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.
December 26, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Should there be a blue plaque in honour of the controversial explorer Gertrude Bell in Cadogan Square in spite of the fact she did not actually “live” there? Today, in The Guardian, arts correspondent Mark Brown reported on the controversy that has arisen as a result of English Heritage deciding it appropriate to approve … Continue reading “Gertrude Bell did NOT live here”
September 10, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Will ‘more toff than tough’ Geordie Greig take the ‘Daily Mail’ into the realm of rational? Matthew Steeples suggests that’s as likely as Jacob Rees-Mogg donning a Kappa tracksuit and dancing a jig with Diane Abbott Yesterday, in an opinion piece for The Guardian, Jane Martinson claimed new editor of the Daily Mail Geordie … Continue reading “The Gamble of Greig”
November 27, 2017
by General
Aside from spending more time in television studios than working for the good of her constituents, this crow-like creature is a “hard Brexiteer” with a penchant for claiming expenses for a second home despite representing a North London constituency. Bombastic to her core and a one-time friend of the “arse grabber” Brian Coleman, Theresa Villiers … Continue reading “The Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP (AKA ‘The Telegraph Crow’)”
September 19, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Vast Georgian village house in Oxfordshire for sale for £4.25 million A Grade II* listed, mid-18th century village house in Adderbury, Oxfordshire has just gone on sale for £4.25 million ($5.74 million, €4.79 million or درهم21.10 million) after fifty years in the same family. Providing a total of 11,290 square foot of accommodation … Continue reading “A Big House”
July 19, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Oxford’s only Strawberry Hill Gothic house for £2.15 million in spite of needing complete renovation A house built in the Strawberry Hill Gothic style in Oxford has gone on sale for £2.15 million ($2.80 million, €2.43 million or درهم10.29 million) in spite of needing complete renovation. Constructed circa 1840 – 1850 on the … Continue reading “Gothic Grandeur”
May 27, 2017
by General
With such a name, this suave gent just had to design landmarks. University of Westminster educated and Hampshire based Robert Adam (born 1948) followed his more famous namesake (1728 – 1792) and became a designer of “progressive neo-classical style buildings” in 1975. He won “the richest prize in architecture” in January 2017 and counts the … Continue reading “Robert Adam”
May 21, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
As Theresa May’s lead in the poll halves and Jamie Oliver criticizes her policy on universal free school lunches for infants, we call on voters to act with their feet and remind the Tory leader that moderates still deserve to be heard There’s no point denying Theresa May will win on the 8th June … Continue reading “A Milder May”
May 12, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
£144,000 per year sought for Oxfordshire mansion that was the scene of a most curious ménage-a-trois; it is owned by the writer Sofka Zinovieff “Tall and willowy” writer Sofka Zinovieff inherited Faringdon House in Oxfordshire at the age of 25 from her eccentric, bisexual uncle, Robert ‘The Mad Boy’ Heber-Percy, partner of the owner … Continue reading “Fun at Faringdon”
May 4, 2017
by General
A 20-question interview with English born, Los Angeles based actor and musician Jack Turner The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Treat people well. Try and learn your blind spots. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Be nice, but don’t … Continue reading “Jack Turner – What’s on your mantelpiece?”
April 30, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
In April 2017, esteemed actress Miriam Margolyes described Theresa May as “that awful woman” and hinted that she had little-to-any enthusiasm for Jeremy Corbyn’s “hell of a mess” also. In the same interview, in her “distinctive voice”, she added: “It is the job of the arts to engage in life… That’s what I care about”. … Continue reading “Miriam Margolyes OBE”
April 4, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Untouched North Yorkshire estate with 2,116 acres and 44 houses for sale for £20 million for the first time in 150 years
March 14, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Hunter wellington boots created for the Boat Races go on sale for £100 per pair
February 12, 2016
by General
Known primarily for posing in his underpants on a gay dating site and for the utterly ridiculous assessment that Delilah is a song about the murder of a prostitute, Chris Bryant is one of the most pointless MPs ever.
February 3, 2016
by General
The founder of Narcissus Arts began his career at Haunch of Venison, White Cube and Christie’s.
December 4, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times’ first panel debate at the Library members’ club featured four art experts and the question: “What makes art sell?”
November 23, 2015
by General
‘The Steeple Times’ invites readers to attend its first panel debate and drinks reception where the topic will be: “What makes art sell?”
June 19, 2015
by General
Oxford educated actor, writer and co-creator of the comedy series Doll & Em Emily Mortimer is the daughter of the Rumpole of the Bailey creator Sir John Mortimer
June 3, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
An evening showcase of Chavín Jewellery with a barbecue by Le ‘Bab
May 29, 2015
by General
‘The Steeple Times’ asks banker and author David Gigauri: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
by General
Termed “the first female oligarch”, Goga Ashkenazi made her first fortune in oil and gas before moving into fashion after buying Vionnet in 2012.
May 24, 2015
by General
Oxford educated petrolhead HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan al-Saud is married to the Duke of Northumberland’s niece and counts Jeremy Clarkson amongst his friends.
May 21, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Five British mansions that require new owners with bottomless pockets for sale at prices from £950,000 to over £10 million
by Matthew Steeples
Running shoes in which Sir Roger Bannister became the first man to run a sub four-minute mile to be sold for £30,000 to £50,000 in the Christie’s ‘Out of the Ordinary’ sale
May 9, 2015
April 25, 2015
by General
The Steeple Times asks Isle of Wight born producer and scriptwriter Dominic Minghella: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
April 14, 2015
by General
Eton and Oxford educated paedophile Lord Boothby was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Winston Churchill from 1926 to 1929.
March 21, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
As Bob Diamond’s wife prepares to host a fundraiser for a Democratic candidate, we ponder whether his daughter will be tweeting about it
February 24, 2015
by General
The only grandchild of Oscar Wilde, Merlin Holland has spent his life researching the writer and playwright and poet’s life.
February 22, 2015
by General
The Oxford educated son of the acclaimed painter Felix Topolski, Daniel Topolski was a champion rower and rowing coach.
by General
Crossbench peer Susan Greenfield is a scientist, writer and broadcaster who is credited with having “made science sexy”.
February 1, 2015
by General
A Belgian fantasist, Oliver Trusgnach falsely accused a former Belgian prime minister of abuse before becoming an £18,500 per year antiques gallery manager in Witney, Oxfordshire in 2000.
January 17, 2015
by General
This English “social reformer” became the first British-born person of Chinese origin to enter the House of Lords in June 2010.
January 8, 2015
by General
The favourite child of the crooked newspaper tycoon ‘Bouncing Bob’ Maxwell, New York based Ghislaine Maxwell has been described as “smart, funny, beaut[iful], kind and sarcastic”
September 24, 2014
by General
Julian Fellowes cast Theo James as the Turkish diplomat Kemal Pamuk in the first season of Downton Abbey and swiftly killed him off in a sex scene
September 23, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
The BBC’s Jo Coburn is one of the presenters of the Daily Politics. This experienced London based political sage has some 7,000 followers on Twitter and was educated at the University of Manchester and the University of Oxford. She began her career in community radio and hopes to end it as “a foreign correspondent either … Continue reading “Joanne Coburn (AKA “Jo” Coburn)”
September 22, 2014
by General
Oxford educated Kate Williams is an expert on royal history. A television presenter and author, Williams has over 10,000 followers on Twitter and has been described as “an outstanding talent” by Matthew D’Ancona. She is based in London and her works include The Pleasures of Men, Becoming Queen and England’s Mistress.
September 17, 2014
by General
Oxford educated Ivan Pun is plainly someone the party crasher David Pun would love to be. He features on Town & Country’s ‘Most Eligible Bachelors’ list, is described as liking “the international party circuit” and works in his father’s property development business, Serge Pun Associates (SPA), as head of corporate development. Yangon based and a … Continue reading “Ivan Pun”
September 16, 2014
by General
With her late husband, Lady Wolfson was and remains as one of the UK’s leading philanthropists. The Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation provides around £35 million per year “to support scientific and medical research, education and the arts” and this fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge; King’s College, London; University College, London; the Ashmolean, … Continue reading “Lady Wolfson”
September 8, 2014
September 5, 2014
by James Murphy
James Murphy lauds Roald Dahl as a literary hero My last article focused on Ian Fleming and Roald Dahl provides a natural sequel. Like Fleming, Dahl’s work continues to film and television from beyond his grave.
August 26, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
This British Army officer served in the Boer, First World and Second World Wars. He was shot in the face twice in WWI and lost his left eye and was shot once through the skull, hip, leg, ankle and ear. In 1915, he lost his left hand and tore off his own fingers after a … Continue reading “Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart VC, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO (1880 – 1963)”
August 25, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks the renowned British television producer Charlie Parsons: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
July 19, 2014
by James Murphy
James Murphy examines his romantic heroes, Ian Fleming and James Bond I was privileged to attend the recent Masterpiece art and antiques fair in Chelsea. For me, the undoubted highlight was coming face to face with the letters of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, on Peter Harrington’s stand.
July 9, 2014
by steepleadmin
The Steeple Times asks author of “Rowing Blazers” Jack Carlson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Creativity and persistence. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Aut viam inveniam aut faciam: “Either I shall find a … Continue reading “Jack Carlson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
April 6, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
2012 Boat Race protestor Trenton Oldfield tweets ‘The Steeple Times’ Trenton Oldfield will only ever be remembered for one thing: wrecking the 2012 Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. Ahead of today’s race, this “activist” tweeted us to complain that we were “a little obsessed” with him. We can confirm that we are not in the slightest … Continue reading “Trenton bleats”
March 29, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
James Murphy leaps to the defence of Gwyneth Paltrow You’ve heard the news: Gwyneth Paltrow is ‘consciously uncoupling’ from Chris Martin. It’s only human to be interested. We are conditioned towards prurience. In the case of Gwyneth Paltrow, however, it’s personal, pernicious and pervasive. The poor woman has been hounded by a sinister reflection … Continue reading “In defence of Gwyneth Paltrow”
February 27, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
1964 Bentley S3 Continental coupé to be auctioned by Bonhams The late Alan Whicker numbered amongst those to have owned a Bentley S3 Continental coupé and now a fine example is to be auctioned by Bonhams
December 29, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
20 questions with food writer and car collector Morgan Murphy The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Bourbon and bacon, which is, by the way, the title of my next book coming out from Time Inc. next year. No, it’s not a diet book. “Don’t get even, get medieval” … Continue reading “Morgan Murphy: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
November 28, 2013
by General
A self-proclaimed “Domestic Goddess”, Lawson was rebranded a “habitual criminal” during the trial of her two former assistants in November 2013. In an email quoted during the case, her ex-husband, Charles Saatchi, nicknamed her “Higella” and alleged his wife “poisoned [her] child with drugs and trashed her life”. In response, amongst those who leapt to … Continue reading “The Hon. Nigella Lawson”
November 5, 2013
by James Murphy
James Murphy reviews ‘Thor: The Dark World’ and ‘The Fifth Estate’ Thor: The Dark World and The Fifth Estate are two movies that do not seem ripe for comparison at first glance. Their genres – one based upon fact, one in fiction – antipathetic; their motivations disparate – one aims to entertain; the other … Continue reading “Dark Estates”
September 13, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
One of Chelsea’s most important modernist houses comes to the market Built for the parliamentarian and playwright Benn Levy and his actress wife and designed by the Bauhaus school founder Walter Gropius, 66 Old Church Street is one of Chelsea’s most significant modernist houses. It’s no wonder that, even though in need of renovation, … Continue reading “If I Were You”
August 22, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
British born, American raised, Miller rose to fame in the Fox Network series Prison Break. A Princeton graduate, the actor turned screenwriter used the pseudonym Ted Foulke to write Stoker and Uncle Charlie and came out as gay in August 2013 in a letter posted on GLAAD’s website where he declined to attend a film … Continue reading “Wentworth Miller III”
August 19, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This author and co-founder of the Orange Prize for Literature must often find people confusing her with the model of the same name. Most famous for her international bestseller novel Labyrinth, Mosse is a lynchpin of the “Chichester set”. She has an honorary degree from her hometown’s university and set up the Chichester Writing Festival … Continue reading “Katherine “Kate” Mosse OBE”
August 2, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Trolls complain about Doreen Lawrence’s elevation to the peerage Yesterday, we added the newly ennobled Baroness Lawrence OBE to our roll call of campaigners. Today, we’ve been inundated by tweets from those who disapprove of this move.
July 14, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This real life ‘M’ is a former Minister of State for Security and Counter Terrorism and has also been a BBC Governor and Chairman of the British Joint Intelligence Committee. Oxford educated Neville-Jones is said to be “sparky” and collects antiques and enjoys cooking and gardening. Dame Judi Dench could quite easily be her body … Continue reading “The Rt. Hon. the Baroness Neville-Jones DCMG PC”
June 22, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A review of Gilpin’s Gin and a call to save juniper This week it was reported that there’s a crisis in the world of gin. Juniper, the plant that provides the botanical essential to create this remarkable spirit, is threatened by loss of habitat and a deadly new fungus.
May 10, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This “avid bee-keeper” is the main presenter of BBC Radio 4’s World At One. When interviewed by The Guardian in 2011, Oxford educated Kearney stated: “I wouldn’t think of myself as a Loose Woman”. We’re glad to hear it. This voice of reason is indeed far from that.
May 7, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The sale of a £400,000 castle owned by a man who was an inspiration for the creation of James Bond’s nom de plume Sir Hilary Bray, Bt and for many elements of 007’s character also Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees (1925 – 2012) is largely thought of as the man whose persona Ian Fleming … Continue reading “Lord of the Bond”
May 4, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This British radio presenter, journalist and author is a much respected and reassuring voice of reason. Whilst at Oxford she was the librarian of the Oxford Union and then wrote a travel book, One Summer’s Grace, based on a 1,700 mile sailing journey she made around Britain with children aged three and five in 2002. … Continue reading “Libby Purves OBE”
March 18, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks author Alex Preston: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Books, cooks and good looks. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? “Do no harm; or if you do, make sure it’s beautiful … Continue reading “Alex Preston: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
March 12, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The future for red telephone boxes The red telephone box is something that tourists often cite as being symbolic of Britain. Just like the red London bus and the red pillar box, though, these Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed kiosks are sadly disappearing from our streets. Killed by the mobile phone revolution, … Continue reading “BT phone home”
March 4, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This talented Oxford educated author is a former credit derivatives trader who is now regular on BBC2’s The Review Show. This Bleeding City, his first novel, was based on his own working experiences and analyses how the financial crash could be seen as “our subconscious revenge, our way of bringing down the system that had … Continue reading “Alex Preston”
February 5, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks “super-tutor” Topes Calland: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force? The mantra I use with my students is: “clarity, confidence, creativity”. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? “Neither here nor there”, because … Continue reading “Topes Calland: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
February 1, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Some say he died in 2009, others, including the Serious Fraud Office, suspect he’s hiding out in the rainforests of Borneo. This bankrupted businessman was best known for drinking red wine from a teapot at breakfast and for his public spats with Egon Ronay, Richard Desmond, Lord Rothschild and Ernest Saunders. He met his wife, … Continue reading “David Elias”
December 4, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Undoubtedly best known as one of the greatest actresses of the post-war period, Yorkshire born Dench briefly played Pru Forrest in the BBC’s The Archers. She’s an advocate for “more progressive drug policies” and only took the role of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Pride & Prejudice after director Joe Wright wrote to her and … Continue reading “Dame Judi Dench CH, DBE, FRSA”
November 20, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A marine residence with a history tied to the Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy, the Special Operations Executive and Babycham The House on the Shore on Thorns Beach at Beaulieu in Hampshire is a home that wouldn’t look out of place in the Hamptons or Rhode Island. Dramatically situated next to the Solent waters to … Continue reading “Ecstasy and Babycham”
