Happy New Year !
Is it me , or have three words never felt more poignant ? No pressure 2021 , there is A LOT riding on you !
Yet as we tentatively embark on a new year like no other , this one seems to be brimming with optimism like never before . So it is therefore fitting that the only resolution we need to make this year is to be happy !
From Peter Pan ’ s thinking happy thoughts , to I ’ m A Celeb ’ s Jordan ’ s happy place , if last year taught us anything , ( aside from the fact that most of my favourite things are still non-essential activities ), it is to find happiness whatever situation we are in ... Therefore , we are encouraging you to look forward to a year of happiness in Kent .
iKHQ is proud to bring you our January happiness issue , beginning a whole year dedicated to being happy , staying happy and finding happiness in our wonderful county – we ’ ve even included our own happy places to get you in the happy zone .
And as we start to unpause , boy are there some great things to look forward to !
From the 149th Open at St Georges , to the return of Leeds Castle ’ s Classical Concert ; food , art and coffee festivals to anniversaries or belated celebrations ( our own 10th anniversary included !); the reopening of our much loved restaurants , hotels and attractions ; and the realistic prospect of normality ( whatever that is !), 2021 is teasing us with happy opportunities ... So why not begin your happy plans with Visit Kent ’ s 2021 Hotlist on p15 ?
If time at home has renewed your staycation urges fear not , for 2021 will see the launch of the 3rd instalment of the acclaimed Kent Staycation , and the KS team are giving you a headstart with their top tips for planning the ultimate Kent Staycation from p31 .
Fed up of feeling glum , perhaps now , more than ever , it is time to look up and wish big . Courtesy of Visit Kent , we bring you the county ’ s top stargazing sites on p44 to get you reaching for the stars .
Looking for a happy diet too ? Why not veganise it this January with our tasty recipes from p51 . And don ’ t stop there ... Bring some happiness to your wardrobe from p68 ; learn to exercise for happiness as we encourage you to jump for joy on p80 ; and relish in a new ‘ happy hour ’ with some small changes to make a difference to your wellbeing in under an hour on p75 .
We also bring a bit of ‘ happiness ’ to your home too . Discover ways to make your home happy , renew your kerb appeal , be inspired by renovation stories , discover the new colours , and even find a home for the new year from p87 .
With a new year is new hope , new opportunity and a new outlook , so over the course of this year we will continue to bring you news and stories of Kentish businesses , products and people that make our county great and can make you happy !
It is also fitting that the new year heralds some new features for insideKENT too !
Following the overwhelming success of Meet the Chef , we ’ ll be bringing you the chance to get to
ONE OF MY HAPPIEST DAYS AT ONE OF MY HAPPY PLACES .
know the county ’ s top tipple experts in Meet the Sommelier , p60 ; as well as seeing the faces behind the produce in Meet the Producer , in association with our friends at Produced in Kent , on p62 ! You ’ ll also find ways to maximise your time in a host of county hotspots in our new ‘ 48 Hours In …’ which begins with Bromley and Beckenham on p37 ; as well as reading insightful features from a host of guest experts , beginning this issue with Dr Shirin from Elite Aesthetics on p83 . And there ’ s even a new ‘ Meet the Gardener ’ to look forward to in the Spring !
We know it ' s been tough . We know it ' s not over yet . But we also know there are great times to come – and we can ’ t wait !
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year Kent ! www . insidekentmagazine . co . uk
@ insideKENT
Publisher Adam Ready Editor Samantha Ready Features Editor Sara Stephen Editorial Assistant Alison Kettle Features Writer Jess Marshall Senior Designer Dave Leo Yogore Graphic Designer Lorna Morris Graphic Designer Kareena Ross-Cumming Senior Account Manager Jerry Barrett Account Manager Nadene Weed Account Manager Anna Lockyer Administration Manager & Fashion Editor Karlene Gannon Contributors Ashleigh Britten , Bella Middleton , Caitlin Minter , Delia Bourne , Demi Pendakis , Dr Shirin , Evelyn Duro , James Blumenthal , Malcolm Farrow , Rebecca Drury , Rebecca Snowden , Rick Schofield , Steph Briggs , Tracy Appleby , Visit Kent , William Porter Cover © David-James Selling
insideKENT Magazine is published by Sideways Media Ltd , Coachworks , Dover Place , Ashford , Kent TN23 1HU www . sidewaysmedia . co . uk For general enquiries , please contact hello @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk or 01233 226519
For all advertising enquiries , please contact Adam Ready on 01233 226519 or email adam @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk For all editorial enquiries , press releases or news stories , please contact insidekent @ sidewaysmedia . co . uk
© Copyright 2021 . The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher . Neither the publisher nor any other person associated with the production and publication of this magazine make any guarantees , warranties or claims as to the accuracy , currency or truthfulness of any of the contents of this magazine . No part of this magazine may be copied , reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher ’ s written consent . No responsibility is taken for unsolicited editorial , images or photographs published . While every care is taken , prices and details are subject to change and the publisher takes no responsibility for omissions or errors . Publisher is not responsible for any variation in image colour due to printing processes .
10