Finch & Co Winter

Winter 2015

Home T H E H O M E & L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E F R O M F I N C H & C O E S TAT E A G E N T S

Welcome Finch & Co Estate Agents Katharine Connolly, Branch Manager Katharine has long had connections with Wimbledon with her family having been the founders of ‘Connolly Leather’, responsible for the luxury interiors of many quality cars including Rolls Royce.

Her interests include tennis, golf and the arts. She regularly plays tennis at the Westside Tennis Club in Wimbledon and studied drama many years ago. Katharine has been working in Estate Agency for over 10 years and plans to be at Finch & Co. for many years to come.

Maurice Walsh, Sales Manager Maurice has worked in the local area for over ten years and has been a local resident for over thirty years. He currently enjoys living within the John Innes Conservation area and is therefore well placed to advise prospective purchasers of the merits of living in this wonderful part of London.

Beryl Bowers, Administrator Beryl has been part of the Finch & Co. team since 1990 having previously bought her first home in Nelson Road from them. Having lived in the Merton Park and Wimbledon areas for over 40 years, she has a wealth of local knowledge which lends itself to be a great communication tool with both vendors and purchasers alike.

Beryl enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and is also a keen artist with her pictures sometimes being exhibited in the office window display.

Martin Humphreys, Director Martin has worked in the local area since 1986, so it was with great pleasure in 2004 that he began his working association with the Merton Park Estates office and has enjoyed his relationship ever since. He’s known as approachable, hard-working, determined and cheerful, and always listens. He says “we treat people like real people” which makes all the difference.

CONTENTS 4 Design Inner Warmth

As the cooler weather approaches and we spend more time indoors, it’s time to think about how best to revamp our interiors to add some much-needed warmth. Anthea Gray from Dressing Room Interiors helps us get cosy.

7 Events

Out and About

As the year heads towards its inevitable conclusion and winter woollies come back into fashion, it’s the season to be merry. Sophie Green selects her favourite family outings for the coming months.

Design 10 Room An Autumnal Glow for Winter

Embrace the season and bring a little autumnal glow into your interior with Amara’s guide on how to style your home in elegance, befitting this time of year.

14 What’s New

We take a look at what’s new, from Rubik’s Cube beanbags to intuitive sound systems and the fun space rocket bed for kids.

Insider 16 The The Perfect Pitstop

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Escapes

A Brummie Break

Giselle Whitteaker takes a weekend break.

19 The Local Scene 27 Cuisine The Recognition Factor

There’s plenty to look forward to in the coming months as we’ve outlined in this edition. We have some tips from Anthea Gray on how to warm our hearth and home and some featured products from amara. com that will help us do that.

Hugh Sorrill enjoys the food and hospitality in Warwickshire’s Henley-in-Arden.

30 Cuisine Taste in the Making

Chef Adam Smith is creating sensational food at the Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire. If you’ve made the journey there, you’ll start on a thrilling new one as soon as you open the menu. Hugh Sorrill dines out.

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Health & Fitness Time for Tea

The history of tea is both fascinating and complex. It’s long been credited with health benefits, but are these founded?

Bronwen Hiller investigates.

37 Transport Driving in Style

Want to be James Bond for a day? Giselle Whiteaker gets behind the wheel.

40 Travel In the Heart of Zagreb

Andrew Snape takes us further afield to Zagreb in Croatia. We dine on Adam Smith’s sensational cuisine at the Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire.

We introduce some of the latest eye-catching and innovative products on the market in our ‘What’s New’ section, including the some fabulous recycled furniture pieces from Barak 7 and Faith Back seeks out some fabulous conversions on the market. We also find out why we should keep drinking tea to help us overcome the winter sniffles.

Happy reading.

Sophie Green Editor

The Croatian city of Zagreb has had its ups and downs, but it’s weathered them well. Parks, palaces and friendly locals are the order of the day. Andrew Snape explores.

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Inner Warmth As the cooler weather approaches and we spend more time indoors, it’s the perfect time to think about how best to revamp our interiors to add some much-needed warmth. Anthea Gray from Dressing Rooms Interiors helps us get cosy.

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/ DESIGN /

Warmth is vital throughout the winter months and there are several ways of bringing that cosy feeling into your home. The vibrant colours of autumn can provide great inspiration for decorating: spicy oranges, rich reds and mustard-yellow accents combined with bleached wood tones. Or take inspiration from moorland colours of bracken-gold and moss-green with accents of purple heather. Walls can be painted a neutral chalky “stone” white – Farrow and Ball and Little Greene both do excellent subtle white shades – and vibrant colour can be introduced with cushions, throws, and rugs.

If you prefer to stick to a more neutral colour scheme, you can take inspiration from the rustic, chic ski-chalet style. Combine luxurious textures of fake fur, cow hide, soft cashmere and suede, with natural wood, felt and rough bark to create this look. The best colour scheme is a pared-back palette of brown tones from soft caramel to luscious chocolate and everything in between, pristine white, charcoal grey and black.

Transform your sofa or bed with layers of blankets and throws. Keep patterns to a minimum and instead, go to town with different textures.

Create the look of wood panelling on a feature wall with plank wallpaper. Brick wallpaper will also add warmth and texture.

Winter decorating is all about tactile materials: linen, wool and velvet for soft furnishings, and natural finishes for furniture and hard surfaces. Wool is no longer scratchy and uncomfortable, so is perfect for use in seating. A statement chair upholstered in moss green or deep plum will add a pop of colour to a neutral interior. Wool curtains create a lovely cocoon effect in a room – keep the heading simple, and line with a plain contrasting wool or velvet layer for extra warmth and acoustic benefit. As it is a fire-retardant material, it is also suitable for use in lampshade-making and there are many different styles and shapes available.

Knitted furniture is a trend that has been around for a long time and remains popular. Floor cushions and poufs knitted with thick yarn on enormous needles add a cosy ambience and are perfect for lounging with a

good book. Original, handmade items are expensive but there are many affordable versions on the High Streets.

Add texture and patterns to create a hunting lodge feel: accessorise an existing neutral or battered-leather sofa with a variety of patterns, including tartan checks, plaids and tweed, mixed with a plain chunky wool throw. Add some faux animal skins, and perhaps a sheepskin rug in front of the fire, with antlers above the mantelpiece. Statement wallpaper featuring large stag or fox heads will do just as well. The alternative is to create a cosy library feel with bookcase wallpaper.

Nothing beats an open fire for atmosphere but if you don’t have a chimney, (or don’t want the mess a proper fire entails) fake it with one of the many flueless, gas-effect fireplaces on the market. In a contemporary home, go for a wallmounted, minimalist style, or choose a freestanding, cast-iron traditional stove in an older, classic property. Wood burners are a great choice if you have a chimney, and come in both classic and contemporary styles.

If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, make it the focal point of the room. Clear the mantelpiece of clutter, decorate with scented candles and hang a large mirror or piece of artwork above to really give your fireplace the wow factor. The flickering light of candles and a fire at night create a magical atmosphere. Don’t forget the power of fragrance when it comes to creating atmosphere: the spicy scent of a clove and patchouli candle will add romance and mystery to a winter living room.

Geometric patterns are currently big news in interiors.

Mixing patterns can be a hard look to pull off, so it is better to stick to one type of pattern, such as triangles, to maintain continuity. If you’re feeling brave, a mix of patterns can look stunning as long as they are all in the same colour palette. Chalk Wovens, a new British brand, has a wonderful selection of geometric cushions and throws in subtle Autumnal colours.

Add texture and pattern to a wooden floor or plain carpet with a fabulous colourful wool rug. This will

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/ DESIGN /

instantly add a comforting feel underfoot, vital for the coming colder weather.

Light is at a premium during the winter months so now is the time to update your lighting scheme. Create a reading area in an unused corner of your living room with a floor lamp strategically placed beside a comfy chair. A quirky table lamp will provide extra light for working at a desk, as well as a style statement. It is also time to maximise the natural light available. Mirrors hung opposite windows will increase light by reflecting it around the room. Reflective surfaces will also throw light around. Add glamour and sparkle with metallic accessories – copper is the stylish material of the moment.

Entertaining is one of the most enjoyable aspects of life in the run up to Christmas, so now is the time to ensure your dining area is looking its best. A good-sized dining table is essential for family get-togethers and if

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space is at a premium, extending tables are ideal. For a mini-makeover, invest in some stylish new table and glassware.

Finally, look forward to spring by bringing the outside in, introducing plants and greenery into your home with lovely, realistic-looking artificial silk flower and foliage arrangements. n

Dressing Rooms Interiors is owned by interior designer Anthea Gray, who creates beautiful and original interiors.

Her interior design services are available online, and throughout Sussex. See www. dressingroomsinteriors.co.uk.

She also sells original, chic home accessories from her online interiors boutique. See www.antheashomestore.co.uk.

/ EVENTS /

Out and About As the year heads towards its inevitable conclusion and winter woollies come back into fashion, it’s the season to be merry. Sophie Green selects her favourite family outings for the coming months.

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estonbirt, The National Arboretum, is based in Gloucestershire, situated three miles from the traditional Cotswolds market town of Tetbury. The picturesque, historic Victorian landscape and internationally important tree and shrub collection is managed by the Forestry Commission and supported by the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. The 14,902 labelled trees come from Britain, China, North America, Japan, Chile and other temperate climates. Planting started in the 1850s by Robert Holford; the rich Victorian landowner to whom the Westonbirt Estate belonged and has continued ever since. Within the 17 miles of accessible paths and five national collections, children become young adventurers and adults connect with trees through guided walks, workshops, self-led trails or volunteering.

Westonbirt Arboretum consists of three main areas.

The Old Arboretum is a carefully designed landscape

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dating from the 1850s offering beautiful vistas, stately avenues and trees from around the world. Silk Wood is ancient, semi-natural woodland with exotic plantings throughout its landscape, while the Grade I registered Downs hosts species-rich grassland and is a great picnicking location.

From 1 December to 28 February, continuing the celebrations from the Gruffalo’s 15th birthday earlier this year, there will be a new Gruffalo’s Child trail through the arboretum.

Explore the forest, follow the trail and enjoy fun activities along the way. The trail runs through the Old Arboretum, as well as Silk Wood and will provide hours of family-oriented outdoor entertainment. www.forestry.gov.uk Looking for something to do with the kids over the winter months? Want to get out of the house and get active? Then head along the Winter Wonderland at EventCity next to The Trafford Centre in Manchester.

This is the UK’s largest indoor Winter Wonderland, with rides and attractions galore where the family can while away four hours with non-stop fun and entertainment from 13 December until 4 January.

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All of the fun-packed rides and attractions are included in one ticket price and Winter Wonderland is operated on a session basis to ensure visitors enjoy the experience without overcrowding. This event is especially suitable for families with children under 12 years.

Fairground rides and game stalls galore will pack out the venue and children can meet the man of the season – Santa has been very kind and has agreed to take time out from his busy schedule to be in the Wonderland. Sooty, Sweep and Soo from The Sooty Show currently showing on CITV and ITV are also back at the Winter Wonderland.

Joining entertainer and magician Richard Cadell, you can expect magic, mischief and mayhem every day at this live show. www.winterwonderlandmanchester.com The season’s festivities may be largely aimed at children, but Lego is more than a toy. Astounding sculptures made from Lego form the unmissable new exhibition The Art of the Brick at the Old Truman Brewery in London. This travelling exhibition is one of the most

/ EVENTS /

extraordinary and innovative exhibitions in recent memory and it speaks to all ages, running from now until 4 January.

This impressive new show was conceived and created by Nathan Sawaya, a New York-based artist who creates aweinspiring works of art out of some of the most unlikely things. This is no exception, featuring more than 80 amazing works of art that have been constructed using more than one million Lego bricks. Each work has been created on a large scale, featuring everything from human figures and dinosaurs to re-imaginings of some famous paintings. One particular highlight of the show is a T-Rex skeleton that towers over six metres and contains somewhere in the region of 80,000 Lego bricks.

Vivid, colourful, imaginative and compelling, this is one art exhibition that is suitable for the whole family, but to ensure the kids are not forgotten, there will be an Interactive Active Zone for children to test their own creativity with the Lego bricks. www.artofthebrick.co.uk This may just be the pantomime adventure you’ve been waiting for, as Jack and the Beanstalk takes to

the stage of the Hippodrome in Birmingham from 19 December to 1 February.

This classic fairytale follows the story of Jack, a poor boy who lives in the forest with his mother. One day she tells him that he must take the cow to market to get some food. On the way, Jack meets a man who gives him five magic beans in exchange for the cow.

His angry mother throws the beans into the garden and overnight the beans grow into a beanstalk and up Jack climbs. At the top he finds a castle where a giant and his wife live. The giant likes to eat children so Jack hides. Jack goes up the beanstalk three times and while the giant is sleeping, Jack steals a bag of gold, a magic hen, and a golden harp. The third time, the giant wakes up and chases him down the beanstalk to the finale.

Birmingham’s giant pantomime version of this tale stars television personality and singing sensation Jane McDonald as The Enchantress, Blue’s Duncan James as Jack, and ITV soap personality Chris Gascoyne as Fleshcreep. Jack is accompanied on his adventure by the comedy trio of Gary Wilmot (Dame Trot), Paul Zerdin (Simple Simon) and Matt Slack (Silly Billy) who return by popular demand following their hilarious antics in last year’s Hippodrome pantomime.

Produced by Qdos Entertainment, Britain’s biggest pantomime is presented with magical special effects, breath-taking musical numbers and laugh-out-loud comedy for all the family. n www.birminghamhippodrome.com

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An Autumnal Glow for Winter Embrace the season and bring a little autumnal glow into your interior with our guide on how to style your home in elegance, befitting this time of year.

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/ ROOM DESIGN /

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ne of the best things about autumn is the colours that nature generates, from burnt oranges and bright yellows to an array of warm browns. Make your living room a cosy retreat during the chillier evenings with a brand new, inviting look. A natural palette is the key to succeeding in this trend – think fallen leaves and sunny crisp skies.

The colours you use, whichever shades, should be deep. You can’t really get away with a barely there orange, it needs to be a burnt fiery shade. Then you can tone down strong colours with gentle accents of autumn-themed decorative accessories – think amber scented candles and thick cosy throws in soft shades of brown and grey. As an alternative to painting, create a statement wall with seasonal wallpaper, Osborne & Little have an extensive range including many striking tree designs, perfect for the autumn elegance trend.

Textures are always important when restyling your decor, and to make this trend work all you have to do is look to your wardrobe for inspiration. Chunky knits and soft woollen textures are perfect, layered with simple cotton and cool copper details to warm a room whilst retaining a cool air of autumn elegance. Wooden tableware and woven placemats give a soothing presence as natural and raw materials reinforce the link with the outdoors. Wood provides a sense of comfort and adds dimension for interest and depth.

Lighting is key; use plenty of soft side lighting rather than heavy overhead lighting and this will help to create the warm and cosy feel you are looking for.

Copper shade table lights are ideal to incorporate the metallic trend as well as help create atmospheric lighting. This trend is derived from a strong, ongoing concept using bold, exaggerated shapes and by

incorporating a shaggy rug and embroidered cushions this can easily be achievable but if you don’t want to dive into the trend in its purest form you can make small changes and adapt your own style.

Global for the well-travelled and sophisticated are the watch words for this living room decorating trend.

Bright ethnic print accents in orange and brown, plus the use of rich wood and leather furniture means it is already in tune with creating a cosy autumnal space but add teal to bring a touch of brightness and plenty of taupe to bring freshness to the overall scheme.

Nude shades for a romantic living room can be lifted with a dose of girlie glamour, a trend that draws on the golden era of Hollywood with its champagne colour scheme. For this scheme layer up luxurious fabrics and textures, faux fur rugs to velvet sofas all added in nude and blush shades so you can add as many candlesticks and ornate mirrors as you wish.

Scandi style has been around for a while and it is looking like it is here to stay. Rather than a wholesome, healthy style it is more about a decorating scheme with wintry glamour. White timber floors and white walls combine with simple wood furniture and a palette of beiges, greys and creams. The glamorous touches come from luxurious pieces such as dramatic lighting in shiny steel, delicate snowflake print on rugs, throws and ceramics and plenty of fairy lights.

Grey has been a key interior colour trending from the catwalks, and is a safe sophisticated backdrop but take the walls to a dark grey for glamour. The woodwork can be painted in the same colour for added drama then add in rich red and purples in luxury textures – velvet for sofas and curtains. Use glass in ornaments for reflective sophistication. n To dive head first into this trend or even just to dip your toe in the water head to amara.com for thousands of interior accessories to help bring your home up to date.

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Amara acid burnt cowskin Amara acid burnt cowskin: Beautifully soft this elegant chocolate cowskin has a speckled bronze finish that is elegant as well as funky. £730

Bloomingville black lamp with copper shade This slim table lamp has an air of sophistication with its on trend copper shade. £189 Bronte snowflake wool throw 100% merino lambswool in a textured finish with fringed ends is a true classic. £150

Graypants disc pendant lamp This ergonomic shade is made from repurposed cardboard handcrafted, it is aesthetically beautiful omitting a soft warm glow. £219

Guaxs Erbse lamp Beautifully crafted this mouth-blown glass lamp has a simple organic pebble effect that gives a subtle glow. £738

Jonathan Adler Animalia coasters This set of four hand applied designs on porcelain shows a fun and eccentric style. £78

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/ ROOM DESIGN /

Osborne & Little Persian garden Charbagh wallpaper This organic pattern from the latest wallpaper collection has a grey bamboo stalks pattern to add an extra dimension to your walls. £56 per roll

Matthew Williamson Eden Pegasus cushion Beautifully vivid cushion in a striking winged horse and scrolling damask design is decadent with a rich opulent style. £110

Pols Potten set of 3 copper trays These three trays are as good for ornamental purposes as they are practical, with a pretty dented pattern. £170

Pols Potten mad mix tealight holders: Set of 16 tealight holders in a mixture of aluminium with copper, black, brass and nickel plating, great for a centre table display or individual use. £176

Pure Lana organic wool pouf This 100% natural corriedale wool and cotton pouf is warm and cosy as well as being bang on trend with its chunky knit design. £605

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What’s new We take a look at what’s new, from Rubik’s Cube beanbags to intuitive sound systems and the fun space rocket bed for kids.

An Industrial Edge Barak 7 has recently launched in the UK, with a spectacular range of industrial-style furniture pieces. The distinctive style takes inspiration from architecture, machinery, and flea markets in the industrial areas of Paris and Brussels, and combines character-packed metals with reclaimed wood and vintage materials to create unmistakably chic pieces. Each piece has been conceived, designed and built with both practicality and style in mind and is surprisingly affordable. This gorgeous coffee table is just one example from the range, featuring a solid mango tabletop and functional wheels. If you’re looking to inject some style into your design scheme, this is one sure-fire way of doing it.

The coffee table retails at £589. See www.barak7.co.uk.

Retro Rubik’s Remember the Rubik’s Cube? Created in 197 by a young Professor of architecture in Budapest named Erno Rubik the solid cube twisted and turned and didn’t break or fall apart.

With colourful stickers on its sides, the cube got scrambled and became the first “Rubik’s Cube”. It took well over a month for Erno to work out the solution to his puzzle – and he is probably still puzzled over how the Rubik’s Cube became one of the world’s best-selling toys. Peaking in the 1980’s, the Rubik’s retro style now makes its way into a bean-bag format.

Designed to look like the popular cube, this can be used as an extra seat, a foot rest or even as a table.

The Rubik’s Cube Bean Bag retails at £127 and is available on www.cuckooland.com.

The Perfect Blend For top notch chopping, super speedy soups and perfect purées, use the time saving Stellar Stick blender which will chop and blend food in just a few minutes. The power required to chop and blend can be controlled with the variable speed 750w motor, which ensures you won’t over-blitz or chop to smithereens, and when extra oomph is required there’s a turbo button, too. The Stellar Stick blender is versatile, performs even better than it looks and makes quick work of kitchen tasks without having to resort to a bulky food processor. It’s packed with features including the variable speed 750w motor with an illuminated top dial to adjust power, a stylish brushed stainless steel body and an ergonomic grip.

The typical in-store price is £45. See www.stellarcookware.co.uk for further information.

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/ WHAT’S NEW /

Nocturnal Lift-Off Send your children into orbit by allowing them to blast off into space with the Space Rocket Bed. A dream come true for kids everywhere, the Rocket Bed takes children exploring the universe at bedtime. Inside there is room to hide-out underneath the space shuttle canopy, which can be used as a den, for storage or as a homework area. Customisable extras include LED lighting, personalised name plates and coordinated astronaut bedding. The Rocket Bed may even alleviate nocturnal woes for parents, as the kids will be bounding off to bed to dream of other galaxies, rather than dragging their feet.

The Space Rocket Bed sells for £1595 and can be ordered on www.cuckooland.com.

Kitchen Cool Jangneus was founded by Swedish-born designer Marie Jangneus-Davis to brighten up the daily chores with vibrant, hardwearing and eco-friendly dishcloths. Her fresh, colourful designs are also available on tea towels, trays and greeting cards. Jangneus’ signature product, the Swedish environmentally-friendly dishcloth, has been a feature in Scandinavian kitchen sinks since the 1950s. The cloth is designed in Sweden and printed in the UK from cellulose and recycled cotton. It’s biodegradable and compostable and printed using environmentally-friendly inks. The tea towels are made from linen and cotton and the trays from sustainable Scandinavian birch wood. No matter which you choose, the colourful creations are bound to inject some cheer into chores.

Prices start at £2.95 for dishcloths, £12.00 for tea towels and £18.95 £29.95 for trays. See www.jangneus.com.

Wired for Sound Cool new music systems pop up often, but rarely are they clever enough to respond to the way you live and listen in a particular room. Sonoro’s more intuitive design priority takes shape in four new models offering functionality customised for specific living environments.

This approach means that the ideal kitchen music system is embodied in the Sonoro GoLondon, which is portable, durable, colourful and mess-resistant; the perfect living room system in sonoroSTEREO – compact but with big stereo sound, and bespoke bedroom systems in sonoroRADIO and sonoroCD, customdesigned to maximise the bedside listening experience.

By adapting the best technologies for easy operation in each living space, Sonoro makes the friendliest of room-friendly music systems.

Typical retail prices including VAT start at £129 for the GoLondon. For details see www.sonoro-audio.de.

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THE PERFECT PITSTOP

Ye Olde Bell in north Nottinghamshire is historically one of the most important coaching inns between Edinburgh and London. The 17th-Century property may have been refurbished, but the warm welcome stays the same. Giselle Whiteaker takes a weekend break.

Coaching inns were a vital part of Britain’s inland transport infrastructure, strategically located to serve as a place for travellers to rest their weary heads. While many have morphed into country pubs, every now and then an inn which retains its original charm and function crops up. Ye Olde Bell is one such establishment.

Ye Olde Bell springs up from nowhere near Barnby Moor, just a few minutes off the A1 at the tip of North Nottinghamshire. Close to the borders of three further counties – Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire – and surrounded by the Dukeries: estates of five previous Dukes, with Sherwood Forest, Rufford, Thoresby, Welbeck and the 4,000-acre National Trust Clumber Park on the doorstep, this is the perfect staging stop.

Ye Olde Bell began life as a farm in the 17th Century and given its location on the original Great North Road between London

and Edinburgh, the hotel rose to fame and fortune in the days of stagecoaches and highwaymen. The latter may have vanished, but the stylishly clad walls of the refurbished property today could no doubt tell a thousand tales woven around the history. Many famous faces have passed through here, including the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Bing Crosby, Joan Crawford, Shirley Bassey, Jilly Cooper and One Direction to drop just a few names.

With no fame to our names, my friend Andy and I roll up to the reception desk of Ye Olde Bell and are royally welcomed. We’re keen to see how the current owners, Paul and Hilary Levack, have restored the hotel, retaining its almost 400-year heritage but in a contemporary format.

The Levacks have done so in style. Think deep red traditional carpets, sumptuous fabrics, oak panelling and antiques. It’s like

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/ ESCAPES / visiting the home of an ageing relative – comfortable and homely, yet at the same time filled with intriguing objects d’art, much like a wunderkammer. Here an old jockey weigh-in chair, there a life-size statue of a horse, the eclectic collection fuels to the hotel’s allure.

The fresh air has whetted our appetites, so we dash back to the hotel to freshen up before seeking a table at the Restaurant Bar 1650. Far from a standard hotel dining room, this chic space has as its focal point a trendy Art Deco bar, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

It would be easy to sink onto the bed in our lush suite, fill the clawfoot bathtub with bubbles, and simply while away the afternoon, but there is so much to explore in the area. Our afternoon is filled with a canal-side stroll in the market town of Retford, a few short miles down the road. Connected to the UK Inland Waterways network by the Chesterfield Canal, it is a delightful meander along the towpath.

Several fishermen sit patiently on the banks, their flies bobbing on the water’s surface as schools of fish evade the lures with a gentle flick of their tails. A narrowboat chugs past, its passengers eyeing the route ahead, which traces a dappled course through the tranquil town.

Ambience aside, the menu is packed with a variety of temptations.

I can’t go past the seared king scallops with cauliflower puree, chorizo and saffron oil, which simply melt in my mouth. Next is perfectly pink, tender pan-roasted duck breast with butternut

The Art Deco bar

The castle at Newark

squash puree, braised red cabbage, fondant potato and blackberry jus. Rich and decadently flavoured, this leaves me pleasantly full, but I can’t resist sampling the dessert from the specials board – a chocolate fondant. The dark brown chocolate goo oozes over the moist casing as I dig my spoon in, and I salivate in anticipation of the velvety treat. By meal’s end we are too full for words, sinking into a quiet reverie in our suite.

Waking to another warm morning, we top up with a hearty breakfast served by staff who are clearly morning people – all brilliant smiles and friendly banter. Off to a good start, we motor to nearby Newark.

Perched on the River Trent, this lovely market town sprang up around Newark Castle, and boasts a large Georgian market square now lined with historic buildings.

The castle lies in a romantically ruinous state on the edge of the river, its green grass creeping down to kiss the reeds that tickle its banks. The remaining castle walls, gracefully crumbling, border lovely formal gardens, designed by eminent Victorian landscape architect, H.E. Milner and Grade II listed by English Heritage.

Wandering along the river brings us to the Newark Town Lock, surprisingly quiet on this sunny afternoon. The twin locks here allow river craft to negotiate a six-foot disparity in water levels and one is the descendent of the original lock which was built back in 1773. From this point sepia-toned warehouses lining the river are a reminder of the trade that once plied these waters, today so tranquil.

The warehouses on the canal in Newark

Returning from whence we came, we stop for refreshment at the Castle Barge, a permanently moored Spillers grain barge that once plied its trade between Hull and Gainsborough. Since 1980 it has plied a different trade, as a pub where guests can enjoy a tipple below deck or soak up riverside views from the upper deck.

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The food at Restaurant Bar 1650 is superb.

Evening finds us back at Ye Olde Bell, sharing a perfectly proportioned Fisherman’s platter of smoked salmon, prawns and peppered smoked mackerel with lemon in the hotel’s bistro. Yet there is still one thing on my to-do list. Dropping by reception I book a Turkish Delight massage with LB Therapies, who operate out of the hotel.

The massage starts with a feather, a tickling sensation that alerts my senses, and slowly drifts into gentle stretching with the aid of a length of silk. Originating from Turkey, as the name suggests, this treatment combines stretching with deep tissue massage techniques, providing a total release of stress and tension. As therapist Lizzie digs into the knots near my shoulder blades with a buffalo horn, I breathe out a sigh of relief, sinking instantly deeper into bliss.

When morning breaks, well-fed and well-rested, we prepare to say farewell and see where the road takes us. One thing is certain: should our travels bring us back this way, we will not hesitate to stop. Ye Olde Bell is one of those places. The ones that you never really leave.

For more information about Ye Olde Bell see www.yeoldebell-hotel.co.uk For information on LB Therapies see www.lbtherapies.co.uk

A latte at Ye Olde Bell

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/LIFESTYLE/

Happy Healthy New Year

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fter the Christmas indulgence in food, drink, family time and celebrating the festivities or holidays, it’s probably the one time of year that we all look for new inspiration with regards to a healthy eating regime.

Smoothies and juices are the in thing at the moment and their popularity doesn’t seem to be losing momentum. With a wide range of juicers on the market, making a vitamin and mineral filled juice is easy. Recipes are readily available and delicious as well as nutritious.

The main difference between a juice and a smoothie is that the smoothie is made in a blender and the drink retains the pulp. A juice still provides the fibre even though the pulp is discarded – you can either chop and prepare your own fruit, or feed it into a juicer and let the machine do the hard work for you.

Juices can be stored in the fridge for up to 72 hours – so it’s easy to get organised and make your favourite juice ahead of time. There are choices to help weight loss or increase vitamin intake/health benefits.

John Quick, Senior Sales Consultant at Raynes Park Goodfellows, is a big fan and he says “my usual morning juice would be kale, spinach, cucumber, apple and lemon and in the afternoon I have carrot, ginger, apple, red pepper.”

There are many delicious recipes online and easily available – why not try one and see what you think?

/HOME/

Wonderful Wisley Y

ou don’t have to be an avid gardener or horticulturist to enjoy the grounds and plants at the RHS gardens at Wisley near Woking in Surrey. Anyone and everyone can enjoy the beautiful gardens and greenhouses with the vast array of colourful and unusual plants. Throughout the year, there’s something to marvel at – from the tropical plants and the waterfall in the greenhouse, to the pagoda, ornamental pond and lake in the gardens.

There is a variety of wildlife which also shares the garden with the human visitors – ducks and birds of all sorts of varieties, as well as insects and flying creatures – one of the most exciting are the Butterflies which have their own exhibition in the Glasshouse from January 17th to March 8th 2015. To find out more about this display and plan your visit, have a look at the website www.rhs.org.uk.

With a choice of cafes and restaurants, you can choose anything from a three course lunch to afternoon tea, taking your pick of the delicious cakes, lunches, hot and cold drinks. You can take your time and make the most of your day. The well stocked shop and garden centre will ensure you can leave with gifts as well as lovely memories.

There are special events throughout the year, from seasonal fairs to flower shows which are all well attended – check out the website for more details.

/HOME/

/INVESTMENT/

Invest in your future I

f you’re looking for way to invest for your future, you could join many people who are choosing to invest in property. Purchasing a buy to let property is a good way of receiving a regular income as well as having a long term investment for the future offering capital growth.

Our offices are able to provide you with specific advice tailored to your needs, but for a general overview on what to look for, read on…

Looking for an investment property is very different to looking for a property to live in yourself. You’re focusing on receiving a return on your investment – so put on a business head and look at the hard facts. Don’t let your heart rule your head!

Location is important – check out local transport links if you’re hoping for a professional tenant. Local schools, parks and shops will be a focus for a family looking to rent.

Look carefully at the condition of the property – how much work can you carry out yourself – or how much money are you prepared to spend on investing in someone else to do the work for you. Remember to allow for about annual repairs and maintenance costs.

Finch & Co can offer the whole service – our sales offices are on hand to find you a property and having secured your purchase, our property management specialists are able to offer you help and advice on letting it. Then they can find you suitable tenants and manage your property in order that you can maximize your investment.

To find out more, give them a call on 020 8542 1193.

/HEALTH/

Take ten minutes J

anuary – what do you think of? Sales? No money after Christmas? Long dark days and bad weather?

Not a wonder so many of us suffer with the January Blues. Whilst we can’t change it all – if we want to, we can change our outlook and possibly reduce the negative feelings and replace them with some happy thoughts instead.

Exercise and fresh air are free and easy ways to make a small change. Research shows that making a small change (and sticking to it) is an instant easy way to make yourself feel better.

Go for a short walk in the fresh air and make the most of the daylight: vitamin D (essential for healthy bones) is absorbed through the skin and even ten minutes a day can have health benefits.

Mindfulness is all about taking time to be aware of your surroundings, peaceful calm breathing and paying attention to the moment. It helps people change the way they feel and can reduce stress. There are courses available if you are interested in finding out more.

Make a phone call – if you can’t arrange to meet up, spend some time talking on the phone. In today’s busy world of e-communication, face to face contact is reducing at a frightening rate. Human beings need the interaction; eye contact, body language, tone of voice – it’s all missing when we text or email. Make the effort to meet and talk.

With a bit of luck, small changes will lead to bigger changes, happier days and then it’ll be the spring, new leaves, brighter lighter days and we’ll be wondering how to cope with the sunshine again!

Focus on Finch F

inch & Company are uniquely placed adjacent to the John Innes conservation areas. Beautiful Edwardian and Victorian houses, together with substantial 1920s and 1930s properties grace both sides of the tree lined avenues. With parks and green spaces nestled between houses, the area feels rural despite its proximity to London.

The Finch office are enthusiastic, excited and exuberant – the team is led by manager Katharine Connolly and they all speak with great affection for the area, especially Beryl who has been with the company for over 20 years. Her local knowledge is invaluable thanks to her super memory.

Merton Park is ideally placed for families, with excellent schools and activities in nearby Wimbledon, there are also efficient road, rail and tram links into and out of London.

If you would like your property valued by us, please give Katharine a call on 020 8542 1193.

Finch & Company has been associated with the Old Rutlishians for three years through sponsorship of the club. This local Sports and Social club encompasses rugby, cricket, football and squash – there’s something for every sporting fan and every age, with teams for children and adults.

The club offers open membership for only £25 per year, so you don’t have to be an active sporting member to enjoy the benefits that the club has to offer – subsidised bar, regular events such as cheese and wine evenings, quiz nights as well as being hired out for ballroom dancing practice, martial arts and Zumba classes amongst other interests. In addition, the club has music festivals during the year – in the summer as well as Halloween and Fireworks evenings.

/OLD RUTLISHIANS/

The club provides a local venue for residents of the much sought after Merton Park conservation areas. More details can be found on the club’s website www.theora.co.uk or call Mike Stallard on 07989 987078.

/LIFESTYLE/

Come to Carshalton Beeches

P

ark Hill in Carshalton Beeches will be the location for a pair of newly built semi-detached houses which are currently under construction. With four bedrooms and a home office, these Arthur Wait homes will be built to a high specification and will be ready for completion in May 2015.

Located in the leafy suburb of Carshalton Beeches, with its own high street of essential shops, ranging from gift boutiques and a supermarket to butcher and baker’s shop,

it is ideally placed. The local schools cater for all ages and abilities, offering a choice of independent and state schools to suit all families and budgets.

Rail links to London Victoria and London Bridge from Carshalton Beeches take half an hour, and other London stations via Clapham Junction.

Nearby Oaks Park is popular with dog walkers and adjacent to it is “The Oaks Sports Centre” which has an 18 and 9 hole golf course as well as a driving range.

There are beautiful Lavender fields at Carshalton which are managed as a not-for-profit community organisation. The three acres are part of the area that was once famous as ‘the lavender capital of the world’. The project works hard to keep the history and heritage of the area alive for future generations. The local area has many historical sites, including Little Holland House in Carshalton Beeches and Honeywood House in Carshalton.

To find out more about these homes and other developments in the area, please call our Land and New Homes office on 020 8652 2929.

/ CUSINE /

THE RECOGNITION FACTOR

Warwickshire’s Henley-in-Arden is one of those towns that’s got it all: independent shops, a vibrant cultural and social life, ancient and beautiful buildings and, raising its head above the substantial competition, an excellent restaurant in the shape of The Bluebell. Hugh Sorrill enjoys the food and hospitality.

A half-timbered coaching inn from the early 16th Century, the picturesque exterior of The Bluebell on the Henley-in-Arden high street in Warwickshire belies a lively marriage of ancient and modern inside.

Shabbily chic and iridescently funky, it offers an entirely comfortable, relaxed environment with a truly diverse range of customers – plenty of locals but also regulars who come from a bit farther afield and a healthy tourist trade.

“We bought this place about nine years ago,” says owner Leigh Taylor. “At the time it was a run-down old boozer, unloved, but it still had that something when you walked into it. We wanted to embrace it. I cleaned it up and made it look pretty, and opened the doors. It was before the recession and everywhere was busy, which was lucky really. But the recession made us rethink our whole business model.

We couldn’t just carry on doing the same thing as everybody else, so we invested more in the kitchen to set ourselves apart in the area.”

The plan worked. The Bluebell’s reputation rapidly soared and with the high profile appointment of renowned Midlands chef Simon Malin in 2011 it was sealed with the award of two AA rosettes. “We didn’t go chasing rosettes,” says Leigh. “We got them because we wanted to do better, offer better food. It’s not unhelpful to have them, of course. We are the only pub in Warwickshire with two rosettes and were the Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year in the Midlands in 2013. We win quite a few things.”

Since last year, Yorkshireman James Devonshire has been head chef, having taken the reins when Malin moved on. The two had worked together before – James essentially apprenticed under Malin at the latter’s Stratford-upon-Avon restaurant. “There was just him and me in the kitchen and I really took on board a lot of good working practices and the ethos behind his food. He’s very classical and taught me about the right way and the wrong way,” he says.

“I have also worked at a few other hotels and restaurants including at The Old Butchers for Pete Robinson. The two of them are certainly my biggest influences. Having started a family, I wanted to be close to home in Stratford, so when Simon called and asked me to work with him again here, it was ideal,” he exclaims. High standards are ingrained in James, and it is evident in his dishes.

The menu is refreshingly short. “We have limited space in the kitchen, which puts certain constraints on us,” he says. Constraints can be useful, however, as they promote creativity, though in this case not at the expense of flavour.

“I want to produce unpretentious and simple food. It’s not far from rustic, to be honest. I want to get the best out of the resources we have available in the kitchen and make sure that the food is consistently good and well-presented across the board. I don’t think there’s much point in having just one amazing dish and ignoring all the others. I don’t want the food to be too wacky in its flavour combinations but it has to taste good and there is always room for a personal twist,” James explains.

Like most good chefs, James aims to offer food made from the best ingredients and as seasonal as possible. Not all achieve this; however The Bluebell menu during our visit was packed with seasonal treats – without any obviously jarring claims. Leigh’s husband Duncan even goes foraging for some ingredients.

James’ starters set the tone: a Cornish sardine, lightly grilled, dances off a salad of ribboned carrot with the classic complementary flavours of orange and coriander; a hot slice of rich ox tongue with its unique savouriness is accompanied by a croquette of shredded salt-beef and mashed potato (It may be deep fried corned beef hash but it’s no less delicious for it) with a horseradish cream. A thicker slice, another

Leigh Taylor has transformed the interior for the ancient and modern look

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croquette (or three), a more substantial pile of the watercress, onion and radish salad and right there is a plate I would rush to as a main course.

Other appetisers include the delightful, colourful and flavourful heritage tomato salad, as well as the now must-have sharing board of charcuterie, this one featuring choice Spanish meats, fish and accompaniments.

You can tell a good restaurant by what else the kitchen produces. The sour dough bread is ripe and textured; the biscuits that accompany the end-of-meal coffee are sweet and simply cracking. “If you can do it better than you can buy it, and if you’ve the space and manpower, you should,” says James. Even if he might be a little stretched with the latter two, the results are entirely worth his and his team’s effort.

The Bluebell dates from 1513 – the earliest years of Henry VIII’s reign

On the menu, the dish’s central ingredient is highlighted in bold.

Rabbit, ham and leek pie, with emphasis on the rabbit is more than a nod to James’ rustic inclinations. Thick and properly seasoned rough puff seals in the intense flavours of the filling accompanied by a surprisingly delicate salad of pickled flower-shaped carrot rounds topped with chervil. Diners like a good steak, and this one was one excellent – perfectly cooked, month-aged Aberdeenshire sirloin on the bone. Rustic? Robust, certainly, and well matched by a duxelle of mushrooms with madeira.

Traditional British, North African, French and Italian influences infuse dishes of chicken, lamb, fish and fennel: this is as far from molecular gastronomy as it is possible to get. It’s honest food and honestly good.

Now, you’ve got to like a restaurant where the desserts take up as much room on the menu as the first two courses. Often they are variations on a theme: home-made ice-creams and sorbets; affogato as a pick-me-up, plus a shot if you want; dessert cocktails, sweet and entertainingly naughty.

However tempting the cherry bakewell, the gooseberry fool with its crisp then crumbly shortbread won out, a terrific balance of light gooseberry cream with compote of just sweetened fruit at the base. The showstopper is the chocolate marquise with orange and cardamom ice cream. This dense, intense slice of bitter-sweetness offers moments of introspection as the mouth makes sense of the complexities.

This is food you want to eat – and it’s priced very fairly in the midrange, but Leigh is also working to broaden the customer base and the times at which they come in. For example, every month or so on a Wednesday, there is a live floor show – calypso, cabaret, close magic in between courses and after dinner. “They are party nights but the kind of people who come are not the rowdy types,” she says. “They come because they know we do great food. We do a banquet service – everyone gets exactly the same, save for dietary requirements – so they have to have faith that what we give them is going to be good. That’s a real testament to what James does. Our customers are discerning and also really happy they’ve got somewhere they can come that is doing something different. We put in a lot of effort and it is rewarded.”

The same applies to a brand new initiative, a lunch club that offers two set courses, usually a selection from or variation of dishes on the à la carte menu, for £10. “We want to build ourselves into an everyday treat,” says Leigh. “We found that because we had the rosettes and accolades, a lot of people were coming only on special occasions: but we want to be more accessible. The reaction so far has been fantastic. It’s great value, because we don’t compromise. It’s still our quality food, and still the same service.”

The Bluebell has it entirely the right way round. Its rosettes and accolades are incidental – recognition of what Leigh, James and the rest of the team naturally achieve through the food, service and hospitality they offer – not some grasped-for external benchmark. If only more restaurants were like this.

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JAMES DEVONSHIRE’S HERITAGE TOMATOES, GOATS CHEESE & MARJORAM Serves 4 as a starter

Melt the cheese and cream together on a low heat. Pass through a sieve and chill in a bowl. Fold in the whipped cream in thirds. Add salt to taste.

Ingredients

Whizz all ingredients in a blender until smooth, then hang in a muslin cloth over a bowl overnight. Check the seasoning. Using 1 leaf of gelatine for every 150ml of liquid, heat a quarter of the liquid in a pan, add the gelatine leaves and when dissolved add the hot liquid back to the cold and pour into in a mould lined with cling film. When set, cut into squares or chunks as you wish.

Whipped Goats Cheese 100g Goat’s cheese 75g double cream 150g whipped double cream Pinch of salt Tomato Consommé Jelly 600g whole tomatoes 30g celery 35g fennel 50g cucumber ½ clove garlic 5 basil leaves 1 sprig tarragon Leaf gelatine Salt to taste

The Dish 9-12 Heritage Tomatoes 6-8 sprigs of marjoram A good glug of the best olive oil you can lay your hands on Sea salt

Slice the tomatoes in different ways to add interest to the plate. Arrange them prettily either on individual plates or on one large plate for the table. Place the squares of consommé jelly randomly around the tomatoes, quenelle the goats cheese (one for every person) and place as you want around the dish. Drizzle the oil generously over the tomatoes and pick the marjoram and scatter over the dish along with a generous sprinkle of sea salt. This is quite simply summer on a plate. We serve it with a tapenade croute.

For more information about The Bluebell or to make a booking see www.bluebellhenley.co.uk.

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Taste in the making

A recognised talent already, Chef Adam Smith is creating sensational food at the Devonshire Arms in Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, the perfect country hotel in perfect countryside. If you’ve made the journey there, you’ll start on a thrilling new one as soon as you open the menu. Hugh Sorrill dines out.

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/ CUISINE /

T

here are some restaurants and some hotels where they just get it right from the moment you walk in the door to that little reflective hiatus as the last drop of coffee lingers on your tongue’s edge. There is so much about the Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa on the Bolton Abbey estate that is exceptional – its gorgeous location in the Yorkshire Dales, the integrity of both the old and new buildings that comprise it and the homely comfort of its rooms. Above all, however, it is the people: skilled, efficient and personal.

Perhaps the most public expression of these attributes is in the Burlington restaurant, showcase for the extraordinary talents of Chef Adam Smith. At the age of just 27, he breathes fine dining: after eight years at The Ritz Hotel in London where he rose to executive sous chef, in 2012 he won the prestigious Roux Scholarship and spent his prize 12-week stage at the three Michelin star Le Meurice restaurant in Paris under the tutelage of head chef Yannick Alléno.

In July 2013, he took the lead at the Burlington, stepping into some pretty big shoes vacated by Steve Smith, where he has an ideal outlet for the innovations his top-level classical experience allows him to create.

It turns out those big shoes are a good fit.

“Winning the scholarship was great, and was a testament to the training I took on at The Ritz: it was an amazing place to get the grounding, a five-star hotel where everything came from same kitchen from breakfast to afternoon tea, from a burger to an à la carte dish for the restaurant. Everything with the same attention to detail. Then the time I spent in Paris opened my eyes to a whole new set of ideas, and I learned what kind of chef I am and where I wanted to be. Here, now, as Head Chef I can develop my own style, and let my food evolve naturally,” says Adam.

The larder he works from is supplied substantially by the Bolton Abbey estate owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire who also own the hotel, as well as by a large kitchen garden and suppliers within a small radius. The menus, structured around proven favourites including Adam’s signature dishes, are more than simply seasonal; they can change from day to day or week to week, depending on the best that’s available.

“Tomorrow, I’ve got some beautiful quince, the first of the season coming in, so we’ll put that on. We also have grouse from the estate, which is second to none, phenomenal. We serve it with cabbage just picked from the garden, with pickled bilberries harvested in

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the summer and salsify that comes from near Pudsey less than 20 miles away,” says Adam. “Even though I’m working harder now even than before, it’s a tremendous privilege to work with so many suppliers and growers from the area. I’ve also managed to build a great team around me, who bring the same attitude to what we do.”

With his name on the door, Adam must ensure that every single plate that leaves the pass is exactly what he wants it to be and, if it were possible, that applies even more so with that showcase of a chef’s skills, the tasting menu. The feast he presented to us began with an intense artichoke cream. Its vibrant colour was protected from the air by a layer of onion gel topped with dots of goat’s curd cheese and a tiny sliver of lightly pickled onion that brought the smooth textures and flavours to an abrupt, surprising and delicious full stop.

Marinated Scallop is one of Adam’s signature dishes – small, tender morsels offset by tiny, crunchy, savoury croquettes of pig’s head garnished with avocado, slices of radish and nubs of refreshing cucumber, decorated in the modern style with strands of fennel and flowers. Scallop and pork have often been married, but the attention to detail here is not just in the design of the dish but in the balance of textures and degrees of savouriness.

Duck liver is one of life’s great, unctuous pleasures.

Served with smoked eel, it might be too rich, too smooth on the palate. Here the liver was sautéed to create a cracking crust almost like a crème caramel; the fattiness of both duck and eel was cut by spiced apple, with fresh cobnuts offering both crunch and a vegetable oiliness that offered a new comparison.

How easy it is to rationalise this dish but it to eat it is no

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intellectual exercise, much more a sensual experience.

Among my companions, it was one of the highlights of the night. Except that each new plate was a highlight.

Rich meaty turbot stood up to the seasonal strength of ceps and even white truffle. The loin of roe deer was so lean, certainly by comparison to the preceding dishes, but was nevertheless tender and unmistakeably venison. With garnishes of salt-baked celeriac, chestnut and glazed pear, it was edible autumn. That theme tipped over into the first of two desserts, a port glazed fig with a yoghurt sorbet and a subtle but refreshing yuzu compote.

Almost every dish was served with wine from the widely and intelligently sourced cellar at the Burlington. Wines that complement or contrast the food are what you hope for from the restaurant’s selection, but for our final course Chef and Sommelier achieved something else – glass and plate that were exceptional in their own terms but extraordinary together, increasing the pleasure of each. Adam’s Amadei Chocolate Ganache, topped with essential banana and hazelnut, with a praline ice cream is a choco-banana-nut lover’s heaven. The Italian dessert red, Reciotto della Valpolicella Classico from just outside Verona, melded with the chocolate to add a deep morello flavour that the ethylene headiness of the banana only intensified. Not many dishes inspire a whole table to exclaim simultaneously variations on “Holy Cow!” The Michelin Guide will make its own judgement of course but stars must be heading Adam’s way. They are awarded to restaurants that you should go out of your way to experience. So if you’re travelling from London to, say, Guildford you could do a lot worse than make a detour to Bolton Abbey for dinner. n

/ CUISINE /

Adam Smith’s Peppered Venison Glazed Chestnuts, Salt Baked Celeriac and Pear

Ingredients Serves 4 600g venison saddle loin Salt-baked Celeriac 1 celeriac For the pastry: 270g strong plain flour 120g salt 3 egg whites 60g water 8g Rosemary 8g Thyme Celeriac puree 450g celeriac (use all the trimmings) 85g butter 150ml double cream 200ml milk Glazed Chestnuts 15 frozen chestnuts 50g butter 50g chicken jus 50g water Salt and sugar Poached pear 2 pears 100ml white wine 250ml water 200g sugar 1 star anise 10 peppercorns Quarter of a cinnamon stick

Venison Season the venison with salt and cracked black pepper. Seal in a hot pan then add butter. Cook in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees for 2 minutes then turn and baste and cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and the pan and leave to rest in a warm place for 10 minutes before serving.

Salt-baked Celeriac Place all the dry ingredients for the pastry into a food processer and pulse to break down the herbs. Once the herbs are a fine even size, slowly add the water little by little until a smooth dough is formed. Wrap in cling film and leave to rest for 1 hour.

Next peel the celeriac and cut through the top into 4 even pieces (reserve all the trimming). With a small knife turn the celeriac into a smooth barrel shape. Once the pastry has rested, roll out to the thickness of a pound coin. Mould this around the celeriac ensuring there are no holes or air gaps. Cook at 220 degrees for 10 minutes then turn the oven down to 180 degrees and cook for a further 18 minutes. Once out of the oven allow the celeriac to rest for 10 minutes before peeling the pastry away. Slice into four even pieces and go straight to the plate.

Celeriac puree Cut the celeriac into a small even dice. Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed sauce pan and add the celeriac. Sweat for 2 minutes ensuring no colour. Pour over the cream and milk and place a lid on the pan. Cook on a low heat until the celeriac is tender. Drain off the celeriac and reserve the liquid. Add the celeriac into a food processer and puree until smooth adding back the cooking liquid as required.

Poached pear Peel the pears and cut through the stalk into quarters, remove the core and turn the base of the pear so that it is round. Place the water, sugar, wine and spice into a pan and bring to the boil. Turn down to a simmer and add the pears, poach gently until soft.

To serve First on to the plate should be the slice of celeriac and then the poached pears. Place the chestnut in between the two and then add the celeriac puree. Slice the venison into even pieces and place alongside. Finish with a good red wine jus.

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Time for Tea

From its early origins in China through to its modern permutations, the history of tea is both fascinating and complex. It’s long been credited with health benefits, but are these founded? Bronwen Hiller investigates.

D

eveloped initially as a medicinal brew in China, possibly during the Shang dynasty, tea was believed to have qualities that refreshed the spirit, alleviated tiredness and fought off depression and illness as well as boosting energy.

While there was no sound scientific evidence on which to base these claims, its use by religious orders lent the claims credibility. When introduced to Japan it was drunk by Buddhist monks to help them stay awake during meditation and was incorporated into sacred ceremonies, adding to the perception of its mystical qualities.

While tea has developed into a social drink, its medicinal qualities have continued to be important.

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Ask a heavy smoker in Japan whether they are concerned about the detrimental health outcomes of this activity and the most likely answer will be: “No, I drink green tea.”

Initially, all tea was green. The natural pigmentation within the leaves was preserved by a careful steaming process that still takes place today. The process of oxidation determines the colour, body, and flavour. It was difficult to export green teas as they were liable to deteriorate on long journeys hence the more robust black tea became popular in the west.

Portuguese traders and missionaries were among the first Europeans to sample tea, however it was the Dutch in the early 1600’s who made the original

/ HEALTH /

commercial shipment. With the establishment of a trading post in Java, Indonesia it was easier for them to ship consignments of tea from China. While the popularity of tea increased in Holland and spread to other European countries, the high cost ensured that it remained a drink for the wealthy classes.

Charles 11’s marriage to the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganaza was the catalyst for the adoption of tea drinking as a cultural institution in Britain. The princess was a devotee of the drink and established tea as the fashionable drink at court and amongst the aristocracy. The East India Company capitalised on this, importing the first order in 1664.

The high tax on tea, however, kept it out of reach

for the working class. When the tax was lowered in 1784 and tea became affordable, a debate on the appropriateness of tea as a drink for the working classes developed, continuing into the 19th century.

This debate supposedly centred on whether tea was injurious to health. The arguments that purported to prove its negative affect were not based on science or logic and often quoted spurious biblical references.

Tea did gain the support of the Temperance society which promoted it as an alternative to alcohol.

Modern scientific research has now been able to prove that there are benefits in drinking tea. The antioxidants contained in the tea plant have been

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/ HEALTH /

shown to assist in a range of health problems including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

So what is tea? Purists define it as produced from the Camellia Sinensis plant, the botanical name for the tea plant from which black, green, oolong and white teas originate. If a beverage is made from any other plant, even if it’s called tea, it’s really an herbal tea or tisane. The French word tisane is more accurate as herbal tea is an infusion of plant material extracted in hot water.

The history of tisane mirrors the development of caffeinated teas and many herbal teas continue to be consumed for their perceived medicinal benefits.

This history of herbal teas continues to be written, as more research is undertaken into the health benefits.

It seems not a day goes by without a new discovery in tea terms.

As Amit Mansigani from Herbal Infusion Co. Limited says: “There is a growing interest in taking better care of oneself, which has prompted the introduction of various natural healthy plants and remedies into peoples’ everyday life and diet.” While tea aficionados remain true to the tea plant, tisane is taking the world by storm.

In the search for a quality herbal tea Aadil Datta of Herbal Infusion Co. Limited says that there are two major considerations – that the infusion is organic and

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caffeine free. The focus on organic is part of a growing trend across the world to produce better quality products that are natural, without additives.

New products continue to provide for a wellinformed health conscious population. One relatively recent addition in the collection of herbal teas is Moringa. Moringa has been grown in select regions and used for over 100 years largely for its healing aspect. Containing potassium, vitamins, calcium and iron together with 47 antioxidants, 36 anti-inflamatories and 25 additional multivitamins it certainly fits the description of a miracle tree. Research supports the wide range of health benefits including the provision of nutrients to the eyes and brain. It also deals with the body’s immune system and acts as a blood oxygenating agent.

Many herbal teas are used for specific ailments, such as peppermint and ginger being well known as digestive aids. Chamomile and lemon balm can be used to assist in sleep while rosehip is one of the best sources of vitamin C, important for the immune system, skin and tissue health and adrenal function.

When next you sit to enjoy a calming cup of your favourite brew you can be assured that there is some truth to the Chinese proverb: Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary. n

DRIVING

IN STYLE

Want to be James Bond for a day? Or perhaps Lewis Hamilton is more your style? No matter who your hero, you can hire a vehicle to suit from Bespokes. Giselle Whiteaker gets behind the wheel.

The raindrops drizzle down the windscreen of the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster and are gently swiped aside by the efficient windscreen wipers. I could have picked a better day to take the Roadster from Bespokes out for a test drive, but then, I’m seated comfortably in the lap of luxury, the heated seat warming my rear at the perfect temperature and the leather steering wheel pliant under my fingers, so perhaps this isn’t such a bad idea. Hitting the red-rimmed crystal ignition button and hearing the powerful 4.7-litre V8 engine wake with a roar was the best part of my week.

15502 Xperience Property Scene Issue 9 .indd 8

Bespokes has the largest privately owned Aston Martin fleet in the country and the superb piece of silver machinery I’m enfolded in is the limited edition N400. Built to commemorate Aston Martin’s racing successes at the Nürburgring circuit, where it was able to complete a lap in under eight minutes, only 240 of these were released in 2007 – and they sold out instantly. It’s hard to say whether it’s the sleek lines, the comfortable interior, or the signature exhaust note when it clears its throat past 5000rpm that thrill the most. I suspect it’s the top speed of 177mph and the capability of 0-60 in a rapid 4.9 seconds that gets the heart-rate going, but I won’t be setting

any land-speed records today. I’m off for a Sunday drive.

Knowing the price tag of the wheel I’m behind, I’m extra cautious navigating through the London traffic, but out on the motorway the car surges forward as if of its own accord, and it excels. Cruising at the speed limit is comfortable, but the Vantage wants to go faster. It’s in its DNA. The V8 Vantage quickly became Aston’s most successful car and rightly so. This limited edition drop-top version makes me want to sign a £100,000-plus cheque on the spot. It’s stylish yet subtle, powerful yet sensitive and luxurious yet not ostentatious.

18/11/2014 09:31

The ride is supple and the steering precise.

my hair for a few miles, turning up the seat-

It’s everything I want to be and it turns

heating to compensate.

heads wherever it travels.

Like most people, when I think of Aston

At the flick of a switch, the fabric hood

Martin I think of James Bond and while

can be tucked away in 14-seconds, even

I’m not the action-hero type, the N400

when driving at speeds of up to 30mph.

makes me feel like a Bond girl. This is the

Luckily for me, the rain eases off, and

whole point of hiring a prestige car – it’s

despite the soon-to-be-winter chill in the

the thrill of being someone else for the day,

air, I can’t resist pressing all the buttons.

or the week, as well as the sheer thrill of

Sure enough, the hood elegantly folds into

handling all that power. “The thought of

the boot and I let the wind swirl through

driving a high-performance Sports, Luxury

or Supercar is just a dream for many people, so short-term self-drive hire can make it a reality. Unlike the numerous racetrack based events that are offered, hiring gives the driver the chance to be totally independent and experience what it is like to own one of these amazing cars and drive wherever they want on the open-road,” explains Daniel Cullen from Bespokes.

Besides the Aston Martin temporarily in my possession, Bespokes have a stock of around 50 vehicles, ranging from classic sports cars such as a 1969 Jaguar E-Type and an Austin Healey through to the Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport and Lotus Exige – just to name a few. “Our Jaguar E-Type and Morgans are extremely popular in the summer months. The Aston Martin Vantage and DBS are favourites for weddings and the Ferrari 458 Italia Spider and McLaren MP4-12C are for those who want to experience the pinnacle of Supercar driving. We are also the only company to offer a range of TVR and Lotus models which are always popular,” Daniel explains.

It’s not all about tootling along the A-roads on the weekend either, or opening up the throttle when no-one is looking. Bespokes also run a series of Activity Days, from Sports Car Days, which offer a full day’s on-road driving on a spectacular route through the beautiful Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire countryside, to Supercar Days, where participants drive eight Supercars over 150 miles on public roads, spending at least six hours in the cars. “We often get people on birthday treats, pairs or friends wanting to share an experience, or team-building exercises run by small

15502 Xperience Property Scene Issue 9 .indd 9

18/11/2014 09:31

businesses and large corporations,” comments Daniel.

The N400 is swaying me towards the Aston Martin adventure for a true James Bond experience. This involves a treasure hunt, searching for clues and swapping vehicles at locations en-route, so that every participant can experience their own version of Bond – perhaps from behind the wheel of the Aston Martin Vanquish as the action hero did in Die Another Day. Even with these extended experiences, there’s no clear winner on the preferred car model. “There is no exact science as to people’s choices and we often get very different feedback, but the fast and noisy ones like our Lamborghini LP560 Spider and the raw drive appeal felt in our TVR Sagaris are often favourites,” says Daniel.

He’s done thousands of miles in all the cars understanding the particular feel and experience of each one. “Our McLaren MP4-12C in stunning Volcano Orange is definitely a car that still excites me. The incredible on-board technology and design make this car as easy and enjoyable to drive

15502 Xperience Property Scene Issue 9 .indd 10

at slow speeds around town - if you don’t mind being pointed at and photographed – but then it turns into an incredible beast on the open road, leaving pretty much everything behind that it passes.”

I am already becoming far too fond of my 24-hour Aston Martin Vantage, although I’d consider opting for a rock-star moment with the Ferrari 430 Spider or perhaps I

could pretend to be a sporting hero in the Porsche 997 Turbo Roadster. Then there’s the classic styling of the Morgan +8, with its modernised 40-year-old design packing a V8. That will definitely be my summer pick. In the meantime, Bespokes offer gift certificates if you’re wondering what to get me for Christmas.

The powerful 4.7-litre engine wakes with a roar All Bespokes’ cars include insurance for up to four drivers, 150 free miles for 24 hours, 300 for the weekend and 700 for a week. Delivery and collection can be arranged anywhere in the UK and Europe including all airports and railway stations. The cars can be driven on the continent and those with foreign licenses are welcome. For more details on car hire, supercar days or other exciting car experiences, see www.bespokes.co.uk

18/11/2014 09:31

In the Heart of Zagreb The Croatian city of Zagreb has had its ups and downs, but it’s weathered them well. Parks, palaces and friendly locals are the order of the day. Andrew Snape explores.

40 |

/ TRAVEL /

Z

agreb is so typical of many big cities of the former Eastern Bloc. My hotel is just off the main avenue that runs past the bus and train stations and, from here, the view is a late 20th-century urban sprawl with the usual accoutrements – concrete apartments, walls smeared with graffiti and weeds sprouting from the cracks in the pavements. But turning 180 degrees, the city reveals its special nature.

I’m in the lower town, an elegant district of Baroque and Neo-Classical parks and palaces. This is now the museum district, home to the Gallery of Modern Art, the Gallery of Old Masters, the Art Pavilion and the Archaeological Museum. The latter is easily the biggest surprise in the city. Housed in a small building along Praska, it’s jam-packed with of the best collections I’ve seen up until now. There are extensive exhibitions of prehistoric, Greek, Roman and medieval items, but the highlight is the Egyptian artefacts. This is not a few throwaway trinkets that have been scraped together.

This is a collection of 2,100 items, bought from a wealthy Austrian in the 19th century. Items span over two thousand years of history, including jewellery, statues, works of art and literature, and an impressive collection of mummies. It’s a wonderful shock in such a small, unheard of institution.

A few streets away is the upper town, but I head a few metres east to the Kapitol district to see the city’s great icon. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a double-spired Gothic monolith of a building. Dating from 1094, it has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times (thanks to earthquakes and the Mongols), and today towers above the old-town districts. Inside it’s the spectacular, vaulting splendour that Gothic rarely fails to deliver. It’s not the most ornate, however. It looks more like a plain English church that a grand palace of Catholicism.

I take a walk around the upper town in the baking hot sun under a perfect blue sky. It’s much like Lipscani in Bucharest – well preserved buildings spanning the medieval to the 19th century, serving an abundance of tourists and partying locals. I detour to the railway station, finding in the underground shopping mall a Canadian-themed café. The two nations have a close bond, thanks to a significant amount of emigration from Croatia to the northern New World, and much pride is accorded this link.

In the evening I again find myself in the upper town.

The night is hot, and balmy, and I regret not bringing an umbrella for the inevitable downpour. The selection of bars and cafes is extensive, and after a few jars of local ales I tuck in to some Mediterranean dishes in the Agava.

The Dalmatian dumplings are especially delightful, with a chocolate and almond tart to follow, washed down with a refreshing glass of local red wine.

In the morning, the upper town again calls my name, but this time I climb the small but steep hill to see the real upper town. This ancient heart of the city remains the centre of attention, courtesy of the unimposing Croatian parliament building that’s dominated by the

| 41

/ TRAVEL /

beautiful mosaics on the roof of St Mark’s Church. I hunt through the quiet, narrow streets and eventually discover the unobtrusive building that houses the City Museum.

The museum details the history of the city, neatly laid out chronologically from the early, prehistoric huntergatherer days, through the early pagan settlements, the medieval and industrial revolutions, and into the modern world via the days of Yugoslavia.

After lunch, the rain kicks in and I take shelter in a café for an hour or two, watching local life pass by.

Tired of waiting, I head into the storm toward the lower town. In just a few minutes the thunderhead-clouds make way for clear blue skies and baking sunlight, but the cooling wind keeps the walk pleasant.

The lower town is much grander than the upper. The Baroque and Neo-Classical facades evoke images of Paris, Berlin and London, but all in such a confined area that it is not a chore to walk around. I pass through another cultural quarter, enjoying the splendour of the National Theatre, the Art and Craft Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the Mimara Museum. I’m spoilt for choice, but my goal is different.

I don’t have an excessive interest in nature, but here I make a beeline for the botanical garden. Maintained by the University of Zagreb it is home to over 10,000

42 |

species of flora, including 1,800 classified as exotic. The hues of the petals and leaves dazzle in the sunlight, and young couples have chosen the setting for some romantic canoodling. It’s the city’s grand, natural core, and yet it feels intimate. It takes just a few minutes to get from one end to the other. The rough old walls, the unkempt patches prepared for planting and the grand greenhouse with its shelves of potted plants remind me less of an outdoor national museum and more of my grandfather’s vegetable patch from my childhood summers, full of the glorious scent of tomatoes and fresh mint.

After escaping another downpour, I return to the upper town. The heat has been intense for my poor, pale British skin, and the sweating has drained me, so I cheat and fortify with street shish kebab. The bars and cafes are packed and there’s hardly a big brand beer in sight. Local is the order of the day, as are the friendly bar staff, all of whom are appreciative of anyone visiting their city.

Zagreb follows the pattern of many Eastern European cities – big in size and population, but small and intimate as regards the places you want to spend time in. Its recent, chequered history is nowhere to be seen, and the city is firmly claiming its place on the other side of the old Iron Curtain and in the ranks of must-visit cities. n

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