Camber Caper

Step inside Dixie Daydream, a caravan with an interior that’s a riot of colour and pattern, a stone’s throw from the beach Something about the British seaside encourages us to let our hair down, throw caution to the wind and...

Style Council

Angie Bunyan has lavished a terraced cottage in the heart of Rye with her signature look that has cemented her success as an interior designer  Style can come in all shapes and sizes. To be a great designer it’s often...

Full Bloom

Three local florists give us some fresh ideas for wedding and event flowers Lay the Table Jen Stuart-Smith of Blooming Green offers advice on how to bring flowers to the table at any dining event Flowers really are the proverbial...

Parmesan shortbread with pesto, slow roast tomato & feta

These crunchy Parmesan shortbreads are delicious on their own, but when topped with homemade pesto, slow roasted tomatoes and feta, they are sublime. All the elements can be made two days before and assembled when needed. Just be sure to...

Smoked salmon mousse on cucumber cups

Light as air lemony salmon mousse on cool cucumber. And so easy to make! The mousse can be made the day before, and the cucumber cut a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Assemble up to a couple of...

Dates stuffed with goats cheese, pistachios & pomegranate seeds

Serves 4 approx as part of a canape selection  These decadent Medjool dates take moments to prepare, but are so delicious and look beautiful. The Medjool date is the king of dates in both taste and size, with a chewy...

Aubergine Caviar on Crostini

Serves 4 generously – feel free to halve or double!  A beautiful vegetarian canapé that can be made up to 3 days in advance, and then assembled on the day. It’s so flavourful and delicious, it can be likened to...

Body Matters

Sarah Maxwell explains the importance of acceptance in the second of a two-part exploration If I were to ask you to stand naked or in front of a mirror and have a really good look at your body from all angles,...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau discusses the link between nutrition and the menstrual cycle Half of the world’s population experience menstruation during their lifetime and with an estimated 30-40% getting PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), it is important to consider how...

Cut  Dried

Jo Arnell spreads the love of a new generation of preserved blooms Everlasting Flowers It’s been a while since dried flowers were in vogue – but after years in the interiors wilderness they have finally shaken off the dust, spruced...

Notes on Rye Harbour

Sue Whigham takes a trip to the coast to discover what makes the nature reserve at Rye Harbour such an incredible habitat for our wildlife We have the forces of the wind and the sea to thank for the initial...

Cool-on-sea

A Rye-based couple have succeeded in turning an aesthetically challenged 1980s bungalow into the coolest beach house The outside of this building is so unprepossessing, you’d hardly notice it, strolling along the sandy track that leads from the main road...

Space to Heal

Jo Arnell explores the undisputed health benefits of therapeutic gardens Research has shown – and most gardeners can testify, that gardening is good for us. More and more hospitals, homes for the disabled and rehabilitation centres are installing therapeutic gardens....

Weird & Wonderful

Sue Whigham digs deep into the world of lesser-known fruit and veg I’ve joined a waiting list for Apios americana (above) but it’ll be worth the wait and also gives us a chance to thoroughly prepare the ground and find...

Jazzies

Makes approx 60 jazzies  As per the seeding method: melt ⅔ of the white chocolate in stages in the microwave until approximately 50˚C. Add the remaining ⅓ finely chopped white chocolate and mix well until incorporated and smooth.  Keep stirring...

Hot cross bun truffles

Place the orange juice in a small pan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and add the sultanas and leave for 30 minutes to soak up the orange juice and get plump.  Strain any remaining orange juice...

Chocolate lollipops

As per the seeding method, melt ⅔ of the chocolate in stages in the microwave until approximately 50-55˚C. Add the remaining ⅓ of chocolate and mix well until incorporated and smooth.  Keep stirring until the chocolate reaches 27-28˚C. For white...

Easter slab bars

As per the seeding method, melt ⅔ of the chocolate in stages in the microwave until approximately 50-55˚C. Add the remaining ⅓ of chocolate and mix well until incorporated and smooth.  Keep stirring until the chocolate reaches 27-28˚C. For white...

Body Matters

Sarah Maxwell explains how to get to know your own body in the first of a two-part exploration Most of us have heard the phrase ‘listen to your body’, often following illness, injury or simply after over doing a physical...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau looks into healthy eating for toddlers In a recent study, experts have warned that British toddlers have one of the worst diets in the world, with the majority of calories coming from foods which...

Excellent Report

Marlborough House School tell us about their recent ‘Excellent’ rating by the Independent Schools Inspectorate Following a rigorous three-day inspection, staff and governors at Marlborough House School were delighted to be awarded the highest rating of “Excellent” in all areas,...

The Great Outdoors

We learn about Forest School and ‘empty classroom days’ from Longacre School’s Headteacher, Matthew Bryan‘ When I think back to my own school days, I was delighted whenever a teacher took a class outside, though sadly the overriding memory is...

It’s a Colourful Life

Bedroom designer Evelyn M Lindley describes her journey to realise her creative passion, sharing how she incorporates playful colour into her dark-toned interiors I did something quite exciting recently, well I thought it was exciting. I did my first ever...

Something Blue

Amanda Lafontant, senior designer at Aston Matthews, explains how she transformed this family bathroom into an elegant retreat Creating a family bathroom in a period property is always a challenge. The bathroom needs to function, but there are also architectural...

Boys Own Adventure

A Kentish lass and her husband have restored a historic house near Ashford to create a magical dream of a hotel  Well, this was a new experience. All the houses I’ve had the pleasure to visit for this magazine are...

New Tricks

We explore the Canham family’s kitchen, a barn conversion transformation that mixes traditional touches with modern a twist to make a truly timeless space The Canham’s kitchen was once a cow shed and haybarn, but it’s now a bright, modern...

Courgette, garlic & chilli crostini

This easy, healthy but-so-delicious courgette dip is gorgeous on crostini or pairs beautifully with crisps or cucumber to dunk. Perfect with drinks and the best way to start an evening. Prepare well ahead so it has time to chill –...

Roast beetroot & goats cheese salad with maple roasted spicy nuts

Roasting beetroots is so easy and the beautiful earthy flavour works so well with the candied nuts, bitter leaves and creamy tangy goats cheese. All the elements can be prepared well in advance and put together quickly before serving. This...

Beef daube

This stunning Provençal beef casserole is lovely to have with friends. Make it on Saturday morning to enjoy in the evening or on Sunday – it also freezes beautifully. The long, slow cook makes the beef meltingly soft, and this...

Apple & cherry flapjack pudding

This pudding can also double up as a treat for morning coffee. The crunchy oat topping flavoured with cinnamon is a breeze to whizz together. I use frozen cherries (bonus of no stones) and the apples are roughly chopped –...

High Flyers

Sarah Maxwell explores circus skills for every BODY Before you skip this page, I’d like to reassure you that aerial fitness is much more fun and accessible to everyone than you would think!   Hammocks, silks, hoops, trapeze and pole are...

Nourish to Flourish – five-a-day

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau asks whether five-a-day is actually enough Fruit and vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced diet and evidence shows there are significant health benefits to consuming the NHS’s recommended five portions of a variety of...

Vertical Gardening

Jo Arnell explains how to double your growing space by extending upwards If you are lucky enough to own a garden, remember that it’s not just the ground that is yours – the air above is also at your disposal....

The Glasshouse  Project  

Sue Whigham goes behind the scenes at a social enterprise which enables women approaching the end of their sentences to develop skills in horticulture before their release from prison 'I believe everyone should have a second chance,’said the lady in...

Minds Matter

New Beacon give us the lowdown on their forthcoming Mental Health Masterclass Ask any teacher about the impact of Covid and lockdowns on children’s development and it will not be long before the words ‘anxiety’ and ‘focus’ make an appearance....

The house on the hill

With the help of a practice of skilled architects, the Elms have succeeded in creating a stunning multi-functional family space that works in perfect harmony with both their professional and home lives Garry and Camilla Elms had first glimpsed the...

Finding the light

Alex Jørgensen guides us around his Edwardian townhouse, a renovation project that he’s managed to complete in just one year It was a Monday in November and despite some unseasonably good weather recently, the rain had settled in today. Nevertheless...

Creature Comforts

From rugby-loving donkeys to an immortalised duck, we’ve enjoyed hearing all about Saint Ronan’s school farm We opened our school farm with the aim to have a few rescue chickens – modest and easy to maintain. Our first batch of...

Meet Matthew Bryan, Headmaster at Longacre School

From chart-topping ex-pupils to psychology podcasts, we get to know Matthew Bryan, Headmaster at Longacre School What makes Longacre school special? It’s a combination of the people and the ethos. The children are so lucky to come here, but equally...

Cracking the Code – St Andrews Prep

St Andrews Prep share their coding education know-how How is technology integrated into your curriculum and school life? Our rich and varied D&T curriculum encompasses a wide range of technologies. As early as year 5 children work with and use...

Cracking the Code – Radnor House Sevenoaks

Pavel Malik, Assistant Head & Director of Digital Learning at Radnor House Sevenoaks (below), discusses the benefit of teaching coding skills from a young age Learning coding offers many educational benefits. From helping to develop digital skills and building future...

Go for it!

Ashford School explains how broadening options enhances enjoyment and participation in sport Ashford Prep School wholeheartedly believes in an ethos of ‘Sport for All’ which means every child – no matter their ability – is provided the opportunity to represent...

STRONGER TOGETHER – Eastbourne College

Eastbourne College tell us about a wide variety of projects which enrich their school life and beyond Eastbourne College is one of thirteen schools/colleges in the Coastal Schools Partnership (East Sussex). We love working together as it provides a high...

STRONGER TOGETHER – Reed’s School

Reed’s School tells us about their award-winning outreach and community projects The school’s own charitable Foundation was established in 1813 as an orphanage. Ten percent of the pupils are helped to attend the school because they have lost the support...

Social Life: Bede’s

Richard Mills, Registrar at Bede’s tell us how they build their boarding community For boarding pupils, building relationships at school is even more vital because their school peers are more than just classmates — they are a close–knit community, a...

Social Life: Sutton Valence School

Sutton Valence School share how they build social skills in students At Sutton Valence School, we place a high value on the importance of developing students’ and boarders’ social skills. We believe that these skills are essential for success in...

Meet the School Principal

We’ve been getting to know Claremont School’s new Principal, Severine Collins What excites you most about joining Claremont School? Claremont’s principles align with my own belief that every child is an individual who needs to be nurtured, developed and challenged...

Mayfield girls attend Model United Nations Conference in Poland

In October, six girls from Mayfield School attended the 7th Annual Model United Nations (MUN) Conference in Poland, with pupils from across Europe.  MUN is an educational simulation of the United Nations in which students can learn about diplomacy and...