Award-winning chef Carlo Scotto unveils his most personal project yet with BEAR – a daring 14-seat chef’s table opening this July at the Crazy Bear Hotel in Beaconsfield.

Launching on Wednesday 30th July, BEAR strips back fine dining to reveal something raw, refined, and deeply expressive. Set inside an immersive open kitchen, this intimate space offers diners an unforgettable front-row seat to Scotto’s innovative culinary storytelling.

Carlo Scotto’s Next Chapter

Following the success of Amethyst in London, Scotto’s newest venture draws on his global experience in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay, Angela Hartnett, and the Galvin Brothers. At BEAR, his signature style evolves into something even more daring and personal — a stripped-back, ingredient-led experience that feels more like a private dinner party than a restaurant.

A Seasonally Driven, Emotionally Charged Menu

The menu at BEAR showcases Scotto’s fearless approach to flavour, technique, and presentation. It’s a culinary journey that spans continents while remaining rooted in seasonal British ingredients.

Expect dishes like:

• Langoustine with Pickled Attika Kohlrabi, jalapeño & purple shiso

• Hand-laminated brioche with Carlo’s unique three-layered butter

• Moroccan-spiced duck with morels poached in aged pickled rum

• British asparagus fermented in tempeh and wild garlic jus

Two Menus, One Exclusive Table

Guests can choose between two tasting experiences:

• Carlo’s Edit – A six-course seasonal snapshot
  Available Tuesday to Saturday at 6pm

• The Full Experience – An eight-course immersive journey
  Available Tuesday to Saturday at 7.45pm

Both menus are available with thoughtfully selected wine pairings.

A Unique Setting at Crazy Bear Beaconsfield

Located inside the iconic Crazy Bear Hotel, BEAR benefits from a setting as distinctive as its food. The hotel itself blends 15th-century charm with modern opulence, offering a lavish escape just outside of London.

With BEAR, Beaconsfield welcomes a new era of destination dining — one that’s sure to attract serious food lovers from far and wide.

TrendLife Will Be Visiting This Summer

We’ll be visiting BEAR by Carlo Scotto later this summer to experience the menu firsthand. Keep an eye out for our full review and behind-the-scenes look at one of 2025’s most exciting new openings.

Darkness descends. Shadows flicker. And something deliciously dreadful is stirring in the heart of Oxfordshire.
This October, the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace transform into a spine-tingling Halloween wonderland like no other. Running from 23rd October to 2nd November 2025, the fifth edition of this after-dark Halloween trail promises an eerie, immersive experience for brave families, thrill-seeking couples, and daring groups of friends.

Here’s what visitors can expect from the Palace’s most hauntingly brilliant trail yet.

Step into a Haunted World of Light, Shadow and Story

Forget traditional trick-or-treating—Blenheim Palace’s Halloween Trail invites guests to journey through haunted dungeons, twisted tombs, and mysterious mausoleums. Carefully crafted installations, gothic light projections and eerie soundscapes transform the parkland into an interactive experience that blends theatrical storytelling with unexpected thrills.

Visitors will encounter spectral lights dancing across ancient walls, strange characters emerging from the mist, and whispered secrets hidden in every corner.

All-New Frights for 2025

Returning for its fifth year, the trail introduces new installations and attractions designed to shock and surprise. Among this year’s eerie highlights are:

• The Carnivorous Garden, where nature bites back

• The Demon Barber, with a chilling reputation

• Alien Visitors, offering an unsettling twist

• Towering spiderwebs stretched across centuries-old oaks

As dusk deepens, the trail grows more intense. Families with younger children may prefer earlier time slots, while after-dark adventurers can embrace the full theatrical fear factor.

Devilishly Good Food and Wicked Treats

Between frights, guests can pause to indulge in festive food and drink. The trail’s food village offers warming treats and hot seasonal drinks set against the illuminated silhouette of the Palace. From gourmet hot dogs and flame-grilled burgers to devilishly good hot chocolate and mulled toddies, there’s something for every appetite.

A Historic Setting with a Darker Side

Halloween at Blenheim is not just about scares—it’s about storytelling. Dominic Hare, CEO of Blenheim Palace, said:
“Halloween at Blenheim Palace is a wonderful chance to immerse yourself in our beautiful park and gardens as you’ve never seen them before. With exciting surprises and spine-tingling thrills along the way, this is certainly an experience not to be missed.”

Set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s vast grounds, this event offers visitors the rare opportunity to experience the estate after dark—transformed into a gothic dreamscape.

Perfect for Families, Friends and First-Time Fright Seekers

Designed for a wide audience, the Halloween trail offers an accessible yet immersive evening for all ages. The experience is tailored to be spooky rather than terrifying, with different zones offering varied levels of intensity. Whether guests are visiting with children or planning an adult escape, there’s something here for everyone.

Timed entry helps manage crowd levels, ensuring a relaxed and safe experience for all. The earlier slots are ideal for younger families, while the later times are perfect for those looking to experience the trail in full nocturnal effect.

Trail Info and Tickets

What: Halloween at Blenheim Palace – Outdoor Illuminated Trail
When: 23rd October to 2nd November 2025
Where: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL

Ticket Prices:
Adult tickets from £18.00
Child tickets (ages 3–16 years) from £12.50
Family tickets (2 adults & 2 children) from £57.00
Parking: £10.00

Timed entry applies. Booking in advance is strongly advised due to limited capacity.
Food and drink sold separately.

For full pricing, ticket information and bookings visit:
https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/halloween-at-blenheim-palace.html

Tickets:
https://tickets.blenheimpalace.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=BLHALL25

Henley Festival, the UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival, is proud to unveil its 2025 RISE Stage line-up – a bold platform championing outstanding new talent in music and visual art.

Running from 9–13 July 2025, Henley Festival returns to the beautiful banks of the Thames, where rising stars in music and art will share the spotlight alongside icons such as Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley, Matteo Bocelli and Jamie Cullum.

At the heart of the Festival’s creative mission is RISE by Henley Festival — a charitable programme supporting and promoting the next generation of musicians, visual artists, and backstage professionals.

Music to Discover: Emerging Artists on the 2025 RISE Stage

This year’s RISE Stage, presented by Westcoast, features an eclectic line-up of emerging musical talent, blending genres including R&B, jazz-pop, folk, and indie.

⭐ Westcoast RISING Star Award Winner:

• Hetta Falzon – A 20-year-old Manchester-based singer-songwriter channelling jazz, classical and pop into a distinctive soundscape of emotion and honesty.

RISE Musicians Performing at Henley Festival 2025:

In the run-up to the event, we will be reviewing and spotlighting each RISE musician.

• Leila McKenzie – Welsh-Jamaican singer fusing UK garage, R&B and pop with striking vocal energy.

• Darcy Winter – Jazz-pop singer crafting bass-rich, soulful songs with poetic lyrics.

• Jonny Morgan – Indie Americana artist and AMA Emerging Artist of the Year.

• Naima Adams – London-based R&B vocalist blending layered vocals with emotional storytelling.

• Conor McLain – Irish singer-songwriter closing the RISE Stage with uplifting acoustic soul.

• Tony Mac – Indie singer-songwriter with deeply personal lyrics and powerful vocals.

• The White Lakes – High-energy indie rock band known for their youth-driven, genre-bending style.

• High Windows – London-based indie-pop band blending soaring vocals with synth textures.

Each of these artists brings a fresh voice to the UK music scene. Their performances offer festivalgoers a rare chance to witness breakthrough acts before they rise to wider acclaim.

Raoul Orzabal (Winner) – London-based painter known for digital-influenced landscapes and intricate geometry.

New for 2025: Visual Art Talent on Show in the Audi High RISE Gallery

In a further expansion of its RISE programme, Henley Festival launched the RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize, recognising UK-based visual artists in the early stages of their careers.

2025 RISE Visual Arts Prize Winners:

• Raoul Orzabal (Winner) – London-based painter known for digital-influenced landscapes and intricate geometry.

• Curtis Chan (Runner-Up) – Hong Kong-born artist layering nostalgia and memory through acrylic and watercolour.

• Susan Kellaway (Runner-Up) – Award-winning UK painter spotlighting vibrant, subversive depictions of the female form.

Their work will be exhibited at the Audi High RISE Gallery, a key visual art destination within the Henley Festival

As well as the RISE Stage, the full Festival experience includes:

• Floating Stage Headliners: Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley, Haçienda Classical, Matteo Bocelli and Jamie Cullum

• Comedy at the Paradiso & Riverside: Ed Byrne, Ivo Graham, Matt Forde, Alistair McGowan and more

• Visual Arts: Dozens of galleries and installations throughout the festival grounds

• Jazz, Swing, Cabaret & Global Music: Across multiple tents and stages

• Family-Friendly Events: Playdate @ Henley Festival with theatre, music and hands-on activities for children

From spectacular music to stunning riverside views, fine dining, fireworks and late-night dancing, Henley Festival offers something truly unique for every guest.

Tickets and info: www.henley-festival.co.uk