The secret of a collected home is to focus on things you love, curating curious combinations that tell your personal story and trigger memories. Your collection will evolve organically over time – layering vintage pieces with new or unexpected objects to create an original mood and timeless charm that you can revisit, edit and continue to add to.

My husband collects cutlery. At first, I didn’t understand the obsession and he can’t quite explain it himself but I absolutely appreciate how easy it makes Christmas, work trips and ‘just because’ presents. It’s perhaps the most overused quote amongst interior designers, collectors and enablers, but William Morris was on the money when he said, ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.’

I don’t buy souvenirs when I travel, instead seeking out local cooking shops and markets for interesting utensils and practical items. Once, while backpacking through southeast Asia, I bought a mortar and pestle on the first day of a one-month long trip. Carrying a souvenir the size of a brick on and off long boats, buses and across rice fields was not my favourite experience, yet now every time I use it I’m immediately transported to that market in Lombok where men throw fish over the crowd, children chomp on coconuts and women furiously smash spices. People say you should collect memories, not things. I like to collect things from great memories. When I’m travelling, I like to remind myself that I’m actually, right in this moment, in a memory. Savouring the sights, sounds and smells and looking for little things to buy that will take me back to that exact moment in time.

India is my favourite place in the world and I return any chance I can. For a long time, bhar has been a vessel for serving chai throughout the country. Today, only a handful of places still serve the brew from these clay cups, helping to give it a rich and earthy flavour. In Kolkata the streets are paved with broken bhar and chai wallas refuse to serve their tea in anything but these, the original and only truly sustainable disposable cup in the world. After slurping down the last delicious sip of sweet chai you’re supposed to ceremoniously smash the bhar on to the pavement, returning the clay to the earth in which it was made. Me, however, I put them in my bag. Over the course of many years I’ve built up a collection of these beautiful vessels, artfully displayed in their very own cabinet, in a collection I will treasure forever.

Creating still lives or vignettes is a perfect way to display your finds and add a narrative to your home. My friend and artist Helen Mortley (@andyhelen_artist) combs beaches for shells, pottery shards and rope and artfully arranges them in shadow boxes. If you’re like me and have a motley crew of treasures, then a curiosity cabinet comes in handy to help display oddities and ephemera that might otherwise look out of place, or all together too much on a shelf. Any brown wood, glass-fronted cabinet will do the trick. Here, placing unexpected finds side by side creates an eclectic and intriguing mix and paints a picture of a homeowner who leads a life less ordinary.

Books, plants and vintage finds stacked on a coffee table or architectural plan drawers are a wonderful way to display a storied life. Instead of reaching for the remote, it will inspire you to reach for a book or dream of far-flung places. The key is to mix heights, turn books and add texture and foliage to create a visual feast. Most of all, have fun travelling and buy it if it makes your heart flutter. I promise that every time you give it a passing glance, it will take you back to your happy place.

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The UK’s raft of fabulous vintage trains beckon. Whether you want to splash out on a luxury rail break or just enjoy a steam-inspired day trip, there are fabulous options ready to book now all around the country.

Iconic Pullman luxury from yesteryear

Travel from London Victoria back to a more glamorous era with a clutch of day trips that sit you down in the lap of vintage luxury that is the Belmond British Pullman. These carriages are the sisters of those that once formed the legendary Simplon-Orient-Express train, which a century ago began running from Calais through France, Italy and the Balkans to Istanbul – becoming an iconic setting for literature and film in the process.

You’ll be travelling in individually named and lovingly restored carriages: think antique wood panels, vintage lighting and heritage fabrics. The oldest date back to the 1920s and each has its own resonant history. Zena, for example, was used in the film Agatha, while Perseus served as Winston Churchill’s funeral train on his final journey in 1965.

Trips tap into different themes too. Architecture and interiors buffs may want to head to grand country piles like Highclere Castle (famous for being the set of Downton Abbey), Chatsworth House and Blenheim Palace in grand style, or enjoy a day trip to a historic town like Bath. Gourmands can opt for a journey where, rather than a stewed cuppa and soggy sandwich, catering features champagne afternoon tea or a five-course meal cooked on board by illustrious chefs such as Michel Roux Jr or Raymond Blanc. Alternatively, put your inner Poirot to the test on one of the regular Murder Mystery trips.

Hop aboard the Scarborough Spa Express

Dubbed the ‘Scarborough Flier’ when inaugurated in 1927, this service once whisked travellers from King’s Cross to the Yorkshire seaside resorts of Scarborough Central and Whitby via York. Now the Scarborough Spa trains – still bearing their famous sunburst design – offer atmospheric services between the west coast town of Carnforth by Morecambe Bay across northern England to the east coast.

As well as Gothic Whitby, ancient York and historic Scarborough (arguably the first beach resort in Britain), passengers can join or hop off at places en route including Skipton, Leeds, Hebden Bridge and Lancaster, pulled along by steam locomotive and vintage carriages dating back to the Jazz Era.

First-class ticket to Bath on the Northern Belle

Departing from various cities in the Midlands and northern England, the historic Northern Belle train will whisk you in vintage style to the Georgian spa town of Bath. These trains embody 1930s opulence, with each carriage named after a stately home and furnished appropriately with specially commissioned vintage décor, offering silver service from liveried stewards as you travel through idyllic countryside. There’s plenty of time to explore Bath – the honey-coloured architecture of the elegant Royal Crescent, striking Bath Abbey, or the dazzling Roman Baths. The Jane Austen House Museum pays tribute to one of the town’s most famous residents, and there are also some great shops – including vintage spots such as the Bartlett Street Antiques Centre.

Vintage fairs along the Watercress Line

Submerged fields in and around the now chi-chi medieval Hampshire village of Alresford have long been the heartland of watercress growing in Britain, and a Victorian railway line once whisked freshly plucked cress to the markets of London. Today, steam locos on the Watercress Line haul vintage carriages around some of the loveliest bits of Hampshire – within easy striking distance of beautiful villages and historic houses linked to names such as Jane Austen and 18th-century naturalist Gilbert White, credited with founding the science of ecology from his museum home in the idyllic hamlet of Selborne.
A host of regular events augment the simple pleasure of being pulled along by vintage engineering marvels dating back to the 1920s, including A Day Out with Thomas, where children can get up close to a full-size Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as dining trains and Christmas specials.

Moors the merrier in North Yorkshire

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a steam-driven nostalgia fest involving gorgeous antique Pullman carriages used in Downton Abbey, pulled by locomotives dating back to 1890. Rattling through the stunning scenery of one of Britain’s finest National Parks, you can sit back and just enjoy the ride over a leisurely couple of hours, or take breaks from the journey at atmospheric stations along the way. The most famous is Goathland – Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter films – though fans of the trains themselves may be equally captivated by the engineering sheds at Grosmont.

Travellers can enjoy quaint station shops, or on-board meals and afternoon teas in a heritage saloon car. Begin and end your journey either in the medieval market town of Pickering or the ravishing historic port of Whitby, whose winding cobbled lanes frame the majestic Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey (famed for links to Dracula!).

Ride the Harry Potter train on a Scottish odyssey

Voted the top rail journey in the world four years in a row by Wanderlust Magazine, the Jacobite steam train also became famous for its starring role in multiple Harry Potter films as the train that bore young wizards to Hogwarts. The classic scene shows the train sweeping across the majestic Glenfinnan Viaduct on its real-life journey between the Highland ports of Fort William and Mallaig, sweeping past lochs and wild beaches on a route that has its very own magic.

Use this brilliant vintage train ride as a thread to weave together a grand Caledonian tour. Scotland specialist McKinlay Kidd’s 10-night Classic Round Scotland by Train break features the Jacobite run alongside outstanding rail trips from Glasgow or Edinburgh to the Highlands. You’ll get to explore places as diverse as the medieval jewel of Stirling, the Highland ‘capital’ Inverness and the pretty yachting village of Plockton. Add a small group boat jaunt on Loch Ness, and a sailing trip over the sea to enjoy the dramatic Isle of Skye.

Head west for England’s longest heritage line

West Somerset Railway is the longest heritage railway line in England, journeying from the beautiful Somerset coast at Minehead into the delightful foothills of the Quantocks, steaming along an old branch line that calls at 10 unique stations in bucolic spots that offer plenty of chance to jump off and explore en route. Along the way, you’ll get views to Exmoor and the Bristol Channel, as well as rattling through a sylvan landscape past timeless villages. One break of journey you must do is to visit the stupendous Dunster Castle and Gardens (nationaltrust.org.uk), as well as soaking up the Victorian seaside vibe of Minehead.

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Norman Miller picks out some fabulous places around Britain – from Perthshire to Somerset – that care as much about environmental ratings as they do stars.

Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire

Set just back from a stellar coastline of stunning sandy beaches and harbour villages, the Grove of Narberth is a proud member of Green Tourism UK, which gave the hotel its gold award in 2017 for a plethora of sustainable initiatives from owners Neil and Zoe Kedward. But there’s no skimping on atmospheric luxury, as you’d expect from a hotel in the upmarket Pride of Britain portfolio. Burnished wood panelling lifts many spaces, while displays of iconic carved Welsh spoons add a local design flourish. The acclaimed restaurant celebrates superb produce sourced within a 50-mile radius, while the historic market town of Narberth is just down the road, offering excellent design and food shops.

Solar panels supply electricity, while heating and hot water come from a biomass boiler. The hotel has dug boreholes to supply the entire premises with spring water free to all guests. All glass, plastic and paper is recycled, while cardboard is used for composting, along with garden and vegetable waste. The hotel has also planted substantial areas with trees to provide a sustainable source of wood, while reed beds treat foul water before it enters the surrounding environment. Wild meadows and ancient hedgerows also help nurture local wildlife.

Saorsa 1875, Perthshire

‘Dedicated to ethical luxury’ is how Saorsa 1875 describes itself, and it’s also the UK’s first hotel dedicated to a 100 per cent vegan lifestyle – from bold plant-based dishes in the restaurant to power supplied by Ecotricity, the UK’s first certified-vegan power supplier. And with intensive animal farming estimated to cause 15 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, that means something.

When animal rights organisation PETA voted this their best UK luxury hotel, they acknowledged fine style as well as fine ethics – 11 bedrooms decorated with designer wallpapers, chic chairs and plush fabrics, alongside plenty of artfully sourced second-hand retro style.
The setting is stirring too – a baronial Gothic Victorian mansion on the edge of the Highland village of Pitlochry within striking distance of iconic spots like Loch Ness. Pitlochry itself is a pleasing riverside town, where diverse attractions include the exotic Explorers Garden, the acclaimed Pitlochry Festival Theatre, and Atholl Palace Museum with its chronicle of life from the 1870s onwards.

The Green House, Dorset

Just a couple of blocks back from Bournemouth’s fine sandy beaches, this Grade II-listed Victorian villa showcases its sustainability commitments in myriad forms – from beehives installed on the roof to naturally fire-retardant wool carpets produced in nearby Salisbury.

Wood furniture at The Green House is crafted in the UK using trees felled in storms or by tree surgeons, while wallpaper is FSC-certified and made using vegetable inks. The bespoke luxury Hypnos beds utilise eco-friendly bamboo, all electricals are low-energy and they even recycle rainwater. Talking of water, solar heating helps keep that warm.

The hotel’s Arbor restaurant is arguably the best in town, complemented naturally by a strong commitment to sustainable sourcing based on fresh, tempting and seasonal ingredients from the local area.

Heckfield Place, Hampshire

This lovingly restored Georgian country pile provides a cosy historic hideaway in the Hampshire countryside within easy striking distance of London. Heckfield Place sits within 400 acres of secluded landscape gardens laid out in the 1820s and dotted with charming follies. Inside, the sympathetically restored interiors mix period furniture with contemporary amenities like a luxurious cinema space and a spa using all-natural products.

The sustainability ethos plays out subtly throughout the house. A biomass boiler provides heating, while natural British materials are widely utilised – such as rush headboards made by weaver Felicity Irons. Packaging is reduced through touches like ground coffee in the bedrooms stored in locally made ceramic pots.

This hotel also has its very own biodynamic farm, where guests can pitch in to help plant or harvest fresh produce, or just wander through kitchen gardens and orchards that supply the Marle restaurant and its inspiring menu overseen by top chef Skye Gyngell.

The Victoria Inn, Norfolk

An imposing flint building close to the vast swathe of Holkham Beach, The Victoria you see today rose as a coaching inn opened in 1837 – though other inns had stood here before. The spectacular nearby coast is a wonderland of dunes, vast strands and tidal marshes full of wildlife, dotted with historic towns including chic Burnham Market and the medieval pilgrimage village of Walsingham.

The inn received a Green Tourism gold award in 2017. Heating comes from a biomass boiler using wood from the surrounding sustainably managed estate, all lighting is LED, while everything that can be recycled is – from bottles to batteries. Food waste is collected to produce green energy via anaerobic digestion. Talking of digestion, the vast majority of produce at the inn’s outstanding restaurant is local, including venison from the deer herd in Holkham Park.

Number One Bruton, Somerset

In recent years, the arrival of sophisticated gallery spaces like Hauser & Wirth and Moorwood Art have made the Somerset village of Bruton a chic bohemian bolthole at the heart of one of England’s loveliest counties.

Number One Bruton is a 12-bedroom hotel with a glorious melange of historic architecture carved from buildings including a Georgian townhouse and a medieval forge. The style is simple and elegant, as well as pleasingly sustainable – think eco-conscious paints from Edward Bulmer and gorgeous hand-turned English oak beds featuring biodegradable mattresses. Add Arts & Crafts textiles, plentiful vintage furniture, and interiors fashioned using natural materials like jute and wool.

The Traddock, Yorkshire

Tucked away in a secluded Yorkshire Dales National Park village setting, The Traddock provides a perfect blend of sustainability and local community engagement with upscale cosseting. Five-star nearby natural attractions include the lush Forest of Bowland, the dramatic limestone amphitheatre of Malham Cove, plus plenty of walking trails.

The characterful Georgian house retains a host of 19th-century features including gorgeous antiques, while the excellent restaurant works wonders with the local produce – some grown on site.

A dizzying raft of sustainability initiatives have a local focus: paper waste is crushed and baled, then sold to a local recycler to raise funds which have helped keep the local swimming pool open, while cooking oil is collected by a local cooperative group to be recycled into biodiesel. The hotel’s heating and hot-water systems are powered by a sustainably sourced wood-pellet boiler, and cleaning products are ecologically based. Outside lights and signage are all low-energy, while garden cuttings and kitchen waste go into compost for the vegetable plot.

The post Pick an eco hotel for a planet-friendly UK break appeared first on Reclaim Magazine.

Whether you’re a global traveller or an armchair tourist, taking inspiration from international design styles can help you add oomph when renovating your interiors. From Scandinavia and northern Europe down to the Mediterranean and north Africa, you’ll find exciting colour combinations, traditional prints and signature textiles, art and furniture that have an interesting story to tell. Be inspired by cultures that value pieces with history and artisan craftsmanship, and find your own way to combine antique, vintage and new fittings and materials to create a beautiful and functional space, which has the bonus of bringing that holiday feeling into your home.

Italy

From the mountain villages of the sparkling Amalfi coast to the olive groves of Tuscany, the relaxed, sunny Mediterranean lifestyle is integral to Italian design. The Italians have the same attitude to their home decor as they do their cuisine, with an emphasis on quality, simplicity and organic ingredients – but with a trademark touch of glamour. Italy is renowned for high-end design and has produced some of the finest 20th-century furniture designers, with names such as Gio Ponti leading the pack in mid-century design, while Castiglioni and Giacomo’s 1960s Arco lamp is an icon.

You’ll find lavish features such as cool marble floors, vintage Murano glass chandeliers and glamorous gold accents paired with elegant contemporary furniture and extravagantly sized artwork in a Milanese townhouse, for example, while the traditional country farmhouse with its mix of well-used antiques has a timeless, homely look. Sleek mid-century designs work for a contemporary style, or for the Tuscan farmhouse look incorporate substantial antique pieces such as a large rustic table and dresser in walnut, olive or pine, opt for a colour scheme grounded in earthy, neutral and organic shades, accessorised with pieces in rattan, marble or terracotta, and add simple accessories such as natural linens and hand-painted tableware.

Perhaps the simplest way to evoke the Italian style is in your garden or a sunny courtyard. Mediterranean planting – such as cypress, bay and olive trees, and an abundance of herbs such as rosemary and lavender – alongside antique statuary, water features, terracotta planters, natural stone and rattan furniture will recreate that villa feeling every time you step outside.

France

The key to achieving timeless Gallic elegance is to not try too hard. The style may be ornate, but never gaudy; simple, but still luxurious; elegant, but a little worn around the edges. In the quintessential French style, imperfections of age are celebrated (they invented shabby chic), organic shades and natural materials are favoured, and nothing should look too curated. You’re aiming for the interior equivalent of a classic white shirt paired with a vintage Chanel bag and Veja trainers (yes, they’re French).

Mix and match classic furniture and textiles with vintage finds but add something fun and contemporary to keep it fresh. French antique furniture can be sturdy and rustic or more refined, but often has a touch of flamboyance in the design – perhaps an elaborate cornice or intricate detailing. A statement antique piece such as an ornate bed frame or armoire can be toned down with neutrals for a French country look, or go full-on Parisian with luxe velvets and silks.

Look for classic French textiles, from toile de Jouy to chintz florals and ticking stripes, and consider mixing them up; these patterns work equally well as bed linen, upholstery or wallpaper. Go for a touch of glamour with finishing flourishes: an ornate gilt mirror, a sparkling brass and glass chandelier, and a sinuous rococo-style side table or occasional chair.

Spain

From stucco walls to terracotta tiles and wrought-ironwork features, traditional interior design in Spain is as vibrant and decorative as Spanish culture itself. Colours and patterns are beautifully layered like the flavours of a tapas spread, from the geometrics of chequerboard floor tiles to the curves of ornate rattan furniture and the artistry of hand-painted fruit and florals on ceramics or fabrics. Traversing through mountains to coast, from buzzing cities to rural countryside, Spanish style is hugely diverse – from the Moorish architecture and decoration of the Alhambra palace of Granada to the simple, rustic-style finca of rural Spain. But it’s simple to evoke a Spanish look with a few key focal points.

A colour-blocked background using desert or ocean shades of blue, paprika, terracotta or plaster pink on walls with terracotta tile or flagstone flooring provides the backdrop for rustic wood furniture and Mediterranean-inspired accessories. Or add the wow factor to an otherwise neutral colour scheme with statement prints, such as an Arabic-influenced geometric-print tile in a bathroom, or an Andalusian-style woven rug.

For bedrooms, look for wallpaper or fabrics with a Spanish folk-style print and focus on natural materials such as wood, earthenware, linen and woven baskets.

Traditional Spanish furniture tends to be on the dark and heavy side, with tables and chests of drawers often made in wood such as walnut. So if you don’t live in a rambling Catalonian farmhouse it may be best to pick just one focal piece, such as a large refectory table for your kitchen-diner or an elegant bedroom chair.

Scandinavia

Practical, unfussy, muted, organic. These are just some of the words you could use to describe the Scandi style, which has become a codeword for describing a look that is all those things and more. Scandi style could be interpreted as a mid-century scheme, with the airy curves of Danish teak furniture, pops of vibrant colour and sculptural or space-age lighting; or it could be a cool neutral cabin-influenced space with chalk-white walls offsetting rustic reclaimed wood, oversized monstera and cosy hygge touches such as faux-fur throws or deep-pile rugs.

Perhaps rather than describing one specific look, we should embrace Scandi style as a philosophy inspired by the Nordic way of life, which prioritises beautiful functionality, natural light, streamlined simplicity and tactile texture over garish colour and chaotic clutter. Whether you’re aiming for modern mid-century or traditional cabin style, soft minimalism is key to this look – each piece should be carefully considered and chosen with beauty, comfort and purpose in mind.

Look for interesting retro Danish and Swedish furniture, salvaged industrial fittings and reclaimed wood, which all fit the aesthetic, along with natural and organic textiles, handmade accessories and, of course, plenty of seamless storage.

Morocco

A confluence of Mediterranean, African, Berber, Persian and Jewish ethnic influences and traditions, the eclectic elegance of the Moroccan look continues to inspire interior design trends. Traditionally focused on bolder elements – including rich jewel and earth tones, decorative fretwork and carved pieces, patterned textiles and zellij mosaic tiles – a new contemporary take on the look has emerged, giving it a fresher simplicity, paring the elements back to evoke a memory of Marrakesh rather than full souk-style.

Tiles and textiles with typically Arabic prints and patterns in muted or monochrome colourways will pair beautifully with simple white walls for a contemporary feel. For a splash of North African vibrancy, orange has been a big colour trend recently and the warmth of terracotta is a lovely way to bring a touch of ‘Riad-core’ into your home, together with rich blues and neutral sand and stone shades for balance.

Simple storage or decorative baskets and macramé wall hangings bring a touch of organic, boho style, while plain jute mats or Berber- or Ben Ourain-style rugs create a simpler aesthetic than richly patterned fabrics. Finish the look with a couple of focal pieces, such as handcrafted or antique hardwood furniture, rattan, decorative floor cushions or pouffes, an ornate arched mirror, or hanging stained-glass and brass lanterns for an exotic touch.

The post Take decorating style cues from your holiday abroad appeared first on Reclaim Magazine.

Brockholes nature reserve

Brockholes is a 250-acre nature reserve with lakes, woodland and walks along the River Ribble. There are picnic benches and grassy areas allowing visitors to relax and enjoy their own portable feasts, while overlooking the floating Visitor Village and Meadow Lake.

Best for: Birds and insects, with great crested grebes nesting, sand martins performing spectacular aerial displays, dragonflies, butterflies and, if you are really lucky, otters on Meadow Lake.

Location: Just off the M6 at Preston, Lancashire

Steart Marshes

Steart Marshes is one of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s open sites and is a brilliant example of a ‘working’ wetland, protecting local homes from flooding and providing habitats for a wide array of wildlife. There’s no café at Steart but it is described as an ‘ideal picnic spot’, so bring your own alfresco feast.

Best for: Spotting a vast array of wetland wildlife in the freshwater and salt marshes, from otters to owls and waders to wildfowl.

Location: Steart, Somerset

Glen Finglas Estate

A vast expanse of hills, woodland, water and open heathland, Glen Finglas is home to some of Scotland’s most iconic wildlife in the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and is part of the Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve. There are picnic places a-plenty in the ancient woodland, by the lochside and at viewpoint summits.

Best for: Wild walks. There’s a network of nine waymarked walking routes to follow and the 24-kilometre Meall Trail will lead you into ‘wilder’ hill land.

Cley Marshes nature reserve

Located on the north Norfolk coast, Cley Marshes is the oldest Wildlife Trust reserve in the UK, a haven for birds where wide-open saltmarshes and long stretches of beach create a sense of freedom and space. A deck with picnic benches looks out over wader pools, grazing marshes and all the way out to the sea.

Best for: Watching the reed beds for marsh harriers, the pools for avocets, spotting spoonbills in summer, and many more birds in the skies.

Wildwood

Set in beautiful ancient woodland near Herne Bay in Kent and Escot Park in Devon, the Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife. It offers a dedicated picnic area outside the on-site café at both locations, with additional tables dotted around the enclosures. Sign up for monthly or annual membership to get unlimited access at both parks.

Best for: Immersive animal experiences in natural enclosures where the park’s bears, bison, badgers and beavers roam.

WORDS: CASSIE FAIRY

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The River Somme does more than wind through Amiens in northern France. It fragments and spreads out to create one of the urban wonders of the world in the shape of the Hortillonnages, a unique watery filigree whose myriad little channels create hundreds of tiny islands, ‘floating gardens’ cultivated and lived on since medieval times.

Today, the capital of the Picardy region relaxes off radar, its waterways complemented by a townscape of pleasing architecture lining the streets running off the main pedestrianised drag that runs through the heart of the town, from the train station to the steel-and-glass Palace of Culture (think concerts rather than exhibitions). Looming over the station, the striking Perret Tower is an icon of mid-century modernist architecture that for some time was considered Europe’s tallest skyscraper. Appealing 19th-century red-brick apartment blocks line many streets, complemented by centuries-older woody facades in enclaves like St Leu. Lovely details adorn buildings throughout the town, alongside surprises like the cluster of eye-catching art deco buildings on Rue Ernest Cauvin.

The star architecture turn, though, is Europe’s largest Gothic cathedral – the UNESCO-listed Cathedrale Notre-Dame d’Amiens – which has provided a ravishing landmark across the city since the 13th century. Its stunning facade is decorated with thousands of statues and carvings, from standard-issue saintly dudes to people going about ancient occupations like weaving, as well as stony depictions of ‘sins and virtues’. Inside, be properly awestruck by a nave twice the size of the piddling Notre-Dame in Paris.

The Museum of Picardy was the first purpose-built museum in France. Set inside a palatial edifice built over a decade in the mid-19th century, its collections range from 5,000-year-old Egyptian artefacts to modern art, including work by Francis Bacon and Picasso. There’s inventive curation too, with 21st-century pieces displayed alongside ancient works to strike up intriguing aesthetic discourses across the millennia.

For vintage hunters wanting their history in purchasable form, twice a year Amiens also hosts two of the largest antique flea markets in France. Known as the Rederie, there is a spring outing in April and then a wonderful autumn follow-up in October – expect up to 2,000 sellers, with stalls filling dozens of the town-centre streets.

To attract design-savvy visitors year-round, Amiens has also instigated two new monthly outdoor markets. Running from June to September, the Designer Market showcases work by over 50 local modern designers on Place Dufau near the cathedral, while on the third Saturday of each month from June to October, Les Puces Amienoises brings together around 20 leading antiques traders from around the region to sell everything from deco desirables to old textiles on Place Friant.

Must-see

• Maison Jules Verne The famed 19th-century author and adventurer Jules Verne fled Paris to settle in Amiens, where he wrote renowned novels such as Around the World in 80 Days and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. His elegant house at 2 rue Charles-Dubois is now filled with memories of his life and travels, and the 34 novels he wrote here.
• The Hortillonnages Carved from marshland in medieval times, this wondrous urban archipelago of around 1,000 miniature islands makes for a wonderful exploration by boat – though you can access certain sections on foot. Nose along 40 miles of slender channels known as rieux, either on a traditional barque à cornet (a flat-bottomed vessel with one raised pointed end) steered by a local guide or hire your own electric boat.

Where to shop for vintage

• Diabolo Vintage 2 rue Dusevel – Clothing from the 1960s and 70s
• L’imprimerie 10 rue Dusevel – Contemporary painting, vintage posters and old art books
• La Fleur de Lys 4 rue de Beauvais – Art deco lighting and Lalique perfume containers
• Le Diable Bouilli 48 rue du Hocquet – Silverware, glassware and dishes
• Le Grenier 9 rue des Cordeliers – Maps, lighting, ceramics and furniture from the 20th century

Where to stay and eat

• Les Orfèvres Set near the 12th-century belfry, this gourmet beacon majors on local produce both from the Hortillonnages and the wider Picardy region, from asparagus to sheep’s cheese. If you’re here in autumn, expect gorgeous game dishes and upscale ways with pies. Well-priced set menus too.
• Hotel Marotte Fashioned from an elegant 18th-century house, this chic bolthole retains a sense of intimacy with upscale artfully styled rooms, including ‘sauna suites’ with Roman-style baths carved into rock, complementing a superbly equipped spa. The excellent La Galerie des Recettes restaurant is open to guests and visitors alike.
• Hotel Ibis Styles Opened in 2019, this modern-design hotel combines a sense of contemporary-style touches ­– graffiti decor in the foyer – with a laid-back vibe and a great central location tucked down a hideaway lane across from the train station. Top floor rooms also offer some great city views towards the cathedral.

Tips for the first-time visitor

• On the third Sunday every month, the market gardeners of the Hortillonnages don traditional costume to bring their produce by water on old-fashioned barques à cornet for a quayside market on Place Parmentier.
• Amiens may be the home town of the French president, but for many visitors macarons are a bigger talking point than Macron. That’s because Emmanuel’s spouse Brigitte is part of a baking dynasty going back six generations, whose artfully branded boxes of macarons d’Amiens attract buyers to shops around the city trading under the Jean Trogneux banner. The most famous is at 23 rue André near the cathedral.
• For an evening out with a difference, pay a visit to the Hippodrome race track a short trot outside the town centre, where idiosyncratic Gallic horse-drawn chariot races nod back to the days of Roman Empire.
• If you want to catch some distinctive local entertainment, check what’s on at the Marionette Theatre tucked into an alley off rue Vanmarcke, to see Picardy puppetry in action.

The post Amiens: Flea markets, macarons and floating gardens appeared first on Reclaim Magazine.

Fancy a relaxed bite perhaps seated in an old greenhouse or conservatory, served at reclaimed weathered tables with a garden plot full of vegetables and flowers within view? Then visit our pick of laid-back cafés with a gorgeous vintage-vibe, offering everything from fluffy scones to organic salad picked fresh from the garden.

Petersham Nurseries

Where Richmond, Surrey, near the Thames

The story Gael and Francesco Boglione opened Petersham Nurseries in 2004. Their vision was to sell vintage furniture and antiques in a unique garden setting.

The vibe Botanical bohemian. Set within old greenhouses, draped with jasmine and bougainvillea, Petersham Nurseries is filled with antique furniture, mirrors and reclaimed ornate door frames sourced from India. In the evenings, the space is used for private dining and supper clubs.

On the menu The Teahouse serves homemade cakes, soups, sandwiches and salads. There’s a restaurant café too, serving ‘slow’ seasonal food often with an Italian twist, such as char-grilled monkfish with wild mushrooms, capers, herb potato and sea beets.

Worton Organic Garden

Where Worton, near Cassington, Oxfordshire

The story Founders David and Anneke Blake started Worton Organic Garden to make ‘a practical contribution towards a healthier, fairer and more beautiful world’, and it was taken over by resident baker Simon Spence in 2021. It’s a working organic garden, farm shop and café, with seating inside and out.

The vibe Relaxed, friendly and heavenly, this gorgeous garden is always a delight to explore, with hens, pigs and flowers amongst the fruit and vegetables. Vintage bistro furniture adds to the charm, plus there’s a pizza oven, a greenhouse you can eat inside and a log fire on colder days.

On the menu Fresh, seasonal, organic food using produce from the garden.

Pythouse Kitchen Garden

Where Tisbury, Wiltshire

The story This stylish café, restaurant and events venue run by Sophia and Piers Milburn is set within a stunning Victorian walled garden. You can pick your own flowers in the summer and warm up beside a firepit in winter.

The vibe Insta-cool rustic, Pythouse Kitchen Garden is a hidden gem, with a conservatory and seating throughout the garden. There’s also a glamping orchard with a firepit and posh bathrooms.

On the menu Most of the fruit and veg comes fresh from the garden each day. In springtime, expect the likes of roast Cornish hake, Dorset crab crushed potatoes, samphire, lovage and apple blossom. The emphasis is on fire cooking, so look out for barbecue suppers and slow-cooked produce too.

King John’s Nursery

Where Etchingham, East Sussex

The story Harry Cunningham started the King John’s Nursery in 2006, transforming two derelict chicken sheds into a space to grow plants and set up a shop. In 2013, the café was opened to serve homemade cakes and in 2015 it graduated to lunches with a professional kitchen and expanded tearoom.

The vibe Laidback and lovely with vintage furniture and a friendly feel. Sit outside under an arbour of roses in the summer, or snuggle up beside a roaring fire inside on colder days.

On the menu Downsview dairy ice cream, homemade scones, breakfasts and daily specials.

Potager Garden

Where Constantine, near Falmouth, Cornwall

The story Peter Skerrett and Dan Thomas bought the site for Potager Garden in January 2000. It was a market garden in the 1950s, a garden centre in the 1980s, then left abandoned for 10 years. Potager has emerged from the ‘bramble-choked wilderness’ and is now a thriving garden with workshops, events and a café.

The vibe Creative and chilled-out. There are hammocks slung between trees, artist studio spaces and craft classes such as weaving, hedgerow basketry and painting. The café is in a converted greenhouse, amongst plum trees.

On the menu Homemade cakes, great veggie breakfasts and wholesome lunches. Evening dining events explore food from further afield, such as Japan, the Middle East and Mexico. There’s a pizza oven too.

WORDS: ELLIE TENNANT

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