My Perfect Winter Weekend: Jenna Elsby-Bennett
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Radev Exhibiiton at the Wilson Gallery; @Rubys_Birdlip
FRIDAY
When I moved out of London, I was worried that I was leaving all the ‘cool’ culture behind, but I have discovered so many wonderful things in the Cotswolds. I now live in a little village called Birdlip, just outside Cheltenham. There’s a great pub near us called The Woolpack in the Slad Valley. It’s 300 years old and a bit of an institution that attracts lots of creative types. There’s a great art scene in the area as well, with lots of small independent galleries, artisan producers and pop-up exhibitions.
On a typical Friday night, we normally eat something easy at home. One of my favourites is a Thai chilli chicken basil dish I learned to make when I lived in Australia – it’s very easy but super warming. Then, we’ll walk to the village bar, Ruby’s, for a few casual drinks with friends to kick off the weekend. We’re lucky to have made some solid friendships in our village – it’s a proper old-school community where everyone knows each other and you always end up chatting with someone from the neighbourhood.
I also love to entertain. I own a creative agency, Studio Collective, so I always put thought into the details. I handwrite menus and place settings, create seasonal centrepieces, and stick to a cohesive theme for food and styling – whether it’s Mediterranean or based on a colour palette. I’ll also put together a playlist and make a signature cocktail to match. Meals shared with friends are my favourite, so I like to make them feel special. My chilli chicken recipe from chef Naved at Dishoom is a hit, but it’s a three-plus hour labour of love, so it’s reserved for special occasions.
Friday nights in our house are all about negronis – a ritual that marks the start of the weekend. After learning how to make the perfect negroni from mixologist Patrick Pistolesi at the Soho House Culinary Retreat in Rome, my husband and I adopted the Italian tradition of cocktails and antipasti to kick off the weekend in style.
I'm not big on going ‘out out’ these days – lockdown snapped me out of it and I don't miss it much. We might have a big night out a few times a year for special occasions. There's a great spot near us called Dunkertons, an old cider brewery and taproom that hosts live music and guest DJs throughout the year. With food trucks, good drinks and late-night dancing, it's always a fun night out.
Studio Collective; @FelixRussellSaw
SATURDAY
Saturday mornings are busy in our house. My son, Charlie, has basketball training, and my dad takes him so they can have some quality time together, leaving me with two blissful hours to myself. I usually hit the gym, followed by a sauna and steam, or my husband and I play a game of padel – we’ve recently gotten into it, though he's much better than I am! When everyone’s back, we might go for a long dog walk, and grab a coffee and pastry from Knead, our local bakery.
Weekends are all about comfort, so I will most likely have on a comfy pair of lululemon active leggings, with slouchy crew socks, my Birkenstocks, a varsity-style sweatshirt from Free People and an oversized blazer for warmth. If we’re out walking, I’m always in my trusty Sorel fluffy boots with a huge scarf and my big fluffy coat. I’m lusting after a coat from the Ganni x Barbour collaboration, so I hope to add that to my collection soon.
I love taking my time to make something indulgent for breakfast. We call a full English a ‘Belly Buster’ for obvious reasons. When it's on the menu, I get Clarence Court eggs, locally sourced in Gloucestershire – Burford Browns are our favourite for their rich yolks. I cook the eggs to order and lay everything else out on a platter for people to choose from: extra crispy smoked streaky bacon, Gloucester sausages, sourdough with salted butter, beans and avocado. Another favourite is pancakes with toppings like banana and Nutella, fresh berries, cinnamon sugar, or lemon and sugar.
Coffee is a big deal in our house. A few years ago, we invested in a Sage by Heston Blumenthal coffee machine for barista-quality coffee at home. We get our beans from a local roastery, Ethical Addictions, with the espresso duo blend as our go-to. I’m a flat white girl, but I enjoy coffee in all its forms depending on the time of day. I also love visiting the Scandinavian Coffee Pod in Cheltenham, a tiny coffee bar just off the promenade that does simple coffee really well. Sorrel Stores is another favourite – a coffee shop and wine bar that hosts lovely supper clubs in its basement. In the afternoon, I switch to earl grey, often with a ginger biscuit.
Daylesford Farm is nearby, and I’m obsessed with its Red, White & Blueberry Granola paired with its Organic Blueberry Yogurt, so I always pick some up when I visit. I also love the soups and broths for warming, nourishing winter suppers. On weekends, I head to La Boulangerie Artisan bakery at Dunkertons Estate for fresh bread and pastries – the best I’ve tasted outside of France.
Sorrell Stores; Scandinavian Coffee Pod; @LaBoulangerieArtisan
I hoard cookbooks from my travels, with some for use and others as beautiful collector’s items. Maggie’s Harvest by Maggie Beer, with its embroidered cover, is a kitchen focal point, and the recipes celebrate nature and the seasons with dishes like slow braised beef cheeks and pickled figs. Food, Fashion & Friends by Fleur Wood is also special because it was the first book I saw that focused on table design and home entertaining, not just recipes. It sparked my love for tablescaping and event styling.
I enjoy Pilates and barre, but only dip in and out at weekends as it’s hard to find the time. My husband and I head to Padel Shift at Elkstone Studios whenever we can. I also love sketching and painting in my free time, usually with a glass of wine and music in the background. We're currently renovating our home in the Cotswolds, a former Georgian guesthouse, so weekends are spent sourcing paint colours or browsing local antique emporiums. I love the Malthouse Collective in Stroud, where the stock is always changing, and you can find hidden gems.
My husband and I plan a kid-free date night or weekend once a month to do something we love, like catching a live music gig, stand-up comedy show or enjoying dinner out. Last year, we saw Olivia Dean and went to Lauryn Hill & The Fugees’ 25th anniversary tour, which was epic. If we're with the kids, Saturday nights are more wholesome, usually involving popcorn, hot chocolate and a nostalgic family film by the fire, all snuggled under blankets.
There are so many great restaurants in and around our village. Purslane is a beautiful fish restaurant I discovered last year. Tucked away on a quiet side street in Cheltenham, it does wonderful tasting menus that change regularly. I love oysters with a glass of champagne, so it’s perfect for me. Another favourite is the restaurant at The Painswick Hotel, where head chef Jamie McCallum serves a hearty seasonal British menu in a stunning Cotswolds setting. Then there’s the Stump Pub in Cirencester for Baz & Fred’s famous pizza. The Mayflower in Cheltenham offers East Asian classics like crispy Peking duck, but with a lighter, more refined twist. Next on my list is Juliet, a new French bistro in Stroud. I’m not big on takeaways, but when I do indulge, I love fish and chips from The Chip Shed in Cheltenham or Bourton-on-the-Water – with lots of salt, vinegar and mushy peas.
@JennalElsby
SUNDAY
Sunday is my one lie-in of the week, so I take my time and enjoy the extra sleep. In his wedding vows, my husband promised to bring me coffee in bed every morning, and while it's not always possible during the week, I'm lucky that this is how I wake up on Sundays. I sip my coffee in bed, maybe read for a bit, then throw on my robe and start thinking about a leisurely breakfast for the family.
We're lucky to live on the edge of the Cotswold Way trail, a scenic walking route stretching from Chipping Camden to Bath, passing through stunning wildflower meadows and woodlands. With so many beautiful walks on our doorstep, we often spend Sundays exploring the Cotswold hills, Crickley Hill, or visiting charming nearby villages with our dog. In the warmer months, we sometimes head to the South Cerney Lakes or Cotswold Water Park for a splash in the water and to soak up the sunshine.
I'm an avid reader and have powered through a great list over the past year. Some of my top picks include Verity by Colleen Hoover, The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller, and Circe by Madeline Miller. I also enjoy non-fiction books by inspiring people I admire. Style & Substance by the legendary Bay Garnett is a celebration of self-expression through clothing, featuring insights from influential talents across stage and screen. Another favourite is A Kind of Magic by artist Luke Edward Hall, offering a glimpse into his signature eccentric style, homes, and the mythology that inspires his work.
A Sunday roast is part of our weekend ritual. We’ll usually have it for dinner, not lunch, so I start mid-afternoon with a bottle of red to make it extra special. I switch up the meat between chicken, pork shoulder with crispy crackling, beef or sometimes gammon with parsley sauce. With our Aga, I make a feast of roast potatoes, sprouts, parsnips, steamed carrots, broccoli, peas, Yorkshire puddings (no matter the meat), stuffing and broccoli cheese if I’m feeling indulgent. Gravy is always homemade and served in a proper gravy boat. We rarely go out for a pub roast, but there are lots of great pubs near us, including the The Bell at Sapperton, the Wild Rabbit in Kingham and Foston’s Ash in Stroud.
Sunday night is all about unwinding before the week ahead. I’ll take a soothing bath with Neal’s Yard lavender bath oil, then do my full skincare routine, finishing with Votary Super Seed Facial Oil and my Sarah Chapman face massaging tool. I’ll snack on my homemade trail mix of pumpkin and sunflower seeds with dark chocolate chips, enjoy a mug of decaf tea, and watch something light-hearted like Emily in Paris or Motherland. I’ll also do a Duolingo exercise to brush up on my German before reading in bed.
When I watch TV, I prefer uplifting shows to dark, murderous ones! I loved Will & Harper on Netflix, following Will Ferrell and his friend Harper Steele on a road trip across America. Colin From Accounts on BBC iPlayer is a hilarious Aussie comedy about an imperfect couple brought together after accidentally hitting a stray dog. My son, who's basketball mad, got into Starting 5, a documentary following NBA greats like LeBron James and Anthony Edwards. Next on my list is Halston, about the American fashion mogul, played by Ewan McGregor.
I listen to a lot of audiobooks when I’m in the car or going on a walk. I like autobiographies, especially when they are read by the author themselves. Over the past year I’ve loved Lucky by Louise Thompson, The Woman in Me by Britney Spears and The Storyteller: Tales of Life & Music by Dave Grohl. For podcasts, I like ones that make me laugh, so My Therapist Ghosted Me and Off Menu are firm favourites. I’m also a huge music person. I love a bit of soulful funk, so at the moment I’m listening to a bit of Jungle, Alabama Shakes, Olivia Dean and Leon Bridges. This is the sort of music I listen to when I’m painting as the vibe is upbeat and keeps me motivated.
Jenna’s YouTube series ‘Room Service’ launches on 6th February, offering conversations with industry leaders about their creative journeys.
Follow Jenna on Instagram at @JENNALELSBY
The Painswick Hotel, Adam Lynk; @JennalElsby
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