Best Beer Gardens in London

The Gatehouse, Highgate

If you find yourself further north, head to The Gatehouse, located in the heart of Highgate Village. Its pub garden is clad in lush greenery – a dream for any lover of biophilia ­– and makes for the perfect spot to enjoy tapas and cocktails while you soak up the best of the English summer.

1 North Rd, London N6 4BD, thegatehousen6.com

The Whippet, Kensal Rise

The Whippet’s garden has the benefit of having a retractable roof. So, you can enjoy an al fresco vibe without having to rely on the weather. Try and grab one of the tables with comfy sofas and heaters. It’s also available for exclusive hire – perfect for any celebratory drinks you might be planning.

64 Chamberlayne Rd, London NW10 3JJ, thewhippetinn.com

Big Penny Social, Walthamstow

With a huge sun-soaked beer garden, this is one of your best bets to bag a seat on a particularly sunny day. While away your afternoon and sip pints underneath an array of twinkly fairy lights. The beer hall itself emulates a trendy microbrewery and you can grab some delicious bites from in there.

1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL, trumanssocialclub.co.uk

The Crown & Shuttle, Shoreditch

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This Shoreditch spot used to be a strip club, but it reopened in 2013 as a pub – and has since become a local institution. The garden is huge, with an extensive menu featuring lots of craft beer and great food. You can reserve a spot online beforehand, but there’s also space for walk-ins.

226 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6PJ, crownandshuttle.com

The Crabtree, Hammersmith

The Crabtree’s giant beer garden meanders down to a quiet stretch of the Thames between Hammersmith and Putney bridges. A BBQ grill operates from spring to autumn, with plenty of big tables for groups.

Rainville Rd, London SW6 6TY, thecrabtreew6.co.uk

Hope and Anchor, Brixton

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This spacious fairy-lit garden on Acre Lane is covered and heated, with 12 bookable huts alongside long wooden tables beneath the pergola. Looking to watch some sports while you’re there? Pick a hut with a private TV screen. Don’t miss the juicy burger menu.

123 Acre Ln, Brixton Hill, London SW2 5UA, hopeandanchorbrixton.co.uk

Princess of Wales, Clapton

This pretty East London haunt boasts views across the River Lea, offering a countryside feel in the heart of Hackney. Enjoy craft beers, wine and a menu of homegrown dishes.

146 Lea Bridge Rd, Lower Clapton, London E5 9RB, princessofwalesclapton.co.uk

King’s Arms, Wandsworth

If you’re worried about the temperamental British weather, Wandsworth pub the King’s Arms has a completely covered beer garden with heaters. Craft beers and cocktails are the star of the show, but there’s also plenty of food available including an all-day brunch and patties from the Burger Shack.

94-96 Wandsworth High St, London SW18 4LB, kingsarmswandsworth.co.uk

The Canonbury Tavern, Canonbury

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George Orwell would often frequent this north London haunt – and it helped inspire Moon Under Water, his essay on the criteria for the perfect pub. Its beer garden is large and leafy, with an outdoor bar serving beers, wines and spirits.

21 Canonbury Pl, London N1 2NS, thecanonbury.co.uk

The Ship, Wandsworth

Much-loved South West haunt The Ship has been around for over 200 years, but still reels in the crowds at weekends. They have a big beer garden that’s practically on the water, with a Burger Shack sizzling up BBQ food and top notch curly fries. Feels a bit like you’re on a boat, in a good way. 

41 Jews Row, London SW18 1TB, theship.co.uk

The Magic Garden, Battersea

This Battersea pub does boho chic at its finest. The Magic Garden boasts live music and DJs from all genres, where creative south-west Londoners flock on weekends. With its laid-back Glasto vibes, the so-called ‘festival in a pub’ is the kind of place you’ll struggle to leave.

231 Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 4LG, magicgardenpub.com

The Albion, Islington

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Arguably one of the most beautiful beer gardens in London, The Albion’s garden space is flooded with wisteria and flickering candles which make for endless Instagram opportunities. The French windows in the restaurant open onto over 450 metres of wisteria-filled English country garden – truly breathtaking.

10 Thornhill Rd, London N1 1HW, the-albion.co.uk

Duke of Edinburgh, Brixton

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The Duke of Edinburgh’s beer garden is legendary – and it’s one of the biggest in south London. With a large bar, BBQ pit and extensive seating, it’s made for a slow (and boozy) Sundays with friends.

204 Ferndale Rd, London SW9 8AG, dukeofedinburghpub.com

The Rose, Fulham

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Known as Fulham’s ‘Village Pub’, the garden at The Rose is typically quaint. Enjoy a refreshing drink as you listen to the gentle swell of the water features and admire the carpet of flowering shrubs. Just perfect for a lazy afternoon drink or meal with friends. Totally unique, the layout provides private and secluded areas perfect for a quiet (or not-so-quiet) afternoon.

1 Harwood Terrace, London SW6 2AF, therosefulham.co.uk

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Elderflower: Foraging Tips

From Pev Manners at Belvoir Farm

• A gentle sunny day is best for foraging as you want the pollen on the flowers.
• Find a spot away from a busy road – horse paddocks are great.
• Key equipment you’ll need: a walking stick – one with a curved end so you can grab and pull down the top branches. And a basket if you have one, for collecting the flowers, or any bag or hessian sack suspended to your belt works just as well.
• Pick from the taller branches, by drawing the boughs down with a walking stick. Always pull gently at the end where it is more pliable, to avoid snapping the branch.
• Don’t use scissors, just bare hands, as it’s easier to just snap off the flower-heads.
• Look for creamy white heads with a dusting of greeny-yellow pollen. That is where the flavour lies.
• If you find one with a head the size of a tea plate, you know they’ll be good. However, if the pollen is brown, the flowers have gone too far. Anything that smells stale, like cat pee, is also beyond its best.
• Cut just below the umbel – the common point at which all the short flower stalks extend.
• Try not to shake the blooms too much, or wash them, as you’ll lose much of the valuable pollen and flavour.
• Lay the blossom out in the shade for a couple of hours so that any insects can walk away.
• Use your picked flowers as soon as possible – ideally within six to eight hours of picking – before the pollen falls off and the flowers go brown, which they will do after about eight hours off the bush.

Recipe: Elderflower Cordial

 From Belvoir Farm

Ingredients:

• 2.5kg white sugar, granulated or caster
• 2 unwaxed lemons
• 20 fresh elderflower heads, stalks trimmed
• 85g citric acid (buy online or from a chemist)

Method:

1. Put the sugar and 1.5 litres/2¾ pints water into the largest saucepan you have. Gently heat, without boiling, until the sugar has dissolved. Give it a stir every now and again. Remove the zest from the lemons using a potato peeler, then slice the lemons into rounds.
2. Once the sugar has dissolved, bring the pan of syrup to the boil, then turn off the heat. Fill a washing up bowl with cold water. Give the flowers a gentle swish around to loosen any dirt or bugs. Lift flowers out, gently shake and transfer to the syrup along with the lemons, zest and citric acid, then stir well. Cover the pan and leave to infuse for 24 hrs.
3. Line a colander with a clean tea towel, then sit it over a large bowl or pan. Ladle in the syrup – let it drip slowly through. Discard the bits left in the towel. Use a funnel and a ladle to fill sterilised bottles (run glass bottles through the dishwasher, or wash well with soapy water. Rinse, then leave to dry in a low oven). The cordial is ready to drink straight away and will keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks. Or freeze it in plastic containers or ice cube trays and defrost as needed.

Elderflower Iced Tea

By Tommy Banks (The Black Swan at Oldstead)

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 Earl Grey teabag
• 125ml boiling water
• 15 large ice cubes
• 40ml elderflower cordial 
• 10ml lemon juice

Method:

Place the teabag in a jug and pour over the boiling water. Leave to infused for 90 seconds. Meanwhile, in another jug combine the ice, cordial and lemon juice. Pour the hot tea over the other ingredients and stir until the tea is cold. Straight into glasses and enjoy. 

Elderflower and Rhubarb Kulfi with Sesame Brittle

By Will Bowlby (Kricket)

Hugh Johnson

‘Kulfi is a hard-set ice cream typically made from buffalo milk, which can be seen served roadside throughout India, in various flavours. The best one I’ve tried is towards the end of Marine Drive in Mumbai. It’s the perfect way to cool yourself down on a hot day. The sesame brittle adds a texture and crunch to this dessert – you can buy it ready-made.’

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 200g rhubarb, chopped into 1 cm pieces 
• 120ml elderflower cordial
• 250ml evaporated milk
• 250ml condensed milk
• 250ml double cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice 

For the sesame brittle:

• 200g caster sugar 
• 4 tablespoons sesame seeds, lightly toasted

Method  

1. Preheat the oven to 180oC (350oF/Gas 4). 
2. Place the rhubarb in an earthenware dish, add 1 tablespoon of the elderflower cordial and roast in the oven for about 20 minutes until soft. Mash the rhubarb and put to one side. 
3. Pour the evaporated milk, condensed milk and cream into a pan and whisk together until well combined. Add the lemon zest. Bring to a bare simmer over a low heat and stir for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the remaining elderflower cordial, mix and leave to cool. 
4. Pour the mixture into a bowl, add the mashed rhubarb and whisk into the infused cream until very well combined and smooth in consistency. Spoon into 4 dariole moulds or ramekin dishes. Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. 
5. Meanwhile, to make the sesame brittle, line a baking tray with baking parchment. Heat the sugar in a heavy-based saucepan gently over a medium-low heat, without stirring, for about 5 minutes until bubbling and golden. Stir in the toasted sesame seeds, boil for a few seconds, then pour onto the prepared baking tray, spreading as thinly as possible. Leave to cool and harden completely. Bash the brittle into small shards. 
6. To loosen the kulfi from the moulds, dip the bottoms of them briefly into hot water, run a knife carefully round the edge of the mould and turn out onto a plate. Top with the shards of sesame brittle and serve 

The post It’s Elderflower Season – Here’s How To Forage For It appeared first on Country and Town House.

Creating The Perfect Peony Bouquet

Photo by Peter Bucks on Unsplash

Why Does Everyone Love Peonies So Much?

‘One of the most sought-after flowers on the planet with layers upon layers of delicate ruffled petals, these fabulous flowers are available in a range of exquisite colours including white, light pink, cerise, coral and red,’ says celebrity florist Larry Walshe, creator of Bloom. ‘Hugely exclusive owing to their very short season, it is no wonder they are a favourite of celebrities such as Meghan Markle, Kylie and Oprah.

‘As their buds open, they reveal the most beautiful blooms, which are both large, romantic and impressive. Hugely feminine, they are a popular choice within a wedding and will fill any interior with huge impact and colour.’

‘When you first collect your fresh peonies this season, buy them closed to experience their metamorphosis from a golf ball sized bundle to a massive, voluptuous flower,’ says Bloom & Wild. ‘When you get them home, if there is a sticky substance surrounding the peony head, simply take a moist, warm sponge and tap it around the flower, this will allow the flower to open more easily. In the wild, insects, typically ants, will often be found on the flower head to collect the sap and loosen the petals.’

What Is The Best Type Of Peony?

‘My favourite peonies are Coral Charm, as their colour fades from the most incredible, striking coral hue to a delicate soft peach tone as they evolve,’ says Larry. ‘Peonies do not have a long-life expectancy, so do be prepared to enjoy them for between three and seven days, depending upon the conditions and the weather. That being said, they pack a real impact, so more than make up for their somewhat fleeting nature.’

Pairing Peonies With Other Seasonal Stems

‘Always try to find other seasonal stems to add to your bunch, especially if you can pluck them straight from your garden,’ Bloom & Wild suggests. ‘We’re loving the scent, texture and colour of lilac combined with white double peonies or Sarah Bernhardt varieties. The lilac stems will also support the weaker peony stems within the arrangement! If you can’t find lilacs, cherry blossoms will add more of a wild feel to your arrangement, as well as height variance.’

 

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‘Peonies pair well against roses, ranunculus, tulips and other seasonal delights,’ Larry adds. ‘Their large flower heads are balanced well with generous roses and spray roses. Adding foliage will also incorporate a further layer of texture that may be desirable. 

‘Equally, I love to display peonies on their own in glorious abundance in a vase at home,’ says Larry. ‘In my opinion, there is nothing more beautiful than the simplicity of this style of decorating to bring any interior to life.’

What About Mixing Types Of Peony?

‘We love a mixed peony bouquet, but do be aware that different variations of peony open at different times,’ says Bloom & Wild. ‘For example, coral charm peonies will open quite quickly and grow in size whilst changing their colour over a few days. These look fantastic with Miss Piggy roses and apricot coloured stocks. Sarah Bernhardt peonies on the other hand, do tend to take a bit longer to open, but will last longer for you. These look fantastic with textural foliage such as green bell, lime green bupleurum and ranunculus.’

 

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What Do Peonies Represent?

Different peonies mean different things. Larry breaks down the symbolism…

White Peonies

White peonies symbolise bashfulness, so they’re great for those times when you’ve said or done something wrong and want to apologise. No one can hold a grudge when a beautiful bouquet of white peonies shows up at their door!

Pink Peonies

We adore pink peonies, and they’re super popular for wedding bouquets as they symbolise good luck and prosperity.

Red Peonies

Red peonies symbolise love, passion, honour and respect. Whatever stage in your relationship you’re at, I’m sure your partner will love a big bouquet of red peonies!

Coral Peonies

Coral peonies are a unique type of peony that can change colour as they bloom. In terms of symbolism, coral peonies are often associated with elegance, good fortune, success, and strong relationships. They can also represent happiness and abundance.

Purple Peonies

Purple peonies are often associated with royalty, nobility, and dignity. They can also represent admiration, respect, and romance. In some cultures, purple is believed to symbolise power, ambition, and luxury. A beautiful and elegant choice for many occasions.

Featured Image: Photo by Allie Smith on Unsplash

The post How to Create the Perfect Peony Bouquet appeared first on Country and Town House.

Properties With Gorgeous Gardens

The Grange, Wendover

Between 1789 to 1794, this historic property was owned by John Barker Church, the brother-in-law of Alexander Hamilton and one of only two American revolutionaries to sit in English Parliament. The gardens feature a number of large terraces, rose sections and water features. You’ll also find an indoor swimming pool plus a jacuzzi, sauna and wet room. Available through Knight Frank at a guide price of £3.2 million

New Hall, Henfield, West Sussex

This handsome home boasts gardens landscaped by award-winning gardener Juliet Sargeant. Wander through the splendid walled garden featuring a stone terrace, croquet lawn, flower beds and a central pergola walkway, or take in views of the South Downs from the York stone terrace with a lavender field beyond. Available through Savills at a guide price of £3.5 million

Upper Ham Road, Richmond, Surrey

This outstanding period home sits in a highly sought-after location overlooking Ham Common, just a short distance from Richmond Park and the River Thames. There are five bedrooms and two bathrooms, and outside there is an enviable south-facing garden with a patio area, mature trees and picture-perfect vines of Wisteria. Available through Knight Frank at a guide price of £2.95 million

Streatham Common South, London

At the rear of this five-bedroom property you’ll find clusters of patio spaces which open out onto a large lawn dotted with seating areas, foliage and delightful garden buildings. It’s a pocket of leafy paradise. Available through Knight Frank at a guide price of £2.95 million

Oakhill by Berkeley

You’ll find this brand new development nestled in 17 acres of stunning Kent countryside. Much of the landscaping is the work of landscape designer Tom Stuart-Smith, eight-time gold medal winner and three-time ‘Best in Show’ winner at Chelsea Flower Show. Across the gardens you’ll spot Japanese maples and bamboo as well as a number of ponds adorned with waterlilies. Coming this summer. To find out more, visit berkeleygroup.co.uk.  

Were Down, Kingsbridge, Devon 

This spectacular home is perched on the slopes of a wooded valley, commanding glorious views of the Avon estuary. It is complete with five bedrooms and three bathrooms as well as a large forestry barn and a separate lodge with a living room, bedroom and bathroom. The grounds, however, might just be the star of the show: the house sits within 15 acres of private woodland that leads down to the estuary. A slice of rural heaven, right on your doorstep. Available through Marchand Petit at a guide price of £2.25 million 

St Brelade, Jersey St Brelade

With an enviable coastal position, this property has a pretty white exterior with blue framed windows, while inside it’s sleek and modern. It sits surrounded by manicured gardens with a lawned amphitheatre, terraces and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Available through Christie’s Real Estate for £16,500,000.

Mount Avenue, Ealing, London

If you’re after a palatial pad that’s perfect for alfresco entertaining – look no further. This Ealing property boasts an extensive patio with a custom bbq outdoor kitchen, and additional terraces throughout the house – the roof terrace even has its very own hot tub. It might ooze luxury throughout, but this property was also built with an eco-focus in mind. Available through Hamptons for £6,000,000.

Surrey Lane, Battersea, London

Experience the best of grand country living from a desirable London postcode. Positioned a stone’s throw from Battersea Park, the River and Thomas’s Battersea School, this property would make the family home of dreams. Boasting over 6,000sqft of living space, there are six bedrooms, many with en suites, a grand entrance hall and a 24ft drawing room with French windows opening up to the terrace and garden. Available through Savills for £9,950,000.

13. Ditton Road, Surbiton, Surrey

Sitting on the Southborough estate, this property offers comfortable family living. There’s the impressive and grand entrance hall, light breakfast kitchen, a characterful study and six bedrooms. The garden is a huge stretch of lawn with a shed sitting at the bottom of the garden. Set in a peaceful location, it’s just a mile to Surbiton town, giving you the best of both country and town. Available through Dexters for £2,999,950.

MORE PROPERTY:

10 Properties with Fitness Features on the Market Now / Best Country Homes to Plan Retirement To / Homes in London’s Best Villages

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Chelsea In Bloom 2023: The Guide

When Is Chelsea In Bloom 2023?

This year, Chelsea in Bloom is taking place from 22–27 May 2023. 

As in previous years, RHS judges will collaborate with a lifestyle judge to award Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit Awards to participants. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 23 May 2023. The ‘People’s Champion’, however, will be decided by the public via online voting, opening on Monday 22 May and closing on Thursday 26 May.

Chelsea in Bloom 2019

What Is The Theme?

The 2023 Chelsea in Bloom theme is ‘Flowers on Film’, encouraging participants to draw inspiration for their displays from characters and storylines that have graced the big screen, as well as cinematic awards and the neighbourhood’s cinematic heritage.

William Friese-Green created the first ever moving picture on the King’s Road, James Bond author Ian Fleming lived on Cheyne Walk, and Dracula author Bram Stoker also lived in the area. Also expect references to the likes of A Clockwork Orange, Withnail and I, A Good Year, and Skyfall, all films with links to Chelsea.

The full 2023 program is about to be revealed, but hinted highlights include an Oscars-themed installation on Pavilion Road (think huge Oscars statue and an interactive red carpet) and a cinematic celebration at Sloane Square (featuring the return of last year’s sell-out rickshaw rides and walking tours), both designed by All for Love London.

Plus, keep your eyes peeled for whimsical installations throughout Chelsea, such as ‘The Carlton Kong’ outside The Carlton Tower Jumeirah hotel, Jo Malone’s collaboration with Ricky Paul Flowers drawing on the Scottish Highlands, or a Parisian inspired display at Diptyque.

start the slideshow

Expect more floral festivities along the King’s Road and Sloane Street, on Dovehouse Green, and at the Royal Avenue and Duke of York Square.

Stay up to date at chelseainbloom.co.uk

Images from previous years at Chelsea in Bloom

The post Chelsea in Bloom: What To Expect In 2023 appeared first on Country and Town House.

Guide To The Chelsea Flower Show 2023

What Is The RHS Chelsea Flower Show?

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is an annual garden show held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in west London. Beginning in 1912 and previously known as the ‘Great Spring Show’, the event is popular with professional horticulturalists and at-home gardeners alike, as well as British high society, including the Royal Family. 

But it’s not all pomp and show: representing the latest and greatest in gardening techniques and designers, the Chelsea Flower Show has evolved into a frontrunning eco-conscious event, where environmentally friendly innovations are showcased alongside exotic flora, and modern issues – like urban greening, water conservation and biodiversity preservation – are tackled head on. This year is an especially exciting installment, with all RHS Chelsea gardens required to have a plan for life after the show for the first time; some displays will be moved in their entirety and relocated permanently, while others are expected to be rehomed in parts. Likewise, expect to see plenty of Royal tributes across the 36 gardens, this being the first Chelsea Flower Show since the late Queen died and her son, King Charles III, succeeded her.

The late Queen Elizabeth smiling with garden designer Joe Swift and RHS ambassador Mark Gregoy during a royal visit to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022. (© RHS/Luke MacGregor)

As well as the usually beautiful show gardens, sanctuary gardens and house plant studios, we’re excited to see:

• The Royal Entomological Society Garden designed by Tom Massey, which will feature a functioning laboratory to study insect numbers visiting the garden during the show
• The Savills Garden featuring a working kitchen, feeding the Chelsea Pensioners in a true plot-to-plate experience
• Horatio’s Garden, the first garden on Main Avenue to be specifically designed to be wheelchair accessible
• Caley Bros, RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s first ever mushroom exhibitors

When Is The Chelsea Flower Show 2023?

The 2023 edition of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will take place from Tuesday 23–Saturday 27 May. The first two days of the show (Tuesday and Wednesday) are reserved for RHS members only, and then the show is open to the public from Thursday onwards. Note, however, that your ticket must be purchased in advance of the show at rhs.org.uk

Where To Watch The Chelsea Flower Show On TV

The BBC will be featuring the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on BBC One and Two throughout the duration of the show, with presenters including Sophie Raworth, Angellica Bell and Monty Don commentating alongside special expert guests such as Adam Frost, Frances Tophill, Arit Anderson and Nick Bailey. The Chelsea Flower Show is on TV on:

• Sunday 21 May at 6pm on BBC One
• Monday 22–Friday 26 May at 3.45pm on BBC One
• Monday 22 May at 7.30pm on BBC Two
• Tuesday 23–Saturday 27 May at 8pm on BBC Two
• Wednesday 24 May at 7pm on BBC One and Two
• Friday 26 May at 7.30pm on BBC One and Two
• Monday 29 May at 8pm on BBC One

Where To Eat & Drink

There are four restaurants onsite at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, as well as a selection of cafes and picnic areas for smaller and lighter bites. 

The Ranelagh Restaurant

This is the flower show’s luxury fine dining restaurant, offering breakfast and lunch with all ingredients sourced within 30 miles of the Chelsea Showground.

The Drawing Room

Created in collaboration with The Dorchester, The Drawing Room offers floral-inspired Champagne afternoon tea, bar bites and chilled drinks.

Champagne & Seafood Restaurant

With a luxury seafood angle, this restaurant offers lunch and brunch in beautiful surrounds, accompanied by a glass of Pommery Brut Royal.

Spring Garden at Chelsea

Designed for private clients and intimate and exclusive groups, Spring Garden at Chelsea is a stylish space where guests can embrace the simplicity and seasonality of renowned chef Skye Gyngell’s food.

Discover more delicious places to eat and drink during the Chelsea Flower Show here

What To Wear

While visitors typically dress up on members’ days, it is technically a smart-casual dress code at the RHS Chelsea Flower show. Taking place outdoors and with our current fickle weather, you might want to pick an outfit that can be layered up or down. One thing’s for certain: wear some comfortable shoes.

Check out our full guide on what to wear to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show here

Can You Still Get Tickets?

Yes, tickets are still available, and you can get them here. Tuesday 23 May and Wednesday 24 May tickets are only available for RHS members, but Thursday 25 May, Friday 26 May, and Saturday 27 May are available to the public. Prices start from £37.85 for RHS members and £48.85 for non-members. 

London Gate, Royal Hospital Road, Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3 4SR

rhs.org.uk 

Featured image: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017 (via Getty).

The post Guide To The Chelsea Flower Show 2023 appeared first on Country and Town House.

Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide

In Brief: The 2023 Wellness Festival Calendar

• May: Balance Festival
• June: The Big Retreat Festival, Wellnergy
• July: Love Trails, ALSO Festival, LoveFit, Peter Crone at Camp Kerala, Summer Camp By The Good Life Society
• August: Wilderness Festival, Green Man, Soul Circus
• September: VERVE

UK Wellness Festivals To Book In 2023

Balance Festival

Work out with global fitness experts, learn from top wellness gurus and sample some of the hottest health foods of the moment at Balance Festival, which returns to The Old Truman Brewery in London this May. As well as classes from London’s top fitness studios (Barry’s, Boomcycle, and KXU), expect a meditation dome, a market and start-up village to see the latest venues in the wellness sector.

Where? The Old Truman Brewery, London

When? 19–21 May 2023

BOOK: balance-festival.com

The Big Retreat Festival

After a two-year hiatus, The Big Retreat Festival returned this summer, taking place in Lawrenny Castle Estate in the UK’s only coastal national park. Billed as ‘an adventure for all five senses’, the event combines music (Toploader and Scouting For Girls are confirmed headliners), books, storytelling and wellness. Fitness is a big part of the event, too, with the Energy Field hosting a range of classes including circuit training, pilates, dance and assault courses, alongside mindset talks and nutrition workshops. Afterwards, replenish in the Soul Space, a sanctuary complete with wood-fired hot tubs, wild swimming and gong baths. You can also listen to inspiring speakers in the Talk Tent, a collaboration with the global Shelf Help Community, which is dedicated to supporting personal development.

Where? Lawrenny Castle Estate, Wales

When? 1–4 June 2023

BOOK: thebigretreatfestival.com

Wellnergy

Drawing together five pillars – mindfulness, fitness, food, music and laughter – Wellnergy is a London-based day festival packed with fitness activities, learning sessions, and delicious and healthy food. Speakers including Grace Beverley, Dilly Carter, Dr Alex George, Alice Liveing, Maude Hirst and Laura Hof will all be present, and there will also be music curated by the Gardens of Babylon collective with internationally renowned electronic music artists Magit Cacoon and Patrice Baumel. 

Where? Barn Elms Sports Centre, London SW13 0DG

When? 17 June 2023

BOOK: Tickets from £65. wellnergy.co.uk

David Altabev

Love Trails

Explore some of the UK’s most beautiful coastal sights, tidal islands and ancient woodland at Love Trails, a festival which combines running, music and adventure. Taking place on the spectacular Gower Peninsula in South Wales, there are a number of organised runs taking place, ranging from trail runs to mindfulness runs to pub crawl runs.

If you’re not big into running, there are plenty of other fitness activities to get stuck into, including wild swimming, orienteering, paragliding, rock climbing, surfing and sunrise yoga. Talks, debates and live interviews also take place throughout the weekend from the likes of Hannah Phillips, Sarah Thomas and John Kelly.

Where? Gower Peninsula, South Wales

When: 6–9 July 2023

BOOK: lovetrails.com

ALSO

Taking place in the lakeside setting of Warwickshire’s Park Farm, ALSO is centred around reconnecting humans with nature. Spanning the likes of mindful thinking, climate change and mental health, guests can anticipate wellness activities, forward-thinking discussions, workshops, art and theatre, with a number of theorists, authors and comedians hosting talks around topics such as parenthood and our relationship with technology. For 2023, comedians Sara Pascoe and Celya Ab will perform alongside great music from K.O.G, Love Itoya, Get the Water and plenty more. The 50-acre landscaped grounds also offer space for outdoor activities like forest bathing and wild swimming, while family style dining events encourage festival-goers to meet new people, get inspired, and tuck into delicious food.

Where? Park Farm, Warwickshire

When? 14–16 July 2023

BOOK: also-festival.com

LoveFit

Fancy the best of both worlds? Head to LoveFit, a festival that fuses fitness with classic music festival vibes. By day you can take part in everything from spinning to boxing to paddle boarding, but by night it’s all about music, DJs and late-night partying. The line-up typically sees some of London’s hottest fitness studios in residence, including Kobox, F45 and Fierce Grace, alongside an abundance of good, healthy food to fuel the weekend. The ultimate detox-retox.

Where? St Clere Estate, Kent

When? 14–16 July 2023

BOOK: lovefitfestival.com

Peter Crone at Camp Kerala

Known as the ‘Mind Architect’, Peter Crone is a writer, speaker and thought leader who specialises in human potential. He has worked with world-famous actors and athletes all over the world – and now we can experience his work thanks to a festival from luxury, under canvas accommodation provider Camp Kerala. Taking place in the remote British countryside, the 2022 event was transformative, with talks and Q&A sessions with Peter designed to help participants unlock their potential. Alongside this, guests enjoy nourishing meals made using fresh, organic ingredients, take part in yoga and guided walks, and reside in a luxurious private tented lodge. There’s a spa too, where you can relax in the sauna, have a tailored massage or try ‘fire-ice therapy’. Worlds away from your average festival, this one is designed as a ‘weekend of enlightenment’, which will inspire a new way of living.

Where? Glastonbury

When? 27–31 July 2023

BOOK: series.petercrone.com

Summer Camp By The Good Life Society

Over in the glorious, unusual and historic setting of the Hawarden Estate against the backdrop of two castles, The Good Life Society is back with Summer Camp, a series of micro festivals set in the estate’s Walled Garden, taking place over four weekends in July. Stepping back from larger-scale events following the pandemic, micro really does mean micro: there will be space for only 125 guests at each weekend, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere bolstered by guided foraging walks, wild swimming and self-improvement workshops.

Where? Hawarden, Wales

When? Throughout July

BOOK: thegoodlifesociety.co.uk

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Wilderness Festival

Set in the idyllic Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, Wilderness Festival is hailed as one of the UK’s top weekend wellness festivals. While it holds many of the aspects of a traditional music festival (including a stellar line-up), guests can also take part in activities like wild swimming, fireside cooking sessions and mindfulness classes. Think yoga brunch clubs, foraging workshops, supper clubs and live theatre shows, alongside relaxation time at The Sanctuary & Lakeside Spa, complete with outdoor hot tubs.

Where? Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

When? 3–6 August 2023

BOOK: wildernessfestival.com

Otherlands Music & Arts Festival

Rejuvenate mind, body and spirit in Perth this summer at Otherlands, the festival striving to to be more than just a music festival. Expect yoga and breathwork classes for a moment of tranquillity before more typical festivities commence. There’s also the wellness sanctuary – compromising of saunas, hot tubs, and masseurs – offers a serene escape across the whole weekend.

Where? Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland

When? 11–13 August 2023

BOOK IT: otherlandsfestival.com

Green Man

Ultra-zen hideout-come-retreat, Green Man Festival is a haven for nature lovers, explorers and health enthusiasts alike. Not only does it offer your usual yoga and pilates, they have a dedicated Nature Nurture garden, a quiet corner tucked away in the Welsh countryside complete with gong baths, restorative hot tubs and Indian summer massages.

Where? Brecon Beacons, Wales

When? 17–20 August 2023

BOOK: greenman.net

Soul Circus

Yoga and wellbeing festival Soul Circus has soared in popularity since launching in 2017. Held at the picturesque Cotswolds hills of Elmore near Gloucester, festival goers can try an array of different types of yoga, from aerial to restorative, as well as other exercise classes such as barre and boxing. You can also enjoy a wide selection of locally sourced, healthy food, live music and DJs, attend one of the many workshops on offer, or simply chill out in a lakeside hot tub. The gardens and woodlands make a beautiful backdrop for the festival’s many light shows and parties, which run late into the night.

Where? Elmore, Gloucestershire

When? 17–20 August 2023

BOOK: soulcircus.yoga

VERVE

Ever worked out in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? Here’s your chance: VERVE festival, set in the beautiful Cranborne Chase. Activities on offer include sound baths, yoga classes, storytelling and farm runs, alongside talks on topics related to physical and mental health, such as sober curiosity and fertility. Guests can also explore the non-alcoholic bar, try a CBD IV drip, and meet like-minded friends at evening supper clubs. VERVE is also taking steps to conserve the natural beauty of the earth: it’s one of the UK’s first zero-waste festivals, and there’s no plastic on site.

Where? South Wiltshire

When? 16–17 September 2023

BOOK: feeltheverve.com

Featured Image: ALSO Festival 2022.

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Highgrove: A Visit To The Royal Gardens

Robert Smith Photography

Debs Goodenough breaks off in mid-sentence and drops to the ground. She has spotted something I cannot even see. ‘It’s a twayblade!’ she exclaims of the tiny greenish-yellow wild orchid. ‘I must show it to His Royal Highness – he will be delighted.’

It is 25 years since the organic gardens of the Prince of Wales at Highgrove opened to the public, raising over £7m for his charity, the Prince’s Trust. I am one of the 37,000 visitors who come each year, being given a guided tour around the 15-acre property by Goodenough, the charming head gardener, who has a soft Canadian lilt and an encyclopaedic knowledge of plants that is matched only by her enthusiasm for her job and deference to her employer. ‘What I always stress to visitors is that when the Duchy of Cornwall purchased this house [in 1980], there was virtually no garden. It was a blank canvas.’

It’s a good metaphor, given the Prince’s artistic predilections. He has covered this particular canvas in colour – not only in the choice of flowering plants, but in the gates and benches, beckoning in playful blues, pinks and yellows. In this detail, he was influenced by the vibrant palette of the Jardin Majorelle, restored by Yves Saint Laurent, in Marrakech. ‘He is always seeing new things and bringing items back from his travels, such as these wooden doors from India,’ says Goodenough. ‘It used to be called the Indian Gate, but was renamed the Shand Gate, in honour of the Duchess’ late brother.’ Next to it stand an elephant and her calf in box topiary – a gift from the Duchess of Cornwall.

Robert Smith Photography

I am struck by the cosiness and lack of pomp – the puckish humour, even. This is no Versailles (ironically, the kitchen garden, with its serried ranks of perfect vegetables in plots bordered by marigolds and crab apple trees, struck me as the most formal area). Rather, tended by a team of 11 gardeners, this is the horticultural equivalent of a high-maintenance woman who spends hours in front of the mirror to achieve that casual, just-out-of-bed look.

There is a theatrical sense of anticipation as you progress through a succession of secret gardens, as though through an enfilade of rooms, each one surrounded by walls of warm Cotswold stone or sculpted hedges. The aforementioned gates, each one unique, give access to a different world, that begins for visitors with the orchard. Here, along with heritage varieties of apple and pear, is a Glastonbury thorn, a gift from the Abbot of Glastonbury and a descendant of the original tree allegedly brought by Joseph of Arimathea. Grazing peacefully are sheep and deer made of woven willow by sculptor Emma Stothard, a beneficiary of the Prince’s Trust, who also presented him with a likeness of his beloved Jack Russell, Tigga.

Robert Smith Photography

We continue into the Cottage Garden, for which the Prince, as a novice gardener, sought the advice of Rosemary Verey. The hebe she planted is flowering, and all around is a riot of pink and blue, with martial delphiniums towering proudly to nine foot ten inches. A heady scent issues from plump, blush-tinged ‘Jude the Obscure’ roses – a leitmotif in the gardens – and also from a bed of carnations. Or, as I learn to call them, pinks. Even if they are yellow. These, however, are indeed pink – dianthus ‘Devon Wizard’ to be precise, and the Prince’s favourite, worn in his buttonhole.

I learn also that, in this predominantly alkaline environment, growing rhododendrons – which form the basis of the new Buttress Garden – is no mean feat. Acid soil has to be created for them, by composting the right components.

This is down to the wizardry of Goodenough: ‘His Royal Highness is the design element,’ she says. ‘My job is to get the horticulture right and do it in a sustainable, organic way.’ This applies equally to the kitchen garden, where ‘good horticultural practice helps keep pests away’. Apparently roses and garlic spray make good bedfellows.

Robert Smith Photography

The first thing the Prince sees on returning home, however, is the meadow of some 130 species of wildflower (including the wonderfully named ‘Farmer’s Nightmare’ seed mix). Conceived with the help of Dame Miriam Rothschild, an early proponent of organic gardening, it’s alive with birdsong and butterflies. ‘When I moved here, in 1980, I already felt passionately about the destruction that had been, and was still being, wreaked on our countryside since the 1960s,’ explains the Prince in his video introduction to the gardens. ‘Hedgerows were being ripped out, ancient woodlands lost, wildflower-rich meadows devastated and the excessive use of chemicals on both land and gardens was commonplace. At last, at Highgrove, I had an opportunity to work with Nature, rather than against her.’

Organic, sustainable, recyclable – everything is done in harmony with the soil and with the seasons, the principles environmentally friendly, down to water harvesting and special slow-release water bags, like whoopee cushions, to conserve water. Heritage varieties are propagated. Traditional skills, such as thatching and drystone walling, are championed. Even tree stumps, surrounded by ferns and hostas, reappear upturned to artistic effect in the famous Stumpery – a mysterious haunt where you might imagine dryads emerging at night. It put me in mind of The Castle of Otranto. This is where Hollyrood House – a thatched treehouse (with holly-shaped door), built for the seven-year-old Prince William – is to be found, along with the Wall of Gifts, where presents from students of stonemasonry find their resting place, in a kind of neo-gothic tribute. Gifts, in fact, are in evidence throughout the gardens – from the Indian bean tree in the Cottage Garden, given by Elton John, to the sundial offered by the Duke of Beaufort in the Sundial Garden – the latter originally designed by Lady Salisbury and surrounded by scalloped yew hedges that shield it from the wind and muffle street noise. I wonder what’s done with less welcome gifts. ‘The secret is to put the right piece in the right place, to be shown to best advantage,’ replies Goodenough, with unenlightening diplomacy.

Robert Smith Photography

The eclectic gardens reveal not only the Prince’s personal taste and passions, but also friends and important influences in his life. Familiar figures peer at you from hedges, pedestals and gateways – composer John Tavener, Miriam Rothschild and ‘Debo’ Devonshire perch atop the Egyptian gate; mentor Laurens van der Post resides like Saint Simeon on a pillar; poet Ted Hughes nestles in a wooden neoclassical tempietto – designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman from green oak cut to look like stone, its pediment filled with Scottish driftwood. Eventually a roundabout route returns us to the Thyme Walk and the view of clipped golden yews leading from the Borghese Gladiator and the lily pond up towards the house itself – a beautiful but understated 1790s mansion. ‘All the experts advised His Royal Highness to remove the yews, which were part of the original garden,’ says Goodenough. But the Prince, ever his own man, decided to keep them, instructing his gardeners to create unique shapes from each one. Formerly neglected, these eccentric, living sculptures, architecturally regimented within stilt hedges of hornbeam and surrounded by a shaggy carpet of lavender, agapanthus and thyme, have become the iconic view of the estate.

Just visible from this angle is the spire of the oak pavilion, a memorial surrounding the stump of a felled 200-year-old cedar – one of the trees with which the Prince became enamoured on first seeing Highgrove. Nearby, new life is represented by a young balsam poplar, which the Prince of Wales planted with his grandson, Prince George, in 2015.

Birdsong, scented flowers, luscious fruits, colour and texture – Highgrove is a paean to the five senses, a Wagnerian gesamtkunstwerk. If it’s true that the Prince of Wales talks to his plants, it certainly seems to work. Just 40 years on from being a blank canvas, this much-loved garden looks as though it might have been here forever.

This article was first published in September 2019.

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What Is No Mow May?

No Mow May is an initiative calling gardeners to not cut their lawns during the month of May in order to allow wildflowers to bloom. Launched in 2019 by botanical charity Plantlife, since the first year, the number of people taking part has tripled – and it’s hoped that figure will increase even more in 2023.

Getty Images

Why Is It Important? 

The initiative aims to transform our gardens into havens of biodiversity. Since the 1970s, we’ve lost nearly 97 percent of flower rich meadows, which means far fewer pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. Gardening expert Sarah Raven explains: ‘We’ve already lost 23 bee species in England since 1800 – including 3 bumblebees – and in Britain 67 percent of our moth species have declined over the last 50 years, as well as 25 percent of hoverflies. If this carries on, our food resources will look drastically different, with most fruit and vegetables – which are pollinated by insects – disappearing from our supermarket shelves.’

Plantlife believes people can help reverse this by leaving their gardens to run wild for a few weeks – and the results are there to prove it. In previous years, No Mow May has shown changing our mowing habits can increase the amount of nectar available to bees and other pollinators. Last year, the most common plants recorded included daisies, yellow rattle, field forget-me-not, dandelion and oxeye daisy. Campaigners were particularly pleased with the presence of yellow rattle, as this plant is known to act as ‘nature’s lawn mower’, weakening more vigorous grasses and allowing more delicate wildflowers to grow.

How To Get Involved

Joining the movement is pretty simple: leave your garden unmowed for the month of May. You can sign up to register on the Plantlife website – this will help the charity see the impact of the campaign, plus you’ll get access to the Plantlife Expert Guide to Lawns. 

For those keen to identify pollinators in their gardens, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust has produced a handy guide here (there are around 270 different species in Britain). There’s also a Butterfly Conservation identification guide here.

While the campaign focuses on May, Plantlife is encouraging us to mow our lawns less generally. ‘Results from our previous No Mow May surveys show that keeping two to three different lengths of grass throughout the summer will maximise the diversity and quantity of flowers and the nectar they produce,’ says Plantlife. 

It also suggests leaving some areas of long glass completely unmown year-round to allow taller flowers like oxeye daisy and field scabious to bloom. For the rest of your lawn, the charity advises mowing it once a month to a height of around 1 or 2 inches. 

Find out more at plantlife.org.uk

Featured image: Getty Images

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The Most Beautiful Gardens You Can Visit In The UK

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Featured image: Kew Gardens

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