Surrey Homes | SH111 | April 2024 | Garden Supplement inside

PRICELESS 

APRIL 2024 

111 

APRIL 2024 

GARDEN SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

BESPOKE KITCHEN DESIGN 

DESIGN • SUPPLY • MANAGE • INSTALL 

2

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12/02/2024 15:39

Cobham-Furniture-Surrey-Homes.indd 1 18/03/2024 10:20

Contents 

April 2024 

12 

19 

25 

26 

41 

26 

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 

Dream homes on the market 

NOTEBOOK 

Upcoming events for your diary 

THE MUST LIST 

Keep up-to-date with the latest 

must-see and must-have goodies 

BUILDING CONNECTIONS 

See how a pair of 

agricultural barns have been 

seamlessly tied together 

GET THE LOOK 

Emulate stylish barn living 

91 

95 

96 

98 

98 

TAKE ME TO... A 

UK STAYCATION 

There’s so much to explore 

MEADOW SWEET 

Dream of your summer 

wardrobe with a touch of silk 

PRETTY IN PASTORAL 

Rebecca Cuffe channels 

soft country vibes in this 

month’s fashion edit 

BAKE IN SEASON 

Lara Green’s flavourful 

take on eating according 

to the month you’re in 

107 

109 

113 

114 

42 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Charlotte Lau whizzes up her 

take on wild garlic pesto 

SCHOOL NOTICEBOARD 

Catch up on all the latest school news 

WHAT’S ON? 

From events to courses, find out... 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard’s latest instalment 

from Coopers Farm 

42 

CHANGE IT UP 

Explore a grown-up 

family house remodel 

104 

IN LOVE WITH... SPRING 

Josephine Fairley picks products 

with the wow factor 

57 

GET THE LOOK 

Channel a contemporary 

aesthetic 

106 

BRAIN POWER 

Sarah Maxwell explains how 

exercise can affect the mind 

Published by Priceless Media Ltd. Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street, 

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF | Call 01580 714705 | Email info@priceless-group.com 

Visit priceless-group.com Copyright © 2024 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the 

advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd. 

GARDEN 

SUPPLEMENT 

31 pages of 

design ideas 

and inspo. 

After page 58. 

7

MANY 

CLEARANCE 

MODELS ON 

DISPLAY 

Tel: 01420 590510 

www.distinctivelightinguk.com 

SHOWROOM OPENING HOURS 

9am - 5pm: Monday - Friday. 

9am - 1pm: Saturday 

Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2QJ 

Surrey Homes - FP- April Edition.indd 1 19/03/2024 14:01:39

From the 

Editor 

No matter the season, a gardener’s work is never 

done, and this issue we’ve really focused in 

on outdoor spaces to create our fact filled 

supplement. Are you new to the horticultural hobby 

and are looking to increase you plant knowledge? Do 

you want to find out how to spruce up your front 

garden? Or do your interests lie in creating impressive 

statement landscapes worthy of a stately home? There’s 

definitely something for every kind of gardener in here. 

If you’re a keen forager, you’ll love this month’s recipes. 

Make the most of wild garlic with a delicious pesto whizzed 

up by recipe developer Lara Green before discovering 

its health benefits with Charlotte Lau’s own take on this 

leafy freebie. Lara’s pesto pairs perfectly with a flavoured 

sourdough loaf of her own design, whilst the discard (if 

you choose to go down the true sourdough starter route) 

can be used to create some fabulous rhubarb scones. 

House-wise we visit two homes that have had serious 

reconfigurations – the first, two old farm buildings 

that have become one; the second – a revamped family 

home that has been given a new lease of life. 

You’ll also find all our regular health 

and beauty advice, fashion picks, 

education news and the latest events 

to add to your spring diary. 

Finally, we were sad to hear about 

the passing of June Trew, one of our 

longstanding advertisers. Our thoughts 

go out to her family, friends 

and art-loving customers. 

TAILORED HOME 

INSURANCE RIGHT 

DOWN TO THE 

FINEST DETAIL 

For high-value properties and contents, including 

valuables, fine art and collections, choose 

NFU Mutual Bespoke Home Insurance. 

To discuss your high-value 

home insurance, contact 

Max Flaherty, Bespoke 

Account Manager at 

NFU Mutual Cobham 

01932 865 667 

Cobham_agency@nfumutual.co.uk 

5 High Street, Cobham, KT11 3DH 

Priceless Team 

EditorLucy Fleming 

Supplements & Features EditorRebecca Cuffe 

Sub Editor & Features Writer Emily Pavey 

Design & Production DirectorAnthony Boxall 

Sales ManagersLisa Gordon-Hughes 

Maria Hurley 

Senior Account ManagerSarah Norwood 

Senior Account Manager Andrew Boughton 

Wealden Times Show Director Flo Simpson 

Events Manager Liz Miles 

Events Sales Director Jude Brown 

Financial ControllerStephen Hunt 

Accounts Sarah Davies 

Nicola O’Leary 

Social Media ManagerCharlotte Lau 

Managing DirectorVivien Cotterill-Lee 

Executive ChairmanJulie Simpson 

The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited 

(No. 111982). Registered in England. Registered Office: 

Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire 

CV37 7BJ. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority 

and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the 

Prudential Regulation Authority. A member of the Association 

of British Insurers. 

9 

priceless-magazines.com

TM 

Find us here! 

istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich 

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of 

Surrey Homes or to get free copies delivered for £30 a year. 

12,000 copies of Surrey Homes are printed every month. 

We are available in the following outlets and 

are the only local magazine available at 

key commuter stations. If you 

have any questions about our 

distribution please contact 

Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

vivien.cotterill-lee@priceless-group.com 

Ashtead 

• Patrick Gardner 

Bagshott 

• Cubbitt Antiques 

• Howlands 

Estate Agents 

• Longacres Nursery 

Banstead 

• King of Cotton 

Betchworth 

• Buckland Deli 

• The Community 

Shop 

Bookham 


Buckland 

• Buckland Nurseries 

Garden Centre 

Camberley 

• Romans 

Caterham 

• Shard Solutions 

Cheam 

• Cook 

Chelsham 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Chobham 

• Melita 

• Pasha 

Claygate 

• Trew Art 

Cobham 

• Cobham Furniture 

• Fego Café 

• Oh So Coco 

Cranleigh 

• Curchods Prime 

• Notcutts 

• Roger Coupe 

Dorking 

• Dorking Travel 


• Princess Alice 

Hospice 

• Sainsbury’s 

Epsom 

• Mayfield Lavender 

Nursery & Shop 


Esher 

• Sandown Park 

Racecourse 

Farnham 

• Cook 

• ME Estate Agents 


• Waterstones 

Felbridge 

• Doves Barn Nursery 

Godalming 

• Cook 


• Sarah Louise Dix 


Godstone 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Guildford 

• BoConcept 

• Elm Nursery 

Farm Shop 

• Loaf 

• Neptune 

• Nuffield Gym 

Haslemere 

• Lythe Hill 

Hotel & Spa 

• Tesco Superstore 

Knaphill 


Leatherhead 


• Robert Leech 

& Partners 

Lingfield 


Lyne 

• The Farm Shop Lyne 

Milford 

• Secretts 

Old Oxted 

• Fish Plaice & Grill 

Oxted 

• Cook 

• Jackson-Stops & Staff 

• Limpsfield Stores 

• Morrisons 


Oxshott 

• The Bear 

Redhill 

• Priory Farm 

Reigate 

• Buckland Nurseries 

Garden Centre 

• County Clothes 


• RDO Kitchens 

Ripley 

• Ripley Nurseries 

Farm Shop 

• The Talbot 

Surbiton 


Walton on 

Thames 



Warlingham 

• Botley Hill 

Farmhouse 

• Rayners Estate 

Agents 

West Byfleet 

• Roman Tiles 

Weybridge 

• Tesco Extra 

Woldingham 

• Fine & Country 

TRAIN STATIONS 

• Dorking 

• East Grinstead 

• Epsom 

• Esher 

• Guildford 

• Haslemere 

• Kingston 

• Redhill 

• Richmond 

• Surbiton 

• Weybridge 

• Wimbledon 

• Woking 

11 

ROMEO 

JULIET 

21 JUNE - 13 JULY 

Staged across Guildford Town Centre 

GSC’s professional cast joined by a 

Guildford Community ensemble 

guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk 

Principal sponsors 

GSC Buildings supported by 


House 

Month 

of the 

£2,950,000 

Outwood 

Damien Pestell picks his favourite 

homes on the market 

The dream: An expansive residence 

set within 7.5 acres of stunning 

gardens and surrounded by rolling 

Surrey countryside. The living space 

has been meticulously designed 

by the current owners to create 

a home that combines character 

with modern conveniences. 

Where: The village of Outwood, 

steeped in history and surrounded 

by countryside between the larger 

towns of Oxted and Reigate. 

Setting: In the heart of Surrey’s 

lush countryside. Surrounded 

by National Trust woodlands. 

Beds: 5 Baths: 4 

Special features: The kitchen/ 

breakfast room is a culinary 

haven furnished with a fouroven 

oil-fired Aga and custom 

Mark Wilkinson units. Adjoining 

it is a spacious utility room, 

complete with a dog shower. 

Pleasing details: A selfcontained 

studio flat offers the 

scope for an additional extra 

income to rent or Airbnb. 

Outside: The immaculately 

maintained gardens include a 

picturesque lake and orchard. Leisure 

facilities extend to a 12m indoor 

pool and adjacent tennis court, 

providing ample opportunities 

for recreation and relaxation. 

Time to town: From Horley 

or Redhill station to Victoria 

in around 35 minutes. 

Agent: Maison Partnership 

0333 242 3292 

maisonpartnership,com 

priceless-magazines.com 12

Woldingham 

£1,800,000 

The dream: An immaculate modern 

home on the edge of the Surrey Hills 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

with fabulous westerly views. The 

property also has the potential to expand 

with paddocks or a potential pool. 

Where: The sought after village of 

Woldingham with fast links to central London 

Setting: A secluded location along a quiet lane. 


Special features: The jaw dropping kitchen 

is the ideal space for hosting guests and 

incorporates a large island, range cooker and 

a dining area with views out to the garden. 

Pleasing details: The numerous 

reception rooms are a great space for 

children to play with their friends. 

Outside: The large garden is mainly 

laid to lawn with mature hedging and 

trees, with a patio area to the rear and 

plenty of parking space in the drive. 

Time to town: From Woldingham station 

to London Victoria in 30 mins. 

Agent: Melanie Attwater 07852 940 409 

melanieattwater.exp.uk.com 

Guildford 

£1,595,000 

The dream: A grand and comfortable wing of a 

fine Grade II listed country house. With Saxon 

origins as well as numerous royal, aristocratic and 

influential owners over its 1,300 year history, the 

property offers elegant and well-proportioned 

family accommodation over four floors. 

Where: Equidistant to Guildford, 

Farnham and Godalming. The nearby 

village of Pirbright offers excellent gastro 

pubs and award-winning butchers. 

Setting: In the heart of the Surrey Hills, a 

short distance from the Hampshire border. 


Special features: The grand open plan drawing 

room with marble fireplace and a plethora of 

sash windows filling the room with light. 

Pleasing details: The property was first 

referred to in 727 AD by its Saxon name 

meaning ‘high clearing’ and was saved 

from dereliction in the late nineties. 

Outside: Approached through wrought iron 

electric gates, the ¾ mile tree lined driveway 

sweeps through 22 acres of parkland. 

Time to town: From Guildford station, 5 miles 

away, to London Victoria in approx 40 minutes. 

Agent: Knight Frank 020 3869 4758 knightfrank.co.uk 

13 


Discover a community 

with wellbeing in 

full bloom 

Stylish one and two bedroom apartments 

in the heart of vibrant West Byfleet, with 

sensational gardens, private, outdoor space, 

communal lounge, guest suite, hobby room 

studio and daytime concierge. 

Buy from £465,000 

Rent from £2,590 pm 

Exclusively for those enjoying life 

over sixty. Book your place now. 

Discover a new lease of life 

01932 483 138 

pegasushomes.co.uk/highfields

N E W 3 B E D R O O M 

S H O W H O M E N O W O P E N 

2, 3, 4 & 5 BEDROOM HOMES 

FROM £450,000 MOVE IN NOW 

BOOK YOUR VISIT TODAY 

01483 944 011 | sales@leighwoodfields.co.uk 

Leighwood Fields, Alfold Road, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8WQ 

Prices correct at time of going to press and subject to availability. Photography is indicative only. 

50201_Berkeley_LeighwoodFields_SurreyHomesAprilAd_AW.indd 1 11/03/2024 15:22

Surrey’s Premier Builder 

Upfold Construction has been established since 2009 

and is a domestic builder providing services throughout 

Surrey, Sussex & Hampshire. 

Located in Cranleigh we are perfectly placed to offer a 

total building service to those clients seeking a local, 

professional and reliable builder. We carry out all aspects 

of building from extensions, renovations to a complete 

home refurbishment allowing us to provide a package of 

design, planning, building & finishing. 

We are members of The Chartered Institute of Building 

which guarantees our committment to quality of product, 

services and integrity of conduct. 

For more information, please contact us on: 01483 600335 

Email: info@upfoldconstruction.co.uk or www.upfoldconstruction.co.uk

C 

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Dates 2024 

28 April . 26 May . 27 Oct . 24 Nov 

Up to 120 stands 

Open (9:30am Trade) 10:30 - 4:00pm. Entry tickets available on the door. 

20 & 21 APRIL 

www.atgtickets.com/richmond 

The perfect family day out, with over 150 stalls to discover 

Bank Holiday Weekend 

Saturday 4 th - 

Monday 6 th May 2024 

Penshurst Place, 

Tonbridge 

SAVE £2 

with online early 

bird tickets* 

Free parking 

Kids go free 

ARTISAN SHOPPING | STREET FOOD | CRAFT DEMOS | FAMILY FUN 

www.thecraftshows.co.uk 

* tickets purchased by 28/04/2024 

priceless-magazines.com 

18

Notebook 

Take note! We’ve rounded up the best 

of what to see and do near you 

Garden 

Party 

Silence 

is Golden 

The Silent Pool Distillery is the home of Silent Pool Gin in the Surrey 

Hills. Its beautiful rural location inspires every aspect of the award 

winning gin from the botanicals used during distillation, to the teal 

blue colour of the bottle. You can explore by taking a deep dive into the 

world of Silent Pool Gin on a distillery tour. Discover the unique four 

stage distillation process, and the botanicals that make this gin so special. 

We’re tempted by the distillery G&Tea Party with its delightful gin-themed 

twist on a classic afternoon tea – you can book various dates, mainly 

on Sundays, via their website. The fabulous Bee Keeping Experience 

focuses on the local bees that make the honey for Silent Pool Gin (bee 

keeper suits are provided!) and takes place once a month on a Friday. 

There’s also an Aroma Experience plus an Artisan Tasting 

Day which is a collaboration with Silent Pool neighbours 

Albury Organic Vineyard and Mandira’s Kitchen. When 

you visit don’t miss the delightful Pool Bar with 

terrace overlooking the pool, open April- 

September, weekend daytimes. 

silentpooldistillers.com 

Green-fingered readers will be thrilled 

to hear that The Garden Show is 

returning to the lovely Firle Place 

near Lewes from 19-21 April. There 

will be all sorts on offer including 

expert advice and free talks, over 200 

stalls of plants and gardenware. While 

you pick up blooms to perk up your 

garden your family will have plenty to 

keep them entertained including face 

painting, juggling, a toddler funfair, 

treasure hunts and the Huxley birds 

of prey. The event is in support of 

the fantastic Hands of Hope charity 

(hohcharity.co.uk) – enabling people 

and communities to lead healthier 

and happier lives by connecting them 

to nature and each other. The show 

opens from 10am until 5pm each day. 

For tickets see thegardenshows.com 

SUMMER 

SHOW 

South East Open Studios 

returns in 2024 for the whole 

of June. Stretching through the Kent 

and East Sussex countryside, the event 

not only helps to build artists’ profiles in 

the wider arts arena but also puts the 

South East on the map as a hub of 

creativity. Artists will open their 

studio doors, hold collaborative 

shows and showcase their work to 

local art lovers and visitors. Visit 

seos-art.org to find out more. 

Painting pictured by 

Philippa Futrell 

priceless-magazines.

CORE... LOOK 

AT THAT! 

Discover the wonders 

of the National Fruit collection 

at Brogdale Farm, near Faversham, 

showcasing over 3,000 varieties of fruit trees. 

The Brogdale Collections Charity are hosting lots 

of family-friendly festivals and events including the 

tempting Japanese Hanami Blossom Day on Saturday 

13 April and a bee safari on Tuesday 28 May. There are 

also cherry picking tours and PYO, Outdoor Cooking 

and Juicing Workshops plus a Cider Festival later in the 

year. Take a look at their website for details. You can gain 

exclusive access to the orchards year-round with an 

Orchard Pass and join their knowledgeable tour guides 

to learn the history and heritage and taste the fruit, 

you’ll witness the changes throughout the seasons 

from blossom in April, through to cherries, 

plums, apples and pears. 

brogdalecollections.org 

Craft 

Work 

If you’re looking for a bank holiday outing head to 

Weald of Kent Country Craft Show at Penshurst Place 

on 4 to 6 May for artisan shopping, speciality street 

food, entertainment, craft demos, live music and more. 

Explore over 150 craft stalls and make the most of the 

delicious eats and treats from the renowned food and 

drink hall. There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained 

with falconry displays, traditional children’s rids and 

laser clay pigeon too. Kids go free and there’s free 

parking and an early bird discount. The show opens 

daily between 10am and 5pm. 

thecraftshows.co.uk 

All Aboard 

We’re delighted to hear 

that Maidstone’s Kentish Lady River 

Boat is open for the season again, as of 29 

March. Choose from a 1 hour trip along the lovely 

Medway, 3 hour lunch or supper cruises or a river trip 

to the magnificent Allington Castle (pictured right). 

Private hire of this 70 seater boat is also available and 

it is wheelchair accessible. Take a look at the 

timetable and find out more details at 

kentishlady.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ denphumi / Suthin Saenontad 

Based on the muchloved 

animated TV series, the 

brand new live show Peppa Pig’s Fun 

Day Out! is making a splash at Richmond 

Theatre on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April, 

and promises fun, games and lots of laughs. 

Join Peppa and her family and friends as they go 

to the zoo and the beach for a special party. Packed 

full of songs, dance and muddy puddles Peppa Pig’s 

Fun Day Out! guarantees giggles and snorts for all 

Peppa fans – the perfect introduction to theatre. 

This latest new adventure includes interactive 

fun, songs and games for preschoolers. 

It’s the ideal family treat. 

Tickets start from £13 at 

atgtickets.com/richmond 

MUDDY PUDDLE TIME 

Two for One 

Maidstone Museum is well worth a visit 

for its fascinating collections and up until 1 

June you’ll also find a great display of works 

by young artists from across the South East as 

part of Maidstone Young Artist Award 2024, 

plus a large exhibition of works by Graham 

Clarke entitled A Retrospective – 65 Years of 

Printmaking. Alongside his often humorous 

limited-edition works – depicting his beloved 

Kent countryside, boats and the sea, Cornwall 

and more – you’ll also find the artist’s 

sketchbooks and other creations including the 

boat pictured above. museum.maidstone.gov.uk 


20

The memories, conversations & adventures we 

all shared made it a journey to remember. A 

friend to all who knew June Trew. Forever in 

our hearts & for so many; forever bringing 

joy to our wall space! June’s passion and 

inspiring legacy lives on. 

Remembered with a Smile. (12th March 2024) 

Pop Art 

Investment Art 

Sculptures 

11 The Parade, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0PD • WWW.TREWART.COM • PH 44 (0)1372 470997 

From inspiration to creation, 

define your space with 

ART 

11 The Parade, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0PD • WWW.TREWART.COM • PH 44 (0)1372 470997 

ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED 

2 - 6 May 

RHS Garden 

Wisley 

GU23 6QB 

Purchase direct from 200 of the very best makers in the UK 

Admission to garden also gives admission to the craft fair 

(Garden open until 6pm daily) • Free entry for RHS Members 

Demonstrations • Food village • Live music 

Thursday & Friday: 10am – 6pm 

Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 6pm 

Monday: 10am – 5pm 

CIF_Wisley_Spring24_130x185.indd 1 11/03/2024 10:46 

21 


Wealden Times 

Midsummer 

Fa i r 

Garden exhibitors 

With over 250 exhibitors there’s 

something for everyone. Here is a 

selection of our garden exhibitors. 

NEW 

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

XL Pools 

xlpools.com 

NEW 

Enjoy a great day out shopping 

with friends and family at this 

year’s Midsummer Fair 

With Spring in the air we’re starting to think about all things outdoors 

and there’s no better way to get ready for Summer than to book your 

tickets and plan a visit to the Midsummer Fair. 

Frys Furnishings 

frys-teakgarden.co.uk 

Tickets 

on sale now 

Quote 

‘EARLY24’ 

for £1 off 

each ticket! 

Herbert Baker Furniture 

herbertbaker.com 

Low Wood Nursery 

JJ&B Topiary 

facebook.com/people/JJBtopiary/100054927030702/

Sponsored by 

Garden exhibitors 

continued... 

Garden inspiration 

Your ticket includes entry to Hole Park’s 

stunning formal gardens, where visitors 

can enjoy the summer blooms around 

the 16 acre gardens and also marvel at a 

tree carving of a family of bears climbing 

an oak tree to reach a honey pot! 

Families will also love the wooden rope 

swing – a hit with kids and a perfect 

picture spot. 

ceshomeandgarden 

ceshomeandgarden.com 

Potting Up 

pottingup.com 

NEW 

Light Innovation 

lightinnovation.com 

Join us on 6th-8th JUNE 2024 

9.00am - 5.00pm 

at Hole Park, Rolvenden TN17 4JB 

Adults £17, Children £8, Under 5s free 

Find out more information at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

EXTENDED 

OPENING 

HOURS

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Lighter on sugar, free 

of artificial nasties, and 

big on fresh and fruity 

flavours – Belvoir 

Farm has the alcoholfree 

drinks we want for 

sunny-day sping-time 

sipping. The UK farm’s 

latest zesty creations 

for their Delicious & 

Light Range include 

Elderflower Lemonade 

and Sicilian Blood 

Orange Lemonade 

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bottle at Waitrose) 

belvoirfarm.co.uk 

must 

The 

From must-sees to must-buys and 

must-dos, don’t miss this month’s 

round up of what to buy, see, do, 

and generally get excited about! 

April is Bowel Cancer awareness 

month (bowelcanceruk.org.uk), 

which is why a star purchase 

right now is this inspirational 

mug from Emma Bridgewater 

(emmabridgewater.co.uk) which 

donates £5 from every purchase 

to Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer 

Research UK bowelbabe.org 

If you’re looking to add 

some coastal beachy vibes 

to your interior, check 

out Deborah Wren’s 

porcelain ceramic coastal 

art collection. Based 

just outside Rye, she 

handcrafts each gorgeous 

shell to make beautiful 

artworks inspired by 

the ever-changing 

colours of the sea. 

deborahwrenceramics.co.uk 

Some may celebrate a birthday this 

month with a gorgeous diamond 

birthstone, but why let them have 

all the fun? To treat yourself to 

a diamond-studded something 

that supports buying second hand 

(and the associated price drop) 

try Shop Prestige. Their website 

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Pet month is all about raising 

awareness of responsible pet 

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introduce Splash Paws, a local haven 

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Splash Paws is a Canine Hydrotherapy 

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Farm in Staplehurst, Kent. They are 

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want. splashpaws.co.uk 

The 23rd is the day we 

celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday and 

what better way to celebrate than 

by booking tickets to a multi-venue, 

promenade production of Romeo & 

Juliet on the streets of Guildford? This 

summer the award-winning Guildford 

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their own 18th birthday with this oneof-a-kind 

production from June 21 st to 

July 13 th , which will lead its audience 

around iconic landmarks including the 

Guildhall balcony, the historic High 

Street and Guildford Castle Gardens 

as you following the fateful tale. 

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Building Connections 

Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether 

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and 

Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair 

of derelict barns, linking them together to create 

one very beautiful dwelling 


26

27 


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28

The story arc of an adventure tale involves a journey 

into the unknown, meetings with strangers, potential 

disasters, a point at which everything goes wrong and 

then, just when the hero is about to give up, a miraculous 

twist, event or awakening occurs and there’s happily ever 

after. Epic building projects often have such trajectories, 

but not usually before the building work even starts. 

When Dominic and Eve bought two derelict barns to convert, 

they embarked on what turned out to be an eight year quest 

to get permission to transform them into a single home. This 

involved several stages in changes of use from commercial 

occupancy back to agricultural and then to residential – not to 

mention the re-homing of an owl and some bats – and dealing 

with the council’s description of one of the buildings (at the 

time on the verge of imminent collapse) as a heritage asset 

that must be preserved at all costs. Once all these hurdles had 

been overcome, the project itself was relatively straightforward 

– I say relatively, as it’s nigh on impossible not to have a few 

hiccups along the way with such a project, but in the scheme 

of things, from the time that permission was finally granted, 

the build has only taken eighteen months to complete. 

The couple’s architect has done a great job at marrying two very 

different buildings together so that they look like one complete 

dwelling. The view of the outside as you approach is fabulous 

(very Grand Designs) and has a real wow factor, but on the inside, 

combining the ultra modern of one part with a traditional feel and 

look of a rustic vernacular building on the other, was a challenge. 

They sought the help of Victoria Allen, an interior designer 

specialising primarily in kitchens and bathrooms, but increasingly 

in the design of general living spaces – especially now that so 

many of us combine our living, dining and kitchen areas into 

Previous pages & this page: The whole design 

process started in the kitchen and flowed out from 

there to unite the spacious open plan living area 

29 


This page: The main wall colour throughout is Farrow & Ball’s Great White with F&B’s 

Peignoir used on some feature walls – both feature soft pinky undertones. The sculptural 

floating staircase has lighting in the treads and steel cords instead of bannisters 

one big room. Working closely with 

the project’s builder, Jeremy, and his 

site manager son, Joshua, she has 

helped to guide Dominic and Eve 

through the interior’s construction. 

“It can be difficult to visualise 

things with a two-dimensional plan 

view,” says Eve, “to see the spaces 

and imagine living in them.” Victoria 

explains how she uses a combination 

of CAD and Pinterest, sharing images 

through their WhatsApp group, so 

that everyone is kept in the loop. 

“Communication is key to the 

success of a project,” she says, 

“and having a team of guys who 

treat it as if it was their own 

house – so there’s no bodging or 

making do. They have pride in their 

work and want to get things right.” 

“The whole design process started in the 

kitchen and flowed out from there. It’s a big 

room. I can sit at my computer and move 

things around – playing with the shapes is 

very useful when designing. We can imagine 

the space better – floors, walls, electrics, 

pieces of furniture.” Has all the technology 

improved the process? Victoria smiles. “It 

has just changed the way we are able to work 

– when things were on paper the design 

was often at a final stage and not so easily 

altered. Now we can swap things about 

really easily, so there’s more flexibility and 

opportunity to keep moving things around.” 

Victoria has a knack of choosing offthe-shelf 

pieces and styling them so that 

they look custom made, which means 

that the budget can be used where it’s 

needed. Choosing artwork is often part 

of the process, but in this case Victoria 

hasn’t had to source any pictures – the 

multi-talented Jeremy has painted all 

the large paintings in the house and his 

daughter has produced smaller works, 

with beautiful pressed wildflowers. 

The kitchen units are an off-the-shelf 

design, but Victoria has added in bespoke 

details – unit handles and a nifty solution to 

the corner cupboard issue, splashing out 


30

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carlton 

alto 

roma 

astonian original 

astonian original brassware geo wall hung wc shape bath 

aged brass 

kast concrete

on prestige appliances; a sleek induction 

hob and extractor and finishing it all 

off with a seamless Corian worktop. 

“The worktop goes well with the 

concrete look of the floor,” she says. 

Except that the floor isn’t concrete, 

it is resin – made and installed by a 

company called Sphere8 – and runs 

through the whole house, helping 

to unite the disparate ends of the 

building. It feels gloriously smooth to 

the touch and, thanks to underfloor 

heating, lovely and warm too. 

“The floor was the very last thing 

to go in,” explains Jeremy. “They had 

to make sure that there was no dust, 

nothing that would cause an issue. They 

wanted all the lights on too, so that any 

unevenness could be dealt with – the 

tiniest of bumps in the floor that might 

show up under the lights and make 

shadows – and then they patch up any 

cracks in the concrete screed and paint 

the floor with several layers of the resin, 

so you could incorporate a colour at any 

time, or even change the colour. They 

use it a lot in art galleries, so that the 

floor can just be repainted whenever.” 

The seamless finish continues 

throughout the modern side; a shadow 

gap is used where the walls meet the 

foot, which means that there’s no need 

to interrupt the space with traditional 

skirting boards or architrave. 

A large room like this needs warmth 

though, and Victoria has managed to 

bring in colour, while maintaining an 

This page: The family bathroom’s double-ended bath is positioned right 

in front of the window for an ultimate bath with a view. At either end 

of the landing, spacious bedrooms feature lovely high ceilings 

open airiness. The main wall colour 

throughout is Farrow & Ball’s Great 

White with F&B’s Peignoir used on 

some feature walls – both feature soft 

pinky undertones. “Modern buildings 

can be austere and too cold – they 

can look very sterile,” says Dominic. 

The pink touch is picked up in 

some of the interior details too – in 

the sofa, rug and artwork, while 

tan leather chairs keep the warmth 

and help to tie the look together. 

A feature electric fireplace – the 

focal point at this end of the room 

– brings cosiness without the mess 

or the flue of a traditional fire. It is 

surprisingly realistic and the flickering 

of the faux flames (to my simple brain) 

are as mesmerising as real ones. 

“The view is the star here,” she 

says, “and so we changed the original 

architect’s design – which had cut 

33 


This page: With stunning panoramic views, the main bedroom features a beautiful en suite tiled with Mandarin Stone’s Hoxton range 

the windows in half so that they opened 

with a central divide.” They also chose 

sliding doors, rather than bi-folds for 

the same reason – and when you have 

a magnificent vista in front of you, the 

fewer interruptions to it the better – and 

after all, we spend more time looking 

out of the windows than looking in. 

Every window offers vantage 

points over the vast natural landscape 

– it is in an AONB, the views are 

spectacular – the most intimate being 

from the kitchen out to an adjacent 

pond. “The view of the bullrushes 

and the pond is my favourite,” says 

Eve. This is also where the resident 

owl has found a new home, in a 

bespoke owl box on a nearby tree. 

Beyond the terrace outside the garden 

is informal, merging into the landscape. 

“I call it an infinity garden,” smiles 

Dominic, “the modern equivalent of 

a ha-ha. Although it’s north facing to 

the back of the house it’s open too, so 

you can have the best of both worlds 

– sun and shade – without having 

to have a canopy and inside, despite 

facing north, is not cold or gloomy. 

We head up the cool and sculptural 

floating staircase with lighting 

 


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This page: The older, brick built part of the house 

is accessed via a generously proportioned linkway 

in the treads and steel cords instead of 

bannisters, and the breathtaking views 

expand panoramically from the windows 

in all the bedrooms. Each has a glass Juliet 

balcony, but in the family bathroom – and 

you can really only do this if you’re sure 

you’re not going to be overlooked (unless 

you’re an exhibitionist) – the double-ended 

bath is positioned right in front of the 

window for an ultimate bath with a view. 

The older, brick built part of the house 

is accessed via a generously proportioned 


36

Top: The interior mood changes as you enter the cosy sitting room. “This side is for night time and winter,” smiles Victoria, “and the 

more open living space near the kitchen is for summer and daytime living.” Above: An oak staircase leads up to two further bedrooms 

linkway. It is so light and airy that they 

are tempted to call it the Orangery; 

it functions as a cloakroom, office, 

games room – aka a very useful space. 

The interior mood changes as we 

head into the cosy sitting room. “This 

side is for night time and winter,” smiles 

Victoria, “and the more open living 

space near the kitchen is for summer 

and daytime living.” This cosy retreat is 

painted in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe. 

“It’s a dark colour, but the deep greyblue 

has hints of green, so it is a warm 

feel. We wanted to go more traditional 

at this end of the building. The existing 

beams were originally to be covered but 

we asked for them to be exposed – it 

brings more warmth and character.” 

Builder Jeremy remembers the 

state that this heritage building was 

in when they started. “It was on the 

verge of collapse,” he laughs, “what 

a nightmare. The whole thing nearly 

fell down. We had to take this whole 

end off the house and rebuild it. It 

needed to be underpinned. We installed 

purlins around the ceiling of the 

other bedroom – they had to be put 

in because the building needed to be 

structurally secure.” Now the purlins 

and the brackets look really smart as 

if they are design features, as much as 

fundamental to the building’s integrity. 

There are two good sized bedrooms 

on this side. The largest has a natural 

divide as the flue for the wood burner 

in the sitting room below had to be 

incorporated into this room, making 

it ideal for two children sharing. 

37 


Top: Cedar cladding has been used on the exterior of the more 

modern part of the house, whilst bricks reclaimed from an old 

garden wall tie this section in with the bricks of the older barn 

With ultimate flexibility of living 

in mind, they have installed a water 

supply to this side of the house so that 

a kitchen could be added, in case the 

building ever needed to be two separate 

dwellings. At the moment though it 

works as one house just perfectly – and 

Victoria has cleverly made the interior 

decor flow. Lighting is a key factor in 

the overall design. It is all LED, from a 

combination of small spotlights in the 

ceilings, but it’s the hanging pendant 

and accent lamps that are noticed. 

The large tungsten effect filaments 

bring – along with the industrial 

vibe – warmth and cohesion to the 

two very different styles of building. 

“We used the same colours all 

through for the window frames, door 

handles and the light fittings,” she 

says. “The windows are all bespoke 

and each one is a different size. They 

were made by Phase One joinery. We 

used local suppliers all through.” 

“Many people who worked here 

knew the land, or fished in the pond as 

children,” adds Dominic. The heritage 

status is perhaps as much in the land as 

in the buildings that occupy it, linking 

communities to the features, buildings 

and natural spaces in their locality. 

“We found a batten of wood in the 

roof,” he says, “with a tally of planes 

shot down in the Battle of Britain – 

that must have been raging in the skies 

overhead when the roof was being 

repaired during the war.” That piece of 

wood is a visceral link to the past, but 

also to the landscape, to the people that 

must have watched the dog fights taking 

place in the skies above them here. 

The past is always being uncovered 

and rebuilt, battles won and lost. This 

building will stand as testament to 

Dominic and Eve’s persistence and 

determination to succeed in creating 

something new. They and their team 

have worked together to reshape a 

future for two dilapidated wrecks – 

triumphantly repurposing a heritage 

building, creating a brilliant new one 

and blending them together into a sleek, 

contemporary home. The story arc of 

this build is complete, but as Dominic 

and Eve now have their sights set on 

another project, there may well be a 

sequel at some point in the future. 

Address Book: 

Victoria Allen can be contacted 

for design projects by emailing 

v.e.allen.design@gmail.com or see 

Instagram @victoriaallendesign 

To speak to Courts Management Ltd 

about a project, email Jeremy at 

jeremy@courtsmanagement.com or 

see www.courtsmanagement.com 

You can find out about Jeremy’s artworks 

at jecoart.net and his daughter Nina’s 

pressed flower works at antherart.co.uk 

Biosun (green energy systems) 

biosunenergy.co.uk 

Mandarin Stone mandarinstone.com 

Phase One Joinery phaseonejoinery.co.uk 

Sphere 8 sphere8.com 


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41 


Change it up 

Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether 


42

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family 

home is the result of a very successful partnership 

with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a 

new layout they never imagined was possible 

43 


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48 December essentialsurrey.co.uk

Previous pages & this page: The green modular sofa and the 

leather armchairs were from Lime Modern Living and John Lewis 

respectively. The herringbone flooring throughout is by Karndean 

Emerging from the rain and gloom of the last few 

months, the one thing that everyone is craving is light. 

Unsurprising then, how inviting the hallway of Neil and 

Sharon Maidment’s Forest Row home feels as soon as you walk 

through the door. Standing in the entrance, sunlight streams 

down from the vaulted ceiling above, glances through the 

glass balustrade of the floating staircase, and lands in a warm 

pool on the herringbone floor. It is a far cry from the hallway 

they walked into 16 years ago when they bought the house, 

relocating from Surrey to accommodate their growing family. 

Until recently, the layout had remained unchanged, with a 

staircase obstructing available light and taking up too much 

room, and doors leading off to a myriad of disconnected 

living spaces. “We never had enough money to do anything 

to it, so when Stephanie arrived it was almost exactly the same 

as the day we moved in,” says Neil, referring to Stephanie 

Mason, director of OPEN architecture, the Sevenoaks-based 

firm Neil and Sharon contracted last year to transform 

the downstairs area into a more connected space. 

While understanding the need for change, the pair felt 

lost as to how to achieve a home that worked for them as 

a family and that would retain its appeal once their two 

teenage daughters flew the nest. “We didn’t have a clue. 

We just needed someone to come in and open our eyes 

45 


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46

This page: Light pours into the entrance hall through 

an unusually shaped triangular window on the first floor. 

The statement silver light fitting is from John Lewis 

to the art of the possible, so that’s where Stephanie 

came in. Most of the stuff that she envisioned we never 

would have been able to come up with ourselves.” 

Originally built in the ’60s, the layout was not making 

the most of potential square footage or optimising the 

internal space. Stephanie says, “The moment I walked 

in the door I thought: this connection is not working, 

this is too dark, these rooms need to be flowing better. I 

could quickly tell that if we just made a few changes, then 

it would feel like a full-scale alteration to the house.” It 

is hard to imagine the house now without this sense of 

flow, as the eye is drawn past the repositioned staircase, 

over the dining room ahead and through vast, singlepane, 

sliding glass doors to the terrace and trees outside. 

This line of sight became central to the architectural 

plan. “There were no windows,” Stephanie says, “and 

it was just a series of doors leading to rooms. It felt 

like you were very enclosed. It was really important to 

ensure that we could get those views and the moment 

you walked in the house you saw out to the garden.” 

Through the doorway ahead a Cox & Cox dining table 

sits happily in what was once a separate room and is now 

part of an open-plan arrangement where the kitchen, 

47 


This page, above: Kitchens Bespoke in East Grinstead designed 

the shaker style kitchen which is painted in Elgin Grey with 

Kongistone’s Bianca Toscana quartz worktops Right: A wall of 

glass doors leads out from the dining area into the garden 

dining room and living areas merge into each other but 

are all uniquely defined. Pendent light fittings add a sense 

of height to the ceiling and the kitchen’s oriel window, 

replacing an ordinary PVC window, increases the space 

without adding to the footprint of the house. It is one 

of many thoughtfully crafted areas, and it cries out for a 

morning cup of coffee and a newspaper, or a glass of wine 

in hand, while you chat to someone doing the cooking. 

“Quite often when you create large open-plan spaces 

you can find yourself just making a massive room,” says 

Stephanie, “and something that we always try and focus on 

is creating pockets of space where you can either be with a 

group of people or you can be by yourself.” The Laminum 

island worktop allows for ample cooking space alongside 

the BORA hob, while the paintwork on the island base unit 

complements the aluminium frame of the windows, drawing 

the eye outside. The layout is clean and uncomplicated, but 

behind the cabinetry lies a clever and original secret: “We 

wanted to include a fun design feature, where we have a 

hidden door amongst a whole bank of kitchen units. You 

can actually walk through the kitchen cabinetry straight into 

the utility room”, says Stephanie. The secret doorway means 

you can access additional catering space during parties or 

barbeques, without having to go out into the hallway 


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This page: The dining table 

is from Cox & Cox, with 

upholstered ‘Darcy’ chairs from 

sofa.com Below left: The oriel 

window Below right: The utility 

room can be accessed through 

a hidden door in the kitchen 

and enter it via another door. “It’s that 

direct connection, which just adds a 

little bit of fun as well,” adds Stephanie. 

At the other end of the dining room 

is a new zinc extension, housing a smart 

lounge area drenched in light from single 

pane windows and a skylight above. A 

painting hanging below the skylight, by 

the artist Lorna Kirin, adds to the overall 

biophilic disposition of the space. The 

effect is very calming and natural, but 

the genius comes from having a monopitched 

roof, which slants upwards 

towards the garden. “If the extension 

had been a continuous, flat roof, at some 

point you would have seen the ceiling 

and it would have brought the angle of 

view back down,” Stephanie explains. 

“Instead, wherever you are standing 

downstairs, that angle continues to go 

up, so that your viewpoint is always 

continuous open space.” The extension 

proved to be straight forward from a 

planning permission perspective, but 

offered some challenges with regards 

to drainage, given that the roof slants 

inwards towards the house rather than 

away from it. However, Stephanie and 

her team devised a clever drainage 

solution – it turned out to be the 

51 


This page: The floating staircase, with its glass balustrade, was the perfect fit with the interior’s contemporary aesthetic 

skylight itself that would yield a little 

complexity during the build phase. 

“It nearly killed the builder trying to 

put it in,” explains Neil, “it weighed 

an absolute tonne.” It was an obstacle 

worth surmounting, however, as Neil 

continues, “It was Stephanie’s idea to let 

even more light in from above, it was a 

great addition and works really well.” 

Towards the front of the house, 

completing the circular journey from 

the hallway, is the original living room, 

separated from the lounge area by clever 

seating layouts and delineated decor. 

The leather armchairs apply a sense of 

boundary, and the modular sofa and 

fireplace lend this area a cosier feel, 

creating a cocoon-like space to retreat 

to in the evenings. Neil and Sharon 

employed interior designer Mette 

Udsholt of muinteriors.com (based 

in East Grinstead) to ensure that the 

colour scheme reflected the intended 

use of each area, and the darker, muted 

tones of the furniture here provide 

a clever contrast to the bright, lightfilled 

open-plan area. “The colours 

that Mette chose, the forest green, the 

way that the sofa is orientated, it all 

really draws you in,” says Stephanie. 

“It’s a little bit darker and it’s the space 

where you really have evening use.” The 

area also provides more privacy from 

the windows, where Neil and Sharon 

have opted to forgo curtains or blinds, 

choosing instead to allow the beauty and 

drama of the windows to be maintained. 

This effect is mirrored in the 

spectacular glass partition that now runs 

alongside the living area, the answer 

to a difficult set of design parameters. 

The challenge for Stephanie and her 

team was to simultaneously create a 

storage area for coats and shoes adjacent 

to the hallway as well as an access 

corridor from the hallway to the office 

and downstairs guest room, and still 

allow it to be part of the living room to 

complete the sense of connection and 

flow. The partition was an idea that 

Neil and Sharon found hard to envisage 

at first, but after discussing a half-wall, 

half-partition option, they decided to 

trust in Stephanie’s concept. “It took a 

while to get our heads around it, but this 

works so much better and is now a bit 

of a feature.” Far from being a functional 

corridor, the storage area’s aesthetic, with 

dark, painted units, ties into the cocoon 

vibe of the living room, while the 

seating area also provides a private, cosy 

nook for chatting or a place to take your 

boots off at the end of a long day. It 

equally provides an elegant solution to a 

problem well known to all families with 

children – where to put all the shoes! 

Stephanie explains, “The two tall units 

on either side of the bench are for coats, 

but underneath is loads of shoe storage. 

So you just pull those down, you shove 

your shoes in and then you close it up!” 

Outside, the wraparound terrace 

acts as a natural segue from the dining 

room to the garden, which lies below 

the level of the house. The effect is to 

blur the division between inside and 

outside, maximising the use of the whole 

space. It also encompasses a more 


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Above: The new zinc extension 

houses a smart lounge area 

drenched in light from single 

pane windows and a skylight 

above Below: The original 

living room, separated from the 

lounge area by clever seating 

layouts and delineated decor 

private zone outside the downstairs 

guest room. Stephanie says, “Again, 

we wanted to create these pockets of 

use. Because the guest bedroom is 

downstairs, there is now a space outside 

that room for a small table and chairs… 

a place to enjoy the evening sun.” 

As with any home improvement 

project on this scale, moments of 

uncertainty were inevitable. Neil 

recounts, “In December when the 

weather was cold and horrible, and the 

whole place was dripping, I was sitting 

there thinking ‘what have we done?’” 

But the couple, who moved out for the 

duration of the build, feel lucky that 

this was the only episode of doubt. 

“We kept Stephanie on throughout the 

whole build, and that was invaluable 

because she kept the builders in line 

with her vision. If anything jarred, she 

got them to change it.” This attention 

to detail, alongside a detailed build 

schedule provided by Stephanie and 

her team, allowed the project to run 

smoothly, and all importantly, to run 

in line with the budget. “My number 

one recommendation to anyone 

embarking on a build is to keep your 

architect all the way through.” 

Address Book: 

To speak to OPEN architecture 

about a project openarc.co.uk 

Kitchens Bespoke (kitchen design 

and fitting) kitchensbespoke.co.uk 

Laurus Construction laurus-construction.co.uk 

Mette Udsholt (interior 

designer) muinteriors.com 

Paul Azzopardi of Attention to Detail 

Decorating (decorator) pazzopardi@outlook.com 


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61 


Into the Woods 

Jo Arnell leads 

us through 

the bluebells 

to discover 

Canterbury Oast 

Trust's exciting 

life skills project 

I’m visiting the Poulton Wood Project in Aldington 

today, where the quest is on to find the earliest 

bluebell. Although it’s still early in the season, it’s not 

unusual now to find them blooming in early March. 

"Last year the first Bluebell was spotted on the 6th 

March," says Mel Tebbutt, life skills manager at Canterbury 

Oast Trust, who own and run this ancient wood. "It’s 

later this year; every year the season changes a little, but 

it’s generally in the first week or two of March." 

By April the wood is awash with 

their fragrant blooms, and this is when 

the team at Poulton Wood hold their 

famous Bluebell Cream Tea. This year 

it’s on Saturday 27th April – and will 

be the 27th held at the wood. This 

spring celebration is much looked 

forward to by the rangers, volunteers 

and staff here. The WI will be on 

hand too, providing the scones and 

jam, but it is the sea of bluebells that 

are the natural stars of the show. 

Poulton Wood is a 28 acre site of 

ancient woodland, and is run by Canterbury Oast Trust as a 

Life Skills project. This charity supports around 150 adults with 

learning disabilities, over 70 of them residential across a variety 

of local sites. The Trust is dedicated to providing empowering 

personal and work-based experiences for the adults it supports. It 

is a beautifully well managed site and the rangers, their volunteer 

supporters and staff are busy in all weathers, caring for wildlife and 

skilfully running a range of enterprises from the wood – coppicing 

and selling firewood, making commission pieces, wooden signs 

and products. The team have a stall at Wealden Times Midsummer 

Fair this June, to showcase their work. I meet ranger Ben, who 

performed a carving demonstration there last year, where he 

designed and carved an excellent reusable sign for the stall. Now 

finished, that sign will be used every year, thanks to a clever central 

section of blackboard enabling the date and info to be changed. 

The rangers’ craftsmanship is in evidence all across the 

woodland; there’s a wonderful circular mess hut made from wood 

and natural materials. It is reminiscent of a Saxon Roundhouse 

and fits perfectly into the surroundings, and is now linked to a 

classroom, creatively made from 

Aside from the life 

enhancing benefits of just 

being out in nature, there are 

so many other meaningful 

activities and outcomes to this 

flourishing operation 

straw bales, which also makes it 

super-insulated. Dotted among 

clearings there are handmade and 

carved benches, each dedicated 

to the memory of an individual 

involved with the project. 

"Alan, who’d been a ranger here 

for 20 years, has a bench to 

commemorate him and a carved 

symbol of what he was interested 

in," explains Mel as we pass a 

nearby seat. "He loved bike riding. 

So, rather than a name, the interests of the person, or what 

they were known for, gets carved into the bench." 

As we wend our way into the wood we pass some willow edged 

beds – again made by the rangers from leftover pieces of coppiced 

poles, which have been chopped to length and pushed firmly 

down into the soil to make mini fence posts. Willow withies are 

then carefully woven between them to make beautifully rustic 

and practical edging that designates the paths end and the beds. 

The paths through the wood are wonderfully wide, providing 

vistas through the trees and allowing access for everyone – and 


62

for wheelchairs. I am amazed that a wheelchair can access the 

spongy floor of the wood. "Oh yes," says volunteer Steve, "we 

have an all terrain wheelchair. Getting through the wood is no 

problem." This ensures the wood is accessible to all the people 

who are a part of the Trust, enabling everyone to be involved in 

the real and very active work that is done here, work that brings 

a meaningful participation in society – and the vital mental 

health benefits that come from a connection with nature. 

"There’s masses of wildlife around," he says, "buzzards, a 

woodpecker, owl, muntjac deer." Some of the space within the 

wood is roped off. These are designated, non-intervention areas, 

left entirely to wildlife and are not to be disturbed. In addition, a 

few of the trees that die or fall are also left to rot down naturally 

and become part of the ecosystem. This way the Trust can tap 

into some funding from the higher tier woodland site and still 

allow general access. The public are allowed through the wood 

from April until September and are especially encouraged to visit 

for two main events – the Bluebell Cream Tea in April and the 

Woodland Open Day held on the first Saturday in June. The 

open day is a popular event, and features a wealth of activities 

– a combination of demonstrations put on by the rangers or 

supplied by other local organisations, including visiting birds 

of prey, working horses (that were traditionally used to move 

heavy coppiced material in the woodland), pond dipping, wood 

crafts and other traditional woodland practices, such as making 

charcoal. The charcoal burners are located in a fenced area 

within a clearing deep in the wood, where there is also a bird 

feeding station, a willow bird hide and Santa’s grotto. "We had 

a torchlight procession through the wood to see Santa last year. 

It was quite magical with all the lanterns lighting the way. It had 

a really lovely atmosphere." Santa isn’t the only visitor to the 

woods. Apparently there’s another, more beastly interloper here, 

an invasive pest that must be hunted down and culled on an 

annual basis. Every January an intrepid band of skilled hunters, 

dressed in tartan, head into the woods and attempt to trap… a 

Haggis. Lured out of its lair, the Haggis is eventually caught – 

and then cooked on Burns night, served with neeps and tatties. 

What amazing lengths the team go to protect the precious 

wood. Woodlands are a vital resource and managed well (and 

protected from the pesky Haggis) they become a naturally 

renewable system too. Coppicing is an ancient activity that 

enables the use of woodland without destroying it, in fact 

the activity of cutting down carefully selected trees to make a 

coppice brings positive benefits to the wider wood, encouraging 

biodiversity in the cleared areas and letting the light in, which 

enables many species to flourish. Each coppice is named and 

identified by a hand carved sign posted at the edge of it. The 

areas of coppice are industrious looking, well organised spaces 

that show respect for the woodland and all those that use it. 

Poulton Wood a near perfect example of a traditionally coppiced 

wood, a joyful and vital reminder of all that is good about 

both working in nature and within a close knit community. 

The residents, staff and volunteers all benefit enormously 

and learn a huge amount from their experiences here. "Team 

building, exercise, learning and education," says Mel. "We learn 

about conservation, about wildlife, about each other. There are 

the woodworking skills, we gain an understanding of process 

and how the wood is planted, grown, managed and used." It is 

fascinating and truly uplifting to spend time here. Aside from 

the life enhancing benefits of just being out in nature, there 

are so many other meaningful activities and outcomes to this 

flourishing operation. Together in this enriching environment, 

the rangers, volunteers and staff work alongside nature, 

supporting one another to create something very special. 

The Bluebell Cream Tea is 

a beautiful way to celebrate 

the magical enterprise that is 

Poulton Wood. If you would 

like to join in please book at 

rarebreedscentre.digitickets. 

co.uk as spaces are limited. 

Jo’s gardening courses 

are now booking. 

Call 07923 969634 or see 

hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

63 


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Dipping tanks are a contemporary 

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Front Garden planters 

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Pillars, Marine Blue in Intelligent 

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specific features. Pair a piercing 

blue colour like ‘Marine Blue’ on 

architectural details and pillars with 

a hit of bright sunshine yellow using 

plant pots painted in ‘Mister David’. 

Unique and bright pairings create a 

transportive space and a wonderful 

narrative with green foliage.” 

- Ruth Mottershead, Creative 

Director at Little Greene 

littlegreene.com 

Dandelion Solar Powered Garden 

Lights £29.95 Annabel James 

annabeljames.co.uk 

Planter by IOTA iotagarden.com 

Trail Terra 20x30 Matt Slab 

Tiles £23.96/m2 Walls and 

Floors wallsandfloors.co.uk 

Mast Light 0749 £315 Davey 

Lighting originalbtc.com 

“Illuminating your outdoor space 

is not only practical but is sure to 

wow any guests that visit your home. 

For a symmetrical, modern style we 

recommend spike or bollard lights 

as they are ideal for lining down 

the sides of the driveway for an 

even spread of light. For the best 

coverage, you can opt for powerful, 

PIR flood lights, which use sensors 

to detect motion as your car pulls up 

the driveway, automatically triggering 

the light to assist you with parking. 

You can also consider dusk ‘til dawn 

lights, that conveniently provide 

light without pressing a button, using 

photocell sensors that detect natural 

light levels and switch on accordingly. 

Overall, Driveway lights and spike 

lights are the perfect fit to create an 

illuminated pathway that is guaranteed 

to wow any visitors to your home.” 

–Julian Page, Head of Design for BHS 

bhs.com 

Trent Fisherman Style 

Lantern Wall Light £20 

BHS bhs.com 

priceless-magazines.com 70 

Front Door in SOUMAK 339, 

DOOR CASING: SALT II 332 – both 

ARCHITECTS’ GLOSS by Paint and Paper 

Library paintandpaperlibrary.com 

Block Paving by 

TerraFirma Landscapes London 

terrafirmalandscapes.co.uk 

Chessington Garden Centre 

chessingtongardencentre.co.uk 

“Transforming a front garden with 

pots, tubs, or planters can instantly 

enhance its appeal. Begin by 

selecting a variety of plants suited 

to the climate and light conditions. 

Arrange them strategically, 

incorporating different heights 

and textures for visual interest. 

Consider adding decorative elements 

like trellises or ornamental 

statues for added charm. Regular 

maintenance, including watering 

and pruning, will ensure your 

front garden remains vibrant and 

inviting. With creativity and care, 

pots, tubs, or planters can turn a 

mundane space into a captivating 

entrance that welcomes guests with 

natural beauty.” – Jamie Port, 

Marketing and Events Manager 

at Chessington Garden Centre 

chessingtongardencentre.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ kaisorn

BEFORE 

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AFTER 

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www.mossmaster.co.uk


Come 

the 

to 

Caslte 

Come with us as we tour the great and the grand castles of 

the South East in search of gardening inspiration 

From Disney palaces to Traitors 

tower, there’s something utterly 

captivating about a castle (along 

with their awe-inspiring settings). 

To wander the grounds of a grand old 

estate, experiencing some of the most 

magnificent gardens in the country is one 

of our favourite things to do in the spring. 

The South East is filled with more than 

its fair share and each has something to 

offer as inspiration in our own gardens, 

be it an expansive landscaping project or a 

simple planter with a bit of fancy planting. 

With all this in mind we’re listing (in no 

particular order) a few truly captivating 

castles to visit this spring. 

1 Scotney 

Moat? Check. Woodland glades? 

Check. Pretty hidden walkways? Check. 

Romantically ruined castle? CHECK. 

Scotney is all we’re looking for in a fairytale 

come to life. It has one of the best examples 

of a picturesque-designed garden in the 

UK, meaning it embraces a more wild and 

natural idea of beauty and celebrates the 

softness of imperfections. The centrepiece 

moated castle ruin with its gorgeous roses 

scaling the walls tells the tale that is echoed 

throughout the estate – one of man-made 

beauty being embraced, complemented, and 

generally doodled upon by nature. As we 

all strive to add wild spaces to our garden 

for the sake of the environment, one lesson 

to learn here is that the edges between the 

order of the man-made and the wildness of 

nature can be beautifully blurred. Here you’ll 

find grass terraces left long to encourage rare 

orchids, ‘Hoop Petticoat’ daffodils growing 

on the lower castle walls, and gardeners at 

work in little row boats on the moat where 

kingfishers dwell and dragonflies dance. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle 

2 Chiddingstone 

Chiddingstone Castle is a fascinating historic 

house set in the rolling Kent countryside 

and there is much of quintessential British 

gardening to be found here. The inner 

courtyard is filled with colourful fragrant 

roses, the Grade II* listed Victorian Orangery 

is a favourite feature of wedding planners, 

and right around this time of year the lawns 

will paint themselves yellow with daffodils. 

What might surprise you is that this is also 

a location that incorporates influences from 

far off lands and cultures, from the Japanese 

cherry blossoms that border the pathway to 

the lake, to the Fields of Eternity, inspired 

by the Ancient Egyptian idea of heaven. The 

grounds here are a reminder that we can be 

inspired by distant places to enrich our own 

gardens. Visit from Sunday 31 March to 

Sunday 30 October from 11am-5pm (last 

entry 4:15pm) chiddingstonecastle.org.uk 

3 Sissinghurst 

Sissinghurst is a joy in the spring; The Lime 

Walk, designed to look its best from March 

to May, blooms under the watchful stone 

eyes of a Bacchante; magnolias add drops 

of colour in The White Garden, Lower 

Courtyard and the Cottage Garden; and 

blossom abounds in the Orchard where 

1,100 fruit trees make for some stunning 

photo opportunties. As well as being a 

celebration of gardening for food (with 

its nuttery, orchard, herb garden all doing 

their part) its also a masterclass in how to 

use texture and shape to add dramatic flair. 

The White Garden, for example, came to 

life when Vita Sackville-West decided on a 

limited colour scheme of whites, silvers, greys 

and greens. Here, shrubs create volume and 

structure, tall Arabian thistles contrast soft 

and foamy gypsophila and hedging provides 

a dark backdrop for brighter blooms. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden 

4 Hever 

There is so much to adore about Hever 

Castle. Take a pedalo on the lake, have a 

go at archery, weave your way through the 

Yew and Water mazes, you’ll see what we 

mean. And spring is a fantastic time of year 

to visit as the historic home of the Boleyns 

blooms into an energetic and ecstatic 

palette of rich and riotous colour. It’s the 

destination for those who dream of colourful 

sweet scented flowers. From blossom and 

bluebells to the thousands of tulips, spring 

bedding, magnolias, early rhododendrons, 

hyacinths, primulas, and camassias, there’s 

much to appreciate in the grounds. Which 

is why their Celebration of Spring from 

15 – 28 April is the perfect time to go for 

interested gardeners. The gardening team 

themselves will be offering tours in the 

first week and workshops in the second. 

If you miss this one, it’s also worth noting 

that Hever in Bloom will be coming round 

from 24 June to 7 July with more tours and 

demonstrations from the gardening team. 

hevercastle.co.uk 

5 Leeds 

Leeds Castle – need we once again point 

out that it is in fact the loveliest castle in the 

world? The expansive 500 acres of grounds 

really demand many trips to fully appreciate 

(although a segway tour will get you round 

a lot of it the quick way!). Walking these 

gardens may inspire you to create a really 

immersive garden that harnesses abstract 

elements like scent, light and movement. 

Take note of the motion and reflections of 

the lake and waterfall, the use of tall trees 

to play with sun and shade and the many 

wonderfully scented plants that can be found 

throughout. In April you can enjoy self-led 

daffodil walks, and next month is a great 

time to go with the family to see the Queen’s 

Joust over the bank holiday. leeds-castle.com 



2 Chiddingstone Castle 

3 Sissinghurst 

4 Hever 

1 Scotney 

5 Leeds 

73 


garden design, construction & maintenance 

GraduateLandscapeWT251.indd 1 06/03/2023 09:43


“A natural swimming pool requires no chemicals. 

Using water flora and perennial plants to 

clean naturally. They are as nature intended - 

chlorine-free! Our name, Elements Of Nature, 

is because we create pools with water so pure, 

you could drink it! Seriously. These pools are 

simply stunning, and our designs have seen us win 

multiple awards.” – Phil Meads, Managing Director 

at Elements of Nature elements-of-nature.co.uk 

Get Bridgerton 

boujie with an 

Extravagant Tent 

Outdoor trellis mirror 

£125 Cox & Cox 

coxandcox.co.uk 

Gothic metal mirror 

in antique grey £30 

National Trust 

shop.nationaltrust.org.uk 


Chill by a Saltburn- 

Worthy Natural pool 

Metal frame Raj tent 

£3,250 Raj Tent Club 

rajtentclubshop.com 

Solar-powered glass pebble 

lights £24.95 Sparkle 

Lighting sparkle.lighting 

Harness 

Hogwarts 

by Adding a 

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Bring 

Delve into high luxury and quality to 

achieve your Dream design 

“In the past, Gardens of luxury have been 

the pinnacle of wealth and success reserved 

for the kings, queens, and lords of the land. 

But today many of us have our own dream 

gardens with relaxing vistas, perfect pools, 

and incredible displays of life and beauty. 

Graduate Landscapes’ mission is to make 

these dreams reality. Offering the highest 

quality designs, vision, and execution, we 

understand uncovering a dream is a personal 

experience, and pride ourselves in putting 

in the time, care and attention required to 

deliver the highest service.” – Jesse Morris, 

garden designer at graduate landscapes 

graduatelandscapes.co.uk 

the 

CastleHome 

These dramatic features and accessories will 

help you Get the Castle-Garden Look 

Good lighting is the 

key to high drama 

Play games around a 

Traitors-style Fire Pit 

Celeste fire 

pit from £158 

FirepitsUK 

firepitsuk.co.uk 

75 

Classical 

References 

make for a look 

ELizabeth Bennet 

would approve of 

Cast stone Piper 

statue £799 

Haddonstone 

haddonstone.com 

Corinth garden urn 

£210 and Outdoor 

spiral topiary 

tree £670, both 

Sweetpea & Willow 

sweetpeaandwillow.com 

Create a scene from Saltburn or 

Bridgerton with lush, mature hedges 

“Embrace the tradition and heritage of British 

gardening on a grand scale with instant hedging. 

Choose classic hedges, such as Practicality Brown’s 

Practical Instant Hedge in yew, Portuguese 

laurel or beech for dense foliage and sculptural 

elegance. They are ready grown up to 2m high, and 

create an immediate, impressive impact, offering 

privacy, security and timeless sophistication. 

We grow Practical Instant Hedge, a mature 

ready-to-plant hedging range and showcase 

stunning specimen trees, both evergreen and 

deciduous at our nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire, 

and we can also offer a complete planting 

service.”– Horticultural Team aT 

Practicality Brown pracbrown.co.uk

Win Your Order 

Hurry! Order from our 

Walton-on-Thames Showroom before 

27 th April to be in with a chance. 

INTRODUCING THE 

Luxury Living Giveaway! 

Proudly family-run since 1977, Bridgman is exclusively offering you the chance to add an 

extra touch of luxury to your home and garden without it costing you a penny. Visit our 

Walton-on-Thames Showroom, and place your order before the 27 th April for the 

opportunity to WIN the price of your order back. 

Quote code LUXEGIVEAWAY at the time of purchase to enter. 

22-24 New Zealand Avenue, 

Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, 

KT12 1QD 

01932 242707 

Terms and conditions apply - see bridgman.co.uk for full details. 

CHELTENHAM 

ENFIELD 

OLD AMERSHAM 

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

WINCHESTER WILMSLOW WALTON-ON-THAMES

5 

Steps to get 

garden-dinnerparty-ready 

Host your next garden dinner party 

with all the elements to impress 


Madras Pink check throw made 

entirely from recycled plastic 

bottles £65 Weaver Green 

weavergreen.com 

Bridgman Mayfair Dining Set 

bridgman.co.uk 

Step 1: Get it Covered 

The British weather always has to be 

the first consideration with any outdoor 

occasion. You may plan a meal set 

beneath a glorious sky and on the day it 

just doesn’t turn up, a plan B is essential. 

Expert Tip: 

“Louvred pergolas not only look fantastic but 

they also offer complete protection from the 

sun, wind and rain. Plus, with the option 

to add LED lighting, infra-red heating and 

windproof side screens, there’s no doubt you’ll 

be able to enjoy alfresco dining no matter 

the weather this spring.” 

– Stuart Dantzic, MD of Caribbean 

Blinds cbsolarshading.co.uk 

Step 2: A Warm Welcome 

As well as keeping our guests covered, 

it’s also generally best not to leave them 

shivering in their seats! Even a warm 

summer’s day can rapidly cool as the 

evening goes on so get a good garden 

heater, fire pit or outdoor fire ready to go! 

Step 3: Set the Table 

Time to really get creative. A good place 

to start is to consider what dinnerware 

and serveware will complement your 

food. After that you can look for cutlery, 

napkins, and decorative accessories to 

match your tone and colour scheme. 

Step 4: Serve Something Special 

There is so much you can do with garden 

party dining from the classic BBQ to the 

crowd-pleasing pizzas from an outdoor 

oven. But if you like to do garden parties 

often or are looking to step up your 

game, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen 

can give you loads of versatility with topnotch 

cooking appliances. 

Step 5: Take a Seat 

All that’s left now is to pull up a chair 

and get settled! Ideally you want dining 

furniture that both looks great and also 

offers the best in comfort, which is 

why we’ve chosen the above Bridgman 

Mayfair Dining Set. This collection 

beautifully blends elegant curves with 

an olive-brown rattan weave braiding 

to suit any style. The chairs (£249) 

ensure support and comfort with cosy 

complimentary seat cushions in grey or 

their newly-launched beige. The table 

(£659) has a strengthened glass top 

making it easy-to-clean, and it seats up 

to six, allowing for many alfresco dinners 

in the evening sun. bridgman.co.uk 

Lacroix glass carafe 

£30 Maison Cherie 

maisoncherie.shop 

Green gingham 

table runner £45 

Sophie Allport 

sophieallport.com 

Willow gin glasses 

in Olive Green 

£49 (set of 4) 

Where Saints Go 

wheresaintsgo.co.uk 

Please Leave By Nine napkins 

£28 (for a pair) Avalon Home 

avalonhome.co.uk 

Pompadour faux shagreen 

cutlery £195 (24-piece 

set) OKA oka.com 

Acacia salad 

servers £12 

ProCook 

procook.co.uk 

Olivia scalloped platter in 

Green Filet £94 Rebecca Udall 

rebeccaudall.com 


Contemporary, reliable 

and expertly crafted 

swimming pools 

POOL CONSTRUCTION | MAINTENANCE | SPA | LANDSCAPING 

Simplicity and expert finishings have been our unbeatable combination for 

over 40 years. Based in Surrey, we are a family run business that is committed 

to providing a premier service on both private and commercial projects. 

www.lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk 01932 569 569 info@lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk 

LagoonPools-FullPage-SurreyHomes-April.indd 1 12/04/2023 16:59 

LagoonPoolsWT252.indd 1 18/04/2023 10:50


Meet the 

Pool Designer 

It’s getting warmer and we’re dreaming of lounging by a lovely 

pool. To find out how to make it a reality, we’re chatting with 

Lorenzo Favata, Managing Director at Lagoon Pools 

How did you become a pool designer? I first 

began working on swimming pools at the age 

of 14; helping my dad in return for pocket 

money, he’s been building pools since the 

1970s. 

Can you tell us about one stand out project that 

you were particularly proud of? We recently 

built a stunning deck level pool with mirrored 

glass mosaic in the exclusive Wentworth estate. 

What would you recommend for a customer 

looking for the ultimate luxury from pools and 

spas? Stainless steel fittings, shell insulation, 

stunning mosaic and well thought out designs 

will increase the cost of the pool in the 

short term but will pay dividends in luxury 

enjoyment for many years to come. If you 

contact Lagoon for a site visit we can offer 

good advice specific to your home’s needs 

and potential, and taking the time to visit our 

existing projects is essential for piecing a pool 

project together. 

What would you recommend for someone 

looking to boost their health and wellbeing 

with a pool or spa? I strongly recommend 

investing in the counter current turbines, and/ 

or a longer pool length, and certainly advanced 

water filtration. 

Do pools and spas add value to a property 

and, if so, how do you get the most added 

value? Yes, a well-built pool with integrated 

safety cover, efficient heating and insulation 

and a carefully designed landscaping surround 

will add value considering its long-term 

lifestyle benefits and enjoyment for family 

and friends. We are finding that homes of a 

certain value are increasingly being built with 

swimming pools to make the most out of 

British summers. The resale value of a home 

concerning a pool installation centres around 

the quality of the pool, landscaping, finish 

and outdoor living. A high-grade pool with 

state-of-the-art technology will be attractive to 

future homeowners providing the pool is made 

safe. A counter current swim turbine will also 

add value as the long-term health benefits are 

unparalleled for general wellbeing. 

How do counter current systems work? 

Computer controlled electric motors produce 

a steady powerful stream of water via an 

impellor. The system is integrated into the pool 

shell and finished with a marine grade stainless 

steel front plate. The systems now come with 

phone app training programmes porting over 

Olympic athlete swim routines. 

How long does the process of getting a pool take? 

The build time in good weather is 6 weeks. The 

landscaping finish will obviously take longer 

and will depend upon what is being done. 

Contract negotiations can be as quick as the 

client likes. Planning approval, if required, will 

depend on your local council. 

How can you make them safe if there are young 

children about? Either a full safety cover 

(capable of holding 2,000kg) or slatted cover 

(capable of holding a child) is essential. We do 

not build pools without these covers. 

How is it possible to make a pool in a more 

environmentally friendly way? Full 100mm 

shell insulation, air source heat pumps and 

slatted covers are the most effective solution 

for reducing energy consumption. 

Do you have any landscaping advice to help 

integrate a pool into a garden scheme? Yes, 

allocate some budget for a designer. We have 

plenty of contacts. Consider using planting to 

soften the pool area. And try not to use more 

than one third of the garden’s square meterage 

for the pool and surround. 

Are there any pool trends or popular styles and 

ideas right now? Iridescent mosaics which glint 

and reflect the sunshine are very attractive in 

the UK summers and large porcelain finishes 

are also popular. 

How much space do you need to comfortably fit 

a pool or spa? I think at least 100m 2 of garden 

space. Less space is also possible for a smaller 

pool or stand-alone spa. 

To find out more about how to get your 

dream pool, spa or jacuzzi, you can call 

01932 569569 or visit lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk 

79 


Ilex Nellie R Stevens Ligustrum japonicum (pleached) Magnolia grandiflora 

Ct PvC 

t SC tS 

Photinia Red Robin 

Privacy in gardens can be created using 

trees to hide or screen out an undesirable 

view. Trees grown for this purpose often 

have a clear stem up to fence panel height 

around 1.8-2m with a full bushy canopy 

above, forming a good screen above the 

fence line. This type of screening is 

particularly useful if the garden is 

overlooked by neighbouring properties 

or to retain lower-level exposure to an 

attractive wall or area. 

Semi-mature trees can be planted to 

achieve effective screening from the offset 

with evergreens being preferred for this 

purpose as they screen throughout the year. 

However, a planting scheme that includes 

deciduous trees can provide rich contrast 

and seasonal interest. 

Screening trees 

Practicality Brown can supply a range of 

top quality trees for screening, which are 

particularly useful for creating privacy. 

This is our selection of the best screening 

trees, and all are in stock at our nursery in 

Iver, Bucks: 

• Eriobotrya japonica 

• Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens 

• Ilex castaneifolia 

• Ligustrum japonicum 

• Magnolia grandiflora 

• Osmanthus aquifolium 

• Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ 

• Pinus nigra 

• Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’ 

• Viburnum lucidum 

Pleached trees 

We also have a range of pleached trees 

which can be used in the same way; 

pleached trees can be effective for formal 

screening and where space is limited. 

These are our best trees that are in stock: 

• Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens 

• Ligustrum japonicum 

• Magnolia grandiflora 

• Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ 

• Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’ 

tree & edge ursery 

As well as the screening trees, Practicality 

Brown grows a range of premium quality 

Practical Instant Hedge at the nursery in 

Iver. You are welcome to visit to view both 

trees and hedges. 

www.pracbrown.co.uk 

Conac us for deails 

email rees@pracbrown.co.uk 

or call 01753 652022 for more informaion


Smyrnium perfoliatum 

Go with the F low 

Sue Whigham shares some valuable new-to-gardening advice 

istockphoto.com/ seven75 / PicturePartners 

I’m sure that by now we should be used to the rain but 

I’m not entirely sure that we are. We had a dry, sunny 

day the other day and how everybody’s mood changed. 

Some of us managed a quick first cut of our soggy lawns 

just to give them some semblance of order. And what a 

difference it makes. 

We are very behind with our late winter tidy up having 

left the borders for hibernating insects and foraging birds 

to pick over. However, after reading Dan Pearson’s Spring 

Dig Delve Newsletter, in which he says that he and his team 

finished their cut back during the last week in February, 

panic has set in! I’m sure, though, that with a bit of hard 

work ‘little and often’, we’ll no doubt catch up. 

But for those of you who might be new to gardening, 

there might be a few tips that you’ll find useful... 

Whilst it has been tipping it down outside, I’ve been 

dipping into The Sceptical Gardener by Ken Thompson 

who is both a biologist and a gardener. As he says, he has 

been a gardener for more years than he cares to remember. 

I was particularly taken with his Top 10 Don’ts which are 

useful for gardening novices as well as for those who have 

more experience. I for one have spent years cutting back 

roses to an outside facing bud when pruning floribunda and 

hybrid tea roses (although I have only one of the latter). 

This is Rosa ‘Mrs. Oakley Fisher’, a 1920s introduction with 

soft apricot single flowers and prominent anthers which 

grows mid border. It got a bit smothered by bryony last year 

and has already had the Ken Thompson treatment so we’ll 

see how it looks later in the year. He suggests foregoing the 

careful search for an outside bud especially if you have a lot 

of roses and just cut the plant down hard. 

At the top of my ‘to do’ list is ‘Prune Roses’. Tick for 

having started on that but black marks for not having 

secateurs cleaned and sharpened before sallying forth. In the 

end both sets of secateurs are in ‘hospital’ having a thorough 

overhaul and I’ve had to buy another cheaper pair as I 

thought that the job just couldn’t wait. So don’t follow this 

and invest in a decent pair in the first place and keep them 

sharp and well oiled. You don’t want to tear at the rose stem 

with blunt secateurs as you work on the plant. 

Another don’t, especially useful for someone new to 

gardening, is not to weed out every seedling in your borders 

as soon as you spot them. Many plants are desperate to seed 

and you never know what you might have. Once you know, 

you can be more discerning but, until then, we have clouds 

of Smyrnium perfoliatum seedlings in the border in front 

of the house. I’m not sure how they got there but suspect 

that we collected a few seeds along the way having spotted 

an escapee clump on the edge of a local piece of woodland 

a while ago. They are probably in the ‘wrong place’ as they 

prefer dappled shade but they can have their day before a 

few get moved around. There’s plenty of time for this as 

they are biennial ie. ‘they take two years to grow from seed 

to maturity’. 

Another very useful tip, pertinent 

after such a wet period, is to note what 

happens to our gardens when it has 

been so sodden for so long. We have 

been on a hunt for our geums and 

fear that they have been well and 

truly lost. I wonder. The 50% of 

our soil which is usually empty 

space other than air has been 

continuously filled up with 

water for months and some 

roots will inevitably have 

drowned through 

lack of oxygen. 

Plants that have 

adapted to damp 

 

81 



Moss and lichen on top of a damp rock 

“...nature has 

been turning 

green waste 

into compost 

for millennia. 

There is no 

need to spend 

money on 

expensive 

accelerators” 

The northern garden at Tofukuji temple, Kyoto 

conditions have evolved to cope with 

this shortage, but I suspect that other borderline hardy and 

Mediterranean garden plants might not be so lucky. Luckily 

this wet weather has happened whilst plants have been 

dormant rather than during their actively growing period in 

the summer, when the outcome could be far worse. 

The answer for another day is by resolving to improve 

your soil’s structure and drastically improve drainage. This in 

turn will provide food for earthworms who spend their lives 

conveniently creating drainage channels for you. And as Ken 

Thompson, says, nature has been turning green waste into 

compost for millennia. There is no need to spend money on 

expensive accelerators. The main thing is to have patience 

and perhaps not to add too much in the way of tough 

woody debris unless you’re really not in a hurry. This sort 

of material slows things up by taking time to break down 

into that rich, crumbly material that your garden wants and 

needs. However, I like the look of those huge compost heaps 

at Great Dixter which reach great heights during the year 

and which can then be returned into the border once they 

have broken down into something deliciously friable. In the 

meantime, they are great for growing pumpkins on. 

We’ve tried both bespoke wooden compost bins and a 

loose compost heap and the latter has proved to be the best. 

Everything goes on it apart from 

stinging nettle roots and bramble 

as they are both quite difficult to 

eradicate – but having said that, some 

nettles are left for wildlife. There’s 

so much to learn but it is a gradual 

process and, in the end, you learn from 

your own experience in your 

own garden. 

I’m trying to remember where I saw 

ladies in large hats studiously picking 

the grass out from a mossy sward on the TV. I think it 

must have been a programme about Japanese gardens as 

they celebrate moss and work wonders with it. You may 

have seen the Japanese garden designer, Kazuyuki Ishihara, 

winning gold medals year after year for his exquisitely 

beautiful, tranquil and mossy gardens. We waste time and 

money on doing the opposite – that is, trying to eradicate 

moss. Of course it can be reduced by drastically improving 

the drainage or by using nasty compounds which are a 

definite no no. Or alternatively, we can just not worry 

about it, especially in our exceedingly damp climate. Have 

a closer look at it. It is rather beautiful stuff and is worth 

celebrating. I could say the same about our moles. They 

tunnelled around about three months ago creating about 

thirty five mole hills here. We’ve put aside this beautifully 

sifted soil for adding to future planting holes or maybe pots 

and, lo and behold, the moles seemed to have moved off. 

I’m secretly rather relieved. 

Sue Whigham can be contacted on 07810 457948 for 

gardening advice and help in the sourcing and supply of 

interesting garden plants. 

istockphoto.com/ David Fenton / Nayomiee/ 


82

Art & Sculpture 

in the 

Vineyard 

30 June –14 July 2024 

11am - 4pm 

Set in the glorious Surrey Hills 

Area of Outstanding Natural 

Beauty 

DISCOVER OUR GORGEOUS 

VINTAGE SHAKESPEAREAN CUVÉE. 

Experience 180 inspirational artworks, stroll through 

our Wildflower Meadows, Vineyard, Rose Arch Walk 

and tranquil Japanese Garden. 

Entrance £7pp donation to Cherry Trees Charity. 

Open for their celebrated Tour, Talk, Tasting outside of the 

Sculpture Summer Event. Pre-book please. 

High Clandon Estate Vineyard High Clandon, Surrey GU4 7RP 

www.highclandon.co.uk | T: 01483 225660 | @highclandon 

Surrey Hills Garden Design 

Let us create the 

garden you have 

always dreamt of 

Transforming gardens into beautiful 

outdoor spaces, tailored in perfect detail to 

you and your family's every need. We 

supply quality garden design & build, 

service's at competitive prices. 

Contact us for a free consultation 

07814 892 322 

www.surreyhillsgardendesign.co.uk 

info@surreyhillsgardendesign.co.uk 

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Re-wilding 

Green walls 

Edible gardens 

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Design 

Landscaping 

Pergolas 

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Planting plans 

3D Visualisation 

Planting 

83 


Escape to 

Claremont Landscape Garden 

© National Trust 2020. Registered Charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images 

Exceptional views, winding paths 

and architectural features create this 

masterpiece of landscape garden design. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont 

Surrey Sculpture Society 

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION 

AT RAMSTER GARDEN 

3160-Celebration-of-Spring-Surrey-Times-Advert-90x130mm-AW.indd 1 29/02/2024 14:08 

25 ACRES 

BEAUTIFUL 

SPRING 

BLOSSOM 

3 RD MAY - 2 ND JUNE (10am - 5pm) 

Discover inspirational art 

by renowned & emerging sculptors 

All sculptures will be for sale. 

Entry prices & further information 

can be found at www.ramsterevents.com 

www.surreysculpture.org.uk 

@surreysculpturesociety 

Surrey 

Sculpture 

Society 


84

Bateman’s 


The Gardener’s Datebook 

We’re sharing our diary of top things to do and see this spring 

istockphoto.com/ berkah jaya / HEMARAT 

Throughout April 

Bateman’s Lane, Burwash, 

Etchingham TN19 7DS 

BATEMAN’S 

Explore the beautiful garden at Bateman’s, 

the former home of Rudyard Kipling. 

Throughout April, you can witness the 

beauty of spring as bulbs and early perennials 

bloom, adding a burst of colour to the 

garden. The ornamental, wall-trained, and 

orchard trees will also be blossoming. Amidst 

the trees, the enchanting wild garden takes 

the spotlight, with a carpet of flowering 

bulbs displaying spring colour and scent. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans 

Daily throughout spring 10am-5pm 


Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9JG 

CLAREMONT LANDSCAPE GARDEN 

From a duke’s retreat to a princess’s 

playground, Claremont has always been 

a place to escape everyday life and enjoy 

simple pleasures. Created by four of the 

great landscape designers of the 18th 

century; the garden charts the origins of 

the English Landscape Garden movement. 

With serpentine lake, amphitheatre, winding 

walks and shady places, it’s the perfect 

place to enjoy a scenic walk. This spring 

and summer, visit for guided walks, family 

trails, outdoor theatre and a sculpture 

exhibition with Surrey Sculpture Society. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont-landscape-garden 

22 April – 6 May 

Pashley Manor Gardens, 

Ticehurst, Kent TN5 7HE 

TULIP FESTIVAL 

In late spring Pashley Manor Gardens will 

be carpeted with over 45,000 tulips for 

their annual Tulip spectacle. Visitors can 

enjoy the tulips in colour themed plantings 

throughout the sweeping herbaceous borders 

and historic walled garden. There will also 

be a marquee of cut tulips, with experts from 

Bloms Bulbs on hand to give advice and take 

orders, and visitors may like to enjoy tea and 

cake, or a light lunch, from Pashley’s Café. 

Tickets sold on the gate on the day at £15.50 

pashleymanorgardens.com 

25-27 May 10am-5pm 

All Saints Church, Biddenden, Kent 

BIDDENDEN FLOWER FESTIVAL 

All are welcome to the annual Biddenden 

Flower Festival! This year’s theme, 

‘Dreaming of Gold’, is inspired by the 

Olympic Games and will feature brilliant 

floral displays created by villagers throughout 

local 13th century church, All Saints. 

Other highlights of the festival will include 

musical interludes, a visit from the Morris 

Men and a chance to climb the church 

tower for magnificent views over the 

Weald. The ever-popular cake stand will 

be offering refreshments for sale, and a 

plant marquee will be selling seedlings. 

Admission is free but donations are welcome. 

85 




Brogdale Farm 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

AT BROGDALE FARM 

Discover the wonders of Brogdale Farm’s 

National Fruit Collection, showcasing 

over 3,000 varieties of fruit trees. With an 

Orchard Pass you can get exclusive access 

to the orchards year-round and take tours 

to learn the history, heritage, and taste the 

fruit. Witness the changes throughout the 

seasons from blossom, through to cherries, 

plums, apples and pears. They also host 

family-friendly festivals and events, from the 

Japanese Hanami Blossom Day to cherrypicking 

weekends, the delightful Brogdale 

Cider Festival, and Heritage Orchard Apple 

picking Days. Engage your little ones with 

exciting activities like Beastie Day, Teddy 

Bears’ Picnic, Apple Juicing workshops 

and outdoor cooking classes. Adults can 

join rural courses like pruning, wreath 

making, cider making, willow weaving 

and many more for hands-on learning. 

As a charitable organisation, Brogdale 

Collections ensures the proceeds from 

every event support their mission to ensure 

public access and education of the National 

Fruit Collection for generations to come. 

brogdalecollections.org 

3 May – 2 June & 8 June – 

14 July 10am-5pm 

Ramster Garden, Chiddingfold & 

Claremont Landscape Gardens, Esher 

SURREY SCULPTURE 

SOCIETY TRAILS 

Surrey Sculpture Society is delighted to 

announce two outdoor sculpture trails 

this summer – one at Ramster Garden in 

Chiddingfold from 3rd May to 2nd June, and 

another at Claremont Landscape Gardens, 

Esher from 8th June to 14th July. The trails 

will showcase a wealth of original, affordable 

sculpture with pieces by professional and 

emerging artists, ranging from modern 

abstract to classical styles and in a variety 

of materials. All of the art will be for sale. 

surreysculpture.org.uk 

30 June —14 July 11am-4pm 

High Clandon Estate Vineyard, 

Surrey GU4 7RP 

ART & SCULPTURE IN 

THE VINEYARD 

A day of high culture at an award-wining 

Surrey vineyard. As they celebrate their 

11th anniversary, High Clandon Estate 

Vineyard invites you to discover a gorgeous 

vintage Shakspearean Cuvée alongside 180 

inspirational artworks. Stroll through glorious 

Wildflower Meadows, a quintessentially 

English Vineyard, a romantic Rose Arch 

Walk and the tranquil Japanese Garden. 

You can also sample Cream Teas by Cherry 

Trees to fuel your enchanting wandering. 

Entrance £7pp donation to Cherry Trees 

Charity. Tickets pre-bookable on ngs.org.uk 

highclandon.co.uk 

15 March – 15 August 

Painshill, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1JE 

PAINSHILL 

Painshill is a beautiful landscape garden 

complete with a gorgeous lake, gothic temple 

and even a crystal grotto! They are offering 

monthly guided tours from March to August 

for just £15 (or free to members), and next 

month there will be an additional Bird Song 

Walk that will take you around the gardens, 

identifying birds as you go. Alternatively, 

if you’re looking for more of a show, June 

and July will see a season of live music lates 

as well as Outdoor Theatre opportunities. 

painshill.co.uk 

Throughout the year 

Brogdale Collections, Brogdale Farm, 

Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ 

THE NATIONAL FRUIT COLLECTION 

Daily 11am-5:30pm 

Sissinghurst, near Cranbrook, 

Kent TN17 2AB 

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDENS 

Nestled in the heart of the Wealden 

countryside is the romantic Sissinghurst 

Castle Garden. April is the time to visit, 

with colourful spring bulbs filling the 

different ‘rooms’ of the garden. Magnolia, 

soft blossom and Narcissi will be a sight 

to behold. Don’t miss the Lime Walk and 

Orchards, which will tempt you down 

their pathways with sweet fragrances. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst 


86 

Surrey Sculpture Society Trails

Artists clockwise top left: Black & White Cottage, Riëlle Beekmans, Shaun Brosnan 

THE HANNAH PESCHAR SCULPTURE GARDEN 

Mature trees, dramatic planting and ßowing waterways support, frame 

and enhance an ever-changing exhibition of contemporary art available 

to purchase - displayed throughout a unique and beautiful landscape. 

Art & nature in perfect harmony 

Open for pre-booked tickets from 29th March 

www.hannahpescharsculpture.com 

T: 01306 627269 Ockley | Surrey 

Jobs for the garden: 

• Prepare Flower Beds 

• Sow Hardy Annuals 

• Mulch Roses & Fruit Trees 

• Repot Houseplants 

We stock everything you 

need to get going in your 

garden this Spring 

181-189 Upper Richmond Road West 

East Sheen, London, SW14 8DU 

87 


Creating the extra space you need for work or leisure is something we really care about. 

Trusted for more 

than 20 years as 

experts in providing 

premium quality 

garden buildings 

across Surrey, 

London and other 

areas. Please come 

and see us at our 

display site open 

seven days a week. 

Combination Rooms | Garden Offices Greenhouses | Lifestyle & Leisure Rooms 

Sheds | Summer Houses | Gyms | Workshops 

Trusted Locally Quality & Care End-to-End Service 

01737 240579 | www.surreyhillsgardenbuildings.co.uk 

Reigate Road, Reigate, RH2 9RE

Cockerel wind chime 

£15 National Trust 



Garden shed bird 

house £28.50 A 

Place for Everything 

aplaceforeverything.co.uk 

Timo T-light chandelier £55 

Nkuku nkuku.com 

Stretton chair and footsool 

garden lounge set £899 

The Cotswold Company 

cotswoldco.com 

Chicken plant pot feet £21.95 

(set of 3) Annabel James 

annabeljames.co.uk 

Farm 

Charm 

Kew Potting Shed from £7,995 

Malvern Garden Buildings 

malverngardenbuildings.co.uk 

Classic wood 

garden shed with 

shelves £279.99 

Gardenesque 

gardenesque.com 

Cottagecore move over, we’re 

pining after the rural warmth 

of a farm-inspired garden 

Ratcliffe greenhouse POA 

Surrey Hills Garden Buildings 

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Willow garden trug 

£34.50 A Place 

for Everything 

aplaceforeverything.co.uk 

Solar grey Fisherman 

filament effect LED hanging 

lantern £9.99 Festive Lights 

festive-lights.com 

Daisy bunch glass jar 

£9.95 The Wisteria Tree 

thewisteriatree.co.uk 

Butterfly House £14.99 

Sourced by Oxfam 

onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk 

Lutyen garden chair 

£605 Sweetpea Willow 

sweetpeaandwillow.com 

Small recycled teak wooden 

stool £82 After Noah 

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Akasa trough planter 

£50 Nkuku nkuku.com 

Rusty pig (large) £95 

Cox & Cox 

coxandcox.co.uk 

100cm Mayfair round dining 

table with 4 dining chairs £1,299 

Bridgeman bridgman.co.uk 

Cast iron sparrow £6 

National Trust 



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thePark 

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Imagine luxury lodges, breath-taking 

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foxhills.co.uk/join | #WhereYouBelong 


90

Take me to... 

a UK Staycation 

We’re kicking off our new travel feature with a collection of ideas to get 

you trying something new with explorative and adventurous trips 

Cornish Escape 

The Park, Cornwall is an award-winning holiday village, just a short 

stroll from Mawgan Porth beach. There are lots of accomodation 

options (including plenty that are dog friendly and many with 

private hot tubs) from luxury lodges to adorable cottages, or even the 

fairyland style yurt village. There are two pools, The Kitchen by the 

Beach restaurant, a sauna and steam room, and for children there 

are play areas and soft play. Perfectly situated, from your Cornish 

home hub you can walk parts of the stunning South West Coastal 

Path, visit castles, explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan, wander the 

world-famous Eden Project or book a show at the stunning cliff-side 

Minack Theatre. To book visit theparkcornwall.com 

Woodlands Glencoe, Argyll and Bute, Scotland 

St Michaels Resort 

& Spa, Cornwall 

“dogs 

stay free 

at over 

18,000 

locations” 

Homewood Hotel & Spa, Bath, Somerset 

Un-fur-gettable holiday 

If you’re a dog owner, you’ll know how hard 

it is to leave your best furry friend behind 

when you embark on a trip. PetsPyjamas 

are award-winning dog-friendly travel 

experts, where dogs stay free at over 18,000 

locations. Coastal retreats with seaside walks, 

relaxing spa breaks in the Peak District, or 

boutique hotel city stays, where gourmet 

menus are available for the most pampered 

canine guests. They also offer some fantastic 

exclusive packages, for example, two adults 

and a dog can visit St Michaels Resort & 

Spa in Cornwall, including a two night 

stay, 2 Hour Hydrothermal Experience and 

Dinner in Brasserie on the Bay from £464. 

Alternatively, you can save up to 33% if 

you stay 3 nights at Homewood Hotel & 

Spa in Bath. Visit petspyjamas.com to start 

planning your next pet-away. 

91

Beachy Bliss 

Dog spotting, sun-soaking, and a welcome breeze of fresh 

sea air; Camber Sands is a go-to staycation spot for many 

reasons – not least the opportunity to get the golden 

sands and sea views of a tropical destination while staying 

in our lovely little corner of England. The best place to 

stay? Your very own luxury beachfront home should do 

the trick, the family-run Camber Beach Holiday Homes 

offers excellent service having specialised in the area, 

with over 20 years of experience. Features in the homes 

on offer include log-burning stoves, views straight to the 

coast of France, and one property even has 

a spa suite with sauna steam and jacuzzi! 

Camber Beach also offer treatments such 

Rosa mesh kaftan 

£140 NAIA Beach 

naiabeach.com 

“immerse 

yourself in 

the pictureperfect 

sunsets 

and endless 

sandy shores 

of Camber” 

Camber Sands 

as massages, reiki and sound baths in the 

relaxing setting of your own space. While 

there you can also take a merry jaunt over 

to one of many great nearby locations. To 

dine there is Folkestone’s iconic Harbour 

Arm, or The Ferry Inn for a delicious pubstyle 

meal on the nearby Isle of Oxney, 

meanwhile for entertainment there’s Port Lympne Safari 

Park or Rye’s Kite Surf Centre. Rye itself is also well 

worth a visit – the cosy, cobbly town is full of character 

and oldy-worldy charm. Grab a hot chocolate at Knoops 

and spend a day strolling around jewellery shops, art 

galleries like Rye Art Gallery, and various antique shops 

and knick-knackeries, then finish up with a trip to the 

Kino for a movie night in a former Victorian library with 

a tub of our favourite Simply Ice Cream. To find out 

more, call 07779 474332 or visit camberbeach.co.uk 

Pack your bags! 

Take your luxuries with you for a beachy look that will make perfect travel pics! 

Hypoallergenic, tarnish-free and 

waterproof gold cowrie shell 

necklace £85 Elk & Bloom 

elkandbloom.com 

Treasure Me mini jewellery 

box £29 Estella Bartlett 

estellabartlett.com 

Always travel 

as eco-friendly 

as you can 

Fitzroy sunglasses made from recycled trawl 

nets and lines £65 Waterhaul waterhaul.co 

Scent-free SPF30 Sun Cream £21 

Green People greenpeople.co.uk 

Make sure 

your jewellery is 

waterproof! 

Céline Phantom 

medium luggage bag 

£1,195 Shop Prestige 

shopprestige.com 

Go 

classic 

beach 

chic with 

monochrome 

Ralph Lauren Bel Air 

swimsuit £169 Luxe 

Leopard luxeleopard.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ eric laudonien 

92

Featured on 4 in a bed 

Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse B&B 

We offer 3 self-catering, pet-friendly cottages with vaulted 

ceilings and log burn hot tubs for romantic stays or get 

togethers with friends or family. Enjoy great views of the 

North Downs and our beautiful array of alpacas, pigs, horses 

etc. Close to Leeds Castle, Maidstone and the coast. 

Call: 07765933338 Web: www.stableoakcottages.co.uk 

Email: stableoak@gmail.com 

“a beautiful place to stay in 

the grounds of Sissinghurst Castle” 

“amazing 

home-cooked 

breakfast” 

“luxurious 

rooms with 

stunning views” 

Tel: 01580 720992 

www.sissinghurstcastlefarmhouse.co.uk 

SissinghurstCastleFarmhouseWT227.indd 1 16/03/2021 09:57 

Holidays To Make 

Your Dog Smile 

Discover over 18,000 truly dog-welcoming hotels, country houses, cottages, B&Bs, 

glamping sites & pubs with rooms, plus exclusive packages you won’t find anywhere else 

PetsPyjamas.com 

93 


HERNE BAY STORE - NOW OPEN 

BEXHILL - CANTERBURY - HERNE BAY - REIGATE 

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Proud stockists of: 

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Visit Blue Velvet Shoes at 174 Kings Road, SW3 4UP or buy online www.bluevelvetshoes.com 


94

gold 

Fields of 

Embrace warm, hazy meadow 

vibes with Edit-One’s beautiful 

smock-waisted dress 

Photograph: David Merewether 

Model: Liz 

Wimbledon Dress 

in peach cream ditsy 

floral print £250 

Edit-One edit-one.com; 

Personalised Liberty print 

hanging charm bracelet 

£26 Bloom Boutique 

bloom-boutique.co.uk; 

Mini star necklace £18 

NuNu nunu-jewellery.co.uk 

Shop Edit-One at this 

June’s Wealden Times 

Midsummer Fair (6-8 June) 

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk

Tree of life 

pendant £165 

Dower & Hall 

dowerandhall.com 

Mar handmade 

linen crop top £131 

Noema noema.ie 

istockphoto.com/ Oksana_Bondar 

Colour rim crochet 

hat £42 BasketBasket 

basketbasket.co.uk 

Engraved birth 

flower signet ring 

£69 Posh Totty 

poshtottydesigns.com 

Wrap around strap sandal 

Celtic & Co celticandco.com 

Aries zodiac 

amulet £225 

Kensho Heirlooms 

kenshoheirlooms.com 

Textured disc flower pearl 

bracelet £25 Estella Bartlett 

estellabartlett.com 

Chiara suede 

espadrilles 

£99.99 

Blue Velvet 

bluevelvetshoes.com 

Four leaf clover 

pendant £44.99 

Shrieking Violet 

flowerjewellery.com 

Gold rose 

band ring £65 

Elk & Bloom 

elkandbloom.com 

Kaia Cornelli dress blue £85 

Monsoon monsoon.co.uk 

Pretty in 

Pastoral 

Style a romantic-hero country look with gingham 

and floral embroidery, straw and wicker details, 

feminine sleeves and swooping skirts 

Claudia Amber check dress £99 

Emily & Finn emilyandfin.co.uk 

Rhea beach maxi skirt in Ivory 

£55 FatFace fatface.com 

Fairacre midi dress 

£149 Barbour 

barbour.com 

Belmont 

gingham blouse 

£64.95 Barbour 

barbour.com 

Daisy drop earrings 

£34.99 Shrieking Violet 

flowerjewellery.com 

Chunky buckle stretch belt £25 

Belle & Mack belleandmack.com 

Monvatoo London Rosy Cherry 

Rabbit ring £99 Handmade in 

Britain handmadeinbritain.co.uk 

Natalie Perry 

Jewellery diamond 

flower earrings £425 

Handmade in Britain 

handmadeinbritain.co.uk 

Tree of life raffia woven 

saddle bag £58 Fable 

England fableengland.com 

Curved brim hat £22 National 

Trust shop.nationaltrust.org.uk 

Round straw shopper £30 

Belle & Mack belleandmack.com 

Seda espadrilles 

£65 Blue Velvet 

bluevelvetshoes.com

JEREMY HOBBS 

FINE MENSWEAR 

Opening Hours Monday to Saturday 09.30 - 17.30 

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@jeremyhobbsmenswear 

Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 09.30 - 17.30 

3 Oakdene Parade, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2LR. 

Telephone: 01932 865700 

info@jeremyhobbs.co.uk 

@jeremyhobbsmenswear 

www.jeremyhobbs.co.uk

Bake in 

Season 

From her kitchen in Haslemere, food writer, recipe creator and 

sourdough bread baker Lara Green shares four wholesome and 

delicious spring recipes bursting with fresh, moreish flavours 

Photographs: David Merewether 

Rhubarb & pistachio loaf cake 

Serves 10 Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cooking time: 55 minutes 

A great way to make the most of rhubarb season 

– this easy loaf cake pairs beautifully with crushed 

pistachios and a rosewater syrup. Serve it with a 

dollop of crème fraîche for a lovely afternoon treat. 

• 200g butter 

• 200g golden caster sugar 

• 3 large eggs 

• 1 tsp vanilla 

• 200g self-raising flour 

• 100g ground almonds 

• 1 heaped tsp baking powder 

• 75ml whole milk 

• 100g chopped pistachios 

• 200g rhubarb, ends trimmed, lengths 

halved and cut into 3cm long strips 

• 2 tbsp golden caster sugar to sprinkle 

• 

For the rosewater syrup: 

• 150g fine caster sugar 

• 130ml water 

• 5-10ml rose water 

• 1 slice of lemon 

• 1 star anise 

1. Grease and line a loaf cake tin and 

preheat the oven to 170°C. 

2. Put the butter and sugar into a bowl and 

beat with an electric whisk until light and fluffy. 

Add the eggs one at a time beating well after 

each addition, then whisk in the vanilla. 

3. Fold in the flour, ground almonds and baking 

powder, then add the milk, mixing until you have a 

smooth, thick batter. Fold in 90g of the pistachios. 

4. Spoon the cake batter into the prepared 

tin. Top with the rhubarb, pressing it down 

gently. Sprinkle with golden caster sugar. 

5. Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until 

a skewer inserted into the centre of the 

cake comes out clean. Remove from the 

oven, allow to cool in the tin, then turn 

out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

6. To make the rosewater syrup, add all the 

ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to 

the boil, then reduce to a simmer until the 

syrup thickens and darkens slightly. Drizzle 

over the cooled loaf cake and sprinkle 

with some extra chopped pistachios.

Kale & radish panzanella 

salad served with a honey 

& mustard vinaigrette 

Serves 4 Prep time: 15 minutes 

Cooking time: 10 minutes 

There’s nothing quite like panzanella for a 

quick and easy meal. And when it’s made 

with seasonal curly kale, pickled radishes, 

feta and chunky toasted breadcrumbs – you 

know it’s going to taste delicious. This recipe 

also includes a homemade vinaigrette made 

with cold pressed rapeseed oil. The sunshine 

yellow colour and delicious punchy flavours 

liven up the entire plate making it the 

perfect lunch or side to enjoy this spring. 

• 3 radishes, thinly sliced 

• 100ml red wine vinegar 

• 30ml water 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

• 2 shallots, sliced 

• 2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced 

• 500g curly kale, chopped 

• 50g toasted almonds 

• 3 chunky slices of sourdough, 

cut into large breadcrumbs 

• 200g feta 

• handful of mint leaves 

• 2 tbsp pumpkin and sunflower seeds 

• salt & pepper 

For the vinaigrette: 

• 4 tbsp of rapeseed oil 

• 2 tbsp of white wine vinegar 

• 1 crushed garlic clove 

• 1 tsp honey 

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard 

• salt & pepper to season 

• 1 tbsp water 

1. To pickle the radishes, put the red wine 

vinegar, 30ml cold water and a pinch of 

salt in a jar and add the sliced radishes. 

Seal with a lid and pop in the fridge. 

2. Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the 

shallots and fry until soft, then add the garlic 

and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the 

kale, season and stir fry for a further 3-4 

minutes until the kale softens and everything 

is nicely cooked. Add the almonds to the 

pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until they 

release their oils and gain a little colour. 

3. In a separate pan, with olive oil, fry 

the sourdough breadcrumbs, adding a 

generous pinch of salt and pepper, cooking 

until they crisp up and darken a little. 

4. To make the vinaigrette simply 

combine all the ingredients in a 

jug and whisk to combine. 

5. Add the warm kale to plates and top 

with the feta, pickled radishes, seeds, 

mint and sourdough breadcrumbs. 

Drizzle over the vinaigrette and enjoy.

Rhubarb & pistachio scones 

Makes 8-10 scones 

Prep time: 15 minutes Baking time: 25 minutes 

Scones are the perfect excuse to get everyone together 

around the table with a cup of tea. This recipe comes 

together quickly, resulting in an easy-to-handle dough 

that you can mould into classic circular scones or 

something a little more rustic. They are best enjoyed 

whilst still warm and, whatever you do, don’t forget 

the clotted cream! Tip: if you’re a sourdough baker, 

you can add sourdough discard to 

this recipe which will give 

you a super light, airy 

scone – a great way 

to use up discard. 

• 400g plain white flour 

• 2 heaped tsp baking powder 

• pinch of salt 

• 100g golden granulated sugar, plus extra to top 

• 250g cubed butter 

• 1 egg 

• 2 tsp vanilla extract 

• 130g whole milk 

• 1 tsp maple syrup 

• 80g diced rhubarb 

• 30g chopped pistachios 

• clotted cream, to serve 

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Combine all 

the dry ingredients together in a bowl – flour, 

baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the butter 

to the bowl, stir to coat and then use your fingers 

to break it down to a breadcrumb consistency. 

2. In a separate bowl, combine the egg, vanilla 

extract and whole milk. Add this into the flour 

mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the maple 

syrup, then fold in the rhubarb and pistachios. 

3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and 

use your hands to shape it into a 1-inch-thick patty. 

Using a bench scraper, separate the dough into 8-10 

scones. Sprinkle each one with golden caster sugar. 

4. Bake on a lined tray in a pre-heated oven for 25 

minutes until light and golden. Serve with clotted cream.

Spring onion, walnut & 

sundried tomato sourdough 

Serves 8-10 Prep time: 4 hours (45 

minutes hands on time), plus overnight 

proofing. If using instant yeast: 2 hours 

Baking time: 45 minutes 

Bread is a great excuse to bring people together, 

and this enriched sourdough loaf is a wonderful 

accompaniment to any meal. The recipe here 

uses a sourdough starter, but don’t worry if 

you don’t have one – it works well with instant 

yeast too, just follow the instructions below 

to make the method work for you. Feeding 

a crowd? Serve it in slices with the wild 

garlic pesto (find the recipe to the right) or 

elevate the flavours of the panzanella (p.100) 

by turning it into chunky breadcrumbs. 

• 350g warm water 

• 100g sourdough starter (or 

7g active dried yeast) 

• 500g strong white bread flour 

• 10g salt 

• 2 spring onions, sliced 

• 30g walnuts, chopped 

• 10g sun dried tomatoes, chopped 

1. Add the warm water to a bowl and whisk in 

the starter, then add the bread flour and salt, 

stirring until no dry bits of flour remain. If using 

instant yeast, add all of the dry ingredients first, 

followed by the water and stir to combine. 

2. For sourdough: Cover the bowl and place 

somewhere warm. Half an hour after you’ve 

placed the bowl in the warm place, perform 

three sets of folds every half an hour for the 

first 1½ hours by picking up the dough from 

one side and stretching it across to the other. 

You need to do four folds each time – turning 

the bowl ¼ of the way around after each fold. 

This will build gluten and elasticity in the 

dough. After the final fold, leave the covered 

bowl in the warm spot for a further 2 hours. 

If using instant yeast: Cover the bowl with oiled 

clingfilm and place somewhere warm. After 

an hour, remove the cling film, punch the 

dough to knock it back a bit, then mould into 

a circular shape and place on a lined baking 

tray. Leave for 1-2 hours until doubled in size. 

3. After proving, fold in the onions, walnuts 

and sundried tomatoes, performing the ¼ 

turn each time to ensure even distribution. 

Shape the loaf into a circle and flour the top. 

4. For sourdough: place the dough into a floured 

banneton or lined bowl, cover and place in the 

fridge to prove overnight. To bake the sourdough, 

heat the oven to 240°C and place a Dutch oven 

inside. After half an hour, turn the bread out onto 

a baking sheet, score the top and place inside the 

Dutch oven. Bake for 30 minutes, turn the oven 

down to 215°C and bake with the lid off for a 

further 15 minutes until crusty and golden brown. 

If you’re using instant yeast: score the 

top of the bread with a knife, place in a 

preheated oven at 220°C and bake for 

25-30 minutes until golden brown. 

Wild garlic & hazelnut pesto 

Makes: 1 large jar 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

This rich, earthy pesto makes great use of spring 

wild garlic. Paired with pasta, slathered on 

toast or spooned into a pie, pastry or pizza, it 

comes together in minutes and works wonders 

at elevating meals – simply add a spoonful 

and watch the magic happen. Toasting the 

nuts is key as it unlocks more flavour, whilst 

the garlic cloves balance out the wild garlic 

nicely – making for a next level pesto. 

• 100g hazelnuts 

• 20g walnuts 

• 100g wild garlic leaves, stalks removed 

• 4 large garlic cloves 

• juice of 1 lemon 

• 150g parmesan 


• 150ml extra virgin olive oil 

1. Place a frying pan over a medium heat 

and allow to get hot. Add the hazelnuts, 

walnuts and a pinch of salt and heat in the 

pan for around 3 minutes, moving them 

around with a wooden spoon until the oils 

start to release and the nuts colour slightly. 

2. In the bowl of a food processor, add the 

garlic leaves, garlic cloves and toasted nuts 

and pulse to break everything down. Add 

the lemon, Parmesan and salt & pepper and 

place on a low speed, drizzling in the olive oil 

as the pesto comes together. Season to taste 

and adjust the consistency with more olive 

oil, lemon, Parmesan or seasoning to suit. 

3. Spoon the pesto into a jar, followed by a thin 

layer of olive oil to seal. Place the lid on tightly 

and store in the fridge for up to two weeks. 

Lara documents her incredibly tasty recipes in her blog fromthegreenkitchen.com as well as teaching 

artisan sourdough classes, which she runs most Fridays in classes of 2 or private one-on-one sessions. 

Find her on Instagram @_fromthegreenkitchen and subscribe for weekly recipes on her website. 


In love with... 

spring! 

Josephine Fairley selects the tried-and-tested 

products that have become regulars in her beauty 

and haircare arsenal, plus a pretty divine candle 

istockphoto.com/ photoguns 

The pace of beauty launches is showing no signs 

of slowing down. It’s exhausting, it’s baffling, 

and frankly, if I walk into Selfridges Beauty Hall, 

even after 33 years of writing about this stuff, I have 

a panic attack at the sheer, overwhelming choice out 

there. It has always been my mission, though, to signpost 

women to the products that are really worth splashing 

out on – it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it (no, 

honestly, it IS a tough job and I’ve got the touchy skin 

to prove it, from trying so many different things!) 

But this spring, it does feel like there have been some 

spectacularly great launches. So I thought, for this issue, 

I’d share the products that have most impressed me, 

over the past few months. Happy slathering and happy 

spritzing! (Except the candle. Don’t slather the candle.) 

Evolve Organic Beauty Miracle Mask, £25 for 60ml. Oooff, 

that’s quite a claim – ‘Miracle’ – isn’t it? But actually, this 

has performed a mini-miracle on my winter-weary skin, and 

it’s become a weekly staple. With AHAs and enzymes to 

exfoliate, it tingles just a touch when you massage the yellow, 

citrus-scented, jelly-like mask into the face. But despite my 

skin’s sensitive tendencies, I don’t experience any irritation – 

just a glowier, clearer-looking face, in three short minutes. 

Lisa Eldridge Kitten Mascara, £29. Make-up artist Lisa’s 

range is unbelievably impressive, and I encourage you to 

explore it for yourself. As a female-founded start-up, she 

launches products only when she’s 100% happy with them; 

the beauty world has been on tenterhooks waiting for a 

mascara to join the Lisa Eldridge make-up line-up, and 

it’s fabulous: a totally non-clumpy formula which sweeps 

on via a wonderfully grippy wand – and if you use that 

to hold your lashes vertical, you’ll get amazing ‘lift’. 

Lanolips Overnight Lip Balm, £13 for 15g. Don’t 

know about you, but after the ravages of winter, my 

lips always need rehab. This rapidly returned them to 

smoothness and softness, lavishly applied at night; the 

blend of ceramides, apricot kernel, castor seed and soya 

oils feels ultra-pampering – and I actually keep this in my 

handbag for daytime use, because it adds a glamorous yet 

nourishing, comfy-making touch of gloss to any lipstick. 

Estée Lauder Legacy Collection, £250 for 100ml eau de 

parfum. One of the highlights of my journalistic career was 

meeting the incredible Estée Lauder, towards the end of her 

life. I’d grown up papering the inside of my wardrobe with 

her fragrance adverts, wanting to be like the women who 

advertised fragrances like Private Collection and Azurée. What 

a pioneer! Now, thanks to the talents of some of the world’s 

leading perfumers and under the guidance of Frédéric Malle 

(a perfume genius who has his own fragrance collection), 

five iconic fragrances – Estée, Azurée, Knowing, Private 

Collection and White Linen – have been reworked within 

the Legacy Collection, which for now will sit alongside 

the originals. It’s as if a shaft of bright sunlight has been 

introduced to these iconic perfumes, making them feel and 

smell completely contemporary and wearable. Perfume-lovers 

should make a beeline to Harrods to smell them (they’ll soon 

be appearing on Estée Lauder counters around the country) 

– or wait to sniff your way through a dinky Discovery Set, 

showcasing all five, which I’m told will launch imminently. 

Jurlique UV Defence Daily Lotion SPF50+, £40 for 50ml. 

I am constantly on the hunt for a great SPF that layers well 

under make-up, plumps while it does so, and doesn’t leave 

a white ‘cast’ on the face – because shielding from the sun 

on a daily basis is honestly the biggest favour you will ever 

do your skin, to prevent premature ageing (sorry to be like 

a stuck needle on a record, here). And it’s a tick, tick, tick 

for this cream, offering optimum, broad-spectrum UVA 

and UVB protection while being extremely pleasant to use, 

packed with glycerine, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. 


Beauty 

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Detailer, £22.50, and Precisely, 

My Brow Wax, £26. If you have pale or skimpy brows, as I 

do, you probably have an arsenal of brow products, because 

there is nothing like a groomed brow to add structure to 

the face. Well, sorry to break it to you, but you’re going to 

have to add these two to your arch-perfecting weaponry. 

The ‘Detailer’ is a micro-tipped propelling pencil that’s just 

brilliant for creating the teeniest, most feathery and realistic 

looking brows – particularly the ‘tail’, and for evening up and 

filling in the inner corner of brows (six shades available). The 

brow wax tames, grooms and adds colour via the dinky brush; 

a choice of 12 shades means there’s one for everyone and 

this is super-easy to use. (Don’t ever be deceived by Benefit’s 

jokey names, by the way; they are SERIOUS about make-up, 

most notably pore-perfecting and brow products, like these.) 

Wildsmith Skin Bath Salts, £55 for 500g. The greatest 

treat for me, the very best stress-buster, is still to lock the 

bathroom door, run the taps and sink into something 

fabulously scented. These just landed – with a heck of a 

thud – on my desk, having been created for The Bothy, 

Wildsmith’s spa at Heckfield Place in Hampshire (a hotel 

I love so much I have a special savings account dedicated 

to it); by popular demand, they’re now available retail. 

Surprisingly moisturising, thanks to calendula and vitamin E, 

they smell like I imagine heaven does – linden, cedarwood, 

rose, geranium and Roman chamomile – and while I’m 

waiting for that Heckfield Place piggy bank to fill, these 

luxurious, super-relaxing salts are the next best escape. 

skyrocketed? Well, here’s a great, glossifying alternative to 

the £30+ ‘designer’ shampoos and conditioners that are 

proliferating on the shelves. A pleasure to use, this awardwinning 

hairdresser’s products are affordable enough to share 

with all the #fam, rather than keep under lock and key – just 

choose between Coconut Shine, Curl Control, Daily Blonde 

and (my favourite), bounce-boosting Weightless Volume. 

Champagne & Smoke Filthy Rose Candle, £46 for 250g 

(champagneandsmoke.com). I have saved the best for last. I am 

obsessed – OBSESSED – with the scent of this candle, from 

a leading make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon and her vintage 

interiors dealer friend Lia Briamonte. Tobacco drifts through 

rosy-posy notes, with a naughty grind of black pepper and 

wisps of saffron, with the aim of recreating a ‘debauched 70s 

disco scene’. Not sure what to make of that, but I have it 

burning every day in my hall now, where it is getting endless 

‘What’s that amazing smell?’ comments from visitors. (It 

even wafts an impressively long way when it’s not lit.) Each 

glass ‘tortoiseshell’ vessel is unique, and can be upcycled as a 

vase, brush holder, or whatever; I love Filthy Rose so much 

I’ve invested in the £165, one kilo version, which should 

burn for 120 blissful hours. Spoiled creature that I am, I’m 

probably sent 50 candles a year – but this is the one I have 

earmarked as the signature scent of our house, for evermore. 

Visit beautybible.com for more of Jo’s 

product reviews and beauty tips. 

L’Occitane Immortelle Shea Neck Cream, 

£52 for 50ml. So, here’s the thing about neck 

creams: they only work if you use them – and 

you’ll want to use this: a rich, nourishing tube 

of line-smoothing TLC, powered by age-defying 

immortelle oil, shea butter and hyaluronic acid. 

Since using diligently, I’ve noticed a definite 

improvement in crêpiness. I look forward to 

breathing the wonderful aromatic scent, night and 

morning – a cornerstone of my skincare ritual, now. 

Phil Smith Everyday Expert, £4 each for 250ml. 

Have you noticed – yikes – how haircare prices have 

Main image: Wildsmithskin.com

Health 

Brain power! 

Sarah Maxwell explores how exercise 

affects your grey matter 

istockphoto.com/max-kegfire 

Exercise has long been 

recognised for its positive 

impact on physical health. 

However, many recent studies 

have shown that exercise also 

has many transformative effects 

on the brain, so if you thought 

that Sudoku and brain training 

exercises were the best way to 

improve your brain, read on… 

Cognitive function 

Cognitive function refers to the 

mental processes and abilities that 

enable us to perceive, think, reason 

and remember information. It 

includes our ability to concentrate, 

focus attention, enhance memory, 

problem-solve, and make 

decisions. Maintaining optimal 

cognitive function is essential for 

us to operate at an optimal level 

and supports our overall wellbeing. 

One of the key benefits of 

exercise is its ability to boost 

cognitive function, including 

memory, attention, and 

concentration. Regular exercise 

stimulates the brain and promotes 

the growth of new neurons. It also 

strengthens neural connections 

and enhances brain plasticity, 

which is essential for recovery 

from injury and aging. 

Creativity & 

problem solving 

Exercise has also been found to 

enhance creativity and problemsolving 

skills. By stimulating 

the brain’s ability to generate 

new ideas and adapt more 

efficiently, exercise enables the 

brain to rewire itself effectively. 

Sleep magic 

Another important aspect of 

exercise is its impact on sleep. 

Regular exercise helps regulate 

sleep patterns, enhances brain 

function and improves memory. 

Sleep is crucial for both physical 

and mental wellbeing, as it 

allows the body to repair and 

rejuvenate. It also boosts immune 

function and promotes proper 

hormone regulation, which are 

essential for memory recall. 

Stress & emotional 

regulation 

Furthermore, exercise plays a 

significant role in managing 

stress and emotions. It not only 

strengthens the body but also 

helps us manage stress and regulate 

our emotions. Exercise increases 

the production of chemicals in 

the brain that promote happiness 

and reduces inflammation in the 

body. This can benefit the brain 

and protect against neurological 

conditions like Alzheimer’s 

and Parkinson’s disease. 

Exam success 

Exercise is particularly important 

during exam periods. While 

studying takes precedence, the 

stress around exams can impact 

sleep and memory retention, 

resulting in reduced performance. 

Regular exercise can help improve 

essential sleep, reduce anxiety, 

enhance memory retention and 

consolidate revised information. 

Incorporating exercise into a 

study timetable daily can be key 

to achieving success in exams. 

So what is the best exercise 

you can do to boost 

your brain power? 

When it comes to choosing 

the best exercise to improve 

brain function, aerobic 

exercises are highly 

recommended. 

Activities such as 

walking, running, 

cycling and swimming 

have numerous 

benefits. They promote the growth 

of new brain cells and improve 

spatial memory by increasing the 

size of the anterior hippocampus. 

Additionally, these exercises help 

preserve important brain areas 

responsible for cognitive function, 

which tend to shrink with age. 

In a nutshell 

By incorporating regular aerobic 

exercise into out daily lives, we 

can improve both physical health 

and brain function. It’s a form of 

multitasking that benefits the body 

and mind simultaneously. 

If you would like to 

explore more about 

this fascinating 

subject, I highly 

recommend 

watching the TED 

Talk by Wendy 

Suzuki titled ‘The 

Brain Changing 

Benefits of 

Exercise,’ 

available at 

ted.com. 

Sarah 

Maxwell is a multiaward 

winning Lifestyle 

Wellbeing and Fitness coach. You 

can find her at sarahmaxwell.com. 

Get in touch via email at 

sarahmaxwell@mail.com 

and on social 

@sarahmaxlife 


istockphoto.com, miwa_in_oz , Magone, chokja, Elena Tsvetkova, Drazen Zigic, Agustin Vai / PippiLongstocking / BethAmber 

Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

explores the benefits of incorporating 

another healthy ingredient into our diets. 

This month it’s wild garlic 

This time of year is perfect for foraging wild 

garlic. It is common in the UK and can be 

found growing in most shady, damp woodlands, 

hedgerows and fields. The leaves (best in early spring) 

and white flowers (mid-spring) are both edible, either 

lightly cooked in soups or stocks or eaten raw in salads. 

Wild garlic is a perfect partner for eggs; simply 

add to an omelette, scrambled eggs or a frittata 

for extra flavour. You can also blanch the leaves or 

wilt them (where they lose their pungency) over 

a gentle heat in a little oil, as you would spinach, 

for a deliciously different vegetable side dish. 

Wild garlic is widely known for its antibacterial, 

antibiotic and antiviral properties, and contains beneficial 

vitamins and nutrients including vitamins A and C, 

calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and copper. Studies 

have also shown that it may also help reduce blood 

pressure and therefore the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

wild garlic pesto 

Sweet smelling, wild garlic pesto... a great one to get the 

kids involved! This is delicious served with fresh pasta 

• 100g wild garlic leaves (washed) 

• 50g hazelnuts 

• 50g Parmesan 

• 25ml olive oil 

• lemon juice 


1. Chop the garlic leaves and place in a food processor 

together with the hazelnuts, Parmesan and lemon 

juice. Blitz until it has formed a rough paste. 

2. Slowly add the oil. Season to taste. 

3. Transfer to a lidded jar, top with a little 

more olive oil and pop in the fridge. 

Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice 

for weight management, controlling cravings, sleeplessness, stress 

and increasing energy levels. Find out more at plumenutrition.com 

107 


OPEN MORNINGS 

Book your place: 

GUILDFORD 

Where girls thrive 

CRANLEY ROAD, GUILDFORD GU1 2JD 

Don’t miss our next 

Education Supplement 

Find it in the June 2024 issue of Surrey Homes 



108

istockphoto.com/ annoying.orange / Elena Brovko 

Tormead School Talks Future Women Leaders 

“With a future women leaders’ ethos, Tormead Prep provides an 

educational setting that dispels gender bias and stereotyping. We 

empower our pupils to celebrate their achievements, regardless 

of their age, by encouraging them to be their best advocates. 

Our pupils are nurtured to speak openly and proudly about 

accomplishments in all fields within our broad and balanced 

curriculum, instilling in them a sense of confidence and self-worth. 

At Tormead Prep, we nurture fluid, creative and innovative 

thinking. We aim to instil a lifelong love for learning in 

our students, equipping them with the skills and mindset 

they need to thrive beyond their school years. 

Our Pre-Prep is buzzing with activity and the joy of learning. An 

exciting and challenging curriculum enables the girls to realise their 

true potential. We develop a growth mindset from a young age, where 

curiosity, creativity and risk-taking are encouraged and supported. 

Learning at Tormead Prep is a thrilling adventure inside 

and outside the classrooms. Our EYFS outdoor area, 

lovingly referred to as ‘Tellytubby Land’, is a vibrant hub 

of activity where girls can freely run, jump and explore. 

We also provide an outdoor learning classroom, climbing 

equipment, bikes, and scooters for playground fun. 

Our classrooms are not just spaces for learning but also for 

joy and growth, designed to inspire and engage our students. 

The pastoral care and well-being of the girls are at the core of all 

we do, and we firmly believe that happy girls will thrive. Our girls 

develop strong and secure relationships with their teachers and 

peers, fostering a sense of belonging and support. At Tormead 

we are not just a school but a family!” tormeadschool.org.uk 

Continued on p. 111 

School 

Newsboard 

Bitesize updates from schools 

across the South East 

To find out more about life 

at Staines Prep, join us for 

our Open Morning on 

FRIDAY 17TH MAY 2024 

or book a personal tour by 

contacting our admissions team. 

An independent day school and nursery for children aged 3-11 years 

01784 450909 | www.stainesprep.co.uk | admissions@stainesprep.co.uk 

109 


CELEBRATING HAPPY HEARTS FOR OVER 75 YEARS 

FOUNDED 1946 

ADVENTURE DAY 

Saturday 20th April 

9am - 12:30pm 

Join us for a jam-packed family morning 

exploring Forest School, tackling the Climbing 

Wall, getting creative with our Lego STEM kits, or 

heading to Nursery for a Stay and Play session. 

Contact our admissions team on 

admissions@longacreschool.co.uk or 01483 893225 

to find out more and book your place

Staines Preparatory School Open Day 

“We are a well-established, non-academically selective 

co-educational prep school in the heart of Staines 

upon Thames, for children aged 3 to 11. 

At Staines Preparatory School, we pride ourselves on being 

different to your average private school. Our founders set out 

to offer a high-quality education to the widest cross section of 

the community, keeping fees as competitive as possible. This 

is a philosophy we stand by, and therefore you will see that 

while a Staines Prep education does represent a big financial 

commitment, it is considerably lower than our peers. Does 

this mean our pupils have poorer outcomes? Absolutely not. 

Muddy Stilettos said, ‘Although Staines Prep is non-selective, 

the academics are an area of shining achievement at the 

school with children attaining scholarships and offers from 

highly selective senior schools including Halliford School, 

Hampton School, LVS Ascot, Reed’s School, Eton, Sir William 

Perkins’s School, St George’s, St James’, Lady Eleanor Holles, 

The Marist, Tiffin Grammar and Sutton Grammar.’ 

Our fees include lunch, resources and UK trips including an 

annual residential trip from Years 3-6. We also offer exciting trips 

to France, Iceland and skiing. 

If you would like to see 

first-hand our inspiring 

environment, please 

book a space at our next 

Open Morning on Friday 

17th May 2024. 

stainesprep.co.uk 

Play Time 

Sir William Perkins’s 

School in Chertsey 

showcased a weekend 

of remarkable 

performances of Made 

in Dagenham, based 

on the true story of 

the 1968 Ford sewing 

machine strike.The 

production –produced 

and directed by Ms White 

and Miss Whitfield – aimed to entertain whilst 

conveying a message of female empowerment through 

its catchy songs and humorous characters. 

Mrs Tham-Williams, Musical Director, led a talented 

group of musicians. With a cast of over 60 students – 

ranging from Year 8 to Sixth Form – everyone displayed 

dedication and passion during the rehearsals which began 

in November. The set, designed by artist-in-residence Lizzie, 

was brought to life by the Art Department and Art students, 

creating an authentic 1960s Dagenham factory setting. 

With three performances across two nights, the whole school 

musical Made in Dagenham was a resounding success. The cast 

delivered remarkable performances, breathing life into the story 

through their voices and heartfelt portrayals of the characters. 

At Sir William Perkins’s School, the ethos of championing 

the individual is not just a motto but a way of life, going 

beyond the traditional confines of education to nurture 

talent, ambition and generosity in every student. Come 

and discover the magic for yourself. swps.org.uk 

GUILDFORD 

Where 

girls 

thrive 

OPEN MORNINGS 

Book your place 

CRANLEY ROAD, GUILDFORD GU1 2JD 

111 


k 

Nestled in between Windlesham, Chobham 

and Sunningdale (Near Virginia Water) GU24 8TE 

ISI 2023 

www.coworthflexlands.co.uk

MAY CRAFT FAIR AT HEVER CASTLE 

EASTER OPEN DAYS AT 

WEST HORSLEY PLACE 

REWILDING TALK 

istockphoto.com/ petrenkod / AndyRoland / azgek 

What’s On 

this Spring 

FAIRS & FESTIVALS 

Sat 1 April 10am-3.30pm 

Penshurst Village Hall, 

Penshurst TN11 8BP 

THE WEALDEN BAZAAR 

SPRING VINTAGE MARKET 

AT PENSHURST 

Showcasing vintage home and 

garden wares, French finds, 

antiques and decorative pieces, 

fabrics, vintage fashion, jewellery, 

furniture and gifts. The Wealden 

Bazaar returns for another 

marvellous Vintage Market. The 

beautiful old building will be 

filled with more than 25 fabulous 

vintage traders from throughout 

Kent and Sussex and Penshurst 

Farmer’s Market is on the same 

day so make a day of it! 

Estelle 07904 614824 

Instagram: @thewealdenbazaar 

Thurs 16 – Sun 19 May 

9.30am-5.30pm daily 

Hever Castle, Hever Road, 

Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG 

MAY CRAFT FAIR AT 

HEVER CASTLE 

Craft in Focus will once again 

be staging a contemporary Craft 

Fair at Hever Castle this May. 

See over 120 exhibitors showing 

and selling their unique work 

across various artistic disciplines 

including glass, textiles, 

woodwork, jewellery, metalwork, 

ceramics and artwork. Renowned 

as one of the most popular 

contemporary craft events in the 

South East, the contemporary 

Craft Fair provides an opportunity 

for visitors to meet, engage 

with and purchase from these 

talented UK designer makers. 

Entry: see website 

craftinfocus.com 

hevercastle.co.uk 

HISTORY 

Tues 2, Thur 4, Tues 9 

& Thur 11 April 

West Horsley Place, Epsom 

Road, West Horsley, 

Surrey KT24 6AN 

EASTER OPEN DAYS AT 

WEST HORSLEY PLACE 

This Easter, discover the ancient 

manor house at West Horsley 

Place, the location for BBC Ghosts 

series. See all the principal rooms 

at your own pace and chat to 

expert guides about the history of 

the site. The building dates as far 

back as 1425, Henry VIII dined 

in their Stone Hall, and Guy 

Fawkes might have worked as a 

footman, so there are plenty of 

stories to uncover. At Easter there 

will be an additional craft room 

for children and a garden trail. 

Entry: Open day tickets £12. 

Nooks & Crannies tours £22 

westhorsleyplace.org 

TALKS 

Sat 13 April 9.15am-1pm 

Sinden Theatre, Tenterden 

TENTERDEN U3A STUDY 

MORNING, REWILDING: 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN 

IN PRACTICE? 

Tenterden, like so many towns, 

has sadly lost green space to 

housebuilding. Bees, butterflies 

and other pollinating insects are 

in decline, which in turn threatens 

our food crops. The speakers 

form an authoritative trio and 

include Dr Tony Whitbread, 

President of the Sussex Wildlife 

Fund, Richard Masefield, prize 

winning author and chairman of 

Tenterden Wildlife, and Dr Nikki 

Gammans of the Bumblebee 

Trust. The u3a Rewilding study 

morning is planned to help 

discover what we as individuals 

can do to help. It is open to the 

public as well as u3a members. 

Entry: £10 

u3asites.org.uk/tenterden 

THEATRE 

Thur 4 – Sat 6 April 

The Queen’s Hall 

Theatre, Waterloo Road, 

Cranbrook TN17 3JG 

CODS PRESENT TWELVE 

Cranbook Operatic and Dramatic 

Society’s fast-paced thrilling 

jury-focused drama. Twelve is 

a rollercoaster of emotion that 

will have you both laughing and 

feeling thoroughly appalled by 

the human condition. Set in the 

suffocating environment of a jury 

room, twelve disparate people 

(who you would frankly cross 

the street to avoid) are forced to 

come to a decision. An amazingly 

strong and talented cast brings 

this thought-provoking show 

to life. If you want theatrical 

magic, book your tickets NOW! 

Entry: £12 

cranbrookods.org.uk 

Listings are correct at time of going 

to press but may be subject to change. 

Readers are advised to check with venues 

before making arrangements. We can list 

your event in the next issue of Wealden 

Times for only £75+VAT. Please supply 

up to 200 words that should include date, 

time, venue, contact for enquiries and any 

entry price to whatson@priceless-group. 

com or send with payment (cheques 

payable to Priceless Media Ltd.) to What’s 

On, Priceless Media, Kettle Chambers, 

21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent 

TN17 3HF. Priceless Media reserves the 

right to edit text to fit space allocated. 

Deadline for the next issue is 8th April. 

113 


Jane Howard gets to the 

bottom of why so many 

ponds have disappeared 

across the High Weald 

I 

have a new passion, almost 

an obsession, it’s about ponds. 

And there’s a distinct possibility 

I might become a bit of a pond bore, 

but honestly the more you discover the 

more fascinating they become. And now that 

I’m hopefully 'in' with the Newt Partnership 

(more of which later) there’s no stopping me. 

If you’re interested, the definition of a pond, either man 

made or natural is a body of still, fresh water between 

1m² and 5 acres (an acre being more or less the size of a 

football pitch) which holds water for at least 4 months a 

year. And the High Weald has plenty of them. At their 

peak in the 1800s there were hundreds of thousands of 

local ponds, but more than 75% have been lost since then 

leaving around 13,000 mapped ponds in the area, grouped 

according to how they were created. 

There are of course natural ponds 

found in river valleys or fed by springs, 

but the majority are the result of past 

human activity. Drinking ponds were 

dug out for people and livestock usually 

within farmyards or villages, and were 

often a by product of digging out clay 

to make bricks. Then there are hammer 

ponds that were created by damming 

fast flowing streams to provide a suitable 

head of water to power the hammers and 

bellows for the forges and furnaces of the 

iron industry. The small, deep, irregular 

ponds found on field boundaries are 

called marl pits, created by the digging 

out of the bluey/grey marl clay which 

was spread on fields as a soil improver. 

I had never really considered any of this until we were 

introduced to the Newt Partnership which came to the 

farm to investigate if we had any potential sites or ponds 

suitable for creation and restoration. It’s quite hard to 

become a contender in pond world, with rigorous water 

quality, wildlife diversity and DNA sampling tests all to 

be passed before you get the thumbs up. Hedges near the 

At their peak in the 

1800s there were 

hundreds of thousands 

of local ponds, but 

more than 75% 

have been lost since 

then leaving around 

13,000 mapped ponds 

in the area, grouped 

according to how 

they were created 

ponds for the newts to travel along coupled with a record 

of a good local newt population (to give the pond the best 

chance of being found) also come into consideration. 

We have about fifteen ponds on the farm and it 

seems that a few of these might make the grade and be 

considered for restoration or conservation, but what 

caused most interest in newt camp were the ghost 

ponds. Historical maps of the farm 

show where ponds once existed, but in 

the 20th century many were filled in 

to create more farmland and buildings. 

However, like magic many can be 

summoned back to life. So the plan is to 

dig out these old ponds (even after 100 

years the original pond sediment will 

contain a seed bank that may include 

now rare species) and then stand back 

and let nature do its thing. Within 

a couple of years they should spring 

back to life with all sorts of flora and 

fauna including those elusive newts! 

But how, I ask, will I know when 

they arrive (and I’m not even aspiring 

to the giddy heights of a Great Crested, 

a Common one or two would do me 

fine). Seems they are so protected you are not even 

allowed to look for them, but apparently the grass around 

the pond will give the game away. Rather endearingly, 

female newts carefully lay one egg on the underside of 

a leaf and then bend it over and glue it down, so if you 

see lots of folded blades on your pond margins you have 

newts. Can you imagine how exciting that might be! 


BEING THE BEST 

I CAN BE STARTS 

WITH BEING 

RIGHT HERE. 

Making your mark on the world begins on day one at Sir William Perkins’s School. 

Every student is supported to pursue their passions, whilst working to the highest educational standards. 

An independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18. 

Book your place at our Open Morning on 2 May at swps.org.uk 

Guildford Road, Cherstey, KT16 9BN Tel. 01932 574 900 admissions@swps.org.uk

Surrey Homes | SH111 | April 2024 | Garden Supplement inside

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