Dear Reader,

Do we take enough risk? Do you let your children take risks? Have we become all too health and safety with tracker apps and endless alarms, with sitting in our rooms on phones instead of tripping out into the big wide world and falling over sometimes? As kids, my dad used to let us sit on the bonnet of his car in the country, flicking on the window washers to drench us, and taking the bumpy lane maybe a couple of miles an hour too fast. We of course loved it. I now have kids but fear the curtain twitching of neighbours would have me reported to Social Services should I repeat such behaviour. But last weekend I handed the keys of a Land Rover Discovery to my 15-year-old daughter and watched her take her first driving lesson at Eastnor Castle, Land Rover’s legendary 5,000-acre testing ground. As terrifying as it was exhilarating, sometimes the best way for children to grow in confidence is to give them a little freedom, a little trust – and, occasionally, a very large vehicle.

Lucy Cleland
Editorial Director

Staying In

Watch The Capture season 3

Almost four years after it was last on screens, hit conspiracy thriller drama The Capture finally returns for series 3 this Sunday at 9pm on BBC One (though early birds can catch it on BBC iPlayer from 6am). Strike star Holliday Grainger is back as DCI Rachel Carey, and after uncovering government-backed deepfake technology in series 1 and exposing it to the nation in series 2, she faces her toughest case yet. Opening one year on from MP Isaac Turner’s (Paapa Essiedu) deepfake television interview being used to expose Correction to the British public, Rachel has a new role as acting head of SO15, tasked with regaining the public’s trust in surveillance technology through the new Operation Veritas camera system. But then a well-coordinated act of terror blows the British establishment wide open: it’s brutal, and it leaves behind just one witness. As Rachel digs into the aftermath, she’s drawn deeper into an unfolding geopolitical crisis that reaches deep into the state, infecting not just the British political establishment and its security services but the media, too. But who is pulling the strings? The case unfolds weekly from Sunday on BBC One and iPlayer.

Read The Infamous Gilberts

Looking for your next book club gem? 'Welcome to Thornwalk, home of the last of the Wynford Gilberts – Lydia, Hugo, Annabel, Jeremy and Rosalind. The downfall of this great family was once the subject of much tawdry gossip...' You'll know from these opening lines whether Angela Tomaski's debut novel is for you, since it beams the reader straight into a once-grand, Downton-style house, listening for the ghosts of the family and their servants. The story of the siblings, their lost father, vague mother and domineering Aunt Beatrice is narrated by Maximus, a pedantic family acquaintance. Arch, funny, troubling, sad and occasionally feeling as though Maximus has been at the sherry decanter, it's a thoughtful elegy to the lost human stories contained in everyday objects, from a half- used bar of soap to a cracked china shepherdess. Interestingly, it was inspired by Tomaski's own 2002 visit to the neo-gothic mansion of Tyntesfield, near Bristol, before its National Trust transformation. Out now.

Going Out

Go to a champagne festival

Partial to a glass (or three) of champagne? Or perhaps you’re an English sparkling wine convert? Whatever your fizz of choice, we’ve got some exciting news: Searcys’ The Bubbly Show is returning today for its fourth edition. Set within a Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse just off Pall Mall, the festival brings together an array of champagne houses and English sparkling wine producers including Nyetimber, Veuve Clicquot, Gusbourne and Taittinger. Guests are invited to enjoy generous tastings throughout the event, paired with a selection of antipasti, as well as listen to talks and watch demonstrations on all things bubbles. Plus, don’t miss the special Piper-Heidsieck experience which marks the 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe. Perfect if you’re looking for last-minute plans for today or tomorrow. 6 – 7 March, searcys.co.uk

Dine at CeCe’s

From The Fat Badger to Canteen, Public House Group is known for launching restaurants without fanfare – which only adds to that if-you-know-you-know vibe. The latest is CeCe’s, just opened in the heart of Notting Hill and described as an Italian with a hint of Hollywood. Set across two floors on Clarendon Road, the eatery serves dishes like aubergine parmigiana, fonduta agnolotti and chicken vignole alongside wine from Europe and the US. 'Initially we looked at the space as it was once a pub, but we fell in love with the glamour and unique design,’ says one of the founders Olivier Van Themsche. ‘The surreal interiors and character hidden behind the copper door inspired us to create a restaurant that felt current and exciting, whilst retaining the allure of traditional hospitality.' Book at ceceslondon.com

Celebrate International Women’s Day

It’s International Women’s Day on Sunday, and there are so many ways to celebrate. For one, Shoreditch’s Hart Hotel is hosting a themed Paint, Sip & Brunch workshop on Saturday; expect guided abstract painting, delicious brunch dishes and flowing refreshments, all set to the sounds of a live DJ (from £49.46pp). Over by Regent’s Park, Meliá White House is hosting an intimate afternoon of conversation led by Alice Codford (Luminary Mothers) joined by Michelle Griffith Robinson OLY, Alice Holland Lu and Bernadine Tay, all accompanied by a Spanish-inspired afternoon tea, Pommery Brut, and speciality blends from Quinteassential Tea (£55pp). And on Sunday, Marylebone’s Cavita will host a collaborative one-off lunch spanning Mexico, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean and South Asia. The chefs – Adriana Cavita, Ayesha Kalaji, Keshia Sakarah, Maria Bradford and Sabrina Gidda – will also join a live Q&A hosted by Justine Murphy, with the whole afternoon raising vital funds for Refuge (£80pp).

Share This Newsletter With A Friend

Staying in Forever…

Property Of The Week

Located in Texas’s wealthiest town, Hunter Creek Village, this 22,000 sqft estate is nestled within nice acres of private, wooded peninsula. Drawing inspiration from English manor houses, this eight-bedroom, 12-bathroom home boasts solid bronze chandeliers, a spiral staircase from Paris, two resort-style pools and a private spa.

On the market for $59,999,999, johndwood-international.com

Competition Time

1. Win a two-night stay at Donnington & Co., including spa treatments

2. Win a £2.5m Dorset dream home

3. Win a necklace and earrings set from Austen & Blake worth over £800

Psssst…

The spicy marg’s flame might finally be flickering out… Agave Martinis are set to be the drink of the summer 2026, according to drinks consultant Zoe Burgess. You heard it here first.

The Full Story

The C&TH Guide To London Design Week

By Charlie Colville

Lacking in interiors inspiration, or have a project you want to get off the ground but don’t know where to start? London Design Week (LDW) is your answer, celebrating everything the capital has to offer in terms of design innovation, all housed in the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. For one week, join 600 brands as they showcase their newest collections, and listen in as industry experts share their top picks, tricks and predictions for the year ahead.

What Happens?

London Design Week is a week in which 600 brands come together under one roof to showcase their latest and greatest collections. From plush bespoke rugs to hand-painted wallpapers, it’s essentially the design world’s answer to fashion week. Taking over the entirety of the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, there are shops, showrooms, stalls and art installations to gawk at. Expect to also catch ‘House Guests’, pop-up booths from independent and smaller brands. In addition to this, a series of talks run across the week.

When & Where Is It?

Taking place every spring, this year London Design Week falls between the 9 and 13 March at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour (Lots Road, London SW10 0XE). The space will be open from 9.30am until 5.30pm each day.

Do You Need To Book?

Yes, you’ll need to book in advance if you plan to swing by London Design Week (or sit in on any of its events). You can register for entry here; tickets are free.

The Highlights

See What’s New In Design

The core of London Design Week is its portfolio of over 135 interior design showrooms – aka, the unrivalled collective of international interior design brands. It’s here that you’ll be able to do some serious shopping, and find plenty of inspiration to take home with you. See the list of showrooms here.

Book A Free Showroom Event

There’s something for design enthusiasts and designers alike. London Design Week encourages the crowds to ‘stay competitive and connected’ with its curated programme of Conversations in Design talks series, Grow Your Business panels and Designer Toolkit sessions. There’ll also be over 100 free events in the showrooms, as well as tours and masterclasses throughout the week. See the full programme here.

Visit LDW’s House Guests

Throughout the week, the Design Centre will also play host to over 30 pop-up House Guests, a careful curation of brands that will only be in-situ in the Design Avenue during London Design Week. You can find the full list of brands here.

See The Installations

Central to London Design Week are its intriguing installations, designed to capture the imagination – from huge hanging pendants to carefully curated showrooms (which you can see, feel and touch), there’s a lot of visual inspiration. If you’re intimidated by the sheer volume, don’t worry: there are twice daily ‘Design Discovery Tours’. Allow your guide to provide an insider’s view into the most talked-about designs from the week. 

Explore The Design Emporium Collective

London Design Week also marks the grand opening of the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour’s brand new shopping space. Located on the fifth floor of the freshly redeveloped Design Centre East, the Design Emporium Collective houses 19 interior design brands that should be on everyone’s radar in 2026.

Don’t just take it from us, though. Join Carole Annett, C&TH’s Interiors Editor, for an exclusive tour of the Design Emporium Collective. This is your chance to spot design treasures, discover pieces you won’t find anywhere else and learn some fascinating stories behind their creation – all before the London Design Week crowds swoop in. (Monday 9 March, from 2pm. You can book your free ticket here.)

For more information, visit dcch.co.uk