October 22, 2024

Hyo the Hellmaker

We spoke to British-Japanese author and illustrator Mina Ikemoto Ghosh about her debut, young adult, fantasy novel, Hyo the Hellmaker.

What inspired you to start writing, and how did you find your voice as an author?
“I discovered J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings when I was 9 and figured it couldn’t be that hard to write if this bloke managed all those pages without a single shapeshifting unicorn girl! No unicorn girls in my debut though (forgive me, inner child).”

Can you share your process for developing characters and plots?
“I’m quite visual, so I imagined one scene from a later chapter first, then the worldbuilding, then thought of the best characters to explore the world. Plot followed from characters.”

Do you get writer’s block?
“I’m not sure about any specific writer’s block, as opposed to just being stuck – as happens in any job – but as a writer you’re just very alone with how stuck you are. My solution is, grit your teeth and write. Slowly.”

What has been your most rewarding experience as an author so far?
“Getting to know all the other writers I’ve met along the way and having lots to celebrate with their milestones – signing with an agent, deal announcements, manuscript hand-ins, launches, there are so many excuses to say ‘congratulations’.”

“Find your weird. Write with heart.”

Mina Ikemoto Ghosh

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October 15, 2024

Your go-to guide for Thames Ditton

Megan Warrington, owner of local business, Denny’s Books says, “We’re a family-run business selling books, cards and gifts. We’re a small business but a big part of the community.” Here she shares her favourite places to explore in the area.

Where do you get your morning coffee from?
“La Fontana is a fantastic Italian cafe, they have delicious coffee and is run by the friendliest ladies, it’s always busy and has a great ‘buzzy’ atmosphere. They also have a pizza hatch that makes the best pizza and is well worth a visit!”
53 High St, Thames Ditton, KT7 0SF
@lafontanacafe

Village highlight
“I personally enjoy walking by the river near The Albany, there’s a small stretch of grass opposite Hampton Court Palace and is a bit of a hidden gem, it’s great for walking dogs or sunbathing.”

A bite to eat
“Nice Buns has a great menu for breakfast and lunch, and a lovely little courtyard at the back which is a great sun trap, lovely for eating and relaxing alfresco.”
48 High St, Thames Ditton, KT7 0SA
@cafenicebuns

Treat yourself
“Little Foray is my favourite hairdressers, they also offer a wide range of beauty and skin treatments, and is the best place to go for a pamper session. The staff feel like old friends and I always come out feeling lighter after a session there!”
57 High St, Thames Ditton, KT7 0SF
@littleforay

All about community
The Thames Ditton Foundation (founded in 2012), supports the high street in various ways from making the high street look pretty to commemorate national events, to planting beautiful flowers at Thames Ditton Station. They have some great initiatives, such as supporting East Elmbridge Food Bank, Elmbridge CAN (offering refugee support) and Elmbridge Rentstart (helping the homeless and those vulnerably housed).

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October 3, 2024

Play with Purpose

Celebrating local communities through creativity

The Community Brain are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing people and communities together to enjoy their local space and engage with those within it.
We spoke with Dr Robin Hutchinson MBE, Director of TCB, about how their projects and events are re-igniting the local area and empowering individuals with their inclusive, ‘everyone and anyone is welcome’ approach.

Passion for people

“Everybody is brilliant if they’re given the help and support to be brilliant,” says Robin explaining the principle behind TCB. “It all started with what we categorise as ‘playgrounds for adults’, making events and spaces that allow people to reconnect and recharge. We wanted people to smile”.

Location, location, location

“We discovered that when you asked people what they like about Surbiton, they’d say, ‘Oh it’s great, only 16 minutes from London, only 16 minutes from the countryside…’ and it struck us that if someone describes where they live by the speed you can leave it, there’s something a bit odd there!” Events such as the popular Seething Festival, Surbiton Ski Sunday and the most recent (and hugely successful) Mini Cooper Procession have all been key to bringing people together and making connections in a space they feel at home.

Supporting those in crisis

TCB not only want to bring joy and play to the community, but provide practical help to those who need it. “Due to Covid, the cost of living, food poverty, there are many communities unsupported. Some of our work is now diverted to how we can support community fridges, offer cooking facilities, and teach cookery, not only to locals but refugees with no access to these facilities.”

Who can get involved?

“Anyone who feels they want to play, or belong somewhere. We’re involved with Kingston College and the Uni, so we have lots of young and mature volunteers who work side by side and that’s so important. That’s what a community should look like.”

Rewilding Tolworth Court Farm

One of the next projects in motion for TCB is the rewilding project of the largest nature reserve in the borough. Working with Kingston Council and Citizen Zoo, the plans are to introduce a small number of free roaming livestock to the area to encourage the natural regeneration of trees and shrubs. “The idea is to respect it as a place of nature but allow people to be a part of that nature” says Robin.

For more info about TCB upcoming projects and how you could be involved email contact@thecommunitybrain.org or follow on Instagram @communitybrain

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September 27, 2024

The Only Way is Up-Cycling

Seasoned thrifter or just starting out with sustainable ways to shop, interior designer Hannah Ashe seeks out those one-of-a-kind, treasure-seeker local hot spots.

“Seeking out treasure is one of the great joys of my work as an interior designer. A stall at an antiques fair isn’t a pile of old junk, these items are raw ingredients needing TLC so they can be given a new lease of life. Could a chair be sanded back to reveal its beautiful grain, or painted in vibrant colours to match a room’s scheme? Perhaps an old chandelier can be polished to reveal its patina and hung in a Victorian hallway? The possibilities of vintage pieces are endless and a great way to create a unique interior vision.”

“My own home was built in the Edwardian period, but I combine pieces from a range of eras, thinking more about colour and texture than whether pieces match. I collect items from my travels – often the brocante markets of France – and I believe that every home should be a lifetime’s work, documenting the owner’s journey through the world.

Here are my top tips to sourcing rare and unique pieces in the local area.”

Sunbury Antiques TW16

Kempton Park racecourse hosts bi-monthly antiques fairs, but the organisers have added Sandown Park and Wimbledon to their event locations giving you even more opportunity to source a bargain! It’s a rummaging paradise for anyone looking for interesting and unusual pieces for their home. Stalls range from selling smaller accessories such as ceramics and homeware to larger items of furniture. They have an onsite courier service for those without transport. Celebrities and designers are regularly spotted here, hunting for rare gems of sustainable treasure.
sunburyantiques.com @sunburyantiques

Think Vintage KT4

Prepare to lose yourself for hours at Think Vintage in Worcester Park. Half of the warehouse is dedicated to vintage clothing sold by the kilo, but my favourite part is the second-hand furniture. Stock changes regularly and furniture is cheap; perfect for an upcycle project, especially if you are a beginner. I bought this mango wood chest of drawers for £15 and after sanding and oiling its beautiful grain has been revealed. The folks running Think Vintage are open to requests if you’re hunting for something specific.
think-vintage.co.uk @thinkvintagewarehouse

Owl & The Elephant, Surbiton

Don’t fancy doing the hard work yourself, but want to bag a rare gem? This vintage furniture and accessories shop is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2024. Liz and husband Mark source and restore pieces themselves with a focus on Industrial, Mid-Century and Scandinavian designs. They currently have French antique Tambour cabinets for sale which would add a sense of rustic charm to a home office or dining room. Their vintage kilim rugs are stunners and would sit perfectly in an entrance hall with a parquet flooring.
owlandtheelephant.co.uk @owlandtheelephant

Interestingly Different SM5

A social enterprise based in Carshalton, Interestingly Different is a shop which showcases products created and upcycled by adults with learning disabilities. Their quirky and colourful pieces of furniture sell quickly, so don’t delay. This unusual hallway chair caught my eye. It’s currently on sale for £165. As well as selling furniture, this community-focused shop has a range of homeware and gifts including ceramics, bath and beauty products all carefully curated and sourced from other social enterprises across the UK.
interestinglydifferent.co.uk @interestingly_different

Give upholstery a go

Upcycling projects sometimes require reupholstery, a skill which can be learned through watching YouTube videos and Instagram reels. I’m a fan of Interior Design Masters contestant Jessica Dupreez. They are an upholsterer and incredibly generous in sharing their skills on Instagram. I adore this headboard which Jessica reupholstered. Good fabric is expensive, and I recommend looking out for reclaimed material in charity shops and at car boot sales. Shops such as Fabric Land in Kingston will usually have a sale section where you might be able to bag a bargain offcut!
@jessicadupreezdesign

Hannah Ashe creates interiors inspired by nature and is passionate about bringing calm and tranquillity into the home to enhance well-being.

hannahashe.co.uk @chez_hanny

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September 24, 2024

Awkwardly Adulting

Local writer Kim Hawley shares her musings on being a grown-up, winging it and wondering where on earth the time has gone!

“Work, children, home, debts, bad back…do you often look around and wonder what
the hell happened? Adulting; that’s what happened my friend. It’s rife and it’s not ok.

As if life isn’t accelerating at an already dizzying enough pace (HOW have we already
arrived at autumn!) I don’t know about you but I fully intend to wring every. last. drop. of
our painfully-slow-to-start summer. I feel it is earned. After all, I’ve just spent six weeks
of the school holidays watching my teen humpfing around and when I enquired as to
what was ailing my little freeloader, it transpired that her ‘life was rubbish and boring’.
I had to muster all of my reserve to prevent the ‘in my day’ monologue but still …
I remember my youth like it was yesterday.

Summer holidays were spent just wondering around with absolutely, and I can’t stress
this enough, NOTHING to do apart from the annual family holiday. Me and my brother
banging into each other like ping pong balls, seat-belt free in the back of the car. A mix-
tape on repeat for the entire journey; unless the tape got chewed up and someone had
to get the pencil out and wind it back in … and that was considered fun! Now, you can’t
venture out in the car for more than a half an hour without the kids having to download
an entire box set, lest they spontaneously combust from a serious dose of ennui.

Depending on the length of the journey, toilet breaks were taken in lay-bys and no
sustenance was provided apart from the occasional boiled sweet from the tin. It is now
standard practice to stop at the services and fill up on ‘car snacks’ before you have even
hit the dual carriage way and with said snacks costing the same as a case of Chateaux
Neuf De Pap!

Ignorance is bliss they say and I think I agree. Days out swimming in rivers full of God
knows what (nobody cared), buying cockles from roadside stalls with absolutely no sign
of a food safety rating, sandwiches were mainly that, sand … plus jam or some sort of
meat-themed paste, sat sweating in unison, inside a Tupperware box with some warm
fizzy pop to wash it all down. Genius really; the food was so dull we couldn’t wait to run
off or just skip the meal altogether in favour of playing in the dirt somewhere.

Then, in the blink of an eye, it was time to cover your school books in wallpaper, shove
some cotton wool into the toes of your new shoes and head back to school.
But these were fun times, carefree times and unincumbered times and, although
nowadays, I often can’t remember why I have walked into a room, I can recall these
happy times with giddy clarity.

Simple times indeed but will our teens remember the great Tik Toks they posted in the
summer of 2024? I think not…unless it went viral!”

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September 20, 2024

Sunday Strolls

Thinking of a weekend walk? When nature is on your doorstep, it’d be rude not to!

Bushy Park

As one of London’s Royal Parks, Bushy Park offers a rich tapestry of landscapes – sprawling meadows, tranquil woodlands, and peaceful ponds – all connected by a network of well-maintained paths perfect for a leisurely stroll (look out for the deer!)
royalparks.org.uk


Canbury Gardens

Nestled along the banks of the River Thames, Canbury Gardens offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle, inviting visitors to enjoy its tranquil charm and natural beauty. For sports lovers there are tennis courts, a multi-use games area, a rowing club and an outdoor gym to enjoy.
friendsofcanburygardens.org


Petersham Nurseries

Renowned for its exquisite plants and beautiful garden design, Petersham Nurseries offers beautifully curated displays featuring an array of flora to discover. Treat yourself with a visit to the gift shop filled with curated collections, making it easy to find unique additions for your home and garden.
petershamnurseries.com


Ham House & Gardens

This 17th-century mansion is surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens, offering a glimpse into England’s rich heritage. Manicured lawns, and vibrant flower beds showcase the craftsmanship of historic garden design – the perfect spot to capture the perfect snap!
nationaltrust.org.uk


The Wood & Richard Jefferies Bird Sanctuary

Named in honour of the renowned naturalist Richard Jefferies, this hidden gem offers a haven for nature lovers. Discover a wide range of birds in their natural tranquil environment – from vibrant songbirds to the more elusive species, offering a rich tapestry of avian life to explore.
parksandgardens.org

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September 16, 2024

The Good Guide to Great British Grub

As autumn sets in, there’s no better time to treat yourself to a hearty meal out. Angelina Villa-Clarke finds the best spots in reach of Surrey that champion the best of British cookery

A pub worth travelling to: The Mutton at Hazeley Heath, Hook

It might technically be in Hampshire, but the family-run The Mutton is worth the 50 minute (or so) drive to discover why it was named the country Pub of the Year in the 2024 National Pub Awards. The former 19th century post office-turned public house also holds two AA-Rosettes for its food. Chef Rob Boer celebrates seasonal produce and British classics – try the pub’s signature homemade crumpet with beef tartare, slow cooked egg yolk and crispy kale. Other standout dishes include a mean shepherd’s pie with slow-braised mutton served with grilled hispi cabbage and a 12-hour cooked beef rump with a side of Guinness and Onion pie.

Found on the edge of a nature reserve, the pub’s original features have been elevated by interior designer Jojo Barr, of House Nine Design, with bold colours and velvet dining armchairs. Outside is just as stylish – from the lilac wisteria wrapped pergola to the sage-green timber bar. In fact, the garden has been designed by Hortus Loci, a local plant nursery that supplies the Chelsea Flower Show, with guests able to stroll around the pick-your-own herb garden, enjoy flame-grilled ‘Garden Bites’ on the patio and bookone of the charming Shepherd’s Huts (for six or eight people).
themuttonathazeleyheath.co.uk


Good for a coastal drive: The Black Horse, Climping

If you want to head out to the coast for a weekend spin, then why not plan a pitstop at the Black Horse in Climping? Recently restored by Historic Sussex Hotels, the 17th century pub has long been a popular haunt for locals to gather. The Grade-II listed property was once a smugglers inn and its extensive renovation has seen many original features, such as the parquet wooden floor, restored to their former glory.

Now boasting a custom-built pewter bar, you can try a wide selection of craft beers, fine ales and Sussex wines. You can hole up by the double-sided wood burner stove or head into the oak-beamed Ryebank dining room for Brit hits, such as the spicy Guinness and Sussex Charmer cheese soup and Climping beach fish pie. It’s the perfect spot for a post-beach ramble.
hshotels.co.uk/theblackhorseclimping


Good for Sunday Roasts: The Grove, Surbiton

Found in Surbiton ‘Village’, The Grove is the perfect hangout after a stroll along the river from Kingston upon Thames. You can’t go wrong with the Sunday roast menu, which includes roast porchetta and apple sauce and beef and horseradish, as well as a vegan wellington. The main menu offers British classics, such as fish and chips and a selection of pies, including confit duck pie served with garlic mash, charred cabbage and gravy. For drinks and nibbles (the homemade sausage roll is not to be missed) headto the ‘secret’ beer garden where you’ll find an outside bar and dining terrace with egg-style seating.
thegrovekt6.co.uk


Something special in reach of Surrey: Ockenden Manor, Haywards Heath

Less than an hour from Surrey, Ockenden Manor has been carved out of a striking Elizabethan manor house. Whether you want to enjoy a classic afternoon tea in the lounge or a celebratory meal in the restaurant, which has bucolic views over Cuckfield Park, chef Stephen Crane’s dishes are always on point. Signature dishes include the crispy homemade goats’ cheese croquettes and roast fillet of beef served with ox cheek, buttered chard and garlic cream. The coffee and walnut chocolate brownie is another highlight, perfect with a glass of English sparkling wine. The good news is, if you have one too many you can always book one of the hotel’s individually-styled rooms for the night.
hshotels.co.uk/ockenden-manor


British with a twist: Daastan, Epsom

For many years, chicken tikka masala has been voted Britain’s favourite dish. The award-winning Daastan, on Kingston Road, has been collecting rave reviews since co-owner Anurag Singh opened it in 2016 with chefs Nand Kishore and Sanjay Gour. The restaurant has won a coveted Michelin BIB Gourmand, among other culinary accolades, for its authentic Indian dishes. The simple dining room – with its bougainvillea-pink banquettes and turmeric-yellow walls – belies the subtlety of the dishes. There’s just-made pani puri with fresh chutneys, an inspired take on classic lamb chops with mooli mustard, melt-in-the-mouth Malabar prawns and, yes, a sublime tandori chicken tikka (although the seasonal fish tikka gives it a run for its money). It’s British with a spicy kick.
daastan.co.uk


A great gastro pub: The Star, Witley, Godalming

An original 17th-century inn, The Star, found in the pretty village of Witley, is all about keeping things simple and taking hospitality back to its roots. “No tiny portions, deconstructed dishes, frills or foam – just superb food,” is its mantra. As winter sets in, the pub, with a relaxed bar and cosy dining room, offers a welcoming retreat with its inglenook fireplace, original beams and exposed brick walls. In the summer, the courtyard garden becomes a convivial, sun-drenched space for al fresco dining. Harnessing the best of local produce, the menu focuses on modern British seasonal dishes, with a menu that changes every week. Expect: beef shin pasties, chilled pea soup and broad bean hummus, roast Suffolk chicken and slow-roast pork belly. There’s Sunday roasts and classic puddings on offer, too (save room for the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch).
thestarwitley.co.uk

Words: Angelina Villa-Clarke

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August 30, 2024

OUT Recommends – Marna Coffee

With floor to ceiling windows, on the corner of Old London Road (next to the iconic tumbling telephone boxes) this independent speciality coffee shop is already a new fave with the locals.

Where it all started..
After 12 years of digital marketing in the corporate world Burcu’s pipe dream of opening her own speciality coffee shop became a reality when she quit her job and threw herself in the deep end training as a barista in her local coffee shop. “I knew nothing about hospitality… but I learnt so much during that period and I’m thankful for every minute of it”

What’s the vibe?
“Cosy with a touch of modern chic” describes Burcu, having cherry-picked every piece of furniture herself. I’ve tried to create a space where people can just ‘exist’, whether they’re catching up with friends, working on their laptop, or simply enjoying a moment of peace with a good coffee”

And if you’re feeling peckish…
“Expect fresh pastries, brownies, muffins, granola bars and banana bread. But our real showstoppers are the burnt cheesecake and the carrot cake.”

It’s all about the customer..
“They are truly the best” says Burcu, “…always greet us with big smiles, ask how we’re doing…even tidy up their tables before leaving! It’s a place that exudes community spirit. And we do get a lot of praise for it! We’ve even had an A-list celeb drop by, so you never know who you might bump into!”

“A place that exudes community spirit.”

What can we look forward to at Marna this autumn?
A warm, cute little place to make the miserable grey days a bit more bearable with a good playlist! We’ll be launching toasties and seasonal drinks (think pumpkin spice lattes and salted caramel hot chocolates).”

How do you like to Coffee+Chill?
“As a small business owner, I don’t get much time to! Either before I come in or after the shop is closed. I grab a coffee, head to the riverside, lay on a deck and bury myself in a book”

marnacoffee.com

Words by Daniella Matier
Photography by Alex Wroe

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August 30, 2024

Back to the Future

While technology continues to plug itself into every single part of our daily lives, a retro revival is keeping pace right alongside it.

Welcome to the nuanced landscape of contemporary life; a space where we can excitedly anticipate the next Apple iphone release whilst seeing vinyl records sales continuing to rise.

So, are ‘newness’ and nostalgia friend or foe? Is AI really everything Arnie warned us about? Or are they just two sides of the same (bit)coin; coexisting and shaping our world in unexpected ways? We asked the experts and enthusiasts to uncover more…

Go Gadget, GO!

Plug into the cutting-edge world of smart technology, and you’ll quickly see how deeply it’s woven into our daily lives—often without us even noticing. Many smart technologies use AI (artificial intelligence) to enhance functionality. From social media scrolling to a smart thermostat at home, AI learns your preferences and adapts to predict your needs. Take smart phones, for example: once mere communication tools, they’ve evolved into cameras, personal assistants, fitness trainers, and digital wallets – and a lot more convenient than lugging around a set of Britannica encyclopaedia!

Spent summer glued to the Olympics? Tech helped to make it all possible, from laser-precise timing to advanced data analytics ensuring fair play. Smart tech and AI have revolutionised and are transforming how we work, rest, and play in ways once unimaginable.

Embracing this high-tech future are North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) in Ewell, Surrey and now home to the newly opened Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology (IoT).
First of its kind, it specialises in digital technologies with courses and apprenticeships including software development, robotics, cyber security and AI. Julie Kapsalis, Principal and CEO at Nescot says, “The IoT here offers great opportunities for both students and employers. It’s exciting and engaging to work with state-of-the-art equipment and working with our employer partners, we’ve identified industries and jobs that require a pipeline of new, purpose-trained staff, to future proof businesses.”
Peter Goodenough, Computing tutor at Nescot, says, “Computers are in every walk of life and every industry. With the Institute of Technology we can offer progress, enhance future skills and aid long term sustainability.”

Smash Hits!

Yet, amid all the innovation and progress, we find ourselves increasingly drawn to the past, embracing nostalgia in surprising ways. Take the ongoing surge in vinyl record sales. Offering a tactile experience that digital music can’t replicate, Banquet Records – ‘a real record shop, run by real people’ – in Kingston Upon Thames, perfectly illustrates this.


Andy Reid, founder of the Surrey youth charity BuddyUp, is a dedicated fan of the independent store. He says, “There’s something magical about the crackle of a record and the feel of large album artwork. It’s a sensory experience that people are rediscovering and treasuring. Add to that the intimate in-store gigs hosted by Banquet— where queues often stretch around the block—and you see why their appeal resonates from Gen X to Generation Alpha. It’s a vibe that transcends age.”

“The ‘80s brought us iconic styles that resonate with today’s youth, eager to express individuality.”

Nostalgia has firmly woven itself into the fabric of the fashion industry. Mia Brodie, owner of @spin_preloved says, “Nostalgia plays a huge role in revivals and trends. Some eras are legendary, thanks to icons like Stevie Nicks in the ’70s. The recent series Daisy Jones & The Six sparked a resurgence in ‘Stevie’ style and a return to boho aesthetics.”

With a focus on slow fashion and quality preloved items, Mia adds, “Cyclical fashion has always been part of our culture. It brings depth and nuance to our personal style—whether as a form of cultural expression or a shift in trends. The ’80s, for instance, gave us iconic styles that resonate with today’s youth, eager to express individuality in a world dominated by fast fashion. From Madonna’s lace accessories to Boy George and Annie Lennox’s iconic androgynous looks, these influences are still alive on runways and in street style today”

And let’s not overlook the recent revival of ’80s films. Following the success of their 1980s Movie Mix season – featuring classics like The Terminator (40th Anniversary) and Beverly Hills Cop – Picturehouse Epsom notes, “There’s always a strong appetite for revisiting old favourites or catching films you missed the first time around. We’re finding that audiences are eager to share the movies that shaped their own lives with their children, creating a unique, multigenerational cinema experience. Compared to new releases, audiences at revival screenings are more engaged and passionate, often participating in themed events or discussions. Cult classics and iconic horror films, in particular, enjoy repeated showings, drawing in their most die-hard fans”

“With modern technology, I can reach audiences all over the world at any time”

Weird Science

It seems that the key to nostalgia and newness coexisting lies in the essence of human experience. While nostalgia provides comfort and a reassuring sense of continuity, technology propels efficiency and connectivity. Streaming services have made accessing classic films and music easier than ever, preserving cultural stories and keeping them in the conversation. But arguably, the biggest driver of connectivity is social media, where fan communities play a crucial role in generating buzz around revivals. This blend of technological innovation and sentimental value illustrates how the past and present can merge to create powerful, trend-driving experiences.

Xaxi Guillaume, a local Beauty Content Creator best known for his appearance on BBC Three’s Glow Up: Britain’s Next Makeup Star, has amassed 18.7K followers on Instagram (@xaviguillaume) and 29.9K on TikTok. He shares, “With modern technology, I can reach audiences all over the world at any time. It’s allowed me to collaborate with brands on a sponsored level, as my content can instantly reach a global audience. But constant connectivity has its downsides—I find myself comparing followers, likes, and engagement to my peers, even though I know I shouldn’t. And with the world watching, I always post stories and updates after I’ve left a specific place for safety”

Julie Kapsalis from Nescot emphasizes this need for balance, saying, “While there are many positives, we must always have a Plan B. Safety and ethical concerns around data usage and the need for effective regulation to guard against threats like cybercrime are crucial. As we embrace AI and AR in our everyday technology, we must not lose sight of our critical thinking and core values.”
And she’s not wrong. Humans are complex, craving both progress and stability. While we eagerly embrace technological advancements, we also yearn for the familiar and nostalgia provides a grounding force, helping us navigate the ‘Tomorrow’s World’ that we are already living in.

Words by Fatima Truscott
Illustration by Andrea Manzati

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August 28, 2024

Indulge, Relax, Repeat

To celebrate National Spa Week, Angelina Villa-Clarke finds the best holistic havens.

Best for nature lovers: The Coach House Spa, Beaverbrook, Leatherhead

From its botanical-designed stained glass (by artist Brian Clarke) to the fragrant, medicinal herb garden, Beaverbrook’s country house spa puts nature – and nurture – at the heart of its offering. The bulging book of treatments available combines holistic care with cutting-edge practices. You can choose signature therapies, such as the transformative Vibrational Sound Therapy in the Meadow Hut, which overlooks the Surrey Hills, or book spa days to spend with loved ones. Look out for the calendar of revolving retreats curated by visiting master practitioners. Upcoming is the Autumn Full Moon Circles (17 October and 15 November), designed around the lunar phases to give you clarity and focus. As well as breathwork and yin movement workshops, the day includes sound healing and a cacao ceremony, leaving you feeling more connected with yourself and aligned with the rhythm of nature.
From £175, beaverbrook.co.uk


Best for an uplifting experience: BSpa at Brooklands Hotel, Weybridge

Overlooking the Mercedes-Benz World track, the BSpa at Brookland Hotel will get the heart racing in more ways than one. The recently refurbished retreat offers a series of thermal and hydrotherapy experiences that will leave you feeling in the fast lane again. Start in the Himalayan Salt Room, where the salt-infused air brings a number of health benefits, such as improved sleep and respiratory wellness. You can then move on to time spent in the infrared or a traditional sauna; a steam room with an experience shower and a sunlight therapy room. While the massage jets do their work in the hydrotherapy tub, you can watch the cars zoom past on the track. Finally, head to the Tranquillity Meditation Room, where you can lie back on one of the warming waterbeds. A glass of chilled prosecco is the best way to salute the winner in you.
Spa experiences are from £34.95 per person, brooklandssurreyhotel.com



Best for a glam makeover: The Langley Spa, The Langley, Buckinghamshire

Based on the opulent spas found in the Middle East, The Langley Spa – found at The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel – feels in stark contrast to its bucolic surroundings. The mansion was once the former hunting lodge of the third Duke of Marlborough and sits in 12 acres of idyllic park and woodland. The subterranean space offers a different kind of beauty, more likely to be found in the glitzy resorts of Dubai. The glamorous spot has a marble hammam, a beauty room for pedicures and manicures and a hair salon. With its rose quartz steam room and vitality pool, the ladies thermal area, meanwhile, offers a sense of seclusion. There’s a grooming area for men, too, with dedicated treatments, so no one is left out. All treatments on offer are top-notch with facials by Sisley and beautifully scented, orange blossom-themed massages. Treatments from £75, marriott.com

Best for immersive moments: Thai Square Spa, London

With nods to ancient Roman and Turkish baths, Thai Square Spa blends a traditional Thai approach to the London spa scene. Close to Trafalgar Square, enter an exotic world of gold murals, Thai silks and ornate wood aesthetics. Boasting hot and cold therapy facilities and indulgent ritual treatments, the Siamese Serenity, for instance, harnesses the power of Thai herbs with a full body exfoliation to detox the body followed with a nourishing body mask and ends with a signature Mantara Royal Rachawadee Massage, bespoke for each person. £250, thaisquarespa.com


Best for rest and rejuvenation: The Spa at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot

As the dark nights draw in, Pennyhill Park’s holistic spa is the perfect seasonal reset. As well as a state-of-the-art fitness suite, the sprawling space has three swimming zones, including wild swimming, an outdoor hydrotherapy pool and a 25m ballroom pool (dive in for underwater music and fibre-optic lighting). The Surrey haven has launched a one-night Pro-Sleep Spa Retreat during which guests can tap into a multi-sensory mind and body experience. The day includes sleep-inducing treatments, such as Ayurvedic and Indonesian-style massages, calming facials and relaxing scrubs. Comfort Zone’s Tranquility products will soon see you in a deep slumber along with music and sound healing. Guests can learn about different sleep habits to continue practices at home.
From £870, including a one-night stay, exclusive.co.uk

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