The Walpole Festive Wish List

Julia Woolley

Head of Business Development

"I would love an in-depth tea tasting at Fortnum & Mason. I would love to learn more about the history and growing of tea – why one should choose loose leaf tea and the nuances in flavour from different parts of the world. In the meantime, I will happily settle for a tin of my tea of choice: the Fortnum & Mason Rooibos Infusion!"

£9.95 at fortnumandmason.com

Anna Maude

Executive Assistant & Head of Partnerships

"I'd love a full 24 hours of London activities for Christmas; starting the day at The Connaught Patisserie for the Signature Connaughty Hound [pictured above], followed by lunch at ...At Sloane and finishing the day with an overnight stay at Beaverbrook Town House on Sloane Street."

Rebecca Mars

Membership Manager

"I’d love an eto decanter. I’m the only wine drinker in my house, so it feels a little extravagant to have a glass or two and potentially waste most of the bottle. Of course, as well as being a tool to stop waste, it would be a eye-catching addition to my bar trolley!"

From £129 at etowine.com

Helen Brocklebank

Chief Executive Officer

"I have a habit of buying things for my husband that I secretly want for myself and this year’s no different (I hope he isn’t reading this!). I’ve bought him a One Day Introductory Wine School from Berry Bros & Rudd. A masterclass in wine tasting and understanding classic grape varieties, all compressed into a fabulous sounding five-hour session, the Wine School is hosted in the beautiful cellars of Berry Bros & Rudd's historic St James’ HQ. The day starts with a two-hour deep dive into different pairs of wines, served blind, looking at key grape varieties and their regions, with your tutor helping you to compare and contrast them, focusing on things like climate, the country where the grapes were grown, and all elements in the glass. After such an enjoyable and educational experience, you head off for a four course lunch with wine pairings to put all you’ve learned to the test. I think it’s a brilliant present for anyone who enjoys their wine."

More information at bbr.com

Bethanie Summerfield

Marketing and Events Manager

"I would love a set of four 7oz coffee mugs with hand-painted gold handles from Feldspar. They are beautifully simple, and I love their timeless aesthetic. They would look so elegant on a breakfast table and would bring such joy to my daily coffee ritual."

£130 for four at feldspar.studio

Willow Dawes

Corporate Affairs Team Assistant

"Chocolate connoisseurs, behold Charbonnel et Walker’s exquisite 'Victorian Dresser Gift Box with Drawers', the pièce de résistance of all chocolatey dreams! Not only is it a thing of beauty to look at, but the act of opening one of the drawers is a treat in itself. Fighting off the inevitable eagle eyes of the family will be a challenge this Christmas."

£300 at charbonnel.co.uk

Harriet Gilbert-Savage

Content and Membership Intern

"I would love a ticket to this winter's production of A Christmas Carol at Walpole cultural member, The Old Vic. I adore going to the theatre at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas; the clouds of perfume, the rustling of showtime nibbles, and the rising anticipation make for a perfectly festive feel."

A Christmas Carol runs until 6th January 2024 at The Old Vic, The Cut,
London SE1 8NB. oldvictheatre.com

Nick Carvell

Head of Content & Editor-at-Large

"I have reached the point in my life where I dream of having tableware that is specifically for festive celebrations – and, when it comes to glassware, no other design feels quite as Christmassy as Richard Brendon's Star Cut Cocktail Collection. Understated and timeless, but delightfully celebratory, I covet it all (of course), but especially the glorious ice bucket and mixing glass for my Christmas Eve vodka martini."

From £50 at richardbrendon.com

Isabel Stewart

Head of Events (Maternity Cover)

"For Christmas this year I would like Santa to bring me anything from Sabina Savage – ideally, anything from The Wind Horse Collection. I am a massive horse lover and this is one of the most unique and beautiful horse-focused prints I have ever seen. The cashmere shawl would be perfect to wear at the Royal Windsor Horse Show or the Longines World Championships."

£600 at sabinasavage.com

Jessica Day

Head of Membership

"I’m learning to play backgammon and would love a proper set of my own. I can’t think of anything more exquisite than an Alexandra Llewellyn piece – my favourite is the Black & White Marquetry Butterfly Set with its beautiful turquoise and mother-of-pearl playing pieces."

£13,500 at  alexandrallewellyn.com