A house reimagined

Antonia Deeson explores a home that’s filled with colour, character and craft on the outskirts of Maidstone Set on a quiet road just outside Maidstone, Tania Noble’s home doesn’t immediately hint at the imagination that lies within. Built just twenty...

A garden paradise

In the second part of our exploration of Sean Joo’s beautiful property, we take a look inside his guest cottage and go for a leisurely stroll around the expansive gardens Tucked behind the elegant south-facing terrace of The Dower House...

Is Your Relationship Suffering from Seasonal Fatigue?

Breakup & Divorce Coach Katie Woods shares her top tips on how to reset The festive season often encourages couples to “hold it all together” until January, setting disagreements aside in favour of cheerful gatherings and familiar family routines. But...

Strength from within

Sarah Maxwell explores bone density as she chats to OsteoStrong’s Ryan Ashford-Smit In the UK, approximately 22% of women and 7% of men over 50 have osteoporosis. Women are at far greater risk, as menopause causes a rapid drop in...

Small changes big results

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of setting one achievable goal January is often seen as a fresh start… but it can also bring a lot of pressure! New Year diets, gruelling fitness regimes and detoxes might feel...

Just one pruning thing

Jo Arnell tackles the complexities of this often dreaded garden task Pruning can seem daunting – and sometimes like one of the dark arts – every plant seems to need a different approach at some other time of the year....

Thinking of 2026

There’s much to be gleaned from the Harry Potter book series when it comes to language and emotional intelligence, explains former headteacher Mike Piercy How many of us watched a Harry Potter film over the Christmas period? Our children grew...

Farm Fables

Jane focuses in on the hens and cows as new life begins to arrive at Coopers Farm in the New Year So here we go again and welcome 2026! As January creeps along there are lots of things to look...

Take me to…A Whole New World

For those whose New Year’s resolutions involved travelling more, start the year with an adventure somewhere refreshing and exotic Twinning in Sri Lanka & The Maldives If you’re dreaming of a holiday that blends world-class relaxation, rich culture and breathtaking...

Get Your Glow

It’s a new year, and a natural time to look at ways to refresh so we have curated our list of top ways to look and feel your absolute best with an inner glow of confidence Revitalising Retreat After all...

Literary connections

In the heart of the historic Cinque Port of Rye, a newly refurbished Grade II listed Georgian property is now available to rent as a holiday home. Painstakingly restored by a local family, the house has undergone a sumptuous modern...

A Riot of Colour in Battle

Zingy hues and whimsy spill over from a vibrant shop in Battle’s Mount Street into the wonderful family home that it’s attached to In September 2019 home and giftware store DickieBird sprung open its brightly coloured doors to Battle and...

Savoury gingerbread & local Camembert (Winnie’s Wheel)

Preheat the oven to 165°C (fan) for the gingerbread.Simply add all the gingerbread ingredients to a mixer and mix until a smooth paste like dough. (If making by hand: Rub flour, butter, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices together...

Parma ham basket with labneh, truffle or herb oil & Jerusalem artichoke crisp

Make the labneh: Mix yoghurt with salt. Spoon into muslin cloth, place in a sieve over a bowl. Refrigerate overnight to strain. For firmer labneh, tie the muslin and suspend over a bowl. Prepare the herb oil (optional): Chop herbs...

Chilli beef, mozzarella & chilli jam bruschetta

Make the bread (optional):Mix flour and salt on one side of a bowl, yeast on the other. Add warm water and mix to form a rough dough. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled...

Beetroot blini topped with local crème fraîche, smoked salmon & golden nori

Prepare the blini batter:Combine all blini ingredients in a bowl. Leave in a warm place (not above 40°C) for 20 minutes to activate the yeast. Prepare the topping:Dice smoked salmon. Mix with chopped parsley, lemon zest, and black pepper. Chill...

Charcoaled quail eggs & aioli

Cook the quail’s eggs:Bring a medium pan of water to a vigorous boil. Add vinegar to help with peeling. Gently lower in the eggs and boil for 3½ minutes. While boiling, prepare a bowl of iced water. Transfer eggs to...

Small changes big results

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of daily mindful breaths As December gathers pace; with festive plans, full diaries and the year’s final push, it’s common to feel stretched, scattered… and running on empty! But one of the...

Festive Feelings

Sarah Maxwell gives her tips and exercises to help you relax during the hectic Christmas holidays Unwrap some calm this Christmas season with a wellbeing gift of Yoga poses and de-stress breathing techniques to keep you in top shape both...

In the bleak midwinter

Jo Arnell explains how to brave the dark and chilly winter blues with a little help from your garden Winter can be hard for some of us and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing, linked to the lack...

Myth Busters

We hear from ACS International School Cobham as the school celebrates its 50th anniversary, reflecting on how far it has come and setting the record straight on a few common misconceptions along the way From its origins as a school...

Added Value

Some vital aspects of education are not easy to measure, says former headteacher Mike Piercy Are we stumbling, blundering – even thundering – into a Wildean world? Oscar Wilde defined a cynic as someone ‘who knows the price of everything...

Farm Fables

Jane decides that she'll leave the foraging to the experts in future December is all about feasting and this year I’ve been busier than usual prepping some seasonal treats. As mentioned in the autumn, it has been a Mast year...

At home with history

After looking at over 100 properties across Oxfordshire, Sussex and Somerset, artist and creative director Sean Joo finally fell in love with a country house near Lenham, bringing a dash of the South of France to a leafy corner of...

A home of light, life & joy

Peter and Sarah’s modern family home, built on the site of an old turkey farm, is a reflection of the couple’s passion for travelling and filled with all the things that they love There are houses you step into and...

Raspberry trifle

For the jelly: Add the jelly cubes to a large jug and pour over the boiling water. Whisk until the cubes have fully dissolved, then stir in the cold water. Pour the jelly into your trifle bowl and drop in...

Pork, apricot & sage pie

To prepare the pastry: Grease the loaf tin with butter and line with a strip of parchment paper, leaving the ends overhanging for easy removal. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one-third of the pastry to a strip about 5mm...

Barbury duck breast with fondant potatoes, beetroot relish, crispy kale & carrot purée

For the duck breast: Season the duck breasts generously with salt and pepper. Place the breasts skin-side down into a cold frying pan over a low heat. Slowly render the fat and cook until the skin is golden brown – this should take...

Postnatal Exercise

Sarah Maxwell gives her tips for getting back to feeling ‘you’ after a baby Becoming a mum can be a whirlwind of joy, chaos, sleep deprivation and hormone upheavals, and the idea of slipping back into your pre pregnancy clothes...

Small changes big results

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau explores the benefits of getting outside before 10am As the days grow shorter and darker, it’s easy to feel a little more tired, a little less motivated and, for many, a little lower in...

Let’s go local

Jo Arnell gives her recommendations for plants that thrive naturally in the great British climate Our native plants are tough. Able to survive frosts, wet winters and – once established – short periods of drought too. They are the bedrock,...

Meet the…Head

Ashley Currie shares what’s winning Ashford Schoolrecognition in the national press Who or what has had the greatest influence on you as an educator?My greatest influence was my primary school headmaster, Mr Abrahams. He was a very kind man and...

Farm Fables

Jane checks the condition of her flock to ensure next year's lambs are happy and healthy At the end of October we put the rams in with the ewes and there we shall leave them for about four weeks. Female...

A Second Life

A collaborative parent-and-son design and build process has resulted in a multi-generational family home that couldn’t be more fit for purpose The original barn, from which this warm and welcoming family home has emerged, dates from around 1840. But this...

Harmony & unity

After spotting the work of interior designer Olya Lammas in a magazine, the owners of this 17th century farmhouse knew they’d found just the right person to carry out an extensive refurbishment on the home they had lived in and...

Sausage & apple rolls

Mix the filling ingredients – except the egg – together thoroughly in a large mixing bowl. Unroll the pastry within its greaseproof wrapper and place on a board. Cut into 2 equal sections lengthwise – so that you have 2...

Apple, cauliflower & Stilton salad

Blanch/steam the cauliflower florets for 1 minute and then plunge into a bowl of icy cold water. This retains the crunch and reduces bitterness. Make the dressing by combing all the ingredients and mixing well (I put them in a...

Hedgerow harvest cake

Beat sugar and butter together for a few minutes – until the texture becomes light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate the eggs – I usually leave one egg to be added with the flour to avoid any curdling. Add the rest...

20 mind tricks to get you moving

Sarah Maxwell shares her guide to upping your exercise motivation Ever planned to exercise after a quick coffee, a few emails, and sorting the cutlery drawer, only to find it’s dark outside and too late for a workout? You promise...

Small changes big results

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of eating a protein rich breakfast As the mornings turn crisp and the light shifts, it’s natural to feel a little slower to rise. But one small adjustment to your morning routine...

In Shrubs We Trust

Jo Arnell pays attention to some often-overlooked garden stalwarts Shrubs are back. I’m not sure that they ever went away to be honest, but drifts of perennials and meadow plants have been stealing the limelight in recent years. Perhaps it’s...

Intended Meaning

Former headteacher Mike Piercy fights punctuation’s corner Inscribed on the black / white / digital board (please delete as appropriate according to era): whats for lunch john asked pete The question to the class, ‘Who’s talking, John or Pete? Hands...

Farm Fables

Jane tots up this winter's feed bills as she preps Coopers Farm for the cooler months Winter is on its way and we’re getting prepared. The barns are now full of winter forage (summer grass cut and preserved for food)...

Underground treasures

Steven Short and David Clegg’s mid-terrace home has certainly provided the creative couple with their fair share of challenges and talking-points, from unattached staircases to breaking bathtubs. But one feature of this pocket-sized property is sure to stay at the...

Buy well, buy slowly

Sara Divsalar’s new build property in Surrey is a constantly evolving project for the interior designer, who is honing her skills and growing her client list symbiotically Buy well. Buy slowly,” so said Rita Konig, A-list interiors queen and former...

Get Reading!

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School explains how they inspire a love of books In an age dominated by digital devices and ever-shortening attention spans, fostering a genuine love for reading in young people is both a challenge and...

Meet the…Head

As ‘two become one’ we talk to Eddy Newton, Head of the new Malborough House Vinehall Can you share some career highlights and how your experiences have shaped your approach?I knew I wanted to be a teacher from the age...

The News

Schools of the South East tell us about their latest news Sacred Heart School Report Card Sacred Heart School in Wadhurst is delighted with its latest ISI report, which confirmed the school has ‘met’ all Independent School Standards. The report...