CHESHIRE
Cheshire OCTOBER 2026 / £3.95
PLU S
FAYE BROOKES
SP ECIA L Over 30 pages of inspiration and insight
From Corrie to Burlesque
• JODRELL BANK
Why the show isn't quite over
OCTOBER 2026
• EDIBLE EXPANSION The Open Restaurant Group story
In the
ABSOLUTELYMAGAZINES.COM
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THE LATEST LOOKS FROM JOE BROWNS WILL TURN PLENTY OF HEADS THIS AUTUMN
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42 City 42 Road, City Road, Chester Chester CH1 3AE CH1 T3AE 01244 T 01244 322280 322280 info@chattels-designerfurniture.co.uk info@chattels-designerfurniture.co.uk | www.chattels-designerfurniture.co.uk | www.chattels-designerfurniture.co.uk Open Open Hours:Hours: Tuesday Tuesday - Saturday - Saturday 10.00am 10.00am - 5.00pm - 5.00pm
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Transforming Transforming a staircase a staircase intointo a statement a statement of of architectural architectural elegance, elegance, TheThe Stair Stair Shop Shop crafts crafts bespoke bespoke designs designs thatthat elevate elevate thethe entire entire home. home. From From sculptural sculptural solid solid oakoak flights flights to seamless to seamless glass glass balustrades, balustrades, each each piece piece is conceived is conceived withwith precision, precision, balancing balancing contemporary contemporary aesthetics aesthetics withwith enduring enduring craftsmanship. craftsmanship.
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ABSOLUTELY
Contents OCTOBER 2026
14
32 42 CULTURE
FASHION
EDUCATION
14 Agenda Top October events in
42 The Shoot Joe Browns
90 Talking Head Dean Grierson
Cheshire and the North West
prepares for autumn
at Hulme Hall Grammar School
16 Faye Brookes On following
45 Knitwear Top looks
93 Abbey College Manchester
in the footsteps of Cher
to keep out the chill
Why it is a top pick
on to save its future
ABSOLUTELY HOME
DON'T MISS
FOOD & DRINK
58 Chester Zoo x Night Lark A unique partnership to help us sleep
98 Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere
32 Open Restaurant Group Changing the Cheshire foodie landscape
62 Lisa Marsland-Hall The psychology of interior design
37 Eating Out Enjoying a night
70 Trend What to expect
out at The Ivy Chester
in autumn homes
20 Jodrell Bank Fighting
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Inside the luxury revamp O N T H E C OV E R Joe Browns AW26 (joebrowns.co.uk)
editor MARK KEBBLE • art director PAWEL KUBA • magazine designers MARIANA SUZUKI, PAMELLA MORENO • production manager DANICA BRODIE • senior media consultant north region MARTIN CUNNINGHAM • senior media consultant Cheshire JAMES MILLER • credit control manager ALEXANDRA HVID • directors CRAIG DAVIES, JAMES FUSCHILLO, ABIGAIL GARDNER • non-executive director ALEXANDRA HUNTER • managing director SHERIF SHALTOUT Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.
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ABSOLUTELY • THIS MONTH
JENNIFER DELGADO
Cheshire CHATTER Jennifer Delgado feels haunted this month – but in a good way
I
think October might be one of my favourite months of them all. The nights are drawing in, the jumpers are back out, candles are being lit at 4pm and suddenly staying in on a Saturday watching Strictly with a takeaway feels like perfection. And then of course there’s the spooky stuff. There’s something particularly atmospheric about Chester in October. The Rows, the city walls, the cobbled streets and centuries of history make it pretty much the perfect place for a ghost walk. I’ve always loved anything that gives you a reason to see somewhere familiar slightly differently, and there’s something quite fun about wandering around the city at night hearing all the stories you definitely wouldn’t want to hear when you’re walking home alone. My first ghost
CHESTER AT NIGHT
walk was when I was 13 here and since then I’ve LOVED them. But if ghosts aren’t quite your thing, there are plenty of other ways to embrace this time of year. Chapters Book Bar is very high on my list for a cosy evening, and they’ve got some brilliant book recommendations. It’s the perfect excuse to pick up a thriller, get under a blanket and chill. It’s also the perfect time to read (or re-read) Verity ahead of the film’s release this month, which I already know is going to be epic. Whilst I’m always a big fan of getting out and about, I’m equally happy to admit that October is the month where my social battery starts asking for a little more consideration. Give me a cosy pub, a decent glass of wine (the palest rose in the fridge ofc), a chunky knit and somewhere to be home before it gets really cold and
VERITY IS RELEASED THIS MONTH
I’m pretty happy. So, whether you’re heading out for a spooky night in Chester, discovering somewhere new for dinner or settling down with a good book, I hope you enjoy this month in the same way I will. Now, where’s my jumper?
This month I will be...
Reading Verity by Colleen Hoover. I’ve read it before but I’m rereading before the film. Visiting Chapters Book Bar – because it is literally my favourite place in Chester. Eating cheese. And plenty of it. Preferably Camembert and an ensemble of naughty snacks whilst watching Strictly.
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Wish LIST
NEW FLAME
Ths Skivvy is a new kind of candle – a hand sculpted glass vessel mouth-blown in India holds a sphere candle hand-poured in Australia. And Vine is a scent that brings the garden straight inside, £189. cillie.com.au
EDITOR’S PICK
10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY
PENDLE HARTE
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GOLDEN YEARS Stylish jewellery brand Otiumberg is celebrating 10 years in business this month with a stylish campaign featuring Poppy Delevingne as well as a new store opening in King's Road. Their secret? Timeless chic and effortless elegance. otiumberg.com
PRETTY GREEN Staud's palette for AW26 is full of forest shades: brown, green and rust, combined with contrast dark purples and blues. We love the muted greens best. staud.clothing
SELF CARE Diptyque's new wellness collection offers an all-day ritual, starting with morning nourishment and invigoration, and finishing with evening relaxation. Les Rituels de Soin are accompanied by a collection of decorative objects too. diptyqueparis.com
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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES
C H A I N R E AC T I O N Liberty's fabulous new fashion jewellery gallery offers an excellent curation of contemporary and demi-fine jewellery. Brands include Miami favourite Martha Calvo, among others. libertylondon.com
ON THE PULL Casesafe is the world's first suitcase to include an integrated tracker. You'll never lose your luggage again. july.com
FAV O U R I T E SHIRTS Lisa Corti's prints feature an element of surprise in their motifs and colourways – and for AW26 this stripe shirt has an unusual feel, in a very zeitgeisgty palette. lisacorti.com
EMERALD CITY Berry's are delighted to present these stunning earrings, which showcase a remarkable design featuring exquisite emeralds and diamonds. berrysjewellers.co.uk
O N E TO WAT C H We are loving this Tissot PRX 35mm Green Dial Steel Bracelet Automatic Watch. It has a green dial with a waffle pattern, luminous baton indexes and hands, and a date display at the 3 o'clock position. berrysjewellers.co.uk
N E W M E TA L L I C S Alex Monroe's Teeny Tiny Snake is elegantly poised and delicately detailed, handmade in solid 18ct yellow recycled gold in their workshop. alexmonroe.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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C U LT U R E
K AT H ERINE J E N K IN S 3 OCTOBER LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL
Katherine Jenkins is the biggest selling classical artist of this century, and her 25 Year Anniversary Tour celebrates her music. The tour will feature many of her most beloved songs, including Time To Say Goodbye, I Will Always Love You, and more. liverpoolphil.com
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The Agenda
THE BEST EVENTS IN CHESHIRE
MU S I C
The Shamrocks
PHOTO: JENNY MCCARTHY
26 October LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL The roaring, rousing atmosphere of traditional Irish pubs will be brought to Southend as Emmy Award-winning group The Shamrocks embark on their debut UK tour next autumn. Dubbed ‘one of Northern Ireland’s greatest ever exports’, The Shamrocks promise a night packed full of Irish charm, with classics including Danny Boy, Wild Rover and Whiskey In The Jar reimagined in their unique style, alongside original songs and compositions. liverpoolphil.com
PHOTO: ANTHONY MOONEY
MU S I C
Cream Classical 23 - 24 O C TO BE R , L I V E R P OOL CATHEDRAL
Bringing together generations of dance music fans, Cream Classical attracts audiences from across the UK, from the original clubbers who packed Cream's legendary dancefloor to a new generation discovering the brand's enduring legacy for the very first time. At the heart of the show is a powerful soundtrack of Cream's most defining anthems. cream.co.uk/classical
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CO M E DY
Jason Byrne 22 October HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB Jason Byrne is back and “Byrning” brighter than ever. He will celebrate an incredible 30 years in comedy with his brand-new live show, 30 Years Byrning. This extraordinary milestone in comedy will see the inimitable comedian perform a riotous, no holds barred anniversary event that promises audiences the full force of his legendary comic mayhem. hotwatercomedy.co.uk
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CULTURE • DIARY
T R I B U T E
CO M E DY
Susan Calman 1 October PARR HALL For the first time in ten years, beloved comedian, writer and broadcaster Susan Calman returns to the stage with a joyful, whip-smart and wonderfully unhinged evening of stories, silliness and surprise. A decade older, but not necessarily wiser, Susan has amassed a remarkable number of improbable adventures since her last tour. Tall Tales dives headfirst into the most unbelievable highlights: from cruising the world to driving tanks, her enduring love of cats and the trials and triumphs of getting older. parrhall.culturewarrington.org PHOTO: STEVE ULLATHORNE
MU SIC
THE AMY WINEHOUSE BAND
This Month’s Must See
31 OCTOBER LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL The Amy Winehouse Band – Amy’s original band who were with her from the very start – have announced additional dates for their major UK tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of her defining album, Back to Black. Released in 2006, Back to Black became the album that transformed Amy Winehouse from a rising British talent into a global cultural force. liverpoolphil.com
Six Objects in Search of an Artist U NTI L 1 NOV E MBE R, WARRIN GTON MUSEUM AN D ART GALLERY
A
new exhibition will shed light on some of Warrington Museum’s hidden gems while celebrating the talents of a north west artist. Michelle Leigh was invited to explore the museum’s many artefacts from all over the world as part of a project to reinterpret them through a series of paintings in her distinct style. wmag.culturewarrington.org
ACT
The musical legacy of Mani is celebrated this month
S
tone Roses legend Mani will be honoured when a trio of bands take to Parr Hall’s historic stage on 17th October. The Clone Roses will lead a tribute night celebrating ‘Manchester’s greatest’ at the venue alongside Oas-is and The James Experience. But the gig will be particularly poignant because it is taking place just days after the late Stone Roses bassist Mani was set to come back to Parr Hall himself. Mani’s return to the stage was due to see him reflect on his time with the Roses and his wider experiences in the music industry, performing with the likes of Primal Scream. But the 63-year-old sadly died in November last year shortly after the tour was announced. The Clone Roses have been paying tribute to their favourite band – the Stone Roses – since 1998 and recently celebrated their 25th anniversary in front of 6,000 revellers at Heaton Park. However, their crowning moment was when they played in front of a sellout 15,000-strong crowd at the iconic Spike Island site on the banks of the River Mersey. Over the years, Mani became a big supporter of the group billing them as ‘the secondbest Stone Roses in the world’. He had also shared a stage with the band a number of times while performing DJ sets. Joining the Clones are Oas-is, who will be bringing back recent memories of one of the biggest reunions in British music history. They are the only tribute band to tour with a full video show, using some of the same equipment and visuals that the Gallagher brothers used on their tours. The James Experience complete the bill with an authentic tribute to one of the most influential Manchester bands. parrhall.culturewarrington.org
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BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL, FAYE BROOKES PHOTO: ROSIE MOORE THE SOCIAL SORT
D A R I N G TO
DAZZLE
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Faye Brookes discusses returning to her theatrical roots, embracing experience, empowerment and outrageous glamour in Burlesque the Musical
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CULTURE • INTERVIEW
B
efore talk turns to sequins, showgirls and stepping into an iconic role, Faye Brookes has another pressing matter demanding her attention. Her Pomeranian, Bao, has been injured, and the devoted dog owner is keeping him close as she prepares for her latest theatrical adventure. Faye is starring as Tess in Burlesque the Musical, the glittering adaptation of Steven Antin’s Golden Globe-winning film. The original film saw Cher play the formidable club owner, so Tess is a role that arrives with considerable expectations. “Yeah, no pressure!” Faye laughs. “Cher set the bar. I was originally very overwhelmed, but then I just threw myself into the work and became consumed with the show. I realised there were so many layers that I could begin to put into Tess.” While inspired by the film, the musical explores its characters and their histories in greater depth. Audiences learn more about Tess, how she came to run the club and what shaped the woman she has become. For Faye, the additional material has o!ered the freedom to acknowledge Cher’s unforgettable portrayal without attempting to imitate it. “The musical delves a little bit deeper into the storyline of who Tess was, her background, how she ended up running the club and all of the history behind it,” she says. “It’s really interesting to have that background because it has only amplified my performance. I’ve thrown everything I know at it, inspired by Cher, and then all the characters I’ve played in the past – whether they are confident, independent women – I’ve thrown that into the mix as well.” Burlesque the Musical takes audiences inside a dazzling underground club where ambition, temptation and desire collide. When Ali travels to New York searching for her mother, Tess Richarde, she discovers an intoxicating world of music and performance, as well as the family she never realised she needed. Featuring songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Jess Folley, Todrick Hall and Antin, the production combines powerhouse vocals with spectacular choreography and unapologetic glamour. For Faye, Tess represents an important new chapter. Her extensive musical theatre career has included starring as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Princess Fiona in Shrek and Fran in Strictly Ballroom. This time, instead of playing a hopeful young woman pursuing her dreams, she portrays the experienced figure o!ering guidance to someone else. “I think it’s because I’m now stepping into playing the wiser, more experienced characters,” she smiles. “After 20 years in this industry, I am now one of those people.” The part has encouraged her to reflect upon her progression as both a performer and a woman. “I get to play the wise owl, and that is very di!erent
DUNHAM MASSEY IS A FAVOURITE CHESHIRE SPOT
because I usually play these starry-eyed, Disney-like characters that have all the hope and all the dreams,” she explains. “We have that character in Burlesque with Ali, who is played by Gracie O’Brien, but I love that I’m coming in with a di!erent perspective. It means I’ve lived a little bit, I know more about the world and I’m going to try to teach you.” Rather than resisting that transition, Faye is relishing it. “I kind of like that I’m in that era,” she says. “I feel like the older I’m getting, the better I’m getting. I was told that from a young age and I didn’t believe it, but now I truly believe it. With Tess, that’s everything and then some.” Touring is familiar territory for Faye, and she is excited about returning to
theatres around the country, particularly those closer to home – but admits the relentless rhythm of moving between venues requires resilience. “Hard work is an understatement,” she says. “Touring is not for everyone. You have to be able to change your life every single week, or every two weeks if you’re lucky. I’m fortunate that I have a very supportive husband who gets it and knows that I love my job. When an opportunity like this comes along, I’m packing my bags and I’m going.” Life on the road can be tough, but it also creates a close bond among a cast. “Touring makes you a little bit harder and toughens you up to an industry that can be ruthless and cut-throat, but it can also be very joyous,” Faye says.
FAYE WITH CO-STAR RYAN CARTER
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CULTURE • INTREVIEW
“I left Coronation Street a little wiser. I learned a lot about the industry and about myself” “We become a very close family on tour because that’s all you’ve got when you’re out there performing. I think that’s why I love it, because I am a homebird. I’m very much about family, and when we’re on tour, we’ve only got each other.” Maintaining a routine helps her cope with the physical and emotional demands of musical theatre. “I’m very much a creature of habit,” she says. “I have to have a routine. If I don’t, I have no control, and that is not good for me.” That might include half an hour in the gym, meditation, brunch at a favourite café or walking her dogs before heading to the theatre. “Anything that feels like it’s mine and I can control is great,” she explains, “because this industry is completely out of my control.” Faye remains instantly recognisable from her four years playing Kate Connor in Coronation Street, a role that earned her a National Television Award and
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placed her at the centre of demanding storylines. “I owe Coronation Street for making me a household name,” she says. “With Kate Connor, I represented the LGBTQ+ community and really broke down barriers with the storylines they gave me. I’m so grateful for the time I had there. I won a National Television Award, worked with some great actors and was really pushed as a character. My storylines were heavy and emotional, and every day I had to be on my A-game.” The door remains open for Kate to return, but Faye is enjoying the variety that has taken her from television drama and Dancing On Ice to an impressive succession of musical theatre roles. “I left Coronation Street a little wiser,” she says. “I learned a lot about the industry and about myself, and I’ve been able to play lots of other characters. I’m constantly honing my craft.”
Her connections to Cheshire remain strong. Faye attended Knutsford High School and treasures memories of walking her dogs at Dunham Massey and Tatton Park. Although she now lives in the Cotswolds, she frequently returns to see family and visit familiar local businesses. “Everything is actually there,” she says. “I still go back because it’s a treat to see my family. That was the blessing that came from Corrie – I got to go home and live in Manchester for a good four or five years.” Faye describes herself as once having been “the most introverted extrovert you’ve ever met”, but says performing helped her emerge from her shell. “I was very shy and my family were slightly worried about me because I’m such a sensitive soul,” she says. “This industry has helped me blossom. It has helped me with confidence, to learn about myself, to learn about people and to learn what kind of person you want to be in this world.” Now, with two decades of experience behind her, Tess feels like the right role at precisely the right moment. “With this role and this show, I’m learning every day, especially from the people I work with,” Faye concludes. “I just feel very, very fortunate to be in the situation that I’m in.” For tour dates and more information, visit burlesqueonstage.com
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COSMIC As Jodrell Bank confronts an uncertain future, Absolutely explores why its scientific and cultural legacy matters
CHALLENGE
F
or almost 70 years, the Lovell Telescope has towered over the Cheshire landscape, representing British scientific ingenuity and humanity’s enduring curiosity about the Universe. Today, however, the future of some of the groundbreaking work conducted at Jodrell Bank faces considerable uncertainty. Funding for e-MERLIN – the network of UK radio telescopes that includes the Lovell Telescope – is due to end in March 2028. The University of Manchester is now working with partners to identify alternative sources of support and secure its long-term future. The prospect of losing this internationally important scientific capability has prompted an extraordinary response, with leading figures from science, music and the arts joining families, former visitors and local people in speaking out. Here Holly Westwood, Head of Marketing and Communications at
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CULTURE • FEATURE
Jodrell Bank, explains what is at stake, why public engagement remains integral to the observatory’s purpose and what gives its team hope for the future.
don’t simply see Jodrell Bank as an institution; they feel a genuine sense of connection and ownership. That support means a great deal to everyone here.
Q The proposed withdrawal of funding for
Q Many people know Jodrell Bank because of the Lovell Telescope, but fewer understand what could be lost. Why is the observatory’s work so important? A The most important thing to understand is that when you stand beneath the Lovell Telescope, you aren’t looking at a museum piece. You’re standing beside a working scientific instrument. The Lovell Telescope forms part of e-MERLIN, a network of radio telescopes across the UK working together to study everything from the birth and death of stars to pulsars, galaxies and black holes. That’s what makes Jodrell Bank so unusual. Its history is extraordinary, but the science didn’t stop when the history books were written. What is at stake is active scientific capability, specialist expertise,
the e-MERLIN network has prompted quite the public response. What has that backing meant to everyone behind the scenes? A It has been incredibly moving. Jodrell Bank has always felt like a special place to those of us who work here, but the response has been a powerful reminder of just how much it means to other people too. We’ve received an extraordinary number of messages from scientists inspired by Jodrell Bank, families remembering their first visits and people who have grown up seeing the Lovell Telescope on the Cheshire skyline. The announcement about e-MERLIN is deeply disappointing and the challenge ahead is significant, but the reaction has been enormously encouraging. People
opportunities to train future scientists and engineers, and Britain’s ability to contribute to world-leading radio astronomy. For visitors, there’s something incredibly powerful about knowing that the telescope towering above them could, at that moment, be helping scientists understand something billions of light years away. Q Jodrell Bank has always balanced
groundbreaking research with inspiring the next generation. Why is public engagement so important? A One of the privileges of Jodrell Bank is bringing people incredibly close to real science. A child can stand underneath the Lovell Telescope, experiment in an exhibition or watch the Universe unfold around them in the Space Dome, and suddenly something impossibly distant becomes tangible. You never know which moment will stay with somebody. It might be understanding radio waves for the A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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CULTURE • FEATURE
PHOTO BY ANDREW BROOKS
first time, hearing the story of the Big Bang or simply watching this enormous telescope move across the sky. Not every child who visits will become an astronomer, but hopefully they leave curious – asking questions, imagining possibilities and understanding that science is something they can be part of. Q Why is it important for Jodrell
Bank to be regarded as a cultural destination as well as a scientific one? A Culture has always been part of Jodrell Bank’s story. The Lovell Telescope has stood above the Cheshire countryside since 1957 and has become part of the identity of the North. For generations, it hasn’t simply been a scientific instrument – it’s something people recognise, remember and feel connected to. There’s also a natural relationship between science and the arts. Both start with curiosity, asking questions and finding new ways to understand and communicate the world around us. The First Light Pavilion has allowed us to explore that human and cultural story much more deeply alongside the science. Being a cultural destination doesn’t dilute our scientific identity; it gives us more ways to tell an extraordinary story. Q How does combining entertainment
with education help visitors connect with science in unexpected ways? A If you can make somebody laugh, surprise them or give them an experience they weren’t expecting, you’ve opened the door to curiosity. Once that happens, science becomes much less intimidating. Wallace & Gromit is a lovely example. Families can enjoy A Grand Day Out inside the Space Dome with its soundtrack performed live, then step outside and find themselves standing beneath one of the world’s great radio telescopes. At other times, that same Dome can take visitors towards Mars or inside the world of black holes.
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We don’t want there to be a dividing line where entertainment stops and learning begins. Some of the best learning happens when people are enjoying themselves so much they don’t realise they’re learning too. Q What would you say to somebody
who assumes Jodrell Bank is only for dedicated space enthusiasts? A I’d say come and surprise yourself. You don’t need to know anything about astronomy before you arrive. Curiosity is more than enough. A day here can include discovering black holes and galaxies, exploring one of Britain’s great engineering stories, watching an immersive Space Dome show, visiting an exhibition, walking through the grounds and simply experiencing the scale of the Lovell Telescope. There’s science, history, engineering, architecture, culture, green space and a changing programme of events throughout the year. It’s not somewhere you have to be a “space person” to enjoy. It’s somewhere for anyone who likes discovering things. Q Beyond the science, what impact
does Jodrell Bank have on Cheshire?
A Jodrell Bank is enormously fortunate
to be both internationally significant and deeply rooted in Cheshire. People travel here because of the Lovell Telescope and its scientific history, but those visitors are also coming into Cheshire – staying locally, eating locally and discovering more of what the county has to offer. Education is another major part of our contribution, with schoolchildren and families encountering science here throughout the year. But there’s something less measurable too: identity. The Lovell Telescope has been part of the Cheshire landscape for almost 70 years. It’s simultaneously a local landmark and an internationally recognised symbol of British science.
WALLACE & GROMIT
UNESCO World Heritage status recognises that discoveries made in this field in Cheshire helped change humanity’s understanding of the Universe. That’s something the whole county can take enormous pride in. Q Finally, what gives you optimism
about Jodrell Bank’s future?
A Its history is full of people doing things
that initially seemed difficult or impossible. The Observatory grew from experiments in a Cheshire field, while the Lovell Telescope represented an extraordinary leap of scientific and engineering ambition. Jodrell Bank has repeatedly adapted as science and technology have changed. We shouldn’t underestimate the seriousness of the present situation. Funding for e-MERLIN is due to end in March 2028 and securing a sustainable future will require significant work. The University is actively exploring alternative sources of funding with partners. But the public response has demonstrated something incredibly important: people care profoundly about what happens here. Our message is simply thank you – to everyone who has written, shared memories, spoken out, donated or told us why Jodrell Bank matters to them. The support we’ve seen gives us even greater determination to ensure it has a future as remarkable as its past. jodrellbank.net
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Learn - Perform - Aspire Saturday 3rd October The Hammond, Chester
Book Your Place
thehammond.co.uk/whats-on
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Perfectly
PRESTBURY
History, fine food and riverside beauty meet in one of Cheshire’s most desirable villages
ST PETER'S CHURCH
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here are Cheshire villages that reward a carefully planned day out, and others whose appeal becomes apparent the moment you arrive. Prestbury belongs firmly in the latter camp. Set beside the River Bollin, between Macclesfield and Wilmslow, it combines handsome period architecture, independent businesses, excellent places to eat and countryside that begins almost where the village ends.
A POTTED HISTORY
Prestbury’s story begins long before its reputation as one of Cheshire’s most exclusive places to live. Its name derives from the Anglo-Saxon Preôsta burh, generally interpreted as a priest’s fortified enclosure. The early settlers chose a practical position beside the Bollin, where higher ground offered some protection from flooding and a comparatively easy crossing point allowed travel through the surrounding countryside. By the time of the Norman Conquest, Prestbury was the ecclesiastical heart of an enormous parish comprising 35 townships. These stretched across a substantial part of east Cheshire and included places that would later develop identities of their own,
THE RIVER BOLLIN
among them Macclesfield, Bollington, Poynton, Alderley, Rainow, Gawsworth and Wildboarclough. For centuries, the church was therefore not simply a place of worship, but the organising centre for a large, dispersed population. The village’s great historical landmark is St Peter’s Church. The present Grade I-listed building is thought to be the fourth church to occupy the site, with much of its fabric dating from the 13th century. The south aisle followed in the early 14th century, while the tower and porch were added around 1480. In the churchyard stands the Norman Chapel, reconstructed in the 18th century but retaining its remarkable original Romanesque doorway. Together, church, chapel, lychgate, sundial
and funerary monuments create one of Cheshire’s most atmospheric historic ensembles. St Peter’s is open daily, allowing visitors to explore beyond service times. During the 19th century, Prestbury became closely involved in Cheshire’s silk trade. Weavers worked in cottages with upper floors designed to capture the best available daylight, while Swanwick’s factory provided employment on a larger scale. Surviving weavers’ cottages along New Road and The Village offer a subtle reminder that Prestbury was once a place of industry as well as rural privilege. The arrival of the railway transformed its future. Prestbury station opened in the 1840s, making travel to Manchester and Macclesfield far easier and gradually turning the village into an attractive residential base. The process accelerated during the 20th century as road connections improved. While substantial new homes and private estates have altered its outer edges, the historic core retains the intimacy and visual coherence that have long made Prestbury special.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
THE BRIDGE
The best introduction to Prestbury is simply to walk. Begin in The Village, where historic façades, neatly maintained gardens and traditional shopfronts make even a short wander feel rewarding. Among the most distinctive buildings is the Priest’s House, a timber-framed former vicarage dating from the 16th century. It was later divided into cottages and used as a bank, demonstrating how Prestbury’s oldest structures have repeatedly adapted to new purposes. Historic England records that two iron firebacks were found during its restoration, including one dated 1635 and bearing the arms of Charles I. A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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COAST
NORMAN CHAPEL
Five things you may not know about Prestbury Continue to St Peter’s Church and allow time for the churchyard rather than treating it as a quick architectural stop. The Norman Chapel is its principal treasure, but the ancient stonework, mature trees and monuments combine to create a setting that feels removed from modern life. A Saxon cross displayed within the chapel offers another connection to Prestbury’s earliest Christian history. Nearby, the village stocks provide a smaller but engaging historical detail. Although moved to their present location in 1938, they evoke the days when justice and punishment were highly public affairs. From here, visitors can cross the Bollin and explore Butley, a quieter collection of old cottages and lanes that has its own Conservation Area status. It is the kind of place where slowing down pays dividends: datestones, rooflines and timberframed details reveal themselves gradually. Prestbury is also an excellent starting point for country walks. Paths follow sections of the River Bollin and extend through the surrounding fields, linking the village with neighbouring communities and the landscapes around Macclesfield. The terrain offers everything from gentle riverside strolls to more ambitious outings towards Bollington, Kerridge and the western edge of the Peak District. The combination of station, countryside and good pubs makes Prestbury particularly suitable for a car-free walking day.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
For a relatively compact village, Prestbury has an impressive concentration of dining options. The Bridge occupies one of its finest positions, beside the River Bollin. Parts of the Grade II-listed property date to 1626, but the restaurant and bar balance the
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old structure with a contemporary, slightly industrial finish. Its 24 bedrooms make it a destination as well as a local meeting place, while riverside gardens and terraces come into their own during summer. The Shed, its outdoor bar, helps create the feeling of a country-house gathering without losing the informality of a village pub. The Legh Arms offers a more traditional experience in the centre of The Village. Timber framing, low ceilings and open fires provide the expected period atmosphere, but its enduring popularity also rests on its food, bedrooms and dog-friendly welcome. It works equally well for a pint after a walk, an unhurried Sunday lunch or an overnight stay that places guests within a few minutes of the station and church. The pub describes itself as a country inn with a renowned menu, and its balance of local familiarity and visitor appeal is central to its character. For a smarter evening, Bacchus Restaurant and Champagne Bar has been part of Prestbury’s dining scene since 2011. The emphasis is on modern British cooking, signature dishes and carefully selected wines, presented in polished surroundings that suit both celebrations and relaxed dinners. Bacchus calls itself a sanctuary of taste and elegance, although the kitchen’s promise of “good honest food” keeps the concept reassuringly grounded. A short distance away, The Coast brings the glamour and flavours of southern Italy to Cheshire. Inspired by the Amalfi Coast, it combines a stylish interior with a menu drawing upon mare e monti – ingredients from both sea and land. Seafood, pasta and contemporary Italian dishes make it a natural choice for a long lunch or celebratory dinner, particularly for those who enjoy a little theatre with their meal.
1 . It has an unusually rich collection
of listed structures. The civil parish contains more than 50 listed buildings and monuments, ranging from grand houses and farm buildings to boundary stones, mileposts, village stocks and even the entrance to a railway tunnel. This breadth makes Prestbury’s heritage about much more than its most immediately picturesque façades.
2 . Part of a medieval hospital survives nearby. Spittle House incorporates fabric associated with a medieval monastic hospital traditionally believed to have cared for people with leprosy. Its surviving west range includes timber framing and substantial cruck construction, offering a rare physical connection to medieval welfare and religious provision.
3 . A railway structure has architectural status. The south entrance to Prestbury Tunnel dates from 1845 and is Grade II listed. Designed for the Manchester and Birmingham Railway, its sandstone horseshoe arch, rusticated surround and solid parapet gave a piece of Victorian infrastructure the dignity of a formal civic monument.
4 . A former Manchester United player became a village shopkeeper. After retiring from football, Stan Pearson – a member of Manchester United’s 1948 FA Cup-winning side – ran Prestbury’s newsagent and post office. It is a pleasingly modest chapter in the village’s much-publicised association with elite football. 5 . Prestbury produced an authority
on the Himalayas. Brian Houghton Hodgson, born in the village in 1801, became a pioneering naturalist, ethnologist and scholar while working in India and Nepal. He documented numerous Himalayan species and made important contributions to the study of Nepalese and Tibetan culture, giving this small Cheshire village an unexpected connection to South Asian scholarship.
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Connemara Pony Sales Europe’s largest and leading sale of Connemara ponies and horses, held in Clifden, Galway – the heart of Connemara. Bringing together buyers and sellers from across Europe and North America, offering quality ponies for every discipline.
An Unrivalled Offering • Over 200 entries per sale day • Performance & ridden ponies • Exceptional youngstock • Proven bloodlines & future prospects
Seamless International Purchasing • Sand arena, vetting & stabling on site • Worldwide transport • Secure online bidding
2026 SALES DATES • Thursday 22nd October – Monday 26th October 5 day sale expecting 1300+ lots to be on offer
• Saturday 28th November • Sunday 29th November
For more information please visit: www.connemaraponysales.com CONNEMARA_PONY_HP_ABS_YORK_OCT2026.indd 1
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ABSOLUTELY • PARTNERSHIP
Treasured possessions The Gold & Silver Roadshow events head to the North West this month, an opportunity to cash in on a host of vintage objects
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here will be two Gold & Silver Roadshows heading to the North West in October, with a special one-day event being held at Willington Hall Hotel, Willington Road, Tarporley, CW6 0NB on Sunday 4th October; and The Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, Weston Road, Haslington, Crewe, CW1 6UZ on Monday 5th October. What can you expect at these events? A very lucky couple called at one of their recent roadshow events with a couple of old gold chains and a silver charm bracelet and a bag of old silver coins. They were paid over £1,600 just for the coins alone. They turned out to be pre 1947 silver coins that were normal currency a few years ago and are now highly collected. Like most people, who can only dream of winning the pools or the lottery, a lot of normal households have a hidden treasure of old gold jewellery, silver jewellery, teapots, trophies, trays and old objets d’art. Why not get a free valuation from
an expert at one of the roadshows? There is no queuing and their experts will give you a one on one appraisal of the value of your treasured possessions in a private area, where there are no prying eyes, watching the process evolve. If you like the valuation, their expert will make you the same offer in cash which you can accept or decline at no cost to yourself. Anything can be an unearthed treasure. Any old British or foreign coins. Any old wrist watches or pocket watches. All chains, bracelets, rings and bangles broken or not and in any condition. If you think it is a diamond ring, bring it along and they will confirm it to be genuine. If you have an old trophy or tankard or any silver coloured items, let them value them for you. Old war medals and old Masonic medals can be very valuable. You will be surprised to
hear that they have paid thousands of pounds for certain war medals and even the General Service Medal group is worth bringing especially if you have the original box. Also of great interest are old military uniforms, tunics, hats and any army, navy or RAF field gear. There are rarely any queues at the events and they can normally offer a valuation within a few minutes. They will give you a free valuation on which they back up with a cash offer, there and then. Get looking now in your old drawers, cupboards, and jewellery boxes. Look in the loft and the cellar, even old broken or squashed items of jewellery and silver are valuable. Of particular interest are gold and silver cigarette cases, Vesta Cases, thimbles, candlesticks, trays and all things silver are needed. Pocket watches in gold and silver and all wristwatches by: Rolex, Cartier, Omega, Longines, IWC are particularly in demand. 07378 965411 goldandsilverroadshow.co.uk
R oa d s h ow e v e nts TARPORLEY Sunday 4th October, 10.30am-4pm Willington Hall Hotel, Willington Road, Tarporley, CW6 0NV CREWE Monday 5th October, 10.30am-4pm The Crewe Hall Hotel & Spa, Weston Road, Haslington, Crewe, CW1 6UZ
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SCAN ME for a sneak peek
Booths British Turkey Breast Joint In A Herb Jus Available to order online for the upcoming festive season from 8th October at orders.booths.co.uk
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FOOD & DRINK
S AY CHEESE TILLY’S BUNBURY
Tilly’s Bunbury, the independent, family-run café, has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Taste of Cheshire category at the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2027. Tilly’s is one of only eight businesses shortlisted from across Cheshire and Warrington. tillysbunbury.co.uk
Open Restaurant Group 32 • Review: The Ivy Chester 37 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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N o r t h e r n E X P O S U R E As Hispi in Didsbury becomes Arcadian, Sam Morgan discusses legacy, live-fire cooking and Open Restaurant Group’s ambitious expansion
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FOOD & DRINK • Q&A
DAISE
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ne of the North West’s best-loved restaurants is entering a new era. After a decade at the heart of Didsbury’s dining scene, Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros has handed Hispi to Open Restaurant Group, the business led by chief executive Sam Morgan and chef Andy Sheridan. The restaurant’s final service as Hispi took place on 9th August, with Arcadian opening on 28th August as a new live-fire concept built around wood, smoke and flame. Every member of the existing team has been retained, ensuring continuity for a restaurant created with the backing of its original crowdfunders. Sam describes Open Restaurant Group as the custodian of an institution and is determined to respect the legacy built by the Hispi team while giving the venue a distinct future. Here, he discusses the acquisition, his partnership with Andy Sheridan and the opportunities and pressures shaping hospitality across the North West today.
RESTAURANT 8
Q Open Restaurant Group has grown at an incredible pace. What milestones have shaped the business? A The biggest milestone has been recognising that growth is not about opening more restaurants; it is about building the right infrastructure behind them. We invested in a central team covering operations, marketing, finance, guest experience and technology. That has allowed us to grow without losing the personality and standards that made our restaurants successful. The other defining moment has been attracting exceptional people. As Andy and I have built the business, our leadership team has transformed what we can achieve. Today, Open Restaurant Group is home to Michelinrecognised and AA Rosette restaurants alongside neighbourhood concepts. Our platform and team, led by Sam Smith, Jake Smith and Alex Awdry, helps talented chefs and operators thrive while retaining their individuality.
Q What caught your eye about Hispi? A Hispi is a restaurant people genuinely
care about. It has loyal customers, a fantastic location in the heart of Didsbury and a reputation for quality. That was built under Gary and Matt’s leadership, with Claire and James at the forefront on site. Opportunities like that are rare. The site is one thing, but more important are the individuals in it. Rather than simply acquiring a restaurant, we saw the chance to write the next chapter of a successful story. We have enormous respect for everything Gary Usher and Elite Bistros achieved. Our ambition is to honour that legacy while creating something new with Arcadian. Q Why was retaining every
member of staff so important?
A Restaurants are built by people,
not buildings. You can invest millions into a fit-out, but it is the team that creates memorable experiences for guests every day. From day one, retaining the team was non-negotiable. They know the guests, understand the community and helped build the restaurant’s reputation. We want people joining Open Restaurant Group to feel they have a genuine career ahead, not just another job. As we grow, A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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NOTED
about cooking over fire. It strips everything back to great ingredients, great technique and incredible flavour. Fire is unpredictable and theatrical, and guests become part of the experience. Arcadian will have its own identity. Although every Open Restaurant Group restaurant shares the same commitment to quality and hospitality, we never want our concepts to feel interchangeable. Arcadian is inspired by wood, smoke and flame, producing bold, seasonal dishes that celebrate ingredients in a completely different way from anything else in our portfolio.
A The reality is that hospitality has never been under more pressure. Rising employment costs, energy prices, business rates and VAT have fundamentally changed the economics of running restaurants. This is compounded by a lack of customer positivity from a financial point of view. Our approach has been to become more efficient rather than simply getting bigger. We have centralised many functions across the group, embraced technology where it genuinely improves the guest experience, and built systems that allow our restaurant teams to focus on hospitality rather than administration. Growth has never been our objective for its own sake. We only take on opportunities where we believe we can genuinely improve the business and create long-term value. Disciplined growth is very different from rapid expansion.
Q Why do you and Andy Sheridan
Q How do you decide when a location
creating opportunities for our people is as important as opening restaurants. Q Arcadian introduces live-fire cooking
to Didsbury. What excites you about it?
A There is something incredibly honest
work so well together? A We have very different skill sets, and that is exactly why it works. You would not want me cooking – we would be closed in a week – but I ensure the business can grow safely and securely. I also shield the people on the front line from the distractions of running a business, so they can be creative and give guests a great experience. Andy is one of the country’s most talented chefs and is relentlessly focused on food, creativity and pushing standards higher. That now extends beyond the kitchen to front of house too. My role is to build the business around that creativity: finding opportunities, developing the commercial strategy, securing sites and making sure the infrastructure exists for our chefs to succeed. Neither of us tries to do the other’s job. We share trust, respect and the same ambition: creating restaurants that we would want to visit ourselves. Q How have you kept expanding
while so many independent operators have scaled back?
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is right for a new concept?
A We look far beyond demographics
or footfall. The first question is always whether we can create something that genuinely improves the local dining scene, and whether we have someone to lead it. We look for areas with strong communities, independent spirit and guests who appreciate quality. We also consider the building closely, because the right property often inspires the concept rather than the other way around. Manchester is a perfect example. Counter has been designed specifically for that city rather than copied from somewhere else, and that is exactly how we will continue to approach future openings.
the world. Outside London, however, it is the North West, and we have no intention of expanding to the capital. The quality of chefs, producers and independent operators is exceptional, and guests are becoming far more adventurous. The biggest opportunity is that people increasingly want authentic, independently owned experiences rather than something generic. Manchester, Liverpool and Chester have developed incredibly strong food cultures, while places like Didsbury have become destinations. There are great neighbours such as Tom at Skof, the team at Higher Ground and Another Hand. We are looking to join them on that list. Economic challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, and I would like greater government recognition of the pressures facing hospitality, particularly VAT, business rates and employment costs. Despite those challenges, I remain incredibly optimistic. Independent restaurants have always been resilient, innovative and deeply connected to their communities. I think the next five years will see the North West cement its reputation as one of the UK’s leading dining destinations. openrestaurants.co.uk
Q What opportunities do you
see for the North West’s dining scene over the next five years? A I genuinely believe the North West is becoming one of Europe’s most exciting hospitality regions. I am from London and was raised there; we know it is one of the centres of gastronomy around
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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW
ABSOLUTELY eats out…
The IVY Chester Where fine dining becomes an occasion
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here are restaurants where you simply go for dinner, and others that transform it into an occasion. With its glamorous surroundings, vibrant atmosphere and beautifully presented dishes, The Ivy Chester belongs firmly in the latter category. Located in the heart of the city, the restaurant attracts an eclectic mix of diners throughout the day. Our evening began with an ice-cold glass of Prosecco and Gordal olives with chilli. Plump, flavoursome and delivering just the right amount of heat, the olives proved a fine match for the crisp fizz. The cheese soufflé was an outstanding starter. Delicate and wonderfully light, while still
delivering plenty of richness, it melted in the mouth. A soufflé can easily feel heavy, but this was skilfully executed and provided an impressive introduction to the kitchen. The main courses maintained that high standard. Rump of lamb was tender, generously flavoured and accompanied by olive oil mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. The smooth, comforting accompaniments complemented the richness of the meat without overwhelming it, creating a dish that was both refined and deeply satisfying. A centre-cut fillet steak, ordered medium rare, was another highlight. Beautifully tender and cooked with precision, the quality of the meat was allowed to take centre stage. Indulgent truffle fries completed a classic pairing handled with confidence.
VERDICT
Dessert brought a welcome touch of theatre. The Ivy Birthday Box was beautifully presented and perfectly suited to the celebratory nature of the evening, demonstrating how thoughtful details can elevate a meal into something genuinely memorable. The drinks offering was equally impressive, spanning classic aperitifs, carefully selected wines and an extensive cocktail menu. Adam, the Head Barman, created expertly balanced cocktails that rounded off the evening in suitably stylish fashion. Service played an important role in the experience. Libby and Ruby were attentive without being intrusive, combining warmth, knowledge and professionalism to ensure the meal unfolded seamlessly. This polished approach extended across the team, led by General Manager Niall, alongside Restaurant Manager Harry and Reception Manager Chloe. The Ivy’s opulent interiors provide an elegant backdrop, with rich fabrics, statement artwork and atmospheric lighting creating an unmistakable sense of occasion. Yet it is the food that gives the restaurant substance: from the featherlight soufflé and succulent lamb to the precisely cooked steak, each course showed care and consistency. Chester has a strong dining scene, but The Ivy retains a distinctive place within it. Sophisticated enough for a milestone celebration yet relaxed enough for lunch or cocktails with friends, it delivers accomplished cooking alongside the atmosphere and hospitality needed to make an evening feel special.
The Ivy delivers on every level
ivycollection.com
FOOD Classic dishes served up with elegance
DECOR Beautiful finishes create a warm ambience
PRICE Starters from £9.50, mains from £18.95
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FOOD & DRINK • PARTNERSHIP
Unwrap The Gift Of
B O OT H S
It’s almost here… Order your festive feast in store or online at orders.booths.co.uk from 8th October
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rom nostalgic classics to exciting new treats, there’s so much to choose from this Christmas at Booths. Enjoy the finest catch, like their new Booths Sliced Smoked Scottish Salmon with Spiced Caramel, skilfully hand cured and traditionally cold smoked over oak wood, dressed with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger infused caramel. The perfect addition to your festive buffet, try the Booths Tear & Share Honey & Chorizo Focaccia Bread With Camembert. Made with Focaccia dough with chilli flakes, sage, hot honey and Grandma Singletons Lancashire Cheese with a whole French Camembert in the centre and topped with delicious chorizo.
THE GIFT OF RIDGEVIEW No Christmas get together is complete without some fabulous fizz to finish the night. Discover the world of English Sparkling Wine with Booths’ English Sparkling Brut and English Sparkling Rosé, made for them by Ridgeview. Founded by the Roberts family in 1995, Ridgeview began with a vision to create
exceptional sparkling wine in Sussex. Nestled beneath the South Downs Ridge near Ditchling, the vineyard is ideally positioned to grow the traditional grape varieties used in some of the world’s finest sparkling wines. Using only the finest handpicked grapes, gently pressed in whole bunches, Ridgeview’s winemaking team guides each wine from harvest through blending, bottling and secondary bottle fermentation, combining traditional methods with contemporary expertise. Booths is also proud to work closely with The Royal Countryside Fund, launching a new initiative during English Wine Week earlier this year. Until 30th December, for every bottle of Booths English Sparkling Wine and Rosé sold in their stores, £1 is donated to The Royal Countryside Fund (registered charity number 1136077), who work to support family farms and rural communities. Set the scene with one of Booths’ beautiful bouquets to order, perfect for creating a show-stopping, festive tablescape. Hand crafted in partnership with Lancashire Florists, Margaret Mason, and delivered nationwide, the Christmas range will be available to order at flowers.booths.co.uk.
Scan the QR co d e fo r a s n ea k peek of what’s to co m e t h i s u p co m i n g festive seas o n a t Bo ot h s
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FA S H I O N
Happy days
BERRY’S JEWELLERS
A Chopard signature, reimagined. The Happy Diamonds Icons Pendant frames free-moving diamonds in sculptural ethical gold, creating a striking interplay of movement and light. Bold yet effortless, the iconic design channels contemporary elegance with a distinctly free-spirited attitude. Discover the collection at berrysjewellers.co.uk
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PERFECT
SHOOT.indd 42
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Sumptuous fabrics from glossy leather to plush velvet mark Joe Browns’ AW26 collection, designed to look and feel good from day to evening J O E B ROW N S .CO.U K
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FASHION • TREND
POETRY Button-neck sweater, £269 poetryfashion.co.uk
BELLA FREUD New Romantics jumper, £395 numberfour.boutique
MADELEINE THOMPSON CASHMERE Conduit cardigan, £470 madeleine-thompson.com
CATH X WYSE Gabrielle tie knit top, £165 wyselondon.com
EDITOR’S PICK
PIGLET IN BED Crew neck cardigan, £139 pigletinbed.com
KNIT PICK
Keep warm in wool EMELLO
By P E N D L E H A R T E
Cashmere knit trousers, £330 emello.com
DIOTIMA MANE Embellished top, £910 koibird.com
BRORA Cashmere cable cardigan, £445 broraonline.com
WIGGY KIT
ASPIGA Merino wool stripe cardigan, £150 and scarf, £40 aspiga.com
Alpie sweater, £425 wiggykit.com
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give the gift of relaxation Gift vouchers available to purchase online and from our Spa Boutique.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
SMOOTH LOOK La Prairie’s Swiss Pristine Essence is the luxurious first step in a restorative skincare ritual. Inspired by Swiss glaciers, it combines the Exclusive Cellular Complex™, Hypower LP52™ and Swiss Glacial Minerals to rebalance the complexion. laprairie.com
Beauty News 49 • Products 51 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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THE CLEAN COLLAGEN FOR WHOLE-BODY WELLNESS Arella Collagen combines convenience, science and simplicity in one handy daily sachet. Our liquid formula is designed for faster absorption, helping support your skin, hair, nails, joints and gut from within with clinically proven plant-based amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES
BEAUTY NOTES
The latest in luxury makeup and skincare B y PENDLE HARTE
DOUBLE ACTION
REVIEW
ROLLR
ILIA
Deodorant - but not as you know it
Is it skincare or is it makeup? Ilia’s award-winning Super Serum Skin Tint is the best of both worlds, combining light to medium coverage, powerful skincare, and mineral SPF into one easy step. Expect a dewy finish and all-day protection.
EDITOR’S PICK
iliabeauty.com
NEW CRUSH CHANEL
The new Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolut is an intense ambery composition, threaded with the sensuality of vetiver and vanilla, the vibrant radiance of grapefruit and lychee, the sensuality of rose and jasmine, and the enveloping depth of patchouli. It’s a refined, audacious, singular trail.
chanel.com
SWISS P OW E R LA PRAIRIE
La Prairie’s new Swiss Pristine products focus on modern fatigue. Using Swiss Glacial Minerals, patented biotechnology HyPower LP52™, and its iconic Exclusive Cellular Complex™, this is a new approach to healthylooking skin that strengthens the skin barrier and improves resilience.
I
s there anything less glamorous on your dressing table than a rollon deodorant? Finding a deodorant that not only works but also smells nice is not an easy task – and looking for a sustainable solution is even harder. And making it pretty is just an unrealistic expectation, right? Wrong. Rollr is a deodorant that ticks all these boxes, especially the looking good one. With its chic, Art Deco-esque ridged glass bottle and crystal ball (rose quartz, blue dumortierite or green aventurine), it’s a stylish addition to your inventory. Plus, the sweet-smelling refills (our favourite is Mandarin, though Juniper comes a close second, and Clary Sage is a more masculine option) are simply sachets that mix with water and last two months each. And best of all, it really works. They claim that their all-natural formula works with your body’s microbiome rather than against it. Pre and postbiotics prevent the bacteria that cause odour from growing in the first place, rather than just masking the result – which sounds good to me and explains why this new brand has already won a host of awards. Granted, it’s more expensive at the start than most throwaway deodorants, but the investment will pay off quickly enough. Thank you Rollr. rollr.co.uk
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SEAFRONTERS AVAILABLE
Just two sought-after seafront plots available Your chance to own a beautiful beachfront holiday home footprints from the sand - get in touch today.
Your exclusive beachside resort on the Llŷn Peninsula. thewarren.co.uk l Abersoch, North Wales l 0800 470 0127
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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND
OPI X SUPERGIRL Up Up and Ablaze Supergirl nail lacquer, £16.60 opi.com
MYLEE
CHANEL
Spotlight gel polish, £9.99 mylee.co.uk
Le Vernis, £30 chanel.com
EDITOR’S PICK
BIOSCULPTURE The Colour, £15.50 biosculpture.co.uk
MYLEE Snow & Sorcery trio, £24.99 mylee.co.uk
ON THE NAIL Bright and shiny nails for autumn BIOSCULPTURE
By P E N D L E H A R T E
The Base, £15.50 biosculpture.co.uk
MAVALA Mini Colours, £6.80 mavala.co.uk
MYLEE
MYLEE Bright & Early gel polish, £9.99 mylee.co.uk
Ski Patrol Alert, £9.99 mylee.co.uk
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So much more than a care home A V I L L A G E W H E R E E V E R YO N E B E LO N G S The original Belong care village, Belong Macclesfield is the blueprint for high quality support in an environment designed to enable older people, however frail, to continue enjoying richness of life. We are a community who truly care about ensuring the best possible outcomes for everyone who lives with us. Designed around Belong’s award-winning household model, our village is both
stylish and homely. Facilities such as a bistro, specialist gym and hair salon offer a range of opportunities to enjoy an active lifestyle in a safe environment. As a not-for-profit provider, Belong invests in its people and settings to ensure the highest standards of nursing and dementia care, aiming that everyone experiences a sense of belonging to a vibrant community.
Call for further information or to book a personal tour
01625 508 700 or visit www.belong.org.uk
Belong Macclesfield, Kennedy Avenue, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 3DE Locations: Atherton | Chester | Crewe | Didsbury | Macclesfield | Newcastle-under-Lyme | Warrington | Wigan
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HEALTH & BEAUTY • PARTNERSHIP
Understanding your hormones What women need to know about their hormones plus a closer look at the importance of testosterone
DR LOUISE NEWSON BSc (Hons) MBChB (Hons) MRCP FRCGP DHEALTH
D
r Louise Newson is a doctor, women’s hormone specialist and leading menopause expert. She’s the founder of Newson Clinic and The Dr Louise Newson podcast, co-founder of the free Balance app and a Sunday Times bestselling author.
HOW DO HORMONES AFFECT YOUR BODY?
Hormones influence every cell and organ in your body. When levels fluctuate or decline,
this can affect your brain, heart, muscles, joints, skin, hair and metabolism. These changes can also influence your future health, including the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease and dementia. HOW DO HORMONES AFFECT YOUR MIND?
Fluctuating and declining hormones can lead to mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety, loss of confidence, memory problems and brain fog. In fact, symptoms affecting your brain are more common than hot flushes and night sweats. ARE HORMONES SAFE AND EFFECTIVE?
Bioidentical hormones, including estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, have the same chemical structure as the hormones your body naturally produces. Treatment can improve symptoms and offer longerterm health benefits for some women. At Newson Clinic, treatment is individualised. Clinicians consider symptoms, medical history and response to treatment, with regular reviews so it can be adjusted when needed. We also discuss hormone treatments alongside lifestyle, nutrition and exercise, taking a holistic, whole-person approach to improving current and future health.
DR REBECCA LEWIS MBBS FRCA DRCOG MRCGP
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throughout the brain and body, and testosterone plays an important role in energy, mood, memory, concentration, muscles, bones and sexual function. Newly published research from Newson Research and Baylor College of Medicine examined the effects of adding testosterone to the existing hormone treatment of 279 women. After around three months, 15 of the 24 symptoms assessed had improved significantly. Among women experiencing these symptoms at the beginning of the study, 54.8% reported improved libido, 37.5% improved memory and 32.8% improved concentration.* The findings indicate that the potential benefits of testosterone may extend beyond libido, with improvements reported across symptoms affecting cognition, mood, energy, muscles and joints, as well as genitourinary and endocrine health. *(Hernandez et al., The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2026). We can discuss testosterone as part of an individualised hormone treatment plan to help improve symptoms. Hormonal symptoms and treatment responses are highly individual, so treatment should always be personalised to each woman’s needs and medical history. For more scan the QR code or visit newsonhealth.co.uk
r Rebecca Lewis is a doctor, women’s hormone specialist and co-founder and director of Newson Clinic and the free Balance app.
WHY IS TESTOSTERONE IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN?
REBECCA AND LOUISE
Testosterone is the most abundant biologically active hormone in younger women. Receptors are found A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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DECADES IN DESIGN FRENCH BEDROOM
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, French Bedroom continues to bring romance, elegance and a touch of Parisian charm to British homes. Founded by Georgia Metcalfe, the brand has grown from a passion for beautiful French-inspired furniture into a much-loved interiors destination, offering sumptuous beds, luxurious linens, statement lighting and decorative details designed to make every bedroom feel truly special. frenchbedroom.co.uk
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INTERIORS NEWS
p58
CHESTER ZOO
p66
GRAHAM & BROWN
p70
AUTUMN TRENDS
p80
COSY- MA X XI NG
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INTERIORS N OT E S Ideas, designs and styles for your home By PENDLE HARTE
COLOUR
M ATC H HABITAT
Colour is key in Habitat's new AW26 collection, where easy pieces such as this buttercup yellow trolley pair with 70s-inspired upholstered seating. A strong collection of decorative accessories includes ceramics, glassware and textiles. habitat.co.uk
SOFT TOUCH HYDE & HARE
Hyde & Hare is the home of natural fibres, a British-born luxury lifestyle brand rooted in the concept of Hygge. Drawing on age-old traditions and the inherent beauty of natural materials, the brand curates a collection of sustainably sourced soft furnishings, all made from the finest natural and sustainable fibres by skilled makers and artisan-owned co-operatives. hydeandhare.com
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H O M E | NEWS
TAKE FIVE Plant pots
BERGS POTTER Viva self-watering pot, £33 growurban.uk
ART WORK DIOR
HEAVENLY HOMES
BOLD BRIGHTS
Terracotta face plant pot, £32 heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk
BITOSSI HOME
Bitossi Home draws on the heritage of Bitossi Ceramiche, a historic Tuscan manufacturer with over 150 years of expertise in Italian ceramics. Building on this artisanal legacy, the brand reinterprets the world of tableware through a contemporary design vision that blends craftsmanship, creativity and originality. bitossihome.it
Part of the Dioriviera capsule, this square pillow showcases the Dior Arabesque motif drawing inspiration from the work of artist Christian Bérard with a colourful floral pattern, elevated by Jonathan Anderson's hallmark Dior Médaillon signature, £1,050. dior.com
HAY Flower pot with saucer, £55 nordicnest.com
ALBERT & MOO Checked mini plant pot, £10 albertandmoo.com
POTS OF FUN VILLA BOLOGNA
FERM
Founded, confusingly, not in Italy at all but in Malta, Villa Bologna Pottery has been using the same traditional methods to make each piece since the 1920s. These are stylish, highly collectible pieces with lots of character. villabolognapottery.com
Evoke pot low, £225 fermliving.co.uk
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CREATURE
comforts Night Lark and Chester Zoo unite wildlife, family wellbeing and conservation in a collection designed for better bedtimes
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H O M E | Q&A
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rom snow leopards that sleep for 18 hours a day to giraffes surviving on just 30 minutes of shuteye, some of nature's most fascinating bedtime habits have inspired a new collaboration. Bedding brand Night Lark has partnered with Chester Zoo on a collection that brings the wonder of wildlife into the home, transforming bedrooms into spaces filled with comfort, discovery and a connection to the natural world. The partnership has purpose at its heart: 10% of every purchase from the collection will be donated to Chester Zoo's conservation work, helping to protect threatened species in more than 20 countries. Kerry Davies, Sleep Expert at Night Lark, and David Abbot, the brand's Marketing Director, tell Absolutely about the collaboration, the sleeping patterns of animals and simple ways to make bedtime calmer. Q Chester Zoo is one of Cheshire's
best-loved attractions. What made it the perfect partner for Night Lark, and how did the collaboration come about? A DAVID: Chester Zoo felt like a natural partner because we share a connection around nature, families, wellbeing and education. We wanted the collection to be about more than putting animal designs on bedding; it needed to bring
a sense of wonder and a connection with the natural world into the home. The zoo's strong conservation mission made the partnership meaningful. From the beginning, we were excited by the opportunity to combine Night Lark's expertise in making sleep and bedtime easier with Chester Zoo's knowledge of and passion for wildlife. Q With 10% of every purchase
supporting Chester Zoo's conservation work, how important was it to create something with genuine purpose? A DAVID: It was important. So many products compete for people's attention, and we wanted this collection to have a reason for existing beyond being a new design or branded partnership. Knowing that 10% of every purchase goes towards Chester Zoo's conservation work gives it a bigger purpose. Something as simple as choosing new bedding can help protect wildlife and support projects around the world. It makes sleep and bedtime easier in several ways: our coverless bedding saves people time, helps create a comfortable space in which to unwind and now supports conservation work too. Q The designs feature snow
leopards, red pandas and Asian elephants. Which animal fascinated you most? A KERRY: The snow leopards fascinated me because they are elusive. I love the
contrast between their power and the amount of time they spend resting. The project highlighted how differently animals sleep, from snow leopards resting for up to 18 hours a day to giraffes sleeping for as little as 30 minutes. It is a reminder that, just as sleep varies between species, our needs differ from person to person too. DAVID: The snow leopard also stood
out visually. It is striking, yet there is something calm about the imagery that suits bedding. We wanted the animals to be recognisable and interesting without making the adult designs feel too busy. Q Research links time in nature
with improved wellbeing. How can natural colours and wildlifeinspired designs create a calmer bedroom? A KERRY: Modern life brings constant stimulation through s cre ens, notifications, traffic and noise. Natural surroundings can give our minds a chance to slow down. Softer colours, gentle lighting and calming wildlife designs help a bedroom feel comfortable rather than visually busy, creating somewhere you naturally want to unwind. Bedding or a new wall colour cannot do everything, but small changes can make the room feel like a place to switch off. When you regularly use it for relaxing and sleeping, those cues help the brain recognise that it is time to prepare for rest. Q Night Lark has built its
reputation on coverless bedding. What makes the concept appealing to busy families? A KERRY: The biggest appeal is how much easier it makes washing and changing the bed. There is no separate duvet cover to A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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wrestle with: the whole duvet goes straight into the washing machine and back on the bed without the usual faff. That saves a surprising amount of time when you have several beds and plenty of laundry. It also makes keeping bedding fresh less of a major job. Anything that removes hassle from an everyday chore helps when family life is busy – and leaves more time for relaxing and enjoying your space. Q The junior collection includes bedtime stories and animal fact cards. How can bedtime encourage children's curiosity as well as sleep? A KERRY: Bedtime is an opportunity to build on a child's curiosity, especially after an experience that has sparked a new interest. If they have visited Chester Zoo and come home fascinated by snow leopards, elephants or red pandas, related stories and facts allow parents to develop that interest while it is fresh. Connecting new information to something a child has seen and enjoyed can make it more memorable. A calming story about a discovered animal can become part of the bedtime routine, offering something familiar to focus on while they wind down. The material should feel soothing rather than becoming another source of excitement. Introduced as part of a consistent routine, it can be enjoyable while helping children settle.
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Q The adult collection has a tranquil, sophisticated look. Were you keen to show wildlifeinspired interiors can be stylish as well as playful? A DAVID: Animal-inspired bedding can become playful, so we took a subtler approach for adults. The idea was to introduce the colours, textures and character of the natural world without making the bedroom feel like a zoo. The imagery is understated, using softer colours and patterns that sit naturally within an adult room. You still have that connection with wildlife and Chester Zoo, but it feels calm and considered rather than overly themed. We wanted to appeal to people who love animals and nature while still wanting a grown-up, relaxing bedroom. Q What three simple changes could
people make tonight to improve their sleep? A KERRY: First, focus on wake-up time rather than bedtime. Rising at roughly the same time each morning, followed by natural daylight, anchors your body clock and clearly signals that the day has begun. Consistency can help your body recognise when it is time to sleep. Next, consider light and temperature. Dim the lights as evening progresses and close curtains or blinds to help
your brain recognise that bedtime is approaching. Keep the bedroom as cool as possible, especially in warmer weather. Finally, make your routine easy and consistent. Getting ready for bed is harder when it feels like another chore. Preparing things earlier and making the bedroom comfortable before you are ready to sleep removes effort from the evening. Repeating the same steps each night gives your brain a familiar signal to wind down. Q Could purpose-led collaborations
become a bigger part of Night Lark's future? A DAVID: There is a real opportunity for brands to create useful everyday products that also support something beyond the product itself. This works because there is a genuine connection between both organisations. Night Lark makes bedding easier and helps people create a comfortable space for sleep; Chester Zoo brings expertise in wildlife, education and conservation. I would love to see more collaborations like it, particularly when there is an authentic fit between the product, partner and cause. That is what makes a collaboration special. finebedding.co.uk
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Property finance tailored for you.
Large mortgages and bridging loans to secure your next home. Speak to a personal lending director today.
Premier Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Together as a trading style of Together Personal Finance Limited, registered at Lake View, Lakeside, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 3GW. Together Personal Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). FCA number is 305253. | Registered in England and Wales - Company Registration Number 02613335.
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S P A C E S Mindf ul 62
Liverpool-based Dr Lisa Marsland-Hall explains how understanding our psychology can transform the way our homes look, feel and function
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or more than 25 years, Dr Lisa Marsland-Hall has worked at the heart of mental health services, helping people understand the forces that shape their emotions, behaviour and relationships. Yet throughout her career as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, she became increasingly aware that one crucial relationship was often being overlooked: the one we have with our homes. That realisation has inspired Interior Psychologist, a new UK practice founded by Lisa to bridge clinical psychology and interior design. Working with individuals, families, designers, architects and organisations, she aims to create environments that do more than look beautiful. They are designed around the psychology of the people using them. The idea has deep personal roots. “From a young age I’ve always been aware of how much my environment affects me,” Lisa says. “Growing up on a council estate in a deprived area of Liverpool
taught me how much our space shapes us, how we think and how we feel. My Spanish heritage and my need for sun and light have played a part too.” Professionally, her specialist area has always been relationships: “The relationship we have with ourselves, with others and with our environment.” She became struck by the extent to which psychology explores childhood, attachment, trauma, work, lifestyle and emotional experience, while often paying little attention to the places in which life unfolds. “Our homes are our safe base and the backdrop to some of the most important times of our lives,” she says. “It’s where we build our relationships, nest, raise our children, celebrate, work, reset and recover from life.” Lisa has also long been fascinated by interior design and the ability of a space to alter how somebody feels. “For me, a home shouldn’t just look good. It should feel good to the people who live in it. Over time those two parts of me came together and Interior Psychologist was born.”
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H O M E | PROFILE
While mental health services traditionally focus on the individual, interior design frequently begins with the appearance of a room. Lisa saw an opportunity to bring the two disciplines together. “Psychology has paid very little attention to the home as an active part of someone’s psychological world,” she explains. Her work begins with questions that delve far beyond preferred fabrics or paint colours. What makes somebody feel safe? What overwhelms them? How do they regulate their emotions? How does a family connect? What sensory needs do they have? What memories do they associate with home, and what does the next chapter of their life require from their surroundings? “When people struggle, the person is rarely the problem,” Lisa says. “Relationships play a significant part, but so does the environment we live in: how it supports us, our psychology, the life we live, our nervous system and how we relate to ourselves.” The distinction is important. Lisa is not an interior designer adding a psychological element to her work, but a Clinical Psychologist applying a design methodology. “Psychology isn’t a layer I add to interior design. It’s the starting point.” Instead of beginning with a mood board, she starts with the person: their identity, personality, attachment, relationships, sensory needs, emotional regulation and experiences. The answers
then inform choices concerning colour, lighting, materials, acoustics, furniture, organisation, nature and spatial flow. “Beauty absolutely matters,” she adds. “I love beautiful interiors and I’ve worked with some brilliant interior designers, but the most successful home is one where aesthetics and psychological wellbeing work together.” Central to the practice is Roomology™, Lisa’s framework for exploring the relationship between people and individual rooms. “Some spaces energise us. Some calm us. Some make us feel safe and connected. Others create stress, irritation, overwhelm, disorganisation or even avoidance, without us realising our environment is doing it.” Each room has a psychological as well as a practical purpose. A bedroom should encourage rest, privacy and intimacy; a kitchen may need to support nourishment, family routines and connection; an entrance marks the transition between the outside world and home; and a workspace should encourage focus while establishing boundaries. When Lisa first visits a property, however, she is careful not to arrive with ready-made conclusions. “As a psychologist you learn to be curious and interested rather than judgemental,” she says. She notices where people gather, whether they have somewhere to retreat, how they use
“A home shouldn't just look good, it should feel good too”
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the kitchen and whether clutter represents a love of abundance, an overwhelmed state of mind or simply inadequate storage. She also considers light, noise, temperature, scent and texture, but listening remains her most valuable tool. Comments such as “I hate sitting in here”, “This room never feels cosy” or “I can’t switch off in the bedroom” can reveal much about somebody’s relationship with their surroundings. One common problem is a home designed primarily for appearances. “A room can photograph beautifully and still be psychologically uncomfortable,” Lisa says. Visual clutter can create excessive cognitive demand, while harsh overhead lighting, insufficient blackout, poor acoustics and an awkward layout can contribute to stress, disturbed sleep or frustration. Colour is similarly personal. “I don’t believe colours are universal or that they have the same effect on everyone, because colour is personal and culturally influenced,” she says. “A colour that regulates one person can feel cold or oppressive to another. Your home doesn’t need to look like everybody else’s. It needs to work for you.” Even modest adjustments can make a tangible difference. Softer layered lighting, reduced bedroom clutter or a clearer division between work and sleep can change both the function and psychological message of a room. Positioning living room furniture for conversation rather than orientating everything towards the television can also encourage connection.
“Healthy families need spaces where people naturally come together, but they also need privacy and room to regulate themselves,” Lisa explains. Natural materials, plants and outdoor views can further support wellbeing. Home working has made such considerations especially important. “The laptop is on the kitchen table, emails arrive in the bedroom and work is psychologically present in the spaces we used to associate with rest and family life,” she says. Not everyone can dedicate a separate room to work, but closing away a desk, changing the lighting or removing equipment from view can signal the end of the working day. Nor does an expensive interior guarantee contentment. “I’ve been in the most beautiful homes that don’t feel good, or feel anything like home,” Lisa says. “Real luxury is a home that understands you, and that looks and feels wonderful.” For Lisa, emotional safety, comfort, identity, belonging, functionality and sensory wellbeing matter more than creating an interior designed to impress visitors or perform well on social media. While she welcomes the popularity of biophilic design and warmer, more layered rooms, she remains cautious about prescriptive trends. “Feel good homes come from psychological alignment, not from conformity or aesthetics alone,” she concludes. “Feeling that your home aligns with who you are and what matters to you is the key.” interiorpsychologist.com
Take
THREE Dr Lisa Marsland-Hall on how to create a happier home 1. Walk through your home and notice how each room makes you feel, before you think about how it looks. Ask yourself whether you feel calm there. Does the room make you feel energised, connected, irritated or overwhelmed? Then ask the most important question: how do I want this room to feel, and what does it need to help me feel differently? That shift from how a room looks to how it feels is powerful, and it tells us what we need from our homes.
•
2. Remove one repeated source of environmental stress. Don’t try to reorganise your entire life in a weekend. Choose the drawer you fight with every morning, the pile at the bottom of the stairs, the kitchen surface that’s permanently cluttered or the bedroom chair covered in clothes. Good psychological design often comes from removing the small frustrations we experience over and over.
•
3. Create one place in your home that makes you feel really good. It doesn’t have to be a whole room. It might be your favourite chair beside a window, a corner with photographs and objects you love, softer evening lighting beside your bed, a beautiful scent, or somewhere you can have your morning coffee without your phone. Make it personal, and make it a space you love. My philosophy is very simple: build the best possible relationship you can with your home, and make it part of your psychological world.
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FORGE STRIPE TERRACOTTA WALLPAPER, FOUNDRY STRIPE FOREST WALLPAPER, ULUWATU & AMBER EARTH PAINT
W O V E N S T O
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Graham & Brown draws on nature, traditional craftsmanship and its rich archive for a characterful new collection
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raham & Brown is inviting nature indo ors this autumn with Verdant Atelier, a richly layered collection that celebrates craftsmanship, heritage and the enduring appeal of expressive pattern. Launched for autumn/winter 2026, the new range sees the northern-based interiors brand revisit traditional techniques through a contemporary lens, producing wallpapers, paints and furnishings designed to bring depth, warmth and personality to the home. The starting point is the tactile beauty of hand-carved woodblock printing and the grandeur of antique tapestries. Rather than simply reproducing motifs from the past, Graham & Brown’s designers have reinterpreted their character through modern colour combinations and a fresh, painterly sensibility. The result is a collection that feels comfortably established yet never overly formal. Verdant Atelier brings together stripes, rhythmic zigzags, softly marbled surfaces, small-scale geometrics, tapestry-inspired detailing and bold block motifs. This variety gives the range considerable versatility, whether used to create an enveloping, maximalist room or introduce a more restrained note of pattern to a neutral interior. Colour plays a defining role. Earthy tonal shades are joined by gentle blush pinks, warm neutrals, deep greens, calming blues and
COTSWOLD MOSS PAINT
DOBBY FOREST WALLPAPER
stronger red-brown accents. These are hues with an organic quality, chosen to work across both classic and contemporary settings. Used together, they create rooms that feel layered and considered rather than rigidly coordinated. For Paula Taylor, stylist at Graham & Brown, the collection’s appeal lies in the relationship between its decorative details and the human touch behind them. “This collection explores a beautiful interplay of tone and texture, with designs that feel grounded, expressive and full of character,” she says. “It reflects the craftsmanship and skill of our studio, as well as our eye for detail, with painterly brushstroke techniques used to create fresh stripe designs and woodblock printing inspiring bold new patterns with real presence.” Forge Stripe offers a particularly effective example of this approach. Created using a hand dry-brushed technique, its vertical stripes have an intentionally varied, textural finish. The visible brushstrokes soften the orderliness normally associated with striped wallpaper, bringing individuality and movement to the surface. The pattern still naturally draws the eye and gives a room a sense of flow, but its imperfections lend it a more relaxed quality. The design is shown in Terracotta, paired with Uluwatu paint, as well as Forest, where it is partnered by the warm Amber Earth shade. Both demonstrate how familiar pattern can be transformed through colour and technique: one scheme feels sun-baked and cocooning, while the other taps into the collection’s botanical inspiration. Truffle is more intricate and dramatic. Its distinctive fan-like motifs were developed in the studio through hand marbling, with paper dipped into an ink bath and carefully manipulated to capture the fluid movement of ink through water. Repeated across the wall, the detailed forms appear rhythmic and ordered from a distance, while closer inspection reveals the character of the handmade process. Paired with Haptic Hazel wallpaper and Roger Red paint, Truffle Peacock creates an especially sumptuous, enveloping interior. A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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CASA FOLHA ARTICHOKE WALLPAPER, AMBER EARTH PAINT
DOBBY DIVINE DAMSON WALLPAPER CHILLI COCOA PAINT
Elsewhere, Zigazagare Green brings energy through its bold geometry, while Satellite Neutral offers a quieter companion with a softly textured appearance. Orchard Tapestry Chocolate draws directly on the richness of woven historic designs, creating a decorative backdrop with a sense of age and story. Styled alongside Meadow Stitch Flax and Linum Ecru curtains, it shows how layered pattern can remain restful when grounded by natural-looking fabrics. Alongside the wallpapers, Graham & Brown is introducing 18 new paint colours developed to complement the collection. These include deep greens such as Kelp and Sue’s Jumper, versatile neutrals including Pebble and Toasted Almond, and warmer statement shades such as Cowboy Hat and Chilli Cocoa. The palette allows customers to pick out details within the wallpapers or create tonal rooms in which walls, woodwork and furnishings sit harmoniously together. Verdant Atelier also marks another step in the brand’s evolution, with the launch of its first pouffe collection. Available in two designs reimagined from the new range, the pieces can be matched with coordinating wallpapers and murals or used independently to add pattern and colour. It is a natural extension for a company whose offering already encompasses paint, bespoke murals, curtains, blinds, bed linen and wall art. “Every one of our designs is thoughtfully created in our studio with our customers in mind, reflecting the care, craftsmanship and expertise that have
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defined Graham & Brown since 1946,” says Iona Graham, the fourth generation of the founding family. “We are delighted to mark a new chapter for the brand with the launch of our pouffe collection, taking Graham & Brown further into the interiors space with this latest product addition.” Founded by friends Harold Graham and Henry Brown, the family-run business celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026. Its designers can draw on an archive containing more than 50,000 original designs, yet Verdant Atelier shows that heritage need not mean looking backwards. Instead, historical methods and references have become the foundations for a collection that feels relevant to the way people want to decorate now: with confidence, individuality and an appreciation of objects that reveal how they were made. “The collection brings contemporary design together with a sense of tradition,” Paula Taylor concludes. For those looking to make their home feel warmer, more expressive and closely connected to nature this season, that combination may prove difficult to resist. Graham & Brown’s Cheshire showroom is on Princess Street, Knutsford – see more at grahambrown.com
TRUFFLE PEACOCK WALLPAPER HAPTIC HAZEL WALLPAPER
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Made to measure. Made to last.
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM Unit 3 Croft Trade Park, Welton Road Bromborough, Wirral, England CH62 3PQ 0151 334 2121 FILLER SLIDEROBES.indd 69
SCAN ME TO BOOK A FREE HOME DESIGN VISIT
9/23/26 10:28 AM
RICH R E V I VA L
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H O M E | TRENDS
The Vawdrey House reveals the five design trends shaping our homes this autumn
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s autumn settles in, our homes naturally become the focus once more. Shorter days and cooler evenings encourage a shift indoors, but the seasonal change is about more than adding a throw or lighting a candle. It offers an opportunity to reconsider how a room feels: whether it is welcoming enough for long suppers, layered enough for quiet afternoons, or expressive enough to bring pleasure through the darker months. This year, that renewed attention is translating into interiors with confidence and character. The pale, paredback schemes that have dominated for so long are giving way to warmer woods, enveloping colour and patterns that reward a closer look. Rather than following one prescribed aesthetic, homeowners are choosing details that feel personal, combining crafted finishes with treasured furniture and making bolder decisions in rooms where atmosphere matters most. The appeal lies in the balance. A richly painted ceiling can transform an otherwise simple room; an imaginative tile layout can animate a restrained bathroom; and a vintage piece can soften the clean lines of a contemporary extension. These are ideas that can be embraced at any scale, from a complete renovation to a thoughtful weekend update. Above all, they recognise that successful rooms are not simply seen, but experienced – through colour, texture, light and the stories carried by the objects within them. Deep colour palettes, bold wallpaper, natural timber and eye-catching patterns are therefore returning to the forefront as homeowners move away from neutral, safe
schemes to interiors with greater individuality. Sophie Chapman, Associate & Interior Designer at The Vawdrey House, shares her five key design directions she expects to see shaping homes this season.
DEEP, MOODY COLOUR PALETTES One of the biggest trends we’re seeing is a move towards richer, deeper colours. While neutrals still have their place, homeowners are becoming more confident by introducing colours like olive green, chocolate brown, burgundy, terracotta and deep blue into their homes. This is particularly true in spaces such as dining rooms, studies and snug areas where a more intimate feel is desired. These colours work particularly well when used beyond the walls too. Painted joinery and woodwork, kitchen cabinetry and ceilings in these bold shades bring a stronger sense of identity to a room. Start by assessing the amount of natural light alongside the existing materials within the space rather than choosing a shade in isolation.
WALLPAPER DRENCHING Wallpaper is making a strong return, but we are seeing demand for pattern-drenched spaces that are more dramatic. It can be particularly successful in smaller spaces such as cloakrooms, bedrooms and studies, where committing fully to a pattern often has much more impact than restricting it to one wall. There is also growing interest in wallcoverings that introduce natural materials and craftsmanship into the home. Manufacturers are producing collections A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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that incorporate cork, bark, wood veneers and even embroidered leather, bringing a richness and tactile quality that goes beyond traditional wallpaper.
THE WARMTH OF NATURAL TIMBER Natural timber continues to be a popular choice across multiple surfaces thanks to its natural variation and character, but we’re moving away from timber that is paler or more uniform. Instead, homeowners are introducing walnut tones, smoked oak and darker stained woods which bring warmth and character to joinery, kitchens and furniture. Fluting and other crafted details are another way we’re seeing timber used to add interest without relying on additional colour or decoration.
PATTERNED TILES BECOME MORE PLAYFUL Creating interesting patterns with tiles is making a strong return, but in a more sophisticated manner. Rather than relying on a single statement tile in a bold pattern, we are seeing creative laying styles and designs using more minimalist tiles. In bathrooms, for example, checks and stripes can be used together, or a patterned floor can sit alongside a simpler wall tile in a related colour. The important thing is that the patterns have something connecting them, whether that’s colour, scale or material. Tiles that balance handcrafted character with cleaner colour palettes and contemporary applications feel relevant for today’s homes.
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MIXING OLD AND NEW People are becoming less concerned with following trends and more interested in creating homes that reflect their personality. That often means mixing antiques and pre-loved items with contemporary pieces, introducing artwork and collecting objects over time rather than designing a room around a single look. We love seeing older pieces sitting alongside contemporary architecture. An antique table, vintage chair or inherited piece can prevent a newly designed space from feeling like a show-home, while contemporary elements can give older homes a new lease of life. The most interesting interiors rarely come from choosing every detail at once. They develop over time, and that mix of different periods, materials and personal objects is often what gives a home its character. thevawdreyhouse.com
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This season, lighting is confidently stepping into the spotlight
Interiors
spotlight Experts from the industry pick out five lighting trends we can expect to see this autumn 74
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H O M E | LIGHTING
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s autumn draws in and daylight begins to fade earlier, lighting takes on a renewed importance within the home. More than a practical necessity, the right design can transform a room, creating warmth, atmosphere and a sense of comfort throughout the darker months. This season, lighting is also stepping confidently into the spotlight as a decorative feature in its own right, with expressive forms and tactile materials bringing personality to every corner. Statement floor lamps offer scale and sculptural presence, while striking pendants turn dining areas into places of occasion. Natural wood introduces an organic, grounding quality, and the enduring romance of chandeliers continues to influence both classic and contemporary schemes. Elsewhere, fringed shades revive the glamour of bygone eras while casting a beautifully diffused glow. Here, leading interiors experts discuss how to use them to illuminate the home with style, character and warmth.
STATEMENT FLOOR LAMPS By Shelley Cochrane, Accessories Buyer at Furniture Village As people increasingly desire layered lighting schemes that include a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting, they are becoming less reliant on the traditional ‘big light’. With this, statement floor lamps have risen in popularity. Not just a source of task lighting for reading, statement floor lamps add decorative and sculptural presence to a room. Oversized designs with exposed bulbs add contemporary elegance and a sense of scale, whilst eye-catching ceramic bases add an artisan-like feel through organic textures. Whether modern or traditional, a striking floor lamp should look as good off as it does on, functioning as a piece of art by day and a source of light by night. To choose a floor lamp, consider your existing space. The right floor lamp should complement your style, whether patterned or pared-back, traditional or modern. In a living room, position a floor lamp next to a sofa or armchair to provide adequate task lighting for reading. In a dining room, place a floor lamp in a corner, where it can function
as ambient or accent lighting, setting the mood and creating intimate lighting for cosy dining. SCULPTURAL DESIGNS By Magdalena Gierasinska, Head of Product & Displays at Barker and Stonehouse Sculptural lighting designs can work anywhere in the home, but there are two rooms where they can have the greatest impact. The first is the hallway. Often one of the smaller spaces in the home, there are limited opportunities to introduce statement furniture, but an eye-catching lamp can instantly add personality while providing the soft illumination needed to create a welcoming entrance. Secondly, a sculptural light suspended above a dining table creates a sense of occasion, drawing attention to the area and making it feel like a more considered part of the home. WOODEN DESIGNS By Shelley Cochrane, Accessories Buyer at Furniture Village Wooden lighting designs are proving popular as people seek new ways to add character to A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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There is something nostalgic about fringing
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their homes. Wood is an incredibly characterful material because it features distinctive knots and grains. Not just reserved for furniture, wood is a fantastic choice for lighting, bringing an organic warmth and tactility to interiors. It also evokes a connection to the natural world. The inherent charm of the material lies in its individuality, as no two grain patterns are exactly alike. When illuminated the contrast between the earthy wood and glowing light feels warm, inviting and grounding.
the atmosphere of the room itself. In a bedroom or dressing room, this gentle glow creates a mood that feels intimate and cocooning, like candlelight caught in crystal. Chandeliers also shift beautifully with the seasons. In summer, they reflect and scatter natural light, creating a bright, weightless radiance. In winter, they o!er a warm and festive twinkle, adding depth and atmosphere to long evenings. They’re surprisingly versatile and suit both contemporary and classic spaces, either by echoing a home’s history or adding a note of old-world glamour to something more modern. When choosing where to place your chandelier, think carefully about how you will dust it. This practical consideration might influence your choice of height and positioning to make cleaning easier. Also, in smaller rooms, avoid petit chandeliers as they can make the space feel even more compact. Instead, glass wall lights or petite glass pendants o!er a refined alternative, casting delicate pools of light that enhance the space without competing with its architecture or scale.
CHANDELIERS By Georgia Metcalfe, founder and Creative Director at French Bedroom Influenced by Castlecore and Bridgerton style interiors, chandeliers have been a big lighting trend for 2026 and this shows no signs of abating. Chandeliers exude romance, elegance and grandeur. They have the power to transform a bedroom or dressing room into a truly special and inviting sanctuary. Originating in 14th-century France, chandeliers were once emblems of prestige, their candlelit arms dancing across the ceilings of grand châteaux and glittering salons. Over the centuries, they have evolved from practical fittings into sculptural centrepieces, serving as artful expressions of French design that are ornate, layered, and unapologetically sophisticated. Their light is one of their most romantic qualities. Soft and delicate, it enhances everything it touches, from fabrics and finishes to
FRINGED LIGHTING DESIGNS By Georgia Metcalfe, founder and Creative Director of French Bedroom Fringing and tasselled detailing was very prominent at WOW!house 2026, indicating that fringed lighting designs are set to make a comeback. Opulent, glamorous, and romantic, there’s something irresistibly nostalgic about fringing – echoing the elegance of bygone eras, from the decorative detailing of stately homes to the playful swish of a 1920s flapper dress. Now, fringing is en vogue once again, whether draped along the edge of a cushion, sweeping the base of a bed, or accenting a lampshade. In lighting design, especially, fringe works beautifully to softly filter light in a gentle, ambient way. It casts delicate shadows and adds a subtle sense of movement, making it perfect for the bedroom, where mood and atmosphere matter most. When layered in contrasting tones, it also becomes a visual focal point, blending whimsy with e!ortless elegance.
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L AY E R E D
LIGHTING Creating a cosy home for autumn
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s the days grow shorter and evenings draw in, lighting becomes one of the most important elements in creating a warm and inviting home. Autumn is the perfect time to rethink how we illuminate our spaces, moving away from bright, uniform overhead lighting in favour of a more considered approach. The secret? Layering your lighting. Rather than relying on a single central light source, layered lighting combines different types of illumination throughout a room. Think a statement pendant overhead, a pair of wall lights, a table lamp on a sideboard and, now, a carefully positioned light tucked into a bookshelf or cosy corner. By combining different sources at varying heights, you can create depth, warmth and a welcoming atmosphere that changes with the time of day.
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PUTTING BOOKSHELF LIGHTING IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Marking an exciting new chapter, bookshelf lighting steps into the spotlight for 2026. Something a little different, Pooky’s new collection is designed to bring a soft, considered glow to shelves, alcoves and overlooked corners. Powered by the Genesis rechargeable cell, the new library lights offer complete freedom from wiring, making them perfect for hard-to-reach spots and spaces without sockets. The clamp fastening feature allows the bookshelf lights to be attached almost anywhere and then easily moved from place to place. Effortlessly practical and endlessly versatile, each design can be paired with hundreds of interchangeable shades, so you can mix and match to suit your space. Bookshelves are often overlooked when it comes to lighting, but illuminating them can completely transform
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Rechargeable designs remove many of the limitations of traditional lighting
a room. A well-placed library light can highlight favourite books, treasured objects and decorative pieces, turning shelving into a feature in its own right. Rather than flooding the entire room with light, it creates a softer pool of illumination that draws the eye and adds another layer to the overall scheme.
ILLUMINATE YOUR COSY CORNERS
Autumn is also the season for embracing those smaller, cosier spaces within the home. A reading chair tucked into the corner of a living room, a window seat or a little alcove can all benefit from their own source of light. For reading nooks, consider combining a directional wall or library light with a softer table lamp nearby. The result is practical enough for reading while still contributing to the wider ambience of the room. In an alcove, a small lamp can bring an otherwise dark space to life, while a rechargeable light offers the flexibility to position illumination exactly where it is needed. The beauty of these smaller pools of light is that they don’t need to be bright. In fact, keeping them warm and gentle helps to create the cosy feeling we naturally crave as the temperature drops outside.
THINK BEYOND THE MAIN LIGHT
One of the easiest ways to make a room feel more inviting is simply to switch off the main overhead light and turn on several smaller sources instead. Try a table lamp on a console, wall lights either side of a sofa and a library light illuminating a bookshelf. Each source will create its own pool of light, giving the room a sense of depth and making it feel instantly more intimate. The same principle can be applied throughout the home. In a bedroom, use bedside lamps alongside a wall light or softly illuminated dressing area. In a hallway, consider a wall light to pick out artwork or architectural details. Even a kitchen can benefit from layered illumination, combining practical task lighting with decorative wall lights and softer lighting in dining or seating areas.
LIGHTING THAT WORKS AROUND YOU
As our homes become increasingly flexible, lighting needs to be flexible too. Rechargeable designs remove many of the limitations of traditional lighting, allowing you to experiment with placement without worrying about where the nearest socket is. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your lighting as the seasons change. Moving a lamp, introducing a new shade or adding a small pool of light to an overlooked corner can make a surprising difference. For autumn, focus on allowing each light source to work together to create a layered, inviting scheme. Ultimately, good lighting is about more than simply brightening a room. It’s about creating an atmosphere, drawing attention to the details you love and making your home feel welcoming as the evenings get longer. This autumn, look beyond the ceiling and consider the spaces in between. Bookshelves, alcoves and cosy corners might just be where the magic happens. Discover more at pooky.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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Settle in The Creative Director of Yorkshire-based flooring brand Hug Rug on why it’s all about cosy-maxxing this autumn By L I Z Z I E M O S L E Y
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s another autumn approaches, with darker nights and colder temperatures on their way, many of us are looking to reinvent our homes to create cosy, inviting spaces ahead of the winter months. The new trend of ‘cosy-maxxing’ is the perfect way to transform your home into a warm, inviting space this season, ready to curl up and relax, escaping the crisp weather. Our homes are our sanctuaries, and we’re always looking for ways to make our spaces feel cosier – especially during autumn and winter. ‘Cosy-maxxing’ is all about designing with comfort and warmth in front of mind, imbuing interiors with a cosy and inviting atmosphere. The trend encourages us to consider all the choices that really bring a room to life, including everything from texture to colour and pattern.
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There are many ways you can achieve this feeling in your own home. Heritage patterns that feel nostalgic and familiar are a great way to create a comforting space. To create a truly restful atmosphere, look to warm tones and soft accents; ambient lighting and plush textures will make your space feel snug and enhance feelings of wellbeing. With cosy-maxxing, more is more: don’t be afraid to layer, or to mix and match different textures to enhance the snug, cocooning feeling.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOUR SCHEME
Picking the right colour palette is important for achieving an autumnal feel. Earthy tones and warm neutrals are key colours for this time of year. Shades like olive green, mustard yellow and deep browns are incredibly versatile and will bring a sense of calm and comfort to interiors.
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ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF HUG RUG
H O M E | DESIGN
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With the cosy-maxxing trend, more is more: don't be afraid to layer or to mix and match Calming and grounded, grey is also a timeless neutral. This season, we’re seeing a move away from cooler greys with blue undertones towards warmer greys and greige, which make interiors feel inviting and restful. If you’re looking to achieve more depth, experiment with layering greys. Consider a mix of textures, shades and materials to create a cosy, tonal scheme with contrast and interest. With the cosy-maxxing trend, more is more: don’t be afraid to layer, or to mix and match to enhance the snug, cocooning feeling.
DECORATING FROM THE GROUND UP
Rugs are the perfect way to add warmth and a cosier atmosphere by introducing a softer feel underfoot. For maximum impact, layer rugs with each other or over carpet, which adds comfort and visual interest to the home. You can then layer other plush accessories like cushions and throws throughout the space, which make
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homes feel truly welcoming and lived-in – a space to relax and unwind. In open-plan rooms, rugs can be used to zone and carve out defined areas within larger spaces for reading, lounging and relaxing, which can bring an enhanced sense of cosiness to bigger interiors that might otherwise feel bare. A rug can be used to anchor pieces of furniture such as a sofa, armchair or coffee table to define your living room or to highlight a cosy reading corner. In any space, texture plays an important role, adding tactile softness for a sense of comfort and relaxation. The great thing about washable rugs, plush doormats and accessories is they are easy to store away and switch out for seasonal decor upgrades, allowing you to cosymaxx to your heart’s desire in the autumn and reinvent your space again when spring comes around.
ELEVATING EVERY SPACE
Achieving a cosy environment isn’t confined to your living spaces. You can
create little moments of everyday comfort throughout the home. Your hallway is a great place to start. It’s the first place you enter and the last space you’re in before leaving, so it sets the tone for the entire home. It’s important to decorate this area with style and comfort in mind, creating an inviting atmosphere right from the very beginning. Runners are perfect for achieving the cosy-maxxing aesthetic in the hallway, providing a warm welcome every time you step into your home. Consider using designs with traditional patterns, which are becoming increasingly popular this autumn as they provide a welcoming and nostalgic feel to the entryway. Adding an outdoor mat is also an easy way to decorate your entryway, injecting personality and cosiness from the first step. They also have the added benefit of also protecting your floors from the dirt and mud outside during the colder months.
hugrug.co.uk
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Motcombs Narrow Herringbone, Residence® Collection
Visit our Cheshire Design Centre We are delighted to welcome you to our refreshed Cheshire Design Centre. Discover every Ted Todd floor using our pull out panels to experience the tone, texture and craftsmanship. Enjoy a personalised consultation with our wood floor specialists to help you find your perfect floor.
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Life is about the company you keep V I S I T U S AT O U R KN U T S FO R D STO R E
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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP
No two Ewemoos have quite the same personality
E W E M O O
Footstools
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Handmade in Wales with character
rom a simple idea around the kitchen table to a much-loved Welsh interiors brand, Ewemoo Footstools has spent the past 16 years proving that traditional craftsmanship, a little imagination and plenty of character can go a very long way. Founded in Wales by Bethan MorganJones, Ewemoo began with an original sheep footstool design and has grown into a thriving cottage industry, with every footstool still individually handmade by the Ewemoo team at their workshops in Ystradgynlais, Powys. At the heart of Ewemoo is a commitment to making something properly. Each footstool begins with a strong handmade wooden frame before being upholstered and finished by hand. Customers can choose
from colourful cotton twist finishes or luxurious genuine sheepskin, with designs ranging from the original Ewemoo sheep to characterful Highland cows, bulls and pigs. Welsh touches are important too. Selected designs feature beautiful Welsh wool ears from Melin Tregwynt, while special details such as Ewemoo's removable daffodil brooch add another little nod to the company's Welsh heritage. No two Ewemoos have quite the same personality, particularly the genuine sheepskin collection where the natural variations in each fleece make every piece wonderfully individual. Bespoke requests are also welcomed, giving customers the opportunity to create an Ewemoo to complement their own home. Although they certainly raise a smile, Ewemoo footstools aren't simply decora-
tive. They are made to be practical, sturdy pieces of furniture that can be enjoyed for years. The company even offers a reupholstery service, breathing new life into older Ewemoos rather than seeing them discarded – something that reflects the traditional belief that well-made furniture should be cared for, repaired and enjoyed. Today, Ewemoo is supported by a small local team affectionately known as the “Ewemoo family”, with its creations sold through independent retailers around the UK as well as directly to customers. You'll also find the team exhibiting at some of Britain's best-known country shows, festivals and Christmas markets. Over the years, Ewemoo has found its way into homes far beyond Wales, including those of some familiar faces, but its roots remain firmly where the story began. For Bethan, that is an important part of what makes Ewemoo special: an original Welsh design, handmade by local people, combining traditional skills with a wonderfully quirky idea. After 16 years, the Ewemoo flock continues to grow – one handmade footstool at a time. ewemoo.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP
L O O K I N G B E Y O N D T H E N U M B E R S Scott Clay, Director of Private Clients at Together, on taking a bespoke, relationship-led approach to property finance
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ased at Together’s Cheadle headquarters, Scott Clay leads the specialist lender’s relationship-led Premier service for high-networth individuals. Working with entrepreneurs, business owners and affluent clients across Cheshire, including Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Knutsford, he delivers tailored property finance solutions, from large mortgages to FCAregulated bridging loans.
Q How would you describe
Together Premier and what sets it apart? A Together Premier is a bespoke service designed for high-networ th clients w ith complex f inancial circumstances. We provide larger mortgages and regulated bridging loans, often SCOTT CLAY within demanding timescales. What sets us apa r t is our ability to look beyond standard lending criteria. Whether a client has multiple businesses. multiple income streams, owns several Our bespoke underwriting process takes businesses or is purchasing a unique a broader view of affordability, allowing us property, we take a relationship-led to understand how successful individuals approach, tailoring solutions to individual generate and manage their wealth. circumstances rather than relying on automated processes. Q When are regulated bridging loans most useful? Q How do you assess affordability A Bridging loans are particularly valuable for clients with complex finances? when speed and flexibility are essential. A Many of our clients generate income In sought-a f ter Cheshire locations such as Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and in ways traditional lenders can struggle to accommodate, including dividends, Knutsford, the ability to act quickly can rental portfolios, director’s drawings, be the difference between securing a p en sion i nc ome or e a r n i ng s f rom property and missing out.
Q Can you share an
example?
A One recent exa mple
involved a client relocating from the south of England to Alderley Edge. She had found her ideal home, but there was sig nif ica nt interest from other prospective buyers. To avoid losing out, she used a regulated bridging loan and effectively became a cash buyer. This enabled her to purchase the property and move in while waiting for her existing home to sell. A few months later, once her previous property had sold, she repa id the loa n in full. The additional time meant she did not have to reduce her asking price to achieve a quick sale and was ultimately able to sell at the full asking price. Q How important are
relationships?
A Relationships are central
to ever y thing we do. We work closely with brokers, accounta nts, solicitors a nd estate agents to keep transactions moving smoothly and efficiently. For clients nav igating Cheshire’s competitive property market, having a trusted lending pa rtner who understands their circumstances can make all the difference. With more than 50 years of lending experience, Together remains focused on providing practical solutions for complex situations and helping clients achieve their property ambitions. togethermoney.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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E D U C AT I O N
REACH THE HEIGHTS HU L ME HA L L S CHOOL
Hulme Hall Grammar School is a welcoming, non-selective independent school in Stockport, where small classes, individual support and a close-knit community help every pupil build confidence and fulfil their potential. Its nurturing ethos encourages academic achievement, personal growth and creativity. hulmehallschool.org
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MEET THE
HEAD Absolutely sits down with Hulme Hall Grammar School’s Dean Grierson
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EDUCATION • PARTNERSHIP
Q Could you begin by telling us about your own journey into education and what ultimately led you to become Headmaster of Hulme Hall Grammar School? A My journey into education began with a passion for helping young people realise their potential. From the very start of my career, I was drawn to the idea that education can transform lives, not only through academic achievement but also by building confidence, character and ambition. Throughout my teaching and leadership roles, I have been fortunate to work with talented, hardworking colleagues and inspiring pupils, experiences that have continually reinforced my belief in the value of a strong, supportive school community and the importance of providing an excellent all-round education. What attracted me to Hulme Hall Grammar School was its clear commitment to knowing every child as an individual. The school’s ethos, its sense of family and its focus on developing the whole child resonated strongly with my own educational values. Becoming Headmaster has given me the opportunity to work alongside dedicated staff, supportive parents and exceptional pupils to ensure that every young person is encouraged to thrive both in and beyond the classroom. Q Hulme Hall promises to celebrate every child as an individual. How do the school's small classes and personalised approach help pupils discover their strengths and fulfil their potential? A One of Hulme Hall’s greatest strengths is that we truly know all of our pupils. Small class sizes allow teachers to build strong relationships with every child, understanding not only their academic abilities but also their interests, aspirations and individual learning styles. This means that pupils receive the support and challenge they need to flourish. Our personalised approach enables children to develop confidence in their own abilities and encourages them to explore opportunities that they may not otherwise have considered. Whether a pupil excels in their academic subjects, the creative arts or on the sports field, we strive to recognise and nurture their talents. Importantly, pupils are never defined by a single measure of success. Instead, we celebrate progress, effort and personal growth, helping every child discover what makes them unique.
pupils supporting younger members of the school community, kindness and consideration are evident across the school. Nurturing is about helping each child develop and grow academically, socially and emotionally. Our staff invest time in understanding pupils as individuals and providing encouragement when challenges arise. Achievement, meanwhile, extends beyond examination results. It can be seen in a pupil mastering a difficult concept, performing on stage for the first time, representing the school in sport or developing the confidence to contribute in class. Together, these principles create an environment where pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves, while knowing they are supported every step of the way. Q You define success as something broader than academic results. Which qualities, experiences and opportunities do you believe are most important in preparing pupils for life beyond school? A Academic success remains important, but it is only one part of a much bigger picture. The world our pupils will enter demands resilience, adaptability, good communication skills and the confidence to work collaboratively with others. We therefore place significant emphasis on developing these skills alongside academic achievement. Through enrichment activities, leadership opportunities, educational visits, LAMDA and performing arts, sport and community involvement, pupils enjoy co-curricular experiences that help them grow as individuals. We want young people to leave Hulme Hall as confident, respectful, compassionate and well-rounded individuals, who are prepared not only to succeed in further education and employment but also
to make a positive contribution to society. Ultimately, success is about becoming the best version of yourself, and our role as educators is to help each pupil find their own path towards that goal. Q What are your ambitions for Hulme Hall over the coming years, and what would you most like prospective families to understand about its close-knit community? A My ambition is to build upon the school’s existing strengths while ensuring that Hulme Hall continues to evolve and innovate. We will remain focused on delivering excellent teaching, investing in facilities, such as our brand new Food and Nutrition classroom, and providing opportunities that prepare pupils for a rapidly changing world. At the same time, it is essential that we preserve the qualities that make Hulme Hall special: its warmth, its sense of community and its commitment to the individual child. What I would most like prospective families to understand is that Hulme Hall is a school where every pupil is known, valued and encouraged to succeed. Ours is a close-knit community in which strong relationships between pupils, staff and parents create an environment of trust, support and shared purpose. When families join Hulme Hall, they become part of something much more than a school. They become part of a community that genuinely cares about the wellbeing, happiness and success of every child, and that is something we are immensely proud of. I would encourage families to visit us personally to see what Hulme Hall has to offer.
hulmehallschool.org
Q"Caring, nurturing and achieving" are the guiding principles at Hulme Hall. What do these values look like in practice during an ordinary school day? A These values are at the heart of everything we do and can be seen throughout a typical school day. Caring means creating an environment where every pupil feels safe, valued and respected. Whether it is a teacher taking the time to check on a pupil’s wellbeing or older A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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EDUCATION • PARTNERSHIP
PERFECT PICK Why more families are choosing Abbey College Manchester
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s families across the North West explore educational options for their children, many are looking beyond the traditional school environment and considering alternative pathways that offer greater flexibility, personalised support and strong academic outcomes. One such option is Abbey College Manchester, an independent college in the heart of the city that provides GCSE, A Level, A Level Retake and Foundation programmes for students from the UK and around the world. For some young people, the move to Abbey College Manchester begins at GCSE level. The college’s one-year GCSE programme offers students the opportunity for a fresh start in a focused, supportive environment. Others join after completing their GCSEs, choosing a more mature
setting than a traditional school sixth form while still benefiting from excellent pastoral care and academic guidance. At the centre of the Abbey College Manchester experience is a commitment to helping every student achieve their potential. Small class sizes, individual attention and a friendly community mean students are known as individuals. The result is an environment where students can grow in confidence, develop independence and take ownership of their learning. The college’s diverse student body also creates a rich learning experience. Students from Manchester study alongside peers from around the world, bringing different perspectives into classroom discussions and helping to prepare young people for life in an increasingly global society. This approach continues to deliver impressive academic results. In this year’s A Level examinations, 90% of grades were awarded at A*-C, with 71% achieving A*-B, demonstrating the success of the college’s supportive and academically ambitious approach. The college has an excellent record of university progression, with students regularly securing places at leading institutions including the University of Oxford, Durham University, the University of Manchester, Lancaster University and the University of Sheffield. Former student Hugo who is now studying Medicine at the University of Oxford commented: “Such a diverse student body, paired with incredibly supporting teachers, makes Abbey College Manchester an enjoyable learning environment where mistakes aren’t met with judgement but with support, and where new, abstract approaches are welcomed. And it’s this welcoming community that I valued most about Abbey College.” For families seeking a supportive alternative to traditional schooling, Abbey College Manchester offers an environment where students can thrive academically, develop essential life skills and prepare confidently for university and beyond. Prospective students and parents are invited to attend the Abbey College Manchester Open Morning on Saturday 17th October. For more information, visit abbeymanchester.co.uk/open-morning A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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B E Y O N D
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classroom How Stonyhurst helps every pupil flourish
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ounded in 1593, Stonyhurst is the UK’s leading Catholic boarding and day school for pupils aged 3-18. Set within a spectacular 1,000-acre estate in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley, the school seeks to form men and women for others by nurturing each pupil’s academic, sporting, creative, spiritual and emotional journey. Stonyhurst’s latest Independent Schools Inspectorate report, published in May 2026, provides a strong endorsement of the educational approach that has shaped generations of pupils for more than four centuries. The inspection confirmed that Stonyhurst meets all the relevant Independent School Standards and identified its co-curricular provision as a Significant Strength
– an important distinction within the current ISI inspection framework. Inspectors stated that “the cocurricular programme promotes pupils’ wellbeing particularly effectively and is a significant strength of the school”. This recognition reflects the central role that experiences beyond the classroom play throughout a Stonyhurst education, from Pre-Prep through to Higher Line (Sixth Form). Academic ambition is complemented by opportunities that support pupils’ confidence, character formation, wellbeing and personal development. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition, Stonyhurst encourages young people to grow intellectually, socially, spiritually and emotionally. From the earliest years, children are encouraged to explore, question and discover. As they progress through the school, they encounter an increasingly broad
STONYHURST ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO GROW INTELLECTUALLY, SOCIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY
EDUCATION • PARTNERSHIP
programme encompassing leadership, service, Catholic formation, sport, music, drama, outdoor education and academic enrichment. With more than 80 activities available, pupils might represent Stonyhurst in sport, perform on stage, debate global issues, serve local communities or take part in specialist academic societies. Each experience encourages pupils to challenge themselves, work with others and develop interests that can last well beyond their school years. Individual talents are further supported through scholarship opportunities in Academica, Music, Drama and Musical Theatre, Art and Design, and Sport, alongside specialist pathways and enrichment opportunities. Welcoming the inspection findings, William Doherty, Head of Stonyhurst, said: “The recent ISI inspection and the performance of Stonyhurst in not only meeting all standards but also achieving a significant strength in our co-curricular programme provide an outstanding springboard for our future aspirations. “We hold true to the mindset that innovation is our tradition, that our faith does justice, that our pursuit of academic excellence is complemented by our holistic co-curricular programme and that we form our pupils as impactful global citizens with a true understanding of human excellence as men and women for others.” Join us for our Whole School Open Day on Saturday 3rd October or arrange a private visit.
stonyhurst.ac.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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EDUCATION • PARTNERSHIP
PA S S I O N
FEASIBILITY
N OV E LT Y
LEARNING IN THE
AI ERA In conversation with Dr Guillermo Gallacher, founder of Creative Research Tutoring
Q Tell us about Creative Research Tutoring. A Creative Research Tutoring (CRT)
helps secondary school students carry out independent research projects, including the UK's EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), the IB Extended Essay, submissions to international journals for high-school students, and other forms of academic research. We start by finding a question the student is genuinely curious about and work with them through to a finished piece they're proud of. Sessions run online, one-to-one and in small group pods, so students get consistent, structured support wherever they're based. The goal is to develop valuable soft skills, such as communication and creativity, alongside hard skills, such as coding and data analysis. Students also learn to use AI effectively and responsibly, and to experiment across topics before committing to a university degree. I also provide workshops to schools. Q What's your own background? A I'm a London-based economist with a
PhD from the University of Washington,
Seattle. I've split my career between academia and industry, with peer-reviewed publications and research cited by outlets including Bloomberg and the Financial Times. I've taught economics and statistics at universities in the US, Canada, and Argentina, from undergraduate to PhD level. I've also mentored high school students based in Japan, Switzerland, and the US, guiding them remotely through their research projects. Q How is CRT's approach different? A Two things. First, we treat AI as a research
tool to use well, not avoid or lean on blindly. Teaching students to use it thoughtfully is a genuine research skill, one most are never explicitly taught. Second, we focus as much on the softer side: communication, creativity, structuring an argument, presenting findings, and more. Those skills carry through to university and beyond, whatever a student ends up studying.
Q What got you into working with young people and creativity? A Long before academia, I was a sailing coach for kids aged 10 to 16, in both New Zealand and Argentina. Coaching and supervising research have more in common than you'd think. Both are about meeting someone where they are, building their confidence, and helping them push a little further than they thought they could. I'm also passionate about songwriting, music, creativity, and mindfulness. CRT is the result of all my own learning and experience. Q How can readers get started? A The easiest first step is a free
online consultation. You can book one by sending an email to guillermogallacher@gmail.com directly. You can learn more about my background and framework on the CRT blog. My first post explored the idea that a good research topic, or 'sweet spot', sits at the intersection of passion, feasibility, and novelty, as shown in the diagram accompanying this piece. Read more on the CRT blog: crtutor.substack.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s
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LAST WORD • PLACE
why everyone is talking about…
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere A landmark lakeside retreat enters a glamorous new chapter, bringing an exceptional luxury to the county
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et within 157 acres of picturesque countryside near Knutsford, Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere has reopened following an ambitious £125 million transformation. The much-loved estate now combines the character of its lakeside setting with contemporary interiors, destination dining and an extensive new wellness offering. The opening marks Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ fourth UK property, joining The Savoy in London, Fairmont Windsor Park and Fairmont St Andrews. Its 116 bedrooms include 23 spacious suites, while award-winning Bergman Design House has reimagined the interiors with sculptural forms, layered lighting and richly textured finishes. A sweeping driveway through landscaped parkland creates an appropriately dramatic arrival. Inside, Japanese lacquer, natural stone, figured timber veneers, handcrafted zellige tiles and beaten metals bring warmth and individuality to the public spaces. Dining is central to the new experience. Gordon Ramsay at The Mere presents a refined British-inspired menu shaped by seasonality and local produce, with the chef’s signature Beef Wellington among the highlights. Guests can choose between the lively main restaurant, an intimate private dining room or the terrace overlooking The Mere Lake, while a speakeasy-style bar offers cocktails in suitably glamorous surroundings. The Orangery provides another elegant gathering place, serving traditional afternoon tea before transforming into a champagne and oyster bar in the evening. Meanwhile, The Club Lounge offers relaxed all-day dining, combining globally inspired dishes with Indian-influenced flavours. Wellness has also received considerable attention. Occupying a restored Victorian stable block, Fairmont Spa features a 20-metre swimming pool, Finnish barrel sauna, ice
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baths, hammam steam rooms and salt inhalation chambers. Its six treatment rooms offer therapies created around three traditions of care, with skincare partners including Wildsmith Skin, KAMA Ayurveda and 111Skin. A Technogym, covered outdoor exercise studio and Spa Café complete the offering. The estate’s renowned 18-hole parkland golf course remains a defining attraction. Originally designed during the 1930s by champions James Braid and George Duncan, it unfolds around immaculate fairways and the lake, providing challenges for players of all abilities. With Knutsford minutes away, this familiar Cheshire destination has returned with renewed ambition – offering a polished countryside escape for dining, relaxation and celebration. fairmont.com
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CAROLIN RECHBERG
Porcelain Sculpture 43 x 15 x 14 cm 2021
carolinrechberg.com
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