Combining a mix of society's last word and both wit and wisdom, The Steeple Times covers food, drink and fine dining as well as luxury, travel, the arts, individuals of influence and current affairs in the United Kingdom, America and elsewhere. We are best described as being akin to "a cross between The Huffington Post and Private Eye".
The magazine's following is affluent, engaged and international. With 41% of readers coming from the UK and 38% from America, The Steeple Times also has strong presence within Canadian, Italian, German and Australian territories.
March 24, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Nine seat, thirty year old Land Rover for sale for staggering sum; a cheaper alternative at RM Sotheby’s auction (forced online because of coronavirus) is a Volkswagen ‘Thing’ With coronavirus grinding everything from the Olympics to consuming a sandwich in Pret to a halt, everyone is having to change the way they do things and … Continue reading “A Landy or a Thing?”
January 14, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
It’s no longer “Who Sloanes Wins” in Chelsea; welcome to the 2020s in SW3 – and the arrival of an age of vulgarity and coarseness Chelsea used to be the land of Peter York’s Sloane Rangers, girls in pearls and the at-that-time soon to be Princess Diana getting merry in ‘The Ad Cod.’ As … Continue reading “Chelsea’s Chicken McNugget Girls”
January 5, 2019
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples celebrates the nicknames of Chelsea’s characters but regrets that the area itself is rapidly being stripped of the very character that made it so appealing In Chelsea well-known barflies and lavish lunchers have long been given wacky nicknames. Amongst my friends and acquaintances are ‘Steve the Lunch’ (known for planning where to … Continue reading “The Collapse of Chelsea Character”
December 23, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
In the wake of a rollerblader causing a woman severe head injuries, Matthew Steeples demands ‘pavement pests’ – including those blessed scooters – be banned from spaces meant for pedestrians ‘Pavement pests’ – adults on both pavements and roads on such things as children’s pavement scooters and rollerblades and people capable of walking on … Continue reading “Punish Pavement Pests”
December 11, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Restaurateur and Chelsea beacon Michael Proudlock dies Michael Proudlock left this earth in a fashion befitting of a bon viveur. After a “lavish lunch” at PJ’s on Tuesday 4th December, this renowned restaurateur returned to his home and sadly passed away. Old Etonian Proudlock – a fixture at first La Brasserie and … Continue reading “Proudly Proudlock”
September 10, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Chelsea estate agent optimistically markets an £850 per week house with unpainted walls and an exposed gas meter by announcing: “It does have a new boiler” Other than the legendary Roy Brooks, the only honest man in his game, estate agents will be optimistic about just about anything. A bit of damp: “no problem”; … Continue reading “A Rental Ruin”
September 4, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
“Famously haunted” Chelsea townhouse once home to ‘Rule, Britannia!’ and ‘A-Hunting We Will Go’ composer Thomas Arne and later Shakespearean actress Dame Ellen Terry for sale A Grade II* listed Georgian house on Kings Road in Chelsea, London that has gone on sale comes with links to not only the composer Thomas Arne (1710 … Continue reading “Rule, Britannia!”
June 7, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Artist Enzina Fuschini showcases her take on Theresa May at an exhibition in Chelsea; the work is supposedly anything but political Italian artist and designer Enzina Fuschini held a press preview for her ‘Impact’ exhibition at Chelsea’s 508 Gallery on the Kings Road last night. Aside from eleven 100cm by 100cm oil on … Continue reading “A Take On Theresa”
May 29, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Kensington and Chelsea – The land of the ‘have-a-lots’ and the ‘have-nothing-at-alls’; an example of a contrast too far The mere mention of the area of Kensington and Chelsea brings all sorts of connotations: One thinks of the Albert Hall and Hyde Park, Harrods and Harvey Nicks and one imagines affluence and culture. Here … Continue reading “A Land of Contrasts”
May 12, 2017
by General
Thieving Chelsea based trollop Carina Reid was labeled “arrogant”, “extremely boorish” and a fraudster by a judge in May 2017. Often spotted in the now defunct La Brasserie restaurant, this tarty so-called beautician was jailed for three years in May 2016 and ordered to pay back £50,000 she’d falsely claimed in benefits a year later. … Continue reading “Carina Reid”
May 8, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Apartment in mansion block in Sloane Square for sale for £6.2 million in spite of needing updating; it is within the building from which a Mayor of Chelsea lived and departed to his death on RMS Titanic A third floor flat in a portered mansion block on Sloane Square has gone on sale for … Continue reading “Take Me To The Titanic”
May 4, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition The first ever ‘selfie’ was supposedly taken on the roof of the Marceau studio on Fifth Avenue in New York. Featuring a photographer named Joseph Byron and his colleagues, the image was captured in December 1920 and now, … Continue reading “The Commerce of Selfies”
March 24, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Chelsea locals bemoan the loss of their community gathering point Last night at The Enterprise in Walton Street, a group of bereft locals gathered to hold a wake in honour of the demise of their favoured meeting spot, La Brasserie. No one present denied the fact that there are plenty of other bars … Continue reading “The Community Conundrum”
December 4, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
New series contrasting the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ begins with Sloane Rangers Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Lady Diana Spencer used to drink at The Admiral Codrington whilst Sloanes named Perdita and Peregrine downed gin like it was water in The Australian in Milner Street. Loud braces and yellow cords … Continue reading “Old and New – Sloanes”
October 21, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
A private view of the works of Lincoln Townley at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea Described as “the new Andy Warhol” by the actor Michael Caine, acclaimed artist Lincoln Townley’s works were displayed at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea on Wednesday 19th October. To welcome the exhibition, a party was held to mark the … Continue reading “The New Andy Warhol”
April 22, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Remembering one of London’s great ladies, Marisa Masters
March 14, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Hunter wellington boots created for the Boat Races go on sale for £100 per pair
December 29, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Uncovered Chelsea parking space for sale for a staggering £70,000
December 20, 2015
by Claire Rubinstein
Claire Rubinstein selects five items that sophisticated ladies will crave this Christmas
December 11, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Low-built £11.95 million Belgravia residence created by merging two properties into one is illustrative of how the total housing stock in the city’s most elite areas is being depleted
September 30, 2015
August 21, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Playboys swarming the streets of SW3 have turned Brompton Cross into the Arabian answer to Oxford Circus
April 16, 2015
April 5, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Sir Christopher and Lady Meyer put their Chelsea townhouse up for sale for £2.3 million more than was asked when they bought it in 2013 – The catch? It’s next door to a kebab shop
January 11, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Plated X: 15 more of the best plates spotted by readers of ‘The Steeple Times’
September 22, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks writer, poet and photographer Amanda Eliasch: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
September 20, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples reviews Chelsea townhouse hotel San Domenico House San Domenico House is a hidden secret; a small hotel that’s physically minutes from the bustle of Sloane Square yet literally a world away from it.
August 4, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Skin care muggers shockingly set up shop the Kings Road What on earth is Earl Cadogan thinking? Two companies anyone sensible would avoid have been allowed to open up opposite one another on the Kings Road. How on earth did the area’s biggest landlord allow this travesty to happen?
July 29, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Small, unmodernised former home of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh for sale for the extraordinary figure of £7.5 million Built in 1850, Durham Cottage in Christchurch Street, Chelsea is a house “hidden behind a high dusty brick wall” that was the love nest of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh between 1937 and 1956. Now, in … Continue reading “Larry and Leigh’s love nest”
July 13, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
‘Made in Chelsea’ tours and chain stores have taken the place of Led Zeppelin and Sloane Rangers on London’s Kings Road The Kings Road was famous as the centre of counterculture in the 1960s and 1970s. It subsequently became gentrified in the 1980s and 1990s but now is primarily dominated by the outlets of … Continue reading “Made in chains”
March 16, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
This thrice married aristocrat and landowner allegedly once said that he prefers the company of horses to people. After dining in a Sloane Square restaurant that served food that wasn’t to his liking, Earl Cadogan – a first cousin of the Aga Khan – revoked their lease in 2010 and also tried to give his … Continue reading “Charles Cadogan, The Rt. Hon. the 8th Earl Cadogan, KBE, DL”
March 13, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
A round up of the moves of the newsworthy in the world of hospitality Too expensive to run? Financier Adrian Burford once told a court: “I make no apology for being quite expensive to run”. He invested some £1.1 million buying shares in the Sushinho Japanese-Mexican restaurant on the Kings Road. The company’s website … Continue reading “Moving on: March 2014”
December 30, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Central London is losing its character A house in Pelham Street for £105 million, Tamara Ecclestone spends £1 million on a bathtub and Made in Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews racks up a bar bill of £450,000. These are all headlines we’ve featured recently that illustrate the nonsensical world that has become The Royal Borough of … Continue reading “Naff off”
December 20, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The not guilty verdict in the case of the former assistants to Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson’s highlights nothing but the mess that was their marriage #TeamNigella has trended on Twitter in recent weeks. Even the Prime Minister joined in. Few have leapt to the defence of the television presenter’s former husband, Charles Saatchi, … Continue reading “#TeamTrouble”
December 4, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Late at night, the Kings Road and Sloane Square are the haunts of this eccentric singer of sorts. She favours the outside seating at Colbert but doesn’t venture indoors and rather likes Chelsea Fire Station too. Speak to her and expect a barrage of commentary. She never asks for money.
November 9, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Our agony aunt doesn’t mince her words and makes The Sun’s “Dear Deidre” seem tame. She whips those who write to her into submissiveness and believes that whilst Essex girls are “like mopeds: you may not like to be seen with them but they are much more fun to ride” Chelsea girls are “like cream: … Continue reading “Mrs MILF”
September 30, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
WPP backed CHI&Partners acquires stake in Halpern The world of public relations can be fickle and few who work in it command the level of respect that Jenny Halpern Prince has built up since she founded Halpern on her kitchen table in 1992. Today, in an email newsletter, it was announced that a stake … Continue reading “Halpern gets a little more CHI”
September 29, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
John Stoddart features at forthcoming STRARTA Art Fair at the Saatchi Gallery A new art fair is launching at Chelsea’s Saatchi Gallery from the 10th to the 13th October. Amongst those whose works will be showcased is a favourite of The Steeple Times, photographer John Stoddart.
September 23, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
New £354,000 Route Master bus crashes on Chelsea Bridge Road on second day in service On Saturday, on seeing one of Boris Johnson’s new Route Master buses on the Kings Road, I commented about how impressive this vehicle was. Little did I expect, therefore, that only a day later, the very same vehicle would … Continue reading “Out routed”
June 13, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Living on a small scale in Central London Space is at a premium in Central London, so here we share five of the best one bedroom apartments currently on the market. Prices range from £725,000 to an astounding £6,950,000. B.03.3, One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge, SW1X – £6,950,000 The highest priced apartment in this … Continue reading “Five of the best: Compact living”
June 10, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Company director Adrian Burford accused of stealing £12.5 million from his own company Adrian Burford was a man who liked the good life. He lived in a £9.3 million mansion in the Cotswolds, spent £1.1 million buying shares in the Sushinho restaurant on London’s Kings Road and £26,000 on wines. It now transpires that … Continue reading “Where there’s brass, there’s muck”
June 8, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
What has become of the former entertainer Michael Barrymore? Shamed television personality Michael Barrymore has reinvented himself. In Prince Charles like fashion, the former Strike it Lucky star has begun a new career talking to plants at a garden centre in Brentwood, Essex.
May 30, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This creepy, permatanned ‘queen’ of the antiques trade claims to have blue blood on his mother’s side. Aside from appearing on the ‘mahogany skinned’ David Dickinson’s Real Deal television programme, Ian Towning once attempted to launch a pen for left-handed writers. He is often spotted promenading the Kings Road – from where he operates a … Continue reading “Ian Towning”
May 14, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Lady Meyer applies to build a “closet wing” The wife of the former ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer, once described as “Chanel-clad” by The Telegraph, has applied to The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea to build a number of closets at a property she recently purchased just off the Kings Road.
May 13, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
“Made in Chelsea” wins a BAFTA Made in Chelsea won a BAFTA last night for the Best Reality and Constructed Factual show. Many wondered why.
May 11, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
30 of the best number plates sighted by Matthew Steeples Our readers and followers love the number plates spotted by our editor Matthew Steeples.
May 10, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Famous simply for being thrown out of Waitrose in Kings Road because of his helping hands and also for his daily dance on the steps of Patara in Fulham Road, little else is known about this Chelsea eccentric. Goodness knows what’s hidden inside the flasher mac The Waitrose Clepto generally sports.
April 27, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks author, designer and band manager Sasha Reid: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? “Anything is possible”. I love knowing that you can take a little idea and create anything out of it. The possibilities are endless. “Don’t get even, get medieval” … Continue reading “Sasha Reid: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
April 7, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Forthcoming restaurant openings in Chelsea The restaurant business is a transient place and it seems no more so than in Chelsea. Places come and go here and though there are a number of mainstays that have lasted for a considerable length of time, some last barely even two years. Beauchamp Place, commonly known … Continue reading “New openings in SW3”
March 24, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
What has become of the world’s most famous intern Monica Lewinsky? Monica Lewinsky, it seems, is making a return to public life. The world’s most famous intern was spotted at the birthday party of Heather Kerzner at the Downton Mayfair restaurant last Tuesday night. In the company of amongst others the Duchess of York, … Continue reading ““Where are they now?” – Monica Lewinsky”
March 16, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Mid Devon District Council ban the use of apostrophes in street signage First, Waterstone’s announced that they’d be ditching the apostrophe in their name to become Waterstones and now Mid Devon District Council are embarking on the same ludicrous course of action with regard to street signs. Stating that they wish to “reduce … Continue reading “Out of their class”
March 14, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Fever-Tree sells a 25% stake for £12 million In recent years, the premium spirits market has boomed in both Britain and America. Drinkers have traded up and become more and more demanding in their choices. Spirits brands have seized on this trend and created what they claim to be better products and enclosed them … Continue reading “Just the tonic”
March 10, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
What has become of the “love rat” James Hewitt? In the first of a new series, we seek to find out what has become of well-known individuals who have faded into obscurity or moved on into others arenas. Our first subject, James Hewitt, will forever be remembered for two things: One will be … Continue reading ““Where are they now?” – James Hewitt”
March 4, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks artist Anna-Louise Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? My old headmaster Peter Pyemont once said in a Friday assembly: “The more you put into life, the more you get out of it”. I have lived by those words ever since. … Continue reading “Anna-Louise Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
February 27, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks “Made in Chelsea’s” Jane Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? My conscience. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Revenge is a dish best served cold.
February 18, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks matchmaker Deborah Walker: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? ‘The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible”.
December 31, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Parrot Man is often to be spotted in London’s Fulham Road with his glorious birds.
November 12, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A gent who operated by routine, whisky and 40 cigarettes a day. This clubman’s knowledge of London history was phenomenal and he was dedicated to his role as parish clerk at St. Michael’s Cornhill. Gaze, a Russian icon dealer with a shop in the Piccadilly Arcade, lived a life full of dramas that included being … Continue reading “John Gaze (1947 – 2011)”
November 10, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A home suitable for James Bond The latest James Bond film Skyfall is the talk of the town and it’s received many a rave review. The fictional James Bond allegedly lived in Royal Avenue, off the Kings Road in SW3, but if he were looking for a house today, we think 9 Hillgate Street … Continue reading “Bond’s base”
November 4, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This Texan born designer and film director turned around the fortunes of Gucci and YSL and had a huge success with A Single Man. A fixture at New York’s Studio 54, his designs are hugely influenced by the club’s disco-era glamour and his love of all things black and square. Ford met his journalist partner, … Continue reading “Tom Ford”
November 3, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The flexible £12.75 million former home of Tom Ford Number 26 Gilston Road in London’s SW10 is a property that has been on and off the market repeatedly in recent years. On each and every occasion it has been promoted as the “former home of the fashion icon Tom Ford” and though he hasn’t … Continue reading “Post-Fordism”
November 2, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A £15 million mansion fit for a self-made tycoon or an upwardly mobile WAG While the youth of the Kings Road and Loughton have featured in the reality shows Made in Chelsea and The Only Way is Essex, their counterparts in Cheshire have yet to undergo the same social experiment. Having come across a … Continue reading “Windows on the WAGs”
September 25, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The deportation of Abu Hamza and the story of Hassan Butt It’s taken far too long but thankfully the day of Abu Hamza al-Masri’s deportation has arrived. This evil one-eyed Egyptian-born Sunni preacher, best known for his hateful views and involvement in terrorism, has been in prison in Britain since 2004 and is now … Continue reading “Hook off”
July 11, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This American makes Nell Gwynn seem positively tame. The daughter of the ex-chief of Barclay’s bank, Bob, doesn’t like being confused with the singer Neil Diamond but does enjoy discussing sex on Twitter. When she’s not hanging with Lauren Bush Lauren, this cool is kid is either shopping on the Kings Road or raising funds … Continue reading “Nell Diamond”
May 30, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
“The Voice of Racing” was undoubtedly the most charming gent in England and was the first sports broadcaster to have been knighted.
April 29, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Married to the daughter of the 17th Duke of Norfolk, Lady Carina Fitzalan-Howard, Sir David Frost was the only person to have interviewed eight serving British Prime Ministers and seven US presidents in office.
April 28, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A fantasist of the first order, Nadine Milroy-Sloan invented a tale of being raped by Neil and Christine Hamilton and sold her story to a national newspaper with the help of the since convicted sexual abuser Max Clifford. She went to jail in 2003 and then thankfully faded into obscurity. In September 2014, this lunatic sadly reappeared … Continue reading “Nadine Milroy-Sloan (AKA “Emily Checksfield”, née Nadine Checksfield)”
by General
Mary Quant is credited as the creator of the miniskirt, hot pants and most intriguingly duvet covers. This diminutive fashion designer also designed the interior of the Mini Quant back in 1988 but is now most likely to be spotted in La Brasserie in Brompton Cross. She married her business partner, Alexander Plunket-Greene, in 1953 and … Continue reading “Dame Mary Quant DBE FSCD (also known as Barbara Mary Plunket Greene)”
April 27, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Eternally cheerful survivors. They’re amongst the few who’ve beaten both Max Clifford and speed cameras. No one ever guesses what they’ll do next.
