Out & About
Warm up winter at the new-look White Horse
Regulars and new faces alike are enjoying the fresh new look and cosy atmosphere at The White Horse following its recent revamp, which has made the popular Harpenden pub an even lovelier place to enjoy good food and drink and good company.
The pub’s been constantly busy since being taken over by the award-winning Peach Pub Company eight years ago, with general manager Jon Waterhouse and his team working hard to ensure the food and atmosphere are always at their best. With so many guests beating a path through the doorway, the time had come to give the pub a new lease of life, as he explains.
“The White Horse is a really lovely, historic pub, that’s full of character and charm,” he says. “We definitely wanted to keep it that way so our new look has been carefully planned to bring out its best features whilst revitalising the interior and give it a stylish new look.
“There are lots of cosy spaces, especially the bar and the eatery beyond with its wooden rafters and stripped wooden flooring, so we’ve restored these and added elegant new furniture, furnishings, lighting and accessories to create a really smart but comfortable space,” he says.
The beautiful eatery has gorgeous sofa style seating in rich rusts and newly upholstered chairs in soft greys, rounded out by a vibrant yellow feature wall and full length curtains at one end. Natural wood and wicker give the place a warm glow, with clusters of smaller tables and one mid height table seating eight comfortably that’s already getting rapidly booked up for celebration dinners and special occasions.
The snug is decorated in rich reds and corals, with hand-printed wallpapers in nature-inspired prints softening the walls. As well as tub chairs covered in toning yellow and cream fabrics, there are new tall tables and stools in luxurious velvets creating perfect spots to sit and sip on a glass of something chilled.
The front bar, meanwhile, retains its traditional look with the wooden panelled walls painted in deep burgundy, the warm glow from copperware hung above the bar and from the original brick fireplace with its roaring fire, the perfect antidote to chillier days and evenings.
Tucked away upstairs the pub’s private dining room is freshly decorated and fitted with a new TV and laptop compatible presentation facilities, making it the ideal option for meetings and business lunches as well as for drinks and dinner parties for up to 14 guests.
Head chef Dan Kennie, who trained in Marco Pierre White restaurants, has come up with a choice of delectable new dishes for everything from light lunches to hearty suppers. Cornish Lamb Scrumpets, deliciously crisp on the outside with a filling of meltingly soft lamb inside and a punchy salsa verde make a great snack with a good pint of ale, as does potted native crab with toasted sourdough.
Mains vary from a filling free-range chicken and ham pie with silky buttered mash, greens and a rich jus to locally sourced Woburn venison haunch served with Boulangère potatoes, roasted carrots and a warming port and juniper jus. Vegan friendly Sri Lankan sweet potato and cashew curry accompanied by chapati, lime pickle and coconut sambal as well as grilled calves liver with smoked bacon, kale and mash are also going down well.
The White Horse keeps an excellent pint, like Sidepocket for a Toad from the Tring Brewery which goes with big spicy flavours as well as drinking well on its own. Seasonal guest ales make regular appearances on the bar, whilst Wolfpack Pilsner brewed by former Saracens rugby players Alistair Hargreaves and Chris Wyles is a permanent fixture.
The White Horse is also a magical place for Christmas celebrations. On the menu is bronze, free range turkey from Worcester, Cornish lamb, British beef and responsibly sourced fish. Spiced sweet potato and kale pie with spinach and wild mushrooms or fillet of sea bream with leeks, white beans, mussels and white wine make for deliciously different options alongside traditional roast turkey. With the big day less than a month away, book today and enjoy a proper feast. What’s more, for each guest who enjoys a Christmas meal, The White Horse will donate 25p to Shelter to help those affected by homelessness.
“We’re very pleased with our new look which has given the pub a new lease of life, but most importantly, so are our guests,” says Jon. “They are here with their friends and family enjoying what’s on offer and feeling right at home in our lovely, cosy pub, which is positively glowing! Come and join them by paying us a visit soon – we look forward to welcoming you.”
The White Horse is on Redbourn Lane, Hatching Green, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JP, minutes from Harpenden town centre. To book a table for lunch, dinner or for a Christmas celebration, please go to https://www.thewhitehorseharpenden.co.uk/booking-stage-1/, email
thewhitehorse@peachpubs.com or call 01582 469290
After a spectacular debut in 2025, Found Festival is set to return to the scenic Claydon Estate, Buckinghamshire, for the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2026. Following a three-day celebration of music, culture, and community, organisers have announced a limited number of early bird tickets frozen at 2025 prices, alongside a new tiered ticketing system to ensure accessibility for all.
A Shining Debut in 2025
Born from the 60-year legacy of Towersey Festival, Found Festival’s first edition brought together grassroots talent and cultural discovery in a family-friendly setting. The event delivered on its promise of “head-turners, not headliners,” with standout performances across Americana, folk, world music, comedy, and wellbeing experiences.
Highlights included:
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Elles Bailey delivering soaring country soul.
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Talisk impressing with jaw-dropping virtuosity.
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The Longest Johns bringing rousing sea-shanties.
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Honeyfeet captivating with soulful ferocity.
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Comedy from Robin Ince, Marcel Leconte, and rising star Chelsea Birkby.
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Family fun with Professor Elemental’s steampunk antics and Nutty Noah’s acrobatic storytelling.
Beyond the stages, the festival site came alive with Ceilidhs, dance and craft workshops, circus artistry, stone-carving demos, nightly fire shows, silent discos, and a dedicated wellbeing programme featuring yoga, breathwork, and a wood-fired sauna overlooking the estate’s lake.
Building for 2026: Accessible Ticketing
Co-director Joe Heap reflected:
“Found is an event built with love, creativity, and a whole lot of hard work. We’re delighted with how our first year has gone, despite the challenges. It’s increasingly hard to run an independent festival, and none of it would have been possible without the incredible support of our community.”
To ensure Found 2026 remains accessible, a tiered ticket system has been introduced:
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Supporter Tier: Pay a little more to help subsidise reduced tickets.
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Standard Tier: Covers the base cost of producing the event.
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Supported Tier: A subsidised rate for those needing financial help (released once enough Supporter tickets are sold).
Only 300 early bird tickets are now available — with camping included — at 2025 prices, plus reduced caravan-pitch rates and unchanged hook-up fees. Interest-free instalment plans will also launch at the end of September.
Dates and Tickets
Found Festival 2026 takes place Friday 28th – Monday 31st August 2026 at Claydon Estate, Buckinghamshire.
️ Tickets available now via Gigantic.
Whether you’re drawn by grassroots music, family-friendly creativity, or the wellbeing sanctuary by the lake, Found Festival 2026 promises another unforgettable summer celebration.
This autumn, step into the world of Downton Abbey as The Ivy Marlow Garden celebrates the cinematic release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale with an elegant limited-edition menu. Launching on 3rd September 2025, the specially curated menu will be available across The Ivy Collection restaurants nationwide*, inviting guests to dine like the Crawleys in true aristocratic style.
A Taste of the 1930s with an Ivy Twist
Inspired by the refinement of 1930s dining and the glamour of the Crawley family, the Downton Abbey at The Ivy menuis priced at £27.95 for two courses or £34.95 for three courses. Guests can expect dishes steeped in heritage, luxury and comfort, all reimagined through The Ivy’s signature touch.
Highlights include:
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Starters:
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Severn & Wye Smoked Salmon with brown bread, lemon and butter
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Salade Du Verger with figs, pecans, truffle vinaigrette and whipped feta
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Mains:
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The Ivy Shepherd’s Pie – slow-braised lamb and beef with Cheddar mash
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Grilled Lemon Sole on the Bone with beurre noisette, capers and lemon
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21 Day Aged Sirloin Steak with peppercorn sauce
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Braised Duck Curry blending British tradition and global flavour
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Garden Vegetable Curry – a vibrant vegetarian option
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Desserts:
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The Ivy Chocolate Dome with honeycomb and caramel sauce
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Orchard Apple Tart with Calvados – flambéed for a dramatic finish
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Caramelised Crème Brûlée – a comforting classic
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Raise a Glass to Downton Abbey
To elevate the occasion, guests can toast with The Ivy Guest Champagne or indulge in The Gilded Peach Cobbler – a 1930s-inspired cocktail crafted from sloe gin, Crème de Pêche, Beesou honey aperitif, pineapple syrup, and Champagne. A drink worthy of the grandest Downton dinner party.
Don’t Miss the Grand Finale
Sean Burbidge, Executive Chef at The Ivy Collection, shared:
“We’ve taken great joy in creating dishes that reflect the elegance of the era, inspired by the film’s characters, 1930s flavours, and even dishes once served at The Original Ivy. We hope each plate transports guests into the world of Downton – with all the charm, nostalgia and indulgence that entails.”
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the Crawleys or simply seeking a luxurious dining experience, this limited-edition menu offers the chance to relive the grandeur of Downton Abbey — one plate at a time.
Book Your Downton Abbey Dining Experience
Available from 3rd September 2025 at The Ivy Marlow Garden and participating Ivy Collection restaurants nationwide*.
️ Book your table here: Downton Abbey at The Ivy
*Menu available at all Ivy Collection restaurants except The Ivy Dawson Street, Dublin. The Original Ivy (West Street, London) will offer a bespoke menu.
Follow The Ivy Collection on Instagram: @the_ivy_collection
We get it—it’s still autumn, and the last thing on your mind might be mince pies and fairy lights. But Christmas at Waddesdon Manor (running 22 November 2025 to 4 January 2026) is no ordinary festive event. It’s an immersive, artful celebration of light, music, European charm and seasonal joy—all set in one of Buckinghamshire’s most stunning locations.
If you love Christmas and crave experiences that go beyond the usual markets and mulled wine, Waddesdon Manor’s Grand Festive Tour is calling your name.
Explore Europe in Lights at Waddesdon Manor’s Grand Festive Tour
The theme for 2025 is inspired by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s European travels—and his beloved dog, Poupon. With cutting-edge projection mapping lighting up the Manor’s historic façade, you’ll be transported across Europe in a visual journey featuring Paris, Vienna, Venice and more.
The show unfolds on the North Front with a continuous 25-minute immersive display that bathes the landscape in colour, music, and wonder. This is one for your camera roll—and your memory bank.
Step Into a Christmas Fantasy Inside Waddesdon Manor
Inside the house, selected rooms have been transformed into lavish tributes to Baron Ferdinand’s favourite European cities. Each space blends the Manor’s historic decor with bespoke Christmas styling and immersive storytelling:
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Venice in the East Gallery
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Paris in the Dining Room
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Geneva in the White Drawing Room
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Bavaria in the Billiard Room
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Vienna in the Breakfast Room
The experience wraps up with a giant snow globe installation, offering a magical finale to an already spectacular journey.
Discover the Best Christmas Light Trail in Buckinghamshire
Outside, Waddesdon’s light trail winds through illuminated woodland with new installations and returning favourites. It’s designed to surprise, delight, and immerse you in Christmas magic.
Look out for:
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A tunnel of lights
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An 8-metre tall Pole Tree glowing with festive patterns
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Interactive displays that respond to sound and movement
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Giant golden gift boxes made for festive selfies
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The return of the shooting star installation, a fan favourite from 2023
It’s a perfect evening stroll for couples, families and anyone looking for a dose of winter enchantment.
Shop Unique Christmas Gifts at Waddesdon’s Artisan Market
From 22 November to 14 December, Waddesdon’s popular Christmas Market takes over the South Front of the Manor. This is your go-to spot for discovering handmade gifts, local produce, and festive foodie treats.
Complete your visit with a stop at the Wine and Gift Shop, or explore the Christmas Shop in the Powerhouse for decorations, tableware, toys, and stocking fillers.
Christmas Fun for Children at the Coach House
One of the most charming parts of Christmas at Waddesdon is the Coach House display at the Stables. Created by local school children, this year’s theme is ‘Sounds of the Season’, exploring festive music and carols through imaginative, heartwarming installations.
It’s an unmissable stop for families, filled with creativity and holiday cheer.
Enjoy Festive Afternoon Tea or a Five-Course Christmas Feast
Dining at Waddesdon is just as spectacular as the decorations. Treat yourself to a Festive Afternoon Tea in the Manor Restaurant, or go all in with a five-course Festive Feast Dinner on select December dates (5, 12, and 19). Each dinner starts with canapés and sparkling wine in the wine cellar, followed by seasonal dishes paired with Rothschild wines.
If you want to extend the experience, book a stay at The Five Arrows Hotel (packages from £175 include event tickets), or head to The Bow for a cosy drink, hearty winter menu, and four-course Christmas Day lunch (£90pp).
Host a Stylish Private Christmas Event at Waddesdon
Planning a festive gathering or end-of-year celebration? Waddesdon offers unique venues across the estate, from the historic Manor and Dairy to the contemporary Windmill Hill. Whether it’s an elegant dinner, private hire, or lively Christmas party, these spaces bring festive flair and sophistication in equal measure.
Plan Your Visit to Waddesdon Manor’s Christmas Experience
Event Dates: 22 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Location: Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Tickets: From £13 (adults) / £6 (children) – must be booked online in advance
Opening Times: Grounds: 12noon–7pm / House: 12.30pm–7pm
Late Night Openings: Saturdays – 22 & 29 Nov, 6, 13 & 20 Dec (Grounds until 8pm)
Book now at: www.waddesdon.org.uk/christmas
Don’t Wait for December – Book Your Christmas Experience Now
If you’re looking for a festive day out that blends history, art, luxury and seasonal charm, look no further than Waddesdon Manor’s Christmas celebration. It’s not just an event—it’s a destination. And it sells out fast.
Start planning now, beat the December crowds, and experience Christmas at its most magical—right here in the heart of Buckinghamshire.
