Green Pages - Issue 6 - April 2026

APRIL IN FULL BLOOM:

Prue Freeman & Tom Onions, Daisy Green Collection Founders

We love April. London is alive with energy — blossom fills the streets and the parks come back to life. That sense of fun and positive energy runs through this issue.

You’ll spot Ant Hamlyn’s work throughout this month, with bold, playful pieces that bring colour and texture into the everyday. His work takes familiar objects and reimagines them through scale, colour and material.

Inside, we’ve pulled together a mix of what’s shaping the season — from art in Holland Park and a look at Victoria, to our favourite Timmy Green, late nights at the National Portrait Gallery, and The Colony Room Green. There’s food, culture, and a few things we think are worth getting out for, alongside what’s coming up across the collection.

The past few weeks also gave us a moment to recognise the incredible women across our team and wider community. For International Women’s Day, we joined a panel at Australia House alongside Aneka Manners (Head of NAB Europe) and Georgie Black (founder of House of Oz), hosted by the British Australian Society. It was one of those conversations that stays with you — honest, thoughtful, and a reminder of the value in backing yourself, even when you’re figuring things out as you go.

Paradise Live has returned, PAIRED wine dinners are in full swing, with our first sold-out night with

Jim Barry and there’s live jazz at Larry’s — all good reasons to stay a little longer than you planned.

However you find yourself spending the weeks ahead, we hope this issue gives you a few reasons to get out and make the most of it.

6. What We Love In London

10. Our Favourite Areas: Victoria

ISSUE SIX - APRIL 2026

After Hours at The NPG

A Month At The Colony Room Green

28.

Artist Profile: Ant Hamlyn 24.

38. In Season: Broccoli 36. Cooking with Daisy Green

48. What’s Coming Up in the Collection 18.

APRIL GUIDE

What to see, do and where to eat this month.

01 Pig Pen, 1993 © Catherine Opie, courtesy Regen

Projects, Los Angeles; Lehmann Maupin, New York, Hong Kong, London, and Seoul; Thomas Dane Gallery

02 Photo: Royalalberthall.com

WHAT WE LOVE IN LONDON

Our favourite exhibitions, openings and seasonal moments across the city this month.

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen at the National Portrait Gallery (Until 31 May 2026)

At the National Portrait Gallery, this landmark exhibition celebrates the work of American photographer Catherine Opie, known for her powerful portraits exploring identity, community and belonging. Bringing together over three decades of work, the show offers an intimate look at the people and subcultures that have shaped Opie’s practice.

Interstellar Live at the Royal Albert Hall (5 April 2026)

Christopher Nolan’s epic sci-fi film returns to the big screen in this immersive “films in concert” experience at the Royal Albert Hall. As the story unfolds, Hans Zimmer’s powerful score is performed live by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, conducted by Ben Palmer and featuring organist Roger Sayer, who originally recorded the organ parts for the soundtrack. It’s a rare chance to experience one of cinema’s most iconic soundtracks performed live alongside the film, filling the Hall with its soaring, otherworldly sound.

Tulip Festival at Hampton Court Palace (11 April – early May 2026)

Wander through the palace courtyards and formal gardens to see spectacular displays, from floating tulip bowls in the Great Fountain to rare and historic varieties planted throughout the grounds. One of London’s most beautiful ways to welcome spring among the royal gardens.

The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames (4 April 2026)

Oxford and Cambridge face off once again on the Thames, racing the 4.25-mile Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake. Dating back to 1829, it remains one of London’s great springtime sporting traditions.

V&A East Museum Opening at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (From 18 April 2026)

London’s cultural scene welcomes a major new addition this spring as the V&A East Museum opens in Stratford. The new museum celebrates creativity and making across cultures, with galleries exploring why we create and how design, fashion, art and performance shape the world around us. With major exhibitions, new commissions, it marks an exciting new chapter for the V&A in east London.

David Bowie: You’re Not Alone at Lightroom, King’s Cross (From 22 April 2026)

An immersive 360-degree exhibition celebrating the life and work of David Bowie. Featuring rare footage, photography and archive material projected across Lightroom’s vast gallery space, the show brings Bowie’s music, creativity and cultural impact vividly to life.

Brick Lane Jazz Festival (24–26 April 2026)

A weekend celebration of London’s thriving jazz scene, with live performances across venues in Brick Lane and Shoreditch blending jazz, soul, hip-hop and electronic sounds.

03 Photo: Photo by krystina rogers on Unsplash

04 Photo: Theboatrace.org

The TCS London Marathon (26 April 2026)

One of the world’s most iconic races returns to London as more than 50,000 runners take on the 26.2-mile route from Greenwich and Blackheath to The Mall, passing landmarks like Tower Bridge along the way

BEING NATURE

Seasons come together in a new residency and exhibition programme at Holland Park Café.

On any given morning in Holland Park, you’ll find the usual rhythms of park life unfolding, dogs being walked, coffee cups in hand, people drifting through the trees. Look a little closer and you’ll find something else woven into it: contemporary art.

Being Nature returns to Holland Park Café for its second year, a rolling arts residency and exhibition programme curated by Justin Hibbs and Alan McFetridge in collaboration with Daisy Green. Across four exhibitions throughout the year, works sit within the everyday life of the space, encountered between coffees, conversations and walks through the park.

The programme takes its cue from the original purpose of London’s parks, spaces designed to restore balance and offer a moment of pause within the city. Here, that idea is reworked through a more contemporary lens, exploring how nature continues to shape how we move, gather and spend time. The exhibitions shift with the seasons, allowing each chapter to evolve alongside the park itself.

Alongside the exhibitions, Sensing Earth brings a series of artist- and scholar-led workshops into the space, running on the last Sunday of each month, 12–2pm. Designed as a way to engage more directly with the work, they offer a slower, more hands-on way into the programme.

At its core, Being Nature isn’t about stepping away from the city, but seeing it differently — something to encounter as part of your day, whether you’re passing through or staying a little longer.

Scan for more information and to see full seasonal arts programme

ART IN THE ORANGERY

The Friends of Holland Park return with their annual art exhibition this April.

The Annual Art 2026 Exhibition

the ORANGERY

Saturday 11th April to Sunday 19th April 10.30am - 6.00pm

If you’re heading through Holland Park this April, it’s worth ducking into the Orangery while you’re there.

Alongside Being Nature at the café, the Friends of Holland Park are back with their annual exhibition, now in its 42nd year. It’s one of those slightly unexpected shows, a mix of paintings, prints, ceramics and small pieces, all set against the glass walls of the Orangery, which gives the whole thing a light, almost outdoor feel.

There’s a lot to take in (over 80 artists this year), but that’s part of the charm. You can spend five minutes flicking through, or properly linger and find something you actually want to take

home. Everything’s for sale, from larger works to smaller bits like cards and prints.

This year’s feature artist is Gordon French, who’s also been curating the exhibition for over a decade. His own work is included alongside the wider mix, pulling in pieces from different stages of his career.

It’s free to visit, easy to stumble across, and a good one to pair with a coffee stop or a walk through the park.

11–19 April 10:30am–6pm daily

TIMMY GREEN: VICTORIA

Where to stay, eat and explore around Victoria

Victoria has long been one of London’s great gateways. Since the station opened in the 1860s, the neighbourhood has been defined by movement, commuters heading home, travellers bound for the coast, and visitors stepping into the city for the first time.

But step beyond the station and the pace begins to shift. Grand Victorian buildings sit alongside modern public squares, with quieter pockets of culture and history tucked between the

busy streets. Just a short walk away, the red-brick towers of Westminster Cathedral rise above the rooftops, while Buckingham Palace and the green paths of St James’s Park are only minutes from the bustle.

Right in the heart of it all sits Timmy Green, tucked into Sir Simon Milton Square at Nova. It’s a special one for us, our very first restaurant, and still one that means a lot. Named after Prue’s brother, the spirit of Timmy runs through everything here. It’s a space

pouleaupot.co.uk

Eat: La Poule au Pot

231 Ebury St, Belgravia, London SW1W 8UT

A true Belgravia classic, La Poule au Pot has been serving traditional French country cooking since 1962. Tucked away on Ebury Street, the cosy, timber-beamed dining room feels like stepping into a rustic farmhouse, with generous, comforting dishes like onion soup, cassoulet and its namesake poule au pot at the heart of the menu.

Lunch in the sun here is one of those simple London pleasures that’s hard to beat, while after dark, the candlelit corners lend it a romantic feel.

pouleaupot.co.uk

that’s made for settling in, whether that’s over a quick coffee or a long, easy dinner.

Nearest Tube: Victoria

thegoring.com

Stay: The Goring

15 Beeston Place, Belgravia, London SW1W 0JW

Just moments from Buckingham Palace, The Goring is one of London’s most iconic hotels. Opened in 1910 by Otto Goring and still owned by the same family today, it remains the capital’s last family-run luxury hotel.

Known for its impeccable service, beautiful English interiors and Michelin-starred dining, the hotel has long been a favourite of royalty, most famously hosting Catherine Middleton the night before her wedding to Prince William.

thegoring.com

Timmy Green: A Corner of Victoria

Just moments from Victoria Station, Timmy Green sits in the middle of Sir Simon Milton Square — a little pocket of calm among the rush of the city. By day it’s a lively spot for coffee meetings, long brunches and people watching from the terrace; by evening the lights soften and the space settles into dinner, cocktails and easy catch-ups with friends.

Named after Prue’s brother Timmy, an Australian farmer whose adventurous spirit still inspires the restaurant today, the space brings a relaxed slice of Aussie hospitality to Victoria. Expect colourful plates, strong coffee, good cocktails and a warm welcome at any hour.

With spring arriving, the terrace comes into its own — one of the best places in the neighbourhood to soak up a bit of sunshine over lunch or an early evening drink.

CULTURE AT DAISY GREEN

Art, music and stories from across the Collection

12TH MARCH 2026:

CHANEL IN VOGUE AT LARRY’S

A Vogue-led look at Chanel, launched at Larry’s

On Thursday 12th March, we hosted the launch of Chanel in Vogue at Larry’s, a two-volume celebration of the house as seen through the pages of Vogue. Bringing together more than a century of iconic imagery, from Gabrielle Chanel’s early designs to Lagerfeld’s reinventions, it’s as much a cultural document as it is a fashion book.

The evening itself felt like a natural extension of that world. A packed room, drinks flowing, and a mix of fashion, publishing and familiar faces, all gathered beneath the Gallery for a night that felt equal parts polished and relaxed. Exactly how we like it.

17TH MARCH 2026:

AFTER HOURS AT THE NPG

A look inside the National Portrait Gallery’s annual fundraising gala

On 17 March, the National Portrait Gallery hosted its annual Portrait Gala, bringing together artists, writers and supporters to raise funds for the Gallery’s ongoing work.

Guests were given private access to the current exhibitions Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting and Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, before dinner was served across the galleries themselves.

Throughout the evening, artist Es Devlin sketched portraits of guests in real time, while photographer Rachel Louise Brown created tintype portraits on site — small, physical pieces that people could take away with them. A silent auction also ran alongside the night, with works and experiences donated by artists and cultural partners.

The guest list spanned art, fashion and film, with names including Rashida Jones, Jarvis Cocker, Russell Tovey and Simone Rocha, alongside the Gala’s co-chairs Bella Freud, Jenny Saville, Zadie Smith and Lady Ina Sarikhani Weston.

Following the launch of Portrait Contemporaries, a community for patrons aged 25-45, the NPG also welcomed a new generation of cultural philanthropists to the Gala’s After-Party, which featured a postdinner performance from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and DJ sets from Hale Zero and Princess Julia.

Funds raised from the Gala support the Gallery’s exhibitions, education programmes and long-term care of the collection.

The night carried on downstairs at Larry’s, where things loosened, the music picked up, and the guest list held strong well into the early hours.

17TH MARCH 2026:

THE GALA, THEN LARRY’S

A look at this year’s National Portrait Gallery Gala, and the afterparty that followed at Larry’s.

The night then stepped up as people headed downstairs to Larry’s.

Guests arrived in waves, then it felt like everyone was there at once: artists, musicians, the Portrait Contemporaries set — the room full and humming. Cocktails in hand, music turned up, the energy was electric.

Set beneath the Gallery in its vaulted walls, Larry’s had never looked better, candlelit corners, dark shadows, portraits lining the room, watching on.

LIVE AT LARRY’S:

A rotating line-up of live music across the week, with regular early evening sets and a mix of returning favourites and guest performers.

1 KITTY LAROAR & NICK SHANKLAND: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th

2 SARAH GOODWIN: 1st April

3 DAVID LONGCAKE: 16th, 23rd, 30th April

4 HARRISON SMART: 2nd, 9th April (from 5pm)

5 MATT KENT X LIV LESTER: 3rd, 17th April

6 LIAM STEVENS: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th April (from 5pm)

7 THE DENIROS: 4th, 18th April

8 MARY JANE LOWE: 8th, 22nd April

9 RIVIERAS: 11th, 25th April

10 SARAH LUCY ARRINDELL 10th April

11 JAMES ELLIOT QUINN: 11th, 18th, 25th April (from 5pm)

A MONTH AT THE COLONY ROOM GREEN:

A cultural crash of art, film, literature and late nights.

Established in Soho in 1948, the Colony Room was never simply a club, it was a world of its own. A private members’ drinking haunt where artists, writers and Soho characters gathered side by side, with figures such as Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud dissolving the boundary between art and everyday life. Intimate, chaotic and defiantly individual, it was a place where conversations stretched into the early hours and creativity flourished on its own terms.

At Colony Room Green, that spirit continues. Curated by artist and club historian Darren Coffield, the space pays tribute to the original’s bohemian energy, now accompanied by live piano every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8pm. Expect evenings soundtracked by performers including Liam Stevens, Sara Madaluni, Martha Rachel and Matthew Kent, carrying Soho’s tradition of art, music and latenight conversation into the present day.

LIVE MUSIC:

LIAM STEVENS MATTHEW KENT

Line-ups and set times may be subject to change.

Join us every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for live music in The Colony Room Green.

EVENTS:

Mon 13 April: Dead Long Year

Author Justin Hopper in conversation with Travis Elborough about Dead Long Year, exploring the history and mythology of the legendary artists’ club The Cave of the Golden Calf on Heddon Street. Admission free.

Weds 15 April: God’s Chamber and Other Drawings – Paul Davis (PV)

Preview evening for Paul Davis’s new exhibition of rarely seen drawings, drawn from thousands of works in his studio archive. A darkly reflective collection capturing the strange beauty, absurdity and madness of being alive. Admission free.

Mon 20 April: Acme BOY: The Birth of Punk & Anti-Fashion

Author Philip Strongman joins Cathi Unsworth to discuss Acme BOY: The Birth of Punk & Anti-Fashion 1975–1985, charting the anarchic style, music and counterculture of the pre-internet punk era. Admission free.

Mon 27 April: Hen Mistress of Mayhem: Henrietta Moraes

Darren Coffield will be talking about his new book on the bohemian legend Henrietta Moraes — model and muse for the artists Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and Maggi Hambling Admission free.

WORKING WITH HAND-SEWN SOFT SCULPTURE, HAMLYN TAKES

EVERYDAY OBJECTS AND SHIFTS THEM OFF COURSE.

ARTIST PROFILE: ANT

HAMLYN

Soft sculpture that turns the familiar into something worth a second look.

Ant Hamlyn’s work might already be more familiar than you realise. You’ll find it across a few of our spaces, from the inflating daisies at Bondi Green to the cactus at Paradise and Lattice at Holland Park Café. Playful at first glance, but with something slightly unexpected underneath.

Working with hand-sewn soft sculpture, Hamlyn takes everyday objects and shifts them off course. Things feel pressed, deflated or held in place, like moments that have just passed or memories caught mid-way through fading. There’s often a sense you’ve arrived just after something’s happened, the aftermath of a celebration, or the remnants of something once full of life.

Much of his work draws on food, celebration and domestic life. Tables half-cleared, objects out of use, familiar details that carry more weight when they’re stilled. By flattening and preserving these forms, he removes their function. What’s left is something closer to a trace or imprint, a version of the original that feels both recognisable and slightly off.

Up close, the detail becomes clearer. Each piece is meticulously made by hand, cut, stitched and layered from fabric, often built up from hundreds of individual elements. There’s a tactility to the work that draws you in, surfaces that look soft but structured, familiar but not quite as they should be. The longer you spend with it, the more it reveals.

It sits naturally in our spaces for that reason. Daisy Green has always been about everyday rituals, coffee, conversation, shared tables, and Hamlyn’s work reflects that world back to us, just slightly altered. Something to notice between sips, or on your way out, that might shift how you see the ordinary.

Now based in Lewes, East Sussex, he continues to develop his practice across sculpture and installation, building a body of work that lingers somewhere between memory and the present moment.

anthamlyn.co.uk @anthamlyn

THE RETURN OF TERRACE SEASON

The artist behind our terraces on shaping the spaces that come into their own this time of year.

Rosalind Davis Artist, Curator, Teacher, Writer and Designer.

@rosalindnldavis rosalinddavis.co.uk

We like to think our terraces are some of the best in the city. But what you might not realise is that behind them is an artist. We caught up with Rosalind Davis, who has been shaping the gardens across Daisy Green since 2020, to talk about how our spaces come together, from the early days at Bondi to the terraces you’ll find across London today.

“I first started working with Daisy Green in 2020, creating the gardens for Bondi in Paddington, where we have a beautiful terrace by the canal. It’s a really lush space.

Prue asked me to blend my artistic vision with horticultural know-how. Bondi was ambitious, Daisy Green’s biggest site at the time, and the first with a proper garden, with metres of space inside and out to consider.

Justin Hibbs designed the external steel planters, inspired by the architecture of the Brunel Building, so everything feels considered and connected to the surroundings. Inside and out, the planting is layered and full, tropical greenery, evergreen structure, fatsias and palms among others.

For me, gardening is about creating a living artwork. I approach it in the same way I do my other work as an artist and curator, thinking about colour, texture, pattern and how a space feels to spend time in. It’s creative, but also grounding. Even just looking at a garden has a positive effect.

Now, 18 sites on, there are terraces across the city to enjoy, from Paradise Green in the City to Holland Park Café. Each one is different, shaped by its setting and the people who spend time there, different spaces and communities all enjoying the fruits of our labour.”

COOKING WITH DAISY GREEN: FOOD AND DRINK

IN SEASON:

BROCCOLI

Broccoli has a bit of a reputation problem. It’s the vegetable people think they don’t like, usually because they’ve only ever had it overcooked. But at this time of year, it’s a completely different story.

In April, British broccoli is at its best. Sweeter, softer, and actually worth paying attention to. It’s one of those ingredients that doesn’t shout for attention, but when it’s in season, it’s delicious.

It’s been around for a while too. First cultivated in Italy over two thousand years ago, its name comes from broccolo, meaning “the flowering crest of a cabbage”. The Romans were big fans, and it eventually made its way to Britain in the 18th century thanks to Flemish sculptor Peter Scheemakers, an unexpected route for a vegetable, but we’ll take it.

There are two main types you’ll come across. Calabrese is the classic, with its dense green head, while sprouting broccoli has looser stems and is often a bit more delicate. Both are widely grown across the UK, particularly in places like Cornwall and Lincolnshire, where the cooler climate helps develop a better flavour.

It’s also had a surprisingly eventful life outside the kitchen. Thomas Jefferson grew it, George Bush famously refused to eat it, and Barack Obama later named it his favourite food. Not many vegetables can claim that range.

In terms of how to cook it, the rule is simple: don’t do too much. Broccoli doesn’t need it. A quick char, a bit of olive oil, maybe some lemon, that’s usually enough. Overcook it and you lose everything that makes it good.

It’s also one of those vegetables that’s just genuinely good for you. Packed with fibre, vitamin C and a whole mix of antioxidants, it supports everything from digestion to immune health. It’s the kind of ingredient that does a lot behind the scenes, easy to eat, filling without being heavy, and about as low-effort as it gets when you’re trying to eat well.

Not bad for something most of us spent years pushing around a plate.

Quick Charred Broccoli with Lemon & Crunch

Cut a head of broccoli into florets. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, then cook in a very hot pan or under the grill for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely charred but still with a bit of bite.

Finish with a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of good olive oil, and a handful of chopped almonds or capers for a bit of texture. If you have it, a little grated parmesan or chilli flakes works well too.

Simple, quick, and a very good way to change your mind about broccoli.

A

COCKTAIL THAT WE LOVE:

LARRY’S: JARMAN BLUE

This month’s cocktail takes inspiration from one of Britain’s most distinctive creative voices, filmmaker, artist and activist Derek Jarman.

Jarman spent his later years at Prospect Cottage in Dungeness, cultivating a remarkable garden against the harsh coastal landscape. Among driftwood, stones and wildflowers, lavender thrived in the salty air, a quiet act of beauty and resilience that has inspired this drink. Today, Prospect Cottage is cared for by Creative Folkestone and can now be booked for short stays, allowing visitors to experience the landscape that shaped Jarman’s final years.

Our Jarman Blue Aviation is built on Cygnet Welsh 22 gin infused with butterfly pea flower tea, giving the cocktail its striking blue hue. Crème de violette, acai berry liqueur, deconstructed lemon syrup and

COCKTAILS AT LARRY’S BOOK

Discover the story behind The Hepburn White Lady, and many more infamous cocktails, in Cocktails at Larry’s. Available to purchase from selected Daisy Green locations and online.

Noilly Prat vermouth add layers of floral, citrus and gentle fruit notes, finished with a delicate mist of lavender bitters.

Elegant, aromatic and visually striking, the drink is served over a translucent hand-cut ice cube that slowly reveals its colour and character.

A refined twist on the classic Aviation, and a small tribute to Jarman’s enduring creative spirit.

MICHAEL HILL SMITH AM MW

A Monthly Wine Supper Celebrating Iconic Australian Producers

This month, we welcome one of the most influential figures in modern Australian wine for the latest edition of Paired: Michael Hill Smith AM MW.

Hill Smith made history as the first Australian to pass the notoriously rigorous Master of Wine examination, placing him among the world’s most respected wine authorities. Over the past four decades he has played a defining role in shaping the international reputation of Australian fine wine, combining intellectual rigour with an instinct for vineyards capable of producing wines of elegance, longevity and sense of place.

For us, however, Michael’s wines are not just celebrated labels, they are part of our story.

From the very beginning, Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc has been poured across our restaurants. It has been on the menu since our earliest days and has become something of a house signature. It is the wine we reach for to mark ever special moment: new openings, weddings, gallery launches, charity galas and countless celebrations in between.

This special Paired dinner brings together three of Michael’s most significant projects, Shaw + Smith in the Adelaide Hills, Tolpuddle Vineyard in Tasmania, and MMAD in McLaren Vale, offering a rare opportunity to explore the evolution of a winemaker whose influence spans the modern history of Australian wine.

PAIRED LISTINGS

See the full PAIRED line up and book your tickets

APRIL PAIRED: SHAW + SMITH

Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Founded in 1989 by cousins Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw, Shaw + Smith helped define the modern identity of the Adelaide Hills as one of Australia’s great cool-climate regions.

From the outset, the philosophy was clear: produce refined wines from varieties that thrive in cooler conditions, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Sustainable vineyard management, low yields and hand harvesting remain central to the estate’s approach, ensuring that each wine reflects the character of its site.

The winery at Balhannah, established in 1999, sits among the vineyards where all fruit is fermented, aged and bottled on site. Over time, the estate has grown to include the highly regarded Lenswood vineyard, further strengthening Shaw + Smith’s reputation for precision and site-driven wines.

Their influence remains profound. In late 2025, leading wine authority Matthew Jukes named Shaw + Smith his Winery of the Year, with both the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2023 Lenswood Vineyard Pinot Noir appearing in his Top 100 Australian Wines.

For Daisy Green, Shaw + Smith represents the benchmark for modern Australian wine, vibrant, balanced and unmistakably tied to place.

Tolpuddle Vineyard Coal River Valley, Tasmania

In 2011, Michael Hill Smith and Martin Shaw travelled to Tasmania with no intention of buying a vineyard. They simply wanted lunch.

But after tasting a number of wines during the trip, one site stood out: Tolpuddle Vineyard, established in 1988 near Richmond in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley. The moment they drove through the gates, they knew they had found something extraordinary.

Today Tolpuddle is widely regarded as one of the most important vineyards in Tasmania, producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that have become benchmarks for the region. The wines are defined by purity, precision and the long, cool growing season that Tasmania provides.

Critical acclaim has followed quickly. Tolpuddle Chardonnay has been named Australian Wine of the Year by James Suckling, Champion White Wine at the International Wine Challenge, and White Wine of the Year by Decanter. The vineyard itself has been described by Decanter as “arguably Tasmania’s most valued and important site”.

With each vintage, Tolpuddle continues to reinforce Tasmania’s place among the world’s great cool-climate wine regions.

The newest chapter in Michael Hill Smith’s story looks firmly to the future while drawing on the deep heritage of Australian vineyards.

Located in Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale, MMAD Vineyard takes its name from its four partners: Martin Shaw, Michael Hill Smith, Adam Wadewitz and David LeMire. The vineyard itself is extraordinary, bush vine Grenache planted in 1939, alongside Shiraz and Chenin Blanc dating back to 1941 and 1964.

As with Tolpuddle, the ambition is to unlock the full potential of a remarkable site through meticulous viticulture and sensitive winemaking.

The wines are already showing immense promise. The Chenin Blanc is textural and vibrant with bright natural acidity; the Shiraz delivers layered concentration with notes of mulberry, blackberry and dark spice; and the Grenache is strikingly refined, combining intensity of fruit with remarkable finesse.

APRIL PAIRED PICKS

Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc

Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Bright, energetic and unmistakably expressive, this is one of Australia’s most celebrated Sauvignon Blancs. Like a summers day on Bondi, pink grapefruit, citrus and a subtle textural richness define the wine, reflecting carefully selected sites and handharvested fruit picked within a narrow window of perfect ripeness. This wine is woven into our story. It has appeared on our wine list since the early days and remains a bottle we return to again and again.

Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay

Adelaide Hills, South Australia

A hallmark of elegance and restraint, M3 Chardonnay combines vibrant acidity with generous layers of citrus, nectarine and white blossom. Crafted with longevity in mind, it is a wine that balances purity with quiet complexity.

Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay

Coal River Valley, Tasmania SOLDOUT

Intensely aromatic, with notes of lemon peel, white blossom and wet stone, Tolpuddle Chardonnay is both powerful and precise. A thread of natural acidity carries flavours of citrus, grapefruit and subtle biscuit richness through to a long, textured finish.

31 MARCH JIM BARRY (£140pp)

29 APRIL MICHAEL HILL SMITH MW FROM SHAW + SMITH (£140pp)

06 MAY HENSCHKE (£160pp)

03 JUNE TORBRECK (£140pp)

24 JUNE WILLUNGA (£140pp)

22 JULY

ENGLISH SPARKLING SPECIAL NYETIMBER (£150pp)

30 SEPTEMBER GROSSET & MT HORROCKS (£140pp)

21 OCTOBER VASSE FELIX WINES (£140pp)

18 NOVEMBER PENFOLDS (£200pp)

2026 LISTINGS

MY LONDON: ANT HAMLYN

This month, we see London through the eyes of Ant Hamlyn. His work plays with the everyday, taking familiar objects and shifting them slightly off course, and his take on the city feels much the same. It’s a mix of well-loved spots, small rituals and places tied to memory, from riverside walks to low-key music venues you’re glad someone put you onto.

SOMEWHERE YOU LOVE:

A place that stands out to me is Ram Jam records in Kingston at the back of the Grey Horse Pub. Weekly blues, jazz and new acts. Very grass roots, DIY and really cool.

A RESTAURANT YOU RETURN TO:

Very tough question, I’m just going to have to go with what sticks out first; TOR thai on the way to Hammersmith from Turnham Green, this was mine and Beci’s favourite spot in West London or FM Mangal on Peckham Road in Camberwell. I used to enjoy eating here with friends when I worked in Camberwell. There’s also a van that sells the best halloumi wrap I’ve ever eaten in my life half way down Rye Lane in Peckham

A PARK YOU LOVE:

Walking the Thames path from Richmond to Ham on a sunny day, it’s beautiful. Start at the White Swan pub and walk along the Thames from to Ham House.

YOUR GO-TO COFFEE SPOT:

We lived in Chiswick for 7 years so this will be my bias Chiswick picks; Debbie Jo’s is brand new, very very good coffee and bakery. Also Parle Pantry and the Pinball cafe Chief Coffee are both solid choices. Chief is coffee, plus pinball lounge, plus japanese arcade

A CLASSIC LONDON MOMENT:

I moved to London 9 years ago to study at Chelsea art School on Millbank directly next to the Tate Britain, so whenever I go to Pimlico or Victoria or around that area it instantly reminds me of the buzz I had when I first moved here and to be honest even though I no longer live in London. I’m here all the time and still get really excited to come back and hang out in the city.

A STREET YOU LOVE:

I love history so wandering around the original City Of London area, Tower Hill, St. Pauls and then around

the Borough Market area. Great food, pubs and atmosphere. This area of London is the oldest so seeing the Roman architecture and the old cobbled streets and ruins still there side by side with the new London never fails to fascinate me.

Also taking a Jazz boat from Westminster and back is stunning. If you get it just before dusk you go down the Thames to the docklands in the sun and come back in the evening and see London light up for the night. I know it’s not technically a street but it’s just an amazing way to see London.

WHAT’S COMING UP IN THE COLLECTION

Paradise live!

Join us at Paradise Green for bottomless brunch and dinner soundtracked by live singers bringing a bit of West End energy to the room. Expect great food, flowing cocktails and a lively atmosphere from start to finish.

Wine Wednesdays

When we raid the cellar and pour some of our most unique, rare and boutique bottles — all for just £10 a glass. It’s the perfect excuse to linger a little longer over dinner or stop by for an after-work drink that feels a little indulgent. Served across the collection.

PARMA MONDAYS

Parma Mondays

Kick off the week with a cult favourite — our famous Chicken Parmigiana, golden and bubbling from the oven, served with an ice-cold craft beer or a glass of house wine for just £20. Comfort food, done properly. Served across the collection.

Being Nature at Holland Park Café

A new arts residency and exhibition programme set within the rhythm of the park, bringing contemporary works into everyday moments. The current Spring exhibition is now on, with seasonal shows, workshops and open-air events unfolding throughout the year.

‘PAIRED’ Wine Dinner Series

Tickets are now on sale for PAIRED at Margot Green with Michael Hill Smith AM MW on 29th April, and spaces are already limited. This one-off evening pairs a seasonal, chef-led menu with exceptional wines, hosted by Michael himself — the first Australian Master of Wine. Expect rare pours, stories behind each glass, and a relaxed, intimate atmosphere.

Live Jazz at Larry’s, National Portrait Gallery

Every Thursday and Saturday evening, Larry’s transforms into one of the West End’s most atmospheric cocktail bars. Enjoy live jazz and soul performances from London’s rising talents, curated by our house band featuring Liam Stevens and special guests. The perfect pairing to a martini and late-night conversation.