It’s the topic many a whisky-lover gets worked up about. Is it correct to spell whisky with or without an ‘e’? And more to the point, does it really matter? Unfortunately, it isn’t a simple yes or no answer – both spellings are correct! The introduction of a new spelling – for the Irish distillers Until the late 19th Century, … Read More
Why The Grim’s Dyke is the perfect venue for your next party
Grim’s Dyke Hotel is the perfect venue for all manner of special occasion. Nestled among beautifully landscaped gardens and providing a perfect hideaway location, it also has easy access to London and the surrounding area – making it the perfect venue for your next party. The right location for your needs Choosing the right location is key to the success … Read More
Incredible cutlery of the Victorian era
We all know that the Victorian era was an age of incredible ingenuity. The industrial revolution was changing the way in which materials were produced. The first photographs were taken. The world got its first taste of ice cream and people were, for the first time, getting on their bikes – although they were called ‘velocipedes’ at first. The Victorian … Read More
How to choose a venue for your corporate event
Whether you’re planning a team-building day for in-house staff, an Annual General Meeting for shareholders or a product launch with prospective clients, a corporate event needs to be carefully managed. Choosing an appropriate venue is the key to getting your corporate event off to a good start, so it’s important to ensure you’ve considered every detail. How many people will … Read More
10 Tips for hiring the right wedding DJ for you
Planning your perfect wedding can be exciting, but it can also be a little overwhelming. When it comes to the music on your big day, having the right DJ is important. When you’re deciding who to hire to create the soundtrack to your day, keep these top 10 tips in mind. #1: Choose an experienced DJ Being a DJ may … Read More
10 Reasons Why We Love Tulips
Take a look outside your window. Summer is well and truly here! And that means balmy evenings in beer gardens, gathering round the barbecue with friends and giving our gardens the TLC they’ve been sorely missing in the colder, wetter months. And if you’re looking to inject some quintessential summer cheer into your garden, you could do much worse than … Read More
The bed of kings: the four poster bed
The bed has long been used as a symbol of money and power. The better a style and quality of bed, the wealthier its owner was. In Saxon and Norman times, most people slept on the floor around the fire. It was only the wealthy or those with a higher status, that slept off the floor, on beds created from … Read More
10 facts about Alliums
Bees and butterflies love alliums, as do many gardeners. Deer and rabbit, however, tend to shy away from them – and that could be due to the rather pungent aroma they can give off if the stems are broken! Alliums look stunning when planted in borders, beds and pots. However, they look their most spectacular when planted in groups. They’re … Read More
A brief history of Victorian herbalism
Herbalism or botanical medicine is one of the oldest traditions around. The Egyptians used herbs for medicine, as did indigenous healers around the world. In Britain, herbalism can be traced back thousands of years. The British Library has a copy of a ‘leech book’ – thought to date back as far as the 800s CE! Medieval lay healers used herbs, … Read More
Traditional picnics – the Victorian way
Picnics, the ideal opportunity to meet up with friends and family, enjoy an informal yet tasty meal, whilst having fun in the great outdoors. Wealthy landowners loved a good picnic, as it gave them the chance to sit and enjoy the scenery their estates gave them. However, it was the Victorians who brought picnics to the masses. Their popularity was, … Read More