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OCTOBER 2026 / £3.95

SPECI AL Over 25 pages of inspiration and insight

OCTOBER 2026

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ROCK STAR Hitchin singer Kerry Ellis on the inﬂuence of Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler and more MAKING HISTORY The best of Hertford, from a castle to the award-winning BEAM IN THE MIX Enjoying the many food inﬂuences at Sopwell House's Omboo

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Get Closer to the Caribbean Staying at a Sandals resort is more than just a holiday, it's a feeling you'll only find in the Caribbean - the place we call home. Explore our vibrant, culture-rich islands and let us welcome you to our resorts, where everything is included. From Caribbean-inspired cuisine to sunset paddle boarding, and the perfect suites to unwind in. At Sandals adults-only resorts, every stay is truly unforgettable. Come see all we are.

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents OCTOBER 2026

36 52 14

C U LT U R E AGENDA

FA S H I O N & B E A U T Y 36 THE SHOOT

KERRY ELLIS

39 PRODUCTS

Top events across Hertfordshire in October

Nutmeg Clothing at Morrisons

The Hitchin singer on her new tour

Exploring its sights and sounds

A B S O L U T E LY H O M E 50 INTERIORS NEWS

FOOD & DRINK 30 OMBOO

New launches and things to know

Meeting Head Chef Kasun Jayasooriya

52 REAL HOME

33 DRINKS

A property with a story to tell in Hertfordshire

Top tipples to enjoy this month

56 TREND

What's hot in autumn

For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 07977 195732 or email: abi@zest-media.com Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

zest.london

The spotlight on the key looks

Knitwear to keep out the chill

HERTFORD

124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX, 020 7704 0588

60 LIGHTING

Facebook @ABSOLUTELYHERTFORDSHIRE Twitter @ABSOLUTELYHERTS Instagram @ABSOLUTELYHERTFORDSHIRE absolutelymagazines.com

TOP BUYS

In glassware

E D U C AT I O N 78 TALKING POINT

With Clare Jarmy at Habs' Elstree

THE AI ERA

How we can help our children

O N T H E C OV E R Nutmeg Clothing at Morrisons (morrisons.com/nutmeg)

editor MARK KEBBLE • art director PAWEL KUBA • magazine designer MARIANA SUZUKI • designers BRUNA FACCIN, PAMELLA MORENO • production manager DANICA BRODIE • group sales manager - south ABIGAIL GARDNER • magazine manager LOUISE PEARSON • media consultants STELLA ADAMS, SARAH BAKER • credit control manager ALEXANDRA HVID • directors CRAIG DAVIES, JAMES FUSCHILLO • 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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Editor’s

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S October issue highlights

t the time of print, I am close to the finishing line. I am not talking about taking up Hyrox, which has been in the news a lot recently for not entirely tasteful reasons, but my kitchen makeover. My wife and I procrastinated over knocking through the kitchen/dining room to go openplan for probably over a year. One week we had built up the courage, only to go and cower behind the sofa the following week. The kitchen was the last room in the house we hadn't touched since moving in eight years ago and it desperately needed revamping, so finally – finally – we took the plunge. I would be lying if I said the past five weeks had been plain sailing. For a start, our Rommie rescue dog hates men (bar me), so there was no chance I could work from home with her, so a daily commute returned to my life. Then there was the discovery of a mystery door in the back wall – we still literally have no idea what it could have been, but that knocked us back a week as the brickwork around it couldn't hold the steel support needed minus a wall. But we are so close. Just yesterday the kitchen appliances were put in, so now it's just those decorative flourishes. It's been a labour of love, but that's why our Home special is here, to offer guidance and inspiration. I am off to put the (new) kettle on.

Home Special Top tips and plenty of interiors inspiration (p49)

4 Wishlist

Items to make you green with envy (p10)

Kerry Ellis Discusses her new tour with a difference (p16)

MARK KEBBLE EDITOR

23 Hertford

Why BEAM is a real stand out (p20)

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Omboo

The secret to the Sopwell House hit (p30)

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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

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 No shade is too obscure for Amelie's Follies, where bra and pant sets come in every hue, as well as every size and shape. Book a fitting to see for yourself. ameliesfollies.co.uk

PA N O U T Just laudnched at Le Creuset is Forêt, showcasing a matte fores green with subtle lightgold detailing, perfect for the cosy, rich feel of the season ahead. lecreuset.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 the London 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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Your time is precious... Our service is exceptional

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8 OCTOBER, BEAM

Express Yourself is Hannah East’s first UK-wide stand-up tour and is a hilarious deep dive into the highs and lows of parenting. As demonstrated by the millions of views across her viral comedy reels, Hannah brilliantly captures the chaos, joy, and absurdity of life as a mum.

beamhertford.co.uk

PHOTO: JIKSAW

C U LT U R E

Hannah East

Agenda 14 • Kerry Ellis 16 • Hertford 22 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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The Agenda

T H E A R E A ' S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

EV E NT

Autumn Trail

PHOTO: CHARLIE CLIFT

24-30 October K N E BWO RT H H O US E Autumn brings a spectacular splash of colour to the Formal Gardens at Knebworth House. Enjoy the changing shades while little adventurers can take part in a magical autumn trail. With ﬁve challenges to complete, children can explore the gardens, get creative and discover the wonders of the season. Complete them all to earn their very own wizard title – Keeper of Autumn! knebworthhouse.com

T H E AT R E

12 Days EV E N T

Late Summer Roots 2 O C TO BE R , TEW I N BURY

The Roots season draws to a close with a Tewinbury-led dinner that marks the turn from late summer into autumn. The menu reﬂects the shift: charred vegetables, slow-cooked elements, deeper sauces, warm breads and garden herbs, with a settled warmth that feels entirely right for October evenings on the farm.

18 November-9 January C H I C K E N S H E D T H E AT R E This Christmas, Chickenshed presents 12 Days! Once a year, the Turtle Doves choose five children to discover the meaning of true love. But first, they must find five golden rings before time runs out! Join Geese, Hens, Swans, Farmers, Lords and Ladies on a colourful adventure packed with music, laughter and festive magic. A joyful Christmas celebration for the whole family. chickenshed.org.uk

tewinbury.co.uk

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CULTURE • DIARY

T I M E TO

CO M E DY

Seann Walsh 2 October THE RADLETT CENTRE Following his sell-out 2023 tour, Seann Walsh returns with This Is Torture, a brand-new hour of anxiety-soaked stand-up. Expect the comedian’s trademark highenergy exasperation, razor-sharp observations and painfully honest tales, delivered with the chaotic charm that has made him one of Britain’s most popular live comics and podcasters working today. radlettcentre.co.uk

The Picture of Dorian Gray 1-3 October WAT F O R D PA L AC E T H E AT R E A bold new adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray, based on the classic novel by Oscar Wilde, heads out on tour this autumn. In a society obsessed with youth and beauty, Dorian Gray is offered the ultimate prize: eternal perfection. But perfection comes at a price – one that must be paid in blood. watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

FA M I LY

Next Month’s Must See

Attentions are turning to the Christmas party – where Ware Priory excels

T H E AT R E

After Dark

Party

29 O C TOBER, ROALD DAHL MUSEUM

isit the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden after dark on Thursday 29 October, 5.30pm to 8pm, for a fiendishly fun evening. Enjoy a familyfriendly evening of foulsome frights and swashboggling surprises! Expect glow juggling, Miss Trunchbull, crafts by candlelight, The Witches storytelling, spooky mask making and more. Also open throughout half-term from 22 October to 1 November, ensuring fun for all the family. roalddahlmuseum.org

elebrate Christmas in style at Ware Priory, with shared party nights designed to take the stress out of organising the office festivities. This Christmas, guests can choose between two party packages, both offering a full evening of food, music and festive fun. The Classic Christmas Party includes a three-course meal for £67.50 per person, while the Christmas Buffet Party offers a more relaxed option at £45 per person. See their brochure for full details on their website. Whichever package you choose, everyone comes together for the same lively party atmosphere, with entertainment from Mr H, including a festive quiz and DJ, plus plenty of time to hit the dance floor. With a bar conveniently located in the party room and groups seated together, Ware Priory makes it easy to enjoy a proper Christmas celebration with colleagues and friends. Set beside the River Lea, historic Ware Priory blends centuries-old character, beautiful gardens and elegant event spaces, making it a memorable setting for weddings, celebrations and community occasions alike.

Dates are already selling quickly! Book your Christmas Party now at ticketsource.com/ware-priory

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STAGE

“Rock is a different style of singing. It's a little less controlled, a little bit more raw”

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POWER Hitchin’s Kerry Ellis reveals the rock soundtrack behind her remarkable career

t is becoming something of an annual tradition for Absolutely Hertfordshire to catch up with Kerry Ellis. The only problem is keeping pace with her. When we first spoke to the Hitchinbased performer in 2024, she was preparing to take Queen of the West End around the country, reflecting on a career that had carried her from My Fair Lady and Les Misérables to Wicked on Broadway. When we met again last year, that tour was returning by popular demand, with even more dates, while Kerry was already hinting that something rather different was coming in 2026. Now we know what she meant. Having revisited the defining musical theatre moments of her life, Kerry is turning up the volume with Rock Anthems, a new show paying tribute to Queen, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler and the artists who shaped her long before the West End came calling. Kerry Ellis, it seems, does not stand still for long. “I’ve been working with Away With Media for the last few years, and we’ve done three tours already,” she explains. “We did the Queen of the West End tour, in which I told my theatre story. When we got to the end of that tour, I said to Andy, who runs Away With Media, ‘You know, I’d love to do something a little bit different and tell a story that people perhaps don’t know,’ which are my rock music influences.” It may feel like a new direction, but the roots of Rock Anthems stretch back considerably further than Kerry’s celebrated collaboration with Sir Brian

May. Before she originated the role of Meat in We Will Rock You, toured the world with the Queen guitarist or recorded albums with him, she was absorbing the music played at home by her father. “My dad was a real rocker and I used to listen to people like Bonnie Tyler and Meat Loaf growing up,” she smiles. “So, I wanted to tell that story and actually where a lot of my inspiration has come from, and tell people stories that they haven’t heard before,” For a generation who discovered music album by album rather than track by algorithm, those records became bound up with family journeys, childhood homes and formative memories. The songs in the show have not simply been chosen because they are crowd-pleasing rock classics; they form part of Kerry’s personal history. “However many years ago, 30 or 40 years ago, we would have all been sitting in cars listening to a whole album,” she says. “We didn’t have Spotify. We didn’t have iTunes. We would have a cassette tape or a CD with an entire album. I was the same with my dad. He would put on Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell and I would listen to the whole album from start to finish. I also think because it had a theatricality about it, it was quite dramatic. I think that’s what drew me to it as well. It had both my worlds in one: this powerful rock element, but it had the drama too. It had an epic quality.” That meeting point between rock and theatre has been present throughout Kerry’s career. We Will Rock You introduced

her to Brian May and Roger Taylor, while roles such as Elphaba in Wicked have demanded the vocal power, emotional intensity and sheer stamina associated with both worlds. Yet Rock Anthems gives her an opportunity to loosen the reins and approach the songs differently. “Rock is written differently, but I’ve done a lot of rock musicals, so I guess there is a crossover,” she says. “It is a different style of singing. It’s a little bit more free, maybe a little less controlled, a little bit more raw. I like that about it, though. I try to bring a bit of that to my theatre world, that rawness, that little bit of chaotic freedom. I’m looking forward to singing this stuff because I haven’t sung much Meat Loaf or Bonnie Tyler for a long time.” As with Queen of the West End, the new production is more than a succession of songs. Kerry will use them to open another chapter of her story, sharing memories that even longtime admirers may not have heard. An accompanying book delves further into her rock influences, touring life and encounters with some of music’s most recognisable figures. “It takes you back to my childhood a little bit and then takes you through to some of the big concerts I’ve done – a bit more of my music career, really,” she says. “I tell you about touring with Brian May and some funny stories along the way: what we would do when we were on tour and meeting people like Meat Loaf. I got to meet Bonnie Tyler. I got to hang out with Brian for many years. People know my musical theatre side,

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CULTURE • INTERVIEW

unique they are. I love how they’re run by local people who really love and care for them, and how people in the community are connected to them. Audiences really enjoy having a show on their doorstep.” Leaving Hitchin is inevitably accompanied by tinge of sadness. “I do love touring, but it is a mix of emotions, especially as I’ve got two young boys,” she says. “They’re getting older and my time with them is so precious. You go away and realise they grow up so quickly. I do like to be quite present. But this tour isn’t as big as the last one, and I get to go back and forth between the gigs when I can.” And after Rock Anthems? Inevitably, Kerry already has several answers. She is working on a new musical by writers James Beeny and Gina Georgio, with an album expected towards the end of the year and concerts potentially forming a significant part of 2027. She will also return to China, having toured there with Alfie Boe this year, for solo performances next May. Three interviews in three years have taken Absolutely from Kerry’s theatrical past into an increasingly varied future. The pace shows no sign of easing. As she says with characteristic understatement: “There’s lots coming up.”

PERFORMING WITH SIR BRIAN MAY

whereas they don’t perhaps know this side of me, which I’m quite excited to share.” The beautifully produced book also includes a recording of Kerry’s performances at New York’s 54 Below, the intimate Manhattan venue where she made her solo debut in early 2025. It is a fitting addition to a project partly inspired by the pleasure of owning and holding music rather than simply streaming it. “We like to give a little bit more than the book,” she says, “so to give the music as well and to have that old-school kind of CD, where you can hold it and look at the pictures, is really unique. I wanted to give people something that isn’t just out there online or on Spotify.” Kerry is also using Rock Anthems to create a special memory for somebody else. Her Search for a Star initiative is returning, giving a young local performer aged between 11 and 19 the opportunity to appear with her at each tour venue. Applicants submit performance videos through Perform Now, the organisation led by Kerry’s college friend Rachel Crouch, before one young artist is selected for each theatre. “I’ve been really fortunate that lots of people have given me opportunities and platforms,” Kerry says. “They’ve given me a chance to be on stage with them, offered me advice or invited me to do a workshop. Those moments have been so

Kerry Ellis will visit The EMC in Harpenden on 17th October. For full tour details and more, visit awaywithmedia.com/tours/kerry-ellis

important to me that it’s nice to be able to give that back to somebody else. “We did it on the last tour and it worked brilliantly. It was almost my favourite part of the show. Having that collaboration with young aspiring artists, or people who have a love for the arts and want to get up on stage, is so lovely. Watching their families react and the audience react is brilliant. It’s just about giving people opportunities, and I have the space to do that now.” Once again, the tour will lead Kerry into local theatres across the UK. She may have performed in major concert halls, West End venues and arenas around the world, but she remains captivated by the character and community spirit found in smaller spaces. “I’m still discovering new theatres that I’ve not played before,” she says. “I love how

“I wanted to give people something that isn't just out there online or on Spotify”

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BUILDING culture Hertford’s transformed cultural landmark BEAM takes its place among Britain’s ﬁnest new buildings on the 2026 Stirling Prize shortlist

ertford has long understood the value of preserving its past, but one of the town’s most familiar buildings is now being celebrated for showing how older architecture can be given an ambitious new future. BEAM, the transformed theatre and cultural hub beside the River Lea, has been shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize, the prestigious annual award presented to the UK’s best new building. Designed by Bennetts Associates, BEAM is one of just six projects competing for the accolade, placing Hertford firmly on Britain’s architectural map. Yet this is not simply a story about an eye-catching new landmark. At the heart of the project is a thoughtful decision to work with what was already there, retaining and reimagining the town’s 1970s theatre rather than sweeping it away and beginning again. The original building was not always universally loved. Its imposing hexagonal structure belonged unmistakably to another architectural era, while its single 400-seat auditorium, fly tower and stage offered limited scope for the kind of varied, all-day cultural programme modern audiences expect. Nevertheless, its substantial frame remained robust, familiar and

deeply embedded in Hertford’s civic landscape. The architects recognised that these qualities were worth preserving. The result is a confident transformation that respects the building’s architectural DNA while creating something that feels unmistakably new. The main theatre has been skilfully redesigned to accommodate 550 seats within the existing volume, enabling BEAM to welcome a broader range of productions and performers. Around it, sculptural new additions house three cinema screens, a studio theatre, dance studios and a café, turning what was once largely an evening venue into a cultural destination that can remain busy throughout the day. These new pitched-roof forms are constructed using cross-laminated timber and wrapped in patterned brickwork, complementing the solidity of the original theatre without attempting to mimic it. Locally sourced handmade bricks bring texture and individuality to the largely windowless cinema volumes, while carefully positioned openings frame views of Hertford’s historic and natural surroundings. This relationship with the town is central to BEAM’s success. Where the former theatre could feel introverted, the renewed building looks outwards towards the River Lea, its weir and the nearby Norman motte. A redesigned entrance, new courtyard

BEAM's impact is measured in more than bricks, timber and carbon 20

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CULTURE • FEATURE

and riverside terraces have opened the site to its setting, creating welcoming spaces in which people can meet whether or not they are attending a performance. Inside, the approach remains honest and approachable. Exposed brickwork and cross-laminated timber are enlivened by carefully chosen colour, bringing warmth and character without unnecessary extravagance. Every part of the building has a purpose; as the Stirling Prize jury observed, there are “no wasted spaces or voids”. It is an intelligent use of both space and budget, proving that civic architecture does not need to be ostentatious to make an impact. Sustainability was fundamental to the project from the outset. By resisting demolition and retaining the high-mass concrete structure of the 1970s theatre, the scheme avoided the

significant carbon cost that would have accompanied an entirely new building. The jury hailed BEAM as an “exemplar of contemporary civic retrofit” and a model of how cultural venues can respond meaningfully to the climate challenge. Its impact, however, is measured in more than bricks, timber and carbon. BEAM has helped increase footfall in the town centre, improved access to the riverside and strengthened engagement with schools, arts organisations and the wider community. Its programme of theatre, cinema, dance and live entertainment gives Hertford a cultural offer capable of drawing visitors from across the county and beyond, while its café and public spaces ensure it remains part of everyday town life. That combination of environmental intelligence, architectural confidence and genuine local usefulness is what

makes BEAM such a compelling Stirling Prize contender. It has retained the civic familiarity of a building generations of Hertford residents knew, while dramatically expanding what it can offer. In doing so, it demonstrates that regeneration need not mean erasure. Sometimes the most exciting new buildings are those that allow an old one to reveal its full potential. The winner of the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced on 15th October, but BEAM’s place on the shortlist is already a significant achievement. For Hertford, it is national recognition of a building that does far more than host performances: it connects the town, embraces its surroundings and offers a sustainable blueprint for the future of cultural architecture. See more at riba.org A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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HERTFORD CASTLE

SET THE

STAGE

A striking cultural landmark has placed Hertford on architecture’s greatest stage, but BEAM is only one reason to rediscover the historic county town

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CULTURE • AREA FOCUS

THE RIVER LEA

ertford has always been adept at adapting its past. Medieval walls enclose gardens used for open-air concerts, former industrial waterways have become leisurely walking routes and historic buildings now house independent shops, restaurants and creative businesses. Nothing illustrates that talent for reinvention better than BEAM, the cultural venue that has placed the county town firmly in the national spotlight after being shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Stirling Prize. The shortlisting feels significant for Hertford itself. This is a place that can occasionally be overshadowed by some of Hertfordshire’s larger or more loudly promoted destinations, yet it combines remarkable history with waterways, green spaces, independent businesses and a lively cultural identity. BEAM may provide the timely hook, but the wider town supplies more than enough reasons to stay.

A POTTED HISTORY Hertford’s story is inseparable from its rivers. The Lea, Beane, Mimram and Rib meet in and around the town, making this a strategically valuable crossing point long before cafés and riverside pubs

began capitalising on the view. Its position helped Hertford develop as a centre for trade, transport and government, while also explaining why successive rulers were so determined to control it. The town’s recorded history stretches back more than a millennium. In the early 10th century, Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great, established fortified settlements here as part of the Saxon campaign against the Danes. The Normans later created a motte-and-bailey castle, and during the reign of Henry II the stronghold was enlarged and strengthened with stone walls, gatehouses and drawbridges. Hertford Castle would become much more than a defensive structure. From the early 14th century it served as a royal palace, associated with monarchs, queens and some exceptionally distinguished prisoners. David II of Scotland and John II of France were both held here, although imprisonment for royalty came with considerably greater comfort than it did for an ordinary captive. The castle was granted to John of Gaunt and passed through the hands of several royal women, while the young Henry VI spent part of his childhood here. Its Tudor associations are equally compelling. The palace was used by members of Henry VIII’s family and Elizabeth I was a frequent visitor. When LUSSMANNS

“Hertford’s story is inseparable from its rivers” plague made London dangerous, elements of national government, including Parliament and the law courts, were transferred to Hertford. The town was therefore, for short periods, at the centre of English political life. Most of the palace buildings had disappeared by the early 17th century, but the surviving Grade I-listed gatehouse and sections of the medieval wall preserve a sense of the castle’s former importance. The grounds later became public gardens, turning a site once associated with sieges, monarchs and political prisoners into one of Hertford’s most peaceful communal spaces. Beyond the castle, Hertford prospered as a market town serving a productive agricultural hinterland. Corn and malt travelled along the River Lea towards London, and the improvement of the Lee Navigation during the 18th century strengthened that commercial link. Brewing, milling and manufacturing became important parts of local life, while the arrival of the railway in the 19th century connected Hertford more directly with the capital.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO TODAY BEAM is the natural place to begin. Its programme spans theatre, cinema, comedy, music and community events, making it possible to build an entire visit around a performance. Yet it is also worth spending time looking at the building itself. The relationship between the retained theatre and new additions tells the story of the project, while the riverside setting and open public spaces allow it to connect naturally with the centre of town. From BEAM, it is only a short walk to Hertford Castle. Although the gatehouse has limited public access outside tours and special occasions, the gardens are open for visitors to explore. Mature trees, lawns and the surviving walls create a secluded pocket close to the shops, and the grounds host events ranging from festivals and live music to community celebrations. A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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THE OLD BARGE

THE RIVER LEA

Hertford Museum on Bull Plain offers a fuller account of the town. Housed in a handsome 17th-century building, it cares for more than 100,000 objects spanning archaeology, art, natural history, local trades and everyday life. Its compact galleries reward close attention, while the Jacobean-style knot garden behind the museum is an easily missed delight. Courtyard Arts provides another side to Hertford’s creative life. Based in a former brewery building, the centre supports local artists through exhibitions, studios, classes and workshops. The Corn Exchange, meanwhile, continues the town’s tradition of live entertainment, hosting music and other events in an atmospheric Victorian building. For older architecture, seek out St Leonard’s Church in Bengeo. Small, simple and exceptionally evocative, it is one of Hertfordshire’s finest surviving Norman churches. All Saints’ Church, with its commanding proportions, and St Andrew’s Church are also worth visiting, each contributing to Hertford’s distinctive skyline and historical character.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK Hertford’s dining scene benefits from the same balance that defines the town more broadly: recognisable names are present, but independents give it personality. Lussmanns on Fore Street is

a dependable starting point. The Hertford restaurant was one of the earliest sites in Andrei Lussmann’s locally rooted group and continues to serve a seasonal, Mediterranean-influenced menu with a strong commitment to responsible sourcing. It works equally well for a relaxed lunch or a more celebratory dinner. For Italian food, Dinnio occupies a central Fore Street address and offers a broad menu of familiar favourites in a smart, convivial setting. Il Vino is another option for Italian flavours, while Veyso’s brings a more theatrical approach to dining. Its richly decorated interior, Turkish and Mediterranean cooking, cocktails and occasional entertainment make it particularly suited to an evening occasion. Elle’s Kitchen has earned a loyal following for Thai food, while Old Siam offers another established choice for aromatic curries, noodles and stir-fries. Those looking for modern, intimate dining should investigate the regularly changing offering at Lenore, which combines food and drinks in a stylish town-centre setting. The town’s waterways come into their own at The Old Barge, a traditional pub in a particularly attractive riverside position. Its large garden, real ales and contemporary British food make it a natural choice in warmer weather, although the setting has appeal throughout the year. McMullen’s has brewed in Hertford since 1827, so a local pub carries an additional sense of place. The Hertford Bell sits near the centre of town, while The Blackbirds is a characterful choice for drinks and pub food. The White Horse in nearby Hertingfordbury rewards the short journey out of the centre with the atmosphere of a historic village inn. Back in town, the cluster of pubs and bars around Fore Street and Parliament Square means visitors can move easily from dinner to cocktails or a final pint without having to plan an elaborate route home.

Five things you may not know about Hertford 1. It has an American namesake with a Hertford connection. Samuel Stone was born in Hertford in 1602 before travelling to New England. He became one of the founders of Hartford, Connecticut, and is credited with giving the settlement a name inspired by his English birthplace.

•

2. One of the world’s oldest purpose-

built Quaker meeting houses is here. The Friends Meeting House in Railway Street has been used by Quakers since 1670, making the modest building a site of international importance in the history of the movement.

•

3. Hertford has an extraordinary

toothbrush collection. The Addis factory on Ware Road was once a major local employer. Hertford Museum now holds around 5,000 toothbrushes connected with the company’s history, proving that even the most everyday object can tell a rich industrial and social story.

4. A royal prisoner spent a fortune here. When King John II of France was detained at Hertford Castle during the 14th century, he reportedly spent £3,850 in just four months. For comparison, an agricultural labourer might then have earned only around £3 in an entire year.

•

5. The town stands at a rare natural meeting point. Hertford is associated with the convergence of four chalkstream rivers: the Lea, Beane, Mimram and Rib. Chalk streams are globally scarce habitats, making the waterways flowing through and around the town environmentally important as well as picturesque.

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CULTURE • PARTNERSHIP

SWA N L A K E Birmingham Royal Ballet’s spectacular production returns to the capital

irmingham Royal Ballet recently celebrated 100 years of their Founding Director Laureate Sir Peter Wright, one of ballet’s most influential directors and choreographers. And now the company is reviving his beloved and spectacular production of Swan Lake, which remains one of the company’s most popular productions. The 2026 Swan Lake UK tour will open at Birmingham Hippodrome from 23rd September to 3rd October 2026. The Company will then travel to London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre from 28th to 31st October. Birmingham Royal Ballet Director, Carlos Acosta, said: “In this year where we celebrate 100 years of the magnificent contributions of our Founding Director Laureate, Sir Peter Wright, we couldn’t not bring his cherished and spectacular production of Swan Lake back to the stage. Not only one of the world’s favourite ballets, this specific production has been beloved for decades and over generations – bringing many to ballet for the very first time. We look forward to being back on the stage in Birmingham and London this autumn with this unmissable show.” Prince Siegfried is out hunting one night when he happens upon a flock of graceful swans. When one of them turns into a beautiful woman, the Prince is utterly smitten – but Odette explains that she has fallen under an evil spell cast by

“This speciﬁc production has been beloved for decades”

Baron von Rothbart, which keeps her in swan form from dawn to dusk. Can Siegfried’s love break the spell? Be swept up in this spectacular ballet with its sensational orchestral score played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, captivating costumes, and a thrilling story bursting with jaw-dropping moments. Perfect as a first ballet, and a must for all dance fans! Great family entertainment for ages 8+. Sadler's Wells Theatre, 28 - 31 October Book your tickets now at brb.org.uk/SwanLake

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A NEW YEAR DESERVES A FRESH BEGINNING

Enjoy lighter Italian dishes this January - offering perfect balance without compromising on luxury. From fresh salads and comforting soups to seasonal vegetables and lean proteins, every dish highlights clean, elegant flavours, bringing wellness and indulgence together in every bite.

BAR

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FOOD & DRINK

Midweek Lift FOX & HOUNDS

Steak Night has become a proper fixture of the week at the Fox & Hounds, Barley – perfectly cooked meat, a spot out on the terrace, and a fresh reason to come back every Wednesday. There are far worse ways to spend a midweek evening. foxandhoundsbarley.com

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Artful

Authenticity

Omboo Head Chef Kasun Jayasooriya blends Japanese precision, premium ingredients and modern creativity at Hertfordshire’s Sopwell House

t Omboo, Sopwell House’s vibrant Pan-Asian restaurant, Head Chef Kasun Jayasooriya brings precision, creativity and international experience to every plate. An awardwinning Japanese cuisine specialist with more than 15 years in the industry, Kasun trained in Tokyo and was part of a team that achieved two Michelin stars. Today, he leads Omboo with a cooking style he describes as refined, bold and disciplined, combining authentic Japanese techniques with modern Pan-Asian influences. Here, he tells us more.

Q You’ve spent more than 15 years specialising in Pan-Asian cuisine. What first inspired your passion for cooking, and how did your journey in the kitchen begin? A My passion for cooking began at a

young age in Sri Lanka, where food was always at the centre of family life. I was fascinated by how simple ingredients could create memorable experiences. That curiosity eventually led me to Japan, where I trained in traditional Japanese kitchens. Those years shaped not only my cooking style but also my work ethic, discipline and respect for ingredients. Today, after more than 20 years in professional kitchens, I still have the same passion for learning and improving every day. Q Looking back over your career, which experiences or mentors have had the biggest influence on the chef you are today? A Working in Japan had the greatest influence on my career. The chefs I worked alongside taught me that consistency, attention to detail and humility are just as important as creativity. Every service was treated with complete focus and respect for the guest. Throughout my career, I

have also learnt from many talented chefs across the UK, each contributing something valuable to my approach to leadership and cooking. Q Omboo has developed a reputation for contemporary Pan-Asian dining. How do you strike the balance between authenticity and innovation when creating new dishes? A Authenticity always comes first. I believe guests should recognise the traditional flavours before they experience something new. Once that foundation is established, I enjoy introducing modern techniques, seasonal British and Japanese ingredients and creative presentation. Innovation should enhance tradition rather than replace it. Q You’re passionate about bringing authentic Japanese culinary techniques into modern kitchens. Can you tell us about a dish on the menu that perfectly

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• XXXXX FOOD & XXXXXXXX DRINK • INTERVIEW

“Guests are looking beyond presentation. They want exceptional ingredients and genuine value for their money” showcases that philosophy? A One of my favourite dishes on the menu is our Black Cod Saikyo Miso. It perfectly represents my philosophy of combining authentic Japanese techniques with contemporary dining. I use Hanamaruki Shinshu Miso, a traditional rice miso produced in Nagano Prefecture (Shinshu), a region renowned throughout Japan for its high-quality miso and centuries-old fermentation traditions. The black cod is marinated for 48 hours in a traditional Saikyo-style miso marinade, allowing the sweet, delicate flavours of the miso to gently penetrate the fish while preserving its natural richness. This slow marinating process creates exceptional depth of flavour and a beautifully tender texture. For me, this dish reflects the essence of Japanese

cuisine, respecting the ingredient, allowing time and technique to do the work, and creating something that is elegant, balanced and full of umami rather than overcomplicated. It is a dish that honours Japanese culinary tradition while fitting perfectly within Omboo’s contemporary Pan-Asian dining experience. Q Diners today are often far more adventurous than they once were. What trends are you seeing in the way guests are embracing Japanese and Pan-Asian flavours? A I think today’s diners are much more informed than they were a few years ago. Beautiful restaurant interiors and Instagram-worthy dishes are no longer enough on their own. Guests are looking beyond presentation; they want exceptional ingredients, authenticity and genuine value for their money. People are becoming increasingly interested in where ingredients come from, how they are produced and why they are considered special. They appreciate quality and are willing to invest in a memorable dining experience when they know they are receiving the very best. At Omboo, we place enormous importance on sourcing premium ingredients. We use A5 Japanese Kagoshima Wagyu, Toyama-ken Koshihikari sushi rice from Japan, and Kinjirushi Yuzu, one of Japan’s most respected yuzu producers. We also source premium Japanese Bluefin Tuna Otoro, and I personally inspect and select the fish through live video calls with the Toyosu

Market auction team to ensure we receive only the highest quality. For me, authenticity starts with the ingredients. You can teach techniques, but without exceptional produce you will never create an exceptional dish. I believe today’s guests recognise that, and it is one of the reasons they continue to embrace authentic Japanese cuisine with such enthusiasm. Q What kind of dishes can we expect at Omboo in autumn? A Autumn is one of my favourite seasons because it brings richer flavours and wonderful ingredients. Guests can expect dishes featuring premium mushrooms, squash, seasonal seafood and warming Japanese flavours. We’ll continue to combine authentic techniques with carefully selected British seasonal produce to create exciting new dishes. Q Looking ahead, what are your ambitions for Omboo over the next few years? A My ambition is to continue establishing Omboo as one of the UK’s leading Pan-Asian restaurants. We’re working towards achieving our AA Rosette, which would be a fantastic milestone, but I believe we can go even further. I want to continue developing our team, creating exceptional guest experiences, introducing innovative seasonal menus and building a reputation for authentic Japanese cuisine delivered to the highest standards.

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FOOD & DRINK • DRINKS

Spiced Up The Ned Skyscraper Syrah takes a grape known for power and gives it poise instead. Cool-climate Marlborough brings blackberry, cinnamon, and white pepper with fine tannins and a spiced finish. The red that eases you into the season, £17. majestic.co.uk

Sunshine Keeper

Château d'Estoublon’s Roseblood Rosé is for those not ready to admit that summer is over. Strawberry compote, raspberry, green apple, and grapefruit zest, with a crisp, mouth-filling acidity, keep everything bright and alive, £16.50. tesco.com

Southern Warmth M. Chapoutier’s Bila-Haut blanc has the kind of richness that feels made for autumn. Plump and layered, with lime, peach, and yellow wildflower, it has the weight and warmth to carry you comfortably into October, £13.95. finewinedirect.co.uk

A U T U M N

POURS Five bottles for the turn of the season B y N ATA L I A S U TA

Comfort Zone AUTUMN FIZZ

October needs perking up, and Abingworth’s Ozymandias Blanc de Blancs 2019 is here to help. The first sparkling from this small Sussex estate, it delivers toasty, bready depth and a creamy, refined mousse from extended lees ageing, £45. abingworthvineyard.com

Folklore Merlot is autumn’s most comforting companion. Blackberry, bay leaf, and red earth with soft, velvety tannins. Soft, comforting, and uncomplicated, it won’t fix the shorter days, but it will make them easier to bear, £10. tesco.com

Natalia Suta is a WSET-certified wine writer and educator with a knack for making wine accessible and fun. When she is not writing, she’s busy curating wine experiences and offering consultancy to help others discover the joy of wine. Follow Natalia on Instagram @_winerocks_

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FA S H I O N

NATURAL COMFORT PAUL JAMES KNITWEAR

Paul James Knitwear's At Home in Nature campaign celebrates the enduring appeal of natural fibres and timeless craftsmanship, showcasing versatile knitwear designed for life outdoors and everyday comfort. Crafted from premium wool, cotton and merino, the collection blends heritage-inspired style with modern functionality, encouraging a slower, more considered approach to dressing. pauljamesknitwear.com

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Nutmeg Clothing at Morrisons have launched their AW26 collections, perfect to counter the chill in the air and available at stores across Hertfordshire MORRISONS.COM/NUTMEG

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FASHION • TREND

POETRY Button-neck sweater, £269 poetryfashion.co.uk

BELLA FREUD New Romantics jumper, £395 bellafreud.com

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 By P E N D L E H A R T E

EMELLO 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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Meteor diamond ring, £8,990

Jupe pink sapphire necklace, £9,655

Meteor drop earrings, £20,980

90s

Bling back the

Robinson Pelham’s three founders, Vanessa Chilron, Zoe Benyon and Kate Pelham Burn, look back at 30 years of designing jewellery

Meteor diamond bangle, £8,390

Daystar small hoop diamond earrings, £4,450

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FASHION • Q&A

Kinetic emerald earrings, £7,900

Q Can you give us a sense of what customers

can expect from the new collections?

A VC Still bold, with a confidence that comes

of being 30 years old, our new collections are easy and multi-generational. The ingredients are the same as jewels we made in the 90s but we wear them in a different, casual way. Life is less formal, and so are the jewels.

Q Robinson Pelham started in a Pimlico mews house in 1996. When you look back at that beginning, what surprises you most about where the brand is today? A ZB We started as a bespoke brand and now we have three very clear channels. We still bespoke, a strong part of the business, but it has been joined by antiques and, most indulgently, ready-to- wear which sees us put our clever, vibrant, versatile designs into tangible form. Q Tell us about the new campaign

you are launching. A VC The anniversary campaign draws on the spirit of the 90s rather than nostalgia for it. We are highlighting the feeling of the 90s, but showing new collections alongside some of our 90s archive pieces which we have borrowed back from customers who trusted us at the very beginning of our journey as Robinson Pelham. In the 90s we didn’t think about tomorrow but now we have a responsibility to our brand and our amazing clients. Q What cultural cues from the 90s informed the campaign look and feel? A ZB The 90s is different things to different people but for us it was an era before smart phones, it was about having time, lighting

a fag and picking up a flip phone for a chat. Leaving behind the high drama of the 80s we instead embraced the dance music and culture of the decade. We worked to fill the time between parties, we shared a desktop computer, we shared an email address and we were carefree! For us in our 20s it was a culture of freedom, we took chances, we didn’t think about risk, we expressed ourselves and we were impulsively creative. Q You work with photographer Buzz White on the campaign. What made him the obvious choice for the campaign? A VC Summer of ’96 is about capturing the spirit of a 90s summer - effortless, sun-drenched and full of attitude - so Buzz felt like the natural choice for this campaign. His early experience assisting photographers such as Mario Testino and Alasdair McLellan helped shape a strong editorial eye, but it is his own work over the past years that really stood out to us: images with a beautiful sense of place, narrative and ease. His connection to the outdoors, sun and sea felt completely right for Robinson Pelham and this summer campaign. We wanted the imagery to feel confident and instinctive, with the jewellery central to each moment rather than simply placed within them, and Buzz captured that beautifully.

Q You have started incorporating materials like rock crystal, tiger's eye and enamel alongside traditional precious gemstones. What collections can we see these in and what do you like about working with these materials? A ZB Women choose jewellery that flatters them, that fits in with their life, that excites them and it is no longer about bragging jewellery. Reflective rock crystal can be found in the Daystar and Gloria collections, cut especially for us by precision lapidaries to maximise its lustre. Tiger’s Eye is a nod right back to the 60s and 70s and brings warmth and scale into the Rebel and Stereo collections. Enamel is an endless possibility of the colour palate; it is an exploration into bold colour at scale perfectly shown in the Nirvana and Arena collections. Q Your new campaign also features a selection of pieces designed over the last 30 years. Tell us more. A ZB We borrowed back a few pieces for this shoot, they needed to be pieces that we still loved, pieces that were still exceptional 30 years on and we were totally surprised at how they made us feel, like being reunited with old friends. Some of these pieces will be on show later this year for our customers to see as they help to tell our story over the last three decades. Q Thirty years in, what's the one thing you still want Robinson Pelham to do or become that it hasn't yet? A ZB Known for being experts in every field we have covered over the last 30 years. Every member of the team here really cares about every aspect of the business, that’s why we like to be fully immersed in every part of the jewellery business.

robinsonpelham.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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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

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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

SW I SS 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.

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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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 The Base, £15.50 biosculpture.co.uk

By P E N D L E H A R T E

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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D EC A D E S I N 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

inside this section p50

INTERIORS NEWS

p52

REAL HOME

p56

AUTUMN TRENDS

p60

SPOTLIGHT ON

p71

PRODUCTS

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INTERIORS N OT E S Ideas, designs and styles for your home By PENDLE HARTE

COLOUR M AT C 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

S O F T TO U C H 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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INTERIORS • NOTES

TA K E F I V E Plant pots

BERGS POTTER Viva self-watering pot, £33 growurban.uk

ART WORK DIOR

HEAVENLY HOMES

B O LD B R I G H T S

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 colorful 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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Full of

CHARACTER Zetter Group co-founder Michael Benyan opens the doors to his Whaddon home and shares its treasured stories

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H O M E | REAL HOME

Q What first drew you to this property, and can you remember the moment you knew it was the one? A When The Old Vicarage came onto the

market my wife, Bella, was urged to visit by a friend who lives in the lovely village of Whaddon. She came home that night saying I had to take a look. The first thing that appealed was that the main entrance isn’t facing the road. You have to drive down beside the church and park at the end of the house. When you get out, there’s a beautiful view of the garden and its mature trees. We had two young boys at the time, so plenty of space for them to run about was important. When we entered the house, I was struck by the lovely sweeping staircase and generous ceiling heights – high enough for my wife to subsequently indulge in buying the most ginormous Christmas tree every year that spectacularly fills the entrance hall! The next thing I really noticed was the combined size of the sitting and drawing rooms – both with big windows, French doors and fireplaces. Immediately I thought it would be great for entertaining (that’s the hospitality side of me coming out!). There’s also a beautiful ‘Rolls Royce’ of an Aga in the breakfast room, a generous dining room and a fabulous galley kitchen (which anyone who has been in the hospitality game, as I have, knows is the best and most efficient layout for cooking in). The icing on the cake was when we were led downstairs to a wonderful cellar. Here at last was somewhere to unpack all my wine and be in my own heaven. I was already planning the first dinner party… I also vaguely remember being impressed by the fact the principal bedroom had its own en-suite and a dressing room. How very civilised and grown up! Q The house has so much character and history. How have you approached preserving its original charm while making it work for modern living? A To be honest, we haven’t done anything

structural as the proportions and layouts are what originally attracted us. As the house is unlisted we did flirt with opening up the galley kitchen into the dining room and creating one big open plan space – but

I was already in love with the Aga and the breakfast room, plus the existing kitchen layout was ideal, so we never took it any further. Our nod to the modern world is that we’ve added solar panels, including a Tesla battery and an EV charger. Q What do you think makes this home so

special compared with others you've owned or viewed over the years?

A We moved from a property with six neigh-

bours down one side (some slightly painful!), to somewhere that has none – so privacy has been a big difference. The large garden with beautiful mature trees is a real delight, as is the view across the open fields towards the folly at Wimpole Hall. And being beside the church with its beautiful medieval tower is really quite special. But overall, I’d say the house has a genuine warmth about it. Everyone mentions that when they visit. I think the colours we have painted the different rooms, inspired by the wonderful 20th century interior designer David Hicks and also Russell Sage Studio (Russell was the genius designer behind the incredible eclectic interiors of The Zetter Townhouse, which I formerly owned) and the way we have furnished them creates a wonderful sense of home and comfort. Q As someone who helped create The Zetter Group, you've spent your career designing memorable places for guests. Did your experience in hospitality influence the way you created a home for family and friends? A Well, it was never going to be a mini-

malistic, all-white interior! Similar to the world of hospitality I feel it’s important for the family home to feel warm and generous. The warmth I think we’ve achieved through colour and texture. As for generous, there’s a quote in one of David Hicks’s interior books where he often advised that ‘To appear a generous host, the drinks trolley should be an image of abundance… giving a generous, welcoming atmosphere, ready for a bus-load of friends to descend on you’. So when Bella found a colourful hand-painted Czech marriage chest sourced from a local auction house, I thought that’s perfect and it’s now brimming with a selection of spirits and mixers, ready for a party!

The house has a genuine warmth about it. Everyone mentions that when they visit 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 | REAL HOME

Q The Zetter became known for combin-

towards 19th and 20th century European pieces. It’s an interesting mix that I think works and reflects our different tastes.

A For sure. I think together we have

Q What are your favourite spaces in the pro-

ing boutique luxury with personality and individuality. Are there elements of that philosophy reflected in this house?

created an interior that is packed with character and personality. The interiors draw inspiration from an eclectic mix of styles and interior designers. Bella’s love of sourcing antiques and vintage pieces from auction houses is evident throughout, as is her passion for fabric and pattern play which can be seen in the broad range of fabrics from Bennison, Teyssier and Colefax. Added to this are a range of colours and there is an evident play on our different tastes in art – mine being mainly modern and hers leaning

perty, and where do you find yourself spending the most time when you're able to relax?

A The cellar! But I do love cooking to

relax, so a lot of time is spent in the galley kitchen or hovering over the Aga.

Q People often talk about creating a sense of place rather than simply designing a beautiful building. How important has that idea been both in your hotels and in your own home? A The original Zetter Hotel was in a con-

verted warehouse and I was adamant

that we were not ‘a home from home’. We wanted to create an experience for our guests and for them to meet the locals in the bar and restaurants downstairs. Judging by how many of our guests kept returning, I think we got that right. The Townhouses were different in that they were the homes of an eccentric and bonkers fictional family. Russell Sage was brilliant in the way he moulded the interiors to suit the different personalities. He really did create a unique sense of place which the guests loved. That and the best cocktails in London (at the time) was a winning formula. As for home, as I said above, the interior is a reflection of mine and my wife’s taste and nobody else’s. Q You've now decided to sell. Is it difficult

to let go of a property like this, and what memories will you take with you?

A It will be very difficult. But I was only

saying to a friend recently that as there has been a vicarage next to the church for many a long year, we only ever felt we were custodians for a period of time. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed living here – and in the fabulous village of Whaddon. But a new chapter awaits. We have so many memories. Bella’s extraordinary decoration of the interiors at Christmas, the raucous dinner parties where the cellar was visited too many times, long lunches and dinners on the terrace in summer, the boys growing up here and the three of us playing together for the village cricket team, the fantastic people who make Whaddon the best place we have ever lived… they will be truly missed!

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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

MALCOLM MENZIES 82MM PHOTOGRAPHY

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.

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 60

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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 L AMPS 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

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 offer 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 offer 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 effortless elegance.

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Swimming in

QUALIT Y & STYLE LIFETIME

LIFETIME

STRUCTURAL

STRUCTURAL WARRANTY

OSMOSIS WARRANTY

The speed and ease of installation will impress. Short lead times as most models are in stock. We are increasingly spending our private lives in our homes rediscovering how much of a pleasure it is to spend time with family and friends.

A pool is an attractive extension of your living area the ultimate way to enjoy your free time and enhance your lifestyle and health.

Choose from a wide range of designs and sizes with a comprehensive package that leaves nothing to be desired.

A state-of-the-art product with a quick hassle-free installation. Your pool will not only enrich your family’s life, but also increase the value of your home.

www.swimpools.co.uk Phone for brochure and prices

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enquiries@swimpools.co.uk 01444 411 411 / 07710 402917

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BOCONCEPT’S NEW

AW26 Collection For AW26, BoConcept unveils a new collaboration with Italian architect and designer Claudio Bellini, reimagining how we sit, dine and gather at home

KAKU LIGHTING COLLECTION

PARAGGI SOFA SET

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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

eading the range is Paraggi, a sculptural highback sofa that reflects Claudio Bellini’s belief that furniture should be “not a static object, but a living, evolving space.” Inspired by the sheltered bay of the same name, its enveloping high back creates a sense of comfort and protection, while adjustable arm and backrests let the sofa’s form and atmosphere shift with ease and without visible mechanisms. Available as an armchair, 2.5 and 3-seater sofas, chaise lounges, corner modules and pouffes, and upholstered exclusively in fabric, Paraggi is BoConcept’s first fully functional high-back design.

Alongside it sits Volterra, an architectural dining collection of tables, chairs, sideboards and side tables. Defined by bold yet refined geometry and a considered palette of wood, ceramic and glass, it channels Bellini’s belief that “a table is a sort of basic architectural element.” As he puts it: “We are not designing for trends, we are designing to last.”

“We are not designing for trends, we are designing to last” – Claudio Bellini warmth and texture to considered, contemporary interiors. Choosing pieces for a home is about more than finding something you love. It’s about understanding how those pieces will work within your space, alongside what you already have and the way you live. That’s where BoConcept’s complimentary Interior Design Service comes in. Available in-store, at home or virtually, the service gives customers access to BoConcept’s professional interior designers, who can help bring the possibilities of the new collection to life in their own space. From layouts and colour palettes to fabrics, finishes and configurations, designers can

create personalised proposals and 3D visualisations, helping customers see how their choices could work before committing. It’s a more personal way to experience the collection — and a chance to create an interior that feels entirely your own. Call or email your local store to book your free appointment. To celebrate the new collection, BoConcept is offering 15% off all sofas, including the new range, instore only at BoConcept St Albans, Westfield London, Tottenham Court Road, Harrods, Notting Hill, Battersea Reach, Finchley Road, Fenwick Brent Cross, Fenwick Kingston and Guildford until Sunday 11th October. boconcept.com

VOLTERRA COLLECTION

Together, the collections mark a continued collaboration rooted in shared values, Italian sensibility meeting Danish design clarity. Completing the AW26 story, BoConcept also introduces a new lighting collection exploring soft, layered illumination through sculptural pieces such as KAKU and BLOSSOM, alongside a range of tactile, handcrafted rugs developed with Linie Design, both designed to bring

VOLTERRA SIDEBOARD

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S L E E P

Solution Customise your Jensen bed to create a bespoke sleep environment

Jensen bed is a personal choice. From the comfort inside the bed to the textile, size, headboard and legs, there are countless ways to create a bed that feels right for you – and looks right in your bedroom. With different bed types, spring systems, textiles and accessories to choose from, you can create a sleep experience that is truly your own.

Start with the right comfort

Good sleep starts with comfort. Choose the bed type and spring system that suit your body and the way you sleep. With Jensen, mattress firmness can also be individually selected on each side of a double bed – without a gap or hard edge between you and your partner. So

you can share a bed without having to share the same comfort preference.

Find the right size

As the colder months approach, the size of your bed matters – both for your sleep and for the room around it. Consider how much space you need to sleep comfortably, while leaving enough room for bedside tables and movement around the bed. From single beds to generous double beds, choose the size that works for your needs and your bedroom.

Choose your textile

Once the comfort is in place, it is time to create the look. Your choice of textile can completely change the character of the bed – from light and understated to warm and sophisticated.

Explore different colours and textures to find the combination that suits your personal style and the atmosphere you want to create.

Add a headboard

A headboard gives the bed a more complete look and can become a defining feature in the bedroom. Choose a design that complements your bed and textile, whether you prefer something soft and understated or a more distinctive statement.

The details make the difference

The legs may be a small detail, but they can make a big difference to the overall look. Different shapes, materials and heights allow you to give your Jensen bed a lighter, warmer or more contemporary feel.

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HOME • PARTNERSHIP

It is these details that make the bed truly personal.

Complete the bedroom

Why stop with the bed? Add bedside tables and carefully selected accessories to create a complete and harmonious bedroom. By coordinating the bed, headboard, legs and surrounding furniture, you can create a space where every element works together – with the Jensen bed at its centre.

Make it yours

From comfort and size to textiles, headboards, legs and bedside tables, every detail can be chosen to create a Jensen bed that feels personal to you. First, make it feel perfect. Then, make it look perfect.

Made in Norway since 1947

Jensen was established in 1947, when resources were scarce and ingenuity was essential. Our first mattresses were made using materials such as horsehair and cotton wool – natural materials that were available at the time. Much has changed since then, but our commitment to outstanding sleep comfort has remained the same. Every Jensen bed is still made in Svelvik, Norway. For us, Made in Norway is more than a label. It represents generations of craftsmanship, attention to detail and a dedication to quality.

Experience Jensen in London

Made in Norway is more than a label. It represents generations of craftsmanship, attention to detail and a dedication to quality

Today, you can experience this Norwegian craftsmanship in the heart of London. Choosing a new bed is a personal investment, and finding the right comfort is an important part of that decision. Visit our showroom at the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, where our London team can introduce you to the Jensen collections, help you explore different comfort options and guide you towards the bed that is right for you.

Jensen Chelsea Harbour 020 3914 1262 jensen-beds.com/uk hildinganders.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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ESCAPE - WITHOUT LEAVING HOME

C L E V E R LY C O M PA C T F O R T H E C I T Y the traditional sauna experience, upgraded

L U X U R I O U S LY L A R G E I N T H E W I L D

classic design, best in class, built to last

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H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

WINDOW T O

T H E

WO R L D

Classic style with a very modern attitude

here’s something undeniably special about the look of old steel-framed windows. With their slender sightlines, generous glazing and elegant proportions, they’re a familiar feature of many industrial and residential buildings dating from the early 20th century. And for homeowners lucky enough to have them, parting with those original windows and doors can feel almost unthinkable. But beautiful as they are, original steel frames can come with a few less-thancharming realities. Draughts, maintenance and security concerns can eventually make modernisation hard to avoid. The trick is finding a replacement that delivers the performance without losing the character that made the original windows so appealing. That’s where aluminium Heritage style windows come into their own. Thermally

efficient, multi point locking systems and crafted in low maintenance aluminium, these modern windows still deliver that all important aesthetic. And because these designs maximise the glazed area, you can enjoy plenty of natural daylight while retaining that wonderfully understated, industrialinspired appearance. Replacement Heritage windows have also gained popularity for use in 1930s Art Deco properties where preserving the original architectural feel is high on the wishlist. For a distinctly Art Deco finish, flat astragal bars create those characteristic geometric lines. Alternatively, butted astragal bars can be arranged in crossed or matrix patterns for when a more traditional look is sought. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to colour, too. Hazlemere Windows range are available in any RAL colour, although textured black has proved especially popular for that authentic industrial feel.

And you don’t need to own a period property to enjoy the look. Many homeowners are choosing to introduce the style in just one part of the house: an extension, kitchen or garden-facing room, while using different window styles elsewhere. Used selectively, the effect can be wonderfully dramatic. So, whether you’re carefully preserving the character of a period property or simply looking to give a contemporary extension some architectural wow factor, slim-framed aluminium offers an appealing combination of style, natural daylight and modern performance. The design team at Hazlemere can help you visualise how Heritage windows will add a statement to your home. Call them on 01707 325560 to discuss your window and door plans and one of their friendly team will be happy to help. hazlemere.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 | TREND

REX LONDON Vintage etched coupe glasses, set of two, £18.95 rexlondon.com

COX & COX Fluted champagne coupe, set of four, £35 coxandcox.co.uk

OKA Ampelos wine glasses, set of four, £65 oka.com

MICUCCI INTERIORS Linea champagne glass, £12 micucci.store

BITOSSI HOME Giada glasses set of two, £35 bitossihome.it

NUDE X TOM DIXON Splash set of two Lowball glasses, £30 nudeglass.com

H OT SIPS

HABITAT Colour stem champagne flute/ Martini glass, set of four, £17 habitat.co.uk

All the chicest glasses By P E N D L E H A R T E

PROCOOK Confetti tumbler set of four, £25 procook.co.uk

DIBOR Parisian purple wine goblet, £11 dibor.co.uk

MICUCCI INTERIORS Bicos wine glass, £20 micucci.store

CASA BY JJ Eleanor wine glass, set of eight, £99 casabyjj.com

CASA BY JJ Poolside Gossip acrylid tumbler, set of six, £64 casabyjj.com

NKUKU Yalla hammered champagne coupe, set of four, £48 nkuku.com

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H O M E • TOP 5

S O U N D C H O I C E S

OUR TOP FIVE SPEAKERS FOR QUALITY AND STYLE 1

SHELF LIFE R UA R K

Possibly the most stylish audio equipment out there, Ruark's collections look at least as good as they sound. Which is saying a lot, because it's hard to find a better sound. The MR1 desktop speaker is small yet mighty. £399 ruarkaudio.com

KICK OFF LOEWE

German audio brand has teamed up with football superstar Kylian Mbappé to launch the We Hear Pro, a powerful bluetooth speaker that comes in three colourways and produces an intense, immersive sound. £249 loewe.tv

B OX F R E S H OR ANGE AMPS

Lightweight and super-portable, with more than 15 hours of battery life, the Orange Box speaker is a tough and goodlooking piece of kit that delivers a high class sound. £279 selfridges.com

C A R RY O N

BA NG & OLUFSEN

For huge sound indoors or outdoors, Beosound A5 is a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker with long-lasting battery and wireless charging built in. £1,200 bang-olufsen.com

WA S T E N OT

5 4

GOMI

Gomi's beautiful speakers are handmade in Brighton from recycled plastic and premium aluminium. Each one is unique and numbered. £299 gomi.design A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

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HOME • ISSUE

P H

U O

M S

Absolutely takes a look at heat pumps. Are they suited to most homes?

or several years now we have been talking about heat pumps. But are they right for everyone? A heat pump can be an expensive outlay and a long-term investment, so it’s important to get it right. For many people, government grants are a big draw. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives most households in England £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump, with an extended budget running through 2028. If you're on oil or LPG rather than mains gas, the grant rises to £9,000 (but only until 31 March 2027). Since April 2026 you no longer need an EPC to qualify, and there's no means test, plus every residential heat pump install carries 0% VAT. That typically leaves £5,000– £10,000 to find yourself for a full system, sometimes less. Housing stock is the real deciding factor. Victorian/Edwardian terraces often have solid walls, small gardens for outdoor units, and existing radiators

sized for high-flow-temperature gas boilers. Heat pumps run at lower flow temperatures, so you may need larger radiators or underfloor heating and better insulation first – this adds cost and disruption beyond the unit itself. Flats and conversions are trickier: no garden for an outdoor unit, shared freeholds requiring permission, and sometimes no obvious place to site equipment. Air-to-air heat pumps (which get a smaller £2,500 grant) or communal/ district systems can be better fits than a standard air-to-water setup. Conservation areas and listed buildings may need planning permission for external units where permitted development rights don't apply – it's worth checking with your council before committing. Newer or well-insulated homes are the easiest case: existing radiators or underfloor heating often cope fi ne, and payback is faster. A wholehouse retrofit assessment (insulation,

radiator sizing, heat loss survey) from an MCS-certifi ed installer is worth doing, since it tells you whether you're a "straightforward" case or a "fabricfirst" case needing extra work. While the environmental case is solid, it is not absolute. Heat pumps cut carbon emissions significantly if run on grid electricity, since the grid is much greener than it was a decade ago. They're more efficient at converting energy into heat than gas boilers, so the case strengthens further as the UK grid decarbonises. However, if your home is poorly insulated, a heat pump run inefficiently can cost more to run than a modern gas boiler, even if it's still lower-carbon – so insulation improvements often deliver as much environmental benefit as the heat pump itself, and ideally happen alongside it. In short, if you're in a reasonably well-insulated terrace or house with outdoor space and not in a restrictive conservation area, a heat pump is increasingly becoming a sound choice with current grants. If you're in a flat, solid-wall Victorian house without space for external kit, or a listed building, get a proper survey fi rst – the answer may be "yes, but not the standard system", or "insulate first".

Housing stock is the real deciding factor

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T he SENSE of

BAL ANCE

Arrange a personal

A perfectly balanced

tour by calling

education in the heart

01283 559200 or email

of England

admissions@repton.org.uk

repton.org.uk Co-educational | 3 - 18 | Boarding and Day

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E D U C AT I O N

Inspiring the next generation K EW WA K EHU R ST

Kew Wakehurst in Sussex have announced a record number of school pupils in the 25-26 academic year, with 14,713 students welcomed into the wild botanic garden for inspiring and engaging sessions. This remarkable figure, which includes learners from schools, colleges and universities, marks a 19% increase compared with the previous year. Well worth travelling for this coming half-term. kew.org/wakehurst

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FUTURE A responses Taking the integration of AI beyond appropriate use By CLARE JARMY

I (Artificial Intelligence) is developing and advancing quickly, so the conversation in schools must be ongoing and our guidance dynamic enough to remain current. As teachers, we have to be explicit regarding our goals if we want to give pupils the very best opportunities to use AI to make a positive impact in the world. That means nurturing an ongoing, open dialogue with pupils around how to achieve that. New tools are cropping up all the time, as are new challenges, so we can never rest on our laurels. The discussion is always evolving and although daunting at times, it is something that schools should feel excited to be part of. Prep schools have particular challenges when it comes to responding to AI. On the one hand, the job market is going to be the most different for the youngest students. On the other, age restrictions on many AI tools put them beyond the direct use of prep

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EDUCATION • ISSUE

school pupils (and many would say ‘rightly so’). Prep schools must be responding to AI while not giving pupils access to much of it. Faced with this dilemma, it can be tempting to just look for a tool: an AI program that pupils can safely use at a younger age. Whilst this might well be part of an answer, the danger is that such an approach ticks a box, while not addressing a wider issue.

CRITICAL THINKING AND POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT Viewing the integration of AI technology in relation to the development of children as people, beyond simply learning how to use these tools appropriately, is a good place to start. AI is not simply a new tool, like a glue stick or pair of scissors. AI challenges what it means to think, to work, to come up with an idea. In January 2026, the CEO of MacKenzie announced that of its 60,000 employees, 25,000 were now AI agents. Ultimately, this means prioritising an ethical, pedagogical and philosophical understanding of AI, which in turn will promote critical thinking and positive engagement across your school community. At our school, we are launching a new curriculum for pupils aged 8-13 years in September. It is designed to assess 12 key dispositions, such as collaboration, initiative and integrity: the deeply human traits that we believe really matter, and those which are not replicable by AI. We piloted this approach in Year 5 last September, building a curriculum about ethical entrepreneurship, sustainability, human rights and fast fashion around the ISEB’s iPQ qualification. This is a meaningful response to a world that is being shaped by developments in AI, but one that goes beyond mere integration of tools. The feedback we have had on CLARE JARMY

“We have a duty to ensure that any approach to AI is rooted in purpose” this approach so far has been really positive. Parents and students are both recognising the complexity of thinking, as well as new ways of problem-solving, that it is bringing to the curriculum.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS MATTER At the same time, it is important, particularly in the pre-prep and prep stage, to recognise what skills remain important, despite the fact that AI can replicate some of them. It is so important not to take this point too far – for example, just because Mo Farah can run faster than me, it doesn’t follow that I don’t need to learn to run, not only to acquire a new skill, but for the health benefits it would bring me. Pupils need to learn to research, to write, to remember, to think and to analyse; academic standards still matter. But how do we know that our pupils are learning these things? The key is that our main modes of assessment focus on the product, and not the process. If we can find ways to assess this, we will be measuring the learning taking place. Importantly, this requires that pupils belong and are known in their schools. They need teachers to know their work, understand their thinking,

and how their individual ideas have been developing. By flipping our assessment intentions from product to process, we can change the whole modus operandi, and with that bring big wins for positive relationships and pupil motivation.

ROOTED IN PURPOSE As schools we have a duty to ensure that any approach to AI is rooted in purpose, to empower young people to become more than simply passive users. Pupils should be encouraged to become active makers who use the technology available to solve realworld problems. They must start to think critically about AI: how algorithmic bias affects outputs; how deepfakes affect what we think of as reliable. More than anything, we must respond with a curriculum which cultivates what is best about humans. In the end, the foundational learning around the use of AI is more about understanding our individual pupils and our educational journey with them, which is developed and nurtured through an ongoing process of learning. Clare Jarmy is Director of Innovation at Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools in Hertfordshire. See more at habselstree.org.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…

UNIT VII A unique way to enjoy coffee and cars is catching Absolutely’s eye

ucked away on an industrial estate between Watford and Rickmansworth, Unit Vii is bringing together artisan coffee, bigflavoured food and a shared passion for cars. Industrial estates are not usually the first places that spring to mind when searching for a great coffee or a leisurely weekend brunch. Yet hidden among the businesses of Moor Park Industrial Centre on Tolpits Lane is Unit Vii, an independent café with an identity all its own. The venture was launched just over a year ago by couple Zarina and Raman, who have transformed an unexpected location into a lively meeting place for local families, food lovers and motoring enthusiasts. Its industrial surroundings are not something to disguise; instead, they form an important part of Unit Vii’s character, complementing its urban styling, street art and everchanging backdrop of eye-catching cars. At the centre of the concept is a straightforward idea: serve quality food and drink in a space where people genuinely want to spend time. The coffee is taken seriously, with a signature Brazilian-Colombian blend at the heart of the menu, alongside speciality loose-leaf teas, smoothies and other refreshments. Customers can even take the experience home with bags of Unit Vii’s freshly roasted coffee beans. The food has also developed a following, particularly the café’s signature SMASHRAPS. Freshly prepared each day, these hot, crisp tortillas are generously loaded with fillings, bold flavours and house sauces. Breakfast is available alongside lunch options, while vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices ensure the offering is accessible to a broad mix of visitors.

Cars, however, provide Unit Vii with its unmistakable point of difference. Regular car meets bring the forecourt and surrounding area to life, attracting everything from classics and American muscle cars to Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other modern supercars. The gatherings may appeal to committed petrolheads, but the relaxed atmosphere makes them equally enjoyable for families and curious visitors. That welcoming spirit extends beyond motoring. Zarina and Raman have positioned Unit Vii as a community hub, hosting supper clubs, coffee raves and one-off events, while the flexible café is also available for private hire. Dogs are welcome too, complete with their own “Doggyccinos” and biscuits. Unit Vii’s location may make it easy to miss, but that is part of its appeal. In creating a destination built around good coffee, distinctive food and a genuine sense of community, Zarina and Raman have proved that Hertfordshire’s most interesting independent openings are not always found on the high street. Sometimes, you simply have to know where to look. unitvii.com

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