The Rutland Magazine - Issue 16 by The Cheshire Magazine & The Rutland Magazine

L I TT L E

A d v entu r es

Top travel products for your little ones

Un d en i abl y B RI T IS H

The iconic Dorchester Hotel

T h e O li ve

B R A NC H 25 years of culinary excellence

SKIN CAVIAR NIGHTTIME OIL

INDULGE IN THE LINE-SMOOTHING POTENCY OF CAVIAR, TONIGHT AND BEYOND

LA PRAIRIE’S SCIENTISTS EXPLORED THE UNCHARTERED REALMS OF THE NIGHT AND CREATED A NEW SWISS CAVIAR INCARNATION, CAVIAR RETINOL. A UNIQUE BLEND OF CAVIAR-DERIVED RETINOL AND LIPIDS, IT REVEALS THE ELUSIVE STRENGTH OF CAVIAR BEYOND LIFTING AND FIRMING.

THE INDULGENT OIL, IMBUED WITH CAVIAR RETINOL, UNCREASES, FIRMS AND SEALS –THE NIGHT’S LAST GESTURE.

Managing Director

Jack Bennett

Editor

Craig Hough

Editorial Assistant

Margaret O’Donnell

Contributers

James Fossdyke

Phil Aird-Mash

Kathryn Otto

Jamie McFadden

Design & Production

Kate Woods

A Not e Fr o m...

Summer just got even more glorious with the arrival of The Rutland Magazine. Whether you’re looking to spoil yourself with a well-deserved treat, unique gifts for friends and family, or looking to book a last minute holiday, we have just the thing for everybody.

We start our Summer edition at the iconic Dorchester Hotel to meet General Manager, Luca Virgilio who talks us through his favourite art pieces in the hotel’s vast collection, discusses the recent renovations to rooms and suites and reveals the close relationship the Mayfair hotel has with the royal family (p.21).

In Food and Drink, we take a look at Hidden Food Tours, a walking food tour experience based in Melton Mowbray that showcases the exciting, diverse and rich culinary offerings of the East Midlands (p.47) and we shine a spotlight on the The Olive Branch in Clipsham as the venue celebrates 25 years of culinary excellence (p.48).

Did someone say Summer holidays? This month we serve up tailored solutions for jet lag (p.37) and share our top travel products for your little ones (p.40). We also head to Adeje to meet Fernando Turnes, General Manager at Royal Hideaway Corales Resort (p.56), stop by Hilton Vilamoura Golf Resort and Spa in Portugal to discover a perfect Summer destination for golf enthusiasts (p.63) and enjoy a weekend away at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham (p.60).

Also this issue, Sakurrana showcases their elegant swimwear collection perfect for your beach getaway (p.28), we present the ultimate guide to Summer sparkle; introducing a host of exciting new jewellery releases (p.32) and introduce Ode to Joy Atelier in Stamford, the perfect place to find an ever-changing selection of fresh blooms as well as a curated collection of gifts, antiques and lifestyle goods (p.79).

The temperature has risen and Summer has officially arrived.

Team Rutland Magazine

Paten

Stamford

The

The William Cecil

OAKHAM Cavells

Dovetail

Equilibrium

Gladwell Patterson

Grainstore Brewary Tap

Oakham School

Otter’s Fine Foods

Sarpech

Smith Elliot Financial Management

The Admiral Hornblower

The Lord Nelson

The Old Wisteria Hotel

Stapleford Park

Hambleton Hall

UPPINGHAM

Crown Inn

Don Paddy’s

Scandimania Coffee Shop

The

Uppingham School

Welland

THE DAISY HERITAGE COLLECTION IN AMETHYST

Content s

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES

UNDENIABLY BRITISH

We meet the General Manager of the iconic Dorchester Hotel

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUMMER SPARKLE

Introducing a host of exciting new jewellery releases

HIDDEN FOOD TOUR

New luxury tourist experience launched in Melton Mowbray

REGULARS

MY LIFE

NFU Partner, Emma Westley shares her life with us

WHAT’S ON

The best events not to be missed in Rutland and beyond

3 OF THE BEST

Aparthotels to enjoy THE TRAVEL INSIDER The upcoming trends for your next getaway

STYLE

INTRODUCING SAKURANNA

Where luxury swimwear meets timeless elegance

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS

PLUNGE INTO CAVIAR

La Prairie’s latest limited-edition innovation

ASK THE EXPERT

Tailored solutions for jet lag

FAMILY

LITTLE ADVENTURES

Top travel products for your little ones

FOOD & DRINK

SPOTLIGHT ON

The Olive Branch’s 25 years of culinary excellence

TRAVEL

TIMELESS MEMORIES AWAIT

Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort

DRIVE

HIGH POWER

Is this the most powerful Range Rover model yet?

HOME

ODE TO JOY FLOWERS

Offering an ever-changing selection of fresh blooms in Stamford

COOL FOR THE SUMMER

Find your ideal companion for hot weather days

Mathilde Ruby and Diamond Eternity Ring

My life ...

EMMA WESTLEY, PARTNER & NFU GROUP SECRETARY, NFU MUTUAL RUTLAND & STAMFORD

How would you describe yourself?

Enthusiastic with a positive outlook on life in general. I have a big pull to help others, I suppose my background in insurance is my subconscious way to protect others.

Where is home? And work?

Home is in Leicestershire and I work in Rutland and Stamford, down St Mary’s, one of the most picturesque streets in Stamford.

What would you do to improve the area you live in?

Creating more community and fundraising events can significantly enhance the area we live in, by fostering a sense of unity, belonging, and support among residents. I’d like to focus on promoting small local businesses, fundraise for events to help meaningful causes in our community.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

A Blue Peter presenter! They were always inspiring role models full of enthusiasm and creativity with a great ability to engage with younger viewers. From outdoor stunts to thrilling experiences, it was the perfect ‘office’ to go to work to every day!

Name a few of your favourite places to be... Malta on a boat day with its crystal-clear waters and picturesque coastline, Verbier skiing in the Swiss Alps - I have the loveliest memories from there, paddleboarding and cycling at Rutland Water:

“

” I have a big pull to help others, I suppose my background in insurance is my subconscious way to protect others

it’s such a peaceful retreat to escape to. And my favourite place to eat has got to be Hitchen’s Barn in Oakham, it’s a charming restaurant known for its warm atmosphere and amazing food.

What or who inspires you?

Karen Brady. People who are brave and unapologetically themselves. By being unapologetically herself, Karen has shown that authenticity and bravery are key ingredients for success. People who admire her often appreciate her ability to navigate challenges with confidence and grace, while staying true to her values and convictions.

What was the last gift you gave someone?

My niece an 18th birthday hamper, I had so much fun putting it together, and she loved it too (phew!)

Who or what would you place in room 101? Wasps!

Your mastermind subject?

Gilmore Girls. I grew up with Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, and there was just something very heart-warming about their relationship– it’s made me the mum I am today. Also, their family drama… very relatable!

What’s been your biggest life lesson?

What other people think of you is none of your business. It’s a lesson that emphasises the importance of prioritising self-awareness, authenticity, and personal growth over seeking validation from other people. nfumutual.co.uk/stamford

WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH

What’s

Rutland Water Night Swim

Rutland Water

This August you have the chance to experience the thrill of swimming in open water underneath the stars. This unique experience will enliven your senses and create an atmosphere you will struggle to replicate. swimrutland.com

21 - 29 SEP

Rutland Food & Drink Week

Rutland Venues

Discover different eateries around the county during Food and Drink Week with a selection of promotions, special menus and events on offer.

Rutland is known as being ‘The County of Good Taste’ so come along and celebrate the excellent food and drink we have here, from our local suppliers and businesses. Visitors and residents are encouraged to eat their way around the county enjoying Rutland Food Week set menus. www.discover-rutland.co.uk

Defender Burghley Horse Trials

Burghley House, Stamford

Burghley House presents the world's greatest 5* equestrian event. Defender Burghley attracts fantastic crowds to witness exhilarating equestrian action alongside browsing the world-renowned shopping avenues in this truly stunning location. Three Day Eventing is a comprehensive test of the all round ability of the horse and rider, comprising Dressage, Cross Country and Jumping. burghley-horse.co.uk

10 - 14 SEP

A Chorus Line Birmingham Hippodrome

New York City. 1975. On an empty Broadway stage, seventeen performers are put through their paces in the final, gruelling audition for a new Broadway musical. Only eight will make the cut.

A Chorus Line is a musical masterpiece that revolutionised Broadway, with creator Michael Bennett using real-life testimonies from late-night recording sessions with dancers. Celebrate the lives of theatre’s unsung heroes, as they tell searing stories of ambition, shattered hopes, and what it really costs to follow your dreams. A Chorus Line features iconic songs including One, I Hope I Get It, Nothing and the hit ballad What I Did For Love

birminghamhippodrome.com

12 SEP

Will Young: Light It Up Live Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre

British pop star and actor, Will Young, is embarking on his most intimate tour yet to celebrate the launch of his forthcoming album, Light It Up, and he’s making a stop right here at Chelmsford Theatre as part of his 50 date UK tour. In this special evening, Will Young promises an up close and personal evening of acoustic performances, stories and conversation. stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

22 SEP

An Evening With Graham Norton Curve, Leicester

Graham Norton, the nation’s favourite talk show host and author, is taking to the road with a brand-new tour this autumn to celebrate the publication of his latest book, Frankie. Join Graham as he discusses the new book, shares hilarious tales from his star-studded sofa, and answers your questions live.

curveonline.co.uk

23 - 28 SEP

Hairspray The Musical Curve, Leicester

Featuring some of musical theatre’s biggest hit songs, Welcome to the 60s, You Can’t Stop the Beat, Good Morning Baltimore and many more. Hairspray is the hilarious, joyous, and inspiring musical for all! Join big hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle as they strive to change the world. This fun-filled show is bursting with show-stopping numbers and dizzying dance routines, come and join the beat because just to sit still would be a crime! curveonline.co.uk

6 OCT

Rutland Pet Festival Oakham Castle

Pet Stalls will be placed inside and outside Oakham Castle and ground with food and drink stalls for humans. There will be various, exciting competitions for your pets to enter. This is a great, fun event for all the family (and more importantly your pets!).

oakhamcastle.org

of The Best...

Aparthotels

When privacy (and a kitchen) are top of your travel wish list, these stylish serviced apartments tick all the boxes

City Suites

If you’re looking for a city break a little closer to home, Manchester’s luxury aparthotel, City Suites offers uncomplicated excellence and simple luxury in contemporary city centre accommodation. With two aparthotels standing proud in the up-and-coming Embankment West area, just across the bridge from bustling Deansgate, CitySuites is the largest aparthotel in the city The 5* apartments have everything needed to simplify the experience, from fully kitted kitchens to complimentary The White Company toiletries. Each CitySuites building has its own swimming pool, jacuzzi, and Matrix gym, as well as 24-hour concierge available to assist whenever you need. Embankment Kitchen is a modern seasonal restaurant and bar, and Embankment Cafe Co., offers artisan coffees and freshly made sandwiches and cakes. On the doorstep, you’ll find neighbours including Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, and the designer stores of New Cathedral Street – all within a five minute walk. citysuites.com

Cheval Maison - The Palm, Dubai

With a reported 17.15 million overnight visitors to Dubai last year, the demand for luxury accommodation continues to grow in the UAE. Cheval Collection has expanded its portfolio with Cheval Maison, The Palm Dubai, an all-apartment boutique property providing the ideal base from which to explore all that Dubai has to offer. Located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, 131 contemporary apartments provide all of the facilities needed for an indulgent sunshine getaway, or a longer-term stay. Each apartment is stylishly designed with a fully equipped kitchen, and most feature its own terrace or balcony, providing the perfect place to unwind and watch the sunset over the iconic Dubai Skyline. A 24-hour gym and rooftop pool provide an alternative for guests looking for something more active in their downtime. On the ground floor, guests and visitors will find Black Coffee by Cafe Younes, an all-day café and restaurant serving freshly-prepared international and Lebanese dishes. chevalcollection.com

Park Royal Serviced Suites, Jakarta

If Indonesia is high on your travel list, Park Royal’s Serviced Suites Jakarta offers unparalleled connectivity to Jakarta’s key attractions. Housed within the Thamrin Nine complex, in one of Indonesia’s tallest towers, you’ll have a lifestyle and entertainment mall, state-of-the-art sports centre, concert hall, and a myriad of amenities right on your doorstep. The 180-unit property offers a range of options including Studio Suites, One Bedroom Suites and Two Bedroom Suites with each featuring a fully equipped kitchenette and laundry machine.

Un d eniab l y

B R I TI S H

Standing tall in Mayfair, The Dorchester is a luxury London landmark and home for those who make the world turn. Kathryn Otto speaks to General Manager, Luca Virgilio

The Dorchester has long been a treasured British landmark and boasts an exclusive art collection. Could you talk us through the collection and any favoured pieces?

Since our renovation, we have collaborated with renowned art consultancy VISTO to curate a collection of contemporary works by British-based artists. This collection adorns the hotel’s newly designed interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon and Martin Brudnizki.

The inspiration for the collection comes from The Dorchester’s prime location, with Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens nearby. The artworks pay tribute to the British landscape tradition, reflecting the country’s rich history of garden and landscape design. This tradition dates back to the 18th century when England’s impressive gardens and manor houses attracted visitors from around the world.

We feel that the art pieces create a seamless

narrative throughout the hotel, offering guests a journey through a curated British landscape. Notably, two standout pieces (and also my favourite) are by Sophie Coryndon and Christian Furr. Coryndon’s work transforms the intricate details of a beehive into a golden masterpiece, celebrating the natural world and the hotel’s proximity to Hyde Park. Furr’s painting, on the other hand, depicts a vibrant scene of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, blending reality with imagination.

The collection extends beyond the lobby, enhancing The Promenade, the bars, and the guest rooms, making the entire hotel a canvas of contemporary art.

The hotel boasts a beautiful florist boutique led by designer florist Philip Hammond. What value does Philip and his team add to the overall presentation of The Dorchester? Philip and his team are extremely valuable to the presentation of the hotel. They worked to create our signature ‘Dorchester Rose’ which our guests love. It’s the perfect rose for The Dorchester, because of

its beautiful colour and blousy shape. Seven years in the making, the rose was created by Meijer Roses, a family company with a long tradition of creating the highest quality roses and selected The Dorchester to carry the name of this new variety. To achieve the desired characteristics of the perfect bloom, the research and development team at Meijer tested various blends of their popular existing Avalanche varieties. This specially selected rose is blousy in composition and has a pale blush colouring, with the pink tones developing as the rose opens.

Philip invests so much time in the presentation of the hotel and the lobby especially. We have two large urns on either side of The Promenade which take 3 hours in total to fill, with two team members making and one person directing and passing up flowers to the platform where we make the arrangements. The other arrangements along The Promenade take the other team members approximately 4 hours.

Each suite has its own individual look and feel. Could you tell us the design process and thought behind each suite?

Many of our suites have been renovated with the entirety of the rooms being finalised later this year.

To give a more general overview on the process, the interiors have been re-envisioned by design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon, who have seamlessly blended the 1930s glamour that runs so deep in our DNA with contemporary edge. The design draws inspiration from our prized position in Mayfair and the charming eccentricities are reflected through a fresh elixir of colours to enhance the heritage of the hotel. The guest experience has been modernised for a residential style of comfort, whilst embracing the defining elements of the property’s past, including British stage designer Oliver Messel’s signature lavish style.

Guests now walk into new light-filled, thoughtfully composed rooms and suites designed in varying colourways inspired by an English garden, from pale leaf green and rose fog pink, to heather blue and lemon yellow. Spanish Alarwool custom woven carpets adorn rooms and corridors, in keeping with the hotel’s signature carpet style, and select suites feature headboards hand-painted by de Gournay. Recognised for its classic English appeal, Colefax and Fowler’s floral fabrics enhance the walls and headboards in all guest rooms.

Our rooms and suites are designed to convey the sense of a luxurious private residence, they represent a decrease from the original 250 keys, which was to account for more spacious accommodation. Guests can now choose from 19 room types ranging from Superior, Deluxe and Executive Park View Rooms to Executive Junior Suites, signature Dorchester Suites, Hyde Park Suites and more. These are in addition to the Oliver Messel Terrace Suite, which is protected by the hotel and retains its 1953 stylish origins.

During your time at the hotel, you will have been a part of many high-profile events and evenings. Are there any memories you can share?

The Dorchester has always been seen as a place where the people who make the world turn come to meet, celebrate and enjoy each other’s company, so we have been fortunate enough to host many impressive events. In the two years since I joined I would say the two events that have stood out to me have been the party we co-hosted with ES and Perfect Magazine during Fashion Week last year to celebrate the reopening of the newly refurbished spaces. It was fun, vibrant and a truly captivating evening with a lot of exciting and glamorous people in attendance. The event was a true testament to our relaunch and revitalised energy we have brought into the hotel. I like to think we underwent not just a renovation but also a rebranding and repositioning and this was the big opening statement of our new chapter. Ever since we have attracted a much younger demographic while of course retaining the people who have loved the hotel across the years. The second one I am particularly attached to was the one we hosted this year in our Ballroom for the Pre-Oscars. It was so well attended and feel we brought some luck as four of the actors and actresses in attendance actually ended up winning Oscars. It was a lovely moment where everyone mingled in a very relaxed way knowing that their privacy was protected.

In 2023, The Dorchester unveiled an extensive refurbishment and was voted London’s best hotel in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. What changes were made to improve the hotel?

The newly renovated rooms and suites feature state-of-the-art updates that enhance both comfort and functionality. Among these updates are improvements to the sound proofing, air conditioning, and plumbing systems throughout the hotel. With the addition of new sound-absorbing materials, guests can enjoy a peaceful and tranquil stay without any disturbance from outside noise. The upgraded air conditioning system provides guests with customisable temperature control, ensuring optimal comfort. The modernised plumbing system not only improves functionality but also promotes sustainability, with water-saving technologies and eco-friendly features incorporated into the design.

We also revealed a new ground floor inclusive of the forecourt, garden, lobby, The Promenade, Vesper Bar designed by the legendary Martin Brudnizki, and the Artists’ Bar in January of 2023. The new Cake & Flowers boutique, also designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, followed in March 2023, and The Dorchester Spa in April 2023. The Dorchester’s penthouse suites will be relaunched following renovation, along with a permanent offering on the rooftop later this year.

The hotel celebrated the coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 by inviting leading British stage set designer Oliver Messel to decorate the hotel façade and did the same to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation. Was it important for the hotel to celebrate the coronation and what reaction did you get from visitors and the family?

Yes, it was very important for us to celebrate the coronation given the hotel’s rich history with the royal family. King Charles made his first public appearance at The Dorchester in 1970 and has since attended many times for charitable dinners and state banquets. The King’s parents were also very familiar to the hotel, his father HRH Prince Philip held his bachelor party at The Dorchester on the eve of his wedding and HM The Queen visited throughout her reign. The Dorchester has now celebrated three royal coronations, the first in 1937 for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, where special stands were built on the hotel’s rooftops for spectators to view the procession.

Our guests were thrilled with the celebration of the coronation as it gave them the chance to enjoy not only our façade but also the ‘Sovereign Martini’ inspired by The King’s favourite tipple, an open-air lunch to watch the Red Arrows Flypast on our rooftop, floral arrangements and more. It was such a great time to welcome our guests as they could also experience some of the newly renovated parts of the hotel.

Boasting three Michelin stars, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester is characterised by its contemporary French haute cuisine and distinctive fresh flavours. What would you recommend from the menu? It is difficult to find only one dish that is my favourite at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester as Jean Philippe

Blondet changes the menu every 45 days. This format keeps the experience exciting and encourages our regulars to keep returning to sample new dishes.

Jean-Philippe celebrates the technical brilliance of French cuisine in a collection of characterful dishes. Inspired by the changing seasons and the fresh provenance of his ingredients. I do not have a particularly sweet tooth when it comes to desserts but every time I dine at ADAD, I have to have the Rum Baba. It is without a doubt, the best Rum Baba in the world. If you come to dine here, you cannot miss it.

Hidden in the heart of your kitchens is the Wine Vault, holding over 1000 bottles. Could you tell us about the Wine Vault and the wine tasting evenings you host?

The Wine Vault is a modern and intimate space for a wine tasting for up to 12 guests, the Wine Vault experience is led by our head of wines Jason McAuliffe, who weaves insightful storytelling into each individual journey through some of our most exceptional wines.

The Wine Vault is submerged within our kitchens and adjoins the Chef’s Table where our executive chef creates fully bespoke dining experiences for guests. Almost 1,000 bottles make up the carefully curated collection of wines that line the walls of the Wine Vault. In the centre of the room is a bespoke handcrafted walnut wine tasting table, above which a dramatic light feature emits the optimal light setting required for studying the colour of a wine.

The wine tasting events we host include private wine tastings and masterclasses, wine tasting and food pairing masterclasses and wine dinners from producers across the world.

dorchestercollection.com

Skilful craftsmanship, iconic nuances and masterfully handcrafted details define the versatile and timeless style of the new creations from the Brunello Cucinelli and EssilorLuxottica eyewear collection. Lightweight acetate, horn and fine titanium silhouettes alternate in the sunglasses and optical frames, adding a touch of contemporary elegance to any look. shop.brunellocucinelli.com

W h ere Lu x ury

S wim wear meets T i meless E legan c e

Sakuranna, the epitome of luxury swimwear and resort wear, unveils its exquisite collection designed to empower women and exude timeless glamour. Inspired by the beauty of Sakura, the Japanese blossom season symbolising female mystique and renewal and embodies elegance, confidence, and the spirit of endless adventure.

Founder Anna Cer, once a successful model, has channelled her passion into creating inclusive pieces that empower women of all body types. Inspired by the tropical life and the spirit of adventure, Sakuranna offers stylish designs that make every woman feel sexy, confident, and beach-ready.

Sakuranna draws inspiration from the allure of the Sakura season, blending feminine mystique with the essence of tropical bliss. Each piece is meticulously crafted to capture the beauty of nature and celebrate the female silhouette, offering stylish designs that transcend seasons.

Crafted between the vibrant energy of London and the serene beaches of Bali, the Sakuranna collection epitomises sophistication and functionality. From sleek black bikinis to elegant one-piece swimsuits adorned with handcrafted rose blooms, every detail has been thoughtfully curated to maximise confidence and elevate elegance.

The Sakura Collection: Adding a feminine touch to staple bikinis, this collection includes triangle tops with adjustable ties and high-cut bottoms adorned with handcrafted rose blooms. In addition, a glamourous maxi dress featuring a thigh high slit.

The Golden Allure Collection: Pure elegance meets daring with statement pieces like the Scarlett One- Shoulder Dress and the sultry Anastasia One Piece in Noir. Complete your look with statement miniskirts, bandeau tops, and the signature Alysha Bikini Bottom both featuring custom gold hardware in either noir or frost. sakuranna.com

A New Chapter for a Rutland Classic

The latest addition to The Signet Collection, The Barnsdale has a fabulous new look, while honouring its rich history and local area.

A New Chapter for a Rutland Classic

The latest addition to The Signet Collection, The Barnsdale has a fabulous new look, while honouring its rich history and local area.

Laid-back Luxury

A refined yet relaxed boutique hotel, on the edge of Rutland Water, The Barnsdale is where quirky British sensibility meets authentic luxury. We blend the old with the new, the refined with the comfortable, and the local with the worldly.

Laid-back Luxury

Discover The Barnsdale

Discover

The

Barnsdale

Discover The Barnsdale

With 46 individually-styled bedrooms oozing with playful colours and textures, our stunning new brasserie 1760 and plenty of breath-taking spaces inside and out, The Barnsdale is the perfect place to relax and escape.

Discover The Barnsdale

Stay with us on a Sunday night and your food and drink is included! See website for details.

Stay with us on a Sunday night and your food and drink is included! See website for details. The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AH www.barnsdalerutland.com | reception@barnsdalerutland.com 01572 724678

Stay with us on a Sunday night and your food and drink is included! See website for details.

The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AH

The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AH www.barnsdalerutland.com | reception@barnsdalerutland.com 01572 724678

Stay with us on a Sunday night and your food and drink is included! See website for details.

www.barnsdalerutland.com | reception@barnsdalerutland.com 01572 724678

T he Ult i mate

Gu ide to Summe r Sp a rkle

Go for Gold

It isn’t just Team GB who are aspiring for golden greatness this Summer. You too can achieve your own piece of golden neckwear, elegantly transitioning from day-to-night, beachfront to dinner. Why not consider Tiffany, the Fifth Avenue icon, who present a double link necklace to their Tiffany HardWear collection, with interlocking golden links. Or for a more delicate, everyday feel head to Daisy Jewellery for their organic shaped Mother of Pearl Pendant, worn on a stylish twisted chain made from recycled silver and gold plated.

With Summer approaching and those flights just around the corner, it’s time to consider those poolside looks and we’ve got you covered as Jamie McFadden introduces you to a host of exciting new jewellery releases, providing the perfect travel companions

A Pop of Colour

The season of colour is the ideal time to showcase your gemstone collection. Fortunately, there are a number of exciting new additions emerging for 2024, including the luxury ‘Sole’ collection from Wirral-based jewellery designer Nicky Owens, who presents this 18ct yellow gold ring set with pink sapphires, green tourmalines and diamonds. Annoushka also introduces a suite of stylish rings for Summer, within their ‘Whoopsie Daisy’ collection featuring precious diamonds and sapphires nestled amidst undulating waves of gold, along with simple polished gold options.

‘Sole’ Sapphire and Tourmaline Ring, £POA, nickyowensfinejewellery.com

Making a Statement

In recent years, inspiring earring designs have become an easy way to inject personality into your style and some of the latest additions for this Summer will allow you to do just that. One of my favourites are the Ocean Shell Earrings from Edge of Ember, cleverly combining the shell motif with a pearl, a product of the waters. Mejuri have sought to go further with the bold hoops trend, introducing their ‘Stevie’ hoop in 18ct yellow gold with a detachable red enamel link that can be seamlessly interchanged with other colours from the brand’s collection.

Ocean Shell Earrings, £85, edgeofember.com

‘Whoopsie Daisy’ Stacking Rings, from £695, annoushka.com

Portofino Automatic 34 IW657601, £9,550, iwc.com

Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 IW459801, £6,050, iwc.com

Keeping To Time

Stevie Hoop Earrings, £198, mejuri.com

It is well known that there are two types of travellerthose that are early to enjoy the experience and those who sprint to the gate. Keeping to time is just as important on holiday as anywhere else. IWC Schaffhausen’s Portofino collection is ideally suited to just that, inspired by the laid-back lifestyle of the Mediterranean and the very essence of understatement and good taste. The IWC Portofino Automatic 34 is an elegant choice for ladies, presented in a range of dial colours and metal options, including some that add an extra layer of sparkle to your holiday looks.

Take off for a caviar summer with La Prairie’s latest limited-edition innovation. The House introduces their first caviar-infused mist to refresh, energise and smooth skin throughout the day, wherever your travels take you. Skin Caviar The Mist embodies the essence of a fresh summer breeze, promising to become your best travel companion. laprairie.com

VIVA VANILLA

Vanilla is having a revival and we’re here for it. Known for its sweet, soothing and sumptuous nature, it is no wonder people are searching for fragrances with this nostalgic note.

Contes De Parfums Dubai

An oriental gourmand fragrance as unique and exclusive as is its place of inspiration for perfumer Anne Flipo. Notes that make us savour, including Arabic sweet, spices and dates, which give the fragrance quality and exquisite taste. An intense background of exotic vanilla wrapped in an amber universe gives a great trail to the fragrance. £195 (100ml), harrods.com

Maison Noir Somnia 517

Created by perfumer Jérôme Epinette for Maison Noir, Somnia 517 is a rich, ambery eau de parfum. it relies upon carefully curated notes; bright bergamot opens the scent, while cistus, plumeria and jasmine lead you down a mysterious olfactory path to a grounding base of cashmere wood, black amber and vanilla. £180 (100ml), harrods.com

Health Beauty &

New Home Scent

Indulge in a new luxury home fragrance with Kip Candle Co.’s artisanal collection. What better way to introduce the summer season into your home than with a new scent?

The brand's aesthetic is minimal and chic, designed to seamlessly blend into any decor. What sets Kip Candle Co. apart is their commitment to quality and strength of scent. All products are hand-made with the highest concentration of fragrance that can be infused into natural soy wax, ensuring a full-bodied aroma that fills any space. kipcandleco.com

Fabbrica Della Musa Cristallo Bianco

Created by perfumer Hamid Merati-Kashani, Cristallo Bianco has an opening where the sugary sweet notes of White Peach and Pear blend with the sunny freshness of Florida Orange, before giving way to a heart where a green yet creamy sweet Fig Accord sits alongside Magnolia and sensual Indian Jasmine Absolute. An enveloping woody, musky combination of Cashmere Wood and Indonesian Patchouli in the dry-down is underlined by the chypre accent of Sandalwood and the warmth of Madagascan Vanilla that rounds out this unisex Fruity Floral Musky eau de parfum. £195 (100ml), harrods.com

YOUR UNMISSABLE DATE WITH THE MEDITERRANEAN

In the grand tradition of previous summer rendezvous, Diptyque unveils the essence of a hedonistic Mediterranean summer in an exclusive collection packed with new items and essentials in limited editions.

This summer, Diptyque celebrates its creative vision in a collaboration with French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet, whose radiant flat tints bring the collection to life while creating a contemporary graphic poetry of the Mediterranean coast. His pastel designs are meticulously executed, and the entire range comes decked out in these vibrant hues: a dialogue of art, materials and imagination, capturing the laid-back way of life that informs the collection and its colour palette.

diptyqueparis.com

A sk the EXPERT

THE HVN SHARE THEIR TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR JET LAG

New Knightsbridge wellness haven, The HVN, is the perfect one-stop shop for getting over jetlag and other travel-related ailments.

You've landed in London for work or a holiday, or you've just got home from a trip, and maybe you're suffering from tiredness, lack of energy, puffy/dry skin, water retention or stiff muscles from prolonged periods of sitting on a plane.

The HVN boasts a comprehensive suite of protocols designed to combat these common travel ailments, and the expert team of doctors and practitioners will look at the individual and offer tailored solutions to address them. These may include:

Relaxing Full-Body Ritual: Featuring the only HydroBed in the UKa 180 minute ritual to help regulate your sleeping pattern

Rebalancing Facial: Depuff and brighten the skin post-travel with a Kansa Wand facial, a 5,000 year old ayurvedic treatment that focuses on the feet, face and and head.

Lymphatic Drainage: Hands on or using Body Ballancer compression garments - leaving you feeling lighter and rejuvenated.

Osteopathy: Relieve stiffness and muscle tension

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Reduce or even negate jet lag symptoms from a few sessions in the Chamber, which allows your body to maximise oxygen intake.

For those who aren’t quite feeling themselves, but can’t put their finger on why, choose from one of four consultations, designed to uncover the root cause of any concerns or conditions you may be facing. the-hvn.com

NEW SPF LAUNCH

Organic skin care brand Green People has expanded its natural and organic sun care collection with a new water-repellent Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30 for the face and body. Dermatologically tested and certified organic by Soil Association COSMOS, this 100% mineral, non-nano Zinc Oxide sun cream reflects and protects for instant, high-factor defence against UVA and UVB rays.

A non-whitening and non-greasy day cream to soften and shield, there’s no drying alcohol here. An Aloe Vera core soothes while Bisabolol from Chamomile calms and antioxidant Sequoia Leaf Cell Extract retains moisture for a smooth, firm complexion.

Suitable for all skin types, this mineral sun cream is fragrance free, eczema-friendly and clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin. greenpeople.co.uk

An Aromatic Scented Splash

Introducing an unforgettable new unisex fragrance, set to be the scent of summer – ‘Swimming Pool’ by BIBBI Parfum.

Swedish creator Stina ‘Bibbi’ Seger came up with the fragrance during one of her meditation practices when she was transported to a natural swimming pool in the south of Italy, believed to have healing powers. Herbs surrounded it, and the water and air were thick with a beautiful scent of basil and mint. ‘Swimming Pool’ is inspired by intensely aromatic, refreshing waters infused with invigorating eucalyptus, menthe, and ginger.

Top Notes: Nigerian Ginger Extract, Egyptian Basil, Chinese Spearmint

Heart Notes: Chinese Eucalyptus, Egyptian Geranium

Base Notes: Ambroxan, Wet Grass, White Woods libertylondon.com

STAMFORD SPORTS CENTRE

For ages 7-13 19-22 August

£50 per day 9-4pm including lunch

(£40 Early bird offer available until the end of May)

Early drop off and late pick up available (8:30-4:30pm) for an additional £10. Childcare vouchers accepted.

C hild h ood

Banwood is the original classic children’s active lifestyle brand, built to last for generations. The luxury bikes, trikes, scooters and new skateboards, safety gear and carry straps come in a range of classic colours. The brand were the first to add the iconic wicker baskets to the handles to evoke nostalgia (and transport toys, of course). The range is designed to promote a safe and active lifestyle for children, support growth in a playful way and create happy childhood memories. banwood.com

Family news

WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH

Sweet Dreamers Thermometer

Easily get temperature results within 2 seconds, after pointing the thermometer to the target from a distance of within 1cm to 5cm. The advanced infrared temperature sensor with high sensitivity ensures highly accurate readings, giving you peace of mind that you are providing the very best possible care for your family whilst on the go. It also has 2 different modes so it can be used on both body and surface – meaning you can measure the temperature of not only your baby, but their milk as well! Which is perfect when you’re travelling and away from your usual equipment. What’s more, the thermometer comes with a handy travel pouch to help keep it clean whilst you are on the go. sweetdreamers.co.uk

Travel Comfort from Animal Adventure

The Safe & Soft range from Rainbow Designs offers a unique collection of comforting toys with revolutionary antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties, making it an ideal cuddly toy to take on your travels this summer. Whether it hits the floor in the airport, or left on the seat on the plane, the patentpending, soft antibacterial and hypoallergenic fabrics, ensure parents can have peace of mind knowing the adorable toys stay fresh and clean, long after their first use. These one-of-a-kind soft toys resist both odours and stains, and are tested against the common bacteria strains; Staphylococcus Aureus & Klebsiella Pneumoniae. Thanks to the truly unique and durable antimicrobial material, proven to destroy 99% of bacteria, mould and fungi, these super snuggly soft toys are like no other - promising to be as safe as possible against baby’s skin. rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Sun Protection For Little Ones

SnoozeShade, the UK’s best-selling range of sun and sleep shades are a must for any family holiday. Ensuring your little one is protected from the sun, blocking at least 97.5% of rays, it also keeps them in their naptime routine, making it a true essential. With the air-permeable fabric, it keeps air flowing freely into the pushchair, making it the safest environment for baby, unlike misconceived draped blankets or muslins, which can cause extreme heat within the pushchair itself due to them not being breathable. With the product range now being available for buggies, car seats and even travel cots, you can keep them protected 24/7. snoozeshade.com

Maped’s Magical Tablet

Let your child have their creativity at their fingertips with this Maped Creativ Magical Tablet! This LCD tablet features a backlit screen for creative writing and drawing. Use the stylus to effortlessly doodle on the screen. You can then simply erase it by pressing the button, allowing for many, many hours of illustrative fun! Its lightweight build and backlit screen makes it great for drawing anywhere at any time. Whether at home or on a night-time car journey, your child will always have the opportunity to explore their creative side. amazon.co.uk

MY FIRST BOOK

Keep young babies occupied on flights or long car journeys this summer with the Ladybird Baby Touch My First Book. Super light for hand luggage, the book has simple images, black-and-white illustrations and a touch-and-feel on every double page, this beautiful cloth book is designed to develop babies’ eyesight while helping to focus their attention and concentration from birth upwards. waterstones.com

CREATE AS YOU TRAVEL

Little ones won’t want to leave home without their Maped Creativ Travel Board this summer, and neither will you! It’s a creative alternative to screens and perfect to carry in your bag so it is ready to go whenever you and your family are on the go. They will have a great time playing with this when you go out to eat, or on a car trip, or travelling by plane - any place and time is great to be creative. Coming in a folder with 4 erasable coloured markers, eraser wipe and game sheets, they will be occupied for hours! amazon.co.uk

Join Miss Nella for a Magical Makeup Adventure

Welcome to the house of Miss Nella, a wonderful world that invites children aged 3-12 years on the most magical adventure. Promising hours of fun, the multi-awardwinning children’s make up brand offers a fun, safe and mess-free collection of products, thoughtfully designed to stimulate imagination and unleash little ones creativity and individuality to the max.

Following the hugely successful launch of its peel off nail varnish collection, the brand unveiled its safe makeup range. The gorgeous collection includes cheek and eye palettes, lip gloss, blusher, lip balms and eye shadows. missnella.com

Roll Into The Summer

Get ready to roll with Liki this summer, the world’s most compact folding trike. The sleek urban design of the Liki Trike allows you to be safe and have fun, as it elegantly combines functionality and aesthetics. With its unique and patented small-fold, the ingenious trike simply folds and unfolds at the click of a button. Liki allows you to travel comfortably with your child as it fits easily in the boot of your car or the aeroplane’s overhead locker. doona.shop

Rated Excellent on

Your local legal team

Dedicated to delivering expert legal advice with care and integrity for 50 years, empowering and supporting you to make informed decisions.

We are proud of our excellent 5* Trustpilot rating, which shows the trust that our clients put in us to look after their family, businesses and friends.

Working across Peterborough, Stamford, Oakham and Market Deeping, contact Hegarty for legal support you can rely on. Call 01780 752 066 or email info@hegarty.co.uk

hegarty.co.uk

Legal support for business, for family, for life

Food Drink

An

Treas u re

Inspired by legendary tales

from San Luis Potosí, the spirit and decanter of Clase Azul Mexico’s newest icon captures the essence of this state’s desert slopes and valleys. Clase Azul Mezcal San Luis Potosí is made using green agave (Agave salmiana) and mezcal features aromatic notes of cooked agave, caramel, green chile, sweet fruit, freshly cut grass and wildflowers, and boasts herbal flavours featuring hints of caramel, lime zest and clove, with a mineral and spiced aftertaste. 70cl decanter, 43% ABV, RRP £360, selfridges.com

Food & Drink news

WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH

OCEAN CHIC

Bring ocean chic to your kitchen with this perch fish serving platter. It will make any seafood supper feel like a special occasion. The fishshaped plate has realistic fin and scale detail. It is hand-painted in vibrant shades of blue, pink and orange. Use it to serve dishes like tempura prawns or delicate seared scallops. souschef.co.uk

High Adrenaline Flying & English Sparkling Wine

Tinwood Estate is excited to announce a partnership with Ultimate High, the UK's leading provider of hands-on high adrenaline flying experiences. The exciting collaboration marries the exhilarating world of flight experiences with the enjoyment of fine wine tasting.

To celebrate the launch of this high-flying partnership, the two companies have curated a selection of exclusive packages. Included are a range of flying experience options: gentle glides through the skies, air combat simulation in a ‘Top Gun’ experience, or aerobatic escapades.

Pair this with a guided Tinwood Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting. Or leisurely taste a flight of three Tinwood award-winning Sparkling Wines, and chef-made food pairings from the Vineyard Kitchen.

tinwoodestate.com

A PINCH OF SALT

KitchenAid have announced that Blue Salt is the highly anticipated new Colour of the Year for their iconic Stand Mixer. Blue Salt is a unique, subtle iridescent periwinkle blue with captivating red hues which magically shifts colour depending on the angle or lighting.

The Artisan Tilt-Head 4.7L Stand Mixer in Blue Salt comes with a stainless-steel bowl, though there’s also a wide selection of options available to enhance your personal style statement.

RRP £699, kitchenaid.co.uk

Gusto Italian Launch Platinum Club Membership

Contemporary restaurant Gusto Italian has relaunched its loyalty programme, Gold Club, and introduced its inaugural Platinum Club, a yearly membership to the restaurant’s neighbourhood venues, offering a number of rewards.

The complimentary loyalty programme, Gold Club, gives Gusto Italian regulars the benefits of 5% cashback every time they dine, a free round of drinks on birthdays, quarterly offers, exclusive Black Friday promotions, and access to an exclusive evening set menu.

Platinum Club will encompass all the benefits of a Gold Club membership, with the added rewards of 40% off the A La Carte Menu Sunday-Thursday for the cardholder and up to 3 guests. On sign-up, Platinum Club members will receive a bottle of prosecco and throughout their membership will be invited to events and menu previews. Memberships will be available for £65 per year gustorestaurants.uk.com

Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener

Quick, easy, clean and quiet, it precisely sharpens blades 1260mm high and up to 5mm thick, with unlimited length. The Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener effortlessly delivers a razor-sharp cutting edge and a durable angle that won’t dull after every use. The Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener has a sleek industrial design and comes fully assembled with a solid oak handle, powdercoated zinc body, diamond grinding wheel and composite honing wheel.

RRP £330, shop.tormek.com

ZOUK AT HOME

loves

Celebrating its 15th birthday this year, Manchester’s Zouk Tea Bar & Grill has launched its first range of blended spices to give people a taste of Zouk at home. Zouk’s vegan friendly spices were created first to respond to customer demand, to make cooking at home easier and tastier. All four spices are made using premium ingredients and blended in small batches in the UK. The popular restaurant have also created a number of recipes to provide some culinary inspiration, which can be found by using the QR code on the tin.

£6 per 60g tin and £3 for 60g refillable pouches zoukteabar.co.uk/shop

H idden

F ood Tours

New luxury tourist experience launched in Melton Mowbray

Hidden Food Tours, a new walking food tour experience based in Melton Mowbray, has just launched - a showcase for the exciting, diverse and rich culinary offerings of the East Midlands, with the first tour getting rave reviews.

The tour, spanning three hours, takes small groups to different venues and locations around the historic town. Pairings are made of the best local produce while telling the story of some of the best known foodstuffs in Britain - as well as some newer surprises.

From classic foods such as Stilton cheese and the pork pies that have taken the town’s name around the world, to newer producers such as Samosa Wallah and the Feast & The Furious smokehouse, the tour introduces guests to the wide range of food and drink made in Melton and the surrounding area, and tell the stories behind them.

Rural Food, on our doorstep. Charla and I have spent ages swapping recipes and tipping each other off about new foodie finds. We love Melton and the great new places that have opened up in the town over the last few years, and we want to share them with as many people as possible.”

Charla added, “Whenever I visit a new city I always try to find a food tour to join. They’re a great way of discovering the local food and history of a place and we want to bring that excitement to Melton. Hearing the stories behind the food, be it different Stilton cheeses or the spicy snacks produced by the Stockyard based Samosa Wallah, will bring the food of Melton and the Vale alive.”

Hidden Food Tours founders Charla Forinton and Matt Hall are neighbours in the local village of Stathern, and passionate foodies. Matt said, “We are lucky to have Melton Mowbray, the Capital of

Known for its traditional offerings of pork pies and Stilton cheese, Melton Mowbray is fast gaining a reputation for spawning newer culinary trends. From the award winning beers made at Round Corner Brewing in the town, to the Feast & The Furious smokehouse adding a touch of BBQ heat to Melton’s restaurant scene. The movement has been aided by the award of £12 million from the government’s Levelling Up scheme to

develop the Stockyard site in the town’s famous Cattle Market.

Hidden Food Tours aims to introduce Melton Mowbray as an evolving culinary destination by celebrating local producers - and connecting guests with the town’s rich history. With a strategic approach to marketing and strong partnerships, the business seeks to carve a niche in the growing food tourism industry. hiddenfoodtours.co.uk

THE OLIVE BRANCH:

2 5 YEARS OF CULINARY

This year, The Olive Branch in Clipsham celebrates its 25th anniversary under the same ownership. From humble beginnings in 1999, when three ambitious friends decided to revive an abandoned village pub, it has grown into a cornerstone of village life and a multi-award-winning epicentre for food lovers.

However, The Olive Branch's history stretches back much further than the turn of the Millennium. It was forged from farm-labourers' cottages in the second half of the 19th century. Before that, there had been a village ale house near Clipsham Hall, but it was closed down by the Lord of the Manor. The closure caused an uproar, so the Lord converted three labourers' cottages –located a suitable distance from his home – into a pub. It was named The Olive Branch – a peace offering to the village. Today, its pub sign shows an olive branch and a dove above Clipsham's Yew Tree Avenue.

The most recent chapter of The Olive Branch's journey began in a cobwebbed space that hadn't seen a customer for years. That was November 4, 1999. On November 5, the three new owners – one was Ben Jones, who still runs the pub – held a bonfire party in the paddock over the road, and all the debris from the gutted pub went up in smoke. The opening night was the village Christmas party of 1999.

Since then, The Olive Branch has garnered many

accolades, including Pub of the Year in the Great Food Club Awards 2022/3, Good Pub Guide UK Pub of the Year 2021 and Britain's Best Pub in the GQ Food & Drink Awards 2021. Recently, it won a Cesar Award in the Good Hotel Guide 2024 for its accommodation at Beech House.

The Olive Branch stands not only as one of the UK's best gastropubs but also as a proud employer of 30 local people – the heartbeat of the operation.

Spring/Summer Menus

Head Chef Ben Fisher joined the team with a vision to craft dishes that reflect the pub's ethos of local sourcing and seasonal freshness. Ben expresses his culinary philosophy: "It's about bringing the paddock to the plate. We let the natural flavours shine, embracing the season's bounty from our paddock and local suppliers to create something truly special."

The latest spring/summer menu, meticulously assembled by Chef Ben and his team, features dishes such as a delicately balanced cauliflower velouté adorned with a crisp tempura floret or marinated heritage beetroot, which Ben describes as, "a harmony of earthy sweetness and the tang of goat's curd, accented by dill's freshness".

Other highlights include a smoked seatrout tartare, "The addition of grapefruit and trout roe adds a bright, citrus pop that elevates the smokiness of the fish," Ben says. And for the meat connoisseurs, the Launde Farm Lamb offers a succulent experience. "Our Launde Farm Lamb dish encapsulates the essence of spring with vibrant bell pepper stew and roast aubergine. It's a rich yet perfectly balanced dish,"

says Ben, his enthusiasm for seasonal ingredients shining through.

Other upcoming Olive Branch menu highlights include Tapas on the Terrace (or in the pub), served until the end of June. "Imagine tapas, birdsong, blossom and a chilled glass of wine as the sun shines on our garden terrace," says Ben. After that, in July comes the Fruits de Mer menu – a taste of the coast in landlocked Rutland with fresh dayboat fish served every day.

Every plate at The Olive Branch is a statement of simplicity and sophistication. As the pub steps into its next quarter-century, it remains a place where guests can experience the warm embrace of history, the excitement of innovative culinary creations, and the joy of shared meals.

theolivebranchpub.com

Your Idyllic Boutique Retreat

Nestled in the Hambelton Peninsula of Rutland Water, our newly renovated luxury boutique hotel rooms will offer you the perfect staycation. With beautiful views of the water, its the perfect plac e to enjoy delicious food and glass of something sparkling!

Check out our website for our Lazy Sunday and Mid-week Getaway offers The Finch’s Arms

Oakham Road, Hambleton Peninsula, Rutland, LE15 8TL www.finchsarms.co.uk E: info@finchsarms.co.uk

T: 01572 756575 Instagram: @theproperpubcompany

Travel

T he Wo rld’s

Bes t B r un ch?

Champagne dresses and dancing horses what more could you want from a brunch? As the temperature in Marrakech hits the sunny 20s, it's tempting to think about a trip to Morocco to escape the British Spring. Selman Marrakech, the 5* palace hotel in the Palmeraie area, has kicked off their stunning Sunday Brunches again. Renowned for their collection of Arabian thoroughbred horses, the Brunches are a celebration of equestrian art, great food, and entertainment in the balmy setting of the Pavilion. selman-marrakech.com

Travel n ews

Travel in Style with LeShuttle’s Flexiplus Service

Cross-Channel travel is commonly perceived as functional and less than glamorous, however that needn’t be the case with LeShuttle’s VIP Flexiplus offering. Enjoy the speed and ease of a dedicated check-in, then begin the journey in style with a pit-stop in the exclusive Flexiplus lounge in both Folkestone and Calais terminals, where the friendly team will welcome you. Relax with a coffee before taking the departure of your choice or simply head straight to the priority boarding lane for the next available departure. The Flexiplus ticket is fully amendable, refundable and valid for one year, ideal for when plans change or you don’t want to come home yet! leshuttle.com

WORDS:CRAIG HOUGH

DELVE INTO THE WORLD OF ASTROLOGY AT FOUR SEASONS MEGÈVE

This summer, Four Seasons Hotel Megève is inviting guests to delve into the world of astronomy with three brand new cosmic-inspired experiences. Megève’s alpine setting provides the ideal conditions to admire the stars and cosmic marvels that light up the night sky.

The experiences include:

• Celestial Wonders Star Gazing Evenings: On Mondays in July and August, a French feast will be prepared for guests to enjoy al fresco under the stars with a telescope and seasoned astronomer who will share fascinating insights about the secrets of the universe.

• Full Moon Sound Bathing Sessions: Taking place in the hotel’s open-air geodesic dome at night, participants will embark on a transcendent Tibetan bowl voyage under the night sky. The Sound Bath experience (taking place on 21st July and 19th August) is designed to release accumulated tension, soothe the mind, and promote deep relaxation.

• A Night Above the Clouds at The Ideal Suite 1850: Accompanied by an experienced astronomer from the Mont d’Arbois observatory, guests will uncover the secrets of the cosmos, learning all about galaxies, nebulae and star clusters using cutting-edge equipment. Located at an altitude of 1850 metres away from the village on a secluded mountain, The Ideal Suite is the highest suite in the resort, providing a tranquil sanctuary for stargazing, a delicious, private Savoyard dinner and restful overnight stay. fourseasons.com

Jumeirah in Pole Position

The global luxury hospitality company Jumeirah has extended its partnership with Williams Racing. Under the extended partnership, Jumeirah will continue to curate exclusive events and moments at Grand Prix locations worldwide throughout 2024, with a focus on locations featuring Jumeirah properties. For the Formula 1 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on 2nd March, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa invited race fans to enjoy exceptional dining and explore its pristine beaches, a picturesque setting just 10 minutes from the Bahrain International Circuit. Jumeirah will continue to deliver exclusive events and bespoke race-day experiences, first at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah during the Silverstone Grand Prix, with more planned for Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi where the 2024 Formula 1 season concludes. jumeirah.com

T he Tr a vel Insi d er

WORDS: Phil Aird-Mash

This year, I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of ITC, as we celebrate our 50th year of creating tailor-made travel experiences. Since our beginnings in 1974, we’ve seen the world of travel change in many ways, whether that’s the countries that are accessible to us, or the type of experiences we value most.

So, as we look to the future of travel, what are the upcoming trends to consider for your next getaway?

For many of us, travel is becoming more and more about packing in as many experiences as possible. And, there are so many different ways to do this. For your winter sun escape, you could dip your toe into the world of Caribbean island-hopping, discovering

the personalities of multiple islands in one holiday. Or, combine your next city break with a live sport event, such as Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe in Paris, or the iconic Palio di Siena. We’re also seeing more people looking for ‘gourmet getaways’, whether that’s a tailor-made tour through Vietnam with authentic cooking classes, or a trip to Moldova to sample under-theradar local wines.

Cruising is an experience that has changed significantly over the years, with smaller luxury vessels, river cruise boats and expedition ships making once inaccessible regions easy to explore. I love the idea of combining an Alaskan cruise with a journey on board the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff, or boarding a Havila cruise to see the fjords or northern lights in Norway.

As we look to become more sustainable, so do many of our travel plans. Africa and Latin America in many ways lead the way in this area, with eco-lodges that put the surrounding environment and communities first. If you’re a wildlife lover, there’s nothing more valuable than the opportunity to help preserve the planet for future generations while experiencing it first-hand yourself. inspiringtravel.co.uk

Here, There, Anywhere

INTRODUCING BRIGGS & RILEY’S

The iconic American travelware brand Briggs & Riley has launched its newest collection: H·T·A, which stands for Here, There, Anywhere. This collection of premium day bags is constructed from sustainable materials and is designed to support the entire ecosystem of modern discerning travellers worldwide, from their everyday commutes to their one-of-a-kind adventures.

Since its inception, Briggs & Riley has been dedicated to sustainability with its unparalleled “Simple As That” lifetime guarantee which prevents bags from entering landfills by providing lifetime structural repairs for every bag sold. The launch of H·T·A is the brand’s first sustainably sourced collection, and is paired with a partnership with Plastic Bank, a leading non-profit organisation that works to reduce plastic waste in the world’s oceans. For every H·T·A bag purchased, Briggs & Riley will work with Plastic Bank to prevent 10 pounds of plastic from entering the ocean.

The new line features a variety of day bags featuring casual yet premium designs. The four backpacks, sling bag, crossbody and briefcase are available in a choice of Hunter Green or Black and each offer standout features such as:

• RFID blocking pockets to protect the personal information of travellers

• A SpeedThru™ pocket with key lanyard for quick storage of items at security checkpoints, which can be easily accessed without letting go of the handles The innovative design features a signature orange lining to aler t travellers when it’s open.

• Durable and sustainable recycled fabric made from up to 32 plastic water bottles

• Personalisation with high-quality monogramming options

• Additional compartments and enhanced capacity for everyday essentials

The complete collection includes:

• Sling Bag in Black, £129

• Crossbody Bag in Black, £139

• Medium Widemouth Backpack in Black or Hunter Green, £239

• Slim Expandable Backpack in Black or Hunter Green, £249

• Medium Cargo Backpack in Black or Hunter Green, £249

• Medium Expandable Brief in Black, £249

• Large Cargo Backpack in Black or Hunter Green, £269

“The H·T·A Collection is designed for travellers everywhere, whether they are on-the-go in the urban outdoors, shopping at the supermarket or catching a flight,” said Richard Krulik, CEO of Briggs & Riley. “We take pride in both improving travel experiences and making a positive impact on the environment, which is why we’ve designed this line with sustainably sourced materials. We’re confident that the H·T·A Collection’s premium casual designs backed by our brand’s unparalleled lifetime guarantee will become a go-to choice for commuters and global travellers alike.”

The launch of the H·T·A collection continues a year of celebrations for Briggs & Riley during the brand’s 30th Anniversary year. Following the release of the limited-edition Plum colourway in the brand’s flagship Baseline Collection and the new Ocean colourway for the brand’s ever-popular ZDX Collection, the H·T·A Collection deepens the brand’s commitment to supporting the art of travel by continuing to enhance the everyday journeys of discerning travellers. H·T·A’s timeless style and durable construction will support consumers wherever they go: here, there, anywhere.

The Briggs & Riley H·T·A Collection is priced from £129 and is available to purchase online at briggs-riley.co.uk or in-store at Harrods, John Lewis and Selfridges.

R OY A L GO U RME T

G ETA W AY

Kathryn Otto travels to Adeje to meet Fernando Turnes , General Manager at Royal Hideaway Corales Resort

Can you share some of the history of the hotel?

The hotel opened in February 2018 and was built from scratch. The architect, Leonardo Omar, is from Tenerife and the striking design was inspired by marine corals and the sea.

The structure of the hotel reflects the form of a wave and the most impressive space is the lobby of Royal Hideaway Corales Suites, which resembles an underwater cave. It took 9 months to construct and bring the concept to life.

What are the benefits of your location?

Our hotel is oceanfront and every room boasts sea views as well as vistas of the neighbouring island, La Gomera. The hotel is just a few minutes away from the nearest beach, and right next to the fishing village of La Caleta, which is full of charm and bustles with locals who sit overlooking the sea in its quaint restaurants and bars.

How would you describe the hotel’s dining experience?

We like to consider the hotel a dining destination. There are five a la carte restaurants at the hotel, two of which are Michelin-starred: San Hô with one and El Rincón de Juan Carlos with two. For us, gastronomy is key to the experience and our team works with local suppliers to source fresh and high-quality ingredients which are then incorporated into dishes in all manner of creative ways across the different outlets. We are very proud of our culinary offering and the work our team does and we feel it really sets us apart from other hotels on the island.

What attracts locals to your venue?

All restaurants are open to visitors as well as guests, and they have become very popular among locals – particularly El Rincon de Juan Carlos, although be sure to book in advance so you don’t miss out!

How do you cater to families and group bookings?

Our resort has two separate concepts and buildings; one for all ages and the other for adults only (+16). On the family friendly side (Corales Suites) we have a kids club and full entertainment programme to keep the little ones busy, and we host movie nights so adults can enjoy a sophisticated dinner. Rooms were also designed with family in mind – one and two-bedroom suites, and a three bedroom penthouse, come complete with a kitchenette, spacious living area, and outdoor terrace. Some of the apartments also feature a private pool. Beyond fitness and sports, guests can enjoy local wine and cheese tasting and cocktail masterclasses within the hotel. Our expert team can also tailor activities to group bookings.

If a couple were looking for a romantic stay –what itinerary would you suggest?

Our sea view Junior suites at Corales Beach are perfect for couple stays, and the rooms on the 5th floor even have hot tubs on the terrace. On the rooftop terrace couples can enjoy the most beautiful sunsets with Canarian-inspired cocktails from Maresía Atlantic Bar. Tenerife as an island also has some beautiful walks, which could be nice for active couples.

In your time at the hotel, how have things evolved?

We have evolved and built a reputation as a gastronomic hub on the island which I am very proud of. This has been recognised by the many awards and accolades, not only in the food world but across the design world and for service too. A highlight for me was San Hô being awarded a Michelin Star last year and a well-deserved second star for El Rincón de Juan Carlos.

Do you have any exciting upcoming events scheduled?

In May we will host the 10th edition of “Inspirational Chef Program”. It is a special event we organize where we invite a renowned or Michelin-awarded chef to the hotel to collaborate with our chefs. They are taken to meet the local producers we work with and get inspired by the island and its produce. Then the chef prepares a special dinner alongside the hotel chefs, which is attended by guests and locals. Celebrating the island and the hotel through culinary collaboration! barcelo.com

Location

Overlooking the St Phillips Cathedral grounds, the hotel sits in the heart of the city on Colmore Row and is surrounded by the lively bars and restaurants of the Colmore Business District. New Street Station and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery are both within a five-minute walk, while the shops of the Bullring can be reached in under 10 minutes.

Interior & Design

The Grand Hotel’s interiors were designed by Robert Angell Design International to create a sense of modern luxury and comfort. Carefully chosen artwork and accessories nod to Birmingham’s cultural and industrial heritage while adding charm and wit. The concept was to interpret the soul of contemporary Birmingham whilst preserving and highlighting the building’s original features.

A collection of over 200 artworks, all by local Birmingham and West Midlands based creatives, pays homage to the stunning architecture and rich past of The Grand Hotel Birmingham while celebrating the city of Birmingham and its people in an original and contemporary way. The collection comprises original paintings, fine art prints, photographs, mixed media and 3-D wall art.

Food and Drink

Isaac’s

Inspired by New York, 100 per cent Brum, Named after Isaac Horton, who built The Grand Hotel, Isaac’s is a mixture of destination and neighbourhood

The Grand Hotel Birmingham

The Grand Hotel Birmingham was originally opened by Isaac Horton back in 1879 to designs by Thomson Plevins. Since then, it’s welcomed royalty and rock stars and for one weekend, Kathryn Otto weekend away

restaurant, inspired by the great, iconic brasseries of Paris, London and New York. The menu uses local produce and ingredients in an unpretentious and generous way — this is down-to-earth fare made from the finest ingredients.

Madeleine Bar

A slice of Parisian chic in the heart of Birmingham Madeleine’s double-height windows, sparkling chandeliers, and rich soft furnishings make this space at once super glamorous and utterly enticing. The bar comes into its own from early evening to late at night, oozing glamour. French wines and Champagnes make up the core of the drinks list, alongside Kir Royales. Don’t miss Madeleine’s signature afternoon tea, with a menuthat changes with the seasons.

AT A GLANCE:

•185 bedrooms & suites

•Duplex penthouse

•Grand Ballroom

•Meeting & event spaces for 6 to 300

•Madeleine cocktail bar

•Isaac’s New York-style brasserie

•Private gym

•24-hour room service

Our Experience

We arrived to a warm welcome from the front of house team, who attended to our luggage and swiftly checked us in. We were shown to our Grand Junior Suite on the 6th floor which was a large room with a four poster bed, seating area, sizable bathroom and the complimentary mini bar was a lovely touch.

During our stay, we enjoyed afternoon tea at Madeline's. It was a fabulous experience in one of the opulent rooms just off the reception area, lots of people were celebrating special occasions or simply enjoying a cocktail which created a lovely atmosphere. Our evening was spent at Isaacs situated on the lower ground floor, which offered a cool diner/cafe vibe. We dined on a Thursday, in which they also had live music which was a real treat. The food and service were incredible.

We couldn't have asked for a better location, within walking distance of everything including some lovely bars and restaurants next door including The Ivy, where we visited for lunch.

There is so much to love about this hotel, it is perfect for a romantic getaway but also an ideal place to celebrate with friends and family. It was our first time visiting Birmingham for a leisure trip and would certainly look to visit again and stay at The Grand Hotel, 5* all around from us.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Hotel Birmingham lives up to its name; the hotel effortlessly embodies the three pillars of luxury: location, design and service. Artworks scattered throughout adds to the property’s high-end appeal.

thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk

With her relaxing white sands, crystal-clear waters and invigorating volcanic mud baths, let Saint Lucia restore your mind, body and soul. Let her immerse you in the healing wonders of the rain forest and the therapeutic powers of the island’s detoxifying hot mineral-rich springs. Let her recharge and revive you with award-winning wellness and yoga retreats, surrounded by the rejuvenating energy of the Pitons. Let her indulge the senses with some of the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean, from open-air treatment rooms set into the cliff-side, to spectacular views of the silver sands of Anse Cochon. So, what are you waiting for? Discover Saint Lucia and the natural health and wellness experience that’s on another level. For more information just visit stlucia.org/wellness Time for some well-deserved wellness?

Let Saint Lucia rejuvenate your senses

T I MEL E SS

M EM O RIES

AWAIT

Kathryn Otto travels to Portugal to meet Hugo Gonçalves , General Manager at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Can you share some of the history of the hotel?

Situated overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and next to Vilamoura Marina, Tivoli Marina Vilamoura is a luxury hotel in the Algarve, Portugal. Last year, the same year that Tivoli Hotels & Resorts celebrated its 90th Anniversary, we were excited to unveil a contemporary and sophisticated new look. The hotel closed for four months reopening in April with refurbished guest rooms, a redesigned Argo Cocktail Bar and newly landscaped gardens with a redesigned pool.

What are the benefits of your location?

We have a fantastic location, surrounded by water, with the Marina on one side and the ocean on the other. Vilamoura is an upscale destination where guests can enjoy outdoor activities such as golf and tennis or boat tours to Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. We also have shops, restaurants and bars, and the traditional cultural town Loulé is not far away. The Algarve also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

How would you describe the hotel’s dining experience?

Excellent - there’s so much for guests to choose from. We have Pepper’s Steakhouse that overlooks the Marina and serves meat and seafood. Purobeach restaurant is situated on the beach with an international menu and some of the best fresh fish in Portugal. Next to the pool, is Oregano Restaurant serving an Italian menu and fresh salads and the D’Azur Pool Bar, where guests can enjoy cocktails and light dishes including lobster hotdog. The Argo Cocktail Bar in November won the Best Hotel Bar in Portugal and Spain in the Condé Nast Traveler’s Hotel & Mantel Awards. And we can’t forget our Glee Boutique Café, where you will find delicious French pastries.

What attracts locals to your venue?

Great food served in a sophisticated atmosphere in all our restaurants and the quality of our Tivoli Spa. Tivoli Spa Marina Vilamoura offers 2,400 square meters exclusively dedicated to relaxation, rejuvenation and reconnection. The Spa features 11 treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, indoor swimming pool and vitality pool. Guests can enjoy facials, figure shaping, slimming and exfoliating treatments using the award-winning Spa product brand - Natura Bissé combined with Tivoli Spa treatments and rejuvenating organically sourced local products.

How do you cater to families and group bookings?

Tivoli Marina Vilamoua is very kids friendly. As well as a Kids Club, we feature dedicated Family Rooms that have lots of space and even a popcorn machine and colouring books in them. Outside, the pool was redesigned last year to be 1.5m depth which has a special shallower family section where children can play with their parents in safety.

If a couple were looking for a romantic stay –what itinerary would you suggest?

I would suggest staying in the Vilamoura Suite and enjoying a couples massage in our Tivoli Spa. To finish the day couples could have a romantic meal on the balcony of the Vilamoura Suite, an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

Do you have any exciting upcoming events scheduled?

In June we will have the Purobeach Opening Party, in August a Summer Party and in December, an outstanding New Year´s Eve Dinner and Party.

MY EXPERIENCE

The best way I can describe Tivoli Marina Hotel is the diamond at the top of the Vilamoura crown. It dominates a prime position overlooking the yacht-filled harbour and the array of restaurants, bars, boutique shops, and the beach. We have travelled to many luxury hotels and this building is one of the most impressive we’ve seen.

Every element of this hotel has been well thought out, the use of glass in the reception area and throughout the hotel allows the light to flood in and makes the most of the spectacular views of the ocean on one side and the harbour on the other.

Our luxury suite also had floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors allowing the outside to flow in. You really can just arrive and relax, all the team are more than happy to help you in any way, from the moment you arrive to when you depart. They offer many experiences to enhance your stay including champagne afternoon tea in the Glee Boutique Café. Argo Cocktail Bar and Peppers Steakhouse as well as their luxury spa.

Tivoli Marina Vilamoura resort really has it all, with a short flight time you can visit for a weekend however there is enough on offer for you to enjoy a long relaxing holiday. We have recommended this hotel to many friends and family since visiting and will continue to do so. We can’t wait to go back and also to visit other Tivoli hotels, if they are anything like this one we will be in for a treat!

Thank you team Tivoli. tivolihotels.com

Drive

Raise

the Roof

Over the past few years, the convertible versions of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class models have always been some of the brand’s most beautiful products. But now they’re no more, and two cars have been replaced by one: the new CLE Cabriolet. More high-tech than its predecessors and every bit as beautiful, it’s available with a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines, all with fuel-saving mild-hybrid tech. It also gets an Airscarf system to keep your neck warm on the road, and the insulated fabric roof can be raised or lowered at speeds of up to 37mph. Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet,mercedes-benz.co.uk

DRIVE

Keeping you up to date with all the latest motoring and technology news

AD-VANTAGE ASTON MARTIN

Aston Martin, arguably the most famous of all the British car makers, has just revamped its new sports car, and it promises to be an absolute cracker.

If you want a beautiful two-seat sports car that’s as brilliant to drive as it is to look at, you’re surprisingly spoilt for choice, but the Aston Martin Vantage has to be among the most desirable options. Charmingly old-school in its manner and modern in its design, it has been the most beautiful thorn in the Porsche 911’s side for a number of years.

So many years, in fact, that Aston Martin has developed a new model to take the fight to Porsche. It’s still a Vantage, and it’s still utterly jaw-dropping, but now it’s more powerful, more high-tech and, apparently, even better to drive.

As part of that, Aston Martin has fettled the Mercedes-AMGsourced V8 engine, tuning it up to 656bhp, which gives the car a top speed of 202mph and a 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds. Combine that with a new suspension set-up and a 50:50 weight

distribution, as well as a new and more high-tech infotainment system, and things are shaping up beautifully.

Could this be the best sports car you can buy this year? Maybe, but there’s a new Porsche 911 on the way soon. The showdown is set to be immense.

Aston Martin Vantage, £TBC, astonmartin.com

WORDS: JAMES FOSSDYKE

RETRO RENAULT

For those rich in the birthday department, the Renault 5 will need no introduction. France’s answer to the Ford Fiesta was a huge hit, winning fans across Europe thanks to its handling, price and design. And now there’s a new one, albeit reimagined as a thoroughly 21st Century product. All-electric, with a choice of battery sizes and power outputs, the new Renault 5 E-Tech will have a compact footprint, relatively low weight and retro styling, as well as some eye-catching colour options. You’ll have to wait a while, though, as the first examples are set to arrive in the UK at the start of 2025. Renault 5 E-Tech, £TBC, renault.co.uk

TAYCAN THE MICKEY

Just when you thought the Porsche Taycan was fast enough, Porsche went off and made it even quicker. That’s been done with this new, top-of-the-range Taycan Turbo GT, which produces an outrageous 1,018bhp from its two electric motors, and that sounds more than adequate. But clearly Porsche thinks differently, because for two second bursts, the Turbo GT can produce 1,092bhp. Much more like it. Choose the optional Weissach package and it’ll be around 75kg lighter than a standard Taycan Turbo S, thanks in part to the removal of the back seats, so it’ll get from 0-62mph in 2.2 seconds. But it’s also more aerodynamic, which makes it a weapon on the race track.

Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, from £186,300, porsche.com

Like every other car maker, McLaren is being pushed towards hybrid and electric power, but as James Fossdyke has been discovering, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing

Over the past decade or so, McLaren has completely reinvented its image. Just like Dion Dublin started simply as a football star and pundit, then added daytime television to his repertoire, McLaren shifted from being one of the biggest Formula 1 teams on the planet to being one of the biggest names in supercar manufacturing. And while it’s true that the McLaren F1 of 1990 was the brand’s first road car, it wasn’t until 2011 that the snappily named MP4-12C became the first in a long line of supercars for the road.

But the move into mainstream manufacturing, or at least minor-league production, has put McLaren under the watchful gaze of governments, media and consumers, all of whom are clamouring for the hybrid technology used in Formula 1 – and variations thereof –to be implemented in road cars. In fairness, McLaren was quick on the uptake, having built the limitededition P1 hybrid hypercar in 2013, but it has taken until now for the brand to bring out a ‘full-production’ hybrid supercar.

It’s called the Artura, and it’s immediately plain to see that this is a McLaren. Clean, aerodynamic styling is complemented by McLaren’s boomerang headlights and narrow tail lights, not to mention the rear grille that looks like something from an alien spaceship. As a result, and without resorting to fins and wings, McLaren has built a car that looks every inch a supercar –particularly in one of the brighter colours.

In McLaren’s world, this is one of the smaller cars it makes, sitting between the ‘entry-level’ GTS model and the new 750S in McLaren’s new-look line-up. For those uninitiated in the McLaren way of doing things, this is essentially a hybrid rival for the Ferrari 296 GTB, the Lamborghini Huracan and the Maserati MC20. That means it’s up against some pretty spectacular opposition –we’d happily put any of those three cars in our garage without any hesitation – so it has to do more than just offer a clever hybrid system. It has to be one of the best in the business.

To help it achieve that, McLaren has given it a very clever plug-in hybrid system, which essentially means you can use it as an electric car. The car can be plugged in like a Tesla, then charged and used in near-silence, with an official range of up to 19 miles. In truth, you’ll be doing well to manage 15 miles on a charge.

If you so wish, you can drive to the shops, fill up the Artura’s pretty pitiful 150-litre boot with bags for life,

and recharge when you get home. Do that and that alone, and your McLaren will never use a drop of petrol, but you’ll be missing out on the point of driving a near-£200,000 supercar.

Instead, it’s much better to use the spectacular 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that works with the electric motor to provide a massive 671bhp, all of which heads to the massive rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. While that sounds impressive in isolation, bear in mind that the Artura’s nearest rival the Ferrari 296 GTB hybrid, offers 819bhp from its V6 plug-in hybrid system, so those who love to play Top Trumps in their local might prefer the Ferrari. But that isn’t the whole story, because despite its battery, electric motor and petrol engine, the Artura is very, very light. In fact, it weighs less than a BMW 3 Series, and that means 671bhp is enough to get from a standstill to 62mph in three seconds flat. And flat out, it’ll do 205mph.

Suddenly, the Artura looks much more comparable with the Ferrari, which offers very similar performance despite its vast power advantage. And the news gets even better for the Artura when you take it out on the road.

The car’s behaviour is largely controlled through a host of settings, so there’s an electric mode for driving around using the electric motor as much as possible, but that’s best avoided because it feels a bit sluggish and the petrol engine sometimes cuts in at inopportune moments, leaving you with the impression of a badly rehearsed amateur dramatics show. There’s a Track mode, too, but that’s a bit much unless you’re going on a race circuit. It holds onto gears for too long, and generally makes a racket. Instead, Sport mode is the sweet spot, using both the motor and engine at the same time to provide rapid responses and immense power. Because the electric motor fills in during gearchanges and the like, Sport mode makes the Artura a weapon on the road, with unhinged ability to overtake slow-moving traffic.

Similarly, there’s a choice of three modes for the chassis – Comfort, Sport and Track – and the story is similar. Track mode is just too savage for road use, seeming to magnify the lumps and bumps and feed them directly into your backside, but the other two settings are great. When you’re just cruising along, Comfort mode is wonderfully smooth, ironing out the imperfections with the aplomb of a luxury saloon, rather than a supercar. That McLaren has built something this fast and this comfortable is nothing

Performance ART

McLaren Artura

Price: From £189,200

0-62mph: 3.0 seconds

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 petrol plug-in hybrid

Top speed: 205mph Power: 671bhp

get the feeling the tech is not there for the sake of it, and McLaren wants you to concentrate on driving. You don’t even get buttons on the steering wheel, with McLaren preferring a selection of levers behind the wheel for controlling functions such as the hybrid system, cruise control and lights. It takes a bit of time to get your head around.

short of miraculous. But Sport mode is better for more exciting roads, offering much sharper control of the car’s body without sacrificing too much comfort. It does take some of the softness away, of course, but it trades that for lightning-sharp reactions to the steering wheel, which feels spectacular no matter which mode you use.

Admittedly, the Artura never feels quite as nimble as a Ferrari 296 GTB, but it does win out in one area in particular: the brakes. McLaren has fitted lightweight carbon-ceramic brake discs to the Artura, and their immense power means the car can stop from 62mph in just 31 metres. And there’s nothing dramatic about using that stopping power, because the Artura stays stable and solid as the numbers seem to fall away from the digital display in front of the driver. The way it stops is truly remarkable.

But while all that is sinking in, it only takes a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into the McLaren’s cabin. It may not be as fussy or as complex as that of a Ferrari, but it’s really well made, with lots of tactile materials and neatly fitted panels. The engineering on show is spectacular.

But despite that, when all is said and done, the Ferrari 296 GTB still has the edge over the Artura for a multitude of reasons.

Greater practicality, a prettier body and slightly greater agility all play their part, but the key factor is the aura that surrounds a Ferrari.

There’s no real reason for it – McLaren and Ferrari have gone toe-to-toe in motorsport for decades, so their history isn’t all that different –but the Ferrari just feels that fraction more special. However, if you’ve already ‘done’ the whole Ferrari thing and you’re a bit bored of the Prancing Horse, the Artura is a stellar alternative. Biblically fast, beautifully engineered and great fun to drive, the McLaren is as worthy a rival as the Ferrari will face, and compliments don’t come much greater than that.

As is the car’s interior. It’s minimalist, yes, and there’s basically a touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster and very little else. The touchscreen isn’t the greatest, it’s true, but for a small car manufacturer’s effort, it isn’t that bad, and the digital instrument display is crystal clear. You

Indulge

Our beautiful, iconic 400-year-old Hotel, sits beside the River Nene in the idyllic surroundings of the conservation village of Wansford, in Cambridgeshire. Throughout its history the Hotel has hosted an incredible array of famous and Royal guests including Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, Princess Diana and many others. Having completed an extensive restoration, the Hotel has once again regained its reputation as one of the region’s finest. It now cleverly displays all its historic glory with luxuriously appointed rooms featuring painstakingly restored medieval fireplaces combined with all of the modern technology and conveniences we all enjoy.

With two restaurants to choose from we know our ‘foodie’ guests will be fully satisfied! Fine dining can be enjoyed in our Michelin recognised, 3 rosette awarded ‘Prévost’ restaurant. This showcases a contemporary Tasting Menu by our Executive Head Chef, Lee Clarke and Head Chef Sam Nash, all paired with the eclectic wine choices from our Sommelier.

Relax and unwind in our Courtyard Bar and Lounge, smile at its unique playful décor, enjoy the music and the warm friendly atmosphere. Even outdoors, if the weather suits, in the historic courtyard setting warmed by our open firepit.

POWER HIGH

Is the most powerful Range Rover model yet also the most capable? James Fossdyke has been finding out

The idea of sticking the ‘Sport’ suffix on a Range Rover product seemed rather bold when it was first announced around 20 years ago, but it worked. Not only did the Range Rover Sport manage to feel marginally sportier than the standard ‘full-fat’ Range Rover, but it resonated with customers, becoming a key pillar of the Land Rover range.

Over the years, the Sport has become ever more deserving of the name, to the point where the latest model is one of the best all-rounders on the market, merging luxury, off-road capability and comfort with surprising driver engagement and handling. It’s one of those cars that can be all things to all people.

Yet Land Rover was clearly keen to improve the car’s sporting capability, because it has launched a new version of the Sport called the SV. A product of the British brand’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department, it’s the most powerful Range Rover ever made, and Land Rover is promising the kind of capability that will allow it to compete with the likes of the Lamborghini Urus on a race track.

Not that you’d know it just by looking. Yes, sporty details are there if you look closely, but for the most part, it just looks like a Range Rover Sport. There’s nothing wrong with that — it’s a good-looking thing — but some customers would probably want some less subtle upgrades than the SV’s vents, wheels and exhaust pipes provide.

Especially when it’s competing with the likes of the Aston Martin DBX707 and the Lamborghini Urus, both of which are distinctive and eye-catching. And don’t be fooled; the Sport SV is very much competing with these cars, as well as the Bentley Bentayga and the most powerful versions of the Porsche Cayenne. That’s not just because Land Rover is promising dramatic performance, but because the Sport SV is every bit as expensive as these cars. The test car we drove had a list price of more than £190,000.

It obviously hasn’t put customers off because all the Edition One cars slated for delivery in 2024 have been sold already, but it does mean we’re holding the SV to higher standards than a conventional Range Rover Sport.

Which is why we find the car’s cabin a bit disappointing. Not because it isn’t stylish — it looks every bit as good as that of the standard Range Rover Sport, because it’s more or less identical. Sure, you

can have some carbon-fibre decorative trim and there’s a sporty steering wheel, but otherwise it isn’t much different.

There is one defining feature, though, and that’s the new seats. They’re beautifully sculpted, but the big news is the speakers inside the padding that shake the seat in time with your music. Apparently, it’s supposed to lower stress while maintaining alertness, but it just made us feel nauseous.

It isn’t the only slightly odd addition to the Sport SV, either. Land Rover is also selling a lightweight carbon package that was fitted to our test car, and apparently makes a sizeable difference. With carbon-fibre wheels, brightly painted carbon-ceramic brakes and even carbon lettering on the bonnet, our test car weighed 76kg less than a standard car, but it still tipped the scales at almost 2.5 tonnes. And the car was weighed without occupants and with only a part-filled fuel tank. Get in and fill it up, and you’re looking at something that weighs the best part of 2.6 tonnes.

To haul that weight, Land Rover had to give the Sport SV an incredibly potent engine, so rather than employing sister company Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8, which was used in previous highperformance Range Rover Sport models, Land Rover just phoned up one of the best engine makers in the business: BMW. As a result, the SV has the 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine from a BMW M5 Competition sports saloon, but Land Rover has squeezed an extra 10hp from it, for a total of 626bhp. That’s quite a lot, and when paired with a super-smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, it gets the two-and-a-bit-tonne SV from 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 180mph. That’s sports coupe performance from a big 4x4.

But while the figures are very impressive, the experience doesn’t quite match them. Yes, it’s quick.

Range Rover Sport SV

Price from: £185,360

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

0-60mph: 3.6 seconds

Top speed: 180mph

Power: 626bhp

other qualities. The clever air suspension system keeps the car from lean in corners impressively, to the point where the car doesn’t suffer much body roll at all, even when you’re pushing hard on a race track. And custom-made tyres mean the grip on offer is incredible, so the car feels more like a hot hatchback than a 4x4.

Extremely quick for something so big. But it doesn’t feel quite as rapid as the figures suggest. Maybe it’s the slight lack of character from that BMW engine, relative to the Jaguar V8, or maybe it’s the soundproofing or perhaps even the car’s size, but it doesn’t feel all that fast.

The advantage of all that, though, is that the Sport SV feels effortless. The V8 engine doesn’t make much more than a grumble at everyday speeds, and it requires just a twitch of your right toe to make strikingly brisk progress. Combine that with great insulation in the cabin and the car is hugely quiet and serene at motorway speeds, which makes it really relaxing on a long drive. The sensation of always having power in reserve is helpful, too.

The sense of relaxation is only increased by the comfort, which is bountiful. The Aston Martin DBX707 is an incredibly comfortable sporty SUV, but the Range Rover Sport SV is better. In fact, despite its massive 23-inch alloy wheels, it’s as comfortable on the motorway as the standard car. It doesn’t quite glide as well as the bigger Range Rover models, but it’s very close.

Yet it’s still immense off-road. Admittedly, Land Rover recommends removing the front aerodynamic ‘splitter’ — a task that requires a screwdriver — before heading off-road to avoid expensive scrapes, but the car comes with all-season tyres as standard and it gets all the off-road gizmos you get from a standard Range Rover Sport. Clever traction control that responds to the terrain, a system to control speed down hills without locking the wheels — it’s all there, and it all works a treat. Even the huge power output helps, allowing the car to clamber over boulders with little more than tickover.

Somehow, though, the SVO division has managed to make it handle in a way that shouldn’t really sit alongside all the car’s

Overall, then, the Range Rover Sport SV is brilliant. It may not be the most characterful high-performance SUV out there, but it has arguably the greatest breadth of capability of anything on the market. Whether you need an off-roader, a luxurious family car or a sports car, it’ll do the job at least as well as anything else, and often better. The only problem is the slight lack of drama, which means it fails to justify the gargantuan launch price alongside rivals from Lamborghini and Aston Martin. That said, it’s still a fabulous feat of engineering, and one that demands respect.

O de to J oy F lowers

Fine art floral design company with an Atelier opened in June in the picturesque town of Stamford specialising in creation of timeless, organic and elegant designs for bespoke weddings, special occasions, luxurious private celebrations and al fresco soirees.

With its dreamy and flower rich arrangement style, Ode to Joy prouds herself with its conscious and sustainable approach to floristry, using only eco-friendly mechanics, and prioritising local flower suppliers over wholesale import. The signature Ode to Joy floral design is based on a specifically thoughtful approach to colour, with extremely intentional colour selection, as well as choosing most exquisite flower varieties.

Ode to Joy Atelier in Stamford offers ever-changing selection of fresh blooms chosen for their seasonal beauty and harmonious palette, as well as curated collection of gifts, antiques and lifestyle goods. Forthcoming are creative gatherings such as fresh flower crown workshops, botanical watercolour classes, fine cheese and wine tastings, festive wreath and arrangements’ workshops, and many more. odetojoyflowers.com | Instagram.com @odetojoyflowers

U nveil i ng the Tr u th Ab o ut M ode r n Stee l

W i ndo w s

Originally launched in the UK in the 1880s, steel windows have been installed in countless homes up and down the country. However, over the years the quality and performance of this type of window have been heavily criticised and shrouded by a number of misconceptions.

As modern interior trends continue to follow a minimalist industry style - which steel windows achieve with ease - MD of leading steel window manufacturer, Crittall Windows, is tackling the most common myths to reveal the truth about modern steel windows.

#1 - Steel windows are draughty and not energy efficient

The biggest misconception about steel windows is related to their performance, with many homeowners believing that the products are cold and draughty and therefore, won’t keep homes warm in the winter months. However, this isn’t the case as Russell Ager, MD of Crittall Windows, explains.

“Thanks to incredible advances in window technology, a traditional steel window can deliver excellent thermal insulation properties that match rival window materials.

“At Crittall Windows, our most popular steel windows feature an effective weather stripping system, to provide better protection against draughts, and are available with double or triple glazing. Both of these developments with the product mean people can feel confident their home is well insulated all year round.”

#2 - Steel windows are expensive and require a lot of maintenance

Another popular misunderstanding about steel windows is

that they’re an expensive, high maintenance product which requires lots of care and attention. But again, this isn’t true.

“Quality steel windows that have been manufactured to a high standard are incredibly durable and long lasting,” adds Russell.

“While the initial upfront cost may be higher than other windows, their longevity means they’re sure to last a lifetime - making the long term cost incredibly competitive. As a steel window manufacturer, we’ve seen examples where our products have lasted 100 years before they’ve needed restoring. This is because, as one of the strongest and most durable materials, steel windows require little maintenance throughout the years.

“To guarantee longevity, at Crittall Windows, our products are galvanized and finished with a factory applied polyester powder coating which is much tougher than conventional paint. Not only does this achieve a more

consistent and vibrant colour across the metal, but it also provides a layer of protection against corrosion, scratches and chips making it an incredibly economical and long lasting solution.

“As a general rule of thumb, if you keep your steel windows clean and the moving parts well-oiled, you’ll be able to enjoy them in your home for many decades.”

#3 - Steel windows are difficult to customise

One other reason why people are put off from investing in steel windows is because they believe they’re difficult to customise. However, steel windows come in a range of sizes, configurations and colour options making them an incredibly versatile product.

“The steel windows that we manufacture today come in a variety of sizes and shapes because of our extensive range of profiles. This gives homeowners across the country the flexibility to find a design that perfectly matches the style of their home,” comments Russell.

“Renowned for large expanses of glass, slim frames and sightlines, steel windows look incredible in both traditional and contemporary homes. Plus, with an impressive choice of colour finishes now available, homeowners can completely customise their new steel windows.”

Another fantastic advancement with steel windows is that they are no longer predominantly used as external windows, giving homeowners even more choice than before.

“As interior trends continue to evolve, we’ve seen a big increase in homeowners installing interior steel windows to divide their living spaces in order to reduce noise or create more privacy throughout their open plan property. This is a fantastic solution that not only looks impressive but also truly transforms internal spaces.”

Timeless style and lasting value

Although for many years misconceptions have surrounded the performance and quality of steel windows, advancements in technology mean that a high quality steel window manufactured today perfectly combines traditional style with modern performance.

“As a steel window manufacturer, we take pride in offering our customers products which remain true to the original steel window design featuring slimmer profiles but that also deliver incredible thermal performance, last a lifetime and can be crafted to accommodate a range of sizes, styles and colours,” explains Russell.

“What’s more, our products help to keep homes well protected against unwanted intruders thanks to the multi-point locking systems which has been tested to the required Enhanced Security PAS 24 standard.”

If you’re on the hunt for replacement windows for your home, why not invest in those that offer timeless style and lasting value?

To see how Crittall Windows’ steel window range can transform your home, visit: crittall-windows.co.uk

A Cool & Q uiet S umme r

Find your ideal companion for hot weather days with The Rutland Magazine’s essential guide to keeping cool this season with Quiet Mark certified fans and purifiers

Daikin MC55VB Air Purifier

Daikin air purifiers minimise asthma and allergy symptoms by removing dust particles, pollen and other allergens from your indoor air, helping to keep you healthy by filtering out airborne bacteria and viruses.

The portable purfier cleans your air by combining Daikin’s patented streamer technology and an active plasma ion generation unit with high performance HEPA filters. The result: healthy and clean air quality for everyone. buydaikin.co.uk

LEVOIT Classic Pro Smart Tower Fan

The wind-blown by the tower fan drives the air circulation and operates quietly, allowing you to enjoy the coolness in the hot summer while protecting you from unwanted noise and supporting a better night’s sleep. LEVOIT tower fans are more elegant in appearance and fit the interior design; increase the air outlet area, and upgrade the blowing experience; the compact design is easy to store and fit in various spaces. This is definitely a product every family will find worth investing in this summer. levoit.com

LEVOIT Air Purifier Core 300S

The Levoit Core 300S Air Purifier uses a laser dust sensor with higher accuracy, faster detection, and a larger particle size range (≥0.3um). Monitor PM2.5 levels using the VeSync APP and keep track of your indoor air quality with the Colour Indicator Rings on the purifier panel. The effective purifier area of Core 300S can meet the needs of most families. The purifier can cover 50 m² twice per hour and 100 m² once per hour. 360°air intake design, all-around air purification. It’s perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. levoit.com

Whisper Flex Ultimate Fan

Meet Whisper Flex Ultimate; an incredibly versatile, energyefficient and powerful fan that turns any room into a cool oasis and operates whisper-quietly. So when it gets hot, simply set your ideal temperature and enjoy the cooling breeze. Operating at an ultra-quiet 13dB, Duux’s most powerful fan yet is nearly silent and certified by Quiet Mark. This makes it perfect for those working remotely or trying to settle young children for a nap, without the typical background hum of traditional fans. Go anywhere with the rechargeable battery that last up to 12 hours for wireless mobility around the home and beyond. duux.co.uk

L ivin g the Mallo r can D re a m

Entrepreneur Frazer Fearnhead discusses his move to the stunning Balearic Island

Frazer Fearnhead, is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur. Pre-Covid, he was CEO of a successful property company. Unfortunately, during Covid the company couldn’t trade and ran into serious cashflow problems. Rather than struggling to rebuild it, he decided he’d had enough of the stress of being a CEO.

For many years he’d dreamed of living in Mallorca. So, at 54, he decided not to wait any longer to make that dream a reality.

Can Brits still live in Mallorca after Brexit?

Yes. Absolutely. It isn’t as straightforward as it was, but there are visas available if you want to spend more than six months a year here.

Is it easy to buy property?

Many people are aware of the allure of Mallorca. It’s the jewel of the Mediterranean and attracts numerous well-known celebrities (Taylor Swift is currently house hunting here). Unfortunately, the property market can be a bit of a dangerous place. There are problems with illegal building works, dodgy dealings by sellers and estate agents, strict planning laws and under-the-table payments are still sometimes demanded. It’s hard (especially if you live overseas) to find someone you can trust.

We had many hurdles to overcome to find our perfect home. We flew over several times and viewed over 40 properties before we found our ideal one.

Has it lived up to your expectations?

It’s absolutely wonderful living here. We live ten minutes from gorgeous beaches. We have a pool and a large garden with great views. I love the ‘slow-living’ pace of life here. Because it’s sunny most days, people are happier, friendlier and more relaxed.

How do you spend your time?

Well after seven months of just playing padel, powerboating and drinking far too much, I wanted to get back into doing something though just part-time.

I’ve got a property background and I’ve bought and sold a few properties in Mallorca over the years. I realised I’d made good contacts and learned many things that I could use to help others.

So, last year, I started a property consultancy that helps people navigate the real estate minefield, avoid costly mistakes and find their perfect property in Mallorca.

There are loads of estate agents in Mallorca already. But they represent the seller. We don’t have any listings and we solely represent the buyer’s interests.

On their behalf, we source property (often off-market), deal with estate agents, negotiate purchase terms, supervise lawyers, manage visa applications and deal with the bureaucracy needed to own property here.

Our clients are all busy, successful people and our service saves them time, money and stress, allowing them to focus on the enjoyable aspects of their property buying journey. Given that our service, in most cases, needn’t cost them anything, it’s a bit of a no-brainer.

Anything else?

I’m currently writing a book to be published later this year entitled ‘The Insiders Guide To Moving And Living In Mallorca’. mallorca-blue.com

THE ART OF COLLECTING

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO ART BUYING FOR THE HOME

Contemporary art has never been so accessible to buy and collect. Displaying art is not only a way to curate a home that is unique to you, it’s a rewarding creative pursuit and the art you select can hugely influence an artist’s career.

We’ve asked gallerist and artist, Nan Collantine of contemporary gallery, Mura Ma to give us her top tips on how to choose artwork for your home and how collecting is an art in itself.

Go see some art

Visiting art galleries, large museum shows in different cities, art fairs as well as small independent and artist-run galleries, and of course, online is a great way to explore different art styles, mediums, and genres to identify what resonates with you. Take photographs and start to build a library of what you like.

Identify your style and use art to break your own rules

Take note of existing creative expression in your home, how you decorate and arrange furniture and objects, your colour schemes, use of pattern or textures, the pictures you already have on your walls, as well as the period of your home and the style of furniture you have. Is it formal or relaxed? Do you like minimal design or are you a maximalist? Start by taking photographs of your living room and try to see it objectively. All the clues to your style are already there. Having said that, a piece of art is not necessarily about matching an existing interior, it could be a way to disrupt a harmonious scheme and provide a pop of colour, energy and excitement or make a challenging statement. Art should never be boring, and I personally would never buy art to match my sofa.

Contemporary art often pushes boundaries and challenges traditional norms. Be open-minded and willing to explore new and innovative artistic expressions. Your collection can be a reflection of your openness to different perspectives and ideas.

Think about space

Take into account the size and layout of the space where you plan to display the artwork. Sometimes a space can really handle something larger than you think. Feel free to break the rules and make the artwork the centrepiece of the room. Small works often get lost on large walls, think about a large piece to fill the space or create a salon hang of smaller works of different sizes. A downstairs loo for example is a great place to have fun with artwork.

Mix Mediums, Styles and Scale

Don’t be afraid to mix different art forms and styles. Combining paintings, sculptures, textiles, photographs, and other mediums can create a dynamic and eclectic atmosphere in your home. Consider putting a large picture above a console table with a piece of sculpture or objects to create a focal point. Scale is really important and should be considered in proportion to the room and the furniture, but again break rules if you think it works.

The art of collecting

Good art is not created for a market. Find artists who are attempting to express their ideas and have an art practice that is developing, rather than sitting with a style that sells. If you want to be a collector then it’s important to cultivate your own taste and understanding of contemporary art and to learn about emerging artists and their work. Authenticity is not hard to spot and art should not look slick. Learn about contemporary artists and their work by attending gallery openings, art fairs and exhibitions to discover emerging talent.

Follow the artists, they often know the ones to watch. Artists are usually the first to acquire work from an artist they admire. My own art collection started by swapping work with

artist friends and I have developed an eye for the artists that I think are making great work.

While it’s essential to choose art that you love, it’s also worth considering the potential investment value. Research the artist’s reputation, career trajectory and market demand. But always prioritise personal enjoyment over potential financial gain.

Create a budget for your art collection to guide your choices. This will help you narrow down options and prevent overspending. Keep in mind that there is great art available at various price points.

Where to buy

Context is important and how and where an artist shows their work, or is invited to show their work, matters. You can get a sense of an artist’s work if they have a solo exhibition in a gallery or public institution and is an indicator that this is an artist to watch. Some artists self-organise and collaborate with artists as collectives to show work in hired spaces and this can also be a great way to find contemporary artworks

If an artist is represented by a reputable gallery, then there is an extra level of credibility to the work. As a gallerist I am investing in the artists I am showing and representing. Most galleries will also offer an at home consultancy collector service. Ask them if they are a member of Own Art, which is an Arts Council-backed scheme that offers interest free credit to help people to buy art from living artists. It is also an assurance that the gallery has gone through a review process to become part of the scheme.

If you want to build a relationship with a gallery, you can often get first pick from new collections before exhibitions open to the public. Good art galleries hold talks and receptions where you can meet and hear from the artist and the curator and engage in the ideas behind the work. Understanding the artist’s backstory creates a personal connection to the work and enhances the significance of the piece.

Group exhibitions and open call exhibitions, can offer an introduction to different artists, including people who might not identify as a professional artist, and can offer a variety of price points – here the rule is if you love it – buy it. You can also buy direct from the artists, this potentially offers a lower price point and ideal for collecting works for a few hundred pounds. Keep an eye out for artists open studios when you can go and buy work they are clearing out of their studio. There is also the Artists Support Pledge which

is a great way to buy art direct online for less than £220 using the hashtag #artistsupportpledge.

Should I buy prints?

I’m not a fan of prints, because for a little more or sometimes even less, you can pick up an affordable original piece such as works on paper, for around £200 by an emerging artist. Buying an original work beats a print hands down in terms of presence. That’s why thousands of people still go to see art in museums, because reproductions don’t carry the same weight of material or feeling of an original, and if you are looking at it and living with it every day, it really makes a difference. There is also a chance that an original might increase in value. An original should always come with a certificate of authenticity.

Should I commission an artwork?

This is tricky as an artist, it’s not always easy to produce a piece of work on demand and most artists I know don’t like to do it. If you like an artist’s work then buy what they’ve already made, put your name down for a work from their next collection, or if they are with a gallery there may be a back catalogue and of course there is the secondary market, which means someone has collected their work previously and wants to sell it on. Leave artists to make the work they want to make.

Trust

the process

If you are not already collecting art, your first piece might lead to another, and there is a growing number of emerging collectors who are choosing to create and curate their own wonderful art collection. Selecting contemporary art is a creative journey, and there are no strict rules. My advice is to learn as you go, trust your instinct and jump right in. murama.co.uk

ROSCOE RUTTER

GHISLAINE HOWARD

WILLIAM WOOD

Reinvent your living space with William Wood, the undisputed home of Luxury Statement Mirrors & Occasional Furniture. Discover the best designs in the market with a clear focus on clean and sophisticated aesthetics.

Transcend i ng Tr ends

Guncast Pools and Wellness

With a global reputation for creating the most luxurious swimming pools and spas in the UK, Guncast Pools and Wellness know a thing or two about trends – and how to expertly design, craft and deliver projects that exceed expectation in every way

Swimming Pools & Wellness is an ever-changing sphere, and, like every industry, can be trend-led at times.

With core values of professionalism, creativity, innovation, and integrity, alongside a dedication to end to end care, Guncast has become the first choice for discerning clients looking to create their perfect swimming pool and wellness facility.

The pool trends of 2024 reflect a desire for luxurious, personalised, and functional swimming experiences - as technology and design continue to evolve, trends are likely to expand, offering even more innovative solutions for homeowners and businesses looking to create the ultimate aquatic retreat. Guncast provides a run through of some of the most popular requests they’ve seen so far this year.

BASEMENT CONVERSIONS

Converting basements into luxurious pool areas is a growing trend, particularly in urban settings where space can be limited. These

FINISHING TOUCHES

underground oases provide a private, year-round swimming experience that can be tailored to fit the homeowner’s preferences. Basement pools often feature advanced ventilation and dehumidification systems to maintain air quality and comfort, and Guncast are experts at carefully selecting and advising the very latest technologies to ensure quality water and air flow in every space. Design elements such as LED lighting, glass walls and modern finishes transform these spaces into sleek, contemporary retreats. Additionally, basement pools can be integrated alongside home gyms, spas, and entertainment areas, creating a comprehensive wellness and leisure suite in what is often unused space.

OUTDOOR HEATED POOLS

Outdoor heated pools are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners seek to extend their swimming season and enjoy their pools year-round – the summer of 2024 is likely to incite even more commissions in the coming months! Innovations in heating technology, such as energy-efficient heat pumps and solar heating systems, make it easier and more cost-effective to maintain comfortable water temperatures even in cooler climates.

A recent outdoor project is one of Guncast’s most calm, peaceful, and tranquil builds yet. Designed to be the focal point of a new,

beautifully designed landscape and to replace a tired, existing pool with something elegant and modern, the design incorporates clever atmospheric lighting and a deck level overflow system. The pool is heated using an Air Source Heat Pump, and the automatic cover also has solar properties, reducing heat loss whilst also heating the pool.

AD EXCESTIS MAIO BERIBUSCIM VOLUM ACCABOR MOD ET ACCULLUPTUS ET UT QUAS UNTIO EXCERERFERUM VELECTIOS MOLORE CORUM VOLUPTI AUT INVEL IUS APELIGNITIIS INIS NON CONEM IL IPSAM, CUPTATE MPELLOREMPOS EST UT ET RE RE, SAM LAUT QUUNTIOS MOD MAIO. ITAE QUISTOT ATEMPOR EHENDIT EIUNT

INFINITY POOLS

Infinity pools, also known as vanishing edge or negative edge pools, continue to be a popular choice in 2024. These pools create a visual effect where the water appears to extend infinitely to the horizon, providing a stunning aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Advances in materials and construction techniques are making infinity pools more accessible and customisable, allowing for creative designs that enhance the visual impact and overall ambiance.

The Guncast Pools and Wellness team recently designed and constructed a distinctive, boutique-hotel-inspired swimming pool for a private property. Clear glass was used to create an infinity edge and the fantastic teal glass pool tiles give it a striking finish. The swimming pool’s modern shape and design complements the gorgeous garden landscaping and fits well within the space, making use of the natural levels of the garden.

The client wanted a functional pool and separate vitality pool, that could be enjoyed all year round. This swimming pool provides a space for relaxing, exercising and socialising. The infinity edge pool also acts as an impressive water feature, visible from the house at all times.

POOLS IN LISTED BUILDINGS

Integrating pools into or around listed buildings presents unique challenges and opportunities. Listed buildings, protected for their historical and architectural significance, require careful planning and execution to ensure that any modifications are sympathetic to the original structure.

In 2024, there is a growing trend of incorporating pools in a way that respects the heritage of these properties while adding modern luxury. This might involve restoring and repurposing existing water features, such as old fountains or ponds, into functional swimming pools. Alternatively, new pools are designed to be minimally invasive, using materials and construction techniques that blend seamlessly with the historic architecture. These projects often require close collaboration

with conservation specialists and adherence to strict regulations to preserve the building’s character and integrity, an area in which Guncast has extensive experience.

DEVELOPING A WELLNESS SUITE

Why stop at just a pool? With the world of wellness continuing to expand, more and more clients are looking to expand their leisure facilities to include a worldclass sauna, steam room and ice cabins, befitting a 5* hotel. As part of the KLAFS Group, Guncast have exclusive access to the beautiful range of award-winning products to enhance pool and relaxation areas. KLAFS is the world’s leading sauna manufacturer and is a powerhouse in designing thermal journey experiences, such as saunas, steam rooms, ice lounges, foam steam, just to name a few – they push the boundaries of wellness experiences, innovating new and exciting products to inspire.

A stunning indoor pool, spa, steam room, Japanese bath, and cold plunge pool was recently created working alongside the talented team at Yiangou Architects, with amazing results. A 20 metre centrepiece swimming pool is perfectly complemented by a customdesigned luxury KLAFS steam room. The steam room is oval-shaped with fixed doors and a flat ceiling, giving a contemporary and light filled aesthetic.

For more information on creating your bespoke wellness retreat, visit Guncast.com or call 0161 358 0840

Hot Property

CRAXFORD HOUSE

CRAXFORD ROAD, GRETTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

CRAXFORD HOUSE IS AN ATTRACTIVE, STONE-BUILT VILLAGE HOME WITH A CENTRAL LOCATION WITHIN THE VILLAGE OFFERING PICTURESQUE VIEWS OVER WELLAND VALLEY OFFERS OVER £800,000

Once two separate houses, Craxford House was skilfully converted into a single dwelling. A decade ago, the property underwent a substantial refurbishment and extension project, blending modern conveniences with the timeless charm and character of a period home. The original features have been meticulously preserved and enhanced with additions such as cast iron radiators and bespoke carpentry. As you step inside, you are greeted by a welcoming hallway adorned with antique travertine flooring, which extends through much of the ground floor. A bespoke oak staircase with

panelling underneath provides storage space, and a cloakroom adds convenience.

The large breakfast kitchen is a true culinary haven, boasting an impressive range of bespoke floor and wall cabinets adorned with granite work surfaces. Fitted appliances make food preparation a breeze. The cooking facilities feature a fully programmable two-oven electric Aga, which can be available by separate negotiation. The kitchen offers ample room for a large dining table and provides access to a cozy snug or study, offering some views across the Welland Valley. This

space serves as a sociable family area for everyday living.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a utility room, fitted with stylish walnut work surfaces, an array of cupboards and shelving, and plumbing for an additional dishwasher. From here, you can access the laundry room and boot room. There is also a large first-floor space, currently used as a gym but offering versatile potential as a home office, studio, or hobby room. With its abundant natural light and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, this room provides an excellent area for work or creativity away from the

The reception room enjoys a dual aspect, offering delightful views of the southwest facing garden. A focal point of the room is the reclaimed York stone fire surround, housing a cozy wood-burning stove. Exposed stonework, wide French oak flooring, and deep skirting boards add character and charm, while French doors provide seamless access to the enchanting

The spacious drawing room features a grand inglenook fireplace with an open grate and bespoke bookcases. This room is also dual aspect, with French doors leading to the garden and windows framing views of the raised decked terrace area.

The dining room, currently serving as a playroom, is conveniently located off the kitchen. It is generously proportioned and acts as a link between the kitchen and drawing room, allowing for seamless flow during gatherings and entertaining.

Ascending the stairs, you will find a spacious galleried landing area. The master bedroom is generously sized and offers delightful views over the

rooftops of neighboring village properties and the sprawling countryside. An en suite bathroom awaits, featuring contemporary fittings including twin sinks, an extra deep bath strategically positioned to take in the scenic views, a separate shower, and a WC.

There is a guest bedroom with its own en suite shower room, as well as four additional double bedrooms and a family bathroom. A quiet seating area on the galleried landing provides a serene space for reading or studying, while also offering lovely views of the surroundings.

Outside, Craxford House enjoys a highly private location despite its central position in the village. A private driveway to the West leads to the garage with electric charing point and a gravel parking area with space for up to six cars.

The main garden, facing southwest, is predominantly laid to lawn and beautifully adorned with well-stocked borders that provide vibrant colours throughout the year. A flagstone patio terrace, accessible through French doors from the reception room and drawing room, offers a delightful outdoor seating and entertaining area.

Gretton is an attractive village

nestled in the picturesque East Northamptonshire countryside. The village boasts an excellent range of amenities, including a shop, nursery/preschool, primary school, café, village hall, and two churches. There are also two public houses, a pocket park, a skate park, a recreation ground with a large playground, tennis courts, and a cricket and sports social club. fineandcountry.com

Key Features

• Situated in a popular village only 5 miles from Uppingham

• Retaining many original character features throughout

• Entrance hall, three reception rooms, kitchen / diner

• Six double bedrooms, two en suites and a family bathroom

• Boot room, utility room, laundry room and a gym / studio

• Secluded, predominantly lawn garden, patio terrace and decked area

• Gravel drive and parking area for several cars plus a single garage

main hub of the house.

Hot Property

ORCHARD HOUSE

HIGH STREET, KETTON, STAMFORD, RUTLAND

A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE THE MOST CHARMING, FIVE BEDROOM HOUSE DATING BACK TO THE 18TH CENTURY WITH A BEAUTIFUL, MATURE GARDEN IN THE DELIGHTFUL CONSERVATION VILLAGE OF KETTON, STANDS OVERLOOKING THE CHATER VALLEY GUIDE PRICE £1,295,000

The sought after village is well served and awash with listed buildings making it a most alluring place to live. With Stamford and Oakham so close, a wide range of superb schools in the private sector are easily accessible, so too Rutland Water with its outdoor pursuits and the A1 and fast trains to London - and cities elsewhere - for those wishing to commute. The grade II listed, stone property with Victorian additions, all under a Collyweston slate roof, has

been a much loved family home for the last 37 years.

The entrance into the house in daily use is from the drive and gravelled parking area to the right hand side whilst the original main entrance is through double gates to the left, and from a patio at the back. The door opens into a very elegant hall with a fabulous original Victorian tessellated tiled floor. Skirtings are deep, cornices decorative and the main staircase has delightful Gothic-style spindles. A downstairs cloakroom, a

large coat cupboard (storage is certainly not an issue in this property) and the dining room lead off the hall which connects behind to a comfortable, carpeted room once used as a playroom with its close proximity to the kitchen.

Here, a third staircase rises to the first floor under which stairs lead down to a sizeable cellar and a door opens into the rear entrance lobby housing a Belfast sink, a built-in water softener and a walk-in pantry.

Within the carpeted inner hall and stepping up onto a terracotta tiled floor you find the lovely, light and airy, dual aspect kitchen with an extraordinarily high ceiling. An oil-fired Aga nestles in the panelled chimney breast and a top quality, handmade, solid oak fitted kitchen with a limed finish provides an abundance of storage. A glazed door gives access to the rear garden where a west facing patio is the perfect sheltered spot for al fresco dining.

Adjoining the kitchen, a barn is used as a double garage with doors opening on both sides and space for a workshop and further storage within.

A single garage also with timber doors, sits between the end of the house to the right and another outbuilding, the boiler room which has internal stairs to a room above.

The mature and private garden is sheer delight. To the front behind an evergreen hedge, irises, roses and perennials thrive whilst to the sides and rear, a wealth of planting including mature shrubs and climbers

creates a verdant haven. Lush borders surround a large lawn, spacious paved terraces beside the house are perfect for sitting in the sun and gravelled areas provide parking. Virginia creeper clings to the rear walls of the house for a spectacular display in autumn whilst a pretty, rambling rose sprawls across the top of the summerhouse in summer; nearby, a pond encourages birds and wildlife.

Ketton is a popular place to live being around 3 miles west of Stamford and 8 miles east of Oakham on the far side of Rutland Water. The village itself has a primary school rated Good by Ofsted, a shop, a pub, a church, a sports centre and gym with facilities for tennis, cricket, football and bowls, and public footpaths are plentiful through the glorious surrounding Rutland countryside. fineandcountry.com

Key Features

• A desirable grade II listed period Rutland residence

• Situated in a sought-after village, circa 3 miles from Stamford

• Entrance hall, three reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room

• Principal bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom

• Further four double bedrooms and three bathrooms

• Rear entrance/boot room, downstairs WC and a sizeable cellar

• Wonderful landscaped rear garden, patio terrace and pond

• Garaging, two garden stores and gravel off-road parking

Hot Property

THE GRANARY

MAIN STREET, THISTLETON, RUTLAND

NESTLED WITHIN THE SERENE VILLAGE OF THISTLETON IN RUTLAND, A REMARKABLE BARN-STYLE HOME AWAITS OFFERS OVER £900,000

Set on just under half an acre of plot, this five-bedroom exquisite property masterfully combines traditional charm with modern living, creating a harmonious blend of elegance and comfort. Crafted from stone and crowned with a slate roof, this high-quality dwelling exudes a sense of timeless beauty.

The interior is bathed in natural light, creating an inviting and spacious atmosphere. The house is thoughtfully designed to be environmentally friendly and cost-effective, with an air source heat pump providing efficient heating. From its vantage point, the home offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

Approaching The Granary, one is

welcomed by its graceful presence, set back from the road. A sweeping gravel driveway leads to an automatic gate, opening onto a private forecourt adorned with gravel. The property boasts an integrated double bay carport, accompanied by a workshop/garden store.

Stepping inside, one is immediately captivated by the attention to detail and generous use of space. The L-shaped hallway divides the home into two wings, while the expansive open-plan living area beckons at the end of the corridor, with French doors seamlessly connecting to the south and east-facing garden.

The kitchen, adorned with a vaulted ceiling and four skylights, radiates brightness and airiness. Natural light floods through the double French doors, which lead to a partially paved and partially gravelled courtyard style patio terrace. Shaker-style units topped with quartz countertops grace the kitchen, while a substantial island features a wooden worktop with a breakfast bar. This island also houses a wine cooler, oven, plate warmer, fridge, and freezer. Additional integrated appliances include a Stoves range cooker and hood, as well as a built-in washing machine located next to the double butler sink.

Beyond the island, the expansive open-plan dining and reception room awaits, enhanced by three sets of French doors that seamlessly connect the interior to the outside. A timber staircase leads to the first floor, where two generously sized double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms await. Large glazed windows offer stunning views of the garden and countryside.

The ground floor is adorned with beige tiles, creating a sense of continuity and flow throughout the space. The remaining three bedrooms, one of which boasts a double-height ceiling and an en-suite shower room, are complemented by a family bathroom. Additionally, the property features a study, a WC, and a utility room that mirrors the kitchen’s style, complete with a butler sink and space for a washing machine and tumble dryer. With direct access to the rear garden and carport, the utility room presents an ideal space for a boot room if desired.

Outside, the south-east facing rear garden is a private oasis enclosed by timber fencing. A paved terrace spans the width of the property, accompanied by a partially paved courtyard-style terrace with a central gravel area. These outdoor spaces

provide ample room for alfresco dining and entertaining. The rest of the garden is laid to lawn, offering an ideal playground for children or a blank canvas for those with creative landscaping aspirations. Side access leads to the spacious gravel driveway at the front, while a long strip of grass area, enclosed by post and rail fencing and metal railing, graces the front garden. The Granary enjoys the right of access up to its electric gate, adding an extra layer of convenience.

Beyond the enchanting confines of the property, the location offers a harmonious balance between peaceful tranquility and convenient amenities. The market town of Oakham, renowned for its diverse range of excellent shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as Oakham School, lies just 8 miles away. Stamford, celebrated for its Georgian architecture and vibrant arts center, is a mere 11 miles away, offering further shopping and dining options.

The Burghley House estate, with its year-round calendar of events including the Burghley Horse Trials, open parkland, and an 18-hole golf course, provides endless entertainment. Nearby Stapleford Park Hotel also offers golfing opportunities.

Rutland Water, located just 10 miles to the south, is a haven for

outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as sailing, cycling, and trout fishing. The area is renowned for its exceptional private schools, including Oakham, Oundle, Uppingham, and Stamford, as well as a selection of high-quality local state schools. Thistleton benefits from easy access to the A1 and the East Coast main line train to London Kings Cross, with Grantham (13 miles) and Peterborough (25 miles) serving as nearby railway stations.

Epicureans will delight in the presence of excellent restaurants in the vicinity, including Hambleton Hall and The Olive Branch at Clipsham. fineandcountry.com

Key Features

• A contemporary newly built Rutland residence

• Spacious open plan kitchen/ diner / family room

• Five bedrooms, three en suites and a family bathroom

• Study, downstairs WC and a utility/boot room

• Adjoining double bay carport and a garden store

• Predominantly lawn garden with paddock views

And Finally ...

Renowned for bringing world-first cinematic experiences to the home, Denon’s AVCX6800H forms the perfect foundation for anyone hoping to build the ultimate luxury cinema setup. The first brand to release an 8K receiver, users of Denon’s latest creation can expect an unrivalled ultra-HD video performance, blockbuster sound, upmixing technology and tailored audio with optimised listening experiences in any room.

The Denon AVC-X6800 is available at select authorised Denon retailers for £3,000