READ ALL ABOUT IT A rundown of news, from the worlds of art and culture (plus the items that intrigue us), all handpicked for the Royal Borough resident. VARDO RESTAURANT Caravan Restaurants have opened west London eatery Vardo, which has a new nomadic concept. It will be housed in a new, three-storey pavilion in Duke of York Square alongside the Saatchi Gallery, which will have 360-degree wall-to-floor glazing that retracts into the floor. It’s named after 1800s Romani travelling wagons and the globally influenced menu showcases low-and-slow cooking techniques, with ingredients from across the UK. www.caravanrestaurants.co.uk
GEORGIA HARDINGE Georgia Hardinge’s first concept store opened in July in St Christopher’s Place. At the launch guests learned how the building’s sustainable materials were sourced. And, a video projected onto the ceiling of the gender-neutral changing room showed the provenance of materials and the production processes behind making Georgia’s sculptural wearables, in an effort to encourage more open-minded, sustainable shopping. www.georgiahardinge.co.uk
EUROSTAR X WEBBEDS Eurostar, the high-speed passenger rail service, is increasing its hotel collection in partnership with WebBeds, with 70 new stays added to its travel packages in Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and elsewhere. Launched in 2018, Eurostar’s hotel collection offers an exclusive range of stays and special rates. It’s been developed with WebBeds, the world’s second largest B2B accommodation provider. The partnership has been a success, with passengers booking a hotel and rail ticket growing at an average of 25% a month. www.eurostar.com
LEPOGO LODGE One of Africa’s few entirely not-for-profit, highend safari lodges will open in September. Lepogo Lodges are set in 48,000-hectare, malaria-free Lapalala Wilderness Reserve in the Limpopo Province – home of the ‘big five’. The two lodges, Noka Camp and Melote House sleep up to 12 guests each, and Noka Camp has five stilted villas atop a 100ft cliff. Exclusive-use Melote House opens in 2020. The lodges will be the first in Africa to offset each guest’s carbon footprint, too. www.lepogolodges.com
STUDIO LUCY SANDERSON X GEORGIA HARDINGE PHOTOGRAPHER: HARRY HAWKES
IMAGE: CARAVAN RESTAURANTS
MONACO VW The UK’s longest-established Volkswagen garage has kept the same Kensington office since its foundation in 1948. It’s provided exceptional service for over 70 years and become a leading automotive dealership. It’s forward thinking, too: founder Nigel Smith and dealer principal Anthony Barrell are keen to stress the company’s adaptation to the changing automotive landscape, including Ultra Low emission zones and keeping up with London’s regulations. www.monacovw.co.uk
KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW
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ADMIRAL CODRINGTON Cider brand Maison Sassy teamed up with Chelsea gastropub The Admiral Codrington to launch an outdoor terrace for the summer months past. Sassy pioneered using cider in cocktails, a trend adopted by high-end bars and restaurants throughout the UK. The ‘Cod’ is a much-loved local haunt – a lively yet traditional pub with private dining and a summer terrace. Nestled in the historic streets of Chelsea, this outdoor terrace transforms what was once a wintery pub garden into a plush outdoor area. www.theadmiralcodrington.co.uk
