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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.

Expanding Horizons

Interior designer Cassie Williams’ family home is a masterclass in clutter-free accessorising – mixing new and upcycled seamlessly and stylishly You can tell a lot about a home – and its owner, from the front garden and as we approach...

History in Colour

The complete refurbishment of British Army General Sir John Moore’s Hastings home provided an irresistible project for George and Charlotte Rendall A long the East Sussex and Kent coast some of the country’s greatest military landmarks make their mark, from...

Globe Trotters

Mayfield School explains why their premium equestrian facilities offer the ultimate experience for horse-loving pupils Tell us about horse riding at Mayfield… Located in 75 acres of the beautiful Sussex countryside, Mayfield School has a long tradition of horse riding....

Paws 4 Thought

Therapy (PAT) Dogs have become an intergral part of school life at Holmewood House School, providing comfort and easing anxiety for pupils across the year groups. Here, we get to know a little bit more about the group of four...

Black Cat, Bat & Toothsome Cupcakes

These are surprisingly easy to make – to be quite honest, any combination of ghoulishly coloured icing and lurid sweets will go down well. Let your imagination run wild and get monstrously creative. Pre-heat oven to gas 4/160˚C. Line cupcake...

Creepy Pizzas

If you don’t want to go to the bother of making your own pizza dough, there are kits available (near the ready rolled pastry at most supermarkets), and even part baked pizza bases and tomato topping. They can be circular...

Jack O’ Lantern Chicken Pies

These pies are scarily simple to put together and can be made to suit the size of the pie dishes you have to hand – make cute individual servings or one big pie. These are made with sweet potato and...

The Thought that Counts

Sarah Maxwell takes a closer look at mindfulness and its role in exercise The health, fitness and wellbeing industry is ever-changing, over the years we have seen many things come and go, but mindfulness practice is here to stay. Mindfulness...

Wild Harvests

Jo Arnell is scouring the English countryside for all its treasures General foraging rules Make sure you can identify the plant – poisonous plants can look edible and some may look almost identical to edible varietiesDon’t pick from roadsides polluted...

Top Trunks

Sue Whigham takes a closer look at native trees and hedging and explains how we can all do our bit to provide year-round sustenance and shelter for wildlife What a peculiar year it has proved to be weather-wise and every...

Slow, Grow, Eat

Hairdresser-turned-shepherdess, Zoë Colville farms nearly 100 acres of land near Maidstone with her partner, Chris Woodhead. With prime focus on their animals’ wellbeing, together they rear cows, sheep, goats and pigs, eventually selling their meat through The Little Farm Fridge....

A touch of Beverly Hills

An interior designer adds contemporary glamour to a Georgian family home It was the pool that did it. Out there on the pristine white non-slip flagstones, with the groovy all-weather sofa and armchairs, the dining area and the pool house,...

Case Study: Silver Screening

New Wave AV discuss a special project in East Sussex Can you run us through the project brief? “We were approached by this customer with the idea of converting an underutilised garage into a luxurious dedicated home cinema. During the...

Case Study: Space Odyssey

Audio visual specialists Philharmonic talk us through a custom Cinema Room created specially for a family home in Wandsworth First, can you tell us a little about the background of this project? “The cinema space was a key focus for...

A World Beyond

Surrounded by countryside and forest, a beautiful country house with truly enviable gardens has been opened up for photoshoots by its owners Eight years ago when Michelle and Ian were looking to relocate from Otham, near Maidstone, they had decided...

Goats’ cheese, nectarine & Parma ham salad

Put water on to boil for the pasta, then while the linguine is cooking, gently fry the anchovy fillets (which will melt away into the pan), garlic and chilli for three minutes or so.Add in the kale (if using older...

Blackberry & hazelnut mini baked Alaskas

Hints of autumn suffuse this version of the classic ice-cream cake. I’ve made 4 mini Alaskas here, but the recipe should adapt to one larger (which might stay solid in the middle for longer). This is not difficult to make,...

Lemony linguine with kale, walnuts & anchovy

Put water on to boil for the pasta, then while the linguine is cooking, gently fry the anchovy fillets (which will melt away into the pan), garlic and chilli for three minutes or so.Add in the kale (if using older...

Live fast die young

Let your borders live life in the fast lane with Jo Arnell’s annual selection Hardy annuals, as their name suggests, are tough, easy going plants that will survive the frosts, so they can be sown in the autumn to flower...

What to do in September

Sue Whigham rolls up her sleeves for a host of garden activities this month Two little granddaughters went home earlier in the week with, amongst other things, a plastic container full of seed heads that they had chased across the...

Robotics and Emerging Technologies: Reed’s School

How Reed’s are keeping up with the latest advances Gareth Hart, Assistant Head, Digital Learning & Head of FutureTech at Reed’s School How are you keeping children abreast with the latest technological developments? At Reed’s we not only start computing lessons...

Robotics and Emerging Technologies: Ashford Prep School

How Ashford Prep School are keeping up with the latest advances Mr Nick Tiley-Nunn, Headmaster of Ashford Prep School How are you keeping children abreast with the latest technological developments? In terms of keeping up with the latest technological developments,...

The Ripple Effect: Battle Abbey School

How excellent pool facilities are enabling students to develop their strength in multiple swimming events Does your pool operate all year round? Yes, the pool is obviously used very extensively by Battle Abbey pupils during term time, but a variety...

Get Involved!

Parents of Parkside create a new Outdoor Classroom Parents of Parkside (PoP) is a PTA with a difference. They are an inclusive ‘Community’ of families connected to Parkside School, who have a variety of talents to bring to the table....

Meet the Head: Head of Claremont Senior School, Ed Dickie

Head of Claremont Senior School, Ed Dickie, chats career progression, teaching, and the rewards of overcoming learning challenges with students What were you doing before you joined Claremont? Before I joined Claremont I spent 13 years at Bedes/St. Bedes School...

Slow, Grow, Eat

Hairdresser-turned-shepherdess, Zoë Colville farms nearly 100 acres of land near Maidstone with her partner, Chris Woodhead. With prime focus on their animals’ wellbeing, together they rear cows, sheep, goats and pigs, eventually selling their meat through The Little Farm Fridge....

Knock on Wood

The combination of bespoke woodwork and choice mid-century pieces creates chic sophistication in this St Leonards maisonette When it comes to the dream team of people to transform a run-down maisonette into an apartment with the kind of quiet sophistication...

Home at Dormestone

Kim Partridge's vision for a Grade II listed farmhouse has seen its tranfsormation from a dark and gothic interior to an informal and relaxed space with a strong family vibe The dream of finding an idyllic rural retreat steeped in history and...

August Activities

August Activities Sue Whigham makes a plan of action to tackle this month's gardening tasks and reflects on the impact a changing climate is having on our own outdoor spaces What a strange year it has been so far and...

Planting Plans

Planting Plans Jo Arnell gets ahead of the bulb game with fuss-free picks for every part of the garden I had an aunt who, as soon as the longest day was over, would start talking about Christmas. ‘The nights are drawing...

Haven Sent

Belinda Benton’s home is as elegantly calm and welcoming as the interiors she designs for others By the time you have wound your way along the almost impossibly beautiful country lane that leads to Belinda Benton’s house, you are already...

Meet the Headteacher at Manor House School: Tracey Fantham

Tracey Fantham, Headteacher at Manor House School, reflects on her life-long passion for sport and many happy memories of her own school days What was your favourite subject at school? My favourite subject was geography as we had an excellent teacher and...

Recipe for Success

Vinehall School, Brighton College and Reed’s tell us about the famous former pupils inspiring the students of today "Sir Tim Smit KBE is a much celebrated member of the Vinehall alumni. Sir Tim is known for his work on the Lost Gardens...

Keeping Up Community Spirit

How have schools been maintaining their bonds with the local community during a very difficult and isolating year? We find out how a pandemic hasn’t stopped The King’s School and Sevenoaks School staying connected A brother and sister team from...

Meet the Executive Head at Shrewsbury House School: Mrs Joanna Hubbard

Mrs Joanna Hubbard, Executive Head at Shrewsbury House School chats challenges, achievements and how she helps her students to thrive What did you enjoy doing most at school when you were a student? Most of my time was taken up on...

Inside out

Dulwich Prep Cranbrook explains the success behind its new PSHCEE program As every child’s inner world colours how they approach life, we believe it makes sense to start with the inside and work out, which is why in September 2019...

Meet the Art Teacher

With a BA Hons in Fine Art, Bansted Preparatory School’s Mr Matt Ayling has designed and adapted an excellent Art & Design curriculum, which makes full use of the school’s fantastic facilities and resources When and why did you become...

A World of Opportunity

Giles Perrin, Principal of Claremont School tells us how joining the International Schools Partnership is broadening its pupils’ horizons The independent schools landscape in the UK is changing. Challenged by an increasingly competitive market, new school groups up and down...

Meet the Head of Spring Grove School: Mrs Therésa Jaggard

Mrs Therésa Jaggard, Head of Spring Grove School, chats skill sets, hobbies and school values Why did you choose a career in teaching? I enjoyed a range of subjects at school and thought a career where I could both use...

Show Time

EM Forster Theatre is at the heart of the Tonbridge community, and is delighted to be opening its doors once again It is great to be open again. There is nothing quite like live performance, and the excitement and buzz...

What’s Cooking?

Benenden School describe their impressive food offering which has won them a Tatler School Award Can you run us through the school’s dining offering? Benenden is renowned for its excellent food – in fact it won the Best Food Award...

A moment of science

Dr Darragh Corvan, Head of Physics at Mayfield School shares his experiences as a science teacher When and why did you become a science teacher? When I was about five years old, my uncle bought me an encyclopaedia that contained a section...

Starting small

Deputy Head & Head of Early Years at Parkside School, Mrs Madeline McMurdo explains how to ease a child into their first experiences of school Can you tell us a little about your pre-school offering at Parkside? Parkside nursery is...

Meet the Music Teacher

Introducing Miss Sophie Brack, Director of Music at Lingfield College Have you always been musical? Since a young age I just knew I wanted to do something with music. My family are all musical, so it was always around me growing...

How does your garden grow?

Cranbrook Primary’s kitchen garden project is revolutionising how their pupils look at nutrition, teaching them about the natural world and giving them time to enjoy the outdoors, so how do they do it? Judith Caustin explains How has Cranbrook Primary's...

Which extra-curricular activities will look good on my UCAS application?

Just how important are impressive lists of hobbies and copious amounts of volunteer work to universities? Dr Kirsten Dickers, Higher Education, Careers and Research Leader at Ashford School explains In nine years as an admissions tutor, this was probably the...

Endive, orange & mozzarella salad with balsamic dressing

Endive, orange & mozzarella salad with balsamic dressing This easy salad is so quick to put together and is utterly gorgeous. The slight bitterness of these small red endives complement the sweetness of the orange. Add beautiful creamy mozzarella, and...