PRESS INVITE
Nestled in Great Durnford, on the outskirts of Salisbury, you'll find The Great Bustard. A cosy pub and beautiful restaurant with 10 en suite rooms, a small farm shop, and a treatment room. The Great Bustard opened a year ago, following years of renovation work, and I was invited down this week to try their new autumn menu.
The day started with a short foraging walk in the surrounding area with head chef Jordan, who has a true nose-to-tail approach to cooking. The team uses seasonal produce from the estate, and surrounding areas, to craft their dishes, minimising the waste along the way. Despite being between key foraging seasons, Jordan pointed out fennel, wild mint, and watercress on our short walk, all things I would have totally walked past without spotting!
Satisfied with our new-found foraging knowledge, we settled into the cosy pub area of The Great Bustard, where the team brought out an extensive range of bar snacks for us to try. The table was full of delicious food, and this was just the pre-lunch snack! The standout bar snacks for me were the KFP, the Kentucky Fried Partridge, the Shepherd's Pie Croquettes, and the Pizzas. I'd never had pistachio on a pizza before, and I'll admit I was a little skeptical, but it was truly delicious!
.jpg "Autumn Menu Launch at The Great Bustard Salisbury")
Autumn Menu Launch at The Great Bustard, Salisbury
3.10.25 • Featured, food, Salisbury, Salisbury Restaurant
PRESS INVITE
Nestled in Great Durnford, on the outskirts of Salisbury, you'll find The Great Bustard. A cosy pub and beautiful restaurant with 10 en suite rooms, a small farm shop, and a treatment room. The Great Bustard opened a year ago, following years of renovation work, and I was invited down this week to try their new autumn menu.
The day started with a short foraging walk in the surrounding area with head chef Jordan, who has a true nose-to-tail approach to cooking. The team uses seasonal produce from the estate, and surrounding areas, to craft their dishes, minimising the waste along the way. Despite being between key foraging seasons, Jordan pointed out fennel, wild mint, and watercress on our short walk, all things I would have totally walked past without spotting!
Satisfied with our new-found foraging knowledge, we settled into the cosy pub area of The Great Bustard, where the team brought out an extensive range of bar snacks for us to try. The table was full of delicious food, and this was just the pre-lunch snack! The standout bar snacks for me were the KFP, the Kentucky Fried Partridge, the Shepherd's Pie Croquettes, and the Pizzas. I'd never had pistachio on a pizza before, and I'll admit I was a little skeptical, but it was truly delicious!
Photo Credit to Alastair Muir
AD PRESS TICKETS
The 39 Steps is now open at Salisbury Playhouse! Showing from 13th February until 8th March, this is a great production of the book by John Buchan and the film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Presented by Wiltshire Creative, Octagon Theatre Bolton, and Mercury Theatre Colchester, this spy thriller is full of twists and turns as well as plenty of comedic moments.
The production cleverly uses one main set for the entire duration as well as minimal props. The 39 Steps cast consists of only four very talented actors who play all of the characters in the story. Clown 1 has 22 costume changes throughout the show, and Clown 2 has 26. Mei Mei MacLeod, who plays Annabella, Pamela, and Margaret has 8.
For the Press Night, Charlotte Bloomsbury, the understudy for all four of the characters, stepped up and played Richard Hannay. Her performance was incredible and if we hadn't have been told, there was no way we'd have known she was playing the role, for the press night, at only 24 hours notice. She was brilliant!
Tickets for The 39 Steps start from £12, go and see it whilst it's in Salisbury!
Photo Credit to Alastair Muir
AD PRESS TICKETS
The 39 Steps is now open at Salisbury Playhouse! Showing from 13th February until 8th March, this is a great production of the book by John Buchan and the film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Presented by Wiltshire Creative, Octagon Theatre Bolton, and Mercury Theatre Colchester, this spy thriller is full of twists and turns as well as plenty of comedic moments.
The production cleverly uses one main set for the entire duration as well as minimal props. The 39 Steps cast consists of only four very talented actors who play all of the characters in the story. Clown 1 has 22 costume changes throughout the show, and Clown 2 has 26. Mei Mei MacLeod, who plays Annabella, Pamela, and Margaret has 8.
For the Press Night, Charlotte Bloomsbury, the understudy for all four of the characters, stepped up and played Richard Hannay. Her performance was incredible and if we hadn't have been told, there was no way we'd have known she was playing the role, for the press night, at only 24 hours notice. She was brilliant!
Tickets for The 39 Steps start from £12, go and see it whilst it's in Salisbury!
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| Photo Credit to Pamela Raith |
Sleeping Beauty at Salisbury Playhouse Review
11.12.24 • Salisbury, Theatre, Things To Do
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| Photo Credit to Pamela Raith |
Anyone who knows us personally will know that we are BIG fans of a dinner offer. I'm talking 2 for £x, buy one get one free, you name it, we'll give it a go. Hettie Bells' 2-4-1 burger offer has been on our 'we must try that' list for a good few months now, and this week we finally made it down there to try it out.
Burgers at Hettie Bells, Salisbury - Review
16.10.24 • food, Salisbury, Salisbury Restaurant
Anyone who knows us personally will know that we are BIG fans of a dinner offer. I'm talking 2 for £x, buy one get one free, you name it, we'll give it a go. Hettie Bells' 2-4-1 burger offer has been on our 'we must try that' list for a good few months now, and this week we finally made it down there to try it out.
PRESS EVENT
PRESS EVENT
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| Photo by Alex Tabrizi |
PRESS TICKETS
Stones in His Pockets at Salisbury Playhouse - Review
4.10.24 • Salisbury, Theatre, Things To Do
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| Photo by Alex Tabrizi |
PRESS TICKETS
A coffee and a cake at a new-to-me cafe? Sounds like a perfect Saturday morning plan. This morning Elliot and I headed to The Stalls Cafe and it was lovely.
A coffee and a cake at a new-to-me cafe? Sounds like a perfect Saturday morning plan. This morning Elliot and I headed to The Stalls Cafe and it was lovely.
Brunch at Syd's Slaps, Southbourne - Review
2.6.24 • bournemouth restaurant, food, food review
PRESS TICKETS
A Chorus of Disapproval is currently at Salisbury Playhouse and we were invited down last week to go and see it on their Press Night. This is an Alan Ayckbourn play that was first produced back in 1984. It first appeared at the Salisbury Playhouse in 1987 and is now back again, 37 years later...
It's a play within a play about a local Amateur Light Operatic Society who are practicing for their upcoming production of The Beggar's Opera. The play tells the story of Guy, the newest member of the Operatic Society, who ends up with more than just the one line he was first given.
I loved the set of A Chorus of Disapproval, some of the scenes were really clever. In particular, I thought the pub scene was brilliant and I was really impressed by Olivia Forrest who played Bridget Baines.
There was plenty of singing (understandably, being an opera) and jokes too. I thought Andy Cryer's character Jarvis was hilarious. He definitely deserved more airtime.
A Chorus of Disapproval runs until 18th May and there are still some tickets available.
Have you seen A Chorus of Disapproval?
A Chorus of Disapproval at Salisbury Playhouse - Review
9.5.24 • Salisbury, Theatre, Things To Do
PRESS TICKETS
A Chorus of Disapproval is currently at Salisbury Playhouse and we were invited down last week to go and see it on their Press Night. This is an Alan Ayckbourn play that was first produced back in 1984. It first appeared at the Salisbury Playhouse in 1987 and is now back again, 37 years later...
It's a play within a play about a local Amateur Light Operatic Society who are practicing for their upcoming production of The Beggar's Opera. The play tells the story of Guy, the newest member of the Operatic Society, who ends up with more than just the one line he was first given.
I loved the set of A Chorus of Disapproval, some of the scenes were really clever. In particular, I thought the pub scene was brilliant and I was really impressed by Olivia Forrest who played Bridget Baines.
There was plenty of singing (understandably, being an opera) and jokes too. I thought Andy Cryer's character Jarvis was hilarious. He definitely deserved more airtime.
A Chorus of Disapproval runs until 18th May and there are still some tickets available.
Have you seen A Chorus of Disapproval?
PRESS TICKETS
Two shows in one week? We truly were spoilt by Wiltshire Creative this week. Following Tuesday night's showing of Houdini's Greatest Escape, Elliot and I headed back to the Playhouse on Thursday for a night of comedy.
Wiltshire Creative's Comedy Club was MCd by the hilarious, Laura Lexx. She had everyone laughing within a minute of being on stage with self-deprecating humour and lots of interactions with members of the audience. Shoutout to Helen and Paula the bus drivers and Melanie and Martin, who 'definitely look like they have a conservatory'.
Following Laura getting the crowd hyped up for some comedy, Bilal Zafar came out on stage for the first half. He shared witty stories about being in an inter-racial relationship, a recent gig he was booked for for 200 bishops, his experience doing jury service, and a recent air fryer advert that has been doing the rounds.
Following the interval, and a few more jokes and heckles with Laura Lexx, Glenn Moore then took to the stage. Albeit not from the side of the stage. His routine focussed on his experience living with his brother during lockdown and the breakdown of his relationship with hilarious, genuine laugh-out-loud moments scattered generously throughout. There were crude jokes, political jokes, hand signals, the lot. The time absolutely flew by and I would absolutely go and see him on tour again.
Having never been to a comedy show before, I am wholeheartedly converted. Elliot and I laughed throughout the entire thing. The jokes were just our humour and the time absolutely flew by.
I'd highly recommend going along to one of Wiltshire Creative's Comedy Clubs, tickets start from just £15!
Wiltshire Creative Comedy Club: Glenn Moore - Review
29.3.24 • Salisbury, Theatre, Things To Do
PRESS TICKETS
Two shows in one week? We truly were spoilt by Wiltshire Creative this week. Following Tuesday night's showing of Houdini's Greatest Escape, Elliot and I headed back to the Playhouse on Thursday for a night of comedy.
Wiltshire Creative's Comedy Club was MCd by the hilarious, Laura Lexx. She had everyone laughing within a minute of being on stage with self-deprecating humour and lots of interactions with members of the audience. Shoutout to Helen and Paula the bus drivers and Melanie and Martin, who 'definitely look like they have a conservatory'.
Following Laura getting the crowd hyped up for some comedy, Bilal Zafar came out on stage for the first half. He shared witty stories about being in an inter-racial relationship, a recent gig he was booked for for 200 bishops, his experience doing jury service, and a recent air fryer advert that has been doing the rounds.
Following the interval, and a few more jokes and heckles with Laura Lexx, Glenn Moore then took to the stage. Albeit not from the side of the stage. His routine focussed on his experience living with his brother during lockdown and the breakdown of his relationship with hilarious, genuine laugh-out-loud moments scattered generously throughout. There were crude jokes, political jokes, hand signals, the lot. The time absolutely flew by and I would absolutely go and see him on tour again.
Having never been to a comedy show before, I am wholeheartedly converted. Elliot and I laughed throughout the entire thing. The jokes were just our humour and the time absolutely flew by.
I'd highly recommend going along to one of Wiltshire Creative's Comedy Clubs, tickets start from just £15!
Houdini's Greatest Escape at Salisbury Playhouse - Review
• Salisbury, Theatre, Things To Do
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| Photography by Craig Fuller |
One Last Push at Salisbury Playhouse Review
23.2.24 • Salisbury, Theatre, Things To Do
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| Photography by Craig Fuller |
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| Photo courtesy of The Other Richard |
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| Photo courtesy of The Other Richard |
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| Photography by Ellie Kurttz |
The Girl On The Train at Salisbury Playhouse Review
26.10.23 • Salisbury, Theatre, Things To Do
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| Photography by Ellie Kurttz |
Now, the Bloomsberg Arcade restaurant (the one we visited) is the one that I've seen alllll over TikTok, so I knew if we were going to do it, we had to do it properly. That said, it's not in an area we usually go to, so if you're a day-tripper like me, it's not the most convenient.
Lina Stores, Bloomsberg Arcade, London - Review
So, shall we start with the decor? I love. The restaurant is beautiful and I cannot get over that bar area, it's stunning!
We just turned up on a Saturday lunchtime and there was absolutely no problem getting a table at all. So much so, in fact, I'm glad we actually didn't book a table. Just to note, there's a cancellation policy if you book a table online. It's £10 per person for no-shows and late cancellations charged to the card used when making the booking.
Enough waffling... The food then. It was SO good. I had the 'Pappardelle con Ragù di Salsiccia di Agnello' which is pappardelle, lamb sausage ragù, cime di rapa, chilli and pecorino romano. It was delicious. I've genuinely never had a pasta dish with as much flavour as this one. Elliot had the chicken and mushroom ravioli and that was amazing too. The ravioli parcels were absolutely brimming with chicken breast and the sauce was incredible too.
Not pictured, but I did also have a Limoncello Spritz which was great too.
The only downfall of my visit to Lina Stores? The portion size. I know I tend to eat hearty portion sizes, especially when it comes to pasta, but I'm not sure this would have filled me up if I had had it for dinner. As a quick lunch, it was ideal. Are you meant to have more than one pasta dish? Is that the idea? Who knows...
Finally, for anyone nosy like I am, we paid £47.25 total. We each had a pasta dish and a drink and there was a £5.25 service charge included in that too.
Would I go again? Yes! Would I recommend a visit to Lina Stores if you haven't already been? Yes!
Lina Stores, Bloomsberg Arcade, London - Review
27.9.23 • food, london, restaurant review
Now, the Bloomsberg Arcade restaurant (the one we visited) is the one that I've seen alllll over TikTok, so I knew if we were going to do it, we had to do it properly. That said, it's not in an area we usually go to, so if you're a day-tripper like me, it's not the most convenient.
Lina Stores, Bloomsberg Arcade, London - Review
So, shall we start with the decor? I love. The restaurant is beautiful and I cannot get over that bar area, it's stunning!
We just turned up on a Saturday lunchtime and there was absolutely no problem getting a table at all. So much so, in fact, I'm glad we actually didn't book a table. Just to note, there's a cancellation policy if you book a table online. It's £10 per person for no-shows and late cancellations charged to the card used when making the booking.
Enough waffling... The food then. It was SO good. I had the 'Pappardelle con Ragù di Salsiccia di Agnello' which is pappardelle, lamb sausage ragù, cime di rapa, chilli and pecorino romano. It was delicious. I've genuinely never had a pasta dish with as much flavour as this one. Elliot had the chicken and mushroom ravioli and that was amazing too. The ravioli parcels were absolutely brimming with chicken breast and the sauce was incredible too.
Not pictured, but I did also have a Limoncello Spritz which was great too.
The only downfall of my visit to Lina Stores? The portion size. I know I tend to eat hearty portion sizes, especially when it comes to pasta, but I'm not sure this would have filled me up if I had had it for dinner. As a quick lunch, it was ideal. Are you meant to have more than one pasta dish? Is that the idea? Who knows...
Finally, for anyone nosy like I am, we paid £47.25 total. We each had a pasta dish and a drink and there was a £5.25 service charge included in that too.
Would I go again? Yes! Would I recommend a visit to Lina Stores if you haven't already been? Yes!
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