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.
April 4, 2020
by Matthew Steeples
Converted church in Knightsbridge has its asking price cut by £11 million during the coronavirus lockdown; its price is still 340% higher than it sold for in 2003 In December, we featured the launch to the market of a £55 million property in Walton Street, Knightsbridge. Now, in the midst of London’s coronavirus lockdown, just … Continue reading “A Corona Cut Church”
August 29, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Competition to win a Knightsbridge flat for £10 per ticket neglects to mention its former occupier, a convicted ‘gay sex plot’ royal blackmailer who died in 2016 Increasingly, with sellers unable to offload prime properties due to Theresa May’s inability to secure any kind of Brexit deal and the ongoing effects of former Chancellor … Continue reading “Win a Knightsbridge Flat (with a Shady Past)”
February 18, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
London has simply become a money park for dodgy money and though ‘McMafia’ reflected elements of that, the truth is far more depressing Since the 1st January, the nation was engrossed (though many were also totally bored) by the BBC’s eight-part drama series McMafia. Based on a fictional – though plainly inspired by … Continue reading “McMoneya”
January 15, 2018
by Matthew Steeples
Half price bottles of wine at The Enterprise during January; price per bottle starts at £9.98 per bottle The Enterprise in Walton Street, Chelsea is an institution that locals know and love. The staff and management are charming, the atmosphere is fun and the food and drink superlative. For the whole of January, … Continue reading “A Wine Winner”
September 9, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Convoy of five yellow Lamborghinis spotted cruising around Kensington and Chelsea Someone once said: “Work until you feel a Lamborghini is cheap” and plainly the owner of a convoy currently in London has exactly that attitude. Pictured here on Brompton Road opposite the former premises of La Brasserie, a fleet of five yellow … Continue reading “Gaining a Lambo (or five)”
March 31, 2017
by General
Clangers overheard and snippets spotted by readers of ‘The Steeple Times’ Ferry & Yah A PR maven at the Chiltern Firehouse loudly spoke into her mobile. She speedily told the person at the other end of the line: “Bryan Ferry is amazing. Yah. Super yah… I saw his son in 5 Hertford Street. That … Continue reading “Overheard – 31st March”
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”
March 23, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
The closure of La Brasserie in Chelsea should send a signal to greedy landlords; their avarice is killing London There are restaurants that come and go and there are ones that become institutions. La Brasserie fell into the second category but sadly, yesterday, after 45 years in business, this popular dining spot closed its … Continue reading “The Loss of La Bras”
December 15, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
EXCLUSIVE – Chelsea restaurant Itsu set to close its doors for the final time Itsu in Walton Street, Chelsea is set to close its doors shortly for the last time shortly due to rocketing rents. Described by The Telegraph as a “timeless social hot spot for women in fur boots who can’t move … Continue reading “Itsu’s Over”
September 29, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
The most vulgar numberplate in Britain arrives in SW3 Yesterday, in Walton Street, a Rolls-Royce parked opposite Scalini restaurant. There was nothing unusual about that but it’s point of difference was its numberplate. The owner of the car had chosen ‘SH10W OF’ and in doing so simply illustrated his or herself for what … Continue reading “The No. 1 Showoff”
September 11, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Six storey Chelsea house for sale for 268% more than it sold for in 2007 Last sold for a total of £5,025,000 million ($6,668,000 or €5,936,000) in 2007, 37–39 Walton Street in Chelsea was formed by the merger of two townhouses that has created an 6,294 square foot home complete with the addition of … Continue reading “Raising Walton Street”
April 14, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Former home of ‘Don who’s Donna at night’ for sale for £3 million – in spite of the fact it needs renovation
March 24, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
Tiny maisonette in Knightsbridge goes on the market for the ridiculous sum of £850,000 (despite having just 33 years remaining on its lease)
January 18, 2016
by General
One of five children of an exiled prince and hedgefunder and an American heiress, Her Royal Highness Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark was born in New York and grew up in Cheyne Walk in London.
September 20, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Chef and Palestine on a Plate app creator Joudie Kalla shares her recipe for apple cake crumble
August 21, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Playboys swarming the streets of SW3 have turned Brompton Cross into the Arabian answer to Oxford Circus
June 27, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Unmodernised Knightsbridge flat for sale for the equivalent of a staggering £1,500 per day
June 10, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
‘The Steeple Times’ asks the Palestinian chef and author of ‘Palestine on A Plate’ Joudie Kalla: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
June 1, 2015
by Joudie Kalla
Chef and Palestine on a Plate app creator Joudie Kalla shares a recipe for chocolate truffles
May 21, 2015
by Joudie Kalla
Chef and Palestine on a Plate app creator Joudie Kalla shares a recipe for steak tartare that she was introduced to at the Hotel De Vigny in Paris
April 27, 2015
by General
It’s Christmas every day for this bearded giant. Generally spotted in the pubs of South Kensington and always on his own, Kensington Claus has favoured drinking spots at each bar he visits
April 25, 2015
by General
A well-known fixture each and every evening at Knightsbridge restaurants including San Lorenzo and Scalini during the 1990s and 2000s
April 21, 2015
by General
On her website Nina Campbell describes herself as “one of the world’s most respected and influential interior designers” and someone with a “contagious wit and brilliant sense of style”.
April 17, 2015
by General
La Brasserie to host an evening trunk show and cocktails with Chavín Jewellery on Monday 20th April
October 1, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
This English “vlogger” is originally from Norfolk and has gained over 1.7 million subscribers since 2009.
September 1, 2014
August 6, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks The Nth Degree Club’s founder Robert Walton MBE: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
June 24, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples reviews Toto’s in Knightsbridge, London It takes something for me to be impressed with a restaurant but after three visits to the newly reopened Toto’s in Knightsbridge, I will boldly declare that I believe it to be the best opening of 2014
April 30, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
EXCLUSIVE: Antonio Carluccio involved in car crash in Walton Street, Chelsea At 5.30pm today, the well-known chef Antonio Carluccio was involved in a car crash in London’s Walton Street in his Mercedes-Benz.
April 14, 2014
April 11, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Season for rich Arabs to parade in London has begun The time has arrived; the annual invasion has begun. The streets of Belgravia, Knightsbridge and Mayfair have been taken over by Arabs and each year they come earlier and earlier.
March 31, 2014
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”
February 28, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Lord Brocket scores a success with his sausages Lord Brocket is a man best known for having buried his Ferraris in his garden. They were far from bangers but the insurance fraud that followed resulted in him being jailed for fraud for five years. Now, Lord Brocket is involved with another kind of banger: … Continue reading “Brocket’s bangers”
August 4, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Jack Vetrianno puts painting on the market (and throws in a flat) Whoever buys Scottish artist Jack Vettriano OBE’s £2 million flat in Pont Street, Knightsbridge gets not only a one bedroomed flat, but also a painting titled Suddenly Last Summer.
June 8, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
By day this Walton Street resident can be spotted drinking coffee and dressed quite conventionally. He is better known, however, for donning earrings and styling himself rather like the former Eastenders character Pat Butcher by night. His favoured watering hole was previously The Admiral Codrington but he hasn’t been seen there that often of late.
May 23, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
London restaurants where diners got more than they bargained for In the first in a series, we tell the stories of five restaurants in Central London where diners sadly got a little more than dinner. All bar Walton’s are still open.
May 10, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
“Dinky, danky, doodle, dee, I am a poet and so is she” goes his opening line. This Scot wanders the streets around Chelsea Green selling poems. “I am the magic man”, he often continues and “I could have sex with any woman I wanted” are amongst the other quotes he shares. “Dinky Danky” and his companion, … Continue reading “Martin the Poet”
April 22, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The world’s most expensive registration plate comes to London The world’s most expensive registration plate is currently gracing the streets of London on a dark red Rolls-Royce Phantom.
April 18, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A happy hour with a difference launches at The Palm in London’s Belgravia Opened in May 2009, The Palm replaced the legendary restaurant Drones of Pont Street. Amongst the original backers of Drones were David Niven Jr. and Sir Roger Moore. Nicky Kerman, a titan of the restaurant world, was another part owner. A … Continue reading “A prime bargain”
April 14, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
A monthly round up of the moves of the newsworthy Fishing around Poissonnerie on Draycott Avenue, popular with the likes of Sir Michael Caine and Sir Roger Moore, is for sale through Miles Commercial. The 6,700 square foot property, owned by respected restaurateur Peter Rosignoli, has a price tag of £14,000,000 and the agents … Continue reading “Moving on”
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”
April 3, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks nightlife entrepreneur Diego Bivero-Volpe: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Get there on time. … Continue reading “Diego Bivero-Volpe: “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.
December 31, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
He looks like a harmless old buffer but he truly isn’t. On approach, there’s always a tale of woe and then a demand for £50. His wife has died in Gloucester and he hasn’t got the train fare or he needs a hotel room for the night as his wallet was stolen. Whatever the story … Continue reading “£50 grifter”
October 19, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The latest sale of 32a Ovington Square I first visited 32a Ovington Square in September 2009. At the time, this “hidden house” was the home of Lord Carrington and it had just come on the market at a price, if I recall correctly, of circa £3,000,000. A friend was looking for somewhere … Continue reading “First Among (Not So) Equals”
May 22, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
A personal secretary to Mohamed Al Fayed whose evidence was key in the 1999 Neil Hamilton “cash for questions” libel case. This Chelsea resident brings grace and style to any gathering she attends and also has an extensive knowledge of all things operatic. An evening in Bond’s company is always a pleasure.
March 28, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Tablecloths and bedspreads from Jaipur It is always good to see a young friend launching a new business and Sophie Rossdale is a fine example of such. During a trip to India, Rossdale discovered a team of artisans who made the most appealing tablecloths and bedspreads and set about importing them into the … Continue reading “Sophie’s choice”
March 16, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The nuisance conman who pounds the streets of Kensington & Chelsea When an old man approaches you in the street complaining he’s lost his wallet or can’t afford a bed for the night, no decent person would disbelieve him or begrudge him a few pennies. On the streets of Knightsbridge, Kensington and Chelsea, … Continue reading “K&C’s £50 grifter”
