Hide and Fox partner with Wine Garden of England to celebrate English Wine Week

English wine at Hide and Fox (credit Saltwick Media)

Hide and Fox partner with Wine Garden of England to celebrate English Wine Week

Hide and Fox, Kent’s only restaurant to hold two Michelin stars, is hosting a dinner with Wine Garden of England, on Tuesday 9th June. Hosted in collaboration with WGoE’s brand ambassador, Jo Ginn, the evening is part of the celebrations for English Wine Week, championing English wines and the wine makers who create them.

The evening will start at 7pm with snacks and a welcome glass of Domaine Evremond, a Kentish sparkling created by Taittinger, characterised by a distinct saline and chalky finish, before a six-course dinner cooked by chef director Allistair Barsby, paired alongside a further eight wines from the Wine Garden of England association, including Yotes Court, Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Squerryes, Simpsons, Westwell, Balfour and Biddenden.

Tickets cost £185 per person with limited availability.

The menu

Mackerel
Gooseberry, elderflower, dandelion
Rosé ‘Best Turned Out’ Yotes Court 2023

Heirloom tomato
Kelly’s Canterbury goats’ cheese, pickled walnut
Kit's Coty Bacchus Chapel Down 2023

Sea bass
Squid ragout, chard, butter sauce
Brut Reserve Squerryes 2019 and Brut Reserve Gusbourne 2021

Longland duck
Chicory, radicchio, cabbage
Pinot Noir Rabbit Hole Simpsons 2024 and Signature Balfour 2022

Alp Blossom
Orange and fennel jam, fennel salad
Ortega skin contact Westwell 2023

Strawberry
Clotted cream, lemon thyme
Schonbürger Biddenden 2025

About Hide and Fox
Hide and Fox is a two-Michelin stars restaurant on the village green in Saltwood, Hythe, near the East Kent coast. Opened by Alice Bussi and Allister Barsby in June 2019, Hide and Fox is an independent neighbourhood restaurant in a characterful and intimate dining space, offering two carefully crafted tasting menus with a focus on the best seasonal and local produce and hand selected wine pairings, including an exclusive English wine flight. Everything at Hide and Fox is served with the elegant modern touch for which Allister and Alice are known.

In 2021, Hide and Fox received its first Michelin Star along with 3 AA Rosettes and in 2025 Allister and Alice’s culinary and hospitality vision was awarded with the rare and inspiring accolade of Two Michelin stars, the only restaurant in the South of England to hold this award to date.

Allister and Alice bring a fresh perspective to the Kent dining scene, borne from their illustrious careers in food and hospitality with career paths that feature some of the best establishments from Tuscany to Bath, and from Devon to Wales. Together they have created Hide and Fox to deliver truly exceptional dining driven by flavour, enhanced by handpicked wines, and offered always with the beautiful guest experience they both demand.

From Allister’s native Whitstable and Alice’s upbringing in Liguria, Italy to five-star European hotels and the west country’s leading Michelin starred restaurants, the couple have won plaudits and awards due to their commitment to the quality of the food on the plate, and the seamless experience of modern fine dining. hideandfox.co.uk

About Wine Garden of England
Wine Garden of England is a collaboration of nine leading Kent vineyards that work together to promote tourism to the county. Their genuine friendship shines through in all the events they do and is evidenced in the momentum achieved in putting Kent at the forefront of the UK wine scene. winegardenofengland.co.uk

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Pomus two-night restaurant pop up at Dreamland Cinema Building in Margate

Pomus will host a two-night pop up at the Sunshine Cafe at Dreamland, Margate (credit Joe Howard)

Pomus two-night restaurant pop up at Dreamland Cinema Building in Margate

• The Sunset Dinner Series is to be hosted in the iconic Sunshine Café on 15th and 16th May

• Long tables, great shared food, light fading over the sea

• Images HERE credit Joe Howard

Margate restaurant favourite, Pomus, is taking over the iconic Sunshine Cafe, part of Dreamland’s cinema building, for a one-weekend-only dining event, in partnership with KERB.

Long tables. Shared food. Fading, golden light with unrivalled views across Margate beach to the harbour arm, Turner Contemporary gallery and out to sea.

This is not a restaurant opening. This is not a polished venue. It’s a celebratory moment, created to bring people into a beautiful space to enjoy great food, and great company.

Guests will receive a welcome glass of fizz and a seasonal three-course set menu including sharing dishes such as piquillo pepper hummus and mint flatbread; smoked cods roe, waffle, dill, lemon, chilli; confit pollock, asparagus, mussels and smoked grenobloise and for pudding, dark chocolate delice, elderflower, strawberry, white chocolate and miso cream. Tickets are £100 each.

Arrival 1830, guests depart from 2100. More information and tickets HERE.

About Pomus

Situated in the heart of the Centre in Margate, Pomus is part wine bar, part restaurant with seasonal sharing plates, low-waste cooking, and the warmest service in town. There are bold flavours, changing menus, and wines you really want to drink.

Pomus is run by Ryan Jacovides, a hospitality veteran with over 25 years in the industry, having previously been Group MD for the Jamie Oliver Group and was a founding partner of Pasture restaurant group. He now has his own independent hospitality group, Pomus, a neighbourhood restaurant, wine bar and bottle shop with locations in Margate and Folkestone, focused on hyper seasonal cooking and warm hospitality.

Birchwood at The Conduit opening 22 June

Will Devlin in Covent Garden (photography by Bracken)

Chef Will Devlin launches Birchwood - The Conduit in partnership with The Conduit and Levy in central London

Chef and Founder of Acre, Will Devlin announces details of Birchwood - The Conduit, his first London hospitality space. Launching in partnership with leading guest experience specialists Levy and its venue partner, The Conduit, a community of global changemakers, Birchwood - The Conduit will open in the heart of Covent Garden this summer.

Launching on 22nd June, Birchwood - The Conduit is the product of a strategic collaboration between the three partners and is centred on the shared values of creativity, craftmanship and conversations that inspire social and environmental change.

Based at The Conduit in Langley Street, Birchwood - The Conduit is a café and wine bar concept and will be followed by the autumn debut of a rooftop restaurant offering an à la carte dining experience, with views over London’s skyline. Both dining experiences will make sustainability inspiring and deeply enjoyable - advancing the partnership’s commitment to deliver unforgettable experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Jon Davies, CEO of Levy, says: “We are proud to collaborate with Will Devlin and The Conduit, to bring Birchwood to the capital. At Levy, we are committed to working with visionary chefs who put the planet at the heart of the plate. By bridging the gap between independent, ethical farming in Kent and the vibrant energy of central London, we are creating a destination that proves sustainable dining can be accessible and deeply impactful.”

Will Devlin comments: “Birchwood - The Conduit will grow from our core values of integrity, seasonality and sustainability - the pillars of everything we do at Acre and ones we share with our partners, Levy and The Conduit. Our food has a deep connection and respect for land, having farmed our own land at The Small Holding and Birchwood Taywell in Kent for eight years, while always pushing flavour and freshness to the forefront. We are excited to be bringing these values of independent, ethical farming and season-led cooking into central London.”

Paul van Zyl, co-founder and CEO of The Conduit, said: “With the opening of Birchwood - The Conduit, we’re inviting our community to pull up a chair at a truly sustainable table.  Thanks to our partnership with Will and Levy, we are creating a soulful space with a menu that delights throughout the day in celebration of exquisite flavours. Uniting purpose and excellence, this carefully curated experience in the heart of Covent Garden is testament to our shared vision of making the most responsible choices the one we desire most, in surroundings that are both effortless and beautiful.”

Birchwood - The Conduit

Building on Birchwood at Taywell Farm in Kent and Will’s mission to ‘Honour Nature’s Bounty’, Birchwood -The Conduit is a versatile, yet intentional dining concept – whether served to stay or to go. At the heart of Will’s cooking is a deep respect for land, animals and the people who care for them. His approach is rooted in provenance, restraint and responsibility, celebrating the seasons and British farming to create food that is always delicious, generous, honest and unmistakably of its place. At Birchwood - The Conduit, whether guests want to grab a quick takeaway or sit down for a plate of British cheeses and a glass of wine in the evening – they can be confident that they’re effortlessly making a good choice, that’s better for the planet, people and what goes on their plate.

The interiors and food at Birchwood - The Conduit

Birchwood - The Conduit is a cosy and versatile space, using natural materials and earthy colours, that allows for flexibility in service style and a menu defined by its versatility. By day guests can choose from a selection of items such as Block Butchery Sausage and Egg Muffin, from Acre’s own farm and butchery in Kent, pastries, sandwiches such as Beef Topside Pastrami Ruben on Rye Bread; Cured Kent Ham and Ashmore Cheddar Toastie and salads such as Sutton Hoo Chicken, Smoked Bacon and Gem Lettuce and fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices.

By afternoon/evening the takeaway offer stops and the whole space becomes a place to meet friends over a glass of wine, cocktail or homemade shrub with small plates, cheese and charcuterie to accompany the conversation. Small plates include Wild Farm Sourdough with Hook & Son Butter; house made charcuterie from Acre’s own farm including Fennel Salami, Beef Bresaola and Cured Coppa; Mushroom Croquettes and Black Garlic; Braised Green Lentils, Smoked Beetroots, Pickled Red Onion and Blackwood Feta. Bringing a little bit of Kent and Sussex to central London something sweet might include Kentish Gypsy Tart and Poached Gooseberries; Bean Smitten and Cobnut Cake and Kuroda Carrot Cake and Meadowsweet Cream Cheese.

Birchwood - The Conduit will open seven days a week from morning until evening.

ENDS

Summer at Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford

Part of the new summer menu at Shwen Shwen (credit John Scott Blackwell)

New Summer menu launches at Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford

Michelin Guide’s ‘Opening of the Year’ Award 2026 and Bib Gourmand
Conde Nast Traveller ‘Best New Chef’ and ‘Best New Restaurant’ Award 2026
Square Meal UK’s Top 100 Restaurants

Images can be downloaded HERE (credit John Scott Blackwell)

The new summer menu at Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford is debuting on 22nd April. Launching with a selection of options including Chef’s Choice, A La Carte and Lunch Menu, each menu offers a distinctive take on Afro-fusion cuisine with inspiration from Maria’s homeland of Sierra Leone.

Awarded the Michelin Guide’s Opening of the Year, Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford is an intimate and elegant dining experience bringing the bold, vibrant flavours of Sierra Leone to the historic market town of Sevenoaks, Kent. Founded by award-winning chef and author Maria Bradford, this debut restaurant honours the storytelling and spice of West Africa while presenting each dish with contemporary precision and flair.

Sierra Leonean flavours and ingredients are the heart of Maria’s cooking. Grains, herbs, spices and leaves that might be unfamiliar to a Western audience provide layers of complexity, texture and heat, showcasing the food diversity and resourcefulness in Sierra Leonean cooking. Ingredients such as fonio, moringa, baobab, red palm oil, egusi, grains of paradise and jute leaves are highly nutritious and just some of the superfoods found in Maria’s menus.

From the new a la carte menu start with bar snacks such as Chicken Skewers, Lemongrass, Groundnut or Lamb Croquette, Tomato, Red Palm Oil, Shito before small plates to share of Kankankan Octopus, Romesco or Beetroot, Goats Curd, Fonio and Egusi Granola. Main courses are offered as sharing plate for two people such as the rich and savoury Beef Short-rib, Groundnut and Coconut; Seabass roasted whole wrapped in Banana Leaf and Lemongrass or try the celebratory and family-style Jollof, served with slow-braised ox cheeks and Krio stew. For desserts, Maria serves an imaginative take on a classic cheesecake, made with cassava and served with plum compote; or try a Coconut Panna Cotta, Summer Berry Tea or a bowl of refreshing Baobab and Grapefruit Sorbet, Hibiscus.

About Shwen Shwen

Shwen Shwen received a Michelin Bib Gourmand within six months of opening and was recognised by the Guide as the ‘Opening of the Year’. Shwen Shwen was also Conde Nast Traveller’s Best Restaurant of the Year 2026, and Maria Bradford was named Chef of the Year.

Blending authentic Sierra Leonean tradition with contemporary influences, Shwen Shwen offers a truly unique dining experience. The name, derived from the Krio language, means ‘fancy’ - but for Maria, it represents much more than just her food. It embodies a way of life, and an invitation to share in something special

Tucked away down a charming, cobbled alleyway, Shwen Shwen opens into Maria’s re-branded Cotton Tree Yard – an exclusive outdoor terrace - before welcoming guests into an evocative space designed to feel both elegant and intimate. Inside, rich hues of burnt terracotta and smoky aubergine create a warm, cocooning atmosphere, enhanced by tactile surfaces, bespoke hand-painted fabrics, and wallpaper inspired by vintage West African and Sierra Leonean textiles. Every detail has been carefully chosen to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages guests to relax and feel at home.

A Culinary Journey to Sierra Leone

Maria’s passion for food began in her childhood home in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where she learned to cook alongside her mother and grandmother. Drawing inspiration from the streets of Freetown, rural villages, and the Sierra Leone River, her menu reflects the diverse and rich culinary traditions of her homeland.

Using signature ingredients such as moringa, fonio, tamarind, sesame, egusi, baobab and hibiscus, Maria creates bold, layered flavours that transport diners with every bite.

Shwen Shwen is more than a restaurant, it is a celebration of heritage, culture, and storytelling through food.

Notes to Editors

Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford
1-2 Well Court
Bank Street
Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1UN
Website & Reservations: www.shwenshwen.com
Instagram: @shwenshwenbymaria

About Maria Bradford

Maria Bradford is an award-winning chef, author, and influencer. Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, she developed her love for cooking at the age of nine, learning from her mother and grandmother. After moving to Kent as a teenager, Maria trained at Leith’s School of Food and Wine before launching her own catering business, Maria Bradford Kitchen, in 2017, now known as Shwen Shwen.

Maria’s work has been widely recognised for its innovative approach to Sierra Leonean cuisine, and she has become a key advocate for West African culinary heritage. Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford is her award-winning, independent, female-owned debut restaurant which opened its doors in June 2025. 

Will Devlin partners with Levy and The Conduit for new café and restaurant offering in central London

Will Devlin at Spratsbourne Farm, Kent

Will Devlin partners with Levy and The Conduit for new café and restaurant offering in central London

Images can be downloaded here.

A new sustainable hospitality dining experience is coming to the heart of Covent Garden this summer, thanks to a strategic partnership between three major forces in the industry.

Will Devlin, founder of Acre, a group of purpose-driven restaurants in Kent, including The Small Holding (Michelin Green Star, 360 Guide Three Circles and 3 AA rosettes) and Birchwood Taywell (Bib Gourmand) today announces a new collaboration with leading guest experience specialists Levy and its venue partner, The Conduit, a community of global changemakers with a vibrant members’ club.

Based at The Conduit in Langley Street, this new hospitality offering will launch to the public in two phases over the coming months. The rollout begins with a unique café and wine bar concept in early summer, followed by the autumn debut of a reimagined rooftop restaurant offering an à la carte dining experience.

Will Devlin comments, “Having enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Levy, I know together, Acre, Levy and The Conduit share a passion for impact, sustainability, meaningful connection and world-class hospitality and this strategic partnership represents an incredible synergy of aligned values and purpose. We are very excited to bring a little piece of the Kentish countryside to the city.”

Operating with the same guiding principles, integrity, seasonality and sustainability that Acre and Will Devlin are known for, the two new dining concepts are defined by respect for land, animals and people, bringing the values of independent, ethical farming and season-led cooking into central London, with menus constantly changing in response to the landscape.

Meat will come from Acre’s own butchery, Block, allowing full transparency and whole animal use; fish is sourced with the same integrity as meat, only responsibly caught British seafood is used; vegetables sit at the centre of the plate, not as garnish but as substance. Much of the produce is grown close to home in Kent and Sussex with a focus on soil health, flavour and resilience. Imperfect, seasonal vegetables are embraced, allowing the ingredient to dictate how it is cooked rather than forcing uniformity.

This is a natural partnership with The Conduit, given its founding purpose of convening a community committed to creating a just, prosperous and sustainable future. As Paul van Zyl, founder and CEO of The Conduit, said: “Our partnership with Will Devlin and Levy is a celebration of what’s possible when purpose and excellence share space at the same table. Together we are creating a dining experience that makes sustainability inspiring and deeply enjoyable - advancing our commitment to making that which is ethical also desirable, while bringing even greater joy to our members.”  

Levy CEO, Jon Davies, commented: “At Levy, we believe the future of hospitality lies at the intersection of purpose and experience. This collaboration with Will Devlin and The Conduit is a powerful example of what’s possible when values, creativity and operational expertise come together. It’s about raising the bar for sustainable dining while delivering an experience guests genuinely love.”

This collaboration builds upon the broader strategic partnership recently announced between Levy and The Conduit. This "meeting of minds" sees both organisations joining forces to set new benchmarks in purposeful hospitality, combining Levy’s industry-leading operational expertise with The Conduit’s mission to accelerate social and environmental change.

Executive Chef Martin Carabott retains one Michelin Star at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex

Maartin Carabott at Gravetye Manor

Executive Chef Martin Carabott retains one Michelin Star at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex 

Gravetye Manor Hotel and Restaurant in West Sussex has retained its Michelin Star as announced at the Michelin Guide ceremony in Dublin last night, 9th February. 

In attendance at the ceremony, Roux scholar Martin Carabott is Executive Chef at the two Michelin Keys hotel since joining in April 2025. Martin has led the kitchen brigade while putting his own stamp on the menu and restaurant direction, and taking it seamlessly into another strong year, following Gravetye Manor being recognised with numerous awards including retaining a Michelin Star for eleven years and achieving 4 AA Rosettes. 

Martin Carabott comments, “It is a huge honour to have been invited to attend the Michelin Guide ceremony and to receive the news in person that we have retained Gravetye’s Michelin star. For many years Gravetye Manor Hotel and Restaurant has enjoyed a wonderful reputation for providing exceptional Michelin star quality and I am proud to be continuing this legacy. It is a privilege to have immediate access to fresh produce grown just steps away from the restaurant in our walled kitchen garden, led by our esteemed head gardener, Tom Coward, and the producers, farmers and suppliers on our doorstep in West Sussex.” 

Originally from Malta, Martin won the Roux Scholarship in 2018 at the age of 29, when he was senior sous-chef at Hide, London. After winning the Roux Scholarship, Martin completed a stage at three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York. 

In his role as Executive Chef, Martin works closely with Head Gardener Tom Coward who manages the 35-acre estate of world-renowned gardens including the elliptical walled kitchen garden (thought to be the only one of its kind in the country) fruit tree orchard, glasshouses and Peach House, all set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. Everything grown on site is used by the kitchen teams in the restaurant.

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About Gravetye Manor 

Gravetye Manor is a hotel and restaurant with four Red Stars, four Rosettes and one Michelin star and two Michelin Keys, in West Sussex on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders. 

The hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux and Pride of Britain. The Elizabethan manor house looks over 35 acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. The gardens are considered amongst the most influential in English horticultural history, made famous by previous owner and influential gardener William Robinson, whose preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today. 

Wild about Scented Geraniums at Gravetye Manor

Cath Kidston in her greenhouse

Wild About Scented Geraniums with Cath Kidston Padgham MBE and Fiona McCarthy

Talk & Lunch on Thursday 16th April 2026

Join designer Cath Kidston Padgham MBE, in conversation with journalist and contributing editor Fiona McCarthy for a day at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex where they'll be in conversation about Cath's passion for pelargoniums, fragrance and gardening, which led to C.Atherley, her bath and beauty brand. 

C.Atherley is a body care brand which expertly captures the magic and soothing fragrance of scented geraniums. Dreamt up by Cath, the name Atherley, which once belonged to her maternal grandmother, now comes prefixed with an eponymous C for Cath and is an homage to their combined love of gardening and flowers.

Journalist and contributing editor Fiona McCarthy has been based in London since leaving her native Perth in 1993. With a keen passion for seeking out unusual and intriguing places – particularly those off the beaten track – and a love of telling people’s stories, for almost two decades Fiona has written on fashion, beauty, design, interiors, food and travel for all the major British newspapers and for the lifestyle magazines including Conde Nast Traveller, Elle Decoration, Homes & Gardens and Vogue Living.

Guests are invited to arrive at 10.30am for tea and coffee, before the talk begins at 11.00am. A three-course lunch cooked by Executive Chef Martin Carabott will follow at midday, served at shared tables in the glass-fronted dining room. Following the lunch there will also be the opportunity to take a short, guided tour of the gardens with Gravetye’s Head Gardener Tom Coward.

£185.00 per person, inclusive of tea/coffee on arrival, plus a three-course lunch and wine in our glass-fronted restaurant. Guests will also receive a fabulous C.Atherley goody bag to take home.

More information and reservation link here

For more information, images or to visit Gravetye Manor, please contact: Hannah Blake on 07730 039361 or hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk or Sarah Jones on 07775 582497 or sarah@wildernesspr.co.uk

Notes to editors:
Gravetye Manor is a hotel and restaurant with four Red Stars, four Rosettes, Two Michelin Keys and One Michelin Star, in West Sussex on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders. 

Gravetye Manor, an Elizabethan manor house hotel and Michelin starred restaurant in West Sussex looks out over 35 acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. Originally created by visionary gardener William Robinson in 1885, Gravetye Manor’s gardens are considered amongst the most influential in horticultural history and one of the most important historic gardens in England. Robinson’s preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today.

Continuing Robinson’s legacy is Gravetye Manor’s Head Gardener, Tom Coward, ensuring every tree, shrub and flower is lovingly cared for while retaining the spirit of Robinson’s original plan and thinking for the space.

Address: Gravetye Manor, Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, Sussex, RH19 4LJ
Tel: 01342 810567
Website: www.gravetyemanor.co.uk
Instagram: @gravetyemanor

Autumn at The Sun Inn, Felmersham

Destination country pub with good food and accommodation perfect for Winter breaks

“The Sun Inn, a rural Bedfordshire pub set to be a foodie favourite… two boutique bedrooms, seasonal menu and friendly service at this village inn in Felmersham will leave you beaming.” The Times

This thatched-roofed free house in the riverside village of Felmersham is ridiculously pretty and was revamped last year by two local couples… is one the best British pubs for a winter weekend.” Financial Times

An historic rural pub, with traditional inn, charming original features and interior-magazine worthy ensuite bedrooms, The Sun Inn is more than a stopover; it’s a destination in its own right. The 17th century thatched roof pub is in the chocolate box pretty village of Felmersham, deep in the Bedfordshire countryside and offers the warmth of traditional hospitality with great food that is home-reared and locally produced.

Less than an hour from London Kings Cross, The Sun is a quintessentially British Free House and an ideal base for long country walks, a deep and restorative soak in the freestanding copper bath and the evening spent by the fire on winter nights. 

Part of Wild Berry Farm, a 350-acre farm producing native and rare-breed, grass-fed Hereford beef, pork, Boer goats and poultry including bronze turkeys and duck, the new Farmers’ Grill menu is as close to farm to fork as can be. The farmland where the livestock live year-round, boasts lush river meadows, species-rich grassland, woodlands and lakes and is a haven for birds and wildlife, while the pub menu also supports many local businesses, including other farmers and estates, sourcing produce and game such as venison, pheasant and partridge, locally.

Focusing on a seasonal, home-reared menu, the aim is to serve the best food and drink in a casual, friendly environment without pretension. In the kitchen is Head Chef and landlord, Pete Pestell, whose new Farmers’ Grill menu includes dishes such as Whipped Cod’s Roe with Duck Egg and Game Chips (£12); Curried Kid Goat Offal with Lentils and Fermented Chilli (£13); Beets and Burrata with Vinaigrette (£13) and for dessert, Sticky Toffee Pudding with Clotted Cream (£9) and Figs, Ricotta, Honey and Almonds (£9).

The new Farmers’ Grill menu launches on 27th October, with the bar open from Tuesday late afternoon until Sunday, and the dining room serves food from Thursday evening to Sunday lunch.

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For more information, images, interviews or to arrange a press visit to The Sun Inn, please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room on 07730 039361 or Hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk

Address: The Sun Inn, Grange Road, Felmersham, Bedfordshire, MK43 7EU
Instagram: @thesunfelmersham Website: www.thesunfelmersham.com

About The Sun Inn
The pub was purchased by JJ and Laura Ibbet in 2019 as part of a shared vision between themselves and childhood and village friends, Pete and Conny, a couple of couples sharing a passion for quality produce, warm hospitality and creating memorable experiences. Restoration work began in 2022, and once the structural work was complete, the team embarked on a full refurbishment, with a focus on using natural and sustainable materials, to provide guests with accommodation and dining fitting for the 21st century traveller, fully reopening the restaurant and rooms in April 2023.

The farm and the pub
Childhood friends JJ Ibbett and Pete Pestell grew up knowing one day they wanted to work together. Their families and careers took them in separate directions – JJ worked widely in the farming sector and on the family farm, while Pete worked in kitchens notably under Chef and Restaurateur, Rowley Leigh, who remains a mentor and friend, and as the personal chef to the Duke of Bedford. Together with their wives, Laura and Conny, the foursome has brought new energy to the pub and to the riverside community of Felmersham.

The Bedrooms
The upper floors of The Sun have undergone extensive restoration to convert the living spaces into two newly refurbished bedrooms. Honouring the pastoral beauty of the surrounding farmland the rooms have been carefully designed combining luxurious comfort while championing natural and sustainable materials, tactility and craftsmanship. 

Dawn is a large suite split over two floors with a super king Hypnos bed, free-standing copper bath, separate bathroom with walk in shower, living room and dining area with Samsung Artframe TV, Nespresso machine and Hypnos double sofa bed and kitchenette with mini bar and fridge. Conveying a strong sense of the building's architectural history, traditional fittings combine with modern elegance and British eclecticism. The original stone walls exude character and history, while tongue and groove panelling, antique brass, sisal, honey toned wooden floors and cork complement the earthy palette of shell pink, soft cream and mustard from sustainable paint company, Graphenstone. Sleep soundly in the eves after a deep bath in the freestanding copper tub using Bramley products, before a restful night’s sleep, cocooned by the paired back and natural interiors.

Modest in scale but mighty in comfort, the smaller suite, Dusk showcases that magical palette of restful dusky hues enjoyed at twilight. Recline and rest in this pretty dual aspect room decorated top to toe in the most serene green for a cosy and restorative night’s sleep.

The Contemporary Garden at Gravetye Manor

The Contemporary Garden at Gravetye Manor

Talk & Lunch on Wednesday 12th November 2025

Join Sorrel Everton, former Deputy Editor of Gardens Illustrated, and acclaimed garden designer Annie Guilfoyle for a talk and lunch at Gravetye Manor, the country house hotel and former home of celebrated garden designer William Robinson, as they introduce The Contemporary Garden, Phaidon’s newest publication and a vibrant showcase of the most innovative gardens of our time.

This beautifully curated volume showcases the work of internationally renowned designers such as Piet Oudolf and Sarah Price, alongside pioneering studios including Terremoto and Reed Hilderbrand. From striking rooftop gardens to sweeping wildflower meadows, the book captures the creativity and enduring allure of contemporary garden making.

The Contemporary Garden spans over three decades, charting horticultural, architectural, and artistic ingenuity from the late 1990s to today. The selection was overseen by Sorrel and Phaidon commissioning editor Victoria Clarke, and reviewed by an international panel of experts, including Richard Aitken, Michael McCoy, Paul B. Redman, and Annie Guilfoyle, who also contributes an inspiring introduction, reflecting on how gardens have evolved over the past thirty years and the profound ways green spaces shape our lives.

Guests are invited to arrive at Gravetye Manor at 10.30am for tea and coffee, before the talk begins at 11.00am. A three-course lunch, cooked by Gravetye Manor’s Executive Chef Martin Carabott, will follow at midday, served at shared tables in the glass-fronted dining room, overlooking the gardens.

Tickets are £170 per person and includes tea or coffee on arrival, the talk, a three-course lunch with drinks, and a copy of The Contemporary Garden.

More information and reservation link here

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Notes to editors:
Gravetye Manor is a hotel and restaurant with four Red Stars, four Rosettes, Two Michelin Keys and One Michelin Star, in West Sussex on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders. 

Gravetye Manor, an Elizabethan manor house hotel and Michelin starred restaurant in West Sussex looks out over 35 acres of stunning world-renowned gardens, walled kitchen garden, orchard, glasshouses and Peach House set within a further 1000 acres of woodland. Originally created by visionary gardener William Robinson in 1885, Gravetye Manor’s gardens are considered amongst the most influential in horticultural history and one of the most important historic gardens in England. Robinson’s preference for the ‘wild garden’, mixed herbaceous borders and hardy perennial planting broke with the formal Victorian style of the day, and his radical approach remains as popular as ever with gardeners today.

Continuing Robinson’s legacy is Gravetye Manor’s Head Gardener, Tom Coward, ensuring every tree, shrub and flower is lovingly cared for while retaining the spirit of Robinson’s original plan and thinking for the space.

Address: Gravetye Manor, Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, Sussex, RH19 4LJ
Tel: 01342 810567
Website: www.gravetyemanor.co.uk
Instagram: @gravetyemanor

Christmas at St Leonard's, West Malling

Christmas at St Leonard’s, West Malling (image credit Key & Quill)

Christmas at St Leonard’s, West Malling

Images HERE (Credited to Key & Quill)

Eat, drink, and be merry this Christmas at St Leonard’s. When it’s time to gather with family, friends, and colleagues over the festive season, look no further than St. Leonard’s in the beautiful market town of West Malling. The restaurant and private dining rooms are dressed with plenty of sparkle and perfect for passing around the bubbly and feasting in style on deliciously local, seasonal produce and vibrant flavours. Be it small plates for two in the Bar, a festive set menu in the Restaurant or lunch, dinner, and drinks in the Turner or Barton private dining rooms, the St Leonard’s team will design a celebration fit for three kings. And why not make a day of it as West Malling, a quaint and historic market town, transforms into a winter wonderland during Christmas. The streets, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations is the perfect backdrop for festive dining and a great place to shop for presents, with many independent shops, boutiques, florists, jewellers, and more.

From à la carte meals and tasting menus to weekend brunch, roasts on Sundays, and festive set menus, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy, while the bar is ideal for casual small plates, steak, day-boat catch, and a selection of accompanying cocktails, wines, and Champagnes.

In the restaurant, choose from starters such as celeriac velouté, ashmore gougere, beer pickled onions, walnut ketchup or venison tartare, smoked beetroot, gherkin, linseed cracker, truffle emulsion. Main courses are full of seasonal ingredients and celebratory festive touches such as grilled tunworth, roast cauliflower, grapes, truffle gnocchi, charred brassicas or brined turkey, pancetta, stuffing, fondant potato, brussel tops, Roscoff onion, parsnip purée. Treat yourself to dessert such as winter fruit tart, crème fraiche, cranberry gel or opt for the cheese course of Oxford Blue, pickled pear, treacle tart. The festive set menu costs £35 for two courses and £39 for three courses and is available throughout December alongside the a la carte and tasting menus, excluding Sundays, when a classic roast is served.

Private Dining at St Leonard’s

Celebrate Yuletide in St Leonard’s stunning private dining rooms named Turner and Barton. Seating between eight and 12 guests, these intimate rooms are perfect for enchanting celebrations, whether it’s a sharing Sunday roast or to enjoy a festive private dining menu experience with the ones you love.

On New Year’s Eve, celebrate in style with a la carte, tasting, bar, and private dining menus available, with all the unmissable food and sparkling wine you could ask for to get the party started on Wednesday 31st December.

Early reservations are recommended and can be booked here www.stleonardskent.co.uk/christmas-west-malling

About St Leonard’s

In the kitchen is Head Chef Marcus Clayton, winner of the Young Chef Academy 2022/23, who brings years of experience working in fine-dining and Michelin-starred restaurants, including the two star, Hide and Fox in Hythe and The Small Holding in Kilndown. His menus offer heartfelt cooking underpinned by the provenance and quality of the ingredients the team work with every day. Locally sourced and seasonally changing dishes span an à la carte, tasting and bar menu, including Wednesday steak nights, weekend brunch and Sunday lunch. Additionally, a love of fermenting, preserving, and reducing waste ensures a sustainable approach.

Open days and hours:
Tuesday to Friday: Lunch Midday – 11pm
Saturday: 9am – 11pm
Sunday 9am – 8pm

01732 600128
restaurant@stleonardskent.co.uk

For more information about St Leonard’s please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room
07730 039361 or hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk

Hiraeth, a creative and aspirational restaurant in Cardiff

Hiraeth, opposite leafy Victoria Park in central Cardiff

hiræth

[here-eyeth] noun
a longing for one’s homeland, more than just homesickness; a deep bond which connects you to a place you may never get to revisit

www.hiraethkitchen.com

Images by Courtenay Pipkin Photography HERE

Hiræth is a small independently owned and run restaurant in Cardiff, focused on creative and ambitious cooking, seasonal produce and a warm welcome. Having started as a pop-up in early 2020, hiræth has been a journey and has now found its home opposite the leafy Victoria Park, in the city centre.

Co-owned and run by Head Chefs Lewis Dwyer and Andy Aston, hiræth has two AA rosettes and is listed in the Good Food Guide and the Michelin Guide, while Lewis has twice cooked for Wales on BBC One’s Great British Menu (2024 & 2025); his competition menus showcasing a diverse celebration of Welsh history. Andy has spent years in the industry honing his craft and skills, including being the Executive Chef at Llanerch Vineyard, when it was awarded the AA Hotel of the Year Wales in 2022 and 2023.

The Welsh word ‘hiræth’ has no direct translation. A blend of pride, nostalgia and longing the Welsh feel for their homeland, hiræth is a pull on the heart and is a uniquely Welsh feeling. This heart is found in the ethos that comes through in every element at hiræth from the proud use of regional produce, foraged ingredients and the pride, commitment and enthusiasm of the young team.

Dishes are made with the very best produce the seasons have to offer, with many of the vegetables and herbs from the hiræth’s own smallholding, under three miles from the restaurant. The team’s goal is to make the most of the land, utilizing as much as possible, with an in-house greengrocer planned for Spring 2026 to sell surplus produce.

Japanese flavours and techniques have always been a big influence in Lewis’s cooking, and even more so since he visited the country in 2019. Japanese cooking with quality Welsh ingredients is at the core of hiræth’s restaurant menus with dishes such as Prawn Toast, Togarashi, Tobiko and Smoked Cod Roe; Kombujime Mackerel, Tomato Ponzu and Isle of Wight Tomatoes; Mushroom Porridge, Soy, Seasme, Pickled Shimeji and Furikake and Salt Marsh Lamb, Glazed Lamb Bao, Cockles and Samphire.

Hiræth offers either an eight or ten-course tasting menu, available for lunch and dinner on Wednesday to Saturday, costing £70 and £90, respectively.​ A three-course set lunch menu for £35 per person is also available. Menus change at hiræth as quickly as the Welsh weather, and no two meals are alike. The one constant on the menu is the Chicken Tea. A four-part symphony: crystal clear consommé poured steaming from a teapot, fried chicken karaage, buttery soft shokupan (Japanese milk bread) and a pat of chicken skin butter.

What hiræth’s diners say:

“hiræth is truly an excellent culinary experience - the lunch set menu was delicious - the food, produce, drink selection, excellent staff and all-round vibe make for an exceptionally enjoyable dining experience - can’t wait to return”

“hiræth delivered a great evening: an excellent meal, beautiful wines, a relaxed atmosphere, great service.”

“The food and the service was excellent! Second time here and will most certainly be back again. I am sure this place will be achieving Michelin star status soon.”

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For more information, images, interview with Lewis Dwyer and Andy Aston, or to arrange a press visit to hiræth, please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room on 07730 039361 or hannah@thediningroomor.co.uk

Opening Hours
Lunch: Thursday – Saturday 12 – 3pm
Dinner: Wednesday - Saturday 5.30 – 9pm

Address: 587 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF5 1BE
Email: hellohiraethkitchen@gmail.com
Instagram: @hiraethkitchen

Dan Merriman at St Leonard's Kent

Dan Merriman at St Leonard’s Kent

St Leonard’s in West Malling, Kent, is hosting an exclusive dinner with Masterchef: The Professionals 2024 winner, Dan Merriman

Taking place on Friday 3rd October, the evening will start at 7pm, with canapés and Kentish sparkling wine from Gusbourne Wine Estate. Each dish in the eight-course tasting menu will be cooked by St Leonard’s Head Chef Marcus Clayton and Dan Merriman and paired with specially chosen wines.

Guests can expect a luxurious menu with the best local and Autumnal seasonal ingredients including mushrooms, scallops, apples, celeriac and venison. Both chefs will make homage to their grandmothers, with Marcus’ Grandma’s trifle with lemon sponge, raspberry jelly and banana mousse and Dan’s Nana’s crumble with spiced apple compote, pickled blackberry jelly, tonka bean custard and caramelised puff pastry ice cream.

Reservations are live, costing £150 per person, including wine pairings, and can be reserved at stleonardskent.co.uk

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About St Leonard’s

Located in the pretty market town of West Malling, Kent, St Leonard’s is an independent, modern British restaurant offering seasonal dining from co-owners, chef Tom Genty and general manager Terry Brouet.

The elegant and relaxed space, with a dining area, bar and table-top seating, plus two private dining rooms, which are ideal for lavish dinner parties, working lunches, parties and Sunday lunches, showcases seasonal menus that champion bold British and European flavours, made using the excellent local produce on the restaurant’s doorstep, deep in the Garden of England.

About Dan Merriman

Dan Merriman is the current MasterChef: The Professionals champion - a title that has catapulted him into the spotlight as one of the most exciting young chefs in the UK today. At just 30, his win is the culmination of years of relentless hard work, fierce determination, and a deep love of food.

Dan has honed his skills in some of the UK’s most prestigious kitchens, training under culinary legends including Chris Lovell (ex-Head Pastry Chef for John Campbell’s two-Michelin-star restaurant) and Lisa Goodwin-Allen at Northcote Manor. Hi.

The Masterchef judges were united in their praise for Dan’s cooking. Marcus Wareing hailed his food as “fine dining at its very, very best… precise, technical and incredibly creative.”

Since his MasterChef triumph, Dan has launched ‘At Home with Dan’, offering an elevated dining experience delivered directly to people’s doors, alongside an expanding calendar of chef residencies, luxury hotel collaborations, and pop-up events across the UK and abroad.

For more information, images or interview please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room on 07730 039361 or hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk

Introducing St Leonard's in West Malling, Kent

St Leonard’s brings contemporary British dining to West Malling, Kent

www.stleonardskent.co.uk|@stleonardskent
St Leonard’s | 47 Swan Street | West Malling| Kent | ME19 6JU

Located in the pretty market town of West Malling, Kent, St Leonard’s is an independent, modern British restaurant offering seasonal dining from co-owners, chef Tom Genty and general manager Terry Brouet.

The elegant and relaxed space, with a dining area, bar and table-top seating plus two private dining rooms, which are ideal for lavish dinner parties, working lunches, parties and Sunday lunches,  showcases seasonal menus that champion bold British and European flavours, made using the excellent local produce on the restaurant’s doorstep, deep in the Garden of England.

“Having worked together in previous restaurants, Terry and I had always wanted to open a place of our own,” says Executive Chef and co-owner Tom Genty. “West Malling is an ideal setting, on the high street of an historic and thriving market town, with fantastic suppliers and producers close by.”

In the kitchen, Tom is joined by Head Chef Marcus Clayton, winner of the Young Chef Academy 2022/23, who brings years of experience working in fine-dining and Michelin-starred restaurants, including the two star, Hide and Fox in Hythe and The Small Holding in Kilndown. Together, the menu offers heartfelt cooking underpinned by the provenance and quality of the ingredients the team work with every day. Locally sourced and seasonally changing dishes span an à la carte, tasting and bar menu, including Wednesday steak nights, weekend brunch and Sunday lunch. Additionally, a love of fermenting, preserving, and reducing waste ensures a sustainable approach.

“We want to showcase what we do across a variety of experiences, while remaining consistent, and true to who we are and what we do,” Tom continues. “We don’t want to dictate what our diners can eat, providing a choice in product and price point, but also ensuring that each dish tells a story that’s quintessentially St Leonard’s.”

A spacious, stylish dining room and beautiful oak topped bar is where general manager Terry  Brouet oversees service and front of house. His carefully chosen wine list features award-winning English growers, as well as European and New World wines from highly regarded wineries, cellared in perfect conditions for up to 25 years. Furthermore, a creative cocktail selection includes highlights such as the signature St Leonard’s, St Lucian Rum Punch, Barrel Aged Negroni, and Chocolate and Hazelnut Martini.

“Our drinks are just as essential to the customer journey as our food,” explains Terry. “As soon as a guest walks through the door, we want them to feel at home, and our beautifully designed interiors provide a sophisticated, comfortable backdrop against which to drink and dine.”

Open days and hours:

Tuesday to Friday: Lunch Midday – 11pm
Saturday: 9am – 11pm
Sunday 9am – 8pm

01732 600128
restaurant@stleonardskent.co.uk

The Woolpack Inn in Hampshire reopens

The Woolpack Inn in Hampshire (credit Jake Eastham)

The Woolpack Inn in Hampshire relaunches on 8th September following a £3 million restoration and expansion

The Woolpack Inn, set in the Candover Valley of rural Hampshire, will re-open on 8th September 2025, following a £3 million restoration and expansion. Part of the Heineken family estate amidst grazing fields, forests and farms, the pub is launching after a four-month renovation project designed in collaboration with London interiors studio, Nina Campbell OBE, with eight new bedrooms, a private dining room and the creation of a quarter-acre productive Kitchen Garden, created by Worthy Earth.

Set in Totford, thought to be the smallest hamlet in the UK, The Woolpack Inn will offer a seasonally inspired menu sourced from local suppliers in a 50-mile radius, cooked by Head Chef Luke Stradling. From The Woolpack’s own organic Kitchen Garden, just steps away from the pub and producing 95% of the vegetables on the menu, to the wild game from the sky, fields and woods, Luke is committed to field-to-plate dining and showcasing the incredible produce from Hampshire’s natural larder and is always inspired by the land and seasons. In the spirit of community, 20% of the market garden harvest is donated to charity and homeless shelters each month, helping to give to those in need whilst supporting local growers.

Come for lunch or dinner or a private event and start with snacks such as Venison Sausage Roll and Black Garlic Ketchup followed by Hampshire Pork Chop, Garden Chimichurri and Glazed Garden Carrots or Garden Beetroot, Rosary Goats Curd and Apple. The Woolpack Inn also has a private dining room, The Orangery seating 24, ideal for family celebrations and parties and offers an afternoon tea created by pastry chef Leah Vicary.

General Manager and Landlord, James Waterhouse, comments, “The Woolpack Inn is at the heart of local community; a place for friends and family to meet for good food and good times. We are so proud of the work we have done with our partners, Nina Campbell and Worthy Earth, to restore and revitalise this beautiful 18th century building and we look forward to serving our community, and new customers from further afield, for many more years to come.”

Rooms
The Woolpack Inn will open with eight bedrooms, including a suite with roll-top bath each named after game birds, including Partridge, Quail, Grouse and Golden Pheasant. Designed by Nina Campbell OBE with comfort and ease in mind, each room is elegantly decorated in rich, earthy tones from natural paint companies, Edward Bulmer and Little Green, in colours such as woodland green and ochre-yellow, with classic and contemporary prints including wallpapers from Osborne & Little and fabrics from Colefax & Fowler. Each room is layered with natural materials, wool, leather, warm wood and antique bronze and antique furniture and decorative pieces.

Nina Campbell OBE comments, “It has been an enormous privilege working on The Woolpack, an iconic local favourite. I have very much enjoyed bringing it back to life with new additions but being mindful of keeping its charm.”

The Location
Located in the rolling Candover Valley, The Woolpack is less than 10 miles to the historic cathedral city of Winchester and five miles to the beautiful and thriving market town of Alresford, known for its independent shops and the Watercress line and festival. Other nearby attractions include Jane Austen’s house and museum in Chawton, the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery in Whitchurch, plus several vineyards of note including Hambledon Wine Estate, offering tours and tastings of exceptional English wine. Close to the banks of the crystal-clear River Test, the area is popular with anglers of all abilities and is teeming with trout and pike.  

www.thewoolpackinn.co.uk

For more information, images, interviews or to arrange a press visit please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room PR on 07730 039381 or hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk

Notes to editors

Imagery for The Woolpack Inn, credit to Jake Eastham Photography can be found here.

Rooms from £100 per night, including breakfast. Open seven days a week and dog friendly.

A: The Woolpack Inn, Totford, Nr Northington, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9TJ
T: 01962 734 184
E info@thewoolpackinn.co.uk
IG: @thewoolpackinn

About Nina Campbell
Founded by Nina Campbell OBE and celebrating its 53rd anniversary this year, the eponymously named award-winning Nina Campbell brand comprises an Interior Design arm, dedicated textile and product design studio and a retail shop and furniture space.

Nina is one of the world’s most respected and influential interior designers, renowned for her contagious wit, unparalleled design expertise and brilliant sense of style. As well as her global interior design work, Nina designs her own signature products across accessories, wallpaper, fabrics and furniture and is the author of eight books on design.

A proud family run business, Nina Campbell works alongside her son Max Konig, who joined the company in 1999 as Managing Director and daughter, Alice Deen, who joined in 2009 as Director of Retail and Communications.  ninacampbell.com

About Worthy Earth
Worthy Earth is an ever-growing collection of regenerative market gardens in Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey. Using the no-dig approach, the team build long term soil fertility and plant abundance on disused or under-used farmland, usually less than an acre in size. Inspired by the vision to create a network of thriving vegetable gardens that feed the local area, Worthy Earth is on a combined mission to contribute to local food security and healthy diets and create meaningful livelihoods in organic horticulture and outdoor learning opportunities for children and young people.

Worthy Earth is contracted to run the kitchen gardens at Blenheim Palace’s historic walled garden, the Rotherfield Estate, The Woolpack, and more. Here they grow year-round salads, vegetables and herbs for the various on-site catering outlets, offer volunteering and educational opportunities to local schools, neighbours and charities. Worthy Earth believes that the skills carried in the practice of growing healthy food are fundamental to leading a happy, communal life. worthy-earth.co.uk

The Counter x Hepple Spirits

Eachcourse will be paired with a drink using Hepple Spirits

The Counter by Robin Read partners with Hepple Spirits for exclusive dinner

www.thecountertw.com | @the_counter_tw | @robin__read
The Counter | 77 Calverley Road | Tunbridge Wells | Kent | TN1 2UY

Chef Robin Read is partnering with Hepple Spirits for an exclusive one-off dinner at The Counter, Tunbridge Wells, on Thursday 25th September.

The seven-course specially paired menu will highlight the botanicals used in Hepple’s artisan Gin and Vodka including douglas fir, bog myrtle, ​lovage and blackcurrant leaves, sourced from the Northumbrian landscape.

Hepple Spirits have been on The Counter’s menu since the restaurant’s launch to local and national acclaim in April 2024 and the continuing partnership is testament to a shared commitment of values seeking quality and sustainability. Hepple’s innovative approach to distillation and commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Northumberland sits well with Robin’s love of classic technique with elegant and unique flavours.

On the night, Robin will be joined by Luke Comer from Hepple Spirits to talk through and offer tastings of the individual botanical distillates. Beginning with First Bites and an aperitif of either a Hepple Gin & Tonic or a Hepple Douglas Fir Martini, the menu showcases key botanicals in the Hepple gin used in dishes and drinks, including Lemon Peel, Fennel Seeds, Douglas Fir, Lovage, Juniper and Blackcurrant Leaf. Diners will enjoy Orkney hand-dived scallop with artichoke, celeriac ragu and douglas fir oil paired with a Hepple Douglas Fir Sour, a refreshing short cocktail made with Hepple Douglas Fir Vodka, dry vermouth, Somerset cider brandy, elderflower cordial and lemon juice; and for dessert a caramelised apple tart with sweet-pickled blackcurrants and blackcurrant leaf ice cream, paired with Curlew Calling, a herbaceous cocktail with notes of sweetness from blackcurrant jam made with Hepple Gin and Lillet Rose, garnished with a sprig of lemon thyme.

Reservations are open from 1st September and cost £135 per person including drinks pairing.

The Counter x Hepple Spirits Menu

First Bites

Douglas Fir Martini

Hepple Gin & Tonic

Bread, Butter & Broth

Lemon Peel & Fennel Seeds

Kohlrabi Rosette, Seaweed, Fennel Seed & Herb Dressing

Classic French 75

Douglas Fir 

Orkney Hand dived Scallop, Artichoke, Celeriac Ragu, Douglas Fir Oil

Douglas Fir Sour

Lovage

North Sea Cod, Toasted Pearl Barley & Lovage Orzotto

Pouilly Fume, Domaine les Ormousseaux

Juniper

Eridge Estate Venison Loin, Juniper Braised Beets, Foraged Cep & Kale

Barbera d’Alba ‘Trevigne’, Viette

Blackcurrant Leaf

Caramelised Apple Tart, Sweet Pickled Blackcurrants, Blackcurrant Leaf Ice Cream

Curlew Calling

The Sweet Treat Tower

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About The Counter

The Counter is the debut restaurant of Chef Robin Read in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, which launched in April 2024 with menus created from a love of classical cookery and a curious mind for new techniques. Together with his wife Greta Boccia, The Counter is in a 200-year-old Georgian building in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, which includes the main restaurant, private dining room, small wine bar and courtyard garden, with raised beds and pots growing herbs, salads, and brassicas. Offering a choice of tasting menus, Robin’s vision of a modern-day restaurant is that of a responsible and sustainable one with seasonal cooking, few food miles and using every part of an ingredient. He seeks out and nurtures a strong network of small, independent farmers, growers, and producers from farm to sea.

The wine programme is headed up by Greta Boccia and is a curated edit of English and European wines alongside several English spirits, such as Hepple gin and vodka and Vault vermouth and botanical spirits, on the list.

www.thecountertw.com | @the_counter_tw | @robin__read
The Counter | 77 Calverley Road | Tunbridge Wells | Kent | TN1 2UY
No 69 Harden’s Top 100 Restaurants
No 97 Square Meal’s Top 100 Restaurants
Michelin Guide 2025

Open days and hours:

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: Lunch 12:00 – 14:30, Dinner 18:00 – 23:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 23:00 

About Hepple Spirits
Hepple Spirits distillery sits at the foot of the wild moors on the Hepple estate in Northumberland, making gin differently from all other distilleries using cutting edge technology that combines the use of copper pot and vacuum distillation with supercritical extraction.  This equipment allows Hepple to capture the full breadth and depth of flavour of botanicals, specifically focusing on their own green juniper. 

Hepple’s ethos is to restore nature to its original and powerful best. Wetlands have been created to aid and encourage wildlife. Fences have been removed to allow ponies and native cattle to roam free. Rare birds call Hepple home and rear their young, while juniper trees have been planted in their hundreds next to their ancient relatives. hepplespirits.com

Summer over the South Downs at Artelium Wine Estate

Alfresco dining over the South Downs at Artelium Wine Estate this summer

Open Thursday to Sunday, Artelium Kitchen’s menu showcases vibrant, seasonal plates inspired by the flavours and laid-back approach of Mediterranean-style eating – all rooted in the best of Sussex produce. The menu features dishes such as grilled meats, fresh seafood and vegetables grown in their own kitchen garden. Start with a glass of Artelium’s award-winning Blanc de Blancs 2018 or an Artelium Negroni, made with Artelium’s own Gin and Vermouth, before choosing from the feasting style menu designed to share and served ‘family style’ to pass around the table. For starters chose three for table such as Padron peppers & smoked aubergine; Trenchmore Sussex Wagyu beef tartar & crisps; Garden radishes & pumpkin seed hummus or BBQ leeks, romesco & hazelnut. For main courses, guests are invited to choose one each from a selection including Cabaret Noir braised pork cheek, fennel & plum sauce; Oyster mushroom, black garlic & English miso or South Coast plaice & tartare beurre blanc. Sides include Sweet & sour rhubarb, English garden salad, Sussex bok choy, Slipcote & hot honey and roast carrots with chimichurri. For dessert, the strawberry & fig ice cream sandwich is a must order or chocolate mousse with maraschino cherries. Cheese lovers will be delighted with the Sussex cheese pate of Brighton Blue with membrillo and melba toast.

The Summer feasting menu has been created in collaboration with Artelium’s resident chef, Michael Notman-Watt. Cooking for the summer months until the end of the season, Brazil-born Michael moved to London as a child and now lives in West Sussex. From a cookery course at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, a love affair with Anthony Bourdain to culinary school, roles at 64 Degrees, The Dairy and Bistro Union and a stint on Masterchef: The Professionals, Michael’s food, passion for great produce and his cooking style is the perfect pairing to Artelium.

Julie Bretland, co-owner and founder of Artelium comments, “Join us at the estate this summer for food that is full of bold, natural flavours and made for communal dining and lively conversation, perfectly paired with a glass of Artelium.”

What else is on this summer at Artelium:

Vineyard Tours: Friday-Sunday
Enjoy a walk around the vines, learn how Artelium’s wines are made and enjoy a guided wine tasting in the heart of Sussex wine country.

Fire & Wine: Fridays 7-10pm
Feasting BBQ straight from the fire with a weekly sharing special. Rustic, delicious, and made for balmy summer nights.

Fire & Vine: Second Friday of the month
Artelium’s usual Feasting BBQ straight from the fire, followed by a late-evening vineyard walk. Take a glass on your stroll, enjoy dusk bird song and watch the sun go down from the top of the vineyard.

Pizza Nights: Twice a month
Wood-fired pizza from Safari Pizza Company. Casual, delicious and perfect for a summer evening.

All Artelium experiences can be booked via the ‘What’s On’ page on www.artelium.com

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For more information about Artelium, images or to arrange a visit to the estate please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room on hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk or 07730 039361

Notes to editors:

Artelium Wine Estate
Streat Lane
Streat
Hassocks
East Sussex, BN6 8SA

Telephone: 01273 569155
Instagram: @arteliumwine
www.artelium.com

Open Thursday to Sunday, 12-5pm, for vineyard tours, wine tastings, restaurant and occasional art exhibitions.
Monday to Wednesday – Shop only.

Come October, the Artelium Kitchen will move from the alfresco terrace inside to the cosy Tasting Room.

About Artelium
Artelium is a contemporary wine estate celebrating English wine and art. Based in the village of Streat, deep in the East Sussex countryside, Artelium is rooted in art, nature and people and is a destination for culture, conversation and connection.  

Founded by Julie Bretland and Mark Collins, the estate is the realisation of a shared dream: a place where exceptional English wine meets the wider world of ideas, contemporary arts and crafts, celebrating the people and stories behind them. From the beginning, Artelium was about more than winemaking; Julie and Mark set out to build a place where creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration come together, with the brand name blending art and ium - Latin for ‘a place to congregate’ - reflecting the philosophy of crafting a space for people to come together and enjoy wine and art in a beautiful natural setting.

Farming across two vineyard sites, the combined 65-acre estate is home to 125,000 vines growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris and hybrids focusing on fungus-resistant varietals as part of Artelium’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Madehurst Vineyard - Chalk Soils in the South Downs
Artelium’s largest site is the Madehurst Vineyard, located within the South Downs National Park. This 90-acre chalk-rich site is home to more than 85,000 vines, planted in 2019 and 2020. It is also where Artelium’s winery is located, producing its first vintage in 2022. The chalk terroir is ideal for crafting premium sparkling wines.

Streat Vineyard – Clay Soils and Cellar Door Experience
Located between Ditchling and Plumpton, the Streat Vineyards spans 25 acres of clay soil across a 45-acre site and hosts around 40,000 vines. This site mirrors the varietal and clonal diversity of Madehurst, offering contrast in growing conditions. Streat is also home to Artelium’s Cellar Door, open Thursday to Sunday year-round. Visitors can enjoy vineyard tours, wine tastings, and the Artelium Kitchen offering exceptional hospitality overlooking the panoramic views of the South Downs.

Artelium Kitchen
Open Thursday to Sunday, Artelium Kitchen’s menu showcases vibrant, seasonal plates – all rooted in the best of Sussex produce. The menu features shareable dishes such as grilled meats, fresh seafood and vegetables grown in Artelium’s kitchen garden.

Art amongst the vines
Throughout the year, there is a diverse programme of art exhibitions, expert-led wine talks, craft workshops and creative events that bring together the local and wider community. From guided tastings with winemakers and seasonal feasts featuring local producers, to collaborations with Sussex based artists, each experience is designed to spark curiosity and celebrate craftsmanship in all its forms.

Awards
Artelium won numerous awards for both the Sparkling and Still wines, including Supreme Champion and Best Newcomer at the 2022 Wine GB Awards, and were also the first-ever English still wine served on all public bars at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Artelium’s wines regularly win medals in prestigious wine competitions such as Decanter and IWSC.

English Wine Week at Artelium, East Sussx

Artelium Wine Estate in East Sussex

English Wine Week at Artelium Wine Estate

English Wine Week (21st - 29th June) is a celebration of this small but mighty region, offering internationally recognised, award-winning wines, championing innovation and excellency.

Enjoy English Wine Week at Artelium, a contemporary wine estate which celebrates English wine and art. Deep in rural East Sussex, but just 20 minutes from Brighton and an hour from London, explore Artelium on a guided vineyard tour, admire original art and sculpture commissioned from Sussex artists, enjoy a tutored wine tasting and finish with an alfresco lunch overlooking the vines created and cooked by resident chef, and fresh from MasterChef: The Professionals, Michael Notman-Watt.

Book a tour

To celebrate English Wine Week, Artelium has curated a special case of three signature sparkling wines, including the estate’s Blanc de Blancs 2018, which won Gold at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards. The Sparkling Trio case is available to order online with free UK delivery throughout the whole of June, and is a perfect introduction to Artelium’s winemaking philosophy, or a thoughtful gift for any sparkling wine lover.

Buy The Sparkling Trio

Events during English Wine Week

From London to Lewes, Artelium is ‘out and about’ during English Wine Week with a host of exclusive partner dinners and tastings taking place at Tate Modern, The Goring Hotel which is hosted by wine expert and author Tom Surgey, and Mallow. Closer to home are dinners and events at Dill and No.34 in Lewes, and the Artelium team will be pouring at Charleston Lewes, as part of the Sussex Winelands event on 28 June.

About English Wine

Over the past two decades, English wine has quietly transformed from a niche curiosity into one of the most exciting stories in the global wine industry. With a combination of climate shifts, technological advancements and daring ambition, English winemakers are turning heads and winning awards showcasing that innovation is thriving in the vineyards. 

The sparkling wine scene is where English producers have made a bold mark. Thanks to the chalky soils of southern England - geologically similar to those in Champagne - along with a warming climate, English sparkling wines now rival some of the best from France. Artelium’s Blancs de Blancs 2018 and Curators Cuvee 2018 are two traditional method English wines which have garnered international acclaim, winning gold at the Decanter International Wine Awards in 2024.

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For more information about Artelium, images or to arrange a visit to the estate please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room on hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk or 07730 039361

Notes to editors:

Artelium Wine Estate
Streat Lane
Streat
Hassocks
East Sussex, BN6 8SA

Open Thursday to Sunday, 12-5pm, for vineyard tours, wine tastings, restaurant and art exhibitions.
Monday to Wednesday – closed.

Telephone: 01273 569155
Instagram: @arteliumwine
www.artelium.com

About Artelium
Artelium is a contemporary wine estate celebrating English wine and art. Based in the small village of Streat, deep in the East Sussex countryside, Artelium is rooted in art, nature and people and is a destination for culture, conversation and connection.  

Founded by Julie Bretland and Mark Collins, the estate is the realisation of a shared dream: a place where exceptional English wine meets the wider world of ideas and contemporary arts and crafts and celebrates the people and stories behind them. From the beginning, Artelium was about more than winemaking; Julie and Mark set out to build a place where creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration come together, with the brand name blending art and ium - Latin for ‘a place to congregate’ - reflecting the philosophy of crafting a space for people to come together and enjoy wine and art in a beautiful natural setting.

Farming across two vineyard sites, the combined 65-acre estate is home to 125,000 vines growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris and hybrids focusing on fungus-resistant varietals as part of Artelium’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Madehurst Vineyard - Chalk Soils in the South Downs
Artelium’s largest site is the Madehurst Vineyard, located within the South Downs National Park. This 90-acre chalk-rich site is home to more than 85,000 vines, planted in 2019 and 2020. It is also where Artelium’s winery is located, producing its first vintage in 2022. The chalk terroir is ideal for crafting premium sparkling wines.

Streat Vineyard – Clay Soils and Cellar Door Experience
Located between Ditchling and Plumpton, the Streat Vineyards spans 25 acres of clay soil across a 45-acre site and hosts around 40,000 vines. This site mirrors the varietal and clonal diversity of Madehurst, offering contrast in growing conditions. Streat is also home to Artelium’s Cellar Door, open Thursday to Sunday year-round. Visitors can enjoy vineyard tours, wine tastings, and the Artelium Kitchen offering exceptional hospitality overlooking the panoramic views of the South Downs.

Artelium Kitchen
Open Thursday to Sunday, Artelium Kitchen’s menu showcases vibrant, seasonal plates – all rooted in the best of Sussex produce. The menu features shareable dishes such as grilled meats, fresh seafood and vegetables grown in Artelium’s kitchen garden. Taking helm at the is Sussex chef Michael Notman-Watt cooking food that is full of bold, natural flavour and made for communal dining and lively conversation, perfectly paired with a glass of Artelium.

Art amongst the vines
Throughout the year, there is a diverse programme of art exhibitions, expert-led wine talks, craft workshops and creative events that bring together the local and wider community. From guided tastings with winemakers and seasonal feasts featuring local producers, to collaborations with Sussex based artists, each experience is designed to spark curiosity and celebrate craftsmanship in all its forms.

Awards
Artelium won numerous awards for both the Sparkling and Still wines, including Supreme Champion and Best Newcomer at the 2022 Wine GB Awards, and were also the first-ever English still wine served on all public bars at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Artelium’s wines regularly win medals in prestigious wine competitions such as Decanter and IWSC. 

June at The Counter by Robin Read

Robin Read at The Counter, Tunbridge Wells

June at The Counter

www.thecountertw.com | @the_counter_tw | @robin__read
The Counter | 77 Calverley Road | Tunbridge Wells | Kent | TN1 2UY

No 69 Harden’s Top 100 Restaurants
No 97 Square Meal’s Top 100 Restaurants
Michelin Guide 2025

“The Counter is delicious and charming… treating the inner Veruca Salt in all of us with pure imagination.”
Grace Dent reviewing The Counter for The Guardian

“This new venture… is the best news for Tunbridge Wells. It has the makings of a destination – a relaxing neighbourhood restaurant with a big-city attitude” Good Food Guide

The new menu for June at The Counter is a kaleidoscope of colours, textures and flavours all with the promise of the long summer days ahead. Reading like a best in show of the ingredients that we source from the British Isles we have Jersey Royals, Garlic Scapes, Orkney hand-dived scallops, Cornish John Dory, Scottish beef fillet, Lancashire cheese and back down to Kent for new season cherries, plus fig leaves, nasturtiums and herbs from our own little kitchen garden. It’s a delicious month and menu at The Counter.

June’s ten-course menu

First Bites
Bread, Butter & Broth
Jersey royals, Parsley sauce, Garlic Scapes
Orkney hand-dived Scallops, Artichoke Barigoule
Cornish Lobster, Our Garden Nasturtium, Kohlrabi & Mint
Cornish John Dory, Pea & Guanciale
Scottish Beef Fillet, Kentish Beef Tea & Tarragon
Cornish Saddle of Lamb, Courgette, Feta & Oregano
Lancashire Bomb Crumpet, Tare glaze & Chives (optional £12 supplement)
Fig Leaf & Blackberry Ripple Ice Cream 
Rhubarb & Cherry Pavlova
The Sweet Treat Tower

Kappo nights
Kappo nights are back and reservations for The Counter’s next Japanese inspired small plates dinner, on Wednesday 16th July, are now open. If you’ve not been before these evenings are a little different to our usual dining experiences at The Counter. ‘Kappo’ nights, as they’ve quickly been nicknamed, are served with the same passion, craft and expertise and are the chefs’ chance for a little midweek experimentation and fun with small plates such as ‘seaweed and potato rosti, wasabi & shiso leaf’, ‘soy & ginger roast pork belly’, ‘Cornish squid ragu’ or ‘chalk stream trout belly, tare glaze, sansho pepper’. Follow @under_thecounter_tw for more information and menu teasers. Book soon if you fancy it, these kappo night tables don’t hang around long.

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Open days and hours:

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: Lunch 12:00 – 14:30, Dinner 18:00 – 23:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 23:00 

A Timeless Spectacle: The White Wisteria at Gravetye Manor in Bloom

The white Shiro Nodo wisteria in bloom at Gravetye Manor, West Sussex

A Timeless Spectacle: The White Wisteria AT Gravetye Manor in Bloom

As the golden days of late spring stretch towards summer, a most enchanting transformation takes place at Gravetye Manor, the four-star historic country house hotel in East Grinstead, Sussex.

In a scene reminiscent of an English pastoral painting, the white wisteria Shiro Noda that adorns the manor’s pergola at the back of the flower garden, burst into bloom in a breathtaking display of cascading clusters that can reach up to 20 inches long, offering an immersive experience under the pergola to eagerly awaiting hotel guests and garden enthusiasts alike. These ethereal floral chandeliers, release a sweet, intoxicating scent reminiscent of jasmine and honey, opening gradually from the top of each raceme downwards. As the season progresses, the green foliage deepens, creating a vibrant canopy before slowly fading and dropping away in late autumn, preparing the plant for its winter dormancy.

Native to Japan, this variety of wisteria is known not only for its striking beauty but also for its longevity, with some specimens having lived for over a century. Its twining vines, capable of growing over 30 feet long, symbolising endurance and elegance, making Shiro Noda a cherished feature in traditional and modern gardens alike. Gravetye’s Shiro Noda, was originally planted in 1900 by the estate’s former owner, renowned Victorian horticulturist William Robinson, whose pioneering work shaped the landscape of Gravetye. The pergola was restored in 2012, when more plants were also added.

This wisteria has grown into a living testament to Robinson’s devotion to pioneering naturalistic planting which is as popular as ever with gardeners today.

Hotel residents or lunch guests of Gravetye’s Michelin star restaurant, The Dining Room, that recently saw Roux Scholar Martin Carabott’s appointment as executive chef, can stroll the gardens at their own leisure enjoying a succession of mixed flowers and shrubs on display up to the first frosts. Or experience the gardens via a guided tour by a member of the gardening team, that takes place at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from April to October.

The estate also has a celebrated elliptical kitchen garden that grows fruit and vegetables for the restaurant kitchen as well as meadows and orchards.

Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford: A New Culinary Destination Opening in Sevenoaks

Maria Bradford (credit Dave Saunders)

Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford: A New Culinary Destination Opening in Sevenoaks

The highly anticipated independent, female-owned restaurant, Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford opens its doors on 6th June 2025. 

The debut restaurant from award-winning chef and author Maria Bradford brings the bold and vibrant flavours of Sierra Leone to the historic market town of Sevenoaks, Kent. Maria, known for her cookbook Sweet Salone: Recipes from the Heart of Sierra Leone and her role as a judge for the prestigious Fortnum & Mason Food & Drink Awards, is redefining fine dining with her distinctive take on Afro-fusion cuisine.

Blending authentic Sierra Leonean tradition with contemporary influences, Shwen Shwen offers a truly unique dining experience. The name, derived from the Krio language, means ‘fancy’ - but for Maria, it represents much more than just her food. It embodies a way of life, and an invitation to share in something special.

Tucked away down a charming, cobbled alleyway, Shwen Shwen opens into Maria’s re-branded Cotton Tree Yard – an exclusive outdoor terrace - before welcoming guests into an evocative space designed to feel both elegant and intimate. Inside, rich hues of burnt terracotta and smoky aubergine create a warm, cocooning atmosphere, enhanced by tactile surfaces, bespoke hand-painted fabrics, and wallpaper inspired by vintage West African and Sierra Leonean textiles. Every detail has been carefully chosen to create an inviting atmosphere that encourages guests to relax and feel at home.

A Culinary Journey to Sierra Leone

Maria’s passion for food began in her childhood home in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where she learned to cook alongside her mother and grandmother. Drawing inspiration from the streets of Freetown, rural villages, and the Sierra Leone River, her menu reflects the diverse and rich culinary traditions of her homeland.

Using signature ingredients such as moringa, fonio, tamarind, sesame, egusi, baobab and hibiscus, Maria creates bold, layered flavours that transport diners with every bite.

The launch menu, designed for discovery and sharing, features:

• Lamb Belly, Palm Oil, African Five Spice

• Mackerel, Mango, Cassava Flat Bread

• King Prawns, Salone Fire, Lemongrass Gel

• Beef Short-rib, Groundnut, Coconut

• Hibiscus, Caramelised White Chocolate, Fig Leaf, Pepper

• Moringa Mille-Feuille, Benne Cake, Sheep’s Yoghurt Ice-Cream

• Cheese Board featuring Tamarind Jelly & Jellied Hibiscus Flower

Shwen Shwen is more than a restaurant, it is a celebration of heritage, culture, and storytelling through food.

“Shwen Shwen is the realisation of a long-held dream. I want my food to take guests on a journey to experience the vibrant culinary landscape of Sierra Leone. Though my restaurant is in Sevenoaks, every dish is a love letter to my homeland.” – Maria Bradford

Notes to Editors

Shwen Shwen by Maria Bradford
1-2 Well Court
Bank Street
Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1UN
Website & Reservations: www.shwenshwen.com
Instagram: @shwenshwenbymaria

About Maria Bradford

Maria Bradford is an award-winning chef, author, and influencer. Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, she developed her love for cooking at the age of nine, learning from her mother and grandmother. After moving to Kent as a teenager, Maria trained at Leith’s School of Food and Wine before launching her own catering business, Maria Bradford Kitchen, in 2017, now known as Shwen Shwen.

Maria’s work has been widely recognised for its innovative approach to Sierra Leonean cuisine, and she has become a key advocate for West African culinary heritage. Shwen Shwen by Maria is her debut restaurant, opening in June 2025.