand the effect our rising temperatures are having – and, in part, the industry has had a hand in helping to increase emissions. A study by Ademe observes that a 52 percent of the carbon emissions around skiing are linked to transport. But a surprising 16 percent of the load is from equipment – clothes and gear.
This is where Gavin comes in. It began with a ‘fix it’ tour in 2019, in Bozel, France. ‘We wanted to create an event that might bring the community together,’ he says. ‘So we assembled friends and a local seamstress for a pop-up workshop.’
No stranger to the myriad ways in which ski gear can see wear on the mountains, the British seasonaire-turned-alpine-expat focused initially on empowering his neighbourhood – with guidance from the seamstress – to fix up their own salopettes, jackets and gloves. Local sports instructors helped residents to (eco-)wax their skis. This expert help was crucial to the purpose of the pop-up. ‘We wanted to change mountain industries into a focus for good – so communities could take a stand [themselves] against climate change.’
This inspired a tour to Meribel and Morzine, and later a permanent presence in Bozel: the One Tree at a Time community hub provides a repair workshops, and a small operation repairing and reselling snowsports gear.
In particular, there’s a climatic friction point with ski uniforms that One Tree aims to address. ‘Many ski schools are reliant on brands, like North Face, to provide their kit [often for free]. These
brands change their colourway each year and so, when schools renew their kit, a lot of the older stuff is now defunct because they need all their instructors to have the same visual identity on the mountain.’
‘Until now, they’d scrap all the old kit and use the new gear whether instructors needed it or not.’
One Tree’s solution is to take the old season’s gear and patch over the logos with its own iconography. A jacket might then go on sale for €40, comparatively low for adventure-graded equipment. There’s a free swap rail for children’s clothing, too.
‘We never wanted to try to replicate One Tree at a Time,’ says Gavin, ‘but we did want the ideas to spread across sports communities. Could it work with surfing, sailing, hiking or climbing…?’
In 2022, Gavin began a not-forprofit organisation called Re-Action Collective with Heather Davies. This brought together five other similar ‘founding’ groups all aiming to build on the idea of circular economy practices at a community level.
‘We now have 45 members around the world, as well as sharing platforms and peer-to-peer rental platforms that form part of the collective,’ says Gavin. ‘We communicate daily on Discord to share ideas and we run pop-ups – for example, at John Lewis on Oxford Street a few weeks back – where we talk about the secondhand and circular economies.’
‘Coming together as a collective means we’ve got so much more agency, more power to do things and far more reach,’ says Gavin. ‘The answer to fixing everything is all of us.’
Fixing everything, indeed. Not just ski equipment.
re-action-collective.org n
One Tree at a Time aims to bring a circular economy to the ski industry when it comes to ski gear
LET THE RESORT RIVALRY COMMENCE...
Davos versus Courchevel – os this the ultimate piste-off? asks Felix Milns
Like moths to a flame, the great and glamorous are drawn to Courchevel, the St Tropez of the Alps. Yet long before the razzmatazz and the Russians, British skiiers were falling in love with this most quixotic of all French resorts.
SLOPE STYLE
Boasting the prettiest tree-lined skiing in Les Trois Valleés, Courchevel’s mostly north-facing slopes consistently deliver. In good conditions the Combe de Pylones is a terrific steep black, and you can carry on all the way down to Le Praz for an incredible top-to-bottom run.
BACK COUNTRY
It’s hard to look past the series of steep couloirs of Saulire, but for a real test skin up the 40-degree north face of the Aiguille de Fruit. Your tracks back down will be seen from all across the valley.
THE MOUNTAIN LUNCH
There are many contenders for this crown. Some would plump for Bagatelle or Cap Horn, where DJs play live lunchtime sets atop piste bashers, but I have a soft spot for the three-tiered terraces and fresh prices of the Bel Air, regally situated up above the quiet slopes of 1650.
DANCE IT OFF
While not technically in Courchevel, this outpost of the Folie Douce juggernaut services both Méribel and Courchevel. Watch the jeroboams being delivered to the VIP area by zip wire across the dancefloor.
ALTERNATIVE APRÈS
One of the star attractions of Courch’ is the way the palace hotels and the top chalets of the Jardin Alpin blend into the mid-mountain forest. There’s no better way to explore this than a moonlit dog sled ride.
ONE FOR THE KIDS
Aquamotion is a vast swimming pool and water slide complex shaped like a giant wave. Channel your inner Olympian on the high diving boards or indoor surf school. Young kids will love the splash zone or, if they are old enough, you can escape to the serenity of the award-winning spa.
COURCHEVEL
HOTEL TO BAG
The Alpes Hôtel Pralong has just reopened after an extensive refurbishment, in a beautiful sunny piste-side position, just below the altiport. Doubles from €600 a night. alpeshoteldupralong.com/en
SUSTAINABILITY CRED
Courchevel was awarded the Green Resort label in 2017, recognising it as a natural authentic destination respectful of the environment.
DID YOU KNOW?
Courchevel 1850 holds the highest concentration of Michelin stars of any ski resort in the world, with 12 stars spread over seven restaurants. Yannick Alléno’s superlative Le 1947 leads the field with three stars.
Visit courchevel.com for more information
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
The Combe de Pylones, in its best condition, offers a thrilling black run
DAVOS
The madness of The World Economic Forum aside, Davos is principally a freespirited skier trapped in the body of the highest town in the Alps. Bringing new meaning to city-break skiing and a whole different approach to evenings out.
SLOPE STYLE
Sharing the ski area with neighbouring Klosters, there are more than 300km of snow-sure slopes across six distinct areas, though it is the neonyellow chair lifts on the Parsenn mountain that access the best intermediate terrain, forming the link between Davos and Klosters.
BACK COUNTRY
Say it quietly, but Davos Klosters has some of the best free riding in the Alps, never mind Switzerland. Especially if you are happy to do a bit of reverse ski touring, where you ski in and sk i out of countless hidden valleys. Epic.
THE MOUNTAIN LUNCH
OK, strictly speaking this is in the next-door hamlet of Wolfgang not Davos, but if it’s King Charles’ favourite then Kessler’s Kulm has got to be worth a mention. Apparently, he just ‘can’t resist the cheese plate’. Maybe that’s why Davos has rebranded its gondola as the King Charles Gondola.
DANCE IT OFF
The free-spirited Jakobshorn mountain, developed as a hub for the new sport of snowboarding 40 years ago, is home to wild sun-kissed après every afternoon. Top spot is the Jatzhütte, complete with palm trees and mountaintop hot tub.
ALTERNATIVE APRÈS
Anyone with more than a passing interest in fashion has to visit the Wintersport-Museum, where the best-dressed mannequins in town recreate mountain style from the dawn of skiing. The ski history’s pretty cool, too.
ONE FOR THE KIDS
There’s no better night out in Davos than a live ice hockey match and the stadium is renowned as the best in Europe. The ultra fans make a wall of blue and yellow noise throughout, the atmosphere is electric and it’s a fantastic live watch.
HOTEL TO BAG
The Hotel Grischa is right next to the train station and its contemporary style oozes class. Eschewing a spa in favour of five restaurants, the Chinese Golden Dragon sells out two sittings a night. Doubles from £214 a night. hotelgrischa.ch/en.
SUSTAINABILITY CRED
Powered largely by hydropower, Davos is aiming to be the first carbon-neutral ski resort in Switzerland by 2030. Plus, you get to arrive by train.
DID YOU KNOW?
Originally a spa town for tuberculosis patients, the English fell in love with Davos and started one of the oldest ski races in history. The Parsenn Derby celebrated its 100th anniversary this year.
Visit myswitzerland.com for more information n
Nothing beats a steamy hot tub set amid mountaintops and snow
MULTITUDES OF MÉRIBEL
Méribel’s offer stretches well beyond the snow sports – but the skiing really is top notch
Picture a quaint alpine village with cosy chalets tucked among snow-dusted conifer trees. The crisp air carries the scent of pine, and 600km of pristine ski slopes stretch out before you.
Welcome to Méribel, the crown jewel of Les 3 Vallées – the world’s largest ski area. But there’s more to this French gem than just its ski credentials. Here’s why Méribel should be your goto for an unforgettable winter escape.
SKIING FOR ALL
Méribel is a skier’s dream. Its expansive terrain caters to all levels, from beginners mastering their first turns to seasoned skiers seeking new challenges. For early birds, the return of the ‘First Tracks’ experience offers an exhilarating start to the day – fresh corduroy under your skis as you carve through untouched pistes, with the morning sun rising over the Saulire summit.
Families will feel especially at home here. The resort’s popular family pass, now available for groups of three, makes skiing accessible for the whole gang, and with children skiing at discounted prices, it’s easier than ever to hit the slopes together. Dedicated beginner zones, playful snowparks, and endless toboggan runs guarantee fun for all ages. And if you’re looking to shake things up, why not try telemark skiing or explore Méribel’s serene cross-country trails?
A vast 600km of piste awaits you at Méribel
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE HEART OF MÉRIBEL’S FUTURE
With the ‘Méribel 2038’ initiative, this alpine resort is gearing up for a future where sustainability takes centrestage. Launched with an eye toward its upcoming 100th anniversary, the initiative aims to balance hosting world-class events like the 2023 World Championships with significant ecological milestones, such as reducing carbon emissions.
Central to this is the resort’s pursuit of the Flocon Vert certification – a coveted badge of sustainability in the world of mountain tourism. Once achieved, this will place Méribel firmly among the pioneers of eco-conscious ski resorts, proving that luxury and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
A WINTER WONDERLAND BEYOND THE SLOPES
While skiing might be the main attraction, Méribel offers much more than perfectly groomed runs. Off the skis, there’s a world of winter activities waiting to be discovered. Imagine trekking through powder-laden forests on a peaceful snowshoe walk, practicing yoga against the backdrop of towering peaks, or – for the more adventurous – galloping on horseback at Ranch Nordique.
Méribel’s dining scene is equally impressive. Whether you’re in the mood for a slope-side feast at Folie Douce, a mountain meal at Le Clos Bernard, or simply enjoying a glass of wine with panoramic views at Maya Altitude, there’s no shortage of culinary delights. For those seeking something more refined, the resort’s Le Kaïla offers a new benchmark for luxury with its Michelin Key, celebrating exceptional hospitality.
Méribel offers the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and sustainability, all wrapped up in an idyllic alpine setting. Whether you’re there for the skiing, the eco-initiatives, or the aprèsski indulgences, one thing is certain: Méribel is a destination that will leave you dreaming of your next winter escape.
For more information, visit meribel.net/en
The little ones can make their first snow tracks at discounted prices
LOOK AHEA D
Italy’s Südtirol makes the white stuff that much greener, says Francisca Kellett
I’d fallen at the first hurdle. You can’t claim to ski sustainably when you need a plane to get there. But, try as I might, I couldn’t make the train work. So fly we did, bringing the carbon footprint of our week-long trip up nearly fivefold.
That flight was high on my mind on our first day in Seiser Alm, a pocket-sized resort sat amid the towering Dolomites in Italy’s Südtirol. This is the location for COMO’s first mountain hotel, a brand that prides itself on its design, spas and sustainability (all properties certified with Earthcheck).
What a pretty location it had chosen, dramatic peaks soaring around us like a child’s drawing of what mountains should look like. The resort is perfect for families: compact, with the kind of groomed slopes that kids like to learn on and fair-weather skiers such as me like to show off on. We were lucky, arriving in heavy snow, the clouds parting to reveal this glittering winter wonderland on our first day.
It didn’t last long. ‘It’s the warmest February since records started in 1880,’ Hannes Waldmüller, who heads sustainability for the region, told me over Zoom. I could well believe it. During our blue-sky week, we skied in T-shirts and sat basking in sunshine at every lunch.
You can’t ignore global warming in the mountains, even in
a region that is doing as much as it can to limit its impact. ‘Our goal is to become the most sustainable destination in Europe,’ Hannes said. Südtirol’s sustainability programme is based on criteria set out by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. All lifts and snow cannons are powered by CO2-free hydroelectricity, while water used is captured in artificial ponds. It’s also worth knowing that flying to nearby Bolzano with SkyAlps (skyalps.com) uses relatively efficient aircraft (2.3l of fuel per passenger per 100km travelled), saving up to 50 percent in emissions and generating less noise. Not much, but it helps.
Travelling with a conscience goes beyond carbon emissions, of course, and that’s where the area shines. Local food is king, with slope-side huts serving up robust, near-sourced dishes such as cheesy schlutzer pasta and kaiserschmarrn (torn pancakes). On our last day, we took a horse-drawn sleigh up to chocolate-box Gostner Schwaige, to scoff truffle-infused hay soup and wildflower-speckled cheese.
The hotels are acting more responsibly, too, although at the COMO Alpina, you’ll notice the architecture above all else – a wood-andstone crown spiking up into the landscape. Inside are blonde-wood suites looking bang on to those mountains, plus a lovely, loungey bar, three excellent restaurants, and a stonking spa and sauna area, where clothing is very much optional. And there’s a ski rental shop right on the property, while the ski school is literal steps from the front door. Easy.
So if you love to ski, and want to limit your impact on the very areas you love, you could do worse than Südtirol. But don’t fall at the first hurdle. Do take the train, won’t you?
BOOK IT: Doubles from £548 B&B. comohotels.com; suedtirol.info; seiseralm.it
Francisca’s return flights from London Gatwick to Verona had a carbon footprint of 313kg CO2e (ecollectivecarbon.com)
VERTICAL LIMIT
After 20 years, Felix Milns finally conquers The North Face
Across the Alps there are a series of hallowed off-piste descents that are spoken of in hushed tones across gondolas and après-bars. Ephemeral runs that can only be skied at certain times of the year, in certain conditions, and certainly only under the expert watch of a mountain guide. The North Face of the Bellecote Glacier in La Plagne is one such. And its 2,000m vertical descent has eluded me for 20 years.
Not least, this is because the lift infrastructure to get up there has always been a challenge. So, when I heard last season about the opening of the sparkling new gondola to serve the top of the glacier, I felt destiny calling. I planned a trip in late January to maximise our chances of weather window success, amassing a crack squad of battle-hardened off-piste skiers and snowboarders.
Day one began with a mix of blues skies and fresh snowfall. After picking up pre-booked gear from the
local Intersport, though, we headed not to Bellecote but for the sunny side of Champagny, with its epic views of the Courchevel valley. Fresh snow does not stay soft for long on south-facing expositions so Thierry Delecluse, our Ecole de Ski Francais guide, wanted us to taste the amuse-bouche of the Tufs descent.
W het the appetite it does; banking crevices and shoulders are broken by rocky outcrops, steep erosion-sculpted drops contrast against rolling pillows of softly fallen snow. If you are lucky enough to be here straight after fresh snowfall, this is undoubtedly the place to be, marvelling at views across some of the most famed mountains of the Savoie region.
But to the main course. There was to be a twist in the tail in our quest. The new lift was still under construction, due to open the day after we left. The only way for us to access the North Face was to ski tour up there on skins. Thierry called the conditions as stable on day two, so after a two-hour climb we finally summited. We looked down into the dark-blue shadows below. The rule of thumb is the higher you make your entrance the hairier the descent.
R ibbons of couloirs cut through the rocks, some showing ominous cracks and avalanche debris, so one by one we descended the Petit Face Nord, the 30-degree ‘easy’ way down the face. With one last reluctant look at the Grand Face, I jumped in and was soon ripping wide fresh tracks down towards the valley floor.
It seemed like an age before we unbuckled our bindings to cross a small stream, before skiing on to the welcoming door of the Fer A Cheval, where voluminous hot chocolates stirred our souls. And then we were gone, onto the bus and headed back to La Plagne – all the while gazing back up the valley to the juts of the Grand Face. In another 20 years, perhaps.
BOOK IT: Felix Milns travelled as a guest of Intersport and La Plagne. A seven-night stay at the newly refurbished Araucaria, La Plagne costs from £511pp, room only (hotelaraucaria.com). Intersport ski hire starts from €20 per day (intersport.com). n
Fresh, undisturbed snow – and far from the madding piste-crowd, Felix conquers The North Face
HOTELS & TRAVEL
Our Man on Mustique
Does Roger Pritchard, managing director of The Mustique Company, have the best job in the world? Lucy Cleland hangs out with him to find out
Roger Pritchard, managing director of The Mustique Company
Ionce nearly got a job running a paradise island. It was in 2011 and my business was still feeling shaky in the wake of the 2008 financial crash – we thought we might throw our coins in the air. There was a cohort of people whose vision it was to create the ‘Mustique of the Indian Ocean’ and so my husband, nine-month-old baby and I journeyed to a jungly sliver of heaven just off the coast of Mozambique to see if we were fit to run an exclusive barefoot hideaway. Fortunately, we were lacking and didn’t pursue the post. A couple of years later, there was a not-very-pleasant run-in with some Somali pirates…
Not so on the real Mustique, of course. No pirates – at least not in the traditional sense – have blighted the powdery white shores of this tiny Caribbean speck that has long been synonymous with glamour, exclusivity and privacy for the (mostly) European and American elite. Its 24-hour private security team – so discreet you don’t see them –would never have let the boats get near enough for even a peek at Mick Jagger’s morning dip.
The storied island – made famous by Princess Margaret whose beloved Les Jolies Eaux residence can now be rented by rich royal lovers the world over – is presided over by Roger Pritchard. As managing director of The Mustique Company for the past 17 years, this paradise is both his retreat and his responsibility. Does he have one of the most desirable jobs in the world? You’d think so when you catch sight of him holding court at the bar. It is a balmy Sunday evening at the Beach Café, where home-owners and guests from the Cotton House (the island’s only hotel) gather for sundowners, just one of the weekly social rituals that make this island feel like a private club.
Roger’s background is the lens through which you understand how he ended up running Mustique. Raised in Asia and schooled in England, he then served as an officer in the Army for seven years – including a stint in Hong Kong in the 1980s, patrolling the borders as scores of illegal immigrants from China and Vietnam tried desperately to make it ashore. He then went on to join DHL in Kuwait just before the first Gulf War kicked off (‘all the oil fires were burning and it was a bit like Mad Max ’), before eventually meeting his wife in the Middle East, and returning to Asia for the next ten years. This exceptional international experience – in peacetime and in war – makes him more than qualified to manage the whims of 90 rich, well-intentioned homeowners. These include Tommy Hilfiger, Bryan Adams, and Jagger, of course – who each have a say over the running of Mustique and its pristine 1,400 acres. ‘I consider myself fairly thick-skinned and fairly resilient,’ he confirms with a wry smile.
Which is all the better as curating the island’s rarefied mix of barefoot luxury, ecological sustainability, and impeccable discretion must require a deft hand and a calm sensibility. ‘You can’t just maintain Mustique,’ he says, as we chat in his air-conditioned office by the airport (which has to have the shortest runway you’ve ever seen). ‘You have to reimagine it constantly while keeping its soul intact.’
The fragile stewardship of Mustique’s soul then, very much lies with him – his hand firmly on the rudder of keeping the island relevant in terms of its offering (a glorious new gym, for example, had just opened when I visited in May – and a spa is slated for 2025), but never over-exploiting it. One of his missions is to enhance and protect its rich biodiversity – which is just as much
beloved by its owners who hike its rugged coastal paths and swim its hidden coves, as is the heady calendar of cocktail parties.
The island, however, is not immune to the everincreasing challenges posed by the climate crisis. Coral bleaching hit it hard (there is a restoration programme underway) and hurricanes are increasing in size and scale. In July this year, Hurricane Beryl felled over 4,000 trees and caused damage to many buildings. This pales in significance, of course, to how other nearby islands, Union Island and Mayreau, in particular, were hit, but this is where The Mustique Company galvanises into action. Within hours, Roger and the Mustique Charitable Trust had raised over $2m in aid from the homeowners and could despatch his fleet of private planes (the company owns five) immediately to help bring supplies to the more besieged areas. This aid, not just rallied in times of crisis, as well as being the biggest employer in the area, is a unique proposition, and helps the island maintain an entente cordiale with its less monied and less resilient neighbours. They are always ready, willing and able to step in to help out – a small price to pay, one imagines, for the safeguarding of their own mini utopia.
It is people skills that Roger thinks are his superpower. ‘I’m diplomatic and I will do my best to work out a win-win situation,’ he says. This might be pushing back on some residents’ desire, say, to build a golf course (that will categorically never happen, Roger tells me). For the solar panels project, it took him eight years to get them built. ‘There was resistance from some people who said it’s a heavy investment and we don’t need to do it. We’re a tiny little island, who cares about carbon footprint and fossil fuels?’ But doing the right thing for the environment is one of The Mustique Company’s pillars, so it was a battle Roger refused to lose – and he didn’t.
He is also a brilliant raconteur. Some of the stories he tells me are unprintable (one involving a Russian oligarch; another about the girlfriend of one of our more colourful ex-prime ministers, for example), but some are made for the annals (and I hope he’s keeping a diary). He was planning the much-hyped, Barbie-themed New Year’s Eve party at Basil’s Bar last year. A few weeks later, a call came through. Margot Robbie just happened to be sailing around the Caribbean and wondered if she might pop in on 31 December for the evening? Hell, yes. Keeping this information very firmly under his hat for the next few weeks, you can only imagine the astonished faces of the revellers when the real Barbie walked in and joined the jamboree.
And as I enjoy one last rosé-swashed lunch with Roger before setting off back to reality, it becomes clear that Roger Pritchard does indeed have an enviable job. Not just because of Margot Robbie rocking up to his New Year’s Eve party, but because he’s safeguarding a dream – where nature and luxury coexist. And for those lucky enough to experience it, that dream is one you’ll never want to forget.
Lucy stayed at Fisher House, which sleeps 10, from £15,500 per week, room only but including staff and use of vehicle. mustique-island.com
Lucy’s return flights from London Gatwick to Mustique had a carbon footprint of 2,090kg of CO2e. ecollectivecarbon.com n
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: On Mustique Island, you can rent one of 104 villas, including Antilles; the brand new gym complex; the annual Mustique Blues Festival held at Basil’s Bar; Fisher House, where Lucy stayed; Margot Robbie who dropped by for New Year’s Eve; David Bowie’s former home Mandalay
GIVE THE GIFT OF TRAVEL
PoB Hotels introduces experience gift vouchers for guests
Give the gift of travel this Christmas, with experiences from afternoon tea to a bespoke spa treatment at a choice of over 50 luxury hotels. PoB Hotels is a collection of carefully curated places to stay, offering the finest rooms, restaurants and spas across the British Isles, alongside the most authentic regional experiences. PoB Hotels only invites the very best independent hotels to join its collection – but there’s so much more to it than that. Think of PoB Hotels as the key and each hotel as a door to new experiences for discerning guests. Each completely unique, each hand-picked, each the Pride of Britain.
PoB Hotels’ new gift vouchers can be personalised and come in a beautifully-designed gift wallet – or for an instant gift, the vouchers can be sent digitally. With hundreds of dining options, spas and experiences at their fingertips, recipients will be spoilt for choice and an uplifting, inspirational journey awaits.
TEA PARTY TEMPTATION
Who doesn’t love a delightful afternoon tea? Surprise someone special with the Time For Tea Afternoon Tea Experience Voucher, which can be enjoyed at any beautiful PoB Hotel, each one adding its own unique twist to this beloved British tradition. Think dainty finger sandwiches, an exquisite selection of pastries and cakes, and warm, fluffy scones. Available as £50 or £75 towards afternoon tea at a PoB Hotel.
COME DINE WITH ME
This is the ultimate foodie gift. The Seasoned To Perfection Dining Experience Voucher can be used at any stunning PoB Hotels, whether for a languorous lunch or a specialoccasion dinner. With menus showcasing expertly crafted dishes from local seasonal favourites to chefs’ signature creations, every bite will be savoured in style. Nothing
beats sharing great food with great company. Available as £100, £150 or £200 towards
SUBLIME SPA DAY
Unwind, refresh and recharge. Give the gift of pure bliss with the Pampers Paradise Spa Experience Voucher, which can be used at a gorgeous spa hotel. Design a day of indulgence, from bespoke treatments to wellness classes, and feel pampered in the finest British style. Available as £100, £150 or £200 towards spa experiences at a PoB Hotel.
GO BESPOKE
PoB Hotels also offers monetary gift vouchers, which can be put towards an unforgettable stay, a fabulous meal or an inspiring experience at any of the collection’s stunning hotels across the British Isles. From £75
pobhotels.wearegifted.co.uk
New gift vouchers unlock special experiences for discerning guests
dining at a PoB Hotel.
South Pacific | HOTELS & TRAVEL
Treasured Islands
French Polynesia is one of the world’s most beautiful places, says Yasemen Kaner-White, who singles out six hotels working to preserve it
The natural landscapes and ocean swims I experienced in French Polynesia are the kind that remain in your memory for a lifetime. This swathe of 121 islands scattered through 2,000km of the South Pacific is one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited, so it’s even more logical to want to preserve it. The local populations agree and sustainability is an entrenched way of life for indigenous folk throughout the atolls and islets – and has been embraced by the hotels I stayed in, from a private-island eco-powerhouse to a tiny family-run ‘shack’. It’s a long journey, but with a sweet-scented gardenia in my hair (every passenger on Air Tahiti is given one), I arrived bursting with curiosity.
TURTLES IN TAHITI
My Polynesian adventure began with a night in Tahiti at the Intercontinental where you can swim in pristine pools, or rub shoulders with a bounty of colourful fish in the lagoon. The hotel is home to rescued turtles that have
been tangled in fishing nets or injured through ingesting plastic. There’s an educational hub, where guests can learn how to help. Don’t miss a meal at Le Lotus restaurant under the helm of two-Michelin-starred chef Bruno Oger. tahiti.intercontinental.com
BRANDO’S
PRIVATE ISLAND BLISS
The Brando is a dreamy location on the private island Tetiaroa, once owned by the late Marlon Brando. From my spacious villa – featuring locally handcrafted palm decorations and artwork –I could be in the ocean in one minute by foot. While this resort may ooze luxury in terms of seamless service and presentation, it remains rooted in its sense of place and the (many local) staff’s pride for Polynesian culture shone through. The food reflects indigenous cuisine with added flare – the tuna belly with unctuous lemon confit will remain a favourite.
The resort’s crucial modern sustainability practices are best witnessed on the complimentary Green Tour, which I highly recommend to any
The Brando (this picture and right) is a blueprint of sustainable hospitality
Don’t miss the spa at the Four Seasons Bora Bora
HOTELS & TRAVEL | South Pacific
guest. I learned about sea water air conditioning, which harnesses cold water from the ocean’s depths to cool down every building on the atoll, saving an incredible 90 percent in energy consumption in comparison to conventional air conditioning units. The tour is led by the in-house non-profit Tetiaroa Society, which through education, conservation and science exists to protect natural habitat with initiatives such as eliminating invasive species and reintroducing endangered native species. There are rows upon rows of solar panels and everything is recycled or repurposed, from broken plastic sandals to leftover food. The resort’s use of local wood is particularly eye-catching in the spa, where the bird’s nest made from woven branches raises guests above ground, so they feel nestled in natural seclusion. thebrando.com
PARADISE FOUND
Reached from Raiatea by boat, Motu Nao Nao is another swish, secluded and self-sustained 75-acre private island where guests can imagine being washed up and landing in untouched paradise. The three solar panel-fuelled villas are designed to meld into nature, and the chef serves creative dishes made from organic garden produce; ask him nicely to whip up the ginger lily sorbet – wow. Polynesian activities are offered, including making fragranced monoi (coconut) oil, and cooking classes. motunaonao.com
SLEEP OUT
Raiatea is known as the sacred heart of Polynesian culture. I visited Tiki (sacred idol statues) and enjoyed a healing immersion with practitioner Naïki Lutz from Aroha Experience. My home here was the mother and daughter-run NIU Shack, an off-grid self-sustained boutique hotel hidden in the forest. This is in an impossibly peaceful location, where I experienced first-hand how locals live, from pressing coconut milk to preparing natural body scrubs and delicious vegan dishes using home-grown produce. I found my bed for the night with a solar charged torch, sleeping without walls, open to the world and the melodies it makes. niushack.com
SNORKELLING AND WINE TASTING
Rangiroa is touted as one of Polynesia’s best islands to snorkel. More unusually, it’s also home to the Vin de Tahiti winery, where locals grow grape vines on beds of coral, their organic approach keeping the vineyard in harmony with its environment. My base was the Kia Ora Resort & Spa, where overwater villas offer maximum ocean views, while the coral reef restoration projects, commitment to waste reduction, energy efficiency and water conservation ensure it is one of the leading sustainability hotels in French Polynesia. hotelkiaora.com
MADE BY THE GODS
And so to Bora Bora, and an exhilarating boat ride from the airport to the Four Seasons. Here I dipped in and out of the ocean and my book, my home an exquisite solar-panelled overwater villa. I dined that night in the overwater Asianinspired Vaimiti restaurant, the highlight being the tasty roasted maitake mushrooms, a spicy vegan version of satay. The next day, I had a delightful taurumi massage in the jaw-droppingly beautiful spa and took a quick self-guided botanical tour. Then it was time to go: what a beautiful way to end this trip, and a good reason to return. fourseasons.com
BOOK IT: tahititourisme.uk and airtahitinui.com
Yasemen’s return flights from Paris to Tahiti had a carbon footprint of 4,647kg of CO2e. ecollectivecarbon.com n
Rangiroa is one of Polynesia’s best islands for snorkelling
Reach Motu Nao Nao by boat
PHOTOS:
GRÉGOIRE LE BACON;
MICHAEL RUNKEL
A Private Train Journey with William
Board the Deccan Odyssey luxury train on an eight-day private rail journey through India’s culturally rich and picturesque region of Maharashtra. Accompanied by highly acclaimed author William Dalrymple and specialist guides, gain a unique perspective and insight into India history and culture.
Day 1: Mumbai
Day 2: Nashik
Observe important Hindu rituals, explore the lively markets of the Ghats and enjoy an exclusive tour of one of India’s finest vineyards.
Day 3: Ellora Caves
Day 5: Kolhapur
Visit the New Palace Museum, explore local markets and take a guided tour of the Mahalakshmi temple before witnessing the traditional martial arts performance of ‘Mardani Khel’.
Day 6: Goa
Explore this outstanding UNESCO site, comprising 34 monasteries and temples devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
Day 4: Ajanta Caves
One of the finest examples of ancient Buddhist rock-cut architecture.
17-24 January 2026
Explore the Latin Quarter in Panjim and the ancient churches and ruins of Ribandar.
Day 7: Sindhudurg
View traditional Thakar folk arts and crafts and visit the Sawantwadi Palace for a delicious lunch.
Day 8: Mumbai
From £6,795 per person (excluding flights)
ECO MALLORCA WITH MANDARIN ORIENTAL
Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes has teamed up with Journeys With Purpose to delve into the beauty and ecological richness of Mallorca. Together with the support of Mallorca Preservation Foundation – a local NGO raising awareness for grassroots conservation initiatives – the programme includes private boat tours accompanied by a seasoned marine biologist and a visit to a bio reserve in Pollença, run by the Mediterranean Wildlife Foundation, to discover the art of beekeeping. From the secluded charm of Can Catalina in Port d’Andratx to the cliffside serenity of Villa Puesta del Sol in Cala Llamp, the collection of homes – paired with exceptional Mandarin Oriental services –is the perfect base from which to explore the Balearic beauty. mandarinoriental.com
The ESCAPIST
Lauren Ho has all the latest travel news
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE IN ISLINGTON
Following a pilot pop-up in 2018, Petko Tashev and Desislava Vangelova launched a bricks-and-mortar space for their shop, Home of Sustainable Things (HOST). Located in London’s Islington, the store showcases a collection of more than 40 pioneering multidisciplinary designers and makers practising circular-design principles. From its handcrafted pendant lights made from coffee grounds, orange peel or paper waste to Studio Plastique’s hand-blown vases in glass repurposed from discarded household appliances such as fridges, microwaves, and washing machines, HOST hopes to offer ‘a closer, more conscious connection to consumption’. Vases from £87, thehost.store
TREE THERAPY IN THE DOLOMITES
Located in South Tyrol on the southern slope of the Plose mountain, Forestis has been a must-visit for those in the know since it opened its doors in 2020. The sleek CO2-neutral mountain retreat, powered by 100 percent renewable energy, has just emerged from an extensive makeover to ensure it stays top of its game. Alongside its 62 suites – all with panoramic views of the Dolomites – new additions include a renovated terrace (for morning coffee in the sunshine) and a series of spa suites with an expanded wellness programme that includes tree therapy and healing wood oil massages. From £676, forestis.it
CONSCIOUSLY DATAI
Set within an ancient rainforest on Malaysia’s Langkawi Island, The Datai is known for its dedication to sustainability. Now the resort has launched Consciously Datai. From planting a sapling from the resort’s native tree nursery and exploring its permaculture garden to attending a workshop at its dedicated upcycling space The Lab, the activities enable guests to delve deeper into The Datai’s efforts and participate in its regeneration projects. To boot, 10 percent from all bookings goes directly to The Datai Pledge, supporting Langkawi’s unique fauna, flora, and communities. thedatai.com
A NEW YORK FACELIFT
When it opened in 1904, The St Regis New York entertained a kaleidoscope of VIPs from Salvador Dalí to Marilyn Monroe. Conceived by John Jacob Astor IV to rival some of Europe’s best hotels, the hotel has just emerged from a stylish top-to-toe overhaul in time for its 120th anniversary. New York studio Champalimaud Design was careful to embrace the original Beaux-Arts architecture, restoring original features including windows discovered during the process, and layering its classical aesthetic with contemporary details and a rich colour palette. From £780, marriott.com
TURBOCHARGED HEALING IN THAILAND
It’s no secret that wellness is big business and many hotels are now offering treatments and programmes that go beyond the standard spa experience. AvaniWell, the first wellbeing clinic from Avani Hotels & Resorts, is located at its Hua Hin property on the Malay Peninsula. Guests will find a menu of elevated therapies, including traditional Thai medicine techniques such as salt pot healing, which releases tension, and healthy menus designed to include a deep-dive into gut health. From £70, avanihotels.com
The 30-villa, 16-acre retreat offers wellness experiences from desert spring hydrotherapy to a traditional temazcal. veya.banyantree.com
On the scenic southwestern coast of Mahé, the group’s sixth ‘maison’ has 52 villas, a Guerlain spa and five restaurants. chevalblanc.com
Cosseting Scandi-style wooden cabins sleep up to 20 guests – as wild and remote as you can possibly imagine. ultima-antarcticexpeditions.com
With
is
BANYAN TREE VEYA, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
CHEVAL BLANC, Seychelles, Indian Ocean
ULTIMA OASIS CAMP, Antarctica
THE VINETA HOTEL, Palm Beach, US Oetker Collection’s US debut is in a 1920s building, which has been brought back to its original splendour. oetkercollection.com
PARK HYATT, Changsha, China
230 rooms, this
set over the top floors of the 1,000-foot-tall Tower Two skyscraper in the capital of Hunan province. hyatt.com n
HOMES FOR ALL SEASONS
Members of The Hideaways Club enjoy co-ownership of beautiful homes around the world
Imagine a lifestyle where you hold the keys to an exquisite collection of homes around the world, whether that's an idyllic island escape or a magical Mediterranean hideaway.
When you become a member of The Hideaways Club, you enjoy co-ownership of a diverse portfolio of exquisite villas, chalets and apartments in more than 30 destinations – all without the management hassles associated with sole ownership and at a fraction of the cost of just one comparable property. With the added benefit of a dedicated concierge team to help organise your trip, every holiday you spend at your homeaway-from-home will be truly unforgettable.
With that in mind, here are our portfolio picks for 2025:
1
SUMMER
Perched high on the hillside, Kentroma House overlooks the turquoise waters of Agni Bay in Corfu. The Greek island is saturated in romance, a place of rest and recovery for the shipwrecked Odysseus, with myths and legends imprinted throughout its wooded hills, amphitheatre of island greenery and coves embraced by the sparkling Ionian.
2
AUTUMN
With stunning seascapes and charming craggy clifftops, the Algarve is a great place to explore during Portugal’s mild autumn months. Villa Palmeira is set in a beautiful estate of pine trees and orange groves that slope gently down to the sea, while the facilities of the exclusive Dunas Douradas resort are within easy reach.
3
WINTER SKI
In the heart of one of the world's best ski resorts, Chalet Soleil in Chamonix is an authentic Alpine gem boasting breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. From transfers to ski passes, the Club’s concierge team takes care of all the details, including daily housekeeping and in-chalet catering.
4
WINTER SUN
Dar Hasnaa is a magical Moorish palace overlooking the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, a 20-minute drive from the colourful charm of Marrakech. This private terracotta-hued hideaway is stunning inside and out, with hand-finished traditional Tadelakt walls, beautiful tiled floors and Berber rugs, surrounded by blooming gardens, palm trees and olive groves.
5
CITY BREAK
A quaint Parisian pied-à-terre, Île SaintLouis is located in a late 19th-century building with views of the Hộtel de Bretonvilliers' historic arcade. The revered 4th arrondissement is the heartbeat of contemporary Paris, while also housing some of the city's most important and beloved landmarks, including Notre Dame and the elegant Place des Vosges.
Untold STORIES
Forget the bucket list . Tread a path truly unexplored for a soul-satisfying adventure instead, says FRANCISCA KELLETT
Wh at’s on your bucket list? Gilgit-Baltistan? Maldonado? The Anti-Atlas? No, I didn’t think so. Bucket-list destinations are depressingly familiar: Machu Picchu, Bali, Venice… But who can blame us? These ‘aspirational’ go-tos are all either visually gorgeous or culturally fascinating – or both – and travel companies, press articles and social media are constantly telling us that these really are the places we must visit.
‘It’s lazy marketing,’ says Jarrod Kyte, product and impact director at Steppes Travel. ‘And the countries promoted don’t need those extra visitor numbers – far from it.’ Thankfully, he says, there is a push back
against traditional well-worn tourist trails, with in-the-know travellers opting instead for what he calls ‘untold stories’ – trips that go against the usual Instagram-influenced must-visit lists.
‘It’s an antidote to overtourism, helping to alleviate the pressure points and spread out tourist revenue,’ says Jarrod. ‘And they give clients a much more fulfilling experience.’ Who, after all, wants to queue for a selfie on Venice’s Grand Canal, or peer over other tourists’ shoulders to get a glimpse of a Unesco world heritage site?
Take Turkey, says Jarrod. ‘The country is vast, so why do people only focus on 10 percent of it?’ Instead, Steppes arranges in-depth journeys by train, road and boat through the east of the country, a ravishingly
Turkey is vast, but tourism usually only focuses on 10 percent of its lands. Steppes Travel takes you further to places such as Lake Van on Akdamar Island
beautiful, relatively undiscovered area that’s incredibly rich in history and home to gorgeous family-run lodges, serving delicious food and a warm welcome. The sites, he says, are off the chart, including Göbekli Tepe, the oldest temple in the world, and the ancient, imposing statues of Mount Nemrut, described by author and historian William Dalrymple as just as impressive as the Taj Mahal or Angkor Wat – but with none of the crowds.
Dalrymple is one of the experts used by Steppes to bring lesserknown areas to life, such as on the eight-day private train journey on board the Deccan Odyssey in India, travelling through Maharashtra and discovering below-the-radar stories such as the country’s growing wine industry, and the Unesco world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora, with their intricate rock-cut cave temples.
Intrepid Travel has a similarly strong stance against obvious bucket-list destinations, instead publishing an annual ‘Not Hot List’. According to Intrepid Travel’s Erica Kritikides, the point of the list is to shine a light on those lesser-known places ‘where tourism can bring outstretched benefits to the host communities’. It includes both alternative regions in popular countries such as Morocco –head to the Anti-Atlas mountains for a tourist-free switch up from the busy Atlas mountains, for example – and emerging destinations you might not have heard of, such as Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan or Maldonado in Uruguay.
Or consider The Slow Cyclist, which offers e-bike journeys to alternative destinations with a focus on sedate (as the name suggests) travel, encompassing comfortable, locally owned accommodation en route. Highlights include a trip through the little-visited Côa Valley in Portugal, an area of oak forests, rugged gorges, hilltop villages, and one of Europe’s largest and most ambitious rewilding projects.
Part of the appeal of visiting these destinations is, of course, the quiet. ‘We’ve seen a number of travellers looking for places to soak in the rare luxury of genuine, unfettered silence,’ says Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury tour operator Black Tomato. That quest for stillness is only strengthening, he says, with clients requesting a lingering break from their normal, hectic lives. ‘We’re seeing record numbers of people, from families to solo travellers, clearing out of their respective cities for longer, often taking month-long resets.’ An example is Black Tomato’s journey to New Zealand to discover an alternative to the northern lights – the aurora australis, or southern lights. The trip includes traversing the world’s largest international dark sky reserve – a 4,300 sq/kms expanse including Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki and much of the Southern Alps – accompanied by expert astronomy guides, and staying in luxury, off-the-map lodges along the way.
If your heart is set on a particular personal bucket-list place – such as the Seychelles – you can opt for a trip that has genuine positive impact. Seas4Life, for example, focuses on ocean safaris on the outer islands, far from the big resorts, on boats used for scientific research. Guests are guided by experts to conservation projects, as well as helping gather vital data, all while swanning around an extraordinary tropical archipelago.
Or if a South African safari has always been top of your wishlist, you can side-step hotspots such as Kruger National Park and instead plump for the far more peaceful – but no less dramatic – Great Karoo, travelling with Journeys with Purpose and staying at Samara. Run by mother-daughter team Sarah and Isabelle Tompkins, Samara invites guests to join a master tracker to see cheetahs and giraffes on foot, and contribute both to the reserve’s black rhino reintroduction project and to the local community through Vuyani Safe Haven.
What these trips have in common is a sense of exclusivity in its most literal sense, where you might be one of only a handful of people exploring an area, or even have it to yourself. And if that isn’t bucket-list aspirational, then what is? n
Travel by train on the Deccan Odyssey in India with Steppes Travel, hosted by none other than William Dalrymple
Avoid Kruger and head to Samara in Great Karoo with Journeys with Purpose
Try the Anti-Atlas mountains for a path less travelled with Intrepid Travel
Take two wheels rather than four in the Côa Valley in Portugal with The Slow Cyclist
Postcards From...
The Isle of Wight.Delighting in close-to-home cold-wave swims, sweeping bays and picture-perfect sundowner spots
On my doorstep, the Isle of Wight complete with crumbling forts, lighthouses and winding estuaries, below the beautifully rugged and chalky cli s, is where you’ll often nd me. Winter or summer, I might be anchored below the Needles for sunset drinks or sunrise swims with my family. is is my most happy place.
e west of the island is beautifully untouched, complete with stunning moviescene coastal roads, sweeping surf bays and a charming local community. I pinch myself for being lucky enough to speed across the Solent by boat for picnics and beach days here, collecting samphire and making nature nests out of driftwood.
My children will remember me hiking them up the windy hills to Tennyson’s Mount and rolling all the way down, ending up in Freshwater Bay to swim, lie on sun-warmed beach stones, eat ice-cream and frolic in the cool English waves. is is my favourite spot in the world, especially when drinking Isle of Wight Mermaid Gin, locally distilled and made with the most delicious coastal botanicals.
SLEEP OVER
Stay at the newly renovated Albion Hotel (albionhotel. co.uk) in Freshwater Bay, the most perfect pebbly beach. I am obsessed with seaweed and caves, so we snorkel here when it’s still and surf when the swell is in. Eddie’s Surf Academy (sur essonsiow.com) is a walk down the cli s to Compton Beach.
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY FEE DRUMMOND
PADDLE UP
This is an active island, with water sports, hiking, riding, kiting and surfing to be discovered all year round. Hire ponies for all abilities at Hill Farm Stables (hillfarmstables.com) and paddle boards at Freshwater Bay (wightpaddleboardhire.com).
CHALK IT UP
Drop anchor beneath The Needles, three chalk stacks rising from the sea and the island’s most iconic landmark. On a clear day you can see Hurst Castle across the Solent, a Tudor fortress built by Henry III. Become a member of the Boat Club (theboatclub.com) and book a launch with a skipper any time it tickles your fancy. If you have a boat licence, Solent Rib Charter (solentribcharter.co.uk) in Lymington is the best.
BUCOLIC BIKING
WILD STYLE EDIT
We rent bikes and cycle the grassy old train line from Yarmouth to Colwell Bay. We’ll often start with breakfast at Off The Rails (offtherailsyarmouth.co.uk), a charming old train shed right next to the bike hire (wightcyclehire.co.uk). The path could not be easier or more joyful for young and old. We’ll finish with lunch at famed beach restaurant The Hut (thehutcolwell.co.uk). We’ve been taking the kids there since they were babies, lunching while they slept under the table wrapped up in our yachting jackets. I always check the tides and take them when it’s low so they have more sand to run and play on.
SWING!
Sharpen your golf style with Bogner
FASHION SWINGS
Diamond jumpers, swathes of synthetic fabric – golf fashion has changed for the better since the polyester past
Turn the golfing clock back 50 years and fashion on the fairway was shaped by superstars like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Seve Ballesteros. The greatest players of the era matched bell-bottomed trousers cut from tweed cloth with brown and white leather saddle shoes – add extra style points for a hat.
The 1970s had ushered in the ‘golden’ era of making fashion statements on the course and golf clothing would never be the same again. Much to the disgust of older enthusiasts, the days of plus fours and a single-breasted tweed jacket were finally left in the bunker.
As fabric science evolved and mainstream giants like Adidas and Nike cashed in, golf clothing became more technical than ever. Stretch fabric, fastdrying cloth and moisture-wicking materials have revolutionised equipment.
Neil Lewty, creative director of Swedish brand J Lindeberg, explained: ‘Golf fashion is definitely gaining traction in the lifestyle market and for a much younger audience, way beyond the course.
‘People now look for clothing that fits with their everyday lives, blending style with functional performance. There are also many different activities around golf, like indoor simulators and indoor putting. Golf fans want to wear versatile products that work in these settings also.’
J Lindeberg adds a splash of Scandi cool to the sport. The Swedish brand teed off in 1996 and has since expanded into the lifestyle market with bright and bold prints that buck the golfing trend for more sedate styles.
Dozens of golf-specific clothing brands mean there’s no longer a reason to dress like a seventies throwback on the course. So, if you want to look more like Will Smith than Donald Trump on the 18th green, here are some options...
BOGNER
Recognise the label? This German sports brand started as an upmarket skiwearmaker 90 years ago but the ‘B’ logo is now popular on the fairway too. Bogner’s fast-drying polo shirt is a signature piece, available in a vast array of colours, while stylish, stretchable chinos are breathable and made to withstand the elements. bogner.com
BIG DRAW
Established during lockdown to ‘revolutionise’ the way golfers dress, Big Draw likes to blur the line between fashion on and off the course. The popular Fife shirt pays homage to the birthplace of golf at St Andrews. Cut from heavyweight cotton with a corduroy collar, it has a large patch pocket perfect for score card and pencil. bigdrawgolf.com
This UK-based knitwear specialist launched five years ago to shake up the golf clothing scene. Aimed at a more youthful audience, Manors makes a laidback range of tops, polos and trousers that may irk traditionalists but bring a sense of joie de vivre to the green. manorsgolf.com
MANORS
SKINS
Golf gloves are an essential in every player’s kit cupboard, and Londonbased Skins has taken the market by the wrist. Featuring a band of colour and funky names like Bombs Away and Trippy Skulls, the gloves also have cool ball markers, towels and club-headcovers to match. skinsgolf.com
LYLE & SCOTT
The 150 year-old Scottish brand was built on highquality knitwear and its golden eagle logo has seen many fashion moments, such as jumpers for Mods in the 1960s. Knits are still a staple but new items include stylish polos and gilets. lyleandscott.com
Welcome to Villa Noon. The First Zero Emission Luxury Villa in the most private location in Sotogrande.
PEAK PERFORMANCE
Montenegro’s The Peaks, a Gary Player-designed course at Luštica Bay joins 10 percent of the world’s golf courses with sea views from every hole, says Simon de Burton
It’s not about the arms, it’s not about the shoulders, it’s not about the legs – it’s all about this. This here,’ says golfing legend Gary Player, punching himself repeatedly in the stomach before belting an innocent golf ball 300 yards into oblivion.
Player – nicknamed ‘the Black Knight’ on account of his penchant for all-black clothing – celebrated his 89th birthday on 1 November and, in typically droll fashion, claims to have ‘hit more golf balls than any other leading player of my generation’. Why?
‘Because all the others are dead...’
In contrast, the South African-born, nine-times major championship winner and World Golf Hall of Famer is so very much alive that people half his age struggle to keep pace as he strides away from the driving range towards the first hole at The Peaks, his latest course design and the first golfing venue to be developed in Montenegro.
Currently under construction, with nine holes due to be completed in 2026 and all 18 finished by 2028, the course joins only ten percent in the world with sea views from every hole.
Steep gradients will mean an elevation difference of more than 200 metres between the highest and lowest points, resulting in fairways of a multi-tiered design and relatively small greens – but, says Player, the course will appeal to golfers of all levels of experience and ability. ‘We’ve designed it to be enjoyable for everyone, not
FROM ABOVE: The Peaks golf course has been designed by Gary Player; the bustling marina of Luštica Bay
daunting – one of the great things about golf is that it can be the most inclusive game in the world. Anyone from the age of nine to 90 can enjoy it.’
Once completed, The Peaks will also feature a swish clubhouse, a fully-equipped driving range, a training academy and Luštica Bay’s first golf residences, the initial phase of which, the Botanika neighbourhood, will comprise 44 high-end villas, 21 townhouses and 80 apartments.
The course and its homes will be the pièce de résistance of a remarkable project that has been gradually taking shape during the past decade on Montenegro’s delightful Luštica Peninsula, which so far includes a sweeping superyacht marina with 115 berths and a brand new, impressively traditional-looking village that scrambles up the rocky hillside and faces the glittering Adriatic. Six more hotels are planned.
The Luštica peninsula on which the €1.5bn development is taking shape links the Adriatic with Boka Bay, a UNESCOprotected heritage site, and will eventually accommodate 3,000 apartments, 300 villas with sea views and seven hotels (including the five-star Chedi Luštica Bay hotel, already in situ).
A few minutes’ drive away you’ll find Centrale, an urban enclave that’s described as ‘the beating heart’ of Luštica Bay, complete with its own piazza which serves as a node connecting multiple small streets that are gradually being populated with bars, restaurants and shops.
A fourth and final neighbourhood called Horizon is yet to get underway, offering homes built on elevated ground overlooking the bay – and the horizon of the Adriatic.
VISIT LUŠTICA BAY SOONER
RATHER THAN LATER – BECAUSE IT IS SET TO BECOME A HOTSPOT THAT WILL PUT MONTENEGRO ON THE MAP
While the number of proposed properties may seem large, developer Orascom has a track record of creating enclaves that enhance, rather than detract, from the places in which they are built. Examples include Andermatt Swiss Alps (a little known and fairly desolate place before being transformed into a cool, luxury resort) and El Gouna on the Red Sea in Egypt.
As with both of the above, the completed Lu štica Bay development will leave the large majority of the area within its curtilage natural, with just ten percent of the total site of 690 hectares (that’s five times the size of Monaco) remaining untouched.
But if you’re looking for what remains an undiscovered haven of peace, tranquility, luxury and generally fabulous weather, I would recommend a visit to Luš tica sooner rather than later – because it seems set to become a hotspot that will put Montenegro well and truly on the tourist map.
It’s easy to get to, with a trio of airports nearby, all of which have car hire facilities to enable this mountainous, historic and truly spectacular country to be explored to the full.
That said, there’s more than enough to do in Luš tica Bay itself ranging from its five beaches and near seven kilometres of coastline to the vibrant night (and day) spots around the Marina Village and in Centrale.
Just be careful not to overindulge – as the Black Knight says, ‘it’s all about the stomach…’
For more information, visit lusticabay.com
FROM ABOVE: Fabulous golf residences are available to buy at The Peaks
ARE YOU A GOLF WIDOW/ER?
Don’t live life in the rough – if your lover likes the links, here’s our guide to six golfing breaks with benefits
1
HERITAGE LE TELFAIR, Mauritius
Crafted along the southern shores of this subtropical island in the Indian Ocean, Le Telfair is classed as one of the world’s top 100 golf venues. A combination of lush natural beauty and pure golfing drama, it features two World Tour courses, plus a golf academy.
Off the rough: Five-star suites, a UNESCO biosphere, forest bathing and a Wellness Bliss programme with tai chi, yoga and pilates. heritageresorts.mu
4
BOULDERS RESORT & SPA, Arizona
Nestled in the picturesque Sonoran Desert, Boulders offers two, top-rated courses integrated into the dramatic desert. Both are challenging, especially the North Course, but private coaching is always available at the excellent facilities. Off the rough: A magnificent outdoor pool with cocktail bar, plus Scottsdale is the city with the most spas per capita in the whole of the US... theboulders.com
2
CASCADES GOLF RESORT, SPA & THALASSO, Egypt
The Gary Player-designed championship course on the Red Sea plays through the desert and along the shoreline, offering spectacular views. The floodlit training facilities enable after-dark practising.
Off the rough: Kitesurfing, wing-foiling, incredible diving and snorkelling, plus one of the world’s largest spas, with 65 treatment rooms. thecascadeshotel.com
5 VILA VITA PARC, Portugal
The Algarve is a Mecca for golfers but this clifftop-hugging resort is more suited to new players and their partners. There’s a host of brilliant training facilities, including putting greens, mini-golf and a pitch and putt. Off the rough: Aside from the spa and wellbeing facilities, there are seven swimming pools, two tennis courts, a secluded beach and two Michelin-star restaurants. vilavitaparc.com
3 EVIAN RESORT, France
With awe-inspiring views across Lake Geneva, the historic Champions Course dates back to 1904, and hosts the first Major in Europe. Players can prepare for the testing terrain at the on-site golf academy.
Off the rough: There’s a team to help guests curate their stay, plus a spa focused on Evian mineral water, and family offerings like swimming, cycling and lots of other activities. evianresort.com
6
BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL, Switzerland
A playground for the global elite, Badrutt’s has excellent access to the oldest course in Switzerland – the Engadin, St Moritz. A golf package includes Rolls-Royce transfers and green fees. Off the rough: Hang out at the Paradiso Mountain Club, trot around the mountains on horseback or seek your inner David Niven at the King’s Social House, the oldest nightclub in Switzerland. badruttspalace.com
NOBLE BY DESIGN
Enjoy
a sustainablythemed home-from-
home in the Algarve’s Golden Triangle of golf
Stylish apartments created with the environment in mind are core to the Nobilus design ethos in Portugal. These boutique residences are close to the heart of Vilamoura and the luxury resort’s world-class Dom Pedro Collection of golf courses.
Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and basking in blissful weather for much of the year, the 47 high-end properties are perfectly located in one of the old fishing town’s most coveted areas.
Vilamoura was originally developed in the 1980s as a premium golfing destination, alongside one of the finest beaches in central Algarve. Within walking distance of Nobilus, the historic harbour has become the focal point for a modern and sophisticated resort.
The busy marina complex is the largest and best-equipped in Portugal. Visitors can indulge is outstanding facilities, with fine dining restaurants, chic bars and sensational sunsets guaranteed. The lively area attracts sailors keen to explore the Med and has also been awarded the title of
International Marina of the Year on numerous occasions.
Plenty of companies offer water sports and boat trips from Vilamoura, or exercise at the town’s riding academy, bowling club and tennis courts. An elite sports campus offers unrivalled facilities in the area. Otherwise, you may prefer to just people-watch from a beach café.
The Nobilus apartments are designed to complement the unique natural habitat, where getting back to nature means just walking out of the door. The town’s Nature Trail, Environmental Park and the wonderful golden sands of the Algarve are all within walking distance, with bird and wildlife aplenty.
Innovative construction was key to the design process. The peaceful apartments are crafted from crosslaminated timber (CLT) – an engineered wood product that offers structural rigidity and sustainable credentials.
Not only does CLT afford structural strength comparable to concrete, the sought-after material serves as a planetfriendly alternative, reducing carbon footprint while resistant against fire, rot and damage.
Nobilus is also part of a SelfConsumption Solar Community, powered by photovoltaic panels that soak up rays from the Portuguese sun. Any excess energy is then shared across the entire community.
Offering secure parking, rooftop terraces and private pools and gardens, the Nobilus apartments are luxuriously equipped for a memorable golfing stay. Choose from exquisite two, three or four-bedroom properties, all carefully designed to be an indulgent homefrom-home.
Eco-minded Nobilus has everything a golfer would expect at their dream home-from-home – with a Portuguese paradise on the doorstep.
Prices start from €680,000. For more information, visit vilamoura.pt
Get your greens at Nobilus in the Algarve
GREEN ON THE GREEN
Can golf be more sustainable? Jeremy Taylor looks at how sport’s post-pandemic boom is encouraging courses to look more closely at how they impact the environment
Golf is played on almost 40,000 courses around the world – an area roughly the size of Belgium. Correctly managed, these spaces can help support sustainable living without sacrificing on looks or performance.
From optimising water usage to improved biodiversity and tree preservation, reducing harmful pesticides to minimising mowing, experts have realised courses can do less damage. So how can you encourage your club to tee-off towards a greener, more sustainable future?
The GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf is based in Scotland. Founded 16 years ago, the international, not-for-profit body was created to inspire, support and reward sustainable action in the sport. ‘The golf industry is in a new phase of activity, working collectively and credibly for the good of the planet. This commitment is especially important as we are in the UN’s Decade of Action – a time to accelerate sustainable solutions,’ a spokesman said.
Here are some of the key ways the sport can help the environment and prosper:
WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE
Less frequent, monitored watering is one way all courses can help – and reduce bills. Using weather tracking, sprinkler timers and monitoring soil moisture should be part of the daily maintenance routine. Is there the option of using captured rainwater, or water from another natural source nearby? Effective irrigation also helps greenkeepers manage water usage more effectively.
GREEN, GREEN, GRASS
More resilient turfs that need less watering and fewer pesticides are already being investigated.
Companies are investing millions of pounds trying to develop grasses that are better suited to golf venues in different climate conditions, ultimately helping new and existing courses to reduce their impact.
ONE MAN WENT TO MOW
Keeping the grass on greens and fairways short means daily mowing on many courses but it can have a negative impact on bees and birds, as well as other ecosystems that live in longer grass. Golf courses are being encouraged to leave areas of natural grassland to improve biodiversity, preserve habitats and reduce water usage.
COURSES LEADING THE WAY
1
LA RESERVE, Mauritius
Created on a large coastal hill, La Reserve was designed to allow the natural habitat re-establish. Much of the land was previously used as a sugarcane plantation – 100 acres have been returned to nature. heritagegolfclub.mu
2
LOCH LOMOND, Scotland
Opened in 1993, Loch Lomond has hosted the Scottish Open and challenges even the best golfers. It has enabled the restoration of the Loch Lomond estate, ensuring the conservation of natural features. lochlomond.com
3
WEST CLIFFS, Portugal
Less than an hour north of Lisbon, with the Atlantic visible from every hole, over 560 acres of this club on the Silver Coast is a natural landscape, with rolling sand dunes and coastal vegetation. westcliffs.com
4
SUNNINGDALE, England
Founded in 1901 near Ascot, Sunningdale has undertaken a range of ecological projects, including heathland restoration, woodland management and woodpiles to encourage biodiversity and habitats. sunningdalegolfclub.co.uk
BAJAN BEAUTY
Apes Hill Barbados is a golfing paradise matched by breathtaking scenery and panoramic views
Apes Hill Barbados is one of the world’s most talked-about stay-and-play destinations – a bucket-list course for golfers, the exclusive venue is drenched in Caribbean sunshine and surrounded by an exotic island of white sandy beaches.
Five years ago, the luxurious resort was just a twinkle in the eye of Canadian investor, Glenn Chamandy. Now, thanks to the work of the late American course designer, Ron Kirby, the prestigious venue is a ‘must-visit’ location for golfers who enjoy playing whatever the season.
Kirby famously worked on some of the world’s greatest golf courses. From Gleneagles to high-profile Old Head in Kinsale, Ireland, he liked his courses to be breathtakingly beautiful, using natural vistas as a star attraction and made accessible to everyone, from novice to champion.
Features such as native coral rock, Barbadian flora and glistening lakes are all used to maximum impact at Apes Hill. Since the 18-hole championship course reopened in 2022, the family-friendly resort has won rave reviews, with many saying Kirby’s final project was one of his best.
FROM ABOVE: The Ron Kirby designed Apes Hill has become a must-visit course for golfers; the ‘19th hole’ in front of the sleek clubhouse invites golfers to find
Sunil Chatrani, executive chairman of Apes Hill, said: ‘Ron’s fun-first design philosophy combined with Apes Hill’s stunning landscapes were a match made in heaven. It’s one of the most complete golf offerings you will find anywhere and a Caribbean paradise.’
A round at Apes Hill is unforgettable and plays over 7,000 yards off the back tee. A par-71, players can choose from four teeing options over the undulating fairway terrain, helping to ensure the course is playable for every standard of golfer.
However, Apes Hill’s offering doesn’t end when players step off the 18th green. The championship course is now complemented by ‘Little Apes’, a route of nine, par-3 holes that can be enjoyed in just an hour. It’s perfect for a quick round to unwind or sharpen your short game – and great for children too.
One par-3 hole at Apes Hill is arguably the most iconic. Overlooked by the sleek modern clubhouse and Noisy Cricket restaurant, the ‘19th hole’ confronts golfers with a vast lake, where they aim to hit a comparatively small island green in the centre.
‘It’s the ultimate challenge to settle any lingering sense of competition after a round of 18 holes but the thrill if you land your tee shot is worth the risk,’ said Chatrani.
A new, state-of-the-art Performance Centre allows guests to work on their golf between rounds and has attracted some of the Caribbean’s most promising players. The high-tech equipment should improve every aspect of a player’s game, from physical strength to putting and swing speed. Lessons with knowledgeable PGA professionals are available.
AN ACCLAIMED COURSE AND SPECTACULAR FACILITIES ENSURE THIS BARBADOS RESORT IS A CUT ABOVE
A thriving real estate community has also developed at Apes Hill, as many hope to invest in an on-site luxury property too. Fourteen four-bedroom Hilltop Villas overlook the Little Apes course on Seaview Ridge and offer spectacular vistas across the Caribbean.
You don’t have to buy your dream home at Apes Hill to enjoy the fantastic range of golf experiences. Stay-and-play rental villas are now available to book and include a private golf buggy to make exploring the resort an absolute breeze.
Close to the 18th fairway, the resort’s two-storey Courtyard Villas have gained popularity since opening for holiday stays at the start of 2024. Each three-bedroom villa is fully equipped with kitchen and dining facilities, as well as outdoor seating and dining options and a private plunge pool.
Without a golf club in your hand, Apes Hill is a relaxing holiday destination in its own right. The Noisy Cricket restaurant specialises in fresh local ingredients for food and cocktails, while non-golf pursuits include swimming, yoga, tennis, padel tennis, hiking and guided gully trails.
Although the resort’s lofty altitude lends it a sense of seclusion, Barbados’ bustling towns and those famous sandy beaches are never more than a short journey away either.
Apes Hill offers the golfing holiday of a lifetime, with a dream property to match. An acclaimed course, cool Caribbean breezes and spectacular facilities ensure this Barbados resort is a cut above the rest.
For more information, visit apeshill.com
ABOVE & BELOW: The thriving real-estate community at Apes Hill includes villas to rent, such as the stunning Courtyard Villas that line the 18th fairway
ABOVE & BELOW:
The all-singing Hilltop villas have private plunge pools and Caribbean views
ON COURSE
Golf has become the backdrop for a new style of second-home ownership, says Anna Tyzack
When Jon Harvelle bought a golf property in the south of France in the nineties, his teenage children were not impressed. The four-bedroom house was good for one thing – golf – which wasn’t of interest to anyone in the family except Jon. ‘The only way of walking to the local village was across the golf course, which got us in trouble with the golfers,’ his eldest daughter, Jessica, recalls. ‘If we walked back late at night, we’d get soaked by sprinklers.’
Fast-forward 25 years and Jessica is married to an amateur golfer and has two children – her eight-year-old son is serious about golf. Much to the amusement of her father, her family is looking to buy a golf property, ideally in Scotland, where Luke’s family is from. ‘It’s a completely different proposition these days – at the kind of golf property we’re looking at there’s plenty for my daughter and me to do, too,’ Jessica says.
Ben Wescoe of Cabot, which owns exclusive golf destinations in Canada, the Caribbean, Florida and Europe, agrees that golf property ownership has changed dramatically, and so too have buyers. They’re younger these days, with young families. They want to be active during their holidays, while also unwinding and playing some golf. In response, golf communities have widened their appeal to include state-of-the-art sport facilities. At Gleneagles, the historic Perthshire hotel, with three golf courses and a small selection of residences, the Sporting Club offers tennis, padel, bouldering and a kids club, plus salmon fishing, riding and shooting.
At Quinta do Lago in Portugal, the Campus is a professional-standard sporting facility with gym, pool, padel, tennis, football and kids’ camps.
‘Golf has become the backdrop for a new style of second-home ownership,’ Ben says. ‘At our properties, buyers enjoy the stunning scenery and wide-open spaces of a world-class golf course, as well as numerous other relaxing activities.’ In line with the ideology of these younger buyers, golf developments increasingly prioritise sustainability and nature, he adds, promoting biodiversity and energy efficiency at both golf courses and second homes.
In Scotland, Jessica and Luke began their search in St Andrew’s, as Luke
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
Golfers are opting to spend winter months at second homes overseas, including at Quinta do Lago
The Cabot Collection offers golf properties in Revelstoke, British Columbia
State-of-the-art sporting facilities are on offer at second homes at Gleneagles in Perthshire
was keen to buy on a links course, but they soon decided they’d rather be on a purpose-built golf development surrounded by countryside. ‘I don’t want to be in a town,’ Jessica says. ‘I want entertainment for the children and maybe a spa, and a management team to look after the place when we’re not there.’
Jessica and Luke are not the only ones to have come to this conclusion. Buyers are prepared to pay 19 percent more to live within a golf destination according to the European Tour Destinations study; they like the way resorts will manage their homes when they’re not using them and even rent them out. At Gleneagles, Glenmor Lodges, with up to four bedrooms, are set on a private village green 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel’s golf courses and facilities, including nine restaurants and bars. Edinburgh and Glasgow are an hour’s drive away. The properties are designed for the outdoor lifestyle, with a drying cabinet, two mountain bikes, and complimentary golf for one person on all three courses. They’re available to purchase on a fractional ownership basis from £10,000 for an annual week.
Golf cottages will soon be available to buy freehold at Cabot Highlands, near Inverness, home to the renowned Castle Stuart Golf Links, which has a Tom Doak-designed second 18-hole course, Old Petty, opening next year. The resort will include a collection of residential properties with wonderful views overlooking both fairways and the Moray Firth, as well as a range of amenities.
Demand for high-quality overseas golf properties is flourishing, according to research by Savills. Postpandemic, buyers are prioritising quality of life, with keen golfers opting to work from home during winter months at a second property in Portugal, Spain or the Caribbean. As such, the prices of properties at Quinta do Lago have increased by 30 percent in the past year, says Savills, while in Spain homes at La Zagaleta, a 900-hectare golf community on a former hunting estate near Marbella, are now the most expensive in the country.
The uplift on properties at these established golf communities is prompting the next generation of buyers to look to the destinations of the future. In St Lucia, the customisable residences at Cabot St Lucia, a Coore & Crenshaw-designed 18-hole course on a dramatic 375-acre peninsula, are attracting interest from British buyers who want world-class golf and winter sun with a laidback Caribbean vibe.
Meanwhile, there’s increasing demand from Brits for homes at Greece’s first major golf community, Costa Navarino on the western Peloponnese, where there are four new golf courses surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, plus a tennis centre, padel courts, pools, shops, restaurants and an enormous kids’ club. The residences, which cost from €1.5m, are future-proofed against the changing climate (positioned on the hillside, for example, out of the hot sun) and many have direct beach or golf access. Owners can also select to have their own private vegetable garden at their house.
British buyers are also circling properties at Montenegro’s first golf course at Luštica Bay, an expanding traditional Montenegrin village with a new marina and five beaches, 20 minutes from Tivat airport. The Gary Player-designed course is in an area known as the Peaks and, when complete in 2028, will have views of the Adriatic from every hole. Prices for apartments in the Peaks’ first neighbourhood, Botanika, start at €740,000 and there are also townhouses and villas.
Jessica and Luke can see the appeal of an overseas golf property, particularly in the winter. However, they’re determined to stick with Scotland as they want their second home to be accessible for weekends and half-terms without needing to fly.
‘I never thought I’d hear myself saying this but there’s something comforting about buying in a golf development,’ Jessica says. ‘The place always looks immaculate, there’s always somewhere to have a good coffee and there are always friendly faces around. This is definitely not the norm for second-home ownership.’ n
HOMES FOR
HOLES
1
MESSENIA, Greece Olive Grove villas at Costa Navarino are perched among olive groves in a quiet neighbourhood overlooking the Dunes golf course and the sea, while also being close to the beach and sports facilities. They’re designed by architects K-Studio and have seamlessly integrated indoor/ outdoor living spaces, five bedrooms and private pools. From £4.3m, costanavarino.com
2
LUŠTICA BAY, Montenegro New-build apartments, villas and townhouses in the Peaks development blend Mediterranean style with modern amenities such as golf storage and pools. Enjoy Adriatic views and easy access to the Gary Player Signature Design golf course. They feature open-plan living spaces and maximise indoor-outdoor living with terraces with lounge seating and dining areas. From €740,000, lusticabay.com
3
BROOKSVILLE, Florida
The first phase of golf cottages at Cabot Citrus Farms sold out but a second phase of two- and four-bedroom cottages is now available. They’re set within 1,200 acres of rolling hills, previously known as World Woods Golf Club and have access to two revitalised 18-hole golf courses, one 9-hole course, an 11-hole par-3 course plus a new clubhouse and sporting club. From $1.8m, cabotcitrusfarms.com
Villas and apartments in Luštica Bay in Montenegro maximise indoor-outdoor living
FOOD &DRINK
DINNER and a SHOW
Forget the pre-theatre set menu: 2024 saw the rise and rise of immersive dining experiences, bringing the show to the table. Get stuck in yourself at The Great Christmas Feast (p216).
GASTRO GOSSIP
Make the Christmas dinner different this year, says Tessa Dunthorne
The Victorians invented the Christmas dinner as we know it. Traditionalists will tell you that the goose is the OG of festive meats, but for the past two centuries (or so), the turkey has been the one to get the chop (thanks to increasing family sizes; geese weren’t big enough). But are times a-changing again?
According to YouGov data, just half the population want the big bird on the table, while eight percent are going all out vegetarian. Even our chefs aren’t fussed about the roast bird. Roberta Hall McCarron, of the Little Chartroom in Edinburgh, has swapped hers for a heartier beef Wellington. ‘It’s a classic,’ she explains, ‘and it was such a hit when I made it last Christmas that we’re absolutely having it again this year.’
And perhaps you’d like to switch up the Châteauneuf du Pape? In some households, cocktails and champagne are taking pride of place on the festive table. For the former, Lyaness founder Ryan Chetiyawardana recommends a seasonal twist on classic recipes. ‘Citrus
OCCASION TIPPLES
Bring out the best bottles
enters an amazing phase in winter,’ he says, ‘and I enjoy using chilli or chocolate to bring Christmas warmth. My other secret weapon is tea – it gives length to lower abv [alcohol by volume] and boozeless options, but also adds depth, tannin and a little pop of caffeine to your cocktails.’ If this all sounds like a lot of fuss – and it is – you could simply opt out. Frozen luxury dinners are on the increase (frozen food sales in general grew 15 percent in 2023) – and there are plenty of high-quality options available. Norwich-based Farmyard Frozen, for example, offers fine-dining ready meals straight to your freezer ( farmyardfrozen.com). Why not try its Wagyu beef Wellington (£110 for two), accompanied by garden peas and fine beans in a spiced almond butter (£5)? Follow it up with sticky date pudding (£7.50), and a ready-made Old Fashioned from Lockdown Liquor (lockdown-liquor.com), and it might just be the festive feast you’ve been waiting for. It’s not the family recipe, but it’s delicious nosh primed for gluttons – without hours sweating over a hot stove.
PLATE UP
Where to eat this month
the real star of the show. christmasfeast.thelostestate.com
1 BOLLINGER 007 collab, £3,500. 007store.com
2 HIBIKI 40 year old whisky, £POA. house.suntory.com
3 JOHNNY WALKER Blue Label Ice Chalet, £347. thewhiskyshop.com
4 SHOWERINGS Triple vintage cider, £45 for 12. showerings cider.com
DON’T TELL DAD
Daniel Land’s latest opening in Queen’s Park is a tribute to his late sister, Lesley (the name is the mantra they’d share as cheeky children). A bakery by day, it turns bistro by night. Head chef Luke Frankie hails from Noble Rot, while head baker Keren Sternberg comes from Layla. Opens December.
TAMILA
The Tamil Prince’s opening proved so hot it needed another two outposts pronto. Tamila is its first foray south of the river. Expect fast, casual dining on the Northcote Road with a Tandoor twist. We’ll raise a gunpowder margarita to that. tamila.uk
THE ALLIANZ STADIUM
It might seem unlikely but the hottest new foodie spot just might be found in the sports stands. The Allianz Stadium has a chef lineup as lively as the rugby action. The East Wing will see chef Tommy Banks as scrum master, and Tom Kerridge tackles The Lock. allianzstadiumtwickenham.com
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS FEAST
An immersive staging of A Christmas Carol plunges you into Victorian England with an accompanying menu made a little bit more modern by chef Ashley Clarke. It’s almost hard to decide who is
Is the big Christmas bird dead? Alternatives include Wagyu beef Wellington
THE PERFECT PAIRING
A mouthwatering brown butter scallops risotto deliciously accompanied by Hambledon Vineyard’s Première Cuvée
INGREDIENTS
Serves 4
– 50g butter
– 2 cloves of garlic
– 220g risotto rice – 120ml white wine
– 700ml chicken stock
– 50g of parmesan
– 12 scallops
– 1/2 lemon juiced
– Hambledon Vineyard Premiere Cuvée, to serve. Produced exclusively from its own estate on the South East facing chalk slopes in the historic village of Hambledon
AN ELEGANT MAIN COURSE
With browned butter, this recipe enjoys an additional toasty depth and richness, making it the perfect pairing to Hambledon’s creamy and complex cuvée .
METHOD
Heat 1 tbsp of the butter in a deep frying pan and then fry garlic for about a minute before adding rice. Coat in butter and toast until the rice loses some of its transparency. Add the white wine, stirring frequently and simmer until it’s mostly absorbed.
While continuously stirring, add a ladle of the chicken stock to the rice. Stir until this is absorbed. Add another ladle and repeat until most of the stock has been
absorbed and the rice is cooked al dente. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the parmesan plus half the butter. Cover with lid; leave to rest.
In a frying pan, heat your oil of choice. Pat the scallops dry with kitchen roll, season lightly with salt, and pop them in the pan. Sear for one to two minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove to a plate. Add the remaining butter to the frying pan, stirring until it’s foaming and browned. Transfer to a heatproof bowl. Return the risotto to the heat, and now add the lemon juice, extra parmesan, scallops and finally drizzle with the brown butter. Serve immediately with a cool, crisp glass of Hambledon Vineyard’s Première Cuvée (best served between 10-12 °C).
WINE NOTES
Aged for at least 62 months on the lees, delivering a creamy, elegant texture. Notes of ripe apricot, white peach and baked red apple which evolve into tarte
Tatin and almond croissant. A dusting of crumble finish develops a mineral, chalky quality, nodding to its Hampshire terroir. Immensely enjoyable. Available from Fortnum & Mason, The Bottle Club, House of Malt & Selfridges
SUPPER CLUB
Vegan blogger Romy Callwitz shares her orange and cranberry wreath, a plant-based alternative to the traditional roast
INGREDIENTS
Serves 6-8
– 2 tbsp vegan butter
– 1 cup diced red onion
– 2 tsp crushed garlic
– 1 cup finely diced celery
– 1 cup finely diced carrots
– 130g cranberries
– 1 tsp orange zest
– 60ml fresh orange juice
– 1 tbsp light brown sugar
– 1 tsp fresh thyme
– 1 cube veg bouillon
– 2 cups chopped walnuts
– 2 tbsp peanut butter
– 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
– 2 tbsp almond flour
– 2 tbsp flaxseeds
– 4 tbsp cranberry sauce
– Orange & nut shavings
ORANGE & CRANBERRY WREATH
Romy says: With the addition of orange, this roast is extra zesty and brings the deliciously sweet taste of cranberries to the next level. The stunning wreath shape will look beautiful on your festive dinner table.
METHOD
1
Place vegan butter in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft. Add garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Add celery and carrots. Stir and cook for 8-10 minutes.
2
Add cranberries to the pan and mix in. Cook mixture for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in orange zest, orange juice, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. After 2 minutes, add fresh thyme. Crumble in the bouillon cube and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat.
3
In the meantime, transfer walnuts to a food processor and pulse to break them into chunks. Transfer them to the pan, stir and remove the pan from the heat. Preheat your oven to 190°C. In a small bowl, whisk peanut butter, apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp water. Add to the pan and stir together, then stir in almond flour and flaxseeds. Grease a 10½-inch ring cake pan and transfer mixture to the cake pan. Firmly press down into the ring with the back of a spoon or spatula. Pack it densely. Carefully even out the top of the cake ring and transfer it to oven.
4
Bake for 30-35 minutes, turning the ring 180 degrees halfway through to ensure it bakes evenly. Once the edges begin to brown, remove the cake ring from the oven. Allow your wreath to cool on an even surface for 10 to 15 minutes before carefully turning it upside down on a serving dish and removing the cake ring. Decorate the top of the wreath with cranberry sauce, along with orange savings and nuts (if using). Serve this delicious and festive roast alongside green beans and brandy peppercorn sauce.
FOODIE TALES
The first dish I learnt to cook was a simple pasta dish... with tomato sauce. I have always loved how versatile pasta can be. My go-to throw-it-together dinner is a stir fry. I’ll add whatever seasonal veg I have on hand, toss in a vegan teriyaki sauce and serve with noodles. In my fridge right now... There’s a lasagne and also Biscoff pumplin truffles I made over the weekend. Lots of mushrooms, some pickled onions, and leftovers from recent recipe testing, too.
My most used cookbook isn’t, strictly speaking, a cookbook. I love my flavour thesaurus for inspiration. My other favourites are Vegan Asian by Jeece Uy, and pretty much every book by Nikki Webster from Rebel Recipes. My ultimate comfort snack is cinnamon rolls. I use a pack of Jus Rol cinnamon rolls (these are accidentally vegan), popped in the oven and then sprinkled with any freezer berries or dairyfree cream I have on hand. Super gooey; simply divine. To use up leftovers, try making a veggie frittata. Just throw in whatever you have left. To make it vegan, cover the cooked veg in a mix of chickpea flour, olive oil, turmeric, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper, beaten together with a fork.
Romy Callwitz’s Ultimate Guide To Vegan Roasts, £16.99, whsmith.co.uk. n
ROMY CALLWITZ, RECIPE DEVELOPER AND FOOD WRITER
Make Your Gifting
This Christmas, give the gift of variety and quality with our expertly chosen mixed cases. Designed to o er an exciting selection of wines, these cases are perfect for those who appreciate exploring di erent flavours and discovering new styles.
Our Mixed Cases are available exclusively online. Order now for delivery, or choose ‘Shop Local’ at checkout to collect from your nearest store.
Pictured, Christmas in a Box 12 bottle mixed case £149
BURY ST. EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK GUIDE: £1,250,000
An elegant four-storey town house, well placed for amenities.
The regency façade is complemented by versatile accommodation in a quiet setting. Principal Suite, 2 Guest Suites, 3 further Bedrooms and Bathroom. First floor Drawing Room, Study/Office, Kitchen/Dining/Living Room, Utility Room and 2 Cloakrooms. Off-road parking. Charming Garden and field views.
PROPERTY
Edited by Anna Tyzack
HOUSE OF THE MONTH
Court Lodge, Church Road, Chelsfield, Orpington, Kent 9 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 10,786 sq/ft, £10m
Sell it to us in a sentence... Court Lodge is a Georgian country house and estate with fabulous grounds and cottages, located less than 20 minutes from Charing Cross.
How would you describe its design? Georgian elegance coupled with contemporary style, thanks to an extensive renovation undertaken by the current owners.
What’s unique about it? Court Lodge is quite possibly the only Queen Anne country house that has views of the City. It truly feels like a ‘best of both worlds’ setting, as the property is surrounded by countryside but is also within striking distance of the capital.
What is its history? Built in the 18th century, Court Lodge was once home to Brass Crosby, Lord Mayor of London, who is commemorated with a blue plaque. Crosby’s work led to the publication of parliamentary debate – the expression ‘bold as brass’ is said to derive from his championing of the press.
Best room in the house? The kitchen. As well as being incredibly stylish, it incorporates part of the old house alongside a huge adjoining orangery leading directly to a terrace and the pool area. Perks of the location? For someone looking to have both London and the countryside within reach, it’s the ultimate location: you can enjoy semi-rural village living matched with a zone six commute.
The current owner says… ‘I shall be very sad to leave, but it’s time for a new family to enjoy this wonderful home.’ +44(0)1732 789700, savills.com
Lavish London Homes
Throw an shindig to remember in one of these party palaces, says Martha Davies
Marlborough Road, Chiswick, £4.5m
The heart of this home is, in fact, its basement conversion, which is kitted out with a bar and a cinema room – not to mention a breathtaking glazed ceiling. savills.com
Portland Place, Marylebone, £65m
This ten-bedroom mansion is surely one of the finest homes on the market right now, and it’s complete with an enormous formal dining room (plus a wine cellar and a juice bar). knightfrank.com
Cheyne Place, Chelsea, £8.95m
Behind the picture-perfect façade of this Chelsea home, you’ll find a double-aspect dining room which provides an ideal setting for sophisticated soirées. hamptons.co.uk
Eaton Square, Belgravia, £9.45m
Step inside this three-bedroom penthouse and you’ll spot a huge drawing room/dining area with a dramatic vaulted ceiling. struttandparker.com
Battersea Power Station, £29.995m
It might be too chilly to entertain al fresco beside Battersea Power Station’s iconic chimneys, but no matter: this jaw-dropping penthouse also boasts a stylish dining room. sothebysrealty.co.uk
St Ewe, South Cornwall
St Austell (main line station) 5 miles, Truro 11 miles, Pentewan Sands 4.5 miles, Caerhays 6 miles, The Lost Gardens of Heligan 3 miles
An elegant detached barton farmhouse in a small rural hamlet within easy reach of Truro, St Austell and the south Cornish coast, set in about 12 acres of gardens and pasture with a useful range of outbuildings. Five bedrooms, hand built kitchen with electric Esse range cooker, air source heat pump with solar panels, 2 reception rooms and FTTP broadband. 2540 sqft. EPC D. Council Tax Band G.
Guide £1.5m
Jonathan Cunliffe 01326 617447
Tales of our Time
Michael Hayman journeys our small island in the spirit of Bill Bryson
If over the years you’ve been enchanted by the prose of Bill Bryson, it will come as no surprise that the author’s Notes From A Small Island came in at number four in The Sunday Times 100 bestselling books of the past 50 years, published in August.
At a time when we face so many difficult questions about history and identity, it is wondrous his journey resonates as well today as it did nearly 30 years ago.
Bryson’s book formed part of my inspiration this summer to travel around the UK with my young family, to connect them to our island story and see how great Britain really is. While we didn’t follow Bryson’s pilgrimage to places like Shellow Bowells and Farleigh Wallop, we did get around and about.
As friends relayed stories of adventures in Italy and Greece, our starting point was the shingle beaches of East Sussex. And while la dolce vita might not spring to mind, it’s time to release your imagination and think again.
While 40 degree-plus heatwaves confined our friends to barracks in the sweltering Med, we were bobbing in the sea at Cooden Beach with the place very much to ourselves. A night at the newly and beautifully-renovated Relais Cooden Beach hotel shows savvy investors have also got an eye on the shape of things to come.
More of the same at Rottingdean near Brighton, where a day on the sand was followed by another excellent find: The White Horses –not long ago a symbol of coastal decline, now resplendent after a £6m investment.
From Sussex to Dorset, and the seaside beauty of Mudeford, home to an incredible
community of beach huts (one is reputed to have been sold for over £575,000), as well as glorious sandy coves and walking country.
And let’s not forget the food. The Noisy Lobster on Avon Beach gleaned seafood as fresh as you could hope for and a joyful sommelier who trained at The Newt in Somerset.
In London, The Corinthia was our base for Abba Voyage and rooftop restaurants, and then to Edinburgh, for an unforgettable night at the military tattoo. We journeyed home on the Caledonian Sleeper, the kids conjuring the Hogwarts Express to my Casino Royale
As the tired travellers tumbled home, my thoughts turned again to my literary inspiration.
‘It occurred to me that this was a very fine country indeed,’ Bryson wrote. And while he had doubts about its future, this small island endures as a green and pleasant land. n
ISLAND INSPIRATION
READ Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson, who loved every last bit of Britain, good and bad: ‘Marmite, village fêtes, country lanes, milk in bottles, beans on toast, stinging nettles, seaside piers, drizzly Sundays.’ JOURNEY on the Caledonian Sleeper, one of only two sleeper trains operating in the UK. WATCH The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the castle esplanade, which next year celebrates 75 years (1-23 August).
