Read Surrey Homes online

Surrey Homes Magazine is the monthly lifestyle magazines for Surrey. Discover beautiful homes and interiors, read about their owners, find recipes for every occasion and delve into our pages on horticulture. Feel inspired by our fashion features and get the latest on health and beauty.

Underground treasures

Steven Short and David Clegg’s mid-terrace home has certainly provided the creative couple with their fair share of challenges and talking-points, from unattached staircases to breaking bathtubs. But one feature of this pocket-sized property is sure to stay at the...

Buy well, buy slowly

Sara Divsalar’s new build property in Surrey is a constantly evolving project for the interior designer, who is honing her skills and growing her client list symbiotically Buy well. Buy slowly,” so said Rita Konig, A-list interiors queen and former...

Get Reading!

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School explains how they inspire a love of books In an age dominated by digital devices and ever-shortening attention spans, fostering a genuine love for reading in young people is both a challenge and...

Meet the…Head

As ‘two become one’ we talk to Eddy Newton, Head of the new Malborough House Vinehall Can you share some career highlights and how your experiences have shaped your approach?I knew I wanted to be a teacher from the age...

The News

Schools of the South East tell us about their latest news Sacred Heart School Report Card Sacred Heart School in Wadhurst is delighted with its latest ISI report, which confirmed the school has ‘met’ all Independent School Standards. The report...

Growing STRONG

Two schools tell us how they’re getting pupils to dig intohealthy living and eating Environmental stewardship is firmly embedded in the school culture at St Andrew’s Prep… After proudly achieving Eco-Flag status last year, we set ourselves the challenge of...

5 ways to Prep for Prep

Nerves are natural, but there’s so much to look forward to, says Helen Coombs, Headteacher at St Faith’s Prep! From making new friends to discovering new interests, school life offers a whole world of opportunity. Children thrive on routines, shared...

9 Steps to the New School Gates

Rowan Preparatory School’s tips for new startersto get off to a great start For all children: 1. Be enthusiastic about the new school year! Explore timetables, extracurricular activities and the school website or social media together so your child has...

Helping Your Daughter Settle into School Life

Notre Dame School tell us about their warm welcome for new starters and parents alike At Notre Dame School, we believe in preparing the whole family for a smooth and positive start. Starting a new school is a significant moment...

How to make friends & settle in at school

Starting at a new school can be daunting, so for those venturing into such unknowns we’ve gathered tips and advice from a few local schools To start us off, Saint Ronan’s School Head, Joe Lewis, shares advice Starting a new...

Saving for your Children’s Future

Wealth management experts at FAS provide some insightful tips on saving for your children’s future Parents and grandparents are often seeking advice on how to invest for their child or grandchild’s future, with the aim of contributing towards higher education...

Honestly?

Mike Piercy reminds us of the importance of being honest with ourselves as we venture into a new school year It was Edward Bulwer-Lytton, the nineteenth century writer, who coined the phrase, ‘The easiest person to deceive is one’s self.’...

Far Far Away

Ashford School’s tag line is “Adventurous Learning” and it shows in all of the exciting trips they offer Our students have many opportunities for long-distance travel but the adventure starts much closer to home in the Weald of Kent where...

To stick or not to stick?

Sarah Maxwell takes a look at fitness fads When I learned of my task this month, exploring fitness fads and if they actually work, my mind immediately revealed images of a dusty cross-trainer draped with laundry or a plastic gadget...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of incorporating another healthy ingredient into our diets. This month she’s focusing in on blackberries and beetroot As the golden days of summer give way to cooler mornings and gentler routines, September...

Making Meadows

Jo Arnell takes a wander through wonderful wildflowers and marvellous meadows I have just come in from my field with a bag of Yellow Rattle seeds, having collected them for a friend to help her establish a meadow. It’s a...

Farm Fables

It's been a successful year for oak trees, and jays, as Jane Howard explains Have you noticed what an extraordinary year it is for acorns? Almost without exception oak trees everywhere are laden. It’s a phenomenon and it’s got a...

Hazelnut & raspberry mini pavlovas with strawberry Chantilly cream

Preheat oven to 170°C. Line a baking sheet or two with greaseproof paper.Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then whisk the sugar in, one spoon at a time. Finally, gently fold in the nuts and vinegar. Using a...

Roast lemon chicken traybake with oregano & garlic

Boil the potatoes in plenty of salted water until tender. Drain and allow to cool. Mix together 3tbsp olive oil, zest and juice of 1 lemon (keep the squeezed lemon), oregano, garlic and a pinch of sea salt. Put the...

Grilled courgette, smoked venison & Parmesan salad

Heat a chargrill pan, brush with oil, and add the courgettes. The heat gives them a lovely stripe. It takes between 2-3 mins each side. Put the dressing ingredients into a jam jar and shake like crazy until you have...

Broad bean, pecorino & mint croustades

Boil the broad beans for 4-5 mins until cooked. Drain and allow to cook. You can de-pod again, but I like the extra fibre from the skins. Put into a food processor with the pecorino, mint, olive oil, lemon zest...

A gift of a house

Interior Design Masters star Craig Masson has a Hastings home as chic and witty as his projects for the show One of the great joys of writing about houses for this magazine is meeting the owners, because people who have...

Re:Source Revolution

Art teacher and artist Lindsay Denning’s cedar-clad cabin is draped in a summer swathe of wisteria and houses many of the upcycled treasures she hunts down for her new venture Re:Source Wisteria cascades over the cedar-clad façade of this bungalow,...

Belly Matters

In the second of a two-parter, Sarah Maxwell addresses tummy fat facts It’s time to embrace self-care and give your belly the love it deserves. Here, you’ll discover practical strategies and an example to enable you to plot your journey....

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of incorporating another healthy ingredient into our diets. This month she’s focusing in on plums As August progresses, the plum emerges as a standout fruit, representing the peak of summer produce and,...

Diorama & Rust

An enchanting and truly individual garden in Bethersden is opening this August in aid of Macmillian. Jo Arnell goes along for a special preview This month we are visiting a one-of-a-kind beautiful garden in Bethersden; an archetypal Kent cottage oozing...

Leisure Time

Former headteacher Mike Piercy ponders the summer holidaysand the importance of taking time out There’s nothing wrong with a cliché – taking into account several provisos. Is it apt? Is it perceptive? Is it well expressed and succinct?William Henry Davies...

Farm Fables

Jane Howard and select members of her herd prepare for the annual Edenbridge & Oxted Show Not long now till the August bank holiday which means it’s time to get ready for the annual Edenbridge & Oxted Show – the...

NEW! Wealden Times Pop-Up Fair, Penshurst Place

One Day Only – Friday 12th September, 10am – 4pm Step into history. Shop the new season. Join us for an exclusive one-day shopping event inside one of the UK’s most extraordinary stately homes – as seen in Wolf Hall and The Other...

A home for every occasion

Interior designer Danielle Proud’s unique oasthouse conversion has been alive with gatherings, celebrations and precious family memories for the last ten years. She’s now opening up this stylish and fun-filled space for others to enjoy Tucked into a sun-drenched fold...

A grand revival in Hastings

You may remember Scarlett Gowing’s gorgeous apartment renovation in the last issue of this magazine. Here, we explore the part of the building that she and her family call home as she explains how she’s applied her own individual style...

Belly Matters

In the first of a two-parter, Sarah Maxwell addresses tummy fat facts For centuries, women’s bellies have endured fashion’s painful grip. From tight-laced corsets to today’s shapewear, the female midriff has been a battleground. But armed with knowledge, we can...

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lauexplores the benefits of incorporating another healthy ingredient into our diets. This month she’s focusing in on rhubarb As the countryside stirs into summer, nature offers an array of vibrant and seasonal produce that nourishes...

Flower Power

Inspired by Chelsea and a local success story, Jo Arnell gives us her tips and tricks for beautiful borders If you have been visiting, or looking at pictures of beautiful gardens and then returning to your own plot in despair,...

Moving Times

As a life-long Everton fan, Mike Piercy knows a thing or two about resilience! As we look towards the next academic year, he shares his insights There aren’t many of us around the Weald – Everton supporters, that is. A...

Farm Fables

Jane Howard introduces her brand new bull, Jim Daniels (formerly known as Jack) So the bull went in with cows on May 25th, which means the calves will arrive some nine months later in March next year. It’s important to...

The NEWS

The latest information from schools across the South East An exciting new chapter Long recognised as one of the world’s finest boarding schools, The King’s School Canterbury is increasing its versatility and accessibility this autumn with the introduction of flexi-boarding,...

Meet the…Pupils

Hilden Grange headteacher, Malcolm Gough invited Gordon Lee to speak directly to two of their pupils – Anish (Year 8) and Cassia (Year 6) and this is what he learnt A friend once told me that all he wanted for...

Meet the…Head

We enjoyed catching up with Louise Chamberlain, Headmistress of Walthamstow Hall What were your aims when you first took on the role of Headmistress? Firstly, there were certain things I really wanted to preserve, like the ethos of the school....

Flying Colours

We’re asking the experts to find all the best advice to get you through exam season 3 Steps to success Benenden School’s Exams department share their 3 steps to effective revision Step 1 Notes. Students need something to learn from....

Adapt, Adopt, Improve

We’re looking into how schools are introducing and expanding provision in certain areas of study to keep ahead in a changing world AI Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate tell us how they are harnessing AI Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. Schools...

Move on Up

At various stages of each educational journey, there is a leap to be taken from one school to another, so the question is, how can we best make those transitions? Free to be Me Jon Chesworth, Headteacher of Banstead Prep...

Baby Steps

Nursery is where the first memories and attitudes to school and friendships are created, so invest some time and effort to find the place that best fits According to Ashford Prep School, going to nursery school gives very young children...

A Season to Sing

Mike Piercy sings the praises of music as a vital part of education My French teacher was a bit of a hero. Back in the ’70s there was too much ‘chalk and talk’ in the classroom. Languages (modern and classical),...

Sunny side up

In the centre of Rochester, a charmingly wonky house with the most enviable views out over the cathedral and castle has been expertly renovated by a local couple with a keen interest in the building’s heritage Of all the Medway...

A guest wing with soul

The recently completed renovation of Scarlett Gowing and her husband Josh’s Victorian home to include a guest wing has resulted in a unique three-bedroom escape that showcases Scarlett’s enviable skills in both interior design and sourcing unusual vintage pieces Tucked...