KCR Autumn 2022 Issue

SIX

THREE

FREE

Autumn Bliss

1924 – TODAY

AND DESIGN DESIRE OF OBJECTS

Welcome to the latest issue of Kensington & Chelsea Review. Filled with art, travel, culture and luxury, Kensington & Chelsea Review is the magazine for the rather discerning resident of the Royal Borough.

Photo credit: Photo by Valeriia Miller: https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-white-andblue-mugs-beside-drinking-glass-3151766/

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome to our Autumn 2022 issue!

As we head into the last few months of a year of economic and political turmoil, we’re taking time to celebrate this most golden of seasons.

In the following pages, you’ll find community news, recommendations for fascinating exhibitions to visit, a plethora of enticing places to explore and of course our regular highlights - the best in luxury cars, beauty, health, style and of course our regular KCR curated shopping edit.

We hope you enjoy.

Our very best wishes

The KCR team

CONTENTS

6.NEWS

All the latest happenings across the Borough.

10.ARTS AND CULTURE

The best in upcoming art shows and exhibitions to savour

28.TRAVEL

From picture-perfect staycations, to city hotels and exotic long haul breaks

66. LUXURY LIFESTYLE EDIT Shopping, Beauty, Style, Health, Food & Wine & Cars

PUBLISHER

Talismanic Media

FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR

Sid Raghava

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Lisa Curtiss

SUB EDITOR

Sarah Rodrigues

OFFICE MANAGER

Lee Marrero

KCR CONTRIBUTOR TEAM

Sid Raghava Sarah Rodrigues Gabrielle Scarlett Greg Rook Alice Bradley Rupert Parker Sara Darling Lisa Curtiss Madévi Dailly Sarah Lavigne Tracy Borman Sarah Moran Andrew Coles Kristie Smith

Photo by Life Of Pix: https://www.pexels.com/ photo/orange-leaf-on-white-surface-33961/

All material in Kensington & Chelsea Review is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission of the publishers. Colour transparencies and photographs submitted for publication are sent at the owners’ risk and while every care is taken, neither the publisher or their agents accept liability for loss or damage however caused. The publishers can accept no liability whatsoever of any nature arising out of nor in connection with the contents of this publication. Opinions expressed within the articles are not recessarily those of Kensington & Chelsea Review and any issues arising therefore should be taken up directly with the contributor

READ ALL ABOUT IT

Chelsea Antiques and Fine Art Fair 2022

The Chelsea Antiques & Fine Art Fair is the longest established event of its kind, having run consecutively since 1951 at the same venue. Sophie Wood, Fair Director says: “For collectors and interior designers, this is a key time to visit London, as The Chelsea Antiques & Fine Art Fair coincides with other large fine art and antiques events, specifically Olympia and Asian Art in Lon don this November This year, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Asian Art in London week, Cadogan Hall will be transformed into a dedicated curated Oriental themed exhibition space known as the Cadogan Oriental Suite curated by 2Covet’s own director & Japanese art specialist Steve Sly. Showcasing exceptional pieces from the listed exhibitors on the fair’s website. The space will include Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Islamic and orientalist themed works – essentially an eclectic mix of the Asian arts for visitors to purchase.

https://chelseaantiquesfair.co.uk/

V&A Hallyu! The Korean Wave

The last Saturday of September saw V&A open the landmark exhibition Hallyu! The Korean Wave – the first exhibition of its kind to celebrate the colourful and dynamic popular culture of South Korea, following its early origins to its place on the global stage today. From K-pop costumes and a newly revealed interactive K-pop dance challenge, to K-drama and cinema props and posters, alongside photography, sculpture, fashion, video and pop culture ephemera, the exhibition invites visitors to delve into the phenomenon known as ‘hallyu’ – mean ing ‘Korean Wave’. Hallyu rose to prominence in the late 1990s, rippling across Asia before reach ing all corners of the world and challenging the currents of global pop culture today. It explores the makings of the Korean Wave through cinema, drama, music and fandoms, and underlines its cultural impact on the beauty and fashion industries. The exhibition features around 200 objects across four thematic sections – including some loans never seen in the UK before – alongside pop culture ephemera and digital displays.

www.vam.ac.uk

IKKS Paris

Founded in 1987, French fashion and lifestyle brand IKKS Paris opened its first UK Flagship store in Carnaby Street in Spring 2022. Known for their sophisticated, urban style and rock ‘n’ roll attitude, IKKS Paris’ AW22 collection is a based on a fusion from different eras, cultures, genres, styles, influences and heritages; it consists of seven different themes running across womenswear, menswear and kids.A second store opened in the Royal Borough at 109 King’s Road in June, which carries the womenswear and junior lines. Founded in 1987 by Gérard Le Goff, IKKS stores include a lounge area and complimentary coffee for customers as well as regular in-store brand activations including style sessions, talks and personalisation. Favourites include signature leather pieces - from biker jackets and combat boots, to their iconic 1440 handbag - as well as chic tailoring, sportswear and limited edition collections. www.ikks.com

Cambridge Footlights at Hen and Chickens

Martha French is the director and producer of Dirty Laundry, a sketch show by ex-Cambridge Footlights troupe Meat & Two Veg that debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer and which, after a sell-out run and an array of four and five star reviews, is transferring to Hens & Chickens Theatre from 16th-17th October. Meat & Two Veg are a comedy troupe that specialise in character-driven, observational sketch comedy, drawn to the whimsical and the wacky. They have been writing and performing together since 2020, and their sketches, characters, and songs have featured in over thirty shows across their time at university, including their first solo show Out for Delivery, a postal-themed array of sketches, character monologues, and comedy songs, debuting in October 2021 to a sold-out audience. With previous performances described as “always slick and well paced” (Varsity), and “perfect comedy” (The Bubble), DIRTY LAUNDRY is not one to miss. Instagram @dirtylaundry_fringe and Twitter @dirtylaundry_22

A RUNDOWN OF NEWS AND THINGS THAT INTRIGUE US FROM THE WORLDS OF ART AND CULTURE, ALL HANDPICKED FOR THE ROYAL BOROUGH RESIDENT

Hangar 136 at Bicester Heritage

Bicester Heritage welcomes the latest Specialist business to its unique site with dynamic classic car dealership Hangar 136. Established to help bring the wonders of classic motoring to the next generation of classic car owners, Hangar 136 offers a young enthusiastic experience for customers looking to buy or sell a classic car, and is set to base its operations at Bicester Heritage. Driven by the excitement and passion of its two young founders in broadening the accessibility of classic motoring, the company works with carefully selected partners to drive the business’ mission for ward. From classic car finance specialists Charles & Dean, to leading warranty provider Warrant ywise, it customers a comprehensive range of bespoke finance packages, as well as three-, six- or 12-month curated warranty options for each car.

www.bicesterheritage.co.uk

Karaca x Chalayan

The Turkish brand Karaca featured at Design London this week, among a well-curated selection of international design brands. The homeware company is showcasing their collaboration with visionary designer Hussein Chalayan to 12,000 visitors from all sections of the media, interior designers, and architects. The resulting Karaca X Chalayan is a limited-edition collection of architecturally inspired tableware, the first in the world to be crafted from fine pearl. Karaca X Chalayan was awarded Best Tableware at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022. Comprising two six-piece sets, for dinner and breakfast, the collection’s elegant, yet simple designs cater for today’s lifestyle choices.

The Karaca X Chalayan collection is available online and will soon be available at Karaca’s first UK store, launching in London’s Islington Square this November. www.karaca.uk

Doc’n Roll in the UK

Doc´n Roll Film Festival returns to big screens nationwide this autumn for its 9th London edition, and a 13-city tour – Birkenhead, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield – offering a truly UK-wide programme of premiere music documentaries. An experience-led festival, it brings its events to life with live Q&As with directors and musicians, special DJ sets, afterparties and post-screening gigs. This year Doc’n Roll will screen a hand-picked selection of 23 fea ture-length documentaries and 9 shorts from around the globe, with both in-cinema and online offerings, and multiple world, European, UK and London premieres of highly anticipated films. A programme of musical discovery highlighting major artists and unsung heroes, cult icons and underground subcultures, Doc’n Roll puts a dazzling range of rhythms, musicians and music scenes in the spotlight, and showcases stories from the worlds of electronic, folk and punk to the landscapes of soul, psychedelia and jazz.

Tickets on sale via https://www.docnrollfestival.com/films/

Sweet Streams

The latest device to join iFi’s mid-level NEO Series is a music streamer/DAC that delivers class-leading versatility and performance. Now that Digital streaming is the primary method by which music is consumed, iFi’s NEO Stream makes maximum sense. It is built from the ground up to deliver optimal versatility and sonic performance. It combines the latest version of iFi’s exceptional network streaming engine with a superbly engineered DAC stage; combine it with the amp and speakers of your choice and it will deliver a level of audio streaming performance previously unattainable without spending much more than its £1,299 price tag.

www.Ifi-audio.com

Documentary Defining the Zeitgeist of the Ecological Crisis

The Colour of Transformation is a large-scale film project by artist Bryony Benge-Abbott, a British-Trinidadian visual artist whose practice sits at the intersection of, science, spirituality and social justice. Through the metaphor of butterfly metamorphosis, the documentary shares new perspectives on nature from seven Global Majority women pioneers in land justice and bi odiversity conservation. The project is supported by Butterfly Conservation, the William Morris Gallery and Patagonia and features contributions from Miranda Lowe CBE (Natural History Museum), Rhiane Fatinikun (Black Girls Hike), Chantelle Lindsay (CBeebies), Nadia Shaikh (Right to Roam) Orphy Robinson MBE (British jazz multi-instrumentalist), Bumi Thomas (singer-songwriter) and more. It will be screened during Black History Month from 27-29 Octo ber at Meanwhile Gardens, London W10 for more information and to reserve free tickets visit: bryonybengeabbott.com/thecolouroftransformation

Operation Centaur Launches New London Clinic

Covid 19 acted as a worldwide wake up call to step up mental health services and support in all areas of life. Fortunately, most of us will never need to be hospitalised for mental health treatment but in times like these, the incredible healing effect of horses comes in very handy. Leading equine assisted psychotherapy operators Operation Centaur have designed a week ly day clinic programme running over eight weeks using horses as the core method of their delivery. The programme consists of equine-facilitated mindfulness, psychotherapy, processing and educational work. Horses are incredible facilitators of this work and enable people usually inhibited by a clinical environment to feel much more at ease. Horses speed up a patient’s exploration and understanding because they are extremely sensitive communicators without the need of language – put simply Horses enable us to do what we have always done – get there faster. The day clinic (10am-3pm) is a weekly group event that runs for eight weeks. Each week sees has a specific theme and each day consists of four elements: mindfulness, equine-assisted psychotherapy, processing group and psychological education. The fee for the full programme is £2,995 Next intake for the day programme is 26th October.

www.operationcentaur.com

Frieze x Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane has been named the official hotel partner of No.9 Cork Street gallery - Frieze’s exhibition space, based in one of London’s most historical art streets. Frieze is the world’s leading platform for modern and contemporary art for scholars, connoisseurs, collectors, and the general public alike. In October 2021, Frieze launched No.9 Cork Street, a hub for visiting international galleries in the heart of Mayfair, London. The partnership between the Hotel and Frieze’s gallery, No.9 Cork Street, will begin in October 2022 to coincide with Frieze Art Fairs – Frieze London and Frieze Masters. To celebrate the partnership, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane will offer guests booking Speciality Suites complimentary tickets to the Fair’s VIP days. VIP tickets will offer guests special access and entry to the Fairs at times that are not open to the public for optimal viewing. Following the Fairs, the partnership will continue year-round, offering Hotel guests exclusive art viewing experiences. These include access to private tours with No.9 Cork Street’s gallery director Selvi May Akyildiz, and coveted invitations to private-view events throughout the year. www.frieze.com/no9-cork-street

Kings House on Kings Road

Opening officially on Friday 14th October, King’s House is a new restaurant, bar and garden that is set to bring laid-back dining, al fresco socialising, and late-night cocktails to a beautiful expansive space on the King’s Road. Named after its iconic location it is a return to a familiar site for the venue’s co-founder, Ashley Letchford, who once co-owned its previous incarnation, The Jam Tree and has now teamed up with hospitality entrepreneur Clive Watson for this new project. Updating the venue for a discerning audience, Ashley has worked with drinks expert Anna Sebastian (The Langham, The Savoy, Adam Handling Restaurant Group) and renowned chef and Masterchef winner, Dhruv Baker to create an elevated British-Basque dining concept that taps into Chelsea’s vibrant going out scene whilst bridging a gap between an incredible food and drinks offering and a relaxed, fun environment. King’s House will have a soft launch period from 7th - 13th October, with an offer of 20% discount on all food for bookings during this time.

Classic Cars at H&H

H&H was founded by Simon Hope in 1993 as a specialist auction house dedicated solely to the sale of collectors’ motorcars and motorcycles. Some 29 years later, the company can boast a continuous trading history, which exceeds that of any UK or European rival. Its auction in October might very much be of interest to K&C residents since - H&H Classics Sale on October 19th will feature three stalwarts the first of which appeared in the Netflix TV series The Crown, about Britain’s royal family - 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V. It was one of only 516 Phantom Vs ever produced! Also featuring will be 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster and 1955 Aus tin-Healey 100 Modified to M-Specification.

www.handh.co.uk

New Hotel in Shoreditch

Multi-award-winning hotel brand Bespoke Hotels is adding to its already impressive portfolio with the launch of Sun Street Hotel in October 2022, a brand new five-star property in the heart of London. The boutique hotel is situated on the borderline of Shoreditch and the City of London and is only a five-minute walk from Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations. The core aesthetic of Sun Street Hotel is elegance personified, with extravagantly beautiful décor and finishes. Chef Stuart Cauldwell, previously known for his work at Borough Market’s Roast Restaurant, has created a stunning menu with a focus on seasonal, fresh produce from carefully curated suppliers while the service will be notably discreet and intuitively, five-star with attention to detail throughout. Unlike many central London hotels, Sun Street Hotel offers plenty of intimate spaces, so whether on your own or with a small group of friends, family or business associates, guests will be able to find a space that is perfect for the moment.

www.sunstreethotel.com

A Sense of Wonder

Launching mid-October and curated by Rob Dickins CBE, renowned British music industry executive, A Sense of Wonder: The Curious Robot World of Matt Dixon, will be presented at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery and is an audio-visual adventure that invites visitors into the im agination of digital artist Matt Dixon, who created his first robot character as part of the series Transmissions in 2006 – which was the inspiration behind the design of the O2 robot brand mascot, Bubl. Matt has been exploring this preternatural world ever since and this exhibition will not only present prints, canvas and sketches but introduce a cast of four-foot models, with some surprising interventions, plus an Augmented Reality (AR) experience that will bring to life some elements of the exhibition. With references to the environment, consumerism, mental health, and other aspects of modern life, visitors will encounter the robots as they experience and express the best of human emo tions: wonder, kindness, empathy, friendship, and love. www.mattdixon.co.uk

Leighton House to Reopen

The remarkable studio-house of Victorian artist and former President of the Royal Academy, Frederic, Lord Leighton will reopen on Saturday 15 October 22 following an £8m transforma tion. Situated on the edge of Holland Park, Kensington, Leighton House is famed for its opulent interiors, including the extraordinary Arab Hall featuring exquisite mosaic floors and tiles ac quired through Leighton’s travels to Turkey, Egypt and Syria. Designed by architects from BDP, Leighton’s Winter Studio, an extension of the original house supported on cast-iron columns and built at the end of the 1880s to allow him to work through the winter months, is now fully restored and integrated into the rest of the historic house interiors. The Entrance Hall has been reinstated as it was in Leighton’s day and a separate entrance to the house, specifically used by Leighton’s models, is also revealed for the very first time. The ambitious exhibition programme which will run throughout the year.

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/

If Only These Walls Could Talk

‘If Only These Walls Could Talk’ presents a new body of work from London-based Persian artist Maryam Eisler, shot at the fabled Hôtel Nord-Pinus in Arles. Photographed at the legendary hostelry amid the ghostly presence of Picasso, Cocteau, Callas, Chaplin, Hemingway, and Van Gogh, Eisler’s work explores the masculine and feminine tensions that the city has seen and lived over centuries.

During her stay at the hotel in 2021 between lockdowns, Eisler was drawn in particular to Suite 10 - the location of Helmut Newton’s iconic 1973 Vogue shoot with Charlotte Rampling. Not in replication or imitation, but rather to explore and to expand on the subject of ‘La Femme’ in the Now. Eisler continues in her new series to pursue definitions of the various facets of the ‘Sublime Feminine’ – a consistent explora tion of the artist into sensuality and the female gaze. We see mythical beauty captured through the prism of historical richness of Le Nord-Pinus in a magical dance between light and shade.

Suite 10 at the Hôtel Nord-Pinus was also the place where celebrated bullfighters, such as Luis Miguel Dominguín, greeted their adoring crowds from the balcony railings, and this series also pays reverence to a sport that has captivated generations of artists, poets, and writers, including Picas so, whose lifelong passion for bulls is well-documented in his work.

2 – 24 November 2022

Alon Zakaim Fine Art 27 Cork St, London W1S 3NG

www.alonzakaim.com

Images clockwise from above: Huitres, Coquillages et Crustacés

Il Etait Une Fois, Le Nord-Pinus Autant En Emporte Le Vent

Me, My Brain and I

Re-imagining the human brain through art. A group of artists from around the world have come together to contribute to Me, My Brain and I, a collection of brain sculptures to be auctioned off for Parkinson’s UK. Theatrical effects artist, Schoony, has created life-sized fabricated brain sculptures for participating artists to use as a blank canvas, as they were asked to consider what their brain means to them. Alex Echo, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in early 2020, is among the world-class artists who have designed a brain sculpture in their own distinctive style. Other artists include Tracey Emin, Gavin Turk, David Bailey, D*Face and Conrad Shawcross.

The brains were first exhibited at The Other Art Fair in London in October 2021. In November this year, the works will be going un der the hammer at world-renowned auction house Christie’s via a livestream, and will be sold to the highest bidder, with all money raised going towards our vital work towards new treatments and a cure.

Exhibition dates: 28 – 30 October 2022 Koppel X 48 Regent’s Street, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1B 5RA

Auction: 9 November 2022 Via the Auction Collective website www.theauctioncollective.com

Images Clockwise from top: David Bailey, untitled, 2021. Rob & Nick Carter, Silver Lining, 2021. Tracey Emin, You f*ck my brains

time,

Zoe Hoare: A Moment in Time

Not far from Frieze London and Frieze Masters you will find this year a wonderful exhibition at Rhodes Contemporary, by Zoë Hoare, a recent mas ters graduate Fine Art at City and Guilds of London School of Art, interested in the dual processes of deconstruction and reconstruction, specifically in how surfaces such as paper can be taken apart and reassembled through their cutting and rearrangement.

Hoare aims to establish an uncanny harmony between the destructive technique of cutting and the often-delicate outcomes which emerge. She noticed that an interesting transformation takes place when something dimensional is wrapped or covered in a semi-translucent material, instant ly making it appear flat and image-like. There is a sense of illusion here, as the image is not what it first appears to be. As the veiled object makes contact with its frosted Perspex skin, light is allowed to pass between the two and the folds and incisions are illuminated as if from within. A visual language plays itself out from underneath creating what is perhaps best described as a ‘surface tension’.

This conceptual and creative process is the running theme throughout Hoare’s work. In all the pieces, a cutting action creates voids and portals to spaces beyond, and Hoare aims to draw attention to what exists above and below the surface and to allow the viewer to perceive the otherwise invisible.

12 – 16 October 2022

Rhodes Contemporary Art 61 Great Portland Street, London W1W 7LL www.rhodescontemporaryart.com

Images: Zoe Hoare, Film (above) Zoe Hoare, Peach Moon (right)

The Carpenters’ Line: Woodworking Heritage in Hida Takayama

This autumn, Japan House London, located at the heart of Kensington High Street, presents The Carpenters’ Line: Wood working Heritage in Hida Takayama. This brand new exhibition explores the art of master carpentry, from Japan’s well-known woodworking region.

The exhibition celebrates the essence of Japanese craftsman ship through the story of an enduring woodworking heritage cultivated in the densely forested Hida region of Gifu Prefecture in central Japan. From the raw materials of the Hida forests and the tools developed to work them, to the involvement of Hida craftsmanship in global furniture design of today, visitors to the exhibition will be immersed in extraordinary craftworking legacy.

The city of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture has maintained a vibrant woodworking tradition for over 1,300 years, developing in that time an international reputation for its highly skilled carpenters. First recorded in the eighth century CE, the wood working skills of these craftspeople were provided to the impe rial capital in place of taxation, such was the importance placed upon the carpentry techniques originating in Hida. It was the extraordinary skill of these Hida craftspeople that built many of the famous shrines and temples still seen in the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto today.

Today, the practice of woodworking still thrives in Hida, with internationally renowned workshops well known for their collaborations with international designers, the results of which can be seen in museum collections across the globe.

Visitors to The Carpenters’ Line encounter a series of installa tions demonstrating the legacy of skill and innovation that runs as a continuous strand through Hida’s woodworking history, focussing on woodcraft techniques and materials, technology and innovation, and products.

The Carpenters’ Line runs from Thursday 29 September to Sunday 29 January 2023 at Japan House London, 101 – 111 Kensington High Street. Admission is free, and guests are invit ed to book their visit at japanhouselondon.uk, or simply to drop in. A series of exclusive themed events and workshops will also accompany the exhibition, further details of which can be found on our website.

www.japanhouselondon.uk

Japan Week Festival 2022

Japan Week Festival 2022 at the Lexus Takumi Townhouse

When: 26 October – 1 November 2022

Where: The Lexus Takumi Townhouse, Stables X, Seven Dials, 40 Earl ham St, London WC2H 9LH https://www.japanweekfestival.co.uk

Japan Week Festival will be running from 26 October to 1 November 2022, as a celebration of London’s growing Japanese food, drink and cultural scene. Venues taking part in Japan Week will be offering special menus, supper clubs, complimentary drinks or specially crafted cock tails, include Kanada Ya & Machiya, Behinana, Pantechnicon, Tokyo Sukiyaki Tei, Moshi Moshi, School of Wok, Novikov, The Aubrey, and Duomo.

Lexus will be holding a range of Japanese pop-up experiences dedicated to design and craftsmanship in the Lexus Takumi Townhouse in Covent Garden, which is inspired by a traditional Japanese house. The Lexus immersive space will comprise of one-off unique activities and experi ences which reflect the spirit of omotenashi (hospitality) which is central to the brand, such as:

Christoph Spiessens, a certified mindfulness coach and published author, leading free Lexus mindfulness taster sessions, introducing meditation techniques and influences.

Screenings of the film “Takumi: a 60,000 hour story on the survival of human craft, a feature that explores how Japanese craftsmanship endures in a world that is increasingly powered by artificial intelligence. KANPAI sake tasting: Kanpai co-founder Tom Wilson and his team will tell the story of how they set up the UK’s first sake brewery, describe the

production process and present a seasonal limited-edition sake. Ueshima Japanese coffee lounge, with sessions hosted by a coffee master.

Tattoo artist Claudia de Sabe will create a water tiger mural and talk about how she is able to apply her tattooing skills to different art forms. Origami expert, Coco Sato, will run free workshops teaching the basics of paper-folding techniques, including how to create flowers, shapes, and animals.

Visitors will also see the craftsmanship and fine materials that Lexus applies to its cars, with the all-new NX450h+ plug-in hybrid on display at the Takumi Townhouse.

Restaurants participating in Japan Week include:

Pantechnicon:Toyama Sake Supper Club on the 1st November M Threadneedle Street: complimentary Japanese inspired cocktail Tokyo Sukiyaki Tei: free Sukiyaki Egg when ordering a portion of Suki yaki

Machiya: complimentary glass of sake School of Wok: 10% off all Japanese classes

Apothecary East and Koji: special Japanese cocktail Benihana: special set menu on offer Novikov Restaurant & Bar: two special dishes and two cocktails Ginza St. James: special ‘Spring Kyoyu’ Japan Week Festival Menu

For restaurants offers, please visit: https://www.japanweekfestival. co.uk/offers

Frieze Sculpture

Frieze Sculpture has returned to Regent’s Park, curated by Clare Lilley (Director of Yorkshire Sculpture Park) for the tenth consecutive year. Featuring a line-up of 19 international artists, the celebrated public art exhibition is open until 13 November 2022 – so whether you visit during the week of Frieze London and Frieze Masters itself, or take a stroll at leisure as the temperature drops into winter, there is plenty to see as always.

Frieze Sculpture is free and open to all, and brings together the world’s leading galleries to celebrate the creative spirit of the city. Frieze Sculp ture is also collaborating this year with two major public art initiatives, the 11th edition of Sculpture in The City, an annual exhibition of con temporary art placed among the striking architecture of the City of Lon don, and the Mayor of London’s Fourth Plinth Programme in Trafalgar Square. Together, they will form Sculpture Week London, a city-wide celebration of public art featuring work by 38 artists.

The 2022 display engages with a number of themes; works by Robert Indiana, John Giorno, John Wood and Paul Harrison, and Tim Etchells are structured as texts, conveying messages that merge poetry and political messages. The poetic-political plays out further in the work of Péju Alatise and Ro Robertson, whose gazes turn to female and non-bi nary healing in nature, and Shaikha al Mazrou, Beverly Pepper and Ida Ekblad create ambitious sculptures that are charged with the sensibility of women. The importance of coming together – as community and as a social voice – is conveyed in works by Marinella Senatore, Pablo Reino so, and Ron Arad. Finally, as our world looks with uncertainty into the near future, works by Alicja Kwade, George Rickey, Emma Hart and NS Harsha conjure the universal and spiritual, whilst folklore and mytholo gy are explored by Matthew Darbyshire and Jordy Kerwick.

Our picks:

Ugo Rondinone, yellow blue monk, 2020

Presented by Gladstone Ugo Rondinone’s yellow blue monk (2020) is part of the artist’s recent “nuns + monks” series. These works explore the transcendence offered by the natural world, and through colour, form, and mass, evoke an alto gether contemporary version of the sublime.

Péju Alatise, Sim and the Yellow Glass Birds, 2022

Presented by kó Art Space Sim and the Glass Birds (2022) is the latest installment of the artist’s ca reer-long preoccupation with exploring the world of marginalised young girls through ambitious sculptural representation and Yoruba mythol ogy and folklore. Sim & The Glass Birds is the visual response to a story Alatise herself wrote about a young girl who constantly escapes to a dream world where she is safe and finds rest, away from the troubles of an earthly world that cages her ambitions, relegates her to inferior citizenship, and declares she has no rights.

Ron Arad, Dubito Ergo Cogito, 2022

Presented by Osborne Samuel Gallery

Dubito Ergo Cogito, or I Doubt Therefore I Think, is a fusion of two designs, one by Arad and the other by renowned French sculptor Rodin. Arad envisioned the French artist’s renowned Thinker sculpture sitting in his Thinker chair and began creating replicas and representations of it. Arad urged his friends to sit and pose on the chair, which resulted in additional design progress. Finally, he created a sculptural form featur ing indentations of the Thinker’s bottom and feet.

John Giorno, SPACE MIRRORS MIND,2022

Presented by Almine Rech

Exhibited for the first time, this work is from the late series entitled ‘Stone Poems’: a found glacial granite into which a poetic phrase is engraved. It portrays the dynamic between the intangibility of language and the solid materiality of stone. Similar works were shown in 2017 at the Château de Versailles outside Paris as part of “Voyage d’hiver,” an

exhibition organized by the Palais de Tokyo.

Robert Indiana, Imperial LOVE, 1966-1971

Presented by Waddington Custot

Self-proclaimed ‘painter of signs’, Robert Indiana converts text into sculptures, referring to them as ‘one-word poems’. His most iconic, ‘Love’, is a theme he returned to time and again.

Until 13 November 2022

The Regent’s Park

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The 12-month programme, combining advanced diagnostic tests with expert help and advice, is now being offered for a newly reduced price of £295 and aims to provide more detail about your current health status, help identify any risks that could impact you in the future, and offer guidance on how to enhance your health and wellbeing moving forward with some positive changes.

Sexual health screening with same day results

Anyone with mild or no symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STI) can keep a check on their sexual health with discreet testing at a Randox Health clinic. For just £95, you can test for 10 common infections including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Herpes Simplex I, Herpes Simplex II, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urelyticum and Chancroid.

The service promotes regular screening, which can help to detect an infection at the early stages and, in turn, reduce risks of further complications. A test report will be provided via email breaking down the results, which are received on the same day, along with what they mean and next steps.

Long Covid Health Assessment

We all know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

With many admitting that they just don’t feel right post COVID, suffering fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, difficulty sleeping and mood changes. When asked how you are, it’s often difficult to explain that although COVID-19 is gone, you just don’t feel the same.

We can’t change the fact you have had COVID-19, but a Randox Health Long Covid health check will keep you well informed of vital areas within the body. This ‘How Are You’ assessment provides a review of your current health status, examining specific biomarkers linked to areas such as heart health, kidney health, thyroid health, and tissue damage, as well as gaining an understanding of your current overall health.

Why you should invest in your health

Diagnostic testing is the key to understanding our physical and mental wellbeing. Whether you want to understand a specific health concern better, or learn more about your current health status, Randox Health is for you.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that at least 80% of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes could be prevented and that up to 50% of all cancers are preventable. Your health matters, so take this opportunity to get a detailed picture of your current health and identify early risk factors that could impact you in the future.

In addition to the health tests mentioned we also offer smaller packages for specific health concerns including male hormones, female hormones, nutritional health, and genetic tests for risk of hereditary cancers, hereditary cardiac conditions, coeliac disease, lactose intolerance & genetic haemochromatosis. With state-of-the-art clinics conveniently located in Chelsea, Chiswick, Fulham and St Pauls it’s never been easier to take control of your health. Start your journey with Randox Health today by visiting randoxhealth.com.

LOVEDAY Kensington

This Spring, a tremendously special and beautiful new building opened its doors in the heart of the Royal Borough, purpose-built to enhance the lives of a particularly demanding, yet equally deserving clientele. Our worthy Mayor, Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, cut the ribbon, and a ground-breaking and truly extraordinary establishment was at last able to start providing its invaluable service. Loveday & Co, the dedicated operator of specialist memory care in the U.K, provides residential home care, respite and day club environments, all thoughtfully designed to meet the ever-changing needs of dementia sufferers, their carers and loved ones.

Those who have previously enjoyed a high standard of living in attractive surroundings, expecting and appreciating the best in everything from fine dining to cultural stimulation, social events to spa treatments, are not going to be required to compromise those high standards here. Whether your stay at Loveday Kensington lasts a matter of years, days, or merely hours, your individual needs will be warmly met by the loyal team of expertly-trained smiling staff, and your experience there will be the very best that they can make it.

Having reputedly been established in 1685, Number 2 Kensington Square is London’s oldest garden square, and undoubtedly one of its loveliest. This latest addition to an outstanding architectural corner of our borough is reached discreetly by way of a Grade II listed archway. Once inside, you are met by a sloping, meandering, naturally wheelchair-friendly path, leading you down to the large glass doors of the welcoming entrance. On every side your senses are soothed by the trickle and gurgle of a water-feature, the rustle and scent of carefully chosen planting, and pleasant and unthreatening statuary. Inviting seating here and there encourages residents and visitors to refresh their spirits in the open air.

First impressions are always important, and never more so than when it is crucial that a visitor with any level of dementia feels relaxed enough to be happy and willing to enter. Everything you have already seen prepares you gently to be even more pleasantly surprised by the cosy and good-looking interior, painted and upholstered in calming colour-combinations, with well-stocked bookshelves, fresh flowers and a flickering fire.

On my visit, Alina, the Director, made me a delicious flat white coffee, and I could have gladly curled up indefinitely with one of the magazines or newspapers on offer – but there was so much more to see.

It goes without saying in these testing times that their precautions against any of their vulnerable members catching Covid are fuss-free but thorough, with state-of-the-art testing equipment on the premises to facilitate this. Innovative technology is key to providing unobtrusive ways of making sure that everybody is safe. Sensors detecting movement can trigger soft lighting to guide you at night-time, and throughout the building the lighting changes subtly through dawn to dusk, so that even spaces without natural light are attuned to reality.

There are countless inspired ideas which have been developed to help people with dementia deal with everyday struggles in a positive way.

But to those of us fortunate enough to have only a very basic grasp of the particular problems being addressed, the overall impression of Loveday is simply one of comfort, even luxury.

There are 40 beautifully appointed private suites, a gorgeous 80-cover restaurant and bar, a lovely library area and cinema room, not to mention the spa and wellness areas, exercise and recovery rooms or the beauty and hairdressing salons.

There is an abundance of natural light, with windows and glimpses of greenery galore, and many of the suites have their own private outdoor spaces. The crowning glory is the roof-top terrace café, which overlooks the garden square, a delightful space for socialising and relaxation.

A special activities and games room accommodates all kinds of guided sessions, art and poetry proving particularly popular, even with people who didn’t think they’d like it! There are also regular discussions of the news of the day, and politics in general, which research has found to be incredibly helpful in keeping the mind active and focussed. The many planted areas provide opportunities for therapeutic gardening. But there are plenty of places simply designed for sitting and watching what everyone else is up to, without feeling compelled to join in if you are not in the mood.

Nothing has been left to chance, and everything has already been tried and tested with great success at the original Loveday centre on the King’s Road. It proved so popular that two more are being created, in Notting Hill and Abbey Road. There is no danger that expansion will result in a drop in their Ritz-like standards… the highly-qualified teams have a very low staff turnover, and really do feel like family. Everyone involved takes pride in offering this much-needed service, which truly goes ‘above and beyond’ normal expectations. They will be more than happy to go into more detail, tell you more and show you around, should you be looking into the kind of five-star experience they have developed, for a member of your own family. I wished I could have stayed for lunch in the charming dining room – it was beginning to smell very appetising just as I was leaving.

Contact: Ellie Gould, Senior Membership and Community Manager +44 2045792914 info@lovedayandco.com 32a, Thurloe Place, London SW7 2HQ

Susan Saunders

Handmade in Britain

One of the UK’s longest-running Contemporary Craft Fair by Handmade in Britain returns for its 15th edition at Chelsea Old Town Hall in a hybrid format

What To Expect

Handmade in Britain is delighted to return to Chelsea Old Town Hall from Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 November for the 15th Edition of its flagship contemporary craft and design fair, Handmade Chelsea. Taking place in the form of a dual model, both in-person and online, to increase the accessibility of British craft and expand our reach. Guests across the world can do their Christmas shopping either in-person or remotely from the comfort of their homes whilst discovering beautiful contem porary handmade products. This Virtual Fair will also feature engaging live sessions, designer-maker’s Q&A sessions, demonstration videos and exclusive discounts for registered guests.

Key Dates and Information

Private View Evening

Thursday 10 November, 18.00 – 21.00 Invitation only and ticket available to purchase; £24.00 Open Ticket includes entry to Private View

PUBLIC OPENING

Friday 11 – Sunday 13 November, 11.00 – 18.00 (Sunday until 17.00), Pre-booked tickets and on-the-day tickets available

General Admission: £10.00 (On the door £12.00) Concession*: £9.00 (On the door £10.00) (*Concession ticket holders must present valid ID) Free entry for ages 14 and under with any paying adult and a carer Early bird tickets: Adult £8 / Concession £7 until 30 September 2020 Venue: Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, London SW3 5EE

FAIR HIGHLIGHTS

Over 100 talented UK-based designer-makers will exhibit their work in a huge range of disciplines from ceramics and glass, jewellery and fashion, prints and textiles, to sculpture and wood. From Helen Chat terton’s lovely City map printed silk scarves, Pippin Scott Leatherwork’s bags, WayWood’s handcrafted exquisite furniture to POMARIUS’s bronze sculptures and, Terry Macey’s must-have fashion clothing to Ulli Kaiser’s unique beaded jewellery, there will be something for everyone

and visitors will have a range of products to shop, browse and commis sion for themselves and as Christmas gifts whilst meeting the makers themselves.

EMERGING TALENTS

This year, as well as featuring established designer-makers, we will be welcoming Lucinda Goulden’s handcrafted self-care brushes and wood en home decor pieces. Puro Ceramics signature handmade homeware, Jukju Glass’ miniature plant glass sculptures, ethical jewellery designer Etta Burton and Timber Robot Studio tactile furniture.

A full list of Handmade Chelsea exhibitors is available at handmadeinbritain.co.uk/event/handmade-chelsea-the-contempo rary-craft-and-design-fair/#Exhibitors

CRAFT WORKSHOPS

For the first time ever at the Chelsea show, we have some exciting craft workshops lined up for the visitors. Holly and Eleanor, a mother and daughter duo of Wee Bothy Art, will offer 2-hour workshops on linocut printing where visitors can design, carve, and print their own lino block to make Christmas cards and take them home.

Justine Lee from a sustainable knitwear brand Ossian Knitwear will teach how to knit sustainably and run a knitwear repair workshop. The workshops will last from 1.5-2 hours and tickets are available through our website. Limited spaces are available for each workshop op, prices are £40.

ARTISAN FOOD AND DRINK

There will be a range of Artisan Food producers - boutique craft spirits maker Artisan Drinks, and a choice of tasty handmade pastries and salads from Hush Hush Chefs, Bees With Stories, the first brand of bee products exclusively sourced from Africa to name a few.

Book early bird tickets for Handmade Chelsea now at: handmadeinbritain.co.uk/event/handmade-chelsea-the-contempo rary-craft-and-design-fair/#Buy-Ticketschelsea and register to attend The Virtual Craft Fair for FREE at interact.handmadeinbritain.co.uk.

WORLD CLASS GAMING IN KENSINGTON

Located in the heart of London’s most prestigious Royal Borough, Forty Five Kensington offers a dining and gaming experience that sets new standards in style and sophistication.

Sample the delights of our luxurious restaurant, offering fine dining with an inspiring menu of dishes from around the world. Equally as impressive as the menu is the level of service, with our team of highly trained staff attending to your every need.

After your meal, enjoy a drink in the relaxed surroundings of our elegant bar or feel the excitement of the Kensington Gaming Floor and experience the best in gaming where you’ll find all your favourite table games and state-of-the-art electronic gaming machines.

Whether you’re a discerning gamer wanting to take your skills to the next level, or simply looking to enjoy an evening of first class dining and entertainment, Forty Five Kensington promises to go above and beyond every expectation.

Open 2pm - 5am, 7 days a week Restaurant open 7pm - 1am, Tuesday - Saturday www.fortyfivekensington.co.uk

Forty Five Kensington, 45 Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2EF +44 (0)20 7589 4041

Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa, Cognac

After spending one long weekend in Cognac, it surprises me that it has slipped under my radar for so long. However, after years of lockdown, when so many of us are looking closer to home for a getaway, our Euro pean neighbours could really be the first port of call. True, staycations and UK hidden gems can be just the remedy – but, sometimes, a slight shift in temperament (et la gastronomie) is what’s needed.

Cognac is neither extravagant or showy, but quietly proud. And re gardless of whether you class yourself a Cognac drinker (I didn’t think I was, but then Cognac proved me wrong), the story and history of the Charente region, with Cognac at the heart, is one to inspire and delight.

Some history: During the early part of the 19th Century, Cognac counted few buildings and warehouses, but there was a growing pressure to keep up with the increasing demand for its stocks of ‘eau de vie.’ This incred ible new growth in the market was then eradicated by the phylloxera crisis from around 1875, which wiped out much of the crop across the region. Throughout this challenging period, it was through innovation, cooperation and collaboration – all of which thriving today – that the Cognac and Cognac-related industries could survive as they did.

Now, world-famous brands such as Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Camus and Martell fly their flags in the town, but it is also worth exploring the much smaller, family run houses, including the wonderful Raison Personelle, run by husband-and-wife team Sabine and Bertrand de Witasse. After moving from Paris in the 1990s, they created their Cognac from scratch, combining modern charm with age-old methods. With just two copper stills, one wood-fired, their production is a true labour of love, such that they only release one cask at a time – an output of fewer than 500 bottles a year.

And it isn’t just Cognac that is made in the region – products such as the Baume de Bouteville stand out as markers of this very special, uniquely collaborative ecosystem. Since the nineteenth century, the Bouteville has been produced exceptional condiments, aged in old cognac barrels, and their frankly delicious balsamic vinegar is made from mature grapes in order to achieve its authentic flavour.

So, where better to stay to explore all this than the Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa? Created at the site of Maison Monnet, a huge industrial produc tion complex with buildings existing from 1838, the hotel has – with the help of architect Didier Poignant – brought back to life a magnificent site of cultural significance, transforming it into a haven of peace and elegance.

One of its most stunning architectural wonders is also now the place to find a restaurant of Michelin-starred acclaim. ‘Restaurant les Foudres’ is located in the former ageing cellars of the Monnet cooperage, listed as part of France’s industrial heritage, and the restaurant pays homage to its industrial past and former function. Enter the restaurant through the impressive “Chai Cathédrale” (Cathedral wine cellar), almost 9 metres high, and dine amongst the ancient Cognac barrels in the building’s his toric ‘chais’ (cognac cellars) for a 7-course tasting menu extraordinaire. New Head Chef Paolo Boscaro, previously at the two-star Anne-Sophie Pic at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, combines sensitivity with technicality in all his work, paying respect to the produce to reveal its textures, fragrances, flavours and colours in dishes both exquisite and exciting. After dinner, within the old vault of Maison Monnet, jazz bar ‘The 1838’ offers an extensive range of some 220 Cognacs, from more than 40 producers.

Layered with the architecture, it is Javad Marandi, proprietor of Soho Farmhouse, who has transformed the site into a luxurious 5* hotel. Decorated with fine fabrics and natural materials, The Chais retain all the charms of a historic building alongside the rich cultural heritage and modern aesthetic. Each room, suite and apartment is a tranquil haven, and guests can also enjoy the gym, spa, hammam, indoor/outdoor pool and treatments. Special thought in every detail, the buffet breakfast includes both a Full English and make-your-own acai bowls – or why not have a luxury breakfast ‘treasure chest’ brought to your room? And if you would like to explore the vineyards en plein air, the hotel provides the XO Madame experience – including a Citroen 2CV drive through the region and a picnic, carefully put together by the hotel chefs.

Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa is Cognac’s only 5* hotel currently but having opened just 4 years ago it sets the bar high for any who dare to follow. A true renaissance masterpiece.

Nightly rates at Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa start from €260 per room, room only. Flights from London to Bordeaux or La Rochelle. For more information, please visit www.chaismonnethotel.com/en/

By Tani Burns

Maslina Resort, Hvar, Croatia

poolside menu but at mealtimes, choose a la carte or go for the chef’s tasting options. A wide selection of wines and spirits, includes local options, as well as classic and craft cocktails.

Hvar is one of those gems of the Adriatic, pine trees, deep blue sea with craggy hills and Venetian villages. The Greeks and Romans were here, attracted by its beautiful and strategic location. In recent years it’s gained some sort of reputation as a party island and indeed, in the capital, the summer months throb to the sound of cool beats.

Yet at the Maslina Resort, fifteen minutes away, near the UNESCO listed town of Stari Grad, the old capital, all is peace and quiet. The only sounds are the sea, birdsong and the occasional ferry. It’s situated in a wonderful location overlooking Maslinica Bay with views of the sea and the islands beyond. You’re surrounded by nature with the scent of rosemary and sage perfuming the air.

The architecture fuses classic Mediterranean styles with contemporary French touches and the integrated interior design is inspired by the Adriatic Sea, salty summer breeze, pearly white rocks, and dense green forest. Rather than one large building, accommodation is in small low rise pavilions, clad in wood to blend into the environment. They’re clustered around the pool and each has its own lift and stairs to give it a boutique feel.

There are 33 rooms, 17 suites and three private villas. Some of the suites and all the villas have private pools. I stayed in a Panoramic Room with the king sized bed facing the wide terrace overlooking the Adriatic. Wall to ceiling glass doors mean all is light and airy - you’ve heard of infinity pools, but with the sea view, these are infinity rooms.

Muted beige rugs cover the wooden floors and here’s a large desk behind the bed, supported by a chunk of white Brac Island stone. The designer wardrobe is like a triptych altar screen, which can fold in on itself if desired. It contains a fridge, kettle and even shoe racks. Soft drinks and water from the minibar are complimentary and the only thing missing is a Nespresso machine.

The main restaurant opens out onto the pool terrace with a long bar running alongside. Chef Massimo Cvek is from Istria and chooses high quality local ingredients to create pictures on a plate. There’s an all-day

Down the hill, close to the sea is A•Bay, an open air beachside hangout, great for watching the sunsets while sipping signature cocktails or champagne. It also serves Mediterranean tapas and small seafood plates.

In the heart of the resort are two heated pools - the expansive family pool area is great for soaking up the sun with a shallow zone for chil dren. Next to it is an infinity pool, opening out to stunning views of the bay. By the sea are sunbeds next to a small pebble beach and a ladder leads into the sea for a quick dip. A short walk away is the sandy beach surrounded by dense fine forest and a private sunbathing area.

The Pharomatiq Spa sits among native pines, medicinal herbs, and olive trees. It contains treatment rooms, a modern fitness centre, hair salon and thermal wet areas with indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. Mind ful Movement Classes include various forms of Yoga, Meditation, and Fitness classes. I particularly enjoyed the Yoga and Sound Healing.

20 minutes’ walk is the UNESCO listed Stari Grad, the ancient capital, great for trying local cuisine or boutique shopping. Hvar town, with its 16th century fortress, is 15 minutes’ drive away. Boat excursions to the nearby islands, snorkelling, paddle boarding, windsurfing and kitesurf ing are some of the most popular water activities on the Adriatic Coast.

The Maslina Resort website calls what they offer “Mindful Luxury” and they’re not far wrong. As a member of Relais and Chateau, they certainly know what they’re doing.

The rooms are spacious and airy plus the views over the bay are stun ning. The food is inventive, local wines surprising and cocktails inven tive. Best of all, although you’re on Hvar, all is peace and quiet.

More information: www.maslinaresort.com/ Split International Airport has regular direct flights from the UK and the hotel offers a private speedboat service taking around an hour.

Rupert Parker visits this luxury destination on the Croatian island of Hvar.

The Regent Porto Montenegro

Rupert Parker visits this new hotel development on the shores of Boka Bay.

An experience I will never forget is sailing into Boka Bay and dropping anchor at the UNESCO listed Kotor town, a perfectly preserved Venetian gem. The bay itself is known as the southernmost fjord in Europe, the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic in stark contrast to the forests cling ing to the mountains above it. So when I heard about the Regent Porto Montenegro I had to come back.

Just around the corner from Kotor, Porto Montenegro was once a Yu goslav naval base but has been transformed into a super yacht harbour with over a kilometre of west-facing waterfront. It’s a tasteful develop ment with designer stores peppered throughout the village behind the seafront.

The Hotel is modelled on a Venetian Palazzo, rising five stories high, topped with a terracotta roof. Its three wings flank a double height lobby area and all rooms are designed to feel like you’re on board a luxury ship. Hardwood floors and bespoke Mediterranean furnishings create a unique sense of place, and the walls are lined with original drawings from the former shipyard.

The sea is always present here, whether from the spacious balconies of your room, or right beside you when you’re dining on the terrace. Su peryachts come and go, emphasising the strong sense of exclusivity, yet it’s never too busy. Rather it feels like the definitive place to relax.

We stayed in in a Venezia Deluxe Room Sea View with a large open air terrace. This has stunning views of the Adriatic’s Boka Bay, glistening just beyond the window. Inside, clean lines, nautical-style furnishings and luxurious textiles in calming shades of blues and beige combine to create the perfect seaside retreat. There’s a linen canopy above the bed, resembling a sail.

The bathroom has a large tub and walk in rain shower, plus double wash basins and there’s a shipping style hatch if you want to communicate with the bedroom. A large LED TV, Nespresso Machine and complimen tary mineral water ensure a comfortable stay. What really impresses is the hardwood solid furniture, specially created for the hotel.

The Murano is the main restaurant and its chandeliers and mosaic art reflects the Venetian glass making tradition. It serves expertly crafted dishes that showcase the best seasonal produce. The menu centres around fresh seafood, prepared with locally sourced and organic herbs –all offering a distinctive take on the regional Adriatic cuisine. Seating is both inside and outside.

The Onyx Bar & Garden by Beluga sits next to the lobby beside the sea and is handy for a glamorous pre-dinner aperitif or an indulgent night cap. The Library Bar, with its sophisticated interiors, reminiscent of a traditional gentlemen’s club, provides the finest selection of a premium champagnes, cognacs and the Scotch whiskies. Complementing the club atmosphere is an extensive cigar menu.

The signature Regent Spa offers a wide array of treatments and a holis tic approach to rejuvenation, combining ancient traditions with fresh, organic ingredients. Facilities include three treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, Hamman and experience shower, fitness studio and nail salon.

The hotel has two 20m pools, one indoor the other an outdoor infinity pool. The separate Pool Club covers a swimming area of 600m² with four pools: a feature pool (273 m²) lap pool (208 m²) and two smaller children’s pools.

The hotel is situated in a retail village of over 55 stores including inter national and local fashion brands, independent boutiques, a day spa and hair salon. It’s surrounded by a series of waterfront restaurants and bars offering everything from traditional local cuisine to Italian, Mediterra

nean and Asian.

The hotel makes a luxurious base to explore the surrounding area, whether on foot, by bike or by kayak and can supply guides. Just nearby is the Nautical Heritage Museum with two Yugoslav submarines beached outside. A short cycle ride away is the Solila Special Nature Reserve, a wetland spanning 150 hectares and home to 111 bird species.

A particularly strenuous trail starts in Kotor and climbs up behind the town, alongside the city walls which tumble down the hillside. It was built for donkeys or mules so the gradients are not particularly steep until the final section but the stunning views are well worth it. Of course, relaxing in the Regent Spa, back at the hotel, is a just reward.

Information: www.regenthotels.com/portomontenegro EasyJet flies direct from Gatwick to Tivat, just 5km from the hotel. Dubrovnik (47km) and Podgorica (90km) both offer connections with charter and scheduled airlines

Sport of Kings

The surfaces of the lochs were, perhaps predictably, dimpled by a fine, mizzly rain as we drove the narrow, winding roads from Glasgow to Glencoe. Even so, some glimmers of sunshine held the promise of per fect running conditions: having gasped our way through the heatwaves of the summer, none of us were particularly desirous of high tempera tures.

Besides, the peaks and valleys of the Scottish Highlands lend themselves perfectly to moody magnificence. This is the land of Rob Roy, of William Wallace, of Robert the Bruce - and, more recently, of James Bond. It’s a land of heroes – which is what anyone participating in the Highland Kings Ultramarathon becomes.

Now gearing up for its second year, the Highland Kings is a 120-mile race, covered over the course of four days. With applications for next year now open, participants can expect six months of support and train ing from elite coaches, athletes, and nutritionists before convening in late April 2023. Perhaps because of this level of care, participants do not need to have competed at such distances before: as long as they‘ve previ ously bagged a 10k or half marathon, they’re likely to have what it takes.

Because what it takes, according to ultra runner, triathlete and perfor mance coach Anna-Marie Watson, part of the Highland Kings coaching team, is 90% mental strength.

“I have school reports saying that I was ‘timid’ in PE lessons, or had difficulty catching a ball,” she tells us, over a Zoom coaching session before we set out on a 10 kilometre trail run at the foot of Ben Nevis. Such comments hardly smack of the stuff that makes a 30-time ultra marathon runner - but, says Anna-Marie, it’s about “creating a mindset, and a new narrative alongside it.”

It’s a concept that I find fascinating: having long been an enthusiastic runner, I ran a marathon in 2018 and completely fell out of love with the sport. The idea that, with a bit of mental shifting, I might be able to participate in an Ultra is, quite frankly, baffling.

Yet the power of the mind is something with which Matt Smith, the event’s architect, is very familiar - a long career in the British Army, including six years with Special Forces, has shown him first-hand the extent to which mental grit, physical endurance, testing oneself and pushing limits connect.

Thus inspired by a desire to create an event for ‘ordinary’ people to do something extraordinary, Highland Kings is the first of its kind: an endurance event with high-end elements.

A new Ultra marathon event in the Scottish Highlands allows competi tors to challenge themselves in one of the most majestic settings in the world.

It’s not only the six months of support - support ensuring you start the race as mentally and physically equipped for the 120-mile slog as pos sible - that precedes the race setting Highland Kings apart from other events in the Ultra arena: it’s also the level of care, comfort, recuper ation and luxury that participants can expect to have their physically taxing days bookended by.

While some legendary Ultras - the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc and the Marathon des Sables, for instance - build sleep deprivation into their format, restorative care is integral to the Highland Kings event. Competitors can expect to sleep in lotus bell tents, each with a mem ory-foam-mattressed double bed, sheeted in Egyptian cotton. Sheep skin rugs provide an extra level of warmth and comfort - although, in keeping with the bespoke nature of the event, these are removed from the quarters of vegans. Other touches include personalised robes, a night light (for making your way to the lavatory block), as well as a crate full of toiletries, compression socks and homemade treats for blood sugar boosting. Two larger, communal tents enable racers to convene in comfort on Chesterfield sofas or, alternatively, to endure the private ministrations of a team of massage therapists and physios.

It’s an approach which has been met by mixed reviews from some members of the Ultra community: in the same way that many climbers dismiss those who climb Everest with sherpas and supplemental oxygen as ‘not real climbers,’ there have been those who feel that Highland Kings is ‘softcore,’ or only for those with money. However, as Anna-Ma rie Watson says, “money or not, we’re all just human and everyone has their own, often very personal, motivations for taking on a challenge of this nature.”

2022 athlete Sian Slater knows this to be true.. Having been through a difficult period in her early fifties, she saw a mention of the Highland Kings Ultra on a Runners’ World tweet and signed up immediately. It was an experience so rewarding that she is now set to compete in the 2023 event, soon after her 60th birthday.

“I couldn’t have been in better hands,” she says - not only because of the event organisers and the crew, but also because of the level of camara derie and emotional support she experienced from the other athletes. “That first cup of tea brought to you in bed by the butler each morning was one of the highlights of each day,” she recalls. “There was a level of care - including a hot water bottle tucked into your bed each nightwhich, as a mother and partner, I’d not been on the receiving end of for a long time.” She’s scornful of the idea that the event is an indulgence for those with means - yes, the £16,495 entry fee is hardly small change, but this includes the full six-month preparation programme, as well as everything at the event itself. “Considering the level of knowledge and support you have access to, this is more than a reasonable price,” she points out. “You’d never be able to benefit from the experience of such individuals at a price like this ordinarily.”

For her, the Highland Kings Ultra has transformed her confidence, self-esteem and self-belief, as well as creating friendships with people with whom she is still in contact. “I learned things about myself and my capabilities that I wasn’t aware of at the time, and I’m much stronger than I thought I was”, she says. “I can’t wait to go back in 2023 and see some familiar faces, as well as lots of new ones.”

www.Highland-kings.com

Race Kit Essentials

ENERTOR Energy run socks £12.99 enertor.com

HUX hydration From £6.40 Huxhealth.com

Jabra Elite 7 Active Earphones From £169.99 Jabra.co.uk

Magnitone Beat It Deep Tissue Massage Gun £90 Magnitone.co.uk

Magnesium bundle £26.95 betteryou.com

Unisex UA HOVR™ Ridge Trail running shoes £120

Underarmour.co.uk

Where Old Meets New

Rich in history and architectural detail, Wolterton Park provides a stay so magnificent, you won’t ever want to leave

The restrictions of the past few years have made our awareness of over seas travel as ‘privilege’ even more acute, but they may also have steered our wanderlust in another direction. ‘Staycationing’, perhaps seen 18 or so months ago as a welcome – and indeed, the only possible – change of scenery is now appreciated in its own right: for its airport avoidance; lack of luggage restrictions and autonomy in terms of travel times. It’s also, thanks to the fact that anyone who’s anyone owns a dog these days, a boon in terms of not having to arrange pet care.

Even so, not all holidays on home soil can wrap you in a silky swoon of delight. Norfolk’s Wolterton Park, however, can.

Our end-of-August stay in the Steward’s Cottage – one of six accom modations on the 500 acre estate, which also features one of the largest walled gardens in the country, as well as winding cycle or running paths and a lake - was just what our family of five (six, including the dog) needed, after a summer of scattered plans, clashing schedules, the anxious wait for exam results and the endless reminders to look up from screens. Driving through the main gates and down the tree-lined drive with the main property, Wolterton Hall, before us, even the dog stopped whining. Warmly welcomed by the House Manager, we were soon in our three-bedroom cottage and greedily foraging through a welcome hamper stuffed with cake, eggs, tea, biscuits, fresh bread, and preserves, before grabbing bikes, which we’d been told were at our disposal, to explore the Park’s vast grounds – and to jump into the canoes, tethered to the lake’s edge, for a late afternoon paddle.

Wolterton Park was built by Thomas Ripley in 1741 for politician Horatio Walpole, brother of Britain’s first Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole. Over 250 years later, it’s clear that the property was designed with thought and care – yet, at some stage, the Walpole family let it fall into disrepair. Shuttered up, its contents were largely protected from the effects of sunlight, but as a whole it was, we are told, ‘in need of some love.’

Fortunately, it has come into the hands of owners who are not only incredibly courteous, welcoming, and affable, but who also possess exquisite – and frequently eclectic – taste. Having bought the property in 2016, designers Peter Sheppard and Keith Day focused initially on generating an income through the holiday lets, in order to commence their meticulous restoration of the main house. This, although occupied as their private residence, can be toured by arrangement, either via the House Manager or an encounter with one of the pair, frequently seen wandering the grounds with their dogs.

Their dedication to restoring the Hall to its former glory is seen in the additional purchases the couple made from the Walpoles: the 3,000 books that line the library shelves, for instance, and the images of an cestral Walpoles that gaze out from the walls of the portrait room; other paintings have been bought from the original owners of the estate to sit atop the bespoke red silk panels that cover walls of the main dining room. Downstairs, the homely kitchen, complete with two islands and stainless-steel surfaces, has been designed to minimise impact on the bones of the building, and a lavish 18thcentury marble fireplace has been left intact.

Yet it’s not only in the main property where you witness the effort that’s been made to retain or showcase original details, while combining them with modern luxuries and conveniences. In the Steward’s Cottage, we revelled in Hans Grohe rain showers and thick white towels, and enjoyed the marshmallowy mattresses, period furniture and opulent carpets in the bedrooms. The cosy TV room, upstairs, featured a sofa that practically demanded you fling yourself upon it, beneath a porthole window and exposed, textured beams. The kitchen, complete with Smeg fridge, had a solid oak handmade kitchen with a central island, and leads out on to an enclosed courtyard, enlivened by a variety of potted plants.

The Park itself had more than enough to entertain and occupy us over the course of our three-night stay: when we weren’t happily ensconced in the Steward’s House or riding bikes through the grounds (accom panied by the disapproving bleats of grazing sheep), the walled garden provided the ideal setting for games of hide-and-seek, and the lake saw us setting off on frequently raucous canoe races, as well a ‘wild’ swim or two. Yet our position, near the North Norfolk coastline – designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – demanded exploration further afield. The Saracen’s Head, the Park’s nearest pub, was sadly closed on the nights of our stay; instead, we ventured into Cromer to eat at the delightful Lily-Mai’s, overlooking Cromer Pier, lit up like a jewel box beneath us. By day, the streets and beach alike heaved with day-trip pers and holiday makers, so – after the obligatory fish and chips - we drove to the vast and sandy Overstrand, enjoying a whole section of sand between groynes to ourselves, and staring up at the towering cliffs that back the beach as we floated on our backs in the summer-warmed water. That night, another fabulous meal was had at The Suffield Arms – a recommendation from Wolterton Park’s owners and one which, with its range of tapas dishes, seafood, paella and pizzas, was absolutely ideal for a family night out.

It’s not often that you stay in the grounds of a Grade 1 listed building and have a sense of being at home. Much as I’d love to think that some past-existence-me was to such a life born, there’s no getting away from the fact that Sheppard and Day have created something wonderfully special at Wolterton: a combination of a respect for history, prove nance, and elegance, with warmth, comfort and - in the expansive grounds - a touch of unmanicured wildness.

woltertonpark.co.uk

Sarah Rodrigues

KCR Curated

Nourish London’s ARGAN Anti-Ageing Peptide Serum (30ml)£32.00 ARGAN Skin Renew Moisturiser (50ml), £32.00 www.nourishskinrange.com Also at Wholesale Foods Market, Kensington

The Drift Gaming Bed in Small Double, Double and King sizes. Prices start from £1,799. www.dreams.co.uk

Pour Moi Laced in Gold Soft Body - Black/Gold £45 www.pourmoi.co.uk

Pour Moi India Long Sleeve Body – Black £49 www.pourmoi.co.uk

Pukka Mind Focus £24.99 pukkaherbs.com Also Amazon and independent health food stores nationwide.

Keen Jasper - Men’s Suede Trainer £94.99 www.keenfootwear.com

Sungod Sierras - GB SailGP Team Limited Edition £90 www.sungod.co

Liforme Cusomised Yoga Mat £160 www.liforme.com

Margaret Dabbs Pure Overnight Hand Mask and Luxury Treatment Gloves £30 and £10 respectively www.margaretdabbs.co.uk

Elephant Gin Miniature Tasting Set (£19.50) www.elephant-gin.com

Novel Mart Pumpkin Spice Hoodie £60 www.novel-mart.com

Eve Lom Radiance Repair Retinol Serum £145 www.evelom.co.uk

Musical ODD Ball £80 www.reverb.com

vVARDIS Whitening Collection Set RRP £157 www.vvardis.com

Bulgari Le Gemme Orom 100 mL/RRP £268 www.bulgari.com

Bulgari Magnifying Myrrh Essence 40mL/RRP £160 www.bulgari.com

Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart 59.99 www.leapfrogstore.co.uk

Vtech Magic Adverntures Globe £80

Kidizoom Print Cam £79.99 www.vtech.co.uk

The Gloss

Luxury Health & Wellness

Luxury health and wellness clinic The Gloss is located in the heart of retail district Knightsbridge on Walton Street.

Just a five minutes walk from Harrods, London’s iconic shopping destination and adjacent to Chanel, Brompton Cross, an outpost on the corner of Draycott Avenue, the clinic is perfectly situated for scheduling a beauty treatment in-between your shopping trip.

The female-founded wellness hub boasts a wealth of NHS-qualified doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychiatrists and nutritionists, marrying the opulence of Knightsbridge, whilst giving Harley Street results.

In the past, you’d often be required to visit a series of specialists –perhaps one for injectables, another for pigmentation, another for laser hair removal and so on. The Gloss is a one-stop-shop, making accessing the right specialists easier and ensuring that scheduling those all-impor tant appointments is more convenient. By grouping together its experts, The Gloss is able to offer a 360-degree approach to health and wellness, working to rebalance and refresh with personalized plans and an exten sive menu of beauty options.

Wellness is about more than just physical health. People often think about wellness in terms of nutrition, exercise, and weight management, however, it determines how we ultimately look, feel, interact with others and thrive in life and work.

Whether you want to treat your skin concerns or enhance skin health and well-being, The Gloss offers the most comprehensive range of treatments. As part of your health and wellness experience, its trained specialised analyses your skin issues and listens to your concerns, then recommending an individual treatment plan to correctly deliver the results you need.

The luxury women-led clinic accommodates various facilities for women and men, including state-of-the-art treatment rooms and an extensive offering of skincare and wellness treatments from rejuvenating facials to the infamous platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), also known as the ‘Vampire Facial,’ and ultimate hair loss treatment, to specialist cosmetic dermatology including advanced fillers and botox, liquid facelifts, medical grade chemical peels and microneedling to laser dermatology, including facial vein and rosacea treatments, scar and stretch mark frac tional laser treatment and photo fractional rejuvenation laser treatment and medical dermatology, including mole removal, subcision for acne scarring, skin cancer screening, lumps, bumps and rashes.

All treatments are carried out by The Gloss’s specialist team who have a wealth of over 25 years of combined medical experience. Constantly striving to provide unrivalled skincare, health and wellness to its A-list clientele, The Gloss has quickly become a home away from home for many royals, celebrities, editors, publicists and renowned businessmen and businesswomen.

Throughout, The Gloss adopts a minimalistic design approach, opting for creams, greys and olives, akin to that of a luxury 5* hotel or private members club.

Tin ceilings and stainless steel glass doors with bevelled glass comple ment the classical features with a modern touch. Satin, stainless steel door handles add to the sense of luxury, alongside the reclaimed marble tiling used to reclad the floor in the hallway and reception.

The best part? Its retail offering, The Gloss’s founder is a female power player who aims to support beauty startups. Beauty brands can now apply to have their products stocked in the luxury wellness clinic giving them access to high-profile clientele in the shop window of one of the world’s most recognised retail destinations. More details on how to apply can be found on The Gloss website.

As the first-ever destination dedicated to beauty startups and small businesses, The Gloss provides an exquisitely curated collection of the best and most sought-after beauty and personal care products from around the world. All tried and tested, each brand and product has

been personally approved by The Gloss’s board of qualified doctors and pharmacists.

“There are hundreds of incredible beauty clinics across London, how ever, we wanted to create one that not only helps women with their beauty and confidence but one that gives those same women a platform to present their beauty brands or products to high-net-worth individuals in Knightsbridge right by Harrods, Chanel and Isabel Marant to name a few. These women and their products will never be seen by beauty buyers otherwise,” says the founder of The Gloss.

With a portfolio of several beauty brands onsite, unrivalled state-of-theart equipment and a team of world-class experts, The Gloss is the beauty industry’s new community hub and a haven for women with every skin type and tone.

Website: https://www.the-gloss.com/

Duke + Dexter & Fracap Exclusive Collaboration

Fracap have made hiking boots for over a century – and with this collaboration, D+D have taken that historic know-how, combined it with a freshness from their own design lab in Hackney, London and turned the spirit of adventure to face winter in the city.

Every pair has been handmade in Italy, sharing the DNA that has made Fracap boots some of the best in the world. The exclusive collection has been equipped with custom Vibram soles, traditional hiker eyelets and finished in leather or water-resistant suede. There’s even a style that’s been made to leave footprints on the pavement, not the planet, with a Vibram sole made from recycled plastic and a vegan leather upper.

In true D+D style, this is a collection that’s been built with a real sense of purpose. Each pair has been designed to be more than just a robust boot that can conquer any terrain – the London footwear label has created them to give the wearer the ability to go anywhere, in any weather, and look damn good doing it. This trio of Hiking Boots are purposefully built to feel as comfortable and suitable up in the Dolomites, as they are on the streets of Dalston.

Archie Hewlett at Duke + Dexter said “Fracap is one of the greatest boot makers of all time, and teaming up with them has resulted in boots that can do pretty much anything. Along with their credentials being fit for taking on mountain paths, we’ve also made them ready to pound the pavement with modern fabrications, lightweight revisions and novel touches that make them relevant to your everyday style - whilst still retaining their world beating features”.

Duke + Dexter challenges expectations of what a British shoe brand can and should be - striking a balance between progressive style and familiar British charm.

Over the past 5 years, D+D has expanded from its London roots into a global community; working with athletes, musicians, artists, designers, photographers and pioneers who do things differently, who go against the grain.

D+D are big believers in making the most of what you own - buy once and buy right is a powerful mantra - and they want the way their shoes are worn to reflect that.

Since launching in 2015, D+D has received international recognition, selling to over 120 countries worldwide and working with reputable international retailers including Harrods, Selfridges, Nordstrom, Levels and Tsum.

A Winner at Draper’s 2017 & 2019 Footwear Awards as Premium Footwear Brand of the Year and nominated for Best Online Footwear Business in 2018, the brand has found favour with a credible celebrity clientele. Eddie Redmayne, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Timberlake, Jonah Hill, David Beckham, Snoop Dogg and Rihanna have all sported D+D’s - helping cement D+D’s position as a leading footwear label.

Available exclusively at www.dukeanddexter.com RRP: £290

LUXURY SPANISH PROPERTIES FOR SALE

Three new homes-from-home from Asturianproperties.com

1. PROPERTY IN LLANES, ASTURIAS. €4.8 MILLION

At this designer-acclaimed clifftop villa: everything’s planned – just arrive, relax, have fun. Wake up to wide sea vistas, stroll along your private clifftop – there’s no-one to bother you here. Yet, you’re only a 50m amble to the local unspoilt beach. There are three floors, all reached by the lift, plus seven bedrooms and bathrooms, two kitchens and dining rooms, a wine cellar, larder and laundry facilities too. You and your guests will be in awe of the surrounding mountain and marine landscape. Exercise in the indoor and outdoor pools, the jacuzzi, sauna, gym, tennis court, basketball and football pitch in 12,000sq m of grounds, including 948sq m of habitable space and a 108sq m terrace. In Llanes there are top restaurants, some Michelin-starred, and the Santander International Arts Festival or the Opera season in Oviedo are held here.

The villa featured in Interior Designs magazine shortly after construction, for its sleek lines and clean finishes. There’s also a garage for six cars, and an automatic pellet-drive eco-system which supplies underfloor heating, air-conditioning and heating for both pools. And, you can control all aspects of the villa when away via the top-of-therange remote system. The nearby A8 Highway, which links to all parts of Spain and Europe, is out of sight and ear-shot, while airports, ferry ports and other principal transport links are within an hour’s drive.

2. PROPERTY IN VILLAVICIOSA, ASTURIAS. €2.4 MILLION

Manicured wooded gardens set the 6,000m2 scene for this stunning stone manor house and pavilion. During its full restoration, 1996-1999, the owners took exquisite care to maintain the original features whilst implementing new foundations and a reinforced concrete solid core of pillars, slabs and beams, overlaid with the original elements of wood, stone and forged metal. It was a labour of love. Its 815m2 are on 3 floors.

Distribution: Ground Floor - entrance hall, living room with fireplace accessing the beautiful stone-pillared porch, sitting room with fireplace leading to the stone staircase, library, dining-room, wine cellar, kitchen-diner, utility, bedroom, bathroom, toilet. First Floor - 7 bedrooms (1 with living room). Second Floor - 4 bedrooms (1 triple with living room and small loft).All 11 bedrooms have en suite bathrooms and built-in wardrobes.The property is sold furnished.

Opened as an hotel in 2000, soon becoming one of the best rural hotels in Asturias, acclaimed by important travel critics such as Fernando Gallardo. This lead to it being listed in many sector reference guides: “Hoteles con Encanto”, “Turismo de Silencio”, “Michelin Guide”, “Special Places to Stay in Spain”, “Rusticae”, “Domus Selecta Aurea”; the prestigious luxury hotel association Relais Chateaux invited the owners to join the association, potentially making it the first hotel in Asturias to achieve such recognition. However, in 2005 it returned to being the owners’ private residence.

2008 debuted the celebration of weddings, that of a family friend. Such a success was it that the owners were inspired to integrate a pavilion into the garden sensitively and stylishly following English designs that combine stone, wood and glass. The 376m2 encompass the banqueting suite, professional kitchen, porch and dance floor, 6 rest rooms. Capable of hosting celebrations for 300. Very soon TELVA BODAS (the prestigious national wedding magazine) selected it amongst the 6 most beautiful locations in Spain.

Ideal as an exclusive home or a business with a high potential return on investment whose options range from a hotel with wedding or corporate events venue, and/or, since it has a professional kitchen, an elite restaurant. All these activities could be perfectly integrated to produce a highly profitable business. In its discreet private setting, the house can host up to 25 overnight guests and 300 private party guests.

Whatever the prospective buyer’s preference its location is second-tonone, with outstanding mountains and coast of stunning beaches and cliffs: Rodiles, La Griega, La Isla, La Espasa. Excellent A8 Highway communications to the nearby 3 cities, Asturias airport 72km and Santander airport and ferry port 148km.

3. PROPERTY IN VILLAVICIOSA, ASTURIAS. €950,000

Near Rodiles beach this traditional Asturian Palace in 4,000m2 stonewalled land with building permission. Family coat-of-arms adorns the 18th Century baroque-style palace, whose first floor is virtually all original chestnut flooring. A large stone barn, guests’ dwelling, and pigeon loft add to the 770m2 construction of 2 kitchens, 3 living rooms, 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms.

Ground floors - garages oozing potential. Palace’s first floor accesses its beautiful centennial arboretum gardens to garden house, BBQ, and WC. Just 2.8km to fabulous Rodiles beach, 6.6km to Villaviciosa market town. Communications: Asturias airport 70km eastwards, Santander airport and ferry port 150km west.

THE COMPANY

I am Miriam Malga-Smith and Asturian-Property.com is my business, the highly personalised online agency for English speakers world wide, based in London and Asturias. I am bilingual and have bilingual professionals to assist my clients through all stages of the sale/purchase of properties in Northern Spain. If you are interested in knowing more about Asturias and other regions in Green Spain, you will find more information at Asturian-Property.com, or please contact me personally via my email miriam@asturian-property.com or the following mobile numbers (+34) 639 170 320 or (+44) 754 575 6152.

Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster

Hennessey Special Vehicles, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer, recently unveiled its exciting Venom F5 Roadster.

Based on the Hennessey Venom F5 Coupe, the F5 Roadster is nearly identical mechanically, yet distinguishing the Roadster from its fixed-roof sibling are several attributes that set the openair model apart – physically, cosmetically, and emotionally.

Mid-mounted in the carbon-fiber monocoque chassis is Hennessey’s celebrated twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter, ‘Fury’ V8 engine rated at an astonishing 1,817 bhp. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a robust automated single-clutch gearbox. With a dry weight of under 3,100 pounds, the Venom F5 Roadster promises phenomenal performance… and an engineered top speed exceeding 300 mph.

Hennessey expects the Venom F5 Roadster to surpass the company’s own ‘world’s fastest convertible’ record – 265.6 mph –currently held by the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder.

John Hennessey, company founder, and CEO: “We created the Venom F5 to be the ultimate expression of a hypercar. The Roadster version takes the Coupe’s speed, exhilaration, and awe, plus a sprinkling of respect-inducing fear, to a new, truly visceral level that brings owners closer to the Venom F5’s extreme performance. Our 1,817 bhp ‘Fury’ engine screams behind the exposed cockpit, with its roar unobstructed by a roof – it is an unmatched automotive experience.”

Most conspicuous is the hypercar’s new roofline. In contrast to the F5 Coupe, the F5 Roadster’s roof has been re-engineered with a removable panel crafted from rigid carbon fiber composites. The single-piece roof is fully insulated against the elements and lined with soft Alcantara upholstery. The weatherproof panel is secured with four quick-release bolts and a pair of high-strength latches to withstand the hypercar’s staggering acceleration capabilities and aerodynamic forces at extreme speed. The lightweight roof panel weighs a mere 18 lbs (8 kg), making removal and installation easy for one person.

Owners may choose to store the panel in a bespoke Merino wool travel bag or as a standalone work-of-art on a custom-made, sculptural pedestal – devised by Hennessey’s in-house design team to enhance the ownership experience. The roof pedestal, crafted in carbon fiber like the roof panel, mirrors design themes from the Venom F5 Roadster. Viewed from above, its ‘blade legs’ trace the shape of the car’s rear decklid, while the side profile uses the hypercar’s bodyside air intake form for inspiration. In addition, the sharply angled, streamlined stand displays the ‘Venom F5 Roadster’ script on the front face of the base in the same eight-microns thin aluminum as the car’s ‘H’ nose badge.

The Venom F5 Roadster features a new tempered glass engine viewing window. This panel, in the middle of the rear engine cover, spotlights the massive ‘Fury’ V8 engine in all its glory. Its engineering was no simple task – developed and certified for use in jet aircraft. The sizeable glass panel can withstand aerodynamic forces exceeding 300 mph and temperatures

beyond 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (540 degrees Celsius). The detail is extraordinary – the engine viewing window is encapsulated within a removable carbon fiber engine cover that features intricately-milled heat extraction holes that match those in the rear bumper. Additional heat extraction is achieved by dual aluminum air vents, four on each side of the glass panel, which match the vents behind each front wheel.

The Roadster is further distinguished from its coupe sibling by its unique wheels. Forged from aluminum alloy and then milled to perfection, the lightweight wheels feature seven pairs of spokes, each resembling an elongated Hennessey ‘H’. Milled into the outer face of each wheel rim is the ‘Hennessey’ script, mirrored by the ‘Roadster’ script on the opposite side. Owners may opt to upgrade the Hyper Silver wheels to highly polished aluminum – this exclusive finish requires a painstaking process of hand polishing that takes weeks to complete. The wheels are secured with five titanium nuts, an alloy revered for its strength, heat tolerance, corrosion resistance, and extremely low mass.

Hennessey’s Venom F5 Coupe was engineered from the outset with an open-top version in mind, so only minor adjustments were required to deliver coupe-rivaling chassis rigidity, strength, and stiffness – this ensures that drivers may access the same crisp handling characteristics as the Venom F5 Coupe with or without the roof in place.

As with the Venom F5 Coupe, discerning Roadster buyers may specify any exterior and interior color combination or leave areas of the Venom F5’s carbon fiber chassis and body panels exposed. Opting for either a gloss or satin finish allows the stunning woven composite to be appreciated fully (pre-exposed areas of carbon fiber on the Venom F5 Roadster are standard, as they were on the Coupe). The same minimalist yet high specification of the coupe model is retained within the passenger cabin.

“It’s exciting to see the continued innovation from Hennessey from the test track to the road,” said Steve Reindl, President of Shell Lubricants Americas. “We share a passion for performance, and our co-engineering alliance provides us with an extreme testbed for Pennzoil in some of the fastest road cars.”

The Venom F5 Roadster will be manufactured in Texas in an exclusively low volume of just 30 units (this approach of guaranteeing a unique ownership experience saw the 24unit Venom F5 Coupe production run sell out shortly after its appearance at Monterey Car Week in 2021). Roadster production begins in late 2022, with validation of the model’s high-speed capabilities set to occur as the production rate levels out.

Hennessey Special Vehicles has priced the new Venom F5 Roadster at $3 million, with each of the 30 personalized examples individually commissioned to its owner. Potential buyers may find out more or express their interest at hennesseyspecialvehicles. com

Aston Martin DBR22

Aston Martin has recently unveiled its spectacular DBR22 - a V12engined two-seater coach-built design concept, celebrating the marque’s extraordinary bloodline of open-cockpit sports racers.

The creation of the DBR22 design concept, unveiled in California, is the latest in a long line of extraordinary projects expertly handled by in-house bespoke division, Q by Aston Martin, which this year celebrates a decade of building exclusive cars for the world’s most discerning customers. Iconic one-off commissions such as Aston Martin Victor, and low volume specials such as Vulcan - limited to 24 examples worldwide, and Vantage V600 - limited to just 14, are truly magnificent examples of these collaborations. It seems only fitting then, that the DBR22 design concept should also form the basis of a production reality example for an ultra-exclusive number of Q by Aston Martin customers.

By mating the classic art of coachbuilding with advanced materials and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, DBR22 is a perfect blend of design purity, engineering precision, heartpounding performance and true passion. A perfect celebration of Q by Aston Martin and its limitless potential. All underlined by the knowledge it is one of the rarest Aston Martins in the marque’s rich 109-year history.

With classic proportions and immaculate, muscular curves, DBR22 unashamedly speaks of tradition – specifically Aston Martin’s lifelong lineage of world-beating two-seater opencockpit sportscars such as the DBR1 and DB3S - but expresses it with a dynamic new take on this compelling theme.

DB3S represents an important piece of Aston Martin’s competition history. Introduced in 1953, Frank Feeley’s alloy DB3S body became known for its curves and aerodynamic efficiency, establishing Aston Martin as a serious Le Mans contender and scoring some impressive results along the way. DBR1, known as the ultimate Aston Martin sportscar, took Feeleys design language a stage further and became one of the most important, influential Aston Martins of all time - winning a number of notable races, the most famous of course being Le Mans in 1959, driven by Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, and taking the Aston Martin team onto the ultimate victory: winning the World Sports Car Championship in the same year (‘59.)

Eye-Catching Exterior

The DBR22 design concept showcases a completely new body from the designers at Aston Martin. Its exceptional coach-built form is created from a minimal number of body panels to create a more sculpted, muscular presence. The result: a smooth and effortless blend of exceptional drama and elegance, with several unique design features to compliment.

A particularly noteworthy feature is the entirely new front grille which incorporates a unique carbon fibre design in place of the usual veins seen on series production Aston Martins. This

design takes inspiration directly from the DBR1 and DB3S, giving a unique identity; one which clearly draws from Aston Martin’s heritage but uses this inspiration to create a truly contemporary design.

The bonnet features a dramatic horseshoe vent, recessed to aid airflow from the 5.2-litre V12 Twin-Turbo engine that sits beneath it. This long, unbroken bonnet line draws your eye back towards the cockpit, over the lowline wind deflector and delicate mirrors, which are mounted to the tops of the doors on slender, windcheating carbon fibre arms.

Sitting perfectly within the wheel arches is a set of all-new 21in alloy wheels. Featuring a unique 14-spoke design created especially for the DBR22, these lightweight wheels feature a motorsport-derived centre-lock hub, which is also available to spec from an extensive colour pallet.

The DBR22 design concept also showcases an entirely bespoke paint colour, developed specifically for the occasion using ‘Paint to Sample’ – an exclusive option available through Q by Aston Martin, demonstrating again the vast design possibilities attainable through the marques bespoke service.

Classic & Contemporary Interior

The DBR22’s cockpit continues the fusion of classic and contemporary approaches with many unique components and an extensive use of both leather and exposed carbon fibre. With architecture defined by the all-new dashboard and sleek infotainment displays, it sets the tone for a clean, uncluttered environment. Though taking inspiration from Aston Martin’s world-beating competition cars, the DBR22 is no bare-bones racer inside. Supple aromatic hides swathe the contemporary dashboard, the carbon fibre performance seats and extend over the tops of the doors to create an inviting hint of the interior.

Rising from behind the seats are twin nacelles which smooth the airflow behind the driver and passenger’s heads. At the rear, DBR22 design concept has an unmistakable horizontal light graphic courtesy of the slim, full-width light bar made specially for this application. Beneath it sits a perforated panel to allow hot air to exit the tail. This beautifully sculptural piece is yet another unique highlight of the DBR22 intriguing design. Together with the smoothly integrated diffuser and pair of large diameter exhaust tailpipes, the DBR22 has incredible road presence, perfectly capturing the raw emotion of the driving experience.

With an extensive options palette available through the celebrated bespoke service, Q by Aston Martin offers customers of all Aston Martin models the chance to create something completely unique. As well as paint colours and finishes, bespoke graphics through to tinted carbons and bespoke materials on both the interior and exterior, every Q by Aston Martin car can push the limits of design and desire and is completely tailored to the customer.

Potent V12

Thanks to an immensely potent 5.2-litre V12 Twin-Turbo powertrain the DBR22 backs-up its extraordinary looks with truly breath-taking performance; peak outputs of 715PS and 753Nm providing sufficient propulsion to accelerate the DBR22 from a standstill to 60mph in just 3.4sec and on to a top speed of 198mph/319kmh. With nothing but the slipstream between the

driver and this epic engine’s unforgettable twelve-cylinder howl, the DBR22 promises to be an intense sensory stimulation.

True driver connection

Dynamically the DBR22 targets true driver connection, with a chassis honed to deliver precision, agility and tactility in equal measure. Unique calibration of the engine and 8-speed paddleshift automatic transmission uses torque shaping to give the DBR22 a manner and delivery unlike any other model. A pinned steering column brings greater accuracy but also provides more detailed feedback so the driver can build a more accurate picture

of available grip.

Attention has also been paid to the DBR22’s chassis structure. Unique front and rear shear panels further increase tortional rigidity, with a bespoke calibration for the adaptive dampers providing precision and pliancy for a blend of body control and ride refinement that will make the DBR22 an absolute pleasure to drive - on road or racetrack.

The DBR22 also features a 3D printed rear subframe – the first time Aston Martin has introduced such a method. The component is made from multiple 3D printed parts printed from aluminium, which are then bonded to form the finished subframe. The advantages are clear, with a significant weight saving and no reduction in stiffness, plus the ability to make special parts for ultra-low volume models, where required.

Visit: www.astonmartin.com

Limited Edition 75th Anniversary Defender

A new limited-edition Defender has just been unveiled featuring an exclusive colour and unique detailing, to celebrate Land Rover’s 75th anniversary.

In 1948 the Series I was introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show and in the years since, the iconic Defender has become the most famous and acclaimed all-terrain vehicle in the world. One which has provided life changing support to countless charitable and commercial organisations on every corner of the earth, relying on its unmatched toughness, durability and go-anywhere/ tackle anything abilities. Such is its impact, and value, its enabled pioneering expeditions to happen, lives to be saved, species to be protected and vital goods to be carried.

Now in its eye-catching new livery, the Defender 75th Limited Edition has an exclusive exterior design theme with unique detailing, finished in iconic Grasmere Green paint with complementing wheels and interior finishes. It’s available in 90 or 110 body styles,

The exterior finish introduces Grasmere Green to the Defender line-up for the first time – a hue reserved exclusively for the 75th Limited Edition – with 20-inch alloy wheels also in Grasmere Green with matching centre caps and All-Terrain tyres. Completing the exterior enhancements are a unique 75 Years graphic, Ceres Silver bumpers and Privacy Glass.

Defender’s durable and versatile interior has received similar treatment, with the Cross Car Beam finished in Grasmere Green Powder Coat and laser-etched 75 Years detailing on Cross Car Beam end caps. The seats are finished in Resist Ebony, with the hockey stick on the centre console featuring Robustec material –the most robust fabric available on Defender.

Stuart Frith, Lifecycle Chief Engineer Defender, said: “Since revealing the new Defender, customers around the globe have fallen in love with it and demand remains extremely strong. This new Limited Edition captures the spirit of the past 75 years, with its colour and detailing, and fuses it with innovative new technology such as Hybrid Electric power, Configurable Terrain Response, software over the air updates and unrivalled all-terrain capability.”

The 75th Limited Edition is based on the high-specification HSE, with comprehensive standard equipment. Innovative technology includes 3D Surround Camera, Configurable Terrain Response, Meridian Sound System, Matrix LED front lighting, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, Head-Up Display and Wireless Device Charger with signal booster.

All 75th Limited Edition models also feature a Folding Fabric Roof or the option of a Sliding Panoramic Roof with roof rails, while superior comfort is provided by 14-way driver and passenger heated electric memory seats, heated steering wheel and Three Zone Climate Control. All vehicles have been pre-configured

to include highly desirable options including the Towing Pack, headlamp power wash, electrically adjustable steering column, Secure Tracker Pro and domestic plug socket.

Powertrain choices include the powerful and efficient P400e plug-in Electric Hybrid (PHEV) on 110 models, in addition to and the powerful D300 Ingenium diesel utilising Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology to optimise power delivery and fuel economy by harnessing energy normally lost under deceleration and braking.

The uniqueness of the 75th Limited Edition ensures its place as a highly collectible Defender, revealed alongside a new range of Land Rover lifestyle goods celebrating this historic moment.

The Lifestyle Collection shares the Grasmere Green colour theme and features a comprehensive range of goods including a minimalist unique watch featuring two straps, a functional backpack and clothing with unique 75 Years graphics and detail.

Defender has won more than 50 global awards, including Top Gear’s 2020 Car of the Year, MotorTrend’s 2021 SUV of the Year and Autocar’s Best SUV 2020 as well as a 5 Star Euro NCAP Safety Rating.

Land Rover was born with the launch of a single vehicle. Today our family of SUVs is testament to the pioneering spirit of innovation that has characterised Land Rover for more than seven decades. Our Defender, Discovery and Range Rover brand families provide unrivalled capability, versatility and luxury – the perfect foundation for another 75 years of success.

New Defender 75th Limited Edition starts at £85,995 for the 90, and £89,995 for the 110.

Available to configure at www.landrover.com

Ferrari SP51

The latest addition to the Prancing Horse’s One-Off series, the Ferrari SP51, has just been unveiled. This eye-catching beauty joins the most exclusive group in Maranello’s range of unique, bespoke cars crafted to the exacting specifications of a client showcasing the pinnacle of Ferrari’s customisation scope and range.

Designed by the Flavio Manzoni-headed Ferrari Styling Centre, the SP51 is a front-engined V12 spider based on the 812 GTS platform from which it inherits its layout, chassis and engine. At first sight, the stunning new car’s most striking characteristic is its total absence of a roof, making it an authentic roadster in every respect, accentuating both its sporty character and ability to captivate both visually and in terms of en plein air driving exhilaration.

Unsurprisingly, the SP51’s aerodynamics required meticulous honing in a process involving CFD simulations, wind tunnel and dynamic testing to guarantee not just the ultimate in comfort in the cabin, but also the same standard of acoustic comfort and wind feel as the car that inspired it.

The SP51’s styling is both powerful and harmonious, thanks to its seamlessly muscular, undulating surfaces. Its forms are modern, sinuous and sensual at once, in great part as a result of the extensive use of bare carbon-fibre both on the exterior and in the cabin. The trim on the bonnet is particularly striking as it dynamically frames the two air vents.

Another of the SP51’s most captivating features is its new Rosso Passionale three-layer paintwork – the colour was developed specifically for the car and gives it an elegant yet imposing character that also exudes authority. This impression is further enhanced by the blue and white livery inspired by a legendary 1955 Ferrari 410 S which not only runs the length of the car, but is also referenced in the interior.

At the front, specially-designed headlights give the SP51 an instantly recognisable and forceful identity all of its own. Also noteworthy are the wheels, which are specific to the car and have carbon-fibre wing profiles on each of the spokes which also feature a sophisticated tone-on-tone diamond-cut finish on the forward-facing section.

The rear of the car is dominated by an arched theme with the taillights inset below the spoiler. Immediately behind the cabin are two flying buttresses that are visually softened by two deep carbon-fibre scoops. Between these two elements stretches a transverse, carbon-fibre wing, the profile of which folds over the buttresses. The resulting effect is vaguely reminiscent of a Targatype car in which the flying bridge elegantly conceals the antiroll hoop, a nod to the solution adopted on Ferrari’s early-1960s Sports Prototypes.

That said, the very pinnacle of the meticulous honing process, in which the client was involved every step of the way, has to

be the cabin where dizzying new heights of craftsmanship and creativity have been reached. Its personalisation pivoted around two clever ideas: the decision to use the same Rosso Passionale colour custom-created for the exterior as the main colour for the Alcantara® trim, and the effective idea of extending the lengthwise exterior livery into the cabin. Its white and blue stripe, in fact, both appear on the central tunnel and the fascia between the two seats on the firewall, as well as on the steering wheel stitching, creating a sense of seamless continuity between exterior and interior in which the car’s roadster architecture played a vital role.

The special finish for the door panels, the lower section of the dashboard and the sides of the seats, comprising a blue Kvadrat® insert with white cross-stitching, also picks up the livery. Glossy carbon-fibre trim has been extensively used throughout the interior where it pairs very harmoniously with the Nero Momo Opaco elements. This stylishly elegant and authoritative look is further enhanced by several white embroidered details (including the Prancing Horse and car logo, also found on the lower rim of the steering wheel).

The Ferrari One-Off, SP51, was designed for a longstanding Taiwan-based client who is also one of our leading collectors. It is a successful roadster take on Maranello’s first front-engined V12 spider in 50 years. Its bold styling captivates at first sight. However, it brilliantly retains the signature elegance of its inspiration, the 812 GTS, whilst pushing the boundaries by offering a whole new way of enjoying en plein air driving.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

The Special Projects programme is aimed at creating unique Ferraris (the so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted according to the requirements of the client, who thus becomes the owner of a one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and is developed with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre; having defined the car’s proportion and forms, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before starting the manufacturing process of the new One-Off. The entire process takes around two years on average, during which time the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari sporting the Prancing Horse logo and engineered to the same levels of excellence that characterise all of Maranello’s cars.

www.ferrari.com

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

The new V12 Vantage Roadster has just been unveiled – a uniquely exciting and ultra-exclusive limited edition convertible production model with the thrilling performance of the most powerful Aston Martin Vantage ever made.

With production strictly limited to just 249 customer examples globally, with all examples sold ahead of release, the V12 Vantage Roadster boasts a compelling combination of dramatic widebody design, ground-hugging wide-track suspension and –for the first time in a Vantage Roadster - the mighty 5.2-litre Twin-Turbo V12 engine. With searing straight-line speed and the unfiltered howl of Aston Martin’s sonorous 700PS 12-cylinder engine, the V12 Vantage Roadster elevates the open-top driving experience to a scintillating new level.

Exhilarating Power

Key to its exhilarating driving experience is the powerhouse of the engine. Developing 700PS at 6500 rpm and 753Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, the quad-cam 60-deg 5.2-litre V12 is a true force of nature. With a power-to-weight ratio of 372PS-per-ton and an endlessly impressive delivery which combines effortless in-gear response with epic acceleration, every squeeze of the V12 Vantage Roadster’s throttle leads to an unforgettable adrenaline rush.

Accelerating from rest to 60mph in just 3.5sec and with a top speed of 200mph the V12 Vantage Roadster occupies the very highest echelon of open-top sportscar performance. With a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and mechanical LimitedSlip Differential (LSD) mounted at the rear, the car possesses the purity and balance of a front-mid-engined rear-wheel drive layout. An optimised transmission calibration minimises shift speeds and maximises driver interaction, while adaptive software in the transmission’s control system monitors operating conditions and driver demands to enhance the driver’s feeling of response and control.

Pure Driving Engagement

Sharing the same suspension hardware as the V12 Vantage, but featuring a bespoke tune for its adaptive dampers, the V12 Vantage Roadster’s dynamics have been honed to the keenest possible edge. The steering calibration mirrors that found in the V12 Vantage, to offer maximum steering feel and quick response, improvements which bring the car alive through corners and can be felt with every steering input.

Like the V12 Vantage, the V12 Vantage Roadster features powerful Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCB) as standard. Measuring 410mm x 38mm the front discs are gripped by 6-piston calipers, while the 360mm x 32mm rear discs are paired with 4-piston calipers. With much increased stopping power and tremendous resistance to brake fade at high temperatures, the CCB technology also makes a considerable 23kg of unsprung weight saving compared to steel brakes, benefitting steering response and ride quality.

In order to further reduce overall mass the V12 Vantage Roadster’s front bumper, clamshell bonnet, front fenders and side sills are made from carbon fibre, with the rear bumper and deck lid made from weight-saving composite material. Additional savings have been made with the adoption of a lightweight battery and a special centre-mounted twin-exit exhaust system fabricated from lightweight 1mm stainless steel. Tuned to ensure the V12 Vantage Roadster has a rousing voice to match its looks, this new system weighs 7.2kg less than the Vantage Roadster’s exhaust.

Exquisite Design

It’s an indication of the V12 Vantage Roadster’s monstrous performance that its dramatic form is driven by function. For example, the formidable physique of the widebody design is necessary to accommodate the widetrack suspension, which is 40mm wider than Vantage. The new front bumper design, complete with full width front splitter generates additional downforce and aerodynamic balance, while increased cooling is achieved by the reshaped front grille, which is 25% larger, and the ‘horse shoe’ engine vent in the bonnet.

Aerodynamic performance also informs the new sculpted singlepiece sills and rear bumper, which comes complete with integrated diffuser – the effectiveness of which has been improved by the routing of the centre mounted, twin tailpipe, exhaust system. In contrast to the V12 Vantage, the V12 Vantage Roadster comes without the dramatic rear wing as standard, though it can be specified as an option. Those who choose the more understated look can do so in the knowledge that aerodynamic balance is maintained thanks to detailed management of underbody airflow.

Final visual touches come in the form of impressive 21in alloy wheels, which are offered in two finishes, satin black or satin black diamond turned. An optional lightweight forged wheel option is also available in both satin black and satin black diamond turned, which saves a further 8kg of unsprung mass. Michelin Pilot 4S high performance tyres – 275/35 R21 front and 315/30 R21 at the rear – are standard fitment on all rims.

As flagship of the Vantage range, the V12 Roadster is fitted with Sports Plus Seats trimmed in full semi-aniline leather and featuring ‘Wings’ quilt and perforation pattern as standard. A carbon fibre performance seat with exposed twill carbon fibre shell and manual 6-way adjustment can be had as an option for those looking for the ultimate in dynamic design and maximum support for high performance driving, also saving 7.3kg without skimping on occupant comfort.

Personalisation at its best

V12 Vantage Roadster customers can further boost the exclusivity of their car by engaging the services of the marque’s bespoke personalisation service, Q by Aston Martin, for everything from striking exterior graphics and liveries to woven leather. With extensive use of exposed carbon fibre in its design, the V12

Vantage Roadster also lends itself perfectly to Q by Aston Martin: Commission’s range of tinted lacquers, which change appearance under different lighting conditions to make a spectacular feature of the hand-laid carbon fibre panels.

Visit: www.astonmartin.com

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