FROM
Back in primary school, good behaviour or standout work were rewarded with the honour of choosing the first hymn in assembly – no matter the time of year, I always went for Autumn Days. The jewelled grass, the silk inside the chestnut shell, those waiting jet planes… ah, there’s nothing better. Yes, I love this time of year as we coast happily towards Christmas. If autumn gives you all the feels, too, check out our gorgeous Wish List, dedicated to the colours and the cosiness of the season. And speaking of colours, London’s art world is as colourful as the leaves at this time of year, which is why we’ve dedicated our Culture section to the many shows, exhibitions and openings happening this month. Elsewhere in the magazine, we talk to cover star Rakie Ayola about her latest role, and her desire for diversity in the entertainment industry; explore the latest in luxury bathroom design; and take a stroll through the glittering streets of Mayfair. So much to say a big ‘thank you’ for!
Liz Skone James Editor
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Rakie wears: dress, archive Calvin Klein (vestiairecollective. com); shoes (michaelkors.co.uk); earrings (therockhound.com)
An extraordinary Grade II Listed Gothic Villa originally known as ‘The Logs’ built around 1868. This remarkable home (506.6 sq m/5,453 sq ft) in the same ownership for nearly 40 years sits on an elevated 0.25 of an acre plot on the corner of Well Road at the junction with East Heath Road overlooking Hampstead Heath and forms the central part of this distinctive mansion renowned for its eccentric mix of Gothic and Italianate architecture. Well Road is located directly opposite Hampstead Heath and is just 0.3 miles from all the amenities of Hampstead Village and Hampstead Underground Station (Northern Line) whilst Hampstead Heath Overground is also close by (0.5 miles away).
Situated within an attractive private road, this extremely bright Modernist townhouse (built in 1969) enjoys 1,939 sq ft/180 sq m of accommodation over three floors and is currently arranged as two bedrooms, but could be re-configured as three or four. The house provides flexible accommodation that could easily suit both a growing family or a professional couple. As part of a comprehensive refurbishment, the current owners completely stripped, replastered, re-wired and installed a new boiler, as well as fitting new architraves, skirtings, Spanish walnut doors and high-end door furniture.
The accommodation includes two 17' reception rooms that are open to the landing area creating a run of 40' with beautiful views to both the front and rear which makes for an incredible social space, and a 17'4 x 17' kitchen/dining room with patio doors to a 40' west-facing private rear garden with direct gated access into mature lawned communal gardens.
There is off-street parking for two cars, and guest parking within the road. This highly desirable private road is situated directly opposite the beautiful open spaces of Golders Hill Park and within a short walk to the wide choice of local shops, restaurants and transport facilities.
Situated on a magnificent south east facing plot of 0.44 acre with mature and private gardens, is this rare opportunity to purchase a low built detached family house, set behind a deep driveway with a double garage and arranged over just 2 floors spanning 3,897 Sq Ft (362 sq m).
Internally this fine, bright & airy home features a well-proportioned drawing room, a dining room with French doors leading on to the garden, a kitchen breakfast room, an office, a large conservatory with wide patio doors & 2 bedroom suites which could easily be converted into a gym/playroom.
Upstairs there en suites), an bedroom the garden, a dressing room and en suite bathroom. There is also an additional family shower room
There is also the possibility of substantial development potential to either heavily extend the house or to construct a new mansion subject to all the necessary planning consents required. Stormont Road is moments away from the open spaces of Kenwood House and the Heath, and is well located for the local schools, the Northern Line and Highgate & Hampstead Village.
SOLE
Located in one of the finest private roads in Hampstead Garden Suburb is this detached family home with a plethora of original features, backing directly on to and enjoying views over the Hampstead Heath Extension.
Arranged over 3 floors and spanning 6,394 Sq Ft (594 Sq M), this magnificent bright and airy home features 3 reception rooms on the ground floor including a beautiful drawing room with French doors leading to the garden, a dining room, a family room and a well-equipped kitchen/breakfast room.
On the upper floors there are 7/8 bedrooms (6 en suite) including a luxurious principal bedroom suite with dressing room & en suite bathroom with far reaching views over the Heath Extension and a family/games room.
The majestic garden and terrace faces south & spans 107’ X 81’ with direct access via a gate on to the Heath Extension.
Further benefits include a gym, large garage and off-street parking for 4/5 cars.
A stunning and immaculately renovated 3 double bedroom, 2 bathroom, corner apartment situated on the 2nd floor of this prestige modern development, located in the heart of St John’s Wood. This bright flat has a triple aspect and has been meticulously refurbished with a spacious 22’ reception room providing balcony access, air conditioning in both the reception room and master suite and a fire safety misting system.
Sheringham forms part of the exclusive ‘Queensmead Estate’ surrounded by attractive communal gardens, with excellent porterage, high level of security and residents off street parking facilities. The block is conveniently located for both Swiss Cottage & St John’s Wood.
ENTRANCE HALL • 22’ RECEPTION ROOM WITH BALCONY • FULLY FITTED KITCHEN MASTER BEDROOM WITH ENSUITE BATHROOM 2 FURTHER DOUBLE BEDOOMS ROOM VIDEO ENTRYPHONE PASSENGER
LONG LEASE
This immaculately presented, four/five bedroom, apartment is located on the fourth floor of one of Marylebone’s most prestigious purpose built blocks with views over a beautiful Georgian garden square in the heart of Marylebone.
Seven windows overlook the attractive garden square whilst also allowing an abundance of natural light throughout the apartment. The accommodation comprises five bedrooms each with fitted wardrobes, a family bathroom, two shower rooms and a guest WC, a bright reception room, a dinning room, a fully fitted kitchen and a guest cloakroom.
Further benefits include access to the green, manicured resident-only Bryanston Square gardens for a small annual fee, a lift and porter services. The apartment is ideally located for the boutique shops and restaurants of the nearby High Street as well as the green open spaces of Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. Excellent transport links include Baker Street underground station (0.5mi Bakerloo, Circle, H&C, Jubilee, Metropolitan lines). and Marylebone train station (0.3mi Bakerloo line and National rail services).
EPC rating C. Council Tax Band H.
A beautifully presented, four bedroom, period house with a garden, situated in one of the most sought after crescents in Primrose Hill.
Perfect for entertaining and modern family living, this spacious and elegant house is arranged over 2,084 sq ft (194 sq m). The accommodation comprises a kitchen/dining room with access onto the garden, a large double aspect reception room, guest cloakroom, family bathroom, a bedroom with a balcony, two further bedrooms , a fourth large bedroom with an en-suite shower room and a terrace. Further benefits include high ceilings and many period features.
Chalcot Crescent is located in the heart of Primrose Hill village, with easy access to the green open spaces of Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park, as well as the many boutiques, cafes and restaurants of Regents Park Road and Princess Road. Transport links include Chalk Farm Underground Station which is approximately 0.4 miles as well as many bus routes into central London.
EPC Rating D. Council tax band H Camden.
Denning Road, Hampstead NW3 Hampstead double fronted detached residence designed to exacting standards. 4 reception rooms, bathrooms, 2 studies, games room, basement nightclub, garden and roof terrace.
The main house is arranged over 6,172 sq.ft./ 573.4 sq.m. and includes the ingenious incorporation of the original artist’s studio into the main house which now provides a 50ft kitchen and barrel-vaulted living space that opens directly onto the garden. An impressive entrance hall leads to the high-ceilinged ‘L’ shaped reception room with full height sash windows. The principal
bedroom suite occupies the whole of the first floor and comprises two dressing areas/rooms and a very large bathroom/ wet room. In addition, the owners have created a 1,458 sq.ft/135.5 sq.m leisure area with lightwells and skylights featuring cinema/entertainment area, gym, showers and treatment areas.
Included with this property is a newly built
two floor mews house accessed from the rear garden and with a separate address (Hamilton Close). Overall, the mews is 1,227 sq.ft. with two bedroom suites, large living room, kitchen and garage. Hamilton Terrace is a wide tree-lined road conveniently located for the shops and cafés of both St John’s Wood High Street and Maida Vale.
WITH CURZON our Autumn season of Film & Fizz our cosy the
From 5 October, Coal Drops Yard
Creative marketplace Avante Arte is on a mission to make art radically more accessible. Excitingly, its inaugural public art programme launches this month in King’s Cross, showcasing the talents of American artist, Tschabalala Self. Her first public art commission focuses on domestic space and trappings. Here, the artist will create a large-scale bronze sculpture of a seated figure, bringing her exploration of the domestic into the public realm, whilst examining the significance of taking up space and taking a seat. Two further editions encompassing 25 bronze sculptures and 12 silk screen prints will also be released by Avant Arte, while Pilar Corrias will present a solo exhibition by Self, titled Home Body, across its Savile Row and Eastcastle Street galleries from 6 October to 17 December.
Stable Street, N1C (avantarte.com)
1.Tschabalala Self in the studio overseeing production of her first public sculpture, 2022, image courtesy of Avant Arte © Oak TaylorSmith. 2. Tschabalala Self, Lady in Yellow on Spiral Seat #2 Teal Background, 2022, image courtesy of artist and Avant Arte. 3. Tschabalala Self, 2021, image courtesy of the artist © Christian DeFonte
Until 12 November, Doyle Wham
Water Dixon are simultaneously artists and alchemists – through years of experimentation with copper, glass and brass, the South African duo (Caitlin Warther and Wendy Dixon) have developed unique processes that accelerate the natural chemical reactions caused by time, oxygen and heat. The title Venus Effect refers to the historical artistic tradition of depicting the goddess in the form of a mirror reflection. A symbol of pleasure and femininity, Venus has also come to represent the gap between observation and reality. The idea of ambiguous reflection is central to the duo’s work. The exhibition features Conceal / Reveal, a series of wall-hung sculptures in which reflective materials are rendered dull and vice versa; some elements are sealed while others are left exposed, gradually evolving over time. Modern alchemy is taken further in the Supernovas series, where catalytic reactions have transformed the artwork’s surface through carefully-timed exposure to chemicals. Out of this world…
91A Rivington Street, EC2A (07940 352103; doylewham.com)
ART WORDS by ALI HOWARD
27 October-19 February, Somerset House
For an alternative take on Halloween, this timely exhibition invites visitors to look inwards and explore the underbelly of Britain’s cultural psyche. Theatrical in nature, the show is told in three acts – Monster, Ghost, and Witch –and takes us on a journey through 50 years of counter-culture movements and subversive moments via 150 works from boundary-pushing artists including Gazelle Twin, Tai Shani, and Jake & Dinos Chapman. Senior Curator Claire Catterall says: “When the state of the nation so strongly desires us to seek something out of the norm – or even out of this world –it foregrounds the importance of the atypical and adventurous in radically reimagining our collective cultural conscience.” Expect to be spellbound.
Strand, WC2R (0333 320 2836; somersethouse.org.uk) Dr
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 (020 3879 9555; southbankcentre.co.uk)
From 15 October, Holland Park Road
It’s been a long time coming but after an eye-watering £8 million refurb, this former studio-house of Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, opens to the public.
Positioned on the edge of Holland Park, the property is famed for its opulent interiors, including the exquisite Arab Hall complete with intricate mosaic floors and tiling, which Leighton acquired on his travels to North Africa and the
Middle East. The reopened house will feature previously unseen historic artefacts, a series of modern commissions that respond to the house’s iconic interiors, and an ambitious exhibition programme, which will run throughout the year. Go on, have a snoop.
12 Holland Park Road, W14 (rbkc.gov.uk/museums/)
2-6 November, Chelsea Old Town Hall
Experienced collectors and enquiring novices alike have attended Chelsea’s beloved antiques fair since 1951. In fact, this is the longest running event of its kind, making it one of the world’s most respected. Set in the glorious surrounds of the Old Town Hall, this year’s fair will take full advantage of the building’s impressive architecture as a suitably grand backdrop to the wealth of curiosities on offer. Come along and meet some of the UK’s most innovative, esteemed, and forward-thinking dealers across all genres of art and antiques.
King’s Road, SW3 (020 7361 4100; chelseaantiquesfair.co.uk)
Considered a pioneer of contemporary photography, David Bailey, CBE has captured some of the most seminal images of the last five decades. This new solo exhibition showcases his archive of rare and unseen portraits and candid shots. Highlights include The Beatles, Grace Jones, Bob Marley, Patti Smith and his jazz heroes, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. The exhibition also presents out-takes from shoots conducted for album covers, including Alice Cooper’s iconic Billion Dollar Babies. Unmissable.
45 Park Lane, W1K (020 7493 4545; dorchestercollection.com)
© David Bailey
© Leighton House, RBKC. Image courtesy of Will Pryce
Mary Fedden RA OBE Pansies and a Lighthouse
There’s likely to be some confusion around Rakie Ayola’s lead role in the upcoming second series of The Pact. “In series one I played a detective called Helen Holland, and in series two I play Christine Rhys who is this social worker,” she explains. “She has four grown up children, one of whom dies shortly before we enter the story. Someone turns up and turns the family’s lives upside down. And from there we launch into quite a dark, Gothic journey through six episodes… I think Pete McTighe, who wrote the series, had always had in mind that series two would be a different pact amongst a different group of characters. And so, it has come to pass that that is the case.”
This in itself is not unusual; Kay Mellor’s The Syndicate told the story of the fortunes of a different lottery syndicate over each of four series. What is more unusual is to use the same actress to portray different characters in consecutive series. “People see the same face a lot in different things, and they just go with it. And they might well think, oh, I loved Olivia Coleman in Broadchurch, but then they don’t, when they are watching The Crown, go, oh, well I don’t know if I can get into this now,” Rakie says, justifying the choice. “What Pete and Little Door Productions are saying is, look, these are actors, and here is an actor who we wanted to work with again. And she is local, and she has so many similarities with this character, that we thought, let’s just cast this actor again, because we think she can do this job.”
She does admit that the set up may not be immediately clear to viewers, though. “When we were filming, drivers would say, ‘So, tell me again, you’re not the detective?’ And even quite recently I was doing a photo shoot and the designer on that said, ‘Oh yeah, I loved the first series…’ and then I had to explain, and then she was sort of scratching her head. So, yes, there might be some confusion – maybe for ten minutes, people will go, ‘Is she? Oh no, she’s not the detective…’ And then they will just follow it through.”
Explaining how the role came about, Rakie says: “Pete and I got on really, really well. And we were talking a lot after The Pact series one came out and looking at projects that we might do together. And then Little Door got recommissioned for a second series, so I thought, oh, I won’t hear from him for a little while now because he’ll be busy putting that into action. And then, after not talking for several weeks, he got in touch and said that he would love for me to read the script…” She read it and loved it, and the rest, as they say, is history.
For Rakie, that feeling of connection to a script is very important, and, with over 30 years’ acting experience on her CV, a vast and varied body of both stage and screen work to her name and a BAFTA award, she considers herself to be in a very fortunate position to be able to take things like this into consideration when accepting a role. “I have been doing this for a long time. There is a level of work that I am introduced to because of that. So, sometimes I get a script and my agent asks if I want to send in a self-tape for it. Sometimes it’s an offer, but most of the time I am doing self-tapes with everyone else. But now I find I am in a place where I can go, ‘You know what, I love this script, I will definitely watch this show, but I have no desire to play that part at all, so thank them for thinking of me, but I’m not going to send anything in’.”
She acknowledges that she is in a very privileged position to be able to make decisions like this. “When you are not in that position, every script you get is like gold and you will jump as high as you need to,” she agrees. “Recently there was an offer from a prestigious theatre company in London. And it was a straight offer. But I said that I had been really busy and hadn’t spent enough time with my family, and I was going to shut up shop and go on holiday. And they were even willing to accommodate that. But I said, no, because it would mean that all through the holiday, I would be learning lines, and
Rakie wears: jumpsuit (cimone.co.uk); ring and earrings (therockhound.com)
Charming, stylish hotel in one of London’s most elegant neighbourhoods
Rakie wears: dress and shoes (michaelkors.co.uk); ring and earrings (therockhound.com)
those three weeks just needed to be about my husband and my children. And I had never worked with this theatre before, and I loved the script, but the answer was: ‘No thank you, but I would love to come and see it’.”
When it came to the part in the first series of The Pact, it was just a single line of dialogue that made the project irresistible to Rakie upon first reading the script. “In episode one, Helen says to Jason Hughes’ character something like: ‘Do you like owls? I can’t stand ’em... Beady fuckers’ she recalls. “As soon as I read that, I thought, I want to play the woman who says that. I just loved that Pete had written that in. I loved it so much. And I said that to him, and I said that if he had tried to cut that line, I would have walked!” She laughs.
For this second series, Rakie also took on the role of executive producer. “It often happens that you come on as a lead actor and you get this exec producer role, which you can choose to completely ignore,” she explains. “So, you can have the title, and do nothing different and just do your job as an actor, which is allowed. Or you can decide to get stuck in. And I really wanted to get stuck in.”
There were, she tells me, several reasons behind that wish to get stuck in. One was a desire to be involved with the decisions made by the art director ahead of shooting. “They had found this beautiful house that Christine lives in,” she tells me. “But I was like, OK, let’s talk about how that house is decorated. Let’s have a conversation about it, so that when I get there it feels like a house that the person who I am trying to create would live in. As an actor, sometimes that doesn’t happen – you turn up, and absolutely all of the decisions have been made, and you think, there is absolutely nothing about this house that marries with the person I have been working on! And that can be quite tricky.”
Beyond that, the appeal of the role came once shooting had begun. “For me, being an exec really came into its own when we were on set,” she recalls. “We had a lot of trainees who had come in through their access route –people who had never been on a set. It was a very vibrant set, a busy set, and I didn’t want us to send them away not having learnt anything. So, I found that I could really spend time with them. Sitting down with people between takes and just understanding what they had learnt. I could do that as an exec, but as an actor, you’re just a nosey parker!” She laughs.
Indeed, it was as much a learning experience for Rakie as it was for the trainees. “I was learning, and I was excited by what I was learning,” she tells me. “Because maybe we are a job short in the industry. Maybe what we need is that teacher – somebody who wanders around the set and teaches stuff. Makes sure that people are learning, and then holds on to them when they leave, so that they have a sort of contact. So that it’s not just like you cut your teeth and then you are never allowed in again because you are not new anymore, but you don’t know enough for anybody to actually hire you. I kept saying to people, keep talking to me, keep in touch. Make sure that you come out of here with some kind of reference.”
The need to ensure that her industry is accessible to everybody is something Rakie has spoken of a great deal, talking particularly passionately about diversity both within productions and behind the scenes. “Representation matters, and it matters across the board, but not just in terms of
ethnicity and skin colour, but economically and socially too,” she tells me. “I am a Black woman who grew up on a council estate in Cardiff, and all my friends from high school and primary school, a lot of them still live in that same council estate in Cardiff. I am very aware when I am in a situation where I am surrounded by people who not only don’t look like me but are different in so many ways…”
It is not unusual for those wanting to get a foot on the ladder with a career in film and television to be expected to work for free to gain experience. “So many people come into the industry getting paid nothing in order to make contacts, they are living off mum and dad. And if mum and dad are able to keep you, that means you come from a certain demographic,” Rakie explains. “But with various access routes available to youngsters now, we are miles ahead of where we were when I first started. Miles ahead…”
There is still work to be done though, Rakie believes. And part of that is about making people more aware of the opportunities available in the industry, from carpentry to accountancy. “We need to go out there, and just say, chances are that whatever the thing is that you want to do, you can use those skills, we can use those skills in TV and film production,” she tells me. “We are saying that we want people to know what is possible, so that if they have a skill we can use, we want them to know that they are allowed in. It is OK. A lot of work still needs to happen, but it is changing all the time. And every time I go onto a set, I go, ah, yeah, OK, there are definitely more women here, and they are definitely not all in the make up department. And that is great to see. But yeah, the social thing – hearing more accents would be nice. Hearing more accents from around the country would be good.”
From diversity on set, our conversation moves on to the diversity in the community, here in London. Brought up in Wales, Rakie has lived in the Capital for many years, and it is this, she says, that has kept her here for so long. “My street right, I was thinking about this recently,” she tells me. “The people next door are from Nepal, and they are Hindu; and then next to them they are Polish; and next to them is Lin, and she is Chinese; and then there’s somebody who is Sikh; and then we have got Terry who is born and bred London; and we have a French Senegalese couple who are fantastic; Kemi, who is Nigerian… That is my street. And I love that. I absolutely love it. And I would miss that. That is the reason that we haven’t moved out – because we would miss that.”
Though her feelings for London, as with all love affairs, are complicated. “I love London, even when it infuriates me. You know, when I see the shopping trolleys, and the rubbish. Oh, don’t get me started on the rubbish… It breaks my heart that people just don’t care,” she exclaims. “I am the person who walks around her street picking up rubbish, I kid you not. A lot of people say that’s virtue signalling, which I don’t give a shit about, I’ll virtue signal all the way if it is helping. I pick up the rubbish because I cannot bear to see it; it is easier for me to pick it up, than to keep seeing it and it hurting my insides. I will even pick up somebody else’s dog mess rather than just keep stepping over it. That aspect of anywhere drives me crazy, but I do love London. The four of us were on the Clipper travelling down to Greenwich the other day, and we stood outside, and I thought, oh, God, it is beautiful this city. It is absolutely beautiful. For all the nonsense, it is beautiful, you know?” I couldn’t agree more.
The Pact is on BBC One this month
“REPRESENTATION MATTERS, AND IT MATTERS ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT NOT JUST IN TERMS OF ETHNICITY AND SKIN COLOUR, BUT ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY TOO”
Each hair topper takes six to nine weeks to make and contains 60-70 grams of the finest, handtied human hair
loss out of my head. And the friendly atmosphere in the salon soon puts me at ease.
I’ve had a previous bad experience with extensions that didn’t match my natural hair colouring or texture, but Tatiana reassures me that she only sources the finest Slavic human hair from Eastern Europe and takes great pride in colour matching and blending. Something that was clear to see as Tatiana called over a technician to determine and discuss what hair texture (fine but slightly wavy) and colour (blonde with a salt and pepper colouring edging in) was needed. I was deeply impressed by the time and consideration they took in preparing the perfect blend and stunned at how close to my natural hair the resulting selection was.
Becoming increasingly aware of my fragile, thinning hair, I’m more and more convinced that extensions are no longer my best option. A short search on Instagram leads me to a whole community of hair loss sufferers and a new obsession with hair toppers; which act like half wigs clipped on top of your own hair, perfect for those experiencing loss either at the front of the head or at the hair parting.
Who better to help me out of a hair quandary than hair extensions specialist, Tatiana Karelina, founder of the Tatiana Karelina salons in London and Manchester. Tatiana’s experience has led to a celebrity fan base (Arianna Grande’s signature ponytail, anyone?), and she has a reputation for providing natural looking, bespoke hair solutions ranging from extensions and clip-ins to hair pieces and hair toppers.
Walking into the salon for my consultation, I am a bundle of nerves and excitement, but Tatiana’s warm welcome and her deft assessment of my hair drives all the negative thoughts associated with hair
In the 22 years since launching, couture fragrance house Miller Harris has made its name breathing life and colour into the perfumer’s art. The collection captures real-life memories
and stories through carefully formulated fragrances, finding beauty in the everyday. Take Myrica Muse, their latest fragrance –the fruity floral musk created by perfumer Emilie Bouge captures a solitary moment enjoyed. Seductive and sophisticated, it has been designed to evoke the feeling of reading a book in a café or hotel bar while sipping on
Creating the topper takes an average of six to nine weeks; each is made up of 60-70 grams of hair, hand-tied into a fine mesh to imitate natural hairs growing from the scalp, with different cap sizes allowing for different hair density and coverage. When I got the call to tell me my hair was ready, I excitedly made my way to the salon. The topper blew all my expectations out of the water! Tatiana fixed it onto my head, gently closing each clip to grip my own hair in four places, ensuring that it lined up to my natural parting and hair line.
Expertly cutting some of the hair to style and shape around the face, she was able to perfectly blend the topper in with my own hair, to the point where I couldn’t even tell which was which. I walked out beaming from ear to ear, with a bounce in my step and my head held high. Wearing the topper felt like the ultimate confidence boost. Finally I understood the phrase ‘crowning glory’. HP
Prices on consultation. 33 Holland Street, W8 (020 7937 1989; tatianakarelina.co.uk)
an aperitif; a moment of still reflection before heading to a party. Opening with an energetic burst of bayberry, or myrica, and strawberry, tangled with tangerine and pink pepper to create a confident first impression, it invites intimacy through the addition of rose and patchouli, while creamy notes of natural rum from
Reunion, vanilla infusion and benzoin give the scent an elegant finish. Head down to the gorgeous, newly renovated Monmouth Street boutique to discover your own Myrica moment.
Myrica Muse Eau de Parfum, £125 for 100ml, £95 for 50ml. Miller Harris, 14 Monmouth Street, WC2H (millerharris.com)
Talented Tatiana is a hair extensions specialistGet HIIT and Healthy this autumn with a brand-new offering at The Lanesborough Club & Spa. The exceptionally appointed gym here was previously only open to hotel residents and club members but has recently opened its doors to day guests wishing to kick-start a healthier lifestyle, or simply maintain and push their fitness goals.
The brand new HIIT & Healthy package begins in The Lanesborough Club & Spa Restaurant, where a healthy and nutritious breakfast provides fuel for a full-on morning of exercise. Next up, a challenging HIIT class in the ultrachic, mirror-lined gym, which is equipped with the latest high-performance equipment, designed for building strength, stamina and fitness. Save some energy, though; a 1-1 session with award-winning trainer Irfan Ahmed follows. As an amateur boxer, Irfan became Britain’s youngest Olympic boxing medallist after winning a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 2004 Olympics at the age of just 17, so it goes without saying that his bespoke workouts are both rewarding and challenging. Session complete, you’ll be in need of a spot of lunch, which is served in the Restaurant. Follow it up with some well-earned R’n’R in the award-winning Spa, where the thermal suites and hydrotherapy pool offer the ultimate restorative environment. A 60-minute treatment of choice rounds off the day in true style, warding off any delayed onset muscle aches.
From £510 per person. 2 Lanesborough Place, SW1X (020 7333 7064; lanesboroughclubandspa.com)
Any tights wearer worth their salt knows that a spot of clear nail varnish can stop a hole in its tracks
Perhaps you’ve gone one better and tried the trick of freezing tights before wearing them to prevent ladders from forming in the first place. But what if all of this rigmarole was just superfluous? Imagine a world where tights actually stood up to the task in hand… We’re here to tell you to stop imagining: Sheertex launched in the UK last month and claim to be the UK’s first ever rip-proof tights. Boasting patent-pending technology the clever tights can handle all the tugging, pulling, and nail-snagging you can throw at them, without ending up in the bin after a couple of wears. They were developed over a period of two years of research to find one of the world’s strongest polymers
and turn it into a soft, sheer knit that feels and looks amazing. Indeed, the polymer is so strong that it’s often used in bullet-proof vests – mixed with nylon and lycra in the right quantities, it produces hosiery that looks and feels just as you’d expect it to feel but is all but indestructible. The unique durability tests included stuffing the tights with pineapples and letting kittens loose on them! They’re responsibly made using 99 per cent renewable hydro-energy and shipped in compostable and recyclable packaging. And they even come with a 90-day guarantee, but you won’t be needing that – these are tights you’ll keep for ever and we love them.
From £52 (sheertex.com)
Second-hand Superstar Steven Bethell, cofounder of brilliant Soho vintage store Beyond Retro has just launched his latest sustainable venture and we think it’s rather brilliant. Inspired by a desire to prevent unwanted clothing ending up in landfill, Beyond Remade sees new items made using the fabrics from unwanted clothes that are not suitable for resale. Materials such as denim, duck canvas or suede are upcycled into brand new pieces inspired by vintage classics. Each piece is completely unique and made from 100 per cent preloved textiles. Think timeless designs such as dungarees, aprons and jackets – all with a vintage style. The first collection taps into moments from British and Swedish fashion history, homing in on a shared love of nature and an appreciation of an outdoor lifestyle. It’s a true celebration of the best of our past that’s giving fashion a future.
beyondremade.com
FASHION BASICS Beyond Remade sees new items created from unwanted fabric
Mayfair, who hold the Royal Warrant, and smoked salmon comes from London-based H. Forman & Son. Charcuterie is supplied by award-winning specialists Cobble Lane Cured, who use traditional European methods to cure meat from British farms, whilst cheeses are sourced from Paxton & Whitfield, London’s oldest cheesemongers. Sustainability is also key – clever snacks and starters incorporate trims and offcuts to reduce waste, while in-house butchery allows the use of more unusual cuts of meat.
The atmospheric dining room has been refreshed by acclaimed interior designer Naomi Cleaver, incorporating upholstery repurposed from costume fabric and framed sketches of celebrated costumes. Some of the most ornate, spectacular outfits are showcased in displays that change with the Royal Opera House’s seasonal calendar, reflecting the rich heritage of the institution. Simply showstopping.
5th Floor, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, WC2E (roh.org.uk/piazza)
Previously open exclusively to ticket holders, the Piazza at the Royal Opera House has just relaunched with refreshed interiors and a brand-new menu, and it is now open to all. Set within the spectacular surroundings of one of London’s most beautiful buildings, the fifth-floor restaurant features a terrace offering panoramic views of Covent Garden’s famous Piazza.
Careful sourcing and sustainability are key to the kitchen’s creativity at Piazza
Executive chef Richard Robinson – formerly of Tom’s Kitchen, The French Laundry and Per Se –has created an elegant and understated menu of modern British dishes incorporating the Capital’s finest market produce. Careful sourcing is at its heart, with dishes driven by the seasons and specials dictated by the best available ingredients. Think catch of the day, butcher’s cut and market choice. The team are working with the very best local suppliers: fish comes from James Knight of
LONDON FOODIE
Executive chef, Seven Park Place
What’s the last thing you cooked?
Wild turbot with butter poached langoustine tails and Scottish girolles.
What’s your signature dish?
I don’t really have a signature dish, I have lots of ingredients that I like to use and then depending upon what else is in season, I write the menu.
Grouse with blackberries, poached native lobster tail with cauliflower and black winter truffle, Rhug Estate lamb with new season turnips and thyme,
creel caught langoustines and handdived scallops from Scotland, line caught seabass from the south coast, wild turbot, day boat red mullet with sweet peppers and tomatoes…
What do you cook on your days off? I don’t really cook too much on my day off, to be honest, but it is usually something quick and simple, and tasty of course.
Best meal you’ve ever eaten? It’s very difficult to pick out the best meal you have ever had. There have obviously been lots of great dishes and meals enjoyed in restaurants over the years, however, my grandmother’s roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, or her pans of Scouse are some of the most memorable meals.
Guilty food pleasure?
Scrambled egg with lots of white truffle.
If you could cook for anyone, who? My grandmother. She was the one who got me into cooking and often talked about her days in service working in the kitchens for the Earl Fitzwilliam. Sadly, she passed away before I was able to bring her to a restaurant where I was the chef.
What should no kitchen be without?
A determination to make things better and to improve upon what you did yesterday.
7-8 Park Place, St. James’s, SW1A (020 7316 1621; stjameshotelandclub.com)
Piazza at the Royal Opera House is set within the spectacular surroundings of one of London’s most beautiful buildings
If you’re Notting Hill based, you’ve probably already spotted the work being undertaken on the former site of Raoul’s, and we can confirm that there are exciting changes afoot. A new neighbourhood bistro is due to open at the end of this month, and, with an absolute dream team on board, it’s guaranteed to be a cracker. Behind DORIAN are Chris D’Sylva of Notting Hill Fish + Meat Shop and Supermarket of Dreams – the local grocer everybody wishes they had on their doorstep; head chef Max Coen, formerly of two-Michelin starred Kitchen Table and Ikoyi and three-starred Stockholm restaurant Frantzén; bar manager Ale Villa, who most recently led the drinks offering at Core by Clare Smyth; and former Corbin & King operator Ben Whitfield, most recently at the helm of Brasserie Zédel.
With provenance key, the menu has been designed to highlight the very best British seasonal produce and features approachably priced,
honestly prepared dishes suited to everyday eating. Think grill plates including John Dory, côte de boeuf, sirloin or pork chop, alongside other dry aged meats and fish, procured from exclusive suppliers including Cornwall’s Kernowsashimi and Phillip Warren Butchers. A cocktail menu will feature drinks made using foraged and seasonal ingredients, and Ale has worked with Noble Rot to curate a predominantly French and Italian wine list for traditional and progressive wine lovers alike.
Chris says: “It will be the place to eat at every day – as well as celebrating your most special occasion. I want it to feel like it’s been there forever. The team we’ve put together is phenomenal – they’re all embedded in the local community and are some of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with. They’re rockstars.”
105-107 Talbot Road, W11 (dorianrestaurant.com)
COOKING CLASSES
Yes, it probably feels like you’re still recovering from the summer holidays, but believe it or not, it’s already time to start thinking about half term, and we’ve found just the thing to keep the kids entertained.
Perfect for aspiring chefs aged four to 10 is this spooky Halloweenthemed baking masterclass at Sauce by The Langham – the brilliant new cookery school at the iconic London hotel. Designed to teach key baking techniques to the little monsters at the same time as building their kitchen confidence, the class will see participants and their accompanying adults cooking up a creepy
menu of otherworldly baked goods. There’ll be bowls aplenty for licking, plus snacks and refreshments throughout the morning, and it goes without saying that every child will leave laden with armfuls of freshly baked goodies, all packaged in custom made boxes and Sauce tote bags. They’ll even get their own Sauce by The Langham apron, along with a recipe guide, ensuring that
they’re able to re-run the fun at home. If you find the thought of cooking with kids a terrifying prospect, why not check out one of the many more grown-up options. Like the evening cocktail masterclass during London Cocktail Week.
Priced at £90 per child (accompanying adult comes free). For details and to book, see saucebylangham.com
Among the florists and antique shops of Chiltern Street, the latest colourful Marylebone opening has caught our eye. Japanese omakase Mayha opened late last month, with the whole team determined to put on a show for their diners. Like the original site in Beirut, this new restaurant is all about the theatre of the kitchen; an intimate curved stone counter sits at the heart of the ground floor, providing front row seats to the chefs preparing the day’s tasting menu. Heading up the kitchen are Jurek Wasio and Yuichi Nakaya, who began working together at Mayha Beirut before relocating to London to oversee this new opening. The spirit of omakase is all about respectfully leaving the decisions to the chef, which means that the tasting menu changes daily using the very best of what is available (no menu indecision here). All ingredients are meticulously sourced, and, of course, seasonal, procured from a range of local and Japanese suppliers, the latter providing the finest seafood and specialty produce. Complementing the tasting menu, drinks come in the form of a selection of exceptional sakes, rare spirits, fine wines and niche beers, served from the striking scorched timber bar. A raw bar and secluded courtyard on the lower ground floor complete the irresistible offering.
43 Chiltern Street, W1U (mayhalondon.com)
Music to our ears: Searcys are presenting a very special concert later this month, preceded by an exquisite afternoon tea
The third and final in an exclusive series produced in collaboration with the London Chamber Orchestra will be held at 116 Pall Mall on the 15 October and promises to be the most special yet. As autumn arrives and the nights draw in, we’re invited to celebrate the cosiness of the season with an intimate and calming concert from the UK’s oldest professional chamber orchestra, who are celebrating their centenary this year. The hauntingly beautiful programme includes Linda Buckley’s Exploding Stars, Max Richter’s On the Nature of Daylight, Elgar’s Nimrod and, of course, Vivaldi’s much-loved Autumn from The Four Seasons. Better yet, start the evening with a delicious Searcys Confectioner’s Afternoon Tea – tuck into a selection of savouries including smoked salmon rillette with horseradish and pickled fennel, alongside freshly baked scones and pastries of caramel choux, blackberry macaron and signature Victoria sponge. Afterwards, enjoy a tipple from the Searcys bar as you listen to the musical entertainment. Unmissable.
£69 per person, with Searcys Confectioner’s Afternoon Tea from 4pm, followed by the concert from 6pm onwards. 116 Pall Mall, SW1Y (020 3814 7592; 116pallmall.com/ lco-concerts-at-116-pall-mall)
RECIPE
Fans of the fabulous Borough Market will love new book, The Knowledge, which comes out at the end of this month (£27, Hodder & Stoughton). Written by award-winning food writer, Angela Clutton, it is a celebration of the market’s traders. As any regular will know, the Borough stall holders bring vast insight into where their produce comes from, what makes it special and – above all – how to get the very best from it back home in the kitchen. Angela’s book brings this knowledge together in one brilliant tome. It features 80 new recipes that are inspired by the traders’ expertise, alongside in-depth features on specific traders and visual step-by-step guides to preparing ingredients. Here, Angela shares just one of the delicious and indulgent recipes, perfectly suited to autumnal hibernating. She says: “Camembert is really just one of many soft cheeses that would work well for this. Whatever cheese you choose nestles within a whole loaf and is then baked for tearing and sharing, its flavours layered up with garlic, mushrooms, honey and wine.”
1. Preheat the oven to 170C fan/190C/375F/gas mark 5.
2. Cut the top rind off the cheese. Then cut the top off the loaf and pull out enough of the crumb inside that the cheese can sit comfortably in the loaf. (There are plenty of things you can do with the bread left over. Blitz
into crumbs and freeze).
3. Peel the garlic and cut into slivers. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over a lowmedium heat. Cook the mushrooms until just softening, then add the garlic slivers and stir in the herbes de Provence. Take off the heat and stir in the honey and the wine. Mix well and season lightly.
4. Sit the loaf on a large piece of foil on a baking tray. Spoon the mushroom mix over the top of the cheese, then spoon the rest of the juices over, allowing some to go over the outside of the bread too. Push at the garlic pieces so they sink into the cheese a little. Wrap loosely in the foil and bake for 20
1 round baking cheese such as camembert (about 250–300g) | 1 round sourdough or cob loaf | 1 garlic clove | 30g butter | 25g small girolle mushrooms | ½ tsp herbes de Provence | 2 tsp honey | 50ml white wine or vermouth
minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 190C fan/210C/410F/gas mark 6, open the parcel up just enough to reveal the cheese, and return to the oven for another 5 minutes to finish off.
5. Cut or tear the loaf into wedges and serve immediately while the cheese is still meltingly hot.
Be the lord of the manor at your own Scottish estate this winter. Killochan Castle, formerly a private estate, has recently opened as a oneof-a-kind retreat. The breathtaking grade A listed castle is nestled in 143 acres of countryside just an hour from Glasgow and two hours from Edinburgh, near the seaside villages of Girvan and Troon on the Firth of Clyde. The extensive private estate sits on the banks of the River Girvan and includes areas of pasture and forest, complete with biking and walking trails. Killochan has full double bank fishing rights and offers a stable of mountain bikes and e-bikes to ensure that guests can enjoy the property’s many wonderful trails.
Accommodation is offered in 22 bedrooms, spread across the castle
itself and three additional estate cottages, all exquisitely refurbished by Royal Warrant Holder Mikhail Pietranek, who led the refurbishment of Highgrove. Here, he has balanced modern comforts with luxury decor and authenticity. A suit of armour stands guard near the Gothic entrance hall, which leads to the original stone spiral staircase and traditionally dressed wood panelled Great Hall. A two-metre-high crystal chandelier adorns the room, highlighting a magnificent ceiling mural depicting the Battle of Flodden, and above the original fireplace rests the owner’s
The pandemic taught us much, not least the importance of escaping our own four walls. And immersing ourselves in the natural world is something that is perhaps even more important for us city dwellers, which is why we’re particularly excited about a new offering from the beautiful Bovey Castle. Located on glorious Dartmoor, the hotel has recently launched a new ‘40 Winks’ sleep special, created in association with Pride of Britain Hotels, to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Encouraging guests to connect with the outdoors, the two-night
family crest of arms, The Cathcarts of Carleton. The castle also boasts a comfortable cinema room, separate dining and breakfast rooms, a casual TV lounge and lots of small turret rooms and unique spaces to explore. There are fully modern kitchens, WiFi and well-appointed modern bathrooms throughout. A full concierge, butler services, private chef, and housekeeping complete the offering, ensuring a very special stay.
Prices start from £18,000 per week for exclusive hire. For more information, see killochancastle.com
break includes Bovey Castle’s signature Full Afternoon Tea served beside the lake, and offers naturefocused itineraries recommending wild swimming, forest bathing in the tranquillity of ancient woodland, or soaking up the stunning view from one of the nearby Tors. And after an active nature-fuelled day, guests can relax with a Full Body Inner Calm Aromatherapy Massage in the Elan Spa before retiring to their luxurious room, where Restful Pulse Point Oil and Pillow Mist products will help them to drift off in the sumptuous bed.
From £439 per room, per night based on two adults sharing a Classic Room on a B&B basis. The package is available for a minimum two-night stay and is valid until 30 November. For details, see boveycastle.com/40-winks-package
Our Grand Hotel commemorates its 150th anniversary this month.
A magical blend of familiar warmth and luxurious charm, the hotel dates back to 1872. From nobles to politicians, Brenners has always been a place where special social occasions have been celebrated.
It is the combination of golden light, a charming old town, culinary delights, cultural highlights, and colourful nature that makes Baden-Baden – one of the official ‘Great Spa Towns of Europe’ – so worth experiencing. Here, romantic carriage rides meet thrilling sports car tours, rejuvenating spa time meets paragliding flights, and exclusive shopping meets private wine tastings. Art and culture lovers can find a vibrant cultural scene with museums such as the acclaimed Museum Frieder Burda just opposite the hotel, and concerts at Germany’s largest opera house. For those who like an active holiday, Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail through the Black Forest leads around Baden-Baden.
My favourite garden is the Gönneranlage. A feast for the senses, from May to October you can admire more than 400 types of rose here, with names like Swan Lake, Magic Love and Caprice.
Weinstube im Baldreit serves traditional German food. Situated in the town’s oldest building, it is well worth seeking out. As a real contrast, there is also Brenners’ own Fritz & Felix restaurant: urban, cosmopolitan, and delightfully relaxed. Here, guests embark on a comfort food pleasure cruise through the Black Forest.
I warmly invite you to join us and continue the town’s beautiful, time-storied tradition of international hospitality.
To discover more, see oetkercollection. com/hotels/brenners-park-hotel-spa
CONCIERGE VIEW Senior Head Concierge Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, Marcus Schindler
WORDS by HEIDI POMFRET
Boarding the Finnair long haul aircraft, I can already tell this trip is going to be something special. The cabin design is all clean lines, giving an overwhelming impression of Scandicool. The elegance of Business Class does not disappoint; the curved seats feel like a cosy igloo, providing privacy and comfort, with the adjustable seating allowing me to fully stretch out. I sip on a cocktail of blueberry juice and Champagne, served in an ultra chic Iittala Ultima Thule glass while perusing an amazing selection of games, TV shows and movies on the entertainment system that flips out in front of me at the smooth touch of a button. Having selected something to watch, I savour a delicious meal of sardine starter with horseradish sauce followed by a pulled pork lasagne and a chocolate cookie for dessert. It is certainly a step up from the average airline experience.
An easy transfer awaits at Helsinki airport –we travel by car to Finland’s oldest ironworks in Loviisa, just over 50 miles away. It feels like we have stepped back in time as we delight in the red painted buildings and the old forge museum in the charming timber-built Strömfors ironworks and village. We learn about the heritage of the old forge and its people, including the inspiring female owner who impressed the locals while managing the ironworks for over half a century. Following our educational introduction into Finland’s industrial
past, we stroll across the river to have dinner in cabin-chic restaurant Mylly, known for its locally sourced food, in particular fish. We tuck into succulent snails followed by a main of beef entrecote, new potatoes and chargrilled courgettes, accompanied by the drink of the season (and our trip), a refreshing Finnish rose gin and tonic.
The five-star Santalahti Resort nature reserve is a short drive away. Perfect for families, accommodation here is offered in a mix of glamorous waterside lodges that wouldn’t look amiss on an episode of Grand Designs, and smaller cabins nestled cosily in the trees. A range of outdoor activities including mini golf and shoreside saunas overlooking the Gulf of Finland ensure there’s something for everyone.
After a comfortable night we are taken on a guided hike around the nature reserve, learning about the native habitat along the way, before leaving the resort to head for the Merikeskus Vellamo Maritime Centre. It is housed in an architecturally stunning building with an undulating roof designed to mimic waves. And inside is equally special; the centre contains a number of different museum exhibits, which wow even our well-travelled group. From a guided tour of the incredible Newcastle-made icebreaker ship Tarmo to the numerous exhibitions including traditional artist landscapes of Finland, you get a real sense here of how important the sea is to
Finlanders. After exploring we tuck into a tasty lunch from the restaurant on the terrace. It would be easy to spend the whole day here, but we have more exploring to do.
From learning about the history of the sea, our next port of call is the Kotka Sea Park for our transfer to Kaunissaari Island, which we reach via RIB boat. In an exhilarating, high speed journey, ideal for adrenalin junkies, we fly across the waves to the tiny, quirky island that is bedecked with wooden houses. The pace of life is slower here and the islanders have excelled in traditional crafts and woodwork; it has become something of a destination for local artisans and inlanders looking to find inspiration. After a leisurely tour of the island and a quick bite to eat at the island’s Maja restaurant (don’t miss the pastries), we speed, literally, back by boat to check into the chic Sokos Hotel Seurahuone, which is ideally located in the centre of Kotka, for an evening of more great food with a ‘surprise menu’ at Vausti, which does not disappoint, and where each dish surpasses the previous one. We end our busy day in the best possible way, exploring the local nightlife with dancing and karaoke.
A rainy Sunday morning greets us, and medicating our sore heads with a tasty hotel breakfast, we explore the parks of Kotka. A must see is the Katariinan Meripuisto, which features a Moomin playground, the largest picnic table in Finland (seating 50 people) and miniature lighthouse models displaying the different types of lighthouses found throughout Finland.
Next up is the charming port of Hamina where, after watching the rain pour down while eating lunch, we are pleased to see the skies clear as we take in the local sights. We explore the circular streets of Old Hamina and its fortress and embankments, now converted into the Hamina Bastion, a canopied stadium where rehearsals are taking place for an upcoming music festival. A visit to the town museum takes us back in time, as we explore the old building and outhouses and get an insight into how inhabitants of the town used to live in the 18th Century.
Our final stop, 10km away, is the one we have all been looking forward to: Rakinkotka, our very own Viking island. The final leg of the journey here is via speedboat, accompanied by Pertti, the owner of the island, and his crew. On arriving, we discover an oasis of calm – save for the effusive greeting we receive from Pertti’s adorable dog Lenni as we dock. Perfect for nature and adventure enthusiasts, the island is a peaceful sanctuary, ideal for family or group gatherings. Catering on the island is a family affair, though the food is restaurant quality and deliciously fresh, sourced from their own livestock and kitchen gardens. Activities range from fishing
and bird-watching to axe throwing, not forgetting the obligatory sauna. If it’s true that Finland is made up of 75 per cent trees, then quite probably the remaining quarter is made up of saunas – every home, and island, has one. We take advantage of the sauna at the waterside where a few of us brave a dip in the sea afterwards. Feasting Viking-style at a long table that night, with the most delicious goat cheese and salmon, the combination of fresh air and good food is a wonderful end to what has been an inspiring visit to the lesser-known spots of Finland. As we raise a glass to the trip, exclaiming ‘Skål!’, I start plotting my return trip.
Finnair flies from London Heathrow to Helsinki throughout the year. Their Heathrow service operates up to five times daily – with two rotations on long-haul aircraft for extra comfort. Fares start from £98 one-way, from London to Helsinki in economy class, and £290 in business class (finnair.com)
Heidi stayed at Santalahti resort (santalahti.fi/en) where rates start at €89 per night; Sokos Hotel Original Seurahuone (sokoshotels.fi/en/kotka/sokos-hotelseurahuone) where rates start at €215 per night and Rakinkotka Island (vimpa.fi/en/accommodation) where rates start at €115 per night
For inspiration planning your trip, see visitfinland.com and visitkotkahamina.fi
Queen Anne’s is an inspirational day and boarding school for girls aged 11-18 set in 35 acres in the heart of Berkshire, with easy access to London. Founded in 1894, the school is steeped in history and tradition and is known for its pioneering education that prepares girls for the challenges of the modern world. The school is part of the United Westminster Grey Coat Foundation that was founded in 1699 in Westminster as the Grey Coat Hospital.
From the Sixth Form centre that could be mistaken for Google offices, to the careful support of the wellbeing programme, this girls’ day and boarding school is breaking down barriers and revolutionising the way that teenagers are taught, deploying the latest educational neuroscience research. Every girl is inspired to explore and enjoy her individuality, free from gender-stereotypes, in a safe environment that champions excellence and deep creativity.
A three-time recipient of the prestigious Microsoft Showcase Schools Award for its extensive digital teaching and learning, Queen Anne’s is also known for its exceptional ‘value added’ with students achieving on average 1.5 grades better than expected at GCSE.
Offline, and the school is known for its performing and creative arts offering. It boasts a state-of-the-art music centre; outstanding art, design, animation, and ceramics provision; plus, a 250-seat theatre and a thriving dance department.
Across the extensive sports facilities you will find an ethos of excellence and inclusion where physical activity is promoted as essential for wellbeing and development. Lacrosse, netball, tennis, dance, trampolining, swimming, and athletics all feature highly both in academic PE and in the bursting extra-curricular programme, with football, badminton and cricket recent growing additions. Elite sportswomen are supported at county, regional and national level with representation across a vast array of sports including lacrosse, athletics, trampolining, netball, rowing, swimming, cricket and equestrian.
Key entry points are at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Discover more at the next Queen Anne’s Open Morning on Friday 11 November.
For information, and to book, see qas.org.uk
How one independent school in Berkshire ensures that its girls leave with kind hearts, fierce minds and strong spirits
A luxury self catering cottage in the Argyll countryside provides the ultimate space to disconnect from everyday stresses
WORDS by LIZ SKONE JAMES
With sensational views, beautiful lochs, and wildlife in abundance, Kirnan Estate is the perfect base to explore western Scotland
We knew we were in trouble as soon as we turned into the driveway,” Gemma tells us, as she shows us around Chapel Cottage, our home for the next few nights. She and partner Rob first laid eyes on the cottage, along with their own home, and two other holiday lets, plus the 400-acre estate of woodland, lochs and wild gardens they all sit on back in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. Having realised that they could manage their consulting business from anywhere, the couple decided to fulfil a lifelong dream to find peace on their own little piece of rural Scotland, and moved their lives from Cambridge to rural Argyll. And it is easy to see why they fell for the Kirnan Estate, which is located in a remote spot in Kilmichael
Glassary. Rugged and breathtakingly beautiful, it is believed that a dwelling place has stood on the site since the 13th century, though it is thought to have been abandoned in the 15th century, later falling into ruins. The current accommodation was rebuilt in the 19th century using much of the original stone, making it feel much older than it actually is. Which isn’t to say that it is lacking in historical significance – explore the grounds and you’ll stumble across prehistoric artwork, and a medieval fort and settlement. In more recent history, one member of the Campbell family, who had it rebuilt as a shooting lodge, boasts a final resting place in Westminster Abbey. It is like catnip to my history loving other half. While he revels in the backstory, it is the gorgeous interiors that do it for me. Gemma explains that though the cottage didn’t require any major structural work, she wanted to put her own stamp on it, ensuring that it felt very much like a home from home for guests. She describes the look as “modern country house chic” – antique furnishings meet high tech
modern comforts. There are nods to Scotland, with the odd tartan blanket, but it is all done very tastefully. Think muted colour palette, tactile soft furnishings, local artworks on the walls, G P & J Baker wallpaper, Linwood fabrics and Pooky light shades.
The stunning yet practical Neptune kitchen features an induction hob, along with all of the kit a keen cook could wish for (including a variety of cookbooks focusing on locally available specialities, like game).
There’s even a small but perfectly equipped utility room with washer dryer (I wish that I could forget about laundry on holiday, but with two little kids in tow, determined to explore rural Scotland fully, this is but a pipe dream). There are deep, freestanding baths in the bathrooms, and a glorious double shower in the master, which boasts toasty underfloor heating that is a very welcome addition for us softie southerners, unaccustomed as we are to the damp Scottish chill.
There’s also a huge open fireplace in the sitting room, and we spend our first evening in front of its inviting blaze, playing games from the selection left out for guests to enjoy. The next morning, enveloped in Hugo Boss dressing gowns and ensconced in our divinely comfortable bed with a cup of tea, we are grateful that the kids are tucked away in the eaves, about as far away from us as it is possible to get. With more thoughtfully chosen games and books up there, it is some time before they come down in search of breakfast – we haven’t enjoyed a lie in of this quality for months.
Breakfast is eggs left out by Gemma, from the estate hens, scrambled and
served with delicious smoked salmon from the local Skipness Smokehouse, buttery toasted sourdough, coffee and juice – all part of a thoughtful welcome hamper left out for us. It sets us up well for a day of exploring. And there is much to see in this striking part of Scotland, where every turn in the road presents an ever more stunning vista.
Over the course of the next few days, we walk along the pretty Crinan Canal – linking Loch Fyne with the Sound of Jura, it’s known as Britain’s most beautiful shortcut, and it’s easy to see why; we go beachcombing on the windswept beach at Carsaig; we go beaver spotting at Knapdale, where we find plentiful evidence of their handiwork, but not a trace of the furry folk themselves; we enjoy panoramic views from the Dunadd Fort and place our feet in the replica of the ceremonial footprint used to initiate the earliest Scottish kings; and we marvel at Cairnbaan’s prehistoric rock art. At the end of each day we happily return to Chapel Cottage, shrugging off our rain-soaked gear in the oh-so useful boot room, where the underfloor heating ensures that everything is dry and toasty for our adventures the following day. It is utterly blissful.
From £425 per night, with a two-night minimum stay (kirnanestate.com)
Chapel Cottage has been beautifully restored and renovated and offers luxurious holiday accommodation in a home from home setting
With all eyes on our rapidly increasing energy bills this autumn, it’s worth giving our small appliances an overhaul, swapping out the worst offenders with more energy-efficient models. Crafted from enamelled steel, and with an extrastrong induction suitable bottom for a speedy boil, Le Creuset’s traditional kettle is as charmingly timeless as it is gentle on our monthly bills. The whistling kettle comes in a range of cheery colourways, from the classic Volcanic to the vibrant Bamboo Green. Add a colour pop – and a whistle – to your countertop.
£105 (lecreuset.co.uk)
One way to counter the gloom of the clocks going back this month is to fill our homes with colour. But if that feels like a bold move too far, colour specialist Annie Sloan is on hand with an inspirational online course to get you started. In over four hours of video tutorials, Annie will guide you through painting upcycled furniture and kitchen cabinets, mastering the art of decoupage, hand painting smaller objects like vases and picture frames, whilst giving you the lowdown on the principles of colour theory. You’ll be a dab hand in no time.
£127, to book, see createacademy.com/ courses/annie-sloan
A and wipe-clean, making these maximalist statements both pretty and practical.
From €15 (beijaflorworld.com/collections/divine-savages-x-beija-flor/)
In the brand’s first celebrity collaboration, I Love Wallpaper teams up with presenter, DJ and entrepreneur Vogue Williams. The new edit consists of 10 wallpaper and mural designs, covering every room in the home, including the nursery: think large-scale painterly safari scenes and quirky, hand-painted rainbows in earthy tones. Elsewhere, the collection takes inspiration from the natural world and features organic patterns in a neutral colour palette with pastel highlights and metallic accents.
From £14 (ilovewallpaper.com)
TAKE THE NIGHT
Round
Night
Feketerigo lampshade,
Bloom
Zellandine
British bathroom brand Elisa introduces its new customisable mixer shower collections, Emilie and Rosa, with an extensive choice of stylish facias, showers, taps and accessories on offer, designed to complement any modern bathroom setting. Where high-tech features meet high-end finishes, the hardware boasts dual or triple touch button controls, is designed with thermostatic control for optimum safety, and comes in a choice of polished chrome, brushed brass, and fashion-forward matt black. When fitting out a chic and minimal walk-in shower, the devil’s in the detail.
From £525 (elisabathrooms.com)
With floor space at a premium in the Capital, we’re often forced to make the choice between a standalone shower unit and a square-foot stealing bathtub. The Albion Bath Company, however, has come up trumps with its Tubby range, a collection of diminutive but no less luxurious roll tops. The collection comprises six space-saving models with a choice of traditional ball and claw style feet, tubs mounted on an integral plinth, as well as snug, wall-fitting numbers. But while these perfectly petite baths range in width from just 120cm to 166cm, they are sumptuously deep, allowing even average sized bathers to become fully submerged.
From £1,756 (albionbathco.com) cutting-edge technology to sustainable solutions, the latest bathroom designs are as smart as they are stylish
WORDS by ALI HOWARD
Right: TOTO’s clever taps not only turn on automatically, but introduce air to the water flow to reduce usage. The future is here
Hands-free water-saving washbasins are fast becoming the norm in public restrooms, so why not at home, too? Japanese brand TOTO has introduced two sleek new tap collections that feature award-winning Self Power and Eco Cap technologies. The faucets, in round or square designs, turn on automatically thanks to a tiny microsensor, which is in part powered by the flow of the water itself, while air is added to the flow to substantially reduce water consumption. It’s time to celebrate clean, contemporary lines with a conscience.
From £690 (gb.toto.com)
Canvass is a new furniture collection by bathroom specialists Crosswater, with design roots in the mid-century modern. Featuring classic silhouettes in calming colourways, the pieces are both sleek and homely. The double drawer units are crafted from sustainably sourced wood, come in a variety of shades and sizes, and can be paired with coordinating height-adjustable legs for a floor standing option. Topped with a Carrara marble effect material, and with a choice of metallic handles on offer, there’s a style – and fit – to suit every bathroom space.
From £1,090 (crosswater.co.uk)
For a speedy and sustainable update, Swedish brand Superfront’s bathroom collection ingeniously takes Ikea’s modest Metod cabinets and stylishly upcycles them with luxurious exteriors including doors, end panels, handles and furniture legs. Think deeply textured wooden fronts, smooth tops in marble or limestone, and a huge choice of luxe, contemporary handles in wood, brass and even leather. The brand also offers a collection of design-led mixer taps and basins to complete the look, taking bathrooms from mass produced to practically bespoke.
Vertical Biscotti wood fronts, from £95 per drawer (superfront.com)
While long, leisurely baths are undeniably good for our wellbeing, excess water usage is neither good for the planet nor our rapidly increasing energy bills. Enter Victoria & Albert’s new freestanding Cabrits bath. With its striking double dip form, the voluptuous tub is designed to fit around the contours of the body, making for one satisfyingly comfortable lie. And with a maximum volume of just 176 litres, thanks to its curvy shaping, it’s also one of the most water-efficient baths around. A win-win for form and function.
From £3,800 (vandabaths.com)
Celebrating colour, texture and nature-inspired richness is Cullifords’ new release, Agata Blu, an eye-catching Italian porcelain slab that can be used as a solid piece for a statement sink or applied to façades and accent walls for a vibrant splash. Featuring irregular and concentric pebble shapes that are rich in contrast and shade variations, the covering’s translucent effect recalls natural agate slices. Offset the busy patterning with monochrome walls that echo the stone’s deepest hues, and finish the look with clean-lined, contemporary fittings and faucets.
From £260 per sq m (geraldculliford.co.uk)
Above: Superfront take bathrooms from mass produced to practically bespoke by upcycling Ikea’s Metod cabinets
You know you’re in for some serious property envy when you step into the home of this creative duo. The husband and wife team behind design studio Run For The Hills bought their Victorian terrace during the deep, dark lockdown of 2020. Then, the house was arranged as two unmodernised flats and so it needed to be de-converted back into a single family dwelling before planning could eventually be granted for the couple’s grand designs, which included a commodious loft conversion and a nifty side return that would expand the property’s footprint considerably. Now, they’re the proud owners of a five bedroom, three bathroom family home in which to fully spread out in style.
“We knew we could make the house quite a lot bigger,” Anna explains. “And we could see the potential to create a really great home with a very large open-plan family room at the rear with kitchen, dining room and living room ‘snug’ onto the garden –something we’d lacked in our old house. We could also see that we could get enough bedrooms to possibly have an au pair or nanny one day, as well as a spare room and home office.” Anna and Chris share their property with kids Margot (7) and Frank (6), as well as Morris the family cat “who was quite traumatised” Anna tells me, from all the building work.
Looking back, it’s easy to forget just how difficult it was to get anything done in 2020, never mind an ambitious renovation
at home with
This west London family home has seen a full renovation, now it’s a lesson in ‘vintage charm meets urban cool’The couple describe their interiors style as a warm and textured fusion of vintage charm meets urban cool
project on this scale, but with Anna and Chris’s own design prowess, together with a bulging contacts book of architects, builders and contractors, lockdown proved a huge barrier, but not an insurmountable one. “We were worried that construction sites might get shut down,” says Anna, “so we cracked on with demolition and structural work straight away, even before some of the design was fully resolved. So often I found myself designing madly at the same time as the build was racing forward. We pretty much gutted the ground floor completely and started to reconfigure the rooms and layout. There was then an awful lot of structural steels brought in to create the side return for the big open-plan family space onto the garden, rebuilding all the brickwork to the old part of the house, which had been in a bad state, and having to create new joists for the floors above, as the old ones were dangerous. And we also added lovely fullwidth Crittall doors to the garden, which we designed ourselves in a dark bronze metal.”
Now an oasis of homely calm, the chaos of the build is, thankfully, behind Anna and her family and together they can enjoy the fruits of their labour. “We wanted it to feel very us, very Run For The Hills,” she says. “Creative and cool but also super cosy and comfortable. As designers, we knew we could really push things and be quite innovative and daring and quirky, so we really let our imaginations run riot. If we had to describe the scheme we’d say it’s a warm and textured fusion of vintage charm meets urban cool.” The house boasts textural interest at every turn, whether that’s in the herringbone flooring, the fluted glass on the doors, or the aged brass dining table paired with pink velvet seating. Brilliantly quirky elements include an old haberdashers’ display cabinet repurposed as extra kitchen storage, and a high rise WC illustrated with swimming figures –an indisputable conversation starter for enquiring house guests.
While every inch of the property has been lovingly curated and thoughtfully designed, Anna describes some of her very favourite elements. “We love the old brass kitchen extractor that we chose from Faber, which keys into the antique brass S-hook rail from Devol – a wee bit of an extravagance,” she admits, “but we hate the way most extractors look and fell in love with this one. The worktop is a crackle-glazed lava stone in Old White, a really special, almost bomb-proof material we’ve used before in our bar design projects, but we liked the idea of using it in a
residential setting. We also love the fact that the house is full of art, which fills so many of the walls and is picked out beautifully by the lighting design… One of my favourite vintage finds is the large, glazed display-case-come-curiosity-cabinet in the family room, which was originally designed as a wardrobe, but we’ve turned it into a museum style display cabinet filled with props, accessories, curios and art.”
The styling is as courageous and bold as the structural renovation itself, and Anna is the first to admit that the couple, as experienced designers, had a huge advantage from the get go. I wonder what advice she’d give to us mere mortals, looking to transform a property into something half as glamorous. “Find a great builder and be prepared to wait for the right one,” she tells me. “The other key is to budget, budget and budget some more. You need to estimate how many extra costs you’ll have over and above the ‘build’ side. You still need budget to pay for the kitchen and bathroom elements, the flooring and tiles, lighting, ironmongery and costs for any new windows, doors or panelling. And not forgetting the costs of buying new furniture to add to your existing collection… Set a clear ‘scope of works’ for the builder and have detailed discussions about budgets, and what’s in their scope, and what your own responsibilities are,” she adds. Known for their cool but cosy interiors, whether residential or otherwise, we know exactly who to turn to for advice on the décor, too.
1. Pick industrial style furniture for a quirky, repurposed look. Alexander six drawer chest, £1,049 (auburnfox.co.uk)
2. Sink your toes into deep pile sheepskin for texture underfoot. Pink Mongolian sheepskin rug, £130 (frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk)
3. Add plush velvet pieces for a touch of luxury. Grey velvet table lamp, £125 (heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk)
4. Accessorise with soft furnishings that celebrate pattern and colour. Cushion in green York stripe, from £125 (fermoie.com)
5. Choose ’60s style leather seating for vintage charm. Mid-century armchair, leather, £1,350 (coxandcox.co.uk)
“Recently the Times Education Committee Report landed on my desk. Its 20 members include luminaries from across the educational and political landscape and they painted a bleak picture of the state of education in England.
They described the paltry levels of provision and funding for Early Years, with funding well below the European average and childcare seen as a way to enable parents to work rather than a vital educational experience for young children.
They highlighted a testing regime which automatically condemns a third of all pupils to ‘fail’ by capping the number of students who can achieve a pass.
Due to the unrelenting focus on exam outcomes, they analysed the decline of creative subjects and the failure to develop the broader skills of communication, collaboration, and creativity required by employers.
With pupil wellbeing at an all-time low across England, Robert Lobatto, Head of King Alfred School, explains why the school’s unique approach and broader vision is more important than ever
And they focused on wellbeing. There are multiple causes of mental health challenges, but the Commission found that many students themselves cited the pressure of exams as a driving force.
Reading this report reminded me why it is so important that The King Alfred School champions a broader vision. As our recent ISI Inspection report lays out, it is by embracing a holistic approach that we stretch far beyond short-term goals to longer-term educational and personal development.
I believe that all schools should embrace the creative subjects as we do. These subjects unquestionably nurture conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and individual responsibility as much as any other parts of the curriculum.
It makes sense for schools to nurture broader skills and personal qualities as we do at King Alfred. Opportunities in our Years 6-8
curriculum, in our annual Village project, in new courses during the GCSE years, and in the EPQ qualification at Sixth Form level systematically build these to help prepare our young people for the future.
Wellbeing needs to be at the front and centre of everyone’s thinking. Children will always compare themselves to one another, but schools can have a very different approach in this area. Exams will always be part of assessment, but coursework, portfolios and presentations should also contribute towards final grades, avoiding the one-off, all-or-nothing high stakes scenario which dominates our system. Rather than using comparison and ordering of children as a motivator to work hard, the focus could be on intrinsic motivation, valuing everyone’s achievement on its own terms.
I am grateful that our late Victorian founders built these principles into our DNA; and they also set us a broader task. As a charity, they saw our role not only to educate our own KAS community, but to turn the dial in the wider system.
They maintained that we have a responsibility to campaign against the superficial preparation for testing, which all the research shows is forgotten within a few months, and instead advocate for deeper learning. They promoted the Arts which bring millions to the economy as well as personal and communal cultural richness. They pushed for freedom, allowing young people to find their own path and take responsibility for who they are. Above all, they championed a child-centred approach to schooling, where the needs of the individual take precedence over the external pressure to meet institutional accountability measures.
King Alfred has always had this aspiring utopian mission. Today, more than ever, we can recognise that we have an approach, a philosophy and a history that addresses many of the depressing problems in our system.”
To find out more, see kingalfred.org.uk
Halloween needn’t pass in a blur of fake blood, sugar and E numbers. It can be educational, too, particularly for primary-age kids. Here’s how to sneak in some skills and fit in some facts around five items associated with All Hallow’s Eve
Great for: maths
Halloween wouldn’t be the same without a carved pumpkin to ward off the evil spirits (or nasty neighbours, depending who you ask). Ask your child to measure the weight, height and circumference of your pumpkin. Then cut it in half so they can measure its radius and diameter. (Google is your friend if you’ve forgotten which is which.)
Great for: biology and craft
Making a skeleton costume? Ask your child to cut out the bone shapes and find out what each one’s called.
While you’re at it, you could bone up on some facts with them, like: you have 300 bones when you’re born and 206 when you die (because some fuse together). Or: our smallest and lightest bone, the stapes, is in the middle ear.
Great for: English literature
Halloween is a great time to introduce kids to the three most famous witches
in literature. So before they head out in their witches’ outfits, get them to chant the famous spell from Macbeth: “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble…” It might give them a taste for the bard, though possibly also for hexing the neighbours.
You can’t move for spider-themed sweets, snacks and decorations around Halloween. But the real thing is much more interesting and, for some people, scarier. Send your child out looking for webs and encourage them to watch the spider spin his threads and move in on his prey. If that freaks them out, explain that of more than 650 species of spider in the UK, only six are recorded as having bitten humans.
While your child is getting ghouled up, ask them to create a creepy story by finishing a sentence you’ve started. For example: ‘The rotten old door creaked open to reveal…’. Or: ‘She thought she was on her own in the misty cemetery –until…’ Don’t have nightmares!
NAME: PUTNEY HIGH SCHOOL
PUPILS: around 1,070 girls aged 4 to 18
FOUNDED: in 1893, as East Putney High School, with just 54 pupils
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 4+ and 11+ applications must be in by November of the year before entry; for 7+ and 16+, it’s mid-October. The admissions process is: (4+) informal assessment in person or online; (7+)
informal assessment including papers in Maths, English and Reasoning; (11+) entrance exam, interview and school reference; (16+) report and school reference plus an interview and at least five GCSEs at grades 8 or 9 and at least three at grade 7 (including English and Maths)
DESTINATION UNIVERSITIES: recent leavers have gone to Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Exeter, Durham and Edinburgh, among others
KNOWN FOR: outstanding academic
and sporting achievement, developing intellectual agility and teaching students to think ‘outside of the box’
FAMOUS ALUMNI: politician Baroness Bottomley, author Sophie Kinsella, dancer and choreographer Aicha McKenzie, actress Olivia Poulet, broadcaster Sophie Raworth
FEES: from £5,968 per term
Find out more: putneyhigh.gdst.net
What attracted you to the school?
I love the fact that it strives to be the best at everything it does. It’s truly unique in its makeup: closeknit and nurturing yet expansive in offering, academically rigorous, pastorally dedicated and with a real sense of community about it.
What makes it different?
We sweat the small stuff here. Manners, empathy and kindness go a long way. And the ability to hold polite and meaningful conversation is something the children will use time and time again throughout life.
How would you describe the atmosphere?
Buzzing with happy children, excited to learn and make lifelong friends.
How do you balance your extracurricular activities with the academic side?
I’m extremely proud of our co-curricular offering – with 35 different clubs every week, there really is something for everyone. We call it co-curricular as it goes handin-hand with the curriculum: the skills and interests developed in the classroom or on the playing field, in art class or in model-making club, altogether contribute to a fully rounded character education.
Our comprehensive PSHE curriculum equips them with the basic knowledge and skills to be aware of and look after their own wellbeing. But we also do our best to see the world through their eyes, to fully understand any challenges they may face. And in every facet of school life, we guide and support children to develop resilience – a crucial skill for everyone. The focus isn’t only on the children, either; we support families and their wellbeing too. Tooled Up Education is an invaluable resource for this.
Gloucester Avenue, NW1 (020 7267 6266; northbridgehouse.com)
North Bridge House Prep School Regent’s Park SPOTLIGHTVisit our campus and see how we empower our students to set their sights high in whatever they want to achieve.
habsgirls.org.uk
Haberdashers’ Girls’ School is a leading independent day girls’ school for students aged four to 18. Situated in an idyllic 100-acre co-educational campus in Hertfordshire, Habs Girls shares its wonderful location with its sibling school, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School. From September Habs Girls and Habs Boys will teach A Levels in co-educational classes, with students sitting a minimum of one A Level in mixed gender classes at the sibling school.
The academic performance at Habs Girls speaks for itself. At GCSE 54 per cent of the grades awarded were 9 and 91 per cent 7 to 9, and at A Level, 52 per cent of the grades awarded were A* and 85 per cent A* to A.
Whilst outstanding outcomes remain a priority at Habs, great exam results are just one part of the educational journey at the school and are not possible without the other academic and extensive co-curricular opportunities on the campus, which create relevant life skills and character development opportunities for all students. The school encourages all students to make full use of the incredible campus, exploring their individual interests and passions, in and beyond the classroom.
The purpose of the school is to empower young people to make a profound and positive impact on society. This requires personal adaptability and resilience, curiosity, genuine empathy and a sense of responsibility for the people and the world around them.
Habs Girls is a diverse community with a strong global perspective. The school’s roots are firmly in its philanthropic founding principles, and this guides its deep sense of responsibility in the world. This environment, combined with an innovative teaching approach, prepares students for the fast-moving world.
To find out about and register for in person or virtual open days, see habsgirls.org.uk
Haberdashers’ Girls’ School a strong, happy and supportive community where talented and ambitious young people are given the opportunities they need to succeed in life
There’s nowhere quite like Mayfair; one of the world’s most affluent neighbourhoods, it’s home to five-star hotels, world class galleries, feted restaurants, glitzy night spots and, of course, the best designer shopping. And, with its elegant Georgian architecture, it’s one of the Capital’s most aesthetically pleasing and architecturally celebrated areas by
The Connaught
The
Claridge’s
Mr Fogg’s
Arlington Residential arlingtonresidential.com
Aston Chase astonchase.com
Bargets bargets.co.uk
Beauchamp Estates beauchamp.com Bective bective.co.uk Behr & Butchoff behrandbutchoff.com
Benham & Reeves benhams.com
Chancellors chancellors.co.uk
Chestertons chestertons.com
Day Morris daymorris.co.uk
Dexters dexters.co.uk
Druce druce.com
Glentree glentree.co.uk
Godfrey & Barr godfreyandbarr.com
Goldschmidt & Howland g-h.co.uk
Hamptons hamptons.co.uk Heathgate heathgate.com
Jeremy James & Company jeremy-james.co.uk
Knight Frank knightfrank.co.uk
Litchfields litchfields.com
Parkheath parkheath.com
Plaza Estates plazaestates.co.uk
Sandfords sandfords.com
Savills savills.co.uk
TK International t-k.co.uk
Winkworth Maida Vale winkworth.co.uk
Winkworth St. John’s Wood winkworth.co.uk
Winkworth West End winkworth.co.uk
Say what?
Matthew Huybrechts from Dexters recommends visiting Jamavar, an exquisite fine dining restaurant that serves delectable dishes from all parts of India. “The interior is simply beautiful and the service is outstanding,” he says. “It’s the perfect place for a leisurely lunch or an evening meal.” Jamavar can be found on the world-famous Mount Street, situated between Grosvenor Square and Berkeley Square. “I would definitely recommend Jamavar to anyone visiting or moving into the area,” says Matthew. “I always look forward to stopping by for a bite to eat.”
8 Mount Street, W1K (020 7499 1800; jamavarrestaurants.com)
For Benham & Reeves’ Philip Lingard, eateries like Bocconcino are driving a welcome change in the area.
“Like many other upscale London neighbourhoods, Mayfair is throwing off its stuffy image, loosening corporate ties and embracing generational change,” he says. “The designer shops still dazzle and the galleries still inspire awe, but there’s a funkier edge to the area that’s making its presence felt, especially in the restaurants, and Bocconcino is a fine example. This is a local Italian for the glitterati, where the opulence of the décor is more than matched by the lavishness of the menu.
19 Berkeley Square, W1J (020 7499 4510; bocconcinorestaurant.co.uk)
THE TWENTY TWO, W1K
Claire Reynolds from Savills gives a shout out to a very local hero. “The new hotel has recently opened on the corner of Grosvenor Square and North Audley Street, where our office is located,” she says. “The doormen there are exceptional – there are always two of them, beautifully dressed, and they have the biggest smiles greeting absolutely everyone who walks past, not just guests of the hotel. They add a ray of sunshine and additional warmth and friendliness to our street, we walk past them multiple times a day to and from viewings, and it has been a pleasure welcoming them as our neighbours.”
22 Grosvenor Square, W1K (020 3988 5022; the22.london)
It has been suggested that there’s a secret passageway linking St James’s Palace with the bar in DUKES hotel. And, with just 0.2 miles between the two, it’s entirely possible. It’s a fitting spot for such a clandestine corridor – James Bond author Ian Fleming was a regular at the bar, and it’s here that 007’s famous ‘shaken not stirred’ Martini was first created. Indeed, the Vesper Martini remains DUKES’ signature drink
Jamavar
Bocconcino
The Twenty Two
Our offices are in Mayfair and it is London at its most luxurious, where the streets are paved with Georgian houses, designer fashion and destination hotels and restaurants.
It’s easy to get lost in the gloss, but it’s the nooks and crannies that make it so special. I must begin with a shout out to Shepherd Market, which is like a village in itself. It was developed in the 18th century square by a developer and architect called Edward Shepherd. I was raised in India, so for me, it’s full of olde world charm and so quintessentially British. In the 1920s, the elite lived here and today it still has such quirky appeal. Everything you need is here. Boutiques, jewellery shops, cobblers, newsagents, along with restaurants and Victorian pubs. Sadly, the flappers and the 1920s rakes have gone…
From the idiosyncrasies of Shepherd Market to the gilded luxury of the hotels. It’s such challenge to settle on an actual favourite. The agony of choice means that you have to choose between Claridge’s, The Beaumont, Brown’s, The Connaught and the Martini at DUKES! However it’s that David Collins-designed bar at The Connaught which has the edge and draws me back time-aftertime. Those who want their cocktails with a side-order of theatrics should head down to Mr Fogg’s. Cocktail aficionados can choose from a huge selection of rare spirits and botanicals; all drinks are influenced by Phileas Fogg’s adventures. It’s a super fun hangout.
If you’re a foodie, you’re spoiled for choice in Mayfair. One of my favourites is Isabel. With its gold-fabric lined walls, mirrored ebony bar and polished brass lamps adorning the ceiling, it’s certainly a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. For Tuscaninspired modern Italian food, Il Borro is one of the area’s newbies. It is fine dining in the most beautiful of settings and it also incorporates biodiversity and organic farming.
For casual Indian street food, I go to Bombay Bustle which is great for warding-off homesickness. Disclaimer alert: it’s street food at the higher-end, but this is Mayfair, so no surprises there. It’s owned by my friend, Samyukta Nair, who lives and breathes hospitality – and it shows. For the best tandoori food in town, I’m going to go off-piste but only to Covent Garden. I have to give a special mention to Tandoor Chop House. It’s run by my brother in law and genuinely does the best tandoori food in town.
Finally, if you want to go truly iconic, it has to be Quaglino’s. Who could forget that scene in The Crown where Camilla had lunch with Princess Diana? For Eddie and Patsy it was always “Quags for lunch sweetie?” When you’re immortalised in Absolutely Fabulous, you know you’re a London institution.
Tucked away from buzzy Bond Street, this quaint mews-style lane is home to a selection of shops and restaurants, including Mews Mayfair, whose tables spill onto the pavement
If fashion is your thing, you’ll find it here – the smart street is home to the crème de la crème of international and home-grown brands, along with some seriously sought-after foodie spots
Opened in 1891, this is the world’s oldest and longest arcade.
Beautiful Georgian canopies cover over 40 of the Capital’s most desirable boutiques, from jewellers to perfumers
“Mayfair is full of surprises. Tucked away from the exclusive Mount Street, is Mount Street Gardens, one of the area’s best kept secrets. A stone’s throw from Berkeley Square, the gardens offer a calm and tranquil place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Beautifully landscaped amid period elegance, they are definitely worth a visit.”
“In the last few months, we have seen the return of a more international clientele which has contributed to Mayfair regaining its pre-pandemic buzz with busy cafés, restaurants and members’ clubs. As a result, our branch has also witnessed an uplift in buyer enquiries, which is why we predict a strong close to the year.”
“Despite the area being relatively small, there are neighbourhoods within it where the ambiance differs – from the formality and grandeur of Grosvenor Square, to the luxury of Mount Street, and the historic streets of Shepherd Market. Mayfair is also home to some of the most exclusive private members’ clubs, including Annabel’s, Maison Estelle and, of course, The Arts Club.”
Isabel Il Borro
The stuff of property dreams, this unique six-bed, six-bathroom abode boasts a characterful brick exterior with arched windows, while inside, it is the height of modern glamour. Luxury features include an indoor pool, sprawling media room, marble floors and a glass lift with access throughout the house. Newly constructed but sympathetically designed to fit in with Mayfair’s beautiful period buildings, the property boasts a staggering 8,060 sq ft of accommodation to spread out in, plus a beautifully manicured back garden. Sitting pretty just off Park Lane, its location’s not bad, either.
£29.95 million, Beauchamp Estates (020 7499 7722; beauchamp.com)
Chic, contemporary and full of character is this split level three-bed flat on the famous Mount Street. Boasting over 1,000 sq ft of living space, the apartment comprises a sizable open-plan kitchen/living area that’s ideal for entertaining; two large bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms; a third bedroom, plus a sleek and modern shower room. Set within an attractive red brick building, the flat, which is located on the second and third floors, has been creatively designed to make the most of its quirky floor plan. You’ll be living the high life between the eaves.
£2.85 million, Knight Frank (020 7647 6615; knightfrank.co.uk)
This third-floor lateral apartment boasts a whopping 71 ft open-plan living space at its heart, giving strong New York loft vibes. But, with its huge light-loving windows showing you the rooftops of surrounding Mayfair, there’s little doubt you’re in central London here. Each of the three bedrooms is en suite, while the principle sleep space brags a romantic balcony. Set within a grand period terrace, the flat offers chic, contemporary accommodation from top to toe: think wowworthy high ceilings and light oak herringbone flooring.
£14 million, Savills (020 7578 5100; savills.com)
Award-winning developer Heronslea Group has launched a stunning new development in one of London’s most iconic addresses. Comprising seven premium one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with private gardens or terraces, a dedicated concierge, secure underground parking and a private gym, the design of 28 The Bishops Avenue is inspired by Hampstead’s rich cultural heritage. Already 50 per cent sold, when completed, the development promises an outstanding blend of sophistication, craftmanship and innovative design.
Jason Rishover, CEO of Heronslea Group comments: “We are delighted to be launching this stunning development in one of London’s most prestigious locations. We have already started on site with an expected build programme of 18 months. We are very fortunate to simultaneously have several off-plan sales and an unprecedented level of enquiries, emphasising the strength of the Heronslea brand.”
The premium site, on one of the world’s most desirable roads, was acquired by agency market leaders Godfrey & Barr. Ian Godfrey comments: “Jason and I have known each other for many years and this is the first major project we will be working on from scratch. Having already contracted on four of the seven units before a brick is laid is testament to the brand, and in the secure knowledge that buying in The Bishops Avenue and a Heronslea product is both a solid investment and a guarantee of quality and design.” The site is due for completion at the end of 2023, with prices starting from £1.25 million.
For further information, visit heronslea.net or contact Godfrey & Barr, sole selling agents, on 020 8458 9119
How long have you been in the business? Since 1977 – far too long! About time I retired and left it to the younger ones!
If I wasn’t an estate agent I’d be… an airline pilot. As a kid I spent time in the cockpit having lied that it was my birthday! Mind you, we had a near miss at Malaga airport soon after I returned to my seat. I knew I shouldn’t have pressed any buttons…
I love London because of… its eclectic mix of cultures, historic buildings and scenery. I’m a keen amateur photographer so there’s plenty of material for me, too.
Favourite London street? Colourful Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill.
Best place to grab a coffee? Romeo & Juliet’s in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Great for lunch, too, and you can take dogs.
Favourite London restaurant? The Summerhouse in Maida Vale. I love their seabass to share, and the views of the canal.
Most memorable sale? My first, which was on Lyonsdown Road in 1977, for £24,950.
Favourite architectural styles? Lutyens, and Unwin & Parker, which are predominant in Hampstead Garden Suburb.
Penthouse or garden flat? Garden flat. We have a dog and also love having outside space.
Favourite Londoner? My wife, Natalie. Born and bred in the West End!
Any hidden talents? I’m a secret cycler – but with an e-bike on account of my age! I’m not too bad at golf either, the most frustrating game imaginable! Oh, also I am a pretty good grandpa to four gorgeous girls aged between two and 11, and I’m only 35!
60 SECONDS WITH Ian Godfrey Godfrey and Barr David Stern, Parkheath
A rare opportunity to purchase an exceptional double fronted semi-detached family home (240.5 sq m/2,584 sq ft) located in a favoured position on this tranquil grass lined street between Bigwood Road and Thornton Way.
The property has been in the same ownership since 1961 i.e. for nearly 60 years and represents a wonderful opportunity for a discerning purchaser to create a family home to their own specifications. Southway is one of the most desirable streets in Hampstead Garden Suburb within easy walking distance of Central Square, The Heath Extension, Bigwood and Lyttleton Playing Fields and is also equidistant between Golders Green and The Market Place.
Principal Bedroom, Five Further Bedrooms, Family Bathroom, Shower Room, Separate WC, Reception Room, Family/Dining Room, Kitchen/ Breakfast Room, Storage Room, Guest Cloakrooms, Detached Garage, Private Off-Street Parking for up to Three Cars, Front & Rear Gardens. EPC: F. Council Tax: Band H.
The property is enfranchisable and it will presently cost just under £10,000 to simultaneously purchase the Freehold interest to include all associated fees and legal charges.
Leasehold 877 Years
Joint Sole Agents Guide Price: £2,500,000
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LADY MARGARET ROAD, NW5 for sale for only the second
With views towards Hyde Park from the first floor balcony; Stanhope Place is a handsome Grade II Georgian terraced house arranged over five floors with substantial and elegant accommodation. It presents a stuccoed front elevation with a semi-circular arched doorway; panelled door and radial patterned fanlight.
The ground and first floor are ideally arranged for entertaining. The rooms are spacious and well-proportioned and include and elegant and light drawing room with two full height glazed doors giving access to the first floor balcony. In addition to the balcony, to the rear of the house is a south west facing roof terrace. Beyond the drawing room is a family room / study. The well-arranged ground and first floor is complemented on the lower ground floor with staff / guest accommodation, family kitchen, utility room and small courtyard. Arranged over the second and third floors include a master bedroom suite with dressing area and two further bedrooms and bathrooms on the top floor.
Stanhope Place is located moments from the local amenities of Connaught Village. Oxford Street and the West End are both easily accessible together with the green open spaces of Hyde Park. The nearest underground station is Lancaster Gate (Central line).
Council Tax H. EPC Band D.S
A substantial, contemporary home situated on a secluded plot of approximately 0.8 of an acre, adjacent to greenbelt and backing directly on to open fields.
This landmark residence has been completely re-modelled and spans approximately 6,752 sq ft, is arranged over only three floors and has been imaginatively designed to create a flow for both large scale entertaining and family living. To the ground floor, overlooking the garden is a spectacular, double volume, reception room with floor to ceiling windows and further accommodation comprising a Poggenpohl kitchen/ breakfast room, dining room, family room and large study. The entrance hall from the ground to the first floor is most impressive, providing a magnificent double volume area with ample windows and free flowing space. A sweeping staircase leads to the first floor that comprises a principal bedroom suite with bathroom, dressing room and an 80 degree panorama, to the rear and countryside beyond, two further spacious bedroom suites, two more double bedrooms and a family bathroom. The lower ground floor benefits from an stylish leisure complex including a granite tiled indoor swimming pool, spa, gym and steam room, together with guest/ staff quarters and a double integral garage.
This prestigious home is well located within 3/4 mile of the shops and transport facilities of Mill Hill Broadway and offers excellent transport facilities links to London and the North, with access to the M1, M25 and A41 located nearby. Sporting and recreational facilities are also close, with Mill Hill, Hendon and Dyrham Park golf clubs situated locally, together with Laboratory Spa/Health club. There are a number of excellent schools in the vicinity including Mill Hill, Haberdashers Askes and North London Collegiate, as well as a host of other nursery and junior schools.
6 bedrooms | dressing room | 5 bathrooms | magnificent double-height reception room | dining room | study/media room family room | large kitchen/breakfast room | utility room | guest cloakroom | indoor swimming pool | jacuzzi | gym large garden | double garage | ample driveway for 8-10 cars | lovely views over greenbelt. Barnet Council Tax Band H.
A three bedroom apartment located on the third floor (with lift) of this refurbished period building moments from Regents Park.
This rarely available apartment is approximately 1,744 sq ft (162 sq m) and comprises of three bedrooms, one ensuite bathroom, cloakroom, reception room, kitchen and second bathroom. The apartment benefits from an abundance of light with views of Portland Place and the private gardens at Regents Park. Resident parking permit available subject to usual consents.
The building is located on the east side of Portland Place close to the with junction Park Crescent. The shopping facilities of Marylebone High Street and Great Portland Street are within close proximity. Great Portland Street, Oxford Circus and Baker Street underground stations are nearby. It is also located just moments from the open spaces of Regents Park.
This three double bedroom, two bathroom duplex furnished apartment has been refurbished to an extremely high standard situated on the third and fourth floors. The third floor comprises of reception room with wooden floors, separate kitchen and double bedroom. The fourth floor has two further double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with the master bedroom benefiting from en suite shower room.
The building is ideally located just a few minutes’ walk to Marylebone High Street with it`s fabulous restaurants, bars and high end boutiques. Bond Street Underground Station is a short walk away with Regents Park also nearby.
Lyndhust Terrace
Hampstead Village, NW3
Unfurnished £4,750
Principal Agent
This unique Grade II* Listed property (470 sq m/5,054 sq ft) was built by the stained-glass manufacturers John Burlison and his son-in-law Alfred Bell in 1864. The property features 4 imposing reception rooms with high ceilings, gated private courtyard, off-street parking for 2 cars, a large west-facing terrace and an 80ft rear garden. Lyndhurst Terrace is superbly located within close proximity to all of the shops and restaurants of Hampstead and Belsize Park Villages. The house is within minutes of Hampstead Underground Station (Northern Line), and the convenient transport links of Finchley Road.
Principal Bedroom with Dressing Room, En-Suite Bathroom & Terrace, 4 Further Bedrooms (2 with En-Suite Shower Rooms, 2 with En-Suite Bathrooms, 1 Bedroom also with Private Terrace), Large Reception Area with 2 Terraces, Entrance Hall, Family Room with doors leading to Large Terrace & 80ft Rear Garden, Library, Kitchen/ Breakfast Room, Guest Cloakroom, Stained Glass Windows, Off-Street Parking for 2 Cars. Council Tax: H. 67–71 Park Road London NW1 6XU 020 7724 4724
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