The Rutland Magazine - Winter/Spring 23

R a c in g G O D S

A new track-focussed Aston Martin

M y L ife i n S TAM F OR D

ME E T T HE C HE F : S ea n Ha r tne t t

The Admiral Hornblower share a recipe

Simon Grace from Charles & Dean

NATURE’S RARE JEWELS

BENTLEY LEICESTER

REIMAGINED.

DISCOVER BEAUTIFUL JEWELLERY AND LUXURY WATCHES FROM THE WORLD’S BEST BRANDS AT OUR SHOWROOM OPEN NOW: HIGHCROSS SHOPPING CENTRE, LEICESTER

Managing Director

Jack Bennett Editor

Craig Hough

Editorial Assistant

Margaret O’Donnell

Contributers

James Fossdyke

Phil Aird-Mash

Becci Wood

Hayley Murray

Design & Production

Kate Woods

A Not e Fr o m...

What better way to start the year than a flurry of snow, a touch of travel inspiration and a dusting of pure luxury.

We start the issue by talking to Simon Grace from Charles & Dean, who shares his life in Stamford with us (p.14). As we spend chilly evenings in front of the TV, Sky Max has treated us to a brand-new comic drama, Funny Woman, based on a novel by Nick Hornby. We talk to star Gemma Arterton (p.22) about her portrayal of Barbara, a young woman working in a Blackpool rock factory, who sets off for London without a plan but with a dream of making it big in comedy.

With Valentines’ just around the corner, we take a look at Mappin & Webb’s ‘Luxury Jewellery collection’ (p.36), which includes a beautiful array of exquisite cut diamond eternity rings, delicate statement drop earrings, diamond cluster hoops in white gold and statement diamond cocktail rings.

This month, in Food and Drink, we meet Sean Hartnett from The Admiral Hornblower Hotel and Restaurant (p.58), as he shares his recipe for Thai Sweet and Sour Cauliflower Curry and we shine a spotlight on No. 23 in Uppingham (p.55), the perfect place to enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired menu, alongside refined cocktails.

Also this issue, we visit Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster in Le Touquet for a family break in France (p.65), showcase Polarn O. Pyret’s winter warmers in Family (p.48) and resident petrolhead James Fossdyke puts the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition to the test (p.76) in Drive. We also speak to Architectural Assistant, Colleen Laurent from Class Q (p.86), garner travel inspiration for 2023 (p.63) and take fitness to new heights by doing a deep-dive on the design of BXR City in London (p.83).

STAMFORD

12 All Saints

King West More Travel Orbis

Paten & Co Savills

Stamford Endowed Schools

The Bull & Swan

The Crown Hotel

The George Hotel

The Wine Bar Stamford

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 Falcon Hotel

The Lake Isle

The Vaults

Uppingham School

Welland Vale Garden Centre

Yasmin and Amber Le Bon wear Raindance

Yasmin and Amber Le Bon wear Raindance

Yasmin and Amber Le Bon wear Raindance

Content s

A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES

FUNNY WOMAN

Gemma Arterton stars in the Sky Max adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel

RACING GODS

We put the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition to the test

BXR CITY

Take your fitness to new heights

STYLE

THE COSTUMIER COLLECTION

Olivia von Halle’s Resort 2023

CHAPTER TWO

Mappin & Webb introduce the second chapter of their ‘Luxury Jewellery collection

HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLNESS

ASK THE EXPERT

Why exfoliation is a very important step in any skincare routine

REGULARS

MY LIFE...

Simon Grace, Director Charles & Dean shares his life with us

FAMILY

A WARMER WINTER AHEAD

A new collection from Polarn O. Pyret for your little ones

FOOD & DRINK

SPOTLIGHT ON…

No. 23 in Uppingham

MEET THE CHEF

The Admiral Hornblower Hotel and Restaurant share a recipe

TRAVEL

LICENSE TO THRILL

A family break at Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster in Le Touquet

DRIVE

FAMOUS NAMES

The new BMW 3.0 CSL

HOME

Q&A WITH…

Colleen Laurent from Class Q

ENTERTAINING AT HOME

How to create a luxurious entertaining area in the comfort of your own garden

My life ...

SIMON GRACE, DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER AT CHARLES & DEAN

How would you describe yourself?

Ambitious, entrepreneurial, driven - always looking for a project to get my teeth into! I dedicate most of my working week to my role as Director & Co-Founder of Charles & Dean; an award-winning independent asset finance brokerage. It’s an exciting space, one we’ve worked hard to reimagine, alongside introducing and nurturing new talent, something that I’m very passionate about. I have always enjoyed property and spend a day a week on-site at The Parklands, 155 where we are building homes in a woodland setting just outside of Lincoln. I also try my hardest to be a good Dad to two young boys and drive fast cars to good restaurants whenever I can.

Where is home? And work?

I live in the village of Ufford, which lies in the north west corner of Cambridgeshire, just 5 miles away from Stamford, in a period property that we have just extended (giving me a few grey hairs!). Work consists of a few places for me. Charles & Dean is based just outside of Stamford in a wonderful barn conversion and we’ve just recently opened new London Offices in Hanover Square - a very exciting, big step for the business. I also work from Lincoln where many of my properties are situated, including a hotel in the city centre.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I don’t have a definitive answer for this one. The main thing that springs

to mind is an entrepreneur, a businessman, someone who sets out to build something from scratch. For me, it all started selling sandwiches in the school canteen when I was 15 - not many young boys were willing to forgo their break time to work - but I saw it as a real opportunity, even then.

I always thought being involved in houses and cars would be sensible given they are the two largest purchases most people make. Funnily enough, these are the two areas that I have delved into most throughout my career thus far.

Name a few of your favourite places to be… Although it’s not as peaceful as it once was due to little rowdy boys, being at home in Ufford, with my wife and kids is a wonderful place to recharge and switch off from the daily call of work. I love to run, the countryside we’re surrounded by in Ufford is peaceful and beautiful - it’s a great way to clear your head.

Growing up in the Stamford area, I’ve grown accustomed to the good restaurants and bars in the town. I often frequent The Wine Bar in Stamford for a drink with the Charles & Dean team after a day at the office and Hambleton Hall is also a favourite of mine for dinner and to stay a few times a year with my wife.

“

”

Tenacity is key - there have been several times it would have been easy to give up and upon reflection, after not giving up, I can see how close to achieving that particular goal I was

Further afield I have been lucky to travel to many different places including South America, China, Indonesia, and Australia but a recent trip to the Maldives certainly is up there with the best I’ve experienced.

What or who inspires you?

Other people I meet along the way never cease to amaze and inspire me - I’m in awe of those that are able to think outside the box or build something from scratch, as a business owner it’s exciting to connect with those striving to create bigger futures. Those that appear to do so while maintaining balance in other areas of their life such as their health/fitness and personal relationships are people that I seek to learn from as I’ve always found this a struggle.

What was the last gift you gave someone?

I bought my wife a necklace for her birthday. It tends to be a bit stressful as it falls on Christmas

Day, so the pressure is on, but I saw it in Stamford and instantly knew she would love it - and thankfully she did!

Tell us a secret/fun fact.

I can recite the alphabet backwards quicker than forwards thanks to my Grandad who invested several hours practising it with me as a young kid. Not sure it’s ever helped me but it’s a great party trick!

Who or what would you place in room 101?

Controversial, but it has to be Christmas music. Chris Rea needs to just get home already! Also, slow drivers - but then I do get so much pleasure from overtaking them.

Your mastermind subject?

The Porsche 911 - the best car in my humble opinion.

What’s been your biggest life lesson?

Tenacity is key - there have been several times it would have been easy to give up and upon reflection, after not giving up, I can see how close to achieving that particular goal I was. I also like ‘work to live’ - don’t ‘live to work’. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m trying. charlesanddean.com

“...we’ve just recently opened new London Offices in Hanover Square - a very exciting, big step for the business”

NOTEBOOK

S wa n L a k e

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall this March. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

8th March, www.demontforthall.co.uk

WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH

What’s O n ?

6 MAR

Coppélia Leicester De Montfort Hall

Every toy has a story, especially in this charming comedy of errors, a witty combination of antics and abracadabra, set in a doll maker’s workshop. This light-hearted tale of mistaken identity and confused lovers follows mischievous Swanilda, her impetuous suitor Franz and the eccentric toymaker Dr.Coppelius as they are brought to life by sparkling choreography and the animated score of Delibes. Coppélia is perfect for first-time ballet goers, families and everyone in between. demontforthall.co.uk

7 MAR

Giselle Leicester De Montfort Hall

Wedding Fayre Rutland Water Golf Club

Head to the lovely Rutland Water Golf Club overlooking stunning Rutland Water and meet lots of fantastic local suppliers and discuss ideas for your special day. Suppliers include Bridal Wear, Photography, Flowers, Cakes, Venue Dressing, Entertainment, Stationery, Jewellery and much more... eventbrite.co.uk

The most poignant of all classical ballets is filled with dramatic passion in a chilling and heart-rending tale of love, treachery and forgiveness from beyond the grave. The moving story of delicate Giselle and her aristocratic but duplicitous lover Albrecht is set to a glorious score. From the visual splendour of the rustic villagers happily gathering the harvest at the start of the story to the eerie moonlit forest haunted by beautifully drifting spirits, this production is unforgettable. demontforthall.co.uk

5 MAR

12 MAR

Burghley7

Rutland

Get those running shoes on and enjoy this sensational course linking Burghley and Stamford. With incredible access to the private areas of the Burghley Estate, a traffic free High Street and a course that explores countless unique locations, Burghley7 is a 7 mile road race you need to get involved in. therutlandmarathon.co.uk

15 MAR

The Manfreds

Stamford Corn Exchange

Considered one of the finest and most respected bands from the 1960’s era, The Manfreds are bringing their 60th Anniversary celebrations to Stamford Corn Exchange. The band, with original front man, Paul Jones, will be performing many of their timeless hits, including ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’, one of the most popular and instantly recognisable songs of the ‘60’s, and still the biggest audience pleaser at their concerts, along with a mix of Jazz and Blues covers and tracks from their individual solo albums. stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

19 MAR

Mother’s Day Lunch

Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa

Make your mum feel extra special this Mother’s Day by treating her to Sunday Lunch with her favourite people, in the beautiful Blossoms Restaurant. Enjoy a three-course dining experience, with live music and a complimentary glass of bubbles and a daffodil for every Mum in your party. rutlandhall.co.uk

12 MAR

10CC’s Graham Gouldman & Heart Full of Songs Stamford Corn Exchange

It is only between 10cc’s sell-out, bi-annual UK tours that the band’s co-founder Graham Gouldman is able to fully indulge his Heart Full of Songs project and take it on tour. The semi-acoustic four-piece performs a broad spread of Graham’s song-writing catalogue, including chart hits for 10cc, the Hollies, Herman’s Hermits, the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck and his time in Wax with Andrew Gold. The band line-up comprises Graham, 10cc live band members Iain Hornal and Keith Hayman, and Dave Cobby. For lovers of perfectly-crafted music performed by the composer, a Heart Full of Songs concert is truly an exquisite experience. stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

2 APR

Rutland Spring Half Marathon Rutland

A wonderful half marathon around Rutland Water peninsula. The course is varied and interesting, taking in some of the best views of the beautiful county. The event is UKA recognised and includes full course support, advanced medical care, feed stations, chip timing and a fantastic finisher medal. therutlandmarathon.co.uk

oof The Best... Wonderful Wellness Retreats for 2023

3 Discover a New You with Wellbeing Programmes by Chenot

1 Find Your Zen

With its six separate spas for adults and families, a TCM Health Spa, Yoga studio, and famed concert hall, Schloss Elmau is a magnificent spiritual and cultural hideaway tucked away in the Bavarian Alps. This year they will host a series of Yoga, Taiji and Qi Gong Retreats, as well as its Annual Yoga Summit, in May. The retreats aim to promote refined states of attention, concentration and mindfulness. Teaching takes place at The Pavillon - one of Europe’s most beautiful yoga studios, inspired by Indian spirituality. In addition to the week-long retreats, there are daily courses for beginners, as well as experienced yoginis and yogis. During holiday times, Schloss Elmau also offers Yoga for kids and teens. The Annual Yoga Summit will run from 21-26 May, schloss-elmau.de 2

Kickstart Your Healthy Living at David Kirsch’s Fitness and Nutrition Retreat

Travel to Santa Marina, Mykonos this May for a fitness and nutrition retreat with David Kirsch, the celebrity trainer known for sculpting the bodies of many celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum. This is perfect for those health-conscious guests keen to maintain their physique in beautiful surroundings, beside the aquamarine Aegean Sea.

The five-night retreat with David Kirsch at Santa Marina, Mykonos runs from 18-23 May, santa-marina.gr

After more than a decade of international success in the field of health, wellness and beauty, the Chenot Espace Health Wellness SPA at L’Albereta has introduced new programmes and services designed by Chenot that promote health, vitality and equilibrium within the body and mind. In a completely redesigned setting, guests can experience powerful, effective, and personalised treatments that enable the body and mind to reach their optimum level, achieving an enduring long-lasting effect whilst promoting optimal health, wellness and beauty. For those wishing to take a short break to relax, recharge their energy reserves and feel well, L’Albereta offers the 4-day Wellness Programme. It combines the Chenot Method of energising massages, hydro-aromatherapies, phyto-mud therapies and hydro-jet treatments with the delicious healthy Bio-Light diet that is prepared using methods that preserve the nutritional value of the ingredients of food. albereta.it

F u nn y Wom a n

The Rutland Magazine talks to Gemma Arterton about her portrayal of Barbara, a young woman working in a Blackpool rock factory, who sets off for London without a plan but with a dream to make it big in comedy

It’s 1964 and girls are expected to be flirty, fabulous and fertile - they are not expected to be funny - but Barbara Parker is different. This comic drama follows Barbara (Gemma Arterton), a young woman working in a Blackpool rock factory who sets off for London without a plan, but with a dream. She embarks on a mission to reinvent herself and find her voice in the maledominated world of the 1960s sitcom. However the road to stardom is paved with banana skins and she has many a pratfall before she achieves her goal.

What appealed to you about doing this show in the first place?

I read the book when it first came out and wanted to get the rights to it. Barbara is such a great character, and it was such an iconic time for comedy, for culture, when this whole new wave of comedy started happening.

More edgy working-class humour started to come through and for a woman to be in that world was unusual a that time. I could hear her voice in my head and then years after, I got sent the pilot episode by Potboiler and it was amazing. Morwenna’s writing was bang on. It felt quite serendipitous

Would you say there’s a gap in the market for this type of British storytelling?

The Marvellous Mrs Maisel is a huge hit and we were aware that there’s a similarity there, but this is so British, it’s a very different sense of humour, more Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers. In America, they had The Mary Tyler Moore Show. We didn’t have anyone leading their own show, until the 70s-80s when Victoria Wood and Jennifer Saunders started coming through. Women were accessories in comedy, and British comedy was particularly sexist.

The roles that women had to do were the Benny Hill-type or Carry On sexualized parts. It was quite extraordinary for a woman to make it in the 60s in comedy in the UK.

So tell me about Barbara

She’s a girl from Blackpool, her mum disappeared when she was young and her dad raised her. They have a very close relationship and that’s where she gets her love of comedy from. He always filmed her on a camera goofing around; they love listening to the wireless shows. She wants more from life than just being a beauty queen, working in a rock shop and becoming a wife. So she goes to London to try and make it as something. She finds

“ Her roots are what define her, what makes her special and what makes her stand out ”

herself auditioning for a Comedy Playhouse. From there on it’s the journey of her becoming a sitcom star and finding her voice.

Is she holding onto a Northern sensibility while also being in London?

She struggles with that because she does get sucked into it, especially when she becomes well known and starts hanging out with celebrities and becoming one herself. When you come from a certain place where your parents and friends are very grounded people, you can’t quite shake that. The theme throughout the whole show is her trying to find how she relates to the showbiz world, being who she is and where she’s from, and having this identity crisis. Her roots are what define her, what makes her special and what makes her stand out. At the time there weren’t many actresses with regional accents have been accepted in British culture.

How was it getting your accent?

Because that’s a specific one. My best mate is from Blackpool. She went to drama school and has this slightly affected accent but her son has a proper Blackpool accent and I remember speaking to him about it. I worked with an accent coach and he found this recording of these women from Blackpool, chatting about random stuff and I listened to that religiously. We shot it in Liverpool, Manchester and a little bit in Blackpool. They’re so close to each other but the accents vary so much.

What are her relationships like and how do they inform her journey throughout the series?

There’s her best mate Marjorie who she can be herself around. They have this very direct and upfront relationship. Then she has her

agent who she doesn’t click with, who’s pretentious and comes from a completely different world to her. And then she has her relationship with the writers, and Clive and Dennis, who don’t get her, but they love her and she’s learning a lot from them. When I was doing the show, it was like going into different TV shows on every set because Barbara’s tone is slightly different with different people. It was a real hodgepodge but that’s what happens when you move to a new place; you’re trying to find where you fit in and she’s very chameleon-like.

As an exec producer on this as well, was it a lot easier to put your own spin on the character with what’s in the script? We had the book, which I read and then respectfully put it away because the story changed and developed with Morwenna. It was so fleshed out on the page and there was a lot of stuff that I wanted to bring to it like physical comedy, which is a passion of mine. I did a lot of work with an amazing guy called Toby Sedgwick, who’s a movement director

but also an actor. I did a couple of weeks with him to try and find physical stuff that I could implement into the script. Sometimes you get characters that you have an affinity with and Barbara was one of them. It felt natural to play her and didn’t feel like it was a massive stretch. Barbara was a character that I feel like I’ve always wanted to play and there’s a lot of stuff in there that I got to let out.

She’s a big fan of Lucille Ball so were you watching a lot of I Love Lucy?

I own a box set that has 40 DVDs. I watched the first few seasons of I Love Lucy and it was just such a huge inspiration for me as an actor because I got to see what a master she was

at physical comedy. That totally transformed the comedy that Barbara wants to do.

You’re dealing with a lot of the gender politics in a period setting but a lot still feel quite contemporary. Was that quite interesting for you?

We’ve all had our experiences. Morwenna, coming up through comedy, had so many people say to her you can’t do this and that. It’s way better than it was but there’s still an undercurrent because old school people still work in the industry. Hopefully people will still be able to relate since it’s not just this industry that’s affected. One of the things that Barbara struggles with is people judging her physically rather than what she can do and that happens a lot with women in workspaces.

How did you enjoy the meta narrative going on, switching between Barbara and the character she plays in the sitcom?

It was so meta at times! There were times when we didn’t know especially with Tom Bateman. He’s very much like Clive and I’m quite like Barbara so there were times where

we were asking Olly (Director) questions that we could have asked in the sitcom. It was very weird. Then doing the show in the show, which was so cool, in front of a live audience and the nerves. Leo Bill and Matthew Beard, who play the writers, were becoming so obsessed with the writing of the show themselves. It was quite funny.

Who do you think will love this series?

It is for everyone. It’s fun, moving, cutting edge and surprising.

Stream Funny Woman on Sky Max with NOW from Thursday 9 February.

“Barbara was a character that I feel like I’ve always wanted to play and there’s a lot of stuff in there that I got to let out”

Style

E xclusi ve to

G oldsm i ths

Following the success of its automatic freelancer Calibre Skeleton, Raymond Weil has announced its latest open-worked model which possesses a specifically contemporary design; the Blue Skeleton Leather Strap freelancer. Featuring barrel-shaped hour and minute hands and a blue flange encircling the open-worked dial, a 42.5mm stainless steel case and a neoteric calf leather strap, this brand new model is available now exclusively at Goldsmith’s stores including Highcross Leicester and online. £2,150, Goldsmiths.co.uk

T he Cost umie r C o llect ion Resor t 2 023

Dive deeper into the thoroughly enchanting oeuvre of 20thcentury costume and set designer Erté and the spellbinding milieu of the showgirl with the Costumier collection. Gloriously decadent and extraordinarily luxurious, this limited-run capsule comprises sumptuous velvet robes, 19-momme silk slip dresses and other Olivia von Halle signatures that have been elevated to dazzling new heights with exquisite hand embellishment.

In line with the brand’s unwavering commitment to best-in-class craftsmanship, this 18-piece edit sees Olivia von Halle renew its partnership with world-leading embroidery artist Jenny King to create amped-up, hand-finished pieces for those in pursuit of the sort of luxury that’s impossible to find elsewhere. Tapping her exclusive network of traditional artisans in India, King has infused our creations with an added layer of sparkle by way of intricate sequin detailing and delicate beadwork.

“We are always delighted to partner with Jenny because it takes our already luxurious product to the next level,” says Founder and CEO Olivia von Halle. “Supporting heritage craft while reimagining it in a way that feels modern and fresh is a cornerstone of OvH, and these pieces are intricately hand-embroidered in India, where the craft has been practised for centuries.”

Highlights include our silk-velvet Capella pieces, which see our hallmark Contessa slipper, Coco pyjama set and more cast in a resplendent sage-green and adorned with glittering star-shaped beading. Our Erté-inspired carousel-horse motif, which is screen-printed throughout our Folies Exquises collection, is also reworked with hand-stitched sequins to create, among others, the joyous faux fur-trimmed Queenie Equus, easily our most opulent robe to date.

Prices range from £195 to £3495, oliviavonhalle.com

C hapte r 2 ‘T h e Lu x ury C ollec t io n ’

Mappin & Webb proudly introduces the second chapter of their ‘Luxury Jewellery collection,’ a one-of-a-kind, specially curated range of unique jewellery showcasing the most precious stones with the greatest carat weight and intricate designs to date.

A collection that houses over 160 pieces; the second instalment of the Luxury Collection eludes sophistication and glamour. Featuring a beautiful array of exquisite cut diamond eternity rings, delicate statement drop earrings, diamond cluster hoops in white gold and statement diamond cocktail rings featuring playful pops of colourful stones that create a heady mix of elevated everyday jewellery.

The curation of carefully selected shaped diamonds feature across all product categories within the range with multi-stone and singular elaborate stones. This latest launch encourages clients to connect with the pieces, to stack band rings, layer tennis bracelets and express their own individuality. The Tois et Mois rings explore a wonderful mix of stone styles as engagement or luxury right hand rings that are the ideal introduction to the journey of High Jewellery. Scattered diamond pieces within the

Collection provide clients with a luxury twist on a classic style with exposed metal bars separating mixed cuts for a clean statement aesthetic that create a more contemporary piece. Within the Collection there is a focus on Yellow Gold, encouraging clients to mix metals across rings, earrings, necklaces and wristwear.

A current trend that has been elevated is the new Pavé chains within the Luxury Jewellery Collection. A playful mix of paperlink style chains juxtaposed with larger set diamonds, there is a timeless allure to these pieces that appeal to all ages and are a “must have” within any jewellery wardrobe. The playful pave detail weaves around pops of gemstones to create a new take on the pave trend. Whether it’s a ring, bracelet or necklace these statement designs transcend ‘trends’ with a refreshed approach to layering, combining contemporary chains and classic diamond set jewellery.

Inspired by travel and market trends the presentation of these new unique pieces’ welcome clients into the world of luxury jewellery with the classics from £10,000 but also highlights how elevated High Jewellery pieces can be worn every day.

mappin&webb.com

THIS PAGE:

18ct White Gold 3.8cttw Diamond Drop Earrings, £16,500

18ct White Gold 13.14cttw Diamond Necklace, £60,000

18ct White Gold 5.90cttw Diamond Bracelet (Left Hand), £26,500

Amelia Platinum 0.38cttw Diamond Ring (Left Hand), £1,500

Amelia Platinum 0.32cttw Diamond Ring (Left Hand), £1,500

Amelia Platinum 1.40cttw Diamond Engagement Ring (Left Hand), £10,500

THIS PAGE:

Roberto Coin 18ct White Gold Love In Verona 0.96cttw Diamond Hoop Earrings, £5,920

Maria Tash 18ct White Gold Invisible Set 0.22cttw Diamond Single Hoop Earring, £1,195

18ct White Gold 0.70ct Yellow Diamond Pear Cut Pendant, £4,500

18ct White Gold 7.78cttw Diamond Bracelet, £28,500

Roberto Coin 18ct White Gold Love In Verona 1.61cttw Diamond Bangle (Right Hand), £10,830

Platinum 1.32cttw Yellow Diamond Ring  (Left Hand), £12,500

Platinum 1.00cttw Diamond Eternity Ring (Left Hand), £4,000

mappin&webb.com

Emilee White Dress, £365

Wellness Health, Beauty

Lew is J Champi on

“After 16 year’s experience in hairdressing, I don’t believe in cutting corners. I want to get to know you and build a relationship based on trust and loyalty. My approach is based on 3 guiding principles; Vision, Decision, Precision.

VISION: The look you want to achieve, married with my knowledge of styles, trends and your hair.

DECISION: Together we agree on how best to achieve the look you want.

PRECISION: The cut you want with a professional, accurate and exact finish.

I take personal pride in making sure the salon experience is everything you want it to be - from the first time you walk in until the moment you leave. I look forward to welcoming you soon...”

Lewis J Champion, 14a Orange Street, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9SQ, 07802 355636

Natural Seaweed Skincare

Hibernicis is a new skincare range designed to support and replenish the body and mind’s wellbeing. Founder, Catherine Logue lives in the wild, untouched Connemara, Ireland and was inspired to use natural resources, including seaweed from the Atlantic coasts. Hibernicis launches with 5 products, Glan Bath + Shower Gel, Úr Exfoliating Gel, Sioda Body Serum, Athlíon Body Lotion and Cara Hand Cream. The products are gentle, natural and good for all skin types and genders, with particular attention to adding comfort for mature skin. hibernicis.com

Health Beauty &

Detox your Body and Mind

We all feel a little sluggish and worn out after the Christmas period. The Absolute Aromas Detox range has everything you need to revitalise your mind and body. Each product in the range is enhanced with Absolute Aroma’s detox aromatherapy blend. Formulated to tone and revive the body, the detox blend contains invigorating juniperberry, uplifting grapefruit and skin-soothing geranium essential oils, whilst the stimulating sweet citrus scent recharges the mind. absolute-aromas.com

A sk the EXPERT

SALOME DHARAMSHI, DERMATOLOGIST AT SKY CLINIC EXPLAINS WHY EXFOLIATION IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP IN ANY SKINCARE ROUTINE

Gentle exfoliation can be done at home as a home care routine or in the skincare clinic as a professional treatment. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin and leaves skin soft and smooth. The skin shedding cycle takes 30 days. During this process, the dead cells are replaced with new ones, which gives the skin a fresh and healthier appearance. However, during the cell renewal process, some dead cells remain on the skin surface, giving the skin a dull, dry and unhealthy appearance. Exfoliation helps this process to speed up and remove the dead cells from the skin.

Exfoliation has a number of benefits. By removing the old, dead cells, we give our skin a chance to recover and reproduce new, healthier cells. The cellular renewal process has a vital role in skin health as it helps in the anti-ageing process. Exfoliation can improve skin imperfections, makes the tone more even, reduces congestion of blocked pores and blemishes, and improves the level of hydration and moisture of the skin. Even though exfoliation is a healthy process for our skin, it has to be done in a safe way. Over-exfoliation can damage the barrier of the skin, which can lead to redness, breakouts, unbalanced skin and pigmentation. Before exfoliation, we have to consider our skin type and decide what type of exfoliation will be best suited to our skin and how often we need to exfoliate.

There are two types of exfoliation methods used at home –mechanical and chemical. Mechanical exfoliates can be special brushes or scrubs, which physically remove the dead cells. Chemical exfoliations - skin peels (AHA, BHA) – gently remove the dead cells.

In regards to doing a 3-step evening routine: I don’t usually advise exfoliating the skin daily as it makes the skin sensitive and causes complications, which are quite lengthy and costly to treat. Daily exfoliation makes the skin sensitive, red, unbalanced (oil/water balance) etc. It takes 30 days for the skin to renew the cells, then by exfoliating daily we don’t give the skin a chance to fully recover.

My Evening Routine Includes;

#1 - Double cleanse

#2 - Serum (active ingredients according to the skin type)

#3 - Moisturiser. Usually, I advise exfoliating weekly.

skyclinic.co.uk

FRAGRANT BOOST FOR YOUR HOME

Sophie James Mayfair has created a collection of beautiful room sprays that are not only sleek and elegant but will add a luxurious burst of fragrance to any space. Designed to help hide and cover up any strong and unwanted smells, these room sprays provide the perfect fragrant boost before welcoming guests into your home. Available in 7 wonderful and unique scents, each room spray has been lovingly hand-poured in the UK, using only the finest vegan ingredients.

sophiejamesmayfair.com

New Wellness Supplement

Leapfrog's latest product SNOOZE is a clever combination of lactoferrin (anti-inflammatory protein from cow's milk), vitamin B6 and lactium (a gentle and natural hydrolysate which has proven relaxing properties) which promises to reduce cortisol levels, decrease anxiety and stress and aid a deeper and more restful night's sleep. Chew two tablets around an hour before bed for the best results.

leapfrogremedies.com

Family

A W h ale o f a T ime

The super cute

Infantino Whale Bubble Bath, complete with 10 colourful balls, promises the most splash-tastic time from 6 months! The inflatable tub is the perfect solution to bath time in those early days, with a built-in temperature sensor to indicate when the water is too hot, parents can rest assured baby is in safe hands. amazon.co.uk

Family news

WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH

Make Little Ones Go Gaga

A truly adorable gym bursting with colour that will take playtime to the jungle, this super soft and exciting play space from Infantino encourages new skills such as visual tracking, reaching, tummy time, and rolling. Packed with extras, the mat comes with the cutest linkable characters, including a lion, flamingo and tropical bird, as well as a musical pull down monkey that will keep little ones happy for hours Suitable from birth, the Go Gaga Twist & Fold Tropical Gym is uniquely designed with a clever twist and fold mechanic that is not only super easy to collapse but also compact when packed down, making it super handy to tuck away after play or take to grandma’s house! amazon.co.uk

A Warmer Winter Ahead

Now the temperatures have well and truly dropped, it’s time to update little ones winter gear, with a little help from Polarn O. Pyret! Keeping them extra snug, the brand’s merino wool layers are a perfect solution this season. Having natural insulators to trap in the warmth, while releasing excess moisture away from the body, they keep little ones warm when adventuring outside or cosying up indoors. Also keeping kids wrapped up this winter is the brand’s iconic outerwear collection, which is jam-packed with seasonal prints and new autumnal shades, with bestselling options including; the Waterproof Kids Shell Jacket and Waterproof Fleece Jackets, as well as the POP Flexisize Jacket which grows with little ones, truly reflecting its commitment to sustainability.

polarnopyret.co.uk

STEP UP BABY

Introducing Stepup Baby, creators of the must-have stylish toddler tower. Inspired by Montessori philosophy, the genius step lets children learn, play and interact in the kitchen in a fun and safe space. Elegantly designed using superior grade, 100% birch wood the Stepup Baby Montessori learning tower allows confident little walkers to climb up on their own to countertop height. From preparing dinner to taste testing, washing up or baking - this revolutionary toddler tower promises to change family life for the better.

Suitable from 18 months to 4 years, RRP £119.00, stepupbaby.com

Unique Keepsake Gifts

Adding a whimsical touch to gifting, Lilliputiens is delighted to offer imagination-sparking toys that will be loved by little ones for years to come. The Bedtime Ritual Sets help little ones to learn all about the bedtime routine, as Stella and Joe are ready to visit the land of nod. Each set includes a potty, pyjamas and nappy alongside an adorable bag that doubles up as a cosy duvet!

RRP £35.99, littlewhispers.co.uk

Mum’s Best Kept Secret

Global breastfeeding brand Medela, is delighted to offer the handbag must-have, the 100% natural Purelan Lanolin cream. The multipurpose product is perfect for any dry skin for mum and baby – truly a mum’s best kept secret! Although traditionally an aid for breastfeeding, the product has cult following for being the ultimate handbag essential as it also works perfectly on any dry skin or lips –ideal for any mums-to-be packing their hospital bags.

Made with 100% lanolin sheep wool wax, Purelan creates a long-lasting skin barrier due to high water absorption, helping to aid the natural healing process. Gliding onto skin easily, the medical grade lanolin is dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic, making it super safe for baby and mum alike.

From £4.99 (37g), shop.medela.co.uk

Food Drink

The Effort less Wa y To Feel Goo d

Having opened its doors back in 2017, Aloha Foods Co. has kept to their goal of making delicious healthy food as exciting as possible. The team love to be creative and are always coming up with new unique homemade marinades and sauces. The Stamford-based venue is available to cater for weddings, birthdays and private parties. alohafoodscotakeaway.com

Re-charge Your Taste Buds

If you’re looking to ditch the high-calorie drinks try kombucha to mix your mocktails. Kombucha is a big deal - it’s a fermented tea beverage that’s packed with probiotics that are good for your gut. Probiotics are associated with a variety of health benefits, including improved digestion, better immunity, and even increased weight loss. boochi.co.uk

Food & Drink news

WORDS: CRAIG HOUGH

RUTLAND LOVES

Gosset Grand Rosé Brut NV Champagne

This top-notch Champagne is the essence of deliciousness with red berries and cherry fruits, full of flavour and fragrance that is sure to hit the spot every time. Delicious on its own as an aperitif or enjoy it with dishes such as wild salmon, a platter of seafood or a homemade paté on toast. Gosset Grand Rosé Brut is a blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir (which includes a touch (8%) of Ambonnay and Bouzy red wine). Ready to drink now or keep for five years or more where it will maintain and even intensify its beauty in the bottle. Enjoy chilled to 8-10C. harveynichols.com

GUT-LOVING GRANOLA SACHETS

Chester based Bio&Me, created by Dr Megan Rossi (PhD RD), also known as The Gut Health Doctor, is a range of tasty, gut-loving products packed full of prebiotic goodness, designed to make gut health easy and accessible. Based on Dr Megan’s scientific research, the brand believes that people and microbes thrive on variety and deliciously good food. That's why they’ve packed their granolas and porridges with 15+ different types of plant-based goodness. bioandme.co.uk

Hip Pop Hurray

Hip Pop, a brewer of gut lovin’ non-alcoholic drinks brand based on a farm in Altrincham have added a new flavour to their range. They currently sell a selection of flavoured kombucha and have recently expanded to include Living Sodas, made with apple cider vinegar. Each 330ml can contains a full tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and is fortified with prebiotics and probiotics, including Bacillus Coagulans living cultures to support gut health. Low in natural sugar, they contain 1.2g per 100ml, and each can is less than 30 calories. drinkhippop.com

MEET THE CHEF: MARCEL RAVIN

What’s your first food related memory? When my grandmother cooked for her children and grandchildren in Martinique. In particular, the chicken scorch, chicken fricassee caramelised with cane sugar.

When did you know you wanted to be a chef? At the age of 14/15, when I cooked with my grandmother, she passed on her passion for cooking.

Where were you trained, and how did you find your training?

I did my apprenticeship in the West Indies then I left for France to work in a Relais et Châteaux in Alsace.

What do you love most about your job?

The respect of the commitment, the promise that we make to a client.

Describe your style in three words. Avant-garde, creative and audacious.

Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?

What surrounds me, my gardens and my encounters with artisans. Touching and seeing the product is what allows me to create and to imagine.

What four ingredients are necessary in your kitchen? Vegetable broth, olive oil, lemon, spices.

What are you most proud of in your career? To have put together a solid team that allows me to reinvent myself every day.

What would you want to have as your last meal? The fish court bouillon that my father used to make.

Are there any foods you just don’t like? Game.

What do you think is the most challenging ingredient to work with? Eggs.

What advice would you offer to an aspiring chef? Go after your dream and commit yourself fully. www.montecarlosbm.com

Executive Chef at Blue Bay Restaurant in Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort

Edward Seago RBA RWS (1910 - 1974) | Storm over the Farm | Oil on Canvas | 11 x 16 inches

SPOTLIGHT ON...

NO. 2 3 IN UPPINGHAM

Best for...

Instantly recognisable as the newest member of The Three Goats Group, No.23 joins the fold alongside its sister venues The Sun Inn, Great Easton, The Nevill Arms in Medbourne and The Red Lion in Great Bowden which have already become the go to pubs in South East Leicestershire.

No.23 situated on High Street East in Uppingham was acquired by brothers Ben and Toby Cripps of Langton Homes earlier this year. The beautiful 300-yearold, Grade II listed, Georgian building was previously a McColl’s Newsagents before undergoing an impressive refurbishment seeing it sympathetically restored to its former glory.

The restaurant was designed and completed in under 12 months and the doors were opened on 24th November 2022, after much anticipation from surrounding business owners, residents of Rutland and customers who frequent the other 3 establishments.

Situated in the heart of the idyllic market town of Uppingham in Rutland, No.23 is best described as a neighbourhood restaurant, offering a Mediterranean- inspired menu, alongside refined cocktails and a carefully curated wine list. The elegant surroundings and

subdued colour palette will immediately transport you to warmer climates.

The Head Chef, Daniel Smith has been an accomplished chef for 15 years. He started out his career as a Chef de Partie at Claridge’s Hotel in London before becoming the Head Chef at The Olive Branch in Clipsham. His ability and creativity come across in the a la carte menu, offering delicious starters, an array of pasta dishes, and main dishes all bursting with flavour and inspired by a number of Mediterranean countries. Brunch is also served from Friday to Sunday, with the Shakshuka being the most popular dish. If you have a sweet tooth the cinnamon and honey French toast or the Greek labneh with berry granola might be more to your taste.

The menus are thoughtfully designed to reflect the changing seasons whilst also supporting local businesses. No.23 seeks to ensure that ingredients are sourced from local farmers and specialist producers. Where possible beef and

lamb are supplied from the associated farm in Great Easton, encompassing the field to fork ideology.

Come Spring 2023, the stunning outdoor terrace, with seating, music and decorative lighting will be the perfect place to drink and dine alfresco and will be a unique selling point, with No.23 being one of the only locations in Uppingham with outdoor space. Adding to the character and charm of the terrace is The Garden Room, a cosy, heated, private dining room for up to 10 guests which is available to book for special occasions and business meetings all year round.

If you are yet to visit No.23, add it to the top of your list – a stylish, elegant restaurant with a menu full of freshly made dishes and a drinks menu to match -it is sure to become one of Uppingham’s landmark establishments. Call 01572 303023 to book your table today. 23uppingham.co.uk

Mediterranean-inspired menu, alongside refined cocktails and a carefully curated wine list

MEET THE CHEF: Sean Hartnett

Head Chef at The Admiral Hornblower Hotel and Restaurant

Istarted my career of 28 years at Alvaston Manor at 14 after I discovered my passion for cooking during work experience and continued there for 2 years progressing as far as I could before studying culinary skills at Stratford-upon-Avon College. I then started at Edington Park as a Commis Chef to earn experience and expand my skills. I spent 7 years working my way up to Senior Chef de Partie whilst learning under Head Chef Wayne Smith, who I then followed to Stapleford Park where I stayed for nine and a half years before moving on to Danesford House Hotel to work under Executive Head Chef Billy Reed as his Head Chef.

After honing my skills and experimenting with what kind of food I wanted to produce and what sort of menu I wanted to create, I set my sights on finding a position locally that shared the same vision. In September 2019 I found The Admiral Hornblower Hotel and Restaurant where I have built a menu around traditional pub food with a flare of fine dining. The Admiral Hornblower is situated in the quiet market town of Oakham, Rutland, boasting fantastic food, aesthetic surroundings and a warm welcoming environment. Our wholesome menu features local produce and offers options for a quick lunch as well as a leisurely three course dinner. Our most popular dishes are our Vegan Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry and our flavoursome Homemade Proper Pub Company Pies, which change weekly. We also specialise in delicious fish dishes. We offer comfort food at its best. If you are looking for the perfect spot on a chilly winter’s day, we have lots of open fires to unwind in front of. And in the summer our large sun-soaked terrace is a great place to enjoy alfresco dining. We have special dining deals on offer and events, so keep a look out on our website and social media. hornblowerhotel.co.uk

“I have built a menu around traditional pub food with a flare of fine dining”

INGREDIENTS

SERVES

8 PEOPLE:

CURRY SAUCE

150g Ginger

100g Red Chillies

60g Peeled Garlic

1 Lemon Grass

2 Spring Onions

60g Madras Curry Powder

150ml Lemon Juice

150ml Veg Oil

50g Coriander

15g Salt

200g Caster Sugar

Thai Sweet & Sour Cauliflower Curry METHOD

1 Tin Coconut Milk

RICE

400g Basmati Rice

200g Wild Rice

GARNISH

2 Spring Onions

½ Pomegranate

CAULIFLOWER

1 Head of Cauliflower

Blend all curry sauce ingredients together until smooth.

Add to a saucepan on medium heat. Blanche cauliflower for 4 minutes then add to the curry sauce.

Once the rice is ready drain and serve and place the rice in the middle of the bowl. Then spoon the curry around the side of the rice and garnish with the sliced spring onions and pomegranate seeds.

Enjoy!

Travel T h e Davos

of Well n ess

Harvest will return to Six Senses Kaplankaya,

Turkey from 10th - 14th May, gathering an incredible new line up of internationally renowned speakers, practitioners and performers. Set on the turquoise shores of the Aegean Sea, Harvest has been dubbed ‘the Davos of Wellness’ and is a twice-yearly meeting of ideas, discovery, music and connection. Alongside a full 3-day roster of talks, a ‘Healer’s Circle’ of practitioners offers daily sessions, such as breathwork, yoga, colour therapy, energy work, Sadhu (nail) board walking and more.

harvestseries.com

Travel n ews

WORDS:CRAIG

A Serene Oasis in Northern Israel

Having opened in the middle of 2022, Pereh Mountain Resort is a chic countryside boutique escape nestled in verdant nature and home to 27 rooms and suites within northern Israel’s Golan region. Pereh, which translates as “wild”, is a private estate perched on a ridge with unrivalled views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The property offers large terraces, gardens, an outdoor infinity pool with a hot tub and bar, an intimate yet impressive spa, Rouge restaurant helmed by Chef Roee Dori, a wine cellar, and event spaces. Featuring indulgent locally sourced remedies, ointments, essential oils, therapeutic teas, soaps and blends to revitalise the mind and body, The Spa at Pereh Mountain Resort offers treatments that leave guests detoxed, reinvigorated and calm. pereh.co.il

OPENING IN 2023

Opening in Q1 of 2023, Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai, Thailand, is located between the ancient city of Chiang Mai and the famous Vipassana meditation centre, the Wat (temple) Umong Forest, surrounded by vast and awe-inspiringly beautiful natural countryside. With innovative holistic wellness at its core, Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai will offer the discerning traveller an extensive menu of wellness retreats with tailor-made programs to help guests reach their individual health goals. The in-house doctor, nurse and “master healer” will be on-hand to assist guests in achieving optimum wellness and balance in life, through holistic approaches encompassing diet and nutrition, mental wellbeing, physical fitness and medical guidance. aleenta.com/chiang-mai

Sir Richard Branson’s New Luxury Hotel

Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s luxury collection of award-winning hotels and retreats, has announced that bookings are now open for its brand-new Son Bunyola Hotel, which will start welcoming guests in August 2023. Set in the prestigious Tramuntana region of Mallorca, the development of the unique 26-bedroom hotel is firmly underway and includes the restoration of a highly protected historic Finca building dating back to the 1500’s. First look renderings inside the Finca are now available for the first time ahead of its opening, and future guests can take a sneak peak of potential room choices and look forward to a stay at one of Mallorca’s most anticipated luxury hotel openings for this year.

sonbunyola.virgin.com

HOUGH

T he Tr a vel Insi d er

Travel to put on your radar for 2023 from Phil Aird-Mash , CEO of ITC Travel Group

Now is always the time we start looking to new and exciting things ahead. For us who love travel, this often means thinking of where we can go to expand our horizons that little bit wider than before.

To spark your wanderlust, I’m excited to share some fresh inspiration that our Travel Specialists at ITC are most excited about for 2023.

We’ve always loved travelling to Iceland. Our off-the-beaten-track experts, Regent, have been leading tours there since 1975. So, our team was delighted to hear about the launch of new twice-weekly PLAY airline flights from Liverpool Airport to Reykjavik, available until April 2023. These new flights make it easier for those living in the north-west to soak in the Blue Lagoon, explore the Golden Circle and seek out the northern lights –why not plan a fly-drive adventure this spring to see it for yourself? regent-holidays.co.uk

In the sporting world, a record-breaking 24 venues have been announced for the 2023 Formula 1 season. The latest addition to the calendar is the muchanticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix in November, which is set to be an event filled with glamour and excitement!

Whether you love the sport or not, this is an unmissable opportunity to be right

in the heart of buzzing action – what more unique addition to add to your city break in the USA? spectatetravel.co.uk

If you’re looking to travel more sustainably this year, our wildlife experts at Rainbow have some wonderful ideas. With their ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of Uganda and Rwanda, you can visit the chimpanzees, gorillas and golden monkeys across stunning National Parks. You’ll be joined by local guides, who’ll teach you about their valuable conservation programmes. Rainbow also donate to their partner NGOs and charities as part of mainland Africa bookings, so you’ll be supporting local communities as you experience the beauty of nature.

rainbowtours.co.uk

www.inspiringtravel.co.uk

LAS VEGAS

ICELAND

UGANDA AND RWANDA

L icen se to T hril l

Beci Wood and family enjoyed a break at Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster in

Location

Le Touquet, Northern France

Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster is an iconic luxury five star hotel situated in the small but vibrant resort of Le Touquet along the Opal Coast of Northern France. Often referred to as Le Touquet Paris-Plage, the town is popular with Parisians looking for a seaside break away from the city. It has the largest beach in Europe with 12km of beautiful white sand, but also majestic pine forests and some of the finest golf courses around.

Le Touquet – and Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster – interestingly also have close links to James Bond.

Royale-les-Eaux, the home of 007 in Ian Fleming’s first book Casino Royale in 1953, was inspired by the town after author Ian met his future wife in the hotel’s casino. Sean Connery also signed his contract to appear in the James Bond movies in the hotel’s West Bar.

Located just 40 minutes south of Calais by car, the town is perfect for anyone looking for a mini break. It’s also two hours from Rouen airport and two and a half hours from Paris. Overlooking the enchanting Parc du Pins and also the Le Canche lighthouse, the majestic red brick building, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024, stands six stories high. In minutes you can head out into the hustle

and bustle of the town’s main street Rue Saint-Jean, which is lined with upmarket shopping, restaurants, lively nightlife and a casino. President Macron also owns a modest apartment on the high street and his security are camped outside when he is in town. The town’s mascot is a golfer – a nod to the thriving sports scene which includes two of the best golf courses in Europe and also large tennis and equestrian centres.

In 2020 the hotel was renovated in art deco elegance and the results are exquisite. While adding a modern vibe, the hotel was careful to keep key parts from its roaring Twenties roots such as the beautiful lobby lifts, wood panelling on the walls, and high ceilings throughout.

A host of celebrities have visited over the years including Queen Elizabeth II, who stayed here as a child, President Emmanuel Macron who got married at Le Westminster, tennis champion Bjorn Borg and movie director Wes Anderson who stayed recently.

Facilities

The hotel is equipped with all the facilities you come to expect from a five-star hotel. There is an exotic basement indoor swimming pool with luxurious palm tree wallpaper and mirrored ceiling. There is also a modern gymnasium, free bike rental and 24-hour room service. There are large meeting

rooms and event facilities in the basement and in the summer the hotel offers yoga and running sessions, and live musical entertainment.

The Petit VIP kids club is free of charge to residents of the hotel ages 4-12. It is open at weekends and in the holidays and has a large program of activities. The concierge desk can help you with any requests you may have such as dining reservations and water sports.

The hotel is close to the Pierre de Coubertin Tennis Center which has the most prestigious facilities in France, with 25 clay courts. Less than 1km away you’ll also find a watersports facility, the Equestrian Center of Le Touquet and the Casino Barrière Le Touquet.

Rooms

The hotel has 104 rooms which were elegantly redecorated by interior designer Bruno Borrione in hues of Basque red harmonies, Prussian blue, pale greys and walnut. There are nine Junior Suites and also the ground floor 007 Suite, which has the entire James Bond collection for guests to read and 007 Monopoly. There is also a high-tech – but mind-boggling - Japanese toilet which comes with a vast array of settings for you to choose from if you so wish.

Spa

Le Spa Nuxe is situated in the basement of the hotel, with six modern treatment rooms, including one double facility. The spa’s signature Diane Barrière treatment is an energising massage which helps to detoxify and repair the impacts of daily life.

I enjoyed a 45 minute facial and back massage which was divine. The spa also has a sauna, steam room and hammam.

Dining

The hotel has three restaurants – Table Du West brasserie, Pavilion fine-dining and Les Ambassadeurs for breakfast and Sunday brunch.

Headed by Michelin-starred chef William Elliott, The Table Of The West is a bustling space with an open kitchen serving delicious French cuisine such as steak tartare, sole meuniere and vanilla millefeuille. Refreshingly there is a varied children’s menu too.

There is much excitement that Le Pavilion, which has held Michelin status since 2007, will reopen in April 2023 after a lengthy closure.

Les Ambassadeurs, a huge airy dining room with an outside terrace, is adorned with exotic wallpaper and hosts the hotel’s famous West Brunch every Sunday from 12.30pm-2pm.

Afternoon tea is served daily in the reading room while the Bar Du West, which serves an extensive range of cocktails, is popular with locals.

My Experience

Visiting with my husband James and children during October half term we stayed in a Prestige Suite for

two nights. The 48 m² room offered a separate living area with a sofa bed, cot, a dressing area and a large bathroom which was ample for us. There were dressing gowns for all of us – and the kids got their own teddies and toiletries.

I am a huge fan of art deco design - and even got married in an art deco theatre – so the hotel’s dazzling décor was just heaven for me. Luxurious palms and animal print adorned the walls of the hotel’s central spiralling staircase – a look I’m desperate to now recreate at home!

We were brilliantly hosted by Romain, who helped us to reserve a local restaurant for my pasta-loving children and also a tennis court for my daughter Ruby who is an avid player. The children absolutely loved the heated swimming pool but we also spent a large part of our stay at the beach because we were very fortunate with the weather. There is a playground on the sand which has bouncy castles, a zip-line and trampolines. We also played mini golf one afternoon, had a tour of the town on Le Petit Train and enjoyed a lovely forest walk in Parc du Pins opposite the hotel.

Away from the hotel we all enjoyed a delicious Croque Monsieur lunch at nearby café Opaline on Avenue du Verger and also dinner at Le Scoop, which despite its name is a busy bistro not an ice-cream shop. Aux Mignardises Saint-Jean served some of the best waffles and crepes we’ve ever tasted.

With three kids we didn’t expect much downtime, but the hotel was a very comfortable and relaxing base for our stay and we hope to return.

hotelsbarriere.com

Meet the H o telie r

What are the benefits of your location?

Located just a short drive from historic York or bustling Harrogate and surrounded by the stunning Yorkshire Dales, Grantley Hall is perfect for a getaway to enjoy both historic towns and countryside splendour.

What is the most luxurious suite in the hotel?

The Royal Suite is our most luxurious suite. Set over two floors, this stunning space has views overlooking the formal gardens, fountain and the River Skell. With your own sitting room, walk-in wardrobe and large bathroom, complete with a walk-in shower and large roll top bath looking out to the manicured gardens, there’s no need to look any further for the ideal place to relax and rewind.

What can you tell us about the history of the hotel?

Grantley Hall’s past is colourful with a myriad of tales to tell from members of parliament, artists, entertainers and royalty who have all walked through our doors over the years.

Originally built as a private home in the 17th century, the building has served as a training facility for the local community and there was once even a mill house on the land.

Could you tell us about the best event the hotel has hosted during your time there?

Earlier this year, we hosted the Yorkshire Children’s Charity ‘A Night Under The Stars’ launch event, which was the event of the season. H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco was in attendance, along with Yorkshire’s glitterati. It was a memorable night as it was such a successful

ANDREW MCPHERSON, GENERAL MANAGER AT GRANTLEY HALL

evening for such a worthwhile local charity. The event itself took place in an impressive glass marquee in our grounds which took several weeks to construct.

How would you describe the hotel’s dining experience?

Grantley Hall offers five indulgent restaurants, including Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall, pan-Asian inspired Bar & Restaurant EightyEight along with the modern British Fletchers Restaurant; making it the ultimate gastronomic getaway.

Of all the facilities the hotel offers, which is your favourite?

Our state-of-the-art ELITE Health and Performance Centre boasts many different exciting types of gym equipment. One that is a

particular favourite is our cryotherapy chamber. It offers an immersive full body cold air experience that lasts three minutes in a temperature-controlled chamber of up to -90 degrees.

What makes a stay at your venue stand out from your competitors?

As a Yorkshire family-run business, Yorkshire is at the heart of all that we do. Whether that is using the best ingredients from our local suppliers and farmers or to the sourcing of furniture from Yorkshire’s expert craftsmen. Above all else, Grantley Hall offers something our competitors can’t compete with – a proper Yorkshire welcome!

What packages are you offering for 2023?

A firm favourite of our packages is our Magical Moments offer, which includes a complimentary upgrade to the next room type, dinner in one of our two most popular restaurants and a bottle of house wine. You can also choose from a 25% discount off a Three Graces Spa treatment or complimentary Medi-Stream Spa and a Cryotherapy session or a complimentary body composition analysis via a 3D body scan. Terms and conditions apply. grantleyhall.co.uk

Location

The hotel in Retford is situated at the midway point between London and Edinburgh on the Great North Road, Ye Olde Bell boasts individually designed rooms, with rich fabrics, opulent furnishings and indulgent bathrooms.

The Spa

The spa is set in the most beautiful surroundings. On arrival, you can see the historic original hotel building and behind it is the spa, with the lodges opposite.

The spa has a modern but rustic feel with pristine interiors. The detail is incredibly beautiful. High ceilings and a wonderful timber reception desk greet you on arrival. Further into the spa is a bar area where you wait to be seated and in front of the bar is an open floating fire which makes the space very cosy during the colder months. The spa area has such a relaxed atmosphere from the second you walk through the door.

With a glass of fizz in hand, we were given our schedule for the day along with a lunch menu. The menu had lots to offer, very colourful with fish options, duck, pork, beef brisket as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

When it was time for our treatments, we were collected from the bar area and taken upstairs to the treatment rooms. The smell and the ambience were idyllic. My massage was exceptionally firm yet relaxing. The oils moisturised my skin and the calm music created the perfect atmosphere.

I needed to fully relax and

Ye Olde Belle Hotel & Spa

weekend away Retford

Hayley Murray enjoyed a little R&R at Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa in the market town of Retford

allow my mind and body to get some real TLC and this really helped to achieve that. The heated cosy treatment beds were so comfortable I wanted to stay forever. After my massage, I was shown to the relaxation rooms and enjoyed a drink of tea. In the room, I lay on a bed and enjoyed a moment of total bliss.

We were then guided to the dining area for lunch. To start I had the breaded ham hock, minted pea purée, caramelized onion loaf and pea salsa. The starter was tasty along with a crisp bottle of sauvignon blanc. For my main it was a tricky choice; everything was appealing; Pan roasted maple duck breast, French beans, sweet potato purée, garlic and sage fondants with red wine jus. The duck was cooked to perfection and very tasty. The dessert was light and sweet just as I wanted; Lemon mousse, shortbread crumb, lemon textures with raspberry sorbet and meringue.

After lunch, we enjoyed more downtime in the relaxation area and on the outdoor beds. We then went up to the Sabbia Med room, which replicates

sunrise to sunset in a 30 minute cycle. Low levels of UV are emitted to release Vitamin D whilst specialised lamps are used to alleviate SAD. The soundtrack of sea waves gives the feeling of being laid on a beach. It was such a deeply relaxing experience and one I will look to return to every winter.

The Lodge

Feeling relaxed and refreshed we left the spa and were shown to our lodge - The Grove. We entered through a solid timber door and noticed

the decor was again rustic and rich with tartan furnishing and a grand timber spiral staircase and balcony. The upstairs bedroom had a slipper bath and a dressing table and wardrobe just perfect for a short stay. I instantly felt at home in the lodge.

Dining

Both the AA Rosette Restaurant and Bistro serve inspired cuisine; fresh and seasonal dishes prepared by their creative team of chefs, with tempting menus available throughout the day. On a Sunday, there’s nothing quite like the comfort of a traditional Sunday lunch. Known locally as one of the best Sunday lunches in the area, Ye Olde Bell incorporate the best of seasonal, local produce from Nottinghamshire and neighbouring counties, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. With a dinner reservation at 7pm in the main hotel, we had a drink outside in the courtyard before going into the main restaurant. The food again was divine with a varied menu. I opted for steak and red wine for dinner. The hotel itself is full of character with traditional antique touches. Glamorous bathrooms with giant impressive mirrors. After dinner, it was time to retire to the cosy lodge and relax.

My Experience

Ye Olde Bell Spa & Hotel was the perfect choice for a weekend break to come home refreshed and relaxed. After a relaxing night’s sleep, we woke the next morning and enjoyed a stroll around the grounds and found a tree swing and a giant heart which would be ideal for a wedding venue with all white and white seating. It was a very pretty and intimate setting for a special day.

See you again soon Ye Olde Belle! yeoldebell-hotel.co.uk

An electrifying performance.

With Porsche Leicester.

Striking proportions, recognisable design and impressive performance. Porsche E-Performance models are the mobility of the future with that classic Porsche style. Contact us about the Porsche range, including the new Cayenne E-Hybrid, and our Porsche Approved Pre-Owned cars. Prepare to be impressed.

Cayenne E-Hybrid Model Range official fuel consumption (WLTP): Combined 68.9-91.1 mpg CO2 emissions (NEDC equivalent): 92-71g/km.

Porsche Centre Leicester

Fletton Close

Thurmaston Lane

Leicester, LE4 9LP 01162 764 488

info@porscheleicester.co.uk

www.porscheleicester.co.uk

Drive Famo us

Names

For those unfamiliar with the

BMW brand, the CSL name won’t mean much. But this is the name reserved for BMW’s best and most focused coupes, and they don’t come better than the 3.0 CSL. That car was launched about 20 years ago, and it’s an enduring favourite among enthusiasts. Now, however, there’s a new model with a stripped-out cabin and extra power. Just 50 examples of the 3.0 CSL will be built, each with 553bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox. It will miss out on rear seats, but the new CSL is expected to be among the fastest and most visceral BMWs ever made.

BMW 3.0 CSL, bmw.co.uk

DRIVE

DADDY COOL

Volvo is rapidly turning to electric power, and that transformation will see the fabulous XC90 SUV replaced with a new flagship 4x4 – the EX90

Over the course of the past decade or so, Volvo has been transformed. No longer a maker of safe and sturdy cars with a bit of luxury attached, the brand is now a bona fide premium manufacturer. And one of the cars that spearheaded that was the stylish, seven-seat, second-generation XC90 SUV. It was the first Volvo to look properly cool since the P1800 of the 1960s, and it could match the likes of Audi and Land Rover for luxury, comfort and quality.

Keeping

WORDS: JAMES FOSSDYKE

But the time has come to launch a replacement for the XC90, and of course, it’ll have to be electric. Hence the EX90, which is the latest step on Volvo’s journey to sell only all-electric cars by 2030. Similar in shape and in mission to the XC90, the EX90 comes with a sharper and more modern design that builds on its predecessor’s solid foundations. Naturally, there’s high-end safety technology and latest-generation infotainment and navigation systems. Even Volvo calls this a “highly advanced computer on wheels.”

Key to its success or failure will be the electric powertrain that combines two electric motors with a massive 111kW battery pack. Although it will have up to 510bhp and all-wheel drive, Volvo is promising a range of up to 373 miles on a single charge, while charging from 10-80% will be possible in under 30 minutes, assuming you can find a charger rapid enough to keep up.

Volvo EX90, £TBC, volvocars.com

ROAD RUNNER

Praga might not be the best known car manufacturer on the planet, but it’s no new boy. The Czech company is more than 100 years old and has a UK head office in Northwich, Cheshire, which gives it plenty of heritage. And while the new Bohema hypercar nods to that heritage, it’s a thoroughly modern track weapon that just so happens to be road legal. With a V6 petrol engine producing around 700bhp and a weight of less than 1,000kg, it’s designed to bring Praga’s racing pedigree to the road, albeit with a healthy focus on track days. Praga hasn’t released much in the way of details, but the striking hypercar will undoubtedly be capable of neck-snapping acceleration and it comes with a top speed of over 186mph (300km/h).

Praga Bohema, From £1,100,000 plus taxes, pragaglobal.com

ASSAULT AND BATTERY

Italian car company Abarth has made its name taking cute and fun Fiat 500s and turning them into juvenile delinquents. Fitting sporty exhausts, aggressive body kits and more powerful engines, the company has turned the four-wheeled equivalent of Zooey Deschanel into a kind of road-going Claressa Shields. But now the brand famous for making lots of noise has turned its attention to the near-silent Fiat 500e electric hatchback. The recipe doesn’t change, but the motor driving the front wheels does. With around 170bhp, the Abarth 500e is fast in a straight line, but not quite as fast as the petrol-powered 695. However, the tables are turned on a race track, where Abarth claims the electric car will lay waste to its fossil-fuelled forebear. Abarth 500e, £TBC, www.abarthcars.co.uk

RACING GODS

Win on Sunday, sell on Monday is an adage that has so far served the car industry well. It’s the reason why Mercedes-AMG and Ferrari spend so much time, money and effort on their motorsport operations, and it hasn’t done either company much harm. And now Aston Martin –a brand arguably more famous for its big-screen tie-ups than motorsport – has ventured into the rarefied atmosphere of Formula 1. And the British brand has not so much jumped in with both feet, but dived in with all the commitment and subtlety of Peter Kay in a John Smiths advertisement.

Not only has the company taken over an F1 team that until recently employed four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, but it’s taken over a team that recently hired two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. And, more to the point, it also shares medical car and safety car duties with Mercedes-AMG.

That’s where the new Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition comes in. When Aston developed its Vantage safety car, the company decided to use the know-how and experience to turn its already impressive Vantage road car into an even more focused and hardcore machine. Here, then, is an Aston Martin that’s not only capable of going quickly on a track but designed for you to do exactly that on at least a semi-regular basis.

Available in hard-top Coupe or soft-top Roadster forms, the F1 Edition is marked out by its aerodynamic kit, including a new rear wing. Together with some underbody tweaks and modifications to the front bumper, it helps to produce an extra 200kg of downforce at top speed when compared with the standard Vantage.

Those aero tweaks give the car noticeably more purpose, but there are plenty of less functional features designed to do the same job. These include the paint options such as the F1 teamderived livery seen here, the carbon-fibre exterior detailing, and the black 21-inch alloy wheels.

Other upgrades include the black racing stripe and the Alcantara-trimmed interior, which is available with the lurid green stripe seen here

or in some more restrained colour schemes.

But changes have been made under the skin, too. Aston Martin has taken the 4.0-litre V8 engine and upped the power output by about 25bhp, giving you a total of 527bhp to play with, and there’s a purposeful, four-outlet exhaust system that gives it a glorious rumble. At a time when car makers are abandoning V8 engines for emissions and economic reasons, the proper, old-school V8 sound is enormously welcome.

Yet the V8 is about more than just assaulting your eardrums. The extra power means the car is marginally faster from 0-60mph than the standard Vantage, getting there in around 3.5 seconds, while the top speed is 195mph. Choose the heavier, convertible Roadster model and the numbers don’t look quite so good – 0-60mph takes 3.6 seconds and the top speed is 190mph –but it’s hardly slow.

It’s fast in corners, too, thanks to stiffer suspension, more refined steering and specially developed Pirelli tyres that adorn those larger wheels. It also has a retuned eight-speed automatic gearbox designed to reduce gear shift times and improve control when the car is at the limit.

Such hardcore sports cars are often fundamentally flawed when it comes to the driving experience. While they might be great around a race track, they can often turn your pelvis to dust and your back to jelly, all while shaking your teeth from your jaw. If truth be told, you’re often better off driving a more modest version that’s almost as good to drive but significantly more comfortable on the road. And yes, Porsche 911 GTS, we are looking at you. But the Vantage F1 Edition does not fall into that trap.

Sure, it’s stiff – even the most pliant suspension setting is called ‘Sport’ – but it doesn’t make Victorian bicycles look like magic carpets either. It’s remarkably restrained, allowing you to feel most of the bumps without shaking you to your core, and that’s exactly what a sports car should do. It’s communicative, but it isn’t so firm that it’ll prevent you from doing a long drive to the south of France. Or at least it wouldn’t, were it not for

Aston Martin has put its F1 know-how to use with a new track-focussed version of the Vantage sports car, and James Fossdyke has put it to the test

Aston Martin

Vantage F1 Edition

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 petrol

Gearbox: eight-speed automatic

0-60mph: 3.5 seconds

Top speed: 195mph

Power: 527bhp

ground between out-and-out racer and wafting GT car, which means you get an even more engaging sports car that you can still use every day. It’s still old-school and muscular in its delivery, but it isn’t scary or lairy with it.

the seats, which do a great job of pinning you in place, but give you a numb bum after about two hours on the road.

Of course, that time gets a little shorter if you use the Sport Plus and Track settings, but even then it’s only marginally less pleasant – and the rewards for doing so are noticeable. The Vantage responds crisply to steering inputs anyway, but the whole car feels tighter and even more responsive, springing around the road with the reactions of a cat that’s chasing a particularly jumpy frog. And doing so doesn’t upset the pristine balance in the slightest.

The result is a car that’s clearly immensely capable on a track. Not only is it a little faster in a straight line, but it’s undoubtedly more tactile and more user-friendly in corners, while the grip is nothing short of prodigious. On the road, it inhabits this fantastic middle

But it does have plenty of problems. The infotainment system is pinched from Mercedes, which should be good news, but it isn’t. It was only average when it was fitted to the C-Class almost 10 years ago, and it’s decidedly awful now. Even Maserati can do better than this. And while the F1 Edition is not a cheap car, commanding a significant premium over the standard Vantage, it still doesn’t feel as well engineered as anything from Germany. There are some cheap switches and tacky buttons that feel more Renault than Rolls-Royce, and that’s a crying shame. However, while it may not have the quality or the deftness of an equivalent Porsche, the Aston is somehow more likeable and more usable in the real world, and that counts for an awful lot. But it’s the design that seals the deal. This is not the best sports car on the market, yet despite its flaws, it’s still one of my favourites.

E A T - D R I N K - S T A Y

The Crown is a 16th-century coaching inn with boutique letting rooms set in the heart of Rutland, on the quaint high street of Uppingham Serving fresh food, real ales, gins and hot drinks, sourced where possible from other local independent businesses

Home

W ind o w S e a ts

Bay or bow window spaces are often overlooked when it comes to effective storage solutions. Bespoke bay window seats are the perfect solution, offering a variety of storage options and upholstered with a wide choice of fabric for a stylish finishing touch. A storage bench seat under a window offers the practicality of extra seating, as well as valuable storage space, all packaged in a beautiful finish of your choosing.

From £2,000, sharps.co.uk

Feature

Bergman Design House unveils BX R Cit y

London’s new leading fitness destination is the highest gym in the City of London – taking your fitness to new heights

Bergman Design House, the luxury design studio co-founded by dynamic husbandand-wife duo Marie Soliman and Albin Berglund, is thrilled to unveil its latest project, BXR City at 22 Bishopsgate, London. The third site for the capital’s leading fitness destination BXR London, BXR City is located at brand-new development and ‘vertical village’ 22 Bishopsgate and is the highest gym in the City of London. The new site spans 9,000 sq. ft, providing 360-degree views across London and features a members-only gym alongside the pay-to-train Sweat by BXR Bishopsgate studio concept.

Bergman Design House has an enviable portfolio of international projects and has been the trusted

design partner of BXR since the fitness brand’s launch in Marylebone in 2017, having also designed pay-to-train concept studio Sweat by BXR in London’s Canary Wharf, Bishops Gate, Marylebone and Doha, Qatar. It was only fitting, therefore, that the duo should bring their magic touch to BXR’s most ambitious project to date.

Husband and wife power design duo discuss the design process and many challenges behind this sky-high luxury gym and what makes it so iconic:

“BXR is an award-winning boxing gym globally and in the UK, an established brand with a strong identity celebrating mind, body and soul. After the first BXR in Marylebone in 2017 we have designed the Sweat by BXR in Canary Wharf, Sweat by BXR in Doha and now the very fabulous BXR City at 22 Bishopsgate. There is a design red thread that goes through all BXR global properties. You know you are in a BXR, yet all of them have different elements that stand out.

We find inspiration from their unique locations and architecture from existing buildings. This one on the 25th floor is a masterpiece and with the extraordinary views we had lots to play withframing the gorgeous views was our design approach!” commented Bergman Design House Co-Founder Albin Berglund.

“At BXR City at 22 Bishopsgate, we’ve fused the signature aspects of the original Marylebone site with an industrial-chic aesthetic full of unexpected touches,” says Co-Founder Marie Soliman. “We’ve contrasted rough concrete panelling and exposed structures with energising neon lighting and a rich blend of backlit dark-tinted mirrors, bronze, and brass trim accents. Meanwhile, the gym floor features suspended architectural light with calculated lux so as not to create any reflection on the high glazed facade of 22 Bishopsgate, to breath-taking effect”.

“Here at Bergman we like to do things differently…”, adds Co-Founder Albin Berglund, “at BXR City, we’ve eschewed the materials usually found at fitness clubs in favour of an altogether more luxurious, sexier look that is elevated in every sense of the word”.

A nod to BXR’s boxing roots –the gym is backed by two-time heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua –can be seen in the numerous murals that adorn the walls, with famous faces including Mohammed Ali and Floyd Mayweather.

A sprawling boxing training area sits alongside the gym’s focal piece, a 6-metre climbing wall. Sitting 125 metres above ground level and enjoying unparalleled views across the city, the climbing wall is the highest in all of London.

Design Challenges: BXR City at 22

Bishopsgate

The Bergman Design House team had a number of challenges to overcome in creating this luxurious wellness space including:

• Having a triple height white box space felt overwhelming during the first site visit - even the most experienced designers can feel incredibly small in this space.

• All the reflections of the cold glass façade and how best to light this space at night without disturbing reflections on the glass.

• Carefully calculating the structural/architectural elements and considering what should be hidden vs exposed, introducing a rough look yet timeless and inviting decor. Most gyms could come across as either sterile or too industrial or intimidating to some.

• Lighting design is a main key player in how we feel, and our team focused on this part. How to

engage the senses in the right way in this sky high space. We designed BXR City at 22 Bishopsgate remembering the BXR ethos “train like a champion” which can be seen on the Ben Slow art piece between the two floors of the gym floors and the studios.

• One of the other challenges were the vibrations and noise caused by dropped bouncing weights which was something that we had to consider very carefully.

“One of the design statements in BXR Bishopsgate location is the famous climbing glass wall. Truly iconic climbing on the glass façade embracing all the views of London and surroundings. Designing a “moody” yet energetic space and not sterile space on the 25th floor with floor to ceiling windows, how to design the lighting in a smart way as we have 360 views with wall-to-wall glazing, materials, natural and architectural light. It is the challenges that keep us engaged, motivated and taking the design to the next level. And the outcome of this one is absolutely stunning!” says Berglund.

The BXR “train like a champion” experience A members-only gym floor features state-of-the-art equipment from Technogym, Wattbike, Eleiko and Hammer Strength, while Sweat by BXR Bishopsgate offers studio-based, instructor-led classes including its renowned Versaclimber full-body cardio workouts, Climb to the Beat and Performance HR. Other class concepts include a

Crossfit-style Strength & Conditioning studio as well as a Pilates and Yoga studio, providing a holistic workout destination. A new Strength concept class by Master Trainer Faisal Abdalla is also now available at the new destination.

Alex Nicholl co-founded BXR London with his business partner Olia Sardarova and is behind introducing the first Versaclimber to Europe, which the club calls Climb to the Beat. Sweat by BXR’s infamous Versaclimber Cardio studio, located at all three London studios brings the most effective, full-body cardio workout with its signature group climbing classes, which can burn up to 800 calories in a 45-minute class.

“Most of our clients stay at BXR far longer than just their class. The exquisite design Bergman Design House has created for BXR motivates our clients throughout their workouts whilst also making them feel comfortable and relaxed whilst enjoying healthy food and juices in the café,” commented Alex Nicholl, MD of BXR London and Sweat by BXR.

One of the things Marie Soliman believes in and the Bergman Design House team designed BXR accordingly is the motto: “Go in a hero come out a superhero! That is the feeling you get after BXR –it is not just “a gym” remarks Berglund. bergmandesignhouse.com bxrlondon.com

Q&Awith

COLLEEN LAURENT FROM CLASS Q

How would you describe yourself?

I am an architectural assistant at Class Q who enjoys art, poetry and family.

A bit more about you...

I was born on an island in the Caribbean called St. Lucia and moved to the UK at the age of 6. From a young age, I decided to pursue a career in architecture because of the influence of my father who owned a construction company. I completed my Bachelor’s in Architecture at The University of Kent in 2018 and now I am currently studying my Master’s in Architecture at De Montfort University whilst working with Class Q.

Who are your greatest influences?

One of my greatest influences is my Aunt Angie, who raised me during part of my childhood. She encouraged me to express myself well, to walk with confidence and to find my purpose and pursue it. My father is another one of my influences as he always encourages me to be a leader and not a follower.

What have been some of your best jobs/ experiences at work?

I have worked on some interesting and rather unique projects. I produced designs to support an application for the conversion of two grain silos to two dwellings in Tur Langton, Leicestershire. My elevations showed Crittall-style doors on the principal elevation with new openings on the rear and side elevations, in order to capitalise on the beautiful countryside views. The ladders were retained at the request of the case officer in the interest of “planning quirkiness”.

I also designed a new dwelling in the heart of the Shortgrove estate in Saffron Walden. The proposal involved the demolition of one of the existing

“From a young age, I decided to pursue a career in architecture because of the influence of my father who owned a construction company”

agricultural buildings and its replacement with a new-build Dutch-style barn. Metal-framed, barrelvaulted Dutch barns have a distinctive appearance, structure, form and materiality and, following feedback on the design from Historic England in terms of potential heritage impacts, the importance of the retention of this character and aesthetic was clear. As such the dwelling’s design reflects its original character and that of the history of the site.

The external envelope of the barn has been wrapped in corrugated cladding that lends a rhythm and texture

to its elevations and curved roof. This new profiled cladding unifies the façade and roof, simplifying the overall volume and reducing the appearance of the barn to its purest form when seen from a distance. The proposal also introduces a brick-built extension connected to the Dutch barn by a glazed link.

Traditional vs contemporary style?

A mixture. There’s a quality/workmanship in traditional dwellings but a more open and spacious feeling in contemporary houses.

What would your super power be?

To be in a constant state of peace (no matter

P.S.

Last book you read?

Currently reading through the bible but the last book I completed is ‘Twelve Pillars’ by Jim Rohn and Chris Widener. I am also reading ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ by James Baldwin.

Dream buy?

A house for my mother that is a large creative space (with a beautiful view) where she can read, write and make.

How t o Create a L U XU R Y E nte r tain i ng S PAC E

Edward Medd, Co-Founder of bespoke modular buildings specialist Vita Modular, shares his insight on how garden rooms have come a long way from draughty wooden summerhouses, and how it really is possible to create the luxurious entertaining area you have always dreamed of in the comfort of your own garden

Having the perfect social space in which to spend time with your friends and family at home is invaluable, whether that be t he ideal setting for sumptuous late-night parties, or a chic home bar stocked with the finest wines for a sophisticated soirée.

There are, however, several key considerations to be made when curating the perfect space to enjoy with your guests.

A SPACE FOR ALL SEASONS

In the past, homeowners looking to extend their living or leisure space with a garden building were generally faced with very little choice but to opt for timber shed style structures which are simply not practical for use in colder months. However modular buildings, which are rising in popularity, provide an

innovative solution for those seeking a space that offers a little more solidity and durability and can be used even in the depths of winter.

It is important to ensure that when selecting your garden building, you not only have complete peace of mind knowing that you have a garden room that is built to last, but you also have a space that can be enjoyed with friends and family comfortably all year round.

IN HOUSE COMFORTS

Connection to an existing power supply is essential, allowing you to enhance your room and create the ideal atmosphere with a sound and lighting system. With the right set up, a garden room can be completely self-contained; if you have full internal electric wiring and components, you can think about installing a wine cooler, or even a fully-fledged bar.

For optimal temperature control in the colder months, before your installation gets underway, I would suggest considering incorporating heating solutions. You can easily get a panel heater fitted, but if you are looking to optimise your space as much as possible, electric underfloor heating might be a better option for you. Also, make sure the glazing you choose is designed to meet the thermal performance for domestic buildings required to satisfy current UK building regulations – double glazing at the very least for your windows and doors is ideal to ensure your garden room is sufficiently insulated.

If you plan to do most of your entertaining during the summer months, you could even look at air conditioning options so that even on the hottest day of the year, you can keep your garden room at a comfortable temperature.

FLOORING

It is crucial that you pick the right flooring for your garden entertaining space. Many of our customers are keen to choose a durable floor covering that is suitable for high-traffic areas to cater for guests coming in and out - and ideally, something that insulates sound.

There are plenty of garden room flooring options available, so it is definitely possible to achieve a high-end, stylish look for your space which is also practical and easy to maintain. Personally, I would suggest luxury vinyl flooring as it is hardwearing and also waterproof, meaning any accidental spillages aren’t a problem. Another benefit of vinyl is that compared to other materials like porcelain, wood, and tile, it is much quieter to walk on and it is also significantly warmer underfoot. Most vinyl and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are well-suited for use

with underfloor heating, but it is definitely worth checking with the floor manufacturer as to the compatibility of the vinyl you select.

STAYING SECURE

Insurance for any valuable items stored in your garden room, such as high-tech sound systems or premium furniture, is essential. If your garden building is built with non-combustible materials and fire-rated to UK domestic standards, most UK insurers will accept this as an extension to a homeowner policy, which means you can rest assured knowing your valuables are safe.

MINIMISING NOISE

Extravagant celebrations with friends that go on into the early hours of the morning are likely to fracture relations with the neighbours. I believe it is wise to consider additional sound-proofing features, keeping

the noise outside of your garden room to a minimum and allowing nearby residents a peaceful night’s sleep. Curtains are a big help in that aspect as they have sound absorption qualities, especially thicker, heavy materials like velvet. Fitting curtains in your garden room also allow you to enjoy a little more privacy and will prevent you from feeling overlooked during night time when your garden room is particularly visible if lit up from the inside.

FURTHER ENHANCEMENTS

Particularly for entertaining during the summer, you might want to have the option of enjoying the outdoors too. The addition of a front deck to your garden building affords you extra space to enjoy in the warmer weather and makes the perfect outside seating area for an afternoon tea. Also, a lot of our customers choose to opt for bi-folding doors, which act as an open-air extension to their internal space and expands the recreational and social possibilities. Adding a front deck is also an opportunity to architecturally enhance your building to your own unique style and imagination, from decorative balustrades to contained planting and footlights. Further design possibilities include adding a full canopy, which can be incorporated seamlessly to your building’s roof. vita-modular.co.uk

Hot Property

YEW TREE HOUSE RIPPINGALE, BOURNE, PE10 0SX

A BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED AND THOUGHT OUT CHARACTER FARMHOUSE IN A VILLAGE LOCATION OFFERS OVER £900,000

This splendid red brick, period property features attractive original details combined with handsome, stylish fittings and clean, understated décor throughout.

The ground floor has five reception rooms, including two large sitting rooms, one of which has an impressive inglenook fireplace. There’s also a light and airy garden room with a vaulted ceiling and French doors opening to the south-facing garden, a formal dining room and a playroom. The kitchen has beautiful shaker-style units, an Aga and integrated appliances, while the wine room, boot room and utility room provide further storage and appliances.

The first floor has a family bathroom and four double bedrooms, including the generous principal bedroom with its en suite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. One of the en suite bedrooms can be used as an annexe, together with the playroom below, owing to its separate, private entrance and staircase. The second floor has a further double bedroom and en suite.

Outside

At the front of the property, the gravel

driveway provides plenty of parking space and access to the brick-built garaging block for further parking. At the rear of the garaging block there are two further rooms, which are currently used as a home gym and a games room. A paved area at the front of the house has a greenhouse and raised vegetable beds, while the sunny walled garden to the rear is beautifully landscaped, with an area of paved terracing and steps leading to pristine lawn, bordered by trees and established shrubs.

www.savills.com

Key Features

• Five bedrooms, five bathrooms

• Shaker style kitchen, Aga, wine room, utility and boot room

• Off-street parking, garaging, gym and games room

• Wonderfully landscaped and private garden

• Kings Cross from Grantham a convenient line

Hot Property

2 STEPS HOUSE

BURLEY, RUTLAND, LE15 7SU

SPLENDID THREE-BEDROOM FAMILY HOME IS SET IN A HIGHLY DESIRABLE POSITION IN THE VILLAGE OF BURLEY ON THE HILL, WITH VIEWS ACROSS THE STUNNING SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE GUIDE PRICE £700,000

The accommodation may benefit from some modernisation, but provides flexible, comfortable living space, with several attractive period details, including exposed timber beams and stone-built fireplaces.

The main reception room is the sitting room, which has timber beams overhead, an impressive fireplace and

a door opening onto the attractive rear garden. There is also a snug and a formal dining room, while the kitchen has wooden units, an integrated oven and hob with an extractor hood, and space for all the necessary appliances.

Upstairs there are three double bedrooms, including the generous principal bedroom, which has extensive fitted storage. The first floor has the family bathroom, with a further shower room on the ground floor.

Outside

At the front of the property, the paved driveway provides parking for several vehicles and access to the 31ft garage, which could be used for parking, storage or workshop space. The south-facing rear garden welcomes plenty of sunlight throughout the day, and includes a paved terrace area and steps leading down to a lawn, which is bordered by established shrubs and hedgerow and colourful flowerbeds. Beyond the garden, spectacular views extend across the surrounding countryside, toward Oakham and Rutland Water. www.savills.com

Key Features

• Desirable location within Burley on the Hill

• South-facing garden

• 3 bedrooms

• Off-street parking and garage

• Period features

VELECTIOS MOLORE CORUM VOLUPTI AUT INVEL IUS APELIGNITIIS INIS NON CONEM IL IPSAM, CUPTATE MPELLOREMPOS

Hot Property

AQUAVISTA, STRETTON

8 STOCKEN HALL, STRETTON, OAKHAM, LE15 7RY

A BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED THREE BEDROOM APARTMENT IN A HANDSOME GRADE II* LISTED COUNTRY HOUSE

GUIDE £600,000

Aquavista is an elegant three bedroom, split-level apartment, located in the handsome Grade II* listed Stocken Hall and surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside. The house, dating originally from the early 17th century, has stylish original features and attractive communal spaces, while the apartment itself has more than 2,400 square feet of stunning living space. The accommodation is arranged over two floors, with the first floor including a spacious sitting room, a formal dining room and a study. The splendid sitting room has a dual aspect with large sash windows welcoming plenty

of natural light, ornate ceiling cornicing and a fireplace. There is also a formal dining room and a large study or additional bedroom, while the kitchen is well equipped with a high standard of finish.

There are two bedrooms on the first floor, including the en suite principal bedroom with a dressing area. On the second floor is a further bedroom with en suite and walk-in wardrobe, a family bathroom and a

large landing with a seating area. From here there is exclusive access to a roof terrace providing a peaceful space in which to relax.

Outside

Set in mature grounds and beautiful landscaped gardens, with rolling lawns, box hedging and gravel pathways with views across the surrounding fields and open countryside.

Tel: +44 (0) 1780 484 691

Key Features

And Finally ...

The KLAFS Ice Lounge from Guncast offers an unforgettable cooling experience. It is a multisensory room that cools down the airways and the skin, at a comfortably refreshing 14°C – 16°C temperature. This exciting stage of the thermal journey can be further enhanced with additional sensory stimulants such as relaxing fragrances, Atmosphere multimedia vision, and stunning ice fountains. The crisp, clean environment is created with specially developed acrylic ice, which is clear, colourless and has no impurities. Perfect for relaxing and cooling off, before or after a sauna. guncast.com