A Passage from India

A bona fide legend of British interior design, Sasha Waddell has embarked on a charitable project designing beautiful textiles which will benefit impoverished children in Delhi – and are used to glorious effect throughout her own home. As soon as...

Chris Rivers Drummer-turned-Artist

Strange, beautiful, captivating, energetic and enchanting; all words which have been used to describe the paintings of upcoming UK artist Chris Rivers. Former professional rock-drummer-turned-artist, Chris began painting four years ago whilst touring the world as drummer with UK rock...

The House of Many Words

As Hastings launches its very first literary festival, we visit the extraordinary home of a theatrical collective where the house itself is an inspiration and performance space. Some of the most celebrated houses in the world have become such, not just...

Big is Beautiful

Sue Whigham rejoices in the splendour of plants with outrageously large leaves It was serendipitous that we discovered that Blenheim was to be closed for two days recently, as we had to put our visit off and decide on a...

Portrait of a Garden – Great Dixter

Jo Arnell shares her impressions of a year at Great Dixter, one of the great gardens of England, inspired by a new tribute by esteemed photographer Julian Anderson Everchanging, always interesting, often breathtaking, Great Dixter is a fascinating place to...

God’s acre

Every house has a story – but it’s very rare to find one that feels like a story in itself. With this dwelling, in the south east corner of Kent, even before you turn into the gravel drive that slopes...

House of scarves

Textile designer and pattern maker, Melanie Laslett, has transformed a 19th century fisherman’s cottage in Hastings into a light and airy home peppered with mid-century modern finds. It was William Morris, who said “Have nothing in your house that you...

Small is Beautiful

Josephine Fairley – a chronic over packer – rejoices in the beauty of travel mini kits. While I have every admiration for light travellers, I am personally incapable of going anywhere with less luggage than someone embarking on The Grand Tour....

Natural Protection

These days it can feel as though you need a PhD in biochemistry to navigate the suncream shelves. Wellbeing editor, Eminé Rushton, breaks down what the labels mean, and how to keep skin safe, naturally. My skin has always been...

Natural Wisdom with Lucy Parker

We chat to Lucy Parker, co-founder of Flow Tunbridge Wells – a holistic wellbeing haven that offers yoga, osteopathy, sports massage, therapies, workshops, courses and retreats. What one piece of seasonal wisdom helps you in summer? Taking a walk in the...

Good Garden Bugs

Early summer is the time for maximum growth in the garden. The new stems and leaves on our plants, plumped out by rain, fertilisers and human kindness are luscious – and irresistibly delicious to some of our garden visitors. Pesky...

Taking the lead: Longacre School

In Taking the Lead, we talk to school head teachers and heads of department. Matthew Bryan, Headmaster at Longacre School, tells us about his work and his own school days Favourite subject at school I always loved Latin and Greek, and...

Taking the lead: Hawthorns

We talk to Rose John-Cox, Head of Maths at Hawthorns – an independent school for girls and boys aged 2 to 13 years in Beltchingley, Surrey. She tells us about her work and her own school memories Favourite subject at...

Sing! – St Paul’s Cathedral School

An insight into St Paul's Cathedral School along with the unique school life – and opportunities – of a St Paul’s chorister. We talk to a member of staff, a pupil and a parent. Member of staff: Jaco Brand, Deputy Head...

City slickers or country mice?

Of course, children themselves don’t question their surroundings. They accept either trees or tower blocks as completely normal. But to parents it can be an agonising choice, and in our part of the world there are many families who have...

Centre stage: Manor House School

We talk to Teresa Williams, Head of Drama at Manor House School about the benefits of studying drama. At Manor House School, we pride ourselves on our all-inclusive approach to drama. We believe that drama is for all and that...

Retro Chic Ideas for your Kitchen

The kitchen has endless scope for retro chic, with accessories, fixtures, fittings and furniture galore. You can take it as far as you like – from a subtle nod here and there, to in-your-face time warp – celebrate your favourite era...

Centre stage: St Catherine’s

Studying drama enriches a young person in many ways beyond the glory of the curtain call. We talk to Sally Gallis, Head of Drama and Alice Phillips, Headmistress at St Catherine's Drama plays an important part in life at St...

Ruck and roll

Rugby-based charity Wooden Spoon creates amazing sporting opportunities for special needs children. Matt Mitchell leads the charge Can you tell us a little bit about Wooden Spoon’s history? Why was it created? A woeful performance of the England Rugby Team...

Centre stage: Battle Abbey School

Studying drama enriches a young person in many ways beyond the glory of the curtain call. We talk to Linda Hopkins, Head of Drama at Battle Abbey School At Battle Abbey we aim to develop the soft skills in every...

Start right

A child's first steps in education – even before they start school – can set them up for the years to come, and there are interesting new ideas how to approach this crucial stage.  We talk to Reigate St Marys and Dulwich...

Centre stage: Kent College

We talk to Nigel Ashton, Head of Drama at Kent College about the wide-ranging benefits of studying drama. Performance, skills and process are all essential to enabling pupils to develop their own creativity. Our last show, Phantom of the Opera,...

Taking the lead: Vinehall School

In Taking the Lead, we talk to school head teachers and heads of department. Paul Borrows, Assistant Head Academic at Vinehall School, tells us about his work and his own school days Favourite subject when you were at school When I...

Taking the lead: St Edmund’s School Canterbury

Heads of department create the unique personality for how each subject is taught in a school, while head teachers flavour the school as a whole. We talk to Dr Gemma Jones, Head of Science at St Edmund's School in Canterbury...