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Wealden Times Magazine is the monthly lifestyle magazines for Kent & Sussex. Discover beautiful homes and interiors, read about their owners, find recipes for every occasion and delve into our pages on horticulture. Feel inspired by our fashion features and get the latest on health and beauty.

Lazy bottom

Do you suffer from lower back pain? You just might have a lazy butt! Most people are unaware of how important their buttocks (actually their gluteal muscles or glutes) are to their overall core stability and overall muscular skeletal health....

Holiday skin

Henrietta Norton’s six steps to sensational post-holiday skin Nourishing our skin is always important, never more so than when we return from a sunny holiday, to prevent dry skin and premature ageing and to prolong your sun-kissed glow. Here are...

A Taste of the Exotic

Tom Hart Dyke, Curator of The World Garden at Lullingstone Castle, shares his passion and top plant care tips for orchids – which aren’t always as tropical as you may think Orchids are now considered to be the largest family...

Where the WILD things are

Try these tips to encourage wildlife to flourish in your garden “There is a shortage of natural nesting holes for wild birds, which impacts population numbers of many familiar species. Putting up a nestbox provides shelter and attracts welcome visitors...

Shape it up…

Sue Whigham makes a statement with unusual colours and shapes Well, the usual deluge hasn’t happened today. Perhaps spring is definitely on its way. Actually, I think it is and so do the bumblebees. I saw a huge one collecting...

Wild at heart

How have our Wealden garden designers been encouraging wildlife back into the garden with wildflower planting?  WILDFLOWER MEADOWS “Creating a wildflower meadow in your garden is a lovely way to ‘soften’ the space and to encourage wildlife diversity, such as...

Sow a meadow

With many options to choose from, Jo Arnell talks us through the basics A dreamy meadow full of poppies, cornflowers and ox-eye daisies is a lovely thing to behold, but perhaps more fantasy than reality in the countryside these days –...

Final Goodbyes

We talk about the different options available for funeral services Jo Loveridge, funeral director and owner of Albany Funerals   Does a funeral have to take place in a church or crematorium? It can do if you want it to,...

Reading Pleasure

Hilary Wilce emphasises how settling down with a good book can considerably boost your child’s progress at school Last month we celebrated World Book Day, the annual international event that champions reading, especially among children. Students were given £1 book...

Feasts for Families :: Roast Loin of Lamb with Jersey Royals & Chimichurri

Like many herby sauces, chimichurri transforms plain fish, meat and veggies into show stopping meals. Treat lamb loins like fillet steak – season them generously, sear them and don’t overcook. They are very lean and so require less cooking than...

Feasts for Families :: Spring Risotto

Simple and full of fresh spring flavours, I often make asparagus risotto but decided to bulk this one out with everything green I could lay my hands on. Method Snap off the woody ends from the asparagus and discard them.Chop...

Feasts for Families :: Teriyaki Salmon, Noodle & Vegetable Traybake

We all know that eating oily fish is good for you – it’s brain boosting food! Whether it’s the smell, the flavour, the skin – or is it the bones that can sneak in no matter how careful you are...

Fables from the Farm :: April

It’s April, Easter is upon us, and that of course means we’ll be busy lambing The rams went in with the ewes on Bonfire Night and five months later, April Fool’s Day, the lambs start arriving. And every year we...

House of Beulah

Using her own professional skills, Zoe Joannou has transformed a classic Tunbridge Wells villa into a glamorous space for modern living I started off interviewing interior designer Zoe Joannou about her own house – but I was soon asking questions...

Dressed to Impress

The transformation of a Grade II listed building, which once served as a public house before becoming an oriental restaurant, has been 20 years in the making for creative couple Jane and Rob – enlisting the help of many talented...

Dreaming of a French Escape?

Are you lusting after the idea of owning a rural property in France, but not sure how and where to start your search? WT asks the advice of French property finders, Country Homes France How does Country Homes France work?...

Retire in Style

Stunning Surroundings at Wildernesse House A collection of 31 one- and two-bedroom apartments in the historic Grade II listed Wildernesse House, and eight new mews houses set in the sprawling Wildernesse Estate, Sevenoaks, are now available from luxury retirement home...

The Evolution of Beauty

How does the way we look after our skin and hair change as we age? We go straight to the experts for tips, tricks and treatments to maintain optimum condition Hair... Russell Barradell, owner of William Charles Hair, Tenterden How does...

Courses & Hobbies

Our rundown of five of the best from across the South East Cook Smart...  Last month, The Limpsfield Cookery School in Surrey opened its doors for the first time to provide a range of classes focusing on various culinary skills,...

Fit over 50!

Sarah Maxwell explains how it’s time to ramp things up when it comes to exercise Are you 50+ and think it’s about time that you slowed down and took things easier? I’m going to disappoint a few of you now...

It’s good to talk

With the baby boomer generation set to pass on a significant amount of wealth, discussing plans and goals with beneficiaries can give everyone a head start, as Anna Murdock explains “Communication is something we as a nation have always been...

Mental Health Matters

New Beacon School will host a children’s wellbeing conference in April, Emily Pavey finds out more New Beacon School is shining a light on child mental health. In April they host Helping Young People Navigate the 21st Century, a conference...

Fresh Thinking

Hilary Wilce looks at the impact of environment on learning outcomes March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers, the old rhyme tells us. But according to many teachers March winds bring forth something altogether less welcome – classrooms...

Join the Club

We talk to schools about what goes on outside the classroom Mayfield School, East Sussex “Mayfield School has a tradition of developing academic excellence. Our curriculum encourages questioning, reflection, creativity and the freedom to learn from mistakes.  While maths and...

It’s a Wild World

Sue Whigham discusses the measures we can all take to protect biodiversity Last week, squeezed in amongst the newspaper supplements, I spotted a report on comments made by the new President of the British Ecological Society. In it she urges...

Easy Edibles

Read Jo Arnell’s words of wisdom and your gardening confidence will grow alongside your supply of home grown veg  Whatever anyone tells you about growing your own vegetables – it’s a lot of hard work, things often go wrong, pests...

A Piece of Cake: Banana Loaf

Rope in some extra help – this recipe is great for the kids to get messy with Method: Preheat your oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4. Oil and line a 2lb loaf cake tin. Put the bananas still in...

A Piece of Cake: Rhubarb Crumble and Custard Cake

To make the crumble:  Put all crumble ingredients into a bowl and rub until it resembles chunky breadcrumbs. To make the cake:  Preheat your oven to 160°C, fan 140°C, gas 3. Oil and line 2 x 8 inch spring form...

A Piece of Cake: Cinnamon ‘Breakfast in Bed Cake’

Method: Preheat oven to 160°C, fan140°C, gas 3. Oil and line an 8 inch spring form cake tin. Mix cinnamon, salt and brown sugar in a bowl and leave to one side.Add the lemon juice to the milk.Beat your butter...

The Forever Home

When it came to renovating their dream house, Andy and Ran turned to their friend and interior designer Justine Hodgson-Barker to ensure they ended up with a home fit to start the next chapter of their life Andy Clark and...

The House of Magical Objects

Maggie Alderson takes a step through the looking glass into this Hastings writer’s home Sally Gardner writes award-winning children’s books of extraordinary imagination – and has the house to match. Some houses are family homes, some are private havens, others...

Fables from the Farm: Missing her feathered friends, Jane restocks her flock with rare breeds

With the evenings beginning to draw out and the first crocuses poking through it’s just about possible to imagine that spring is round the corner. And at Coopers Farm that means only one thing: the arrival of abundant and assorted...

A Dietary Alternative?

Hilary Wilce shares new research into ADHD from King’s College  Anyone who has to cope with an impulsive and hyperactive child – and that’s hundreds and thousands of parents and almost all teachers – will know how challenging it is...

Naked Attraction

Jo Arnell strips the garden back to beautiful winter basics Winter can stretch on into spring sometimes, remaining colourless and drab for longer than necessary, dragging its grey heels even as the days lengthen and the green shoots start peeking...

Plant Hunters

Sue Whigham explores the origins of many popular plant species and how they were discovered   I must say that when my son and daughter-in-law announced that they were going to take a sabbatical in the summer of 2019 and,...

Eat Well : Tahini Choc Chip Cookies

The vegan version of these are just as delicious, none of us can decide which we love the most. Store these cakey cookies in an airtight container for 5 days. You could warm them briefly in the oven to give...

Eat Well : Rescue Noodle Soup with Leftover Chicken

There’s nothing quite like a warming bowl of homemade soup to make you feel a thousand times better. If I’ve had a Sunday roast chicken, I make this on a Monday to get a great boost of vegetables in. It’s...

Eat Well: Parsnip Dahl topped with Roasted Parsnips & Pink Pickled Onions

This is ideal to make at the end of the weekend with any leftover root veg that didn’t make it into the Sunday roast. It will set you up nicely for Monday’s dinner – just reheat and top with the...

Hillside Haven

Maggie Alderson explores the ultimate fantasy home – an architect-designed eco self-build, complete with indoor pool Making my way along the impressive tree-lined drive to this house, I feel like Kevin McCloud when he goes back to revisit the owners...

A House to Truly Love

After documenting the transformation of her Victorian villa on social media, Olya Lammas decided to trade in her career in fashion to follow her passion for interiors  “I wasn’t planning on buying a home like this!” says interior designer Olya...

Starting Out

Your child’s first steps into education can be daunting. These local independent schools share advice to get things started on the right foot Pre-School - Spring Grove School  Why choose an independent pre-school? The choice of pre-school is a very...

Use Your Brain Power

Make 2020 the year you learn something new, and you’ll reap the benefits (regardless of your age) says Hilary Wilce New year, new start! Most of us feel like blowing off the cobwebs and turning to something new after an...

Grow Your Own Sun

Jo Arnell injects some mood-lifting yellows into the winter garden  When most of the colour has withered back into the earth and the natural world is dark and dormant it can seem a bit bleak outside. We can admire the...

Fresh Fix: Seville Orange Almond & Polenta Cake

You can make this cake with any oranges, but Sevilles are just coming into the shops for their brief season right now. They’re the best orange for marmalade and for the cake too; bitter, but full of flavour. This cake...

Fresh Fix: Beetroot & Pearl Barley Risotto

Pearl barley contains more protein and dietary fibre than risotto rice and makes risotto into a more nutritious meal. The grains are slightly nuttier and more substantial. Boil the beetroot in a small pan of water for 10-15 mins until...

Fresh Fix: Curried Coconut Cauliflower Steaks

The whitest and creamiest of all the brassicas, cauliflower accepts other flavours well; spices, such as cumin, ginger and turmeric are good in combination and, together with coconut, make this into a comforting plateful. It is vegan, dairy and gluten...

Treading Lightly

A rental property has become a stylish stop-gap for a family in search of their dream home in the country. Creating a beautiful, personal home doesn’t always involve a wrecking ball – simply decorating can transform a space. Every house...