WINTER 2023/24
AMERICAN IN BRITAIN Serving the American Community in the UK
FEATURES INCLUDE American Expatriate Clubs’ News • Days Out With The Family Eating Out • Healthcare • History • Hotel Review • Property Take Five • Taxing Issues • Theatre • Travel • Wealth Management A D V I S O RY PA N E L
AMERICAN IN BRITAIN
WINTER 2023/24
CONTENTS 3 19 24 27 29
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3
Eating Out
9
Taxing Issues
13
Wealth Management
15
Property
18
Theatre
19
Take Five
24
Healthcare
25
Hotel Review
27
Travel
29
History
30
Days Out
31
Clubs News
32
Directory
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EATING OUT
EATING OUT L’Atelier Robuchon 6 Clarges Street, London, W1J 8AE
As an 80’s child, when I see the initials JR, my first thought is the marvellously evil Soap Opera villain, JR Ewing, brilliantly played by Larry Hagman in Dallas for many years, but I now realise that there is an equally famous JR, not in the entertainment world, but rather in cuisine, namely Joel Robuchon. Joel sadly passed away in 2018, but his illustrious career spanned almost six decades, and during this time he accumulated more than 30 Michelin stars. Joel served as mentor to some of the world’s most famous chefs, including British celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, and still has a number of restaurants bearing his name across the world. With this amazing background, it was time to reopen a new Robuchon restaurant in London, and in September 2023, L’Atelier Robuchon opened on Clarges Street in Mayfair. Executive Chef Andrea Cofini has been handed the reins to maintain the great man’s standards, and has previously worked at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris, and also Robuchon Shanghai, so the London restaurant is in exceptional hands, which I can vouch for, having visited recently. Although every one of Robuchon restaurants around the world are different, there are a few comforting similarities at each, so as well as the attention to detail and the quality of the food served, each restaurant has the trade mark shades of crimson and the comfortable banquettes, and the new London restaurant continues this trend. Along with these trademarks comes a bit of the splendour that is Mayfair, with a large marble bar, donut shaped art deco pendant lights, and large bright displays of greenery to off-set the slightly darker reds and browns of the tables and chairs. Diners have the option to sit at the large marble bar where you can watch the chefs weaving their magic preparing the simple, but deceptively difficult recipes that Joel made famous over the years, as the kitchen is as open as I can remember any restaurant being, or you can sink into a comfortable banquette, which was our choice. The Amuse Bouche of warm Foie Gras topped with an ‘oh so light’ parmesan foam was a glimpse of the delights to come, and the meal then started with a basket of pure unadulterated carbohydrate delight in the form of 4 different breads all of which were served fresh and warm. The brioche was light, the mini baguettes firm, and the buns WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
with lines of black dough running through them worthy of a handshake from Paul Hollywood (he of Bake Off fame!). The menu is a tribute to all that is special about French food, and is packed with indulgent and totally non-dietary dishes, but I, for one, am really not interested in how many calories each dish contains, and would rather just enjoy the exquisite blends of flavours of my meal rather than feel guilty as to how many calories I am eating per mouthful! With that in mind, we selected Le Caviar Imperial (£58) and Les Langoustines (£55). The caviar dish is most representative of Robuchon’s style of cooking, and it was hard to know whether you should eat it or just admire the look of it, as it was truly the most beautiful dish I have ever been served, and was a work of art. A generous helping of fresh black caviar is surrounded by an orange jelly covered by concentric circles of tiny green tipped white cones of the smoothest cauliflower purée. The taste didn’t let down the dish’s visual appearance, and it has to be in my top three favourite starters of all time. The Langoustine Ravioli, although lacking the striking appearance of the caviar, was packed with flavour, and the slightly al dente homemade pasta encased generous portions of langoustine, and the foie gras sauce with black truffle was a cuddle in every mouthful as it was so rich (thank goodness I didn’t know how many calories each mouthful was as I suspect it would have been considerable!). The main courses are a ‘whose who’ of wonderful produce, including Lobster, Dover Sole, Wagyu Beef, Quail and Pigeon, but we choose Le Black Cod (£42) and the Suckling Pig which I am a sucker for! The Black Cod was perfectly cooked, and the cod was flaky and covered in a cloudlike
coconut foam, and is a very skilful merger of Japanese and French cuisines on one plate. The pig was just divine, and the presentation was again stellar, with the delicate flesh covered by a squid ink tuille and a small green salad, and to accompany this a real treat, a portion of Robuchon’s mashed potato. For those who aren’t in the know, this is the Rolls Royce of mashed potato, as it has a vast amount of butter in it which makes it so creamy it is untrue. After such a gastronomic journey into the recipes of Joel Robuchon, you may consider not having a dessert, but please believe me when I say that would be a big mistake. The choice is considerable and varied, and it is difficult to choose, with a Parfum des Isles with passion fruit cream, coconut mousse and mojito granite (£13), and a very tempting Grand Marnier flavoured Baked Alaska (£15), but we selected Le Soufflé (£15) and Le Chocolat Sensation (£14). When I make souffle’s I always hope that they rise and taste as light and fluffy as this lemon souffle did, (but it never happens). The sharpness of the lemon had just enough tart to make us sit up and take notice, whilst hiding a confit lemon centre. My ‘Chocolat Sensation’ was just that, a chocolate sensation with layers of sumptuous dark chocolate cremeux, sorbet, and a jelly topped with a thin lid of chocolate and a pile of chocolate soil for texture, and looked as good as it tasted. Joel Robuchon’s legacy for sumptuous recipes expertly presented is alive and well in the hands of Andrea Cofini, and a trip here will not only tantalise your taste buds with the amazing food combinations, it will also fill you with wonder as to how they also make these dishes so beautiful to the eye. www.jrobuchon.com
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The Vineyard Restaurant
Stockcross, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 8JU Although London is known as the food capital of the UK, with many of the top restaurants being located there, the UK does have many other top restaurants that are spread across the country, and it was nice to visit one of these last October to sample all it had to offer. The restaurant in question is The Vineyard in Stockcross, which has 3 AA Rosettes, and boy does it deserve them, as it provides its diners and hotel guests with a wide range of tasty dishes. The journey to Stockcross is about 1 ½ hours from London, but is simple as it is straight down the M4, and when we arrived and drove down the gravel drive, I was slightly disappointed not to see a vineyard or a chateau, but was delighted to see a rather smart and chic modern building with a pretty garden at its forefront. The Vineyard gets its name, not from the rows of vines surrounding it, as there aren’t any, but from its owners love of wine, and his Vineyard in California, along with the 30,000 bottles and 3,000 bins available here. It is also well worth considering staying at The Vineyard, as here is not only a good restaurant, it is also a hotel and spa and the perfect place to stay after sampling all the food and wine on offer. The restaurant is two tiered, with large floor to ceiling windows providing lots of natural light, and you reach the lower level down a sweeping circular staircase encased by the metal vines which wouldn’t be out of place in one of those French chateaux that I had hoped it would be! The tables are well spaced and covered by crisp white tablecloths and shiny silver cutlery, that just adds to the sophistication and feeling of class.
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Diners have the choice of a 5-course Tasting or the À La Carte menu, all accompanied by a wine list of epic proportions. Indeed, there are two wine lists available, the very extensive, or the more manageable short list, as there are so many wines to choose from, but I backed out of choosing myself and decided to ask the sommelier to recommend the wines to accompany our dishes, and he didn’t disappoint, with a number of startling choices from all over the world, including one from the owners own Californian vineyard that was spectacular. After some warm Sourdough (£6) and some buttery and nutty Nocellara Olives (£4), we settled in to our starters of Berkshire Game Pie (£16) and the Cep Tart (£16). When in the country, game is always an excellent option if it is on the menu, and here the rustic pastry contrasted well with the chunky pieces of game loaded with flavour. If that wasn’t enough, the slice of pie was accompanied by Cumberland chutney, providing a fruity taste with hints of ginger and mace. The Cep Tart was as beautiful to look at as it tasted, with delicate slices of Cep mushrooms fanning out over a light and smooth pecorino mousse, all encased in a thin crispy pastry shell. For the mains, I adhered to the game theme and chose something I have not seen on a menu before, namely Partridge en Croute (£33), and my wife selected the Cornish Shellfish Gratin with “Pan con Tomate” (£36). Partridge is a delicate meat without that strong gamey flavour, and can quickly dry out if overcooked, so how clever to keep it moist by wrapping it in crunchy savoy cabbage and encasing it in delicious buttery pastry and accompanying it with a celeriac purée and an indulgent truffle sauce. The shellfish gratin was, as you would expect, rich and creamy, and was served with the timeless pan con tomate (Spanish tomato bread) with the bruschetta smothered in delicate tomato, garlic and olive oil with a hint of salt. On the face of it a strange combination, but it did work. There is a wide choice of desserts including the mandatory chocolate one, being an 80% Chocolate and Hazelnut Delice (£15), but I continued with the country theme with a lovely selection of English Cheeses (3 - £12 or 5 - £18) and my wife the Fig Leaf Custard Tart with light and airy custard and the fleshy and meaty roasted figs. Some may go to The Vineyard for the Spa, some for the 5-star hotel, some for the food, and many for the best selection of wines probably in the UK, but for me it is the combination of all four that makes this a super place to visit, where you will be treated to good food and great hospitality, all in the picturesque UK countryside. www.the-vineyard.co.uk
EATING OUT
Sette by Scarpetta
4 Knightsbridge Green, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7QA Sette, meaning seven in Italian, is the seventh restaurant from the New York City Scarpetta restaurant family, and brings that American/Italian flair for food, right out of New York and straight into the heart of Knightsbridge. Its philosophy is to give their diners rich and bold flavours, seasonal and therefore wonderfully fresh ingredients, in a restaurant with more than a hint of American décor. Sette, although a separate business, is situated on the ground floor of the Bulgari Hotel, and has all the style and sophistication of its illustrious neighbour. On entering, you are greeted by a striking circular bar where diners can sip their pre-dinner drinks before moving into the restaurant. Everything here oozes class and charm, and there is very much an American feel to the place. Large Art deco lamps look down like 1950’s zeppelins over the plush leather seats and the expansive banquettes, and the clever use of mirrors, drapes and lighting, not only gives a vibrant art deco feel, they also hide the lack of natural light perfectly. What distinguishes a great restaurant from a good one is the little touches, and from the moment you arrive at Sette, to the moment you leave, these little touches are ever present, and you are made to feel as if you are the only diner eating. The service here is impeccable, with the staff being present when you want something, and not there when you just want to enjoy a conversation with your dining companion, and that is a skill that is definitely dying out! Whilst sitting down and perusing the menu, a delightful selection of breads, including cheesy focaccia and a vibrant tomato bread were put in front of us, accompanied by oils, mascarpone butter and a sweet and sour aubergine caponata, bursting with the flavours of garlic and capers, so simple and clean, and almost a course in its own right. WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
The menu is extensive and is packed with a number of The Scarpetta groups signature dishes, as well as many just created for Sette’s diners, and will pose many problems for the diners, as everything sounds delicious. The good news is that whatever you choose you will not be disappointed, as it not only sounds delicious, it is! My companion and I decided to skip the Crudi, (Italian for raw), as we had frankly feasted so much on the bread!, but if you can hold back more than we did, do select the Crudo Tasting (£28) as you will get to sample the Salmon and sundried tomatoes, the Seabass with lemon and dill, and also the Yellowtail with pickled red onion in one dish. For our starters, we selected the Seared Orkney Scallops (£26) and the Gran Riserva Risotto (£27). Orkney scallops are much sought after as they have an almost sweet taste, and in the hands of the Sette chefs’, this king of the sea was treated with reverence. The outer layer of the scallops had just enough charing to make them crispy on the outside, and there was a lovely hint of smokiness which married perfectly with the silky cauliflower puree they sat on. My risotto was a glorious mixture of rich, creamy, cheesy rice, delicately flavoured with saffron, surrounding a generous portion of melt-in -your mouth, Ossobuco. I can’t think of a better taste combination. Sette is rightly known for its signature pasta dishes as the pasta is made in-house daily, and so as one of our mains we selected the Scarpetta Spaghetti (£25) which is rightfully famous as it is a marvel in simplicity in both taste and preparation. Many people think simple dishes are easy to make, but when your only ingredients are tomatoes, basil and pasta, there is nowhere to hide for a chef. The homemade pasta was cooked just al dente, and the tomatoes were the San Marzano variety which originate from the Campania region of Italy, and provided a strong and slightly sweet tomato sauce completed by the pepperiness of the basil. Simple, but absolutely declicious.
I chose to continue with the veal dishes, as it is a firm favourite of mine, and selected the Veal Cutlet Milanese (£47) which came with a refreshing fennel and rocket salad. With this, I chose some roasted new potatoes (£8). The veal portion was enormous and served on the bone, which increases the flavour, and although hammered to form the fillet, it was still thick enough to hold its flavour, and the breadcrumbs were perfectly crunchy with a hint of salt. After all this food we decided to share a dessert and so selected the Espresso Budino (£14). I am a big fan of classic combinations and salted caramel, chocolate and biscotti together, is right up there with the best. I will not spoil your enjoyment by saying anything more about it, except to say this is not any chocolate dessert, and is truly a must order dish! Sette is a sophisticated Italian restaurant that gets all the little things just right, and this elevates it to another level. The service is exceptional, the food delicious, and the décor welcoming, and what more do you want when choosing a night out? www.settelondon.co.uk
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Caravan
30-35 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RH Caravan is a restaurant group with seven restaurants in London and one in Exmouth Market, and we were delighted to be invited to their newest opening in Drury Lane, Covent Garden, and can honestly say it would be a great restaurant option if considering where to dine with friends and family if you are seeing any of the great theatre shows in this area, as it caters for everyone. This new Covent Garden restaurant finds its home in a historic and characterful building, Grainhouse on Drury Lane, which was a former a grain and seed store. Spanning two floors, it is the brand’s second central London restaurant since the opening of its Fitzrovia restaurant in 2018. The design narrative for Caravan Covent Garden is inspired by two principal themes: a connection to the outdoor world and the rich industrial heritage of the building and the local area. The panoramic shopfront enables a generous amount of natural light to flood in to the interior. This connection to the outdoor world is a key part of the design, with particular reference to the raw and rugged landscape of the Pacific coastline where Caravan’s brand has its original roots. As with Caravan’s other restaurants, the design team have used reclaimed, refurbished and repurposed fittings throughout, whilst also using natural sustainable materials. The new Covent Garden restaurant features an array of spaces to enjoy including an inviting alfresco terrace dining, a light-filled lower ground floor, its largest private hire space to date, a refurbished vintage celestial sounds system in the basement cocktail bar, and London’s most romantic table for two positioned in a subterranean light well. We arrived early on a very damp Wednesday afternoon and were warmly welcomed by several of their lovely staff. The restaurant was very busy and buzzy at lunchtime, and I can imagine it has a great atmosphere in the evenings too. There are a selection of Small Plates to start, either to share or keep for yourself, but as my friend and I have similar tastes, we shared the Burrata served with beets, sherry and a poppy seed vinaigrette, Steamed Cod Dumplings served with sambal, soy, crispy shallot and coriander, as well as Jamon and Smoked San Simon croquettes served with saffron aioli. All three dishes were flavoursome and fresh, the croquettes were perfectly crispy, and the dumplings had a lovely Asian spice, and were perfect for sharing. There is an eclectic choice for mains, including Sourdough Pizzas, Grains and Bowls, large plates that included Baked Cod Fillet and Confit Duck Leg, and as I 6
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was being healthy, I chose the Seasoned Rice with hot smoked salmon. This was a dish from Grains and Bowls, and I can not emphasise how very tasty and satisfying it was. It consisted of rice, avocado, miso mayonnaise, mung beans, ginger and hot smoked salmon. All ingredients complemented each other perfectly, and I would choose this dish again even if I wasn’t trying to be healthy! My friend wasn’t being so healthy, and chose the Mozzarella Sourdough Pizza. The base was delightfully thin so didn’t fill her up too much with excessive dough, but the edge was light and fluffy and for once she finished the entire dish rather than leaving crusts around her plate! Our waitress chose the Miraval Rosé for us and that proved to be a great choice, as it was both light and fragrant. During our meal we were never rushed, and after a while we ordered our final course of Coconut Sorbet, which was almost as creamy as ice cream, and Caramelised Brioche served with vanilla ice cream. We agreed both dishes were a perfect end to a perfect meal. Caravan opens its doors to early risers and coffee aficionados. Guests can sip on craft coffee blends and hand-picked single origin coffees locally roasted at Caravan’s North London roastery. For brunch and lunch, Caravan’s well-travelled menu, brings together bold-flavoured selections for all to enjoy, and as the day unfolds guests can sip on crafted cocktails and
enjoy dinner into the night, from a super romantic table for two positioned in a subterranean light well, or the Green Room, their largest private hire and events space to date. Caravan will not disappoint diners, as it has a buzzy atmosphere, great staff, and interesting and eclectic menu that is not over priced as some London restaurants can be, and I can see why they are having the success they are, and I am sure there will be more Caravan’s opening in 2024. www.caravanandco.com
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TAXING ISSUES
TAXING ISSUES Frequently Asked Tax Questions From Americans In Britain The following is designed to provide general tax information for Americans in the United Kingdom and does not constitute legal advice. As with all legal issues, seeking tailored advice from qualified counsel is advisable. Americans living and working in the United Kingdom encounter an added layer of complexity, even with respect to routine financial decision-making endeavours. Opening a bank account to buy groceries, owning a home, and saving for retirement will always need to be considered in the context of a framework created by the interaction of the two countries’ tax laws and incentives. The following summarises general responses to basic questions American expatriates in the United Kingdom encounter while going about their day-to-day lives.
1. Will I be “double taxed” on my income if I move to the United Kingdom?
As an American Expat, you are required to comply with long-standing US tax policy that creates an obligation to continue filing US tax returns, even after a permanent move abroad. Fortunately, several benefits exist that eliminate the underlying exposure to double taxation, despite the continued tax filing responsibilities. The foreign earned income exclusion allows US taxpayers to exclude up to $120,000 (2023) of income earned through employment, self-employment, or similar active trade or business income from US income tax calculations. And the foreign tax credit permits a dollar-for-dollar credit against US tax for both active earnings and passive income sources. The choice between electing the foreign earned income exclusion or opting instead to claim a foreign tax credit for earned income can produce a variety of different outcomes that will continue to influence your tax situation for years after this initial decision is made. While both options may have the ability to reduce your US tax exposure to zero, the nuances of each and the underlying tax planning opportunities will vary. With UK tax rates being comparatively higher than those on the US side, as a general matter, US tax will not be due from UK earnings and investment income that are subjected to local taxes. However, taxpayers with US-sourced income in the form of WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
rental income, dividends, interest, and other passive income sources may continue to pay US tax on their annual income, despite the impact of the US/UK tax treaty. When such a scenario arises, the tax credit would be claimed in the UK for US tax paid. Notably, according to US sourcing rules, gains from the sale of US stocks holdings by a US citizen, resident in the UK, are sourced to the location of a taxpayer’s residence and considered UK source, provided a rate of at least 10% is paid in the United Kingdom. Assuming US stock sales are not protected from UK tax due to remittance basis taxation or the tax-free allowance (reduced to £6,000 in 2023/24), the capital gains tax is paid in the UK and then credited against the US tax liability.
Ultimately, despite the continued filing obligations, the likelihood of a double taxation scenario arising is quite minimal and based largely on timing and similar administrative nuances Ultimately, despite the continued filing obligations, the likelihood of a double taxation scenario arising is quite minimal and based largely on timing and similar administrative nuances. In the end, the higher of the two tax liabilities will be paid on an ongoing basis, with tax incentives in one country often eliminated by the rules of the other.
2. What do I need to know about US tax reporting if I open a bank account in the United Kingdom?
Accounts opened in the United Kingdom may need to be disclosed on one or multiple different reports, depending on the type of account and its value. Even if a separate disclosure is not required, American tax filers will need to check the appropriate box on Schedule B of their annual US tax return indicating that they do own a “foreign” account. FinCEN Form 114, commonly known as the “FBAR”, must be filed annually if the value of non-US accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the year. This low threshold looks to the combined maximum balance of all accounts at any point during the year in determining whether a report must be filed. For example, an American with current and savings accounts with maximum balances of $5,000 and $5,001 respectively, would be required to file an FBAR disclosing both accounts. Interest or other income produced in the account will be subject to tax under normal principles, but no tax is calculated on the balance of the accounts. The report is purely informational in nature, but strict penalties can apply in the event of noncompliance. Late filings could be penalised to the tune of $10,000 per unfilled report after a recent Supreme Court ruling determined that the IRS could no longer assess these large penalties on a per account basis. Willful failure to file can attract penalties equal to the greater of $100,000 or 50% of the maximum value of the account. In recent years, the IRS has taken a more expansive view to what would be considered a willful failure to file, asserting that taxpayers have acted willfully if demonstrated that they had knowledge of the filing requirement or even acted recklessly in not knowing of their obligations. For example, checking “no” to the foreign account question on Schedule B could potentially be considered as a basis in asserting willfulness penalties against an American taxpayer. With the stakes being so high, diligence in this filing and taking a pragmatic approach as to what would need to be disclosed as a “financial account” is crucial. WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK
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The FBAR is filed electronically with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), separately from the tax return, and must be submitted by April 15th if an extension is not requested. As of the date of this publication, an extension form has not been released by FinCEN and Taxpayers are granted automatic extensions of time to file until October 15th. Adding to the complexity, Americans in the UK will also need to consider the Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets on Form 8938, which may be required if the value of the non-US accounts exceeds $200,000 at the end of the year or $300,000 at any point during the year. These thresholds are doubled for married taxpayers filing jointly. The Form 8938 covers a broader range of non-account assets as well and is filed in conjunction with the annual US tax return. It comes with its own independent penalty regime, meaning that Americans who miss both filings could face compounding penalties across the various reports.
3. How will moving to the United Kingdom impact my social security benefits in the United States?
Living in the United Kingdom does not necessarily impact eligibility for US social security benefits. The same eligibility rules will apply, meaning that if you have over ten years of sufficient earnings in the United States, you will be eligible for benefits even if you are living permanently in the United Kingdom. American citizens are not subject to the presence requirement applicable to certain nonresidents and continue receiving benefits outside the United States. While no restrictions exist on the ability to receive benefits while living in the United Kingdom, the calculation on the amount payable may be greatly impacted by UK coverage and the gap in contributions to the US system. A bilateral social security agreement (known as a Totalisation Agreement) is in place between the United States and the United Kingdom to address dual coverage scenarios. The agreement provides in part that an individual shall pay social security taxes in their country of residence, unless working for an employer from their home country for a period less than five years. In addition to resolving dual coverage discrepancies, the Totalisation Agreement contains provisions that create an avenue for covered individuals to still receive minimum benefits in scenarios where they have worked in both countries, but not for sufficient time to qualify independently. The challenge comes for those independently qualifying for social security 10
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benefits in both countries. These individuals potentially face a reduction in US benefits based on the application of the Windfall Elimination Provisions (WEP). These frustrating rules are designed to address perceived overpayment in scenarios where pensions are calculated on safety net provisions that would not reflect coverage and participation in foreign countries. To address this “windfall” Americans qualifying for a British state pension who have worked between 10-30 years in the United States will see their US benefits reduced. The reduction is limited by the lesser of 50% of the foreign benefit or a sliding scale offset, currently maxed out at $557.50 (2023). This sliding scale looks to years of “substantial earnings” in the United States. Individuals who have between 20 and 29 years of relevant earnings face a reduction in the base benefit in an amount between 45% and 90%.
4. Are there any benefits to owning my own home in the United Kingdom?
Owning your own home is a tremendous opportunity to build wealth and both the United States and the United Kingdom offer robust protection against tax on gain from the sale of a personal residence. In this instance, the benefits offered by the UK are considerably more generous. The US rules require an individual to own a home and reside in it as a personal residence for two years of the five-year period prior to sale. Qualifying taxpayers are granted an exclusion of up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly). In the UK, the exemption from capital gains tax is unlimited, provided the property was used as a main home in the UK during the entire period of ownership. Gains from the sale of homes with partial use as a main home qualify for a prorated exemption from capital gains tax. Clearly scenarios could arise whereby gain is fully or partially exempt from capital gains tax in the UK, but still taxed in the United States. In such a situation, both capital gains tax and net investment income tax (NIIT) could be due in the United States. Gain or loss will reflect currency fluctuations between the dollar and the pound during the period of ownership. For US tax purposes, the cost of UK property would be figured in dollars using the prevailing exchange rate on the date purchased. Sales proceeds will be converted at the rate as of the date of sale. Mortgage interest paid to a British lender for a personal home in the UK is generally non-deductible in the United Kingdom but may still be deducted on a US tax filing
by taxpayers who itemise. Nevertheless, a deduction that is available only in the “lesser-taxed” of the two countries will seldom produce material tax savings. The limited deduction available to US-based Americans for state property taxes is not available for local taxes and related fees in the United Kingdom.
5. My company is giving me the option of contributing to a UK pension, should I consider doing this?
Private retirement savings options are broadly available to Americans with British employers. While financial investments can often be challenging for Americans abroad, retirement plan participation is broadly protected by the US/UK income tax treaty. The tax protected amounts per the treaty will be limited by the amount that can be contributed to a corresponding retirement arrangement in the United States. The combined employer and employee contribution limitation in the US is set at $66,000 (2023) and the annual pension allowance has been increased to £60,000 in the UK for the 2023/24 tax year, up from £40,000 in prior years. Certain American taxpayers who are funding British retirement arrangements and expect to eventually move back to the United States may even be able to benefit from foreign tax credit planning strategies that would allow excess taxes paid in the United Kingdom during working years to offset US tax on distributions from the British retirement arrangement. Careful planning and recordkeeping is required to this end. On the British side, the ability to reduce tax exposure on earnings and defer tax due on investments is obviously worth considering. An exemption from UK tax on lump sum distributions equal to 25% of the value of the pension is also available at retirement. Moreover, registered pension schemes are also treated favourably with respect to British inheritance taxes, an important consideration for many Americans who do not need to worry about estate tax on the US side. The lack of US tax limitations will allow you to prioritise tax savings on the British side in the retirement savings decision-making process. But keep in mind that the limitations in place that impact higher earners and large account holders will be different across the two countries. In the United States, higher earners are prevented from directly contributing to Roth IRAs though strategies are available to such taxpayers, permit conversion to Roth accounts from
TAXING ISSUES other retirement vehicles. Additionally, Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules mandate annual distributions from non-Roth accounts once the owner reaches age 72. On the UK side, the ability to claim tax relief on pension contributions in the UK is limited once income levels exceed §200,000 and could be reduced to as low as §10,000 (2023/24). Notably, the long-standing lifetime exemption that created a top limit on total pension savings has been scrapped, taking effect in the 2024/25 tax year. Another important distinction limits the ability to tap a British retirement scheme early. In the US, while almost always unadvisable, an early distribution can be taken from a US 401(k) or IRA arrangement at any point before reaching age 59½ by paying a 10% penalty, calculated on the taxable portion of the distribution. The same is not true in the United Kingdom. Amounts contributed to a private retirement scheme are locked in until age 55 without facing considerable penalties and additional fees. Accordingly, while maximising UK retirement plan contributions can make smart financial sense for your family’s future, it should not be considered a “rainy day” fund or even an emergency savings account to be tapped as needed.
6. What should Americans know about ISA accounts? Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are the “rainy day” funds for British taxpayers and come in a variety of flavours, the most common being “cash” and “stocks and shares” ISAs. The ability to access funds at any point without penalty, and unrelated to the individual’s age, will generally make these arrangements ineligible as retirement schemes that would receive favourable US tax treatment under the treaty. Accordingly, unlike with retirement savings, US tax considerations would need to be prioritised when thinking about opening an ISA. The biggest potential challenge with ISAs in the United States is that the taxexempt status in the UK and low interest rates available in cash ISAs can create an incentive to actively trade holdings within “stocks and shares” ISAs. For US tax reporting purposes, the ISA is disregarded, and income and gains from the underlying assets would be reported individually as if it were a taxable brokerage account. In addition to reporting challenges and complexity, American Taxpayers with this type of activity within an ISA account may be trading unit trusts or mutual funds and run into the dreaded Passive Foreign Investment Company
(PFIC) trap and punitive tax calculations and compliance charges that ensue. With relative rates of tax being higher in the United Kingdom, an ISA may still make sense despite the potential tax hit in the United States. Nevertheless, US tax implications need to be top of mind to avoid an unfortunate tax outcome that would largely undermine financial savings goals. If these priorities are not appropriately managed, after paying US taxes the amount you had set aside for a rainy day may end up being just enough to cover you for a short afternoon rain shower in London.
Roland A. Sabates, Expat Legal Services Group Expat Legal Services Group offers unique legal services for American expatriates and foreign nationals with financial interests in the United States. Our firm serves the expat community in the areas of international tax, immigration law, and cross border business and estate planning leveraging a suite of modern technology solutions. Contact Expat Legal Services Group today at info@expatlegal.com or visit the website at www.expatlegal.com. The choice of an attorney is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.
JOIN ROLAND SABATES FROM EXPAT LEGAL SERVICES, JONATHAN GOLD FROM LONDON & CAPITAL, AND NATALIE WILLIAMS FROM CAF AMERICAN DONOR FUND on Monday 11th March 2024 at
THE AMERICAN FINANCE & NETWORKING EVENT at The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London, for an afternoon of great Financial Advice as well as the opportunity to networking with fellow American readers and meet other companies and organisations who can help and support you whilst you are living in the UK.
This event is from 12pm - 3.30pm and is FREE TO ATTEND and is for Americans only. You must pre-register, so please email helen@theamericanhour.com with the names of those who would like to attend. We look forward to seeing you there. SPONSORED BY:
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AMERICAN IN BRITAIN We would like to invite you to our free
AMERICAN FINANCE & NETWORKING EVENT on Monday 11th March 2024 at The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London From 12pm – 4pm Join us for us for an informative afternoon of finance advice and networking opportunities. THE TOPICS THAT WILL BE COVERED ARE:
Important Tax Considerations for Americans in the UK Presented by Roland Sabates, Expat Legal Group The seminar will provide a general tax update for American Expats and outline key tax issues, including strategies to avoid double taxation, saving for retirement, home ownership, and starting a business. An Update On The Global Investment Landscape And How To Structure Your Investments As Americans Living in Britain Presented by Jonathan Gold, London & Capital This seminar will include a macroeconomic update, and will also cover the difficulties Americans in Britain face for managing their global investment portfolios and provide suggestions for how to structure these effectively. Smart, Tax-Effective Giving For Dual UK & US Taxpayers Presented by Natalie Williams, Senior Manager, CAF American Donor Fund Natalie will share insight on the best ways to give to charities in the UK, US and around the world, how to maximise the tax relief available to you, making use of the UK’s Gift Aid scheme and flexible solutions to plan your charitable giving over the longer-term.
This event is free of charge and is for Americans only. Readers must pre-register for this event, so please email the names of those who would like to attend to helen@theamericanhour.com We look forward to seeing you there. SPONSORED BY:
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WEALTH MANAGEMENT
WEALTH MANAGEMENT Dual Qualified Donor Advised Funds - A Tax Efficient Vehicle For Gifting As An American in Britain We often associate Christmas as a time for giving, but there is no reason why those with charitable intentions must wait until the festive period to make a difference. Instead, as we enter the new (US tax) year, now is as good a time as any to consult with your wealth manager and tax adviser about developing a gifting strategy into your financial plan and discussing some of the tax efficient vehicles available to help maximise your charitable donations. There are of course several ways individuals can give to others. It can be non-financial, like volunteering your time and effort to specific charities or causes, or financial, like using direct gifts or special vehicles such as Private Foundations or DAFs. DAFs, in particular, have been growing in popularity over the last few years and with good reason. They are an extremely powerful tool for anyone who is looking to gift capital to charitable causes and using a dual qualified DAF provides additional benefits to dual US and UK taxpayers. But what are they?
1) What Are DAFs?
A Donor Advised Fund, or DAF, is a charitable investment fund, administered by a public charity, that is formed for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organisations on behalf of an individual, a family or an organisation. Donors can make an irrevocable charitable contribution, receive a tax benefit immediately and then allocate charitable gifts from the fund at some point in the future. While the gifts remain inside the fund, they can be invested in a tax-free environment and so any future gains will not be subject to taxes. This, in turn, allows assets earmarked for charitable causes to grow tax efficiently overtime and ultimately ends up with more funds available to make an impact.
2) Benefits Of DAFs
There are countless benefits of charitable giving in general, but there are some that DAFs specifically offer: • Removes administration burden – DAFs are typically quick and easy to set up and often only require account opening paperwork to be completed (along with the standard AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks etc) to get things started. Once your WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
DAF is opened, the DAF administrators can relieve you of the administration duties of making donations, leaving you with more time to focus on which causes you would like to help • No annual distribution requirements – Unlike Private Foundations, which must distribute at least 5% assets annually, DAFs have no annual distribution requirements and so individuals can benefit from the additional flexibility on timing of distributions. This allows donors to receive the upfront benefits of funding their DAF today with no time pressure on choosing which causes to support
As you can see, DAFs provide several attractive benefits and features for those looking to enhance their philanthropic giving • Small minimum investment amounts make them readily accessible – DAFs can be opened with relatively small sums (as little as £1,000 in some instances) which, compared to Private Foundations (which often have relatively high annual operating expenses), make DAFs more accessible to almost anyone with charitable intentions. The relatively small initial amounts also afford individuals to choose whether to donate a lump sum or make small contributions over time • The choice of confidentiality – with DAFs, you have the ability to name your fund whatever you like, and donors can choose whether they share their personal details with the donee or to remain anonymous
• Financial education and bringing the family together – we often see cases where families use their DAF to help educate their children about wealth, budgeting, dealing with professional intermediaries and having a positive impact in the world. Not only that, but our experience is that it really helps unite many families when deciding, as a group, which charities they would like to support and giving everyone a chance to present a case for a cause close to their hearts • Potential for UK IHT Savings – As registered charities, individuals can list their DAF as a beneficiary of their estate upon death and, if they choose to leave 10% or more, then their estate could benefit from a reduced UK IHT tax liability of 36% (down from 40%) • Ability to donate assets with imbedded unrealised gains – DAFs can accept gifts of securities and so contributing appreciated assets can allow individuals to avoid realising capital gains tax whilst simultaneously funding their future charitable donations. As you can see, DAFs provide several attractive benefits and features for those looking to enhance their philanthropic giving. That said, when dealing with dual US/ UK taxpayers, a dual qualified DAF can provide even greater advantages that are too good to miss out on.
Benefits Of Using A Dual Qualified DAF
Many charitable organisations are considered to be qualified non-profit organisations in one jurisdiction or the other, and Dual Qualified DAFs are charitable investment funds which are recognised in both the US and the UK. As Americans living in the UK are generally subject to income tax in both the UK and the US, there are several benefits of being structured in this way, but it stems from the fact that they can provide tax incentives in both jurisdictions. We will work through an example below but, ultimately, they allow donors to efficiently reduce the net cost of their donation and significantly boost the end contribution to the charity or cause.
An Example
Under current US tax law and practice, when donating to a US qualified charity ((a 501(c) (3) organisation), an individual can receive WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK
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a US income tax deduction if they itemise their deductions as opposed to claiming the standard deduction. So, for example, if a 37% taxpayer contributes the equivalent of £100,000 into a US qualified DAF, they will have the opportunity to save £0.37 on the £ and will receive a tax deduction of up to £37,000. Similarly, when donating to a UK charity, the donation will qualify for UK income tax relief. In addition, the donation should qualify for UK Gift Aid which will increase the value of your donation by 25%. So, for example, if a 45% rate individual taxpayer contributes £100,000 to a UK qualified DAF, the donation with Gift Aid will be £125,000 and your additional claim back from HMRC would be £31,250 (this is calculated by the difference in tax rates (45% (Additional Rate Tax Band) - 20% (Basic Rate Tax Band)) x gross donation of £125,000). Another neat piece of planning for US taxpayers, resident in the UK and with “NonRemittable”/ “Mixed” funds, is that you can gift those appreciated securities into an offshore account of the dual qualified DAF and not have any capital gains tax to pay on the contribution. This in turn, provides a good use of funds that would have otherwise been subject to further UK taxes upon remittance into the UK.
This in turn, provides a good use of funds that would have otherwise been subject to further UK taxes upon remittance into the UK How Can MASECO Help?
MASECO is not a registered charity and so is unable to offers DAFs directly as part of our service. Instead, our key role is around: • Working with clients to help them assess their charitable goals and ambitions, whilst also making sure that they are aware of the different strategies and structures available to them 14
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• Organising sessions dedicated to helping clients, and the wider family, explore which types of organisations or causes they want to help • Analysing how it all ties into their wider financial and estate plans. Once the clients have decided a suitable path forward, we can then introduce them to our network of dedicated US-UK charities that specialise in operating dual qualified DAFs. It is these charities, such as CAF, NPT Transatlantic and Prism, that can then help facilitate the family’s charitable donations (ensuring that they qualify for dual tax relief) and can help onward grants be made to organizations that can make an impact in the desired areas. By working with organisations who offer the dual tax flow-through mechanism, MASECO can help clients take advantage of Donor Advised Fund services and aid their donations to be tax effective on both sides of the Atlantic. Dan Keeley, MASECO Wealth Manager Dan Keeley is a Wealth Manager at MASECO Private Wealth specialising in catering to the unique wealth management needs of US connected, private client, families by focusing on delivering integrated investment management and wealth planning solutions specifically tailored to the individual clients needs and situation. E: daniel.keeley@masecopw.com THE LEGAL STUFF This document may not be forwarded, copied or distributed without our prior consent. This document has been prepared by MASECO LLP for information purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax or any other type of advice and should not be construed as such. The information contained herein is subject to copyright with all rights reserved. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of MASECO as a whole or any part thereof. All investments involve risk and may lose value. The value of your investment can go down depending upon market conditions and you may not get back the original amount invested. Your capital is always at risk. This article does not take into account the specific goals or requirements of individuals and is not intended to be, nor should be construed as, investment or tax advice. Information contained in this article is based on MASECO’s understanding of current tax law and legislation which is subject to change. MASECO Private Wealth is not a tax specialist. Your ability to benefit from any of the tax mitigation planning mentioned in this article will depend on your personal circumstances. The levels, and bases, of tax relief is subject
to change. You should carefully consider the suitability of any strategies along with your financial situation prior to making any decisions on an appropriate strategy. We strongly recommend that every client seeks their own tax advice prior to acting on any of the tax mitigation opportunities described in this article. MASECO LLP (trading as MASECO Private We a l t h and MASECO Institutional) is established as a limited liability partnership under the laws of England and Wales (Companies House No. OC337650) and has its registered office at Burleigh House, 357 Strand, London WC2R 0HS. The individual partners are Mr J E Matthews, Mr J R D Sellon, Mr A Benson, Mr D R B Dorman, Mr H Q A Findlater, Mr T Flonaes, Mr E A Howison and Ms A L Solana. For your protection and for training purposes, calls are usually recorded. MASECO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the conduct of investment business in the UK and is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor.
PROPERTY
PROPERTY Caveat Emptor et Venditor: Candid Advice For Buyers And Sellers In Today’s US Real Estate Market If you are exploring opportunities to buy or sell property in the USA, there is a good chance you’ve been nursing a pit in your stomach the size of Texas and Florida combined. And I wouldn’t be surprised if it has something to do with the rash of sky-isfalling headlines about higher interest rates or inventory shortages that are hard to ignore. Well, I have good news and not-so-bad news. The good news is that, contrary to the alarming media narrative, the residential housing market back home is not cratering. The not-so-bad news is that, once you’ve managed to tune out the doomsayers, you will have to adjust some of the assumptions and expectations about buying and selling a home that you may have formed during the extraordinary fluctuations in real estate over the past couple of years. WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
Whether you are an aspiring emptor or venditor, I’ve compiled some caveats - along with some candid advice - to help guide you on your American real estate odyssey. The Pandemic Past Is Not Prologue. Much as I hate to dredge up still fresh memories of lockdowns and global disruption, it’s important to recall the impact that COVID-19 had on the real estate industry. It will provide a backdrop of where we are today, and maybe then, we can definitively close the book on it. In those early months of 2020, so many of us learned that, while togetherness is nice, too much of it is not so nice. With entire households cooped up, forcing many adults to work cheek-by-jowl with their schoolaged children and everyone maxing out the broadband, people were desperate for
space. The resulting quest for more elbow room, work space, and outdoor amenities fuelled a truly wild ride in residential real estate. While rental prices skyrocketed for those not in a position to buy, buyers went to extraordinary, perhaps unprecedented lengths for a piece of a diminishing pie. They engaged in bidding wars, agreed to leave inspection reports and other issues out of the negotiation process, and even bought homes they had never set foot in. So, why do I bring this up? Because that’s over now. If you’re selling, know that today’s buyers won’t be so willing to forgo inspections. In fact, today’s buyers are much more inclined to buy a property that requires little, if any, repairs. And while bidding wars still exist, you might not have 20 or 30 offers to consider. WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK
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Rates Are Relative. When my parents bought their home in the ‘80s, the interest rate was 18 percent. When it came time for me to buy, I was thrilled to get a mortgage at 12 percent - and over the moon when we later refinanced to under 4 percent. So, for those of you who have only known a world of historically low interest rates and are feeling your blood pressure climb with each successive rate hike, I want to offer some perspective. When the rates started to climb over 5%, I heard people say real estate would never recover - you would have thought it was the end of the world. And yet, real estate transactions continued. Since then, interest rates have crept higher still, and we are now north of 8%. Guess what? Real estate transactions are still happening. The good news is rates will go down. So, for all of the buyers who were weary when the rates hit 5%, well, they will rejoice when they fall back to 6 or even 7% – the world of refinance will come alive. Of course, high interest rates affect purchasing power. However, while they may make buyers more discerning, they don’t necessarily discourage them altogether. All Pricing Is Local. In case my previous admonition about sensational headlines about real estate didn’t make an impact, I’ll try to be clearer: sensational headlines about real estate are not a reliable source of information about the market - particularly when it comes to pricing. Pricing in real estate is a neighbourhoodby-neighbourhood phenomenon. Current, localised data and information are critical to making sure your home is priced properly. Overly aspirational pricing based on broad trends often backfires big-time - and buyers will likely see a dramatic downward price correction as a red flag. We started this article with a trip down memory lane, and highlighted some of the buying practices that were unheard of during COVID. Today, buyers are doing their homework to feel good and justified about their investment. Expertise Is Non-Negotiable. Given that I am the head of the Global Relocation and Referral Services division for one of the largest independent real estate brokerages in the United States, I would be remiss if I did not talk about working with a professional. Whether you are buying or selling a property, you need to be in the hands of an expert real estate agent - all the more so when you’re a continent away from the property in question. An experienced agent will know how to navigate market dynamics, how to access and analyse local pricing data and other timely insights, how to manage showings, inspections, and other stages of the process, and - perhaps most importantly - how to negotiate. Many aspects in real estate are negotiable, from broker fees to sales prices to closing costs; but experience and expertise are a must - they are non-negotiable. In Closing. The best position you can be in when buying or selling a property is a 16
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knowledgeable one. Take the time to educate yourself. Change is constant, so stay up to date on trends, laws and other important factors. Having realistic expectations from the start, while sometimes not what you want to hear, is far better than being blind sided by reality in the end. And don’t rely on headlines to help you make or break a deal - trust an expert to guide you in pricing and negotiations.
The best position you can be in when buying or selling a property is a knowledgeable one. Take the time to educate yourself. Change is constant, so stay up to date on trends, laws and other important factors Most people engage in only a handful (if that) of real estate transactions in their lifetime. Here’s hoping some of these tips help you to make yours a great success. Christine Haney, Executive Vice President, Global Relocation and Referral Services, Douglas Elliman Christine brings her client relations expertise and business-building results to Douglas Elliman as Executive Vice President of Global Relocation and Referral Services. Christine is responsible for global strategic design and implementation of programmes to provide exceptional service and increase business opportunities, while forging relationships with customers, corporate clients and brokers alike. Notable contributions include the implementation of a Destination Services programme for international clients; The Elliman Advantage programme, an affinity programme offered to direct corporate clients; the partnership with
Knight Frank Residential, bringing Douglas Elliman’s coverage to almost 50 countries worldwide. Christine spent 15 years on the Prudential team prior to joining Douglas Elliman. During this time Christine acted as Director, Prudential Referral Services for the USA, Canada and Mexico, Director, Business Development for Prudential Home Connections, USA, an employee affinity programme. Other positions included management of the Northeast Broker Network; Team Leader of Appraisal/Inspection and Real Estate Services. Prior to her career in relocation, she spent nine years as a Financial Manager for several smaller companies, handling various aspects of financial and strategic planning. Christine holds a BS in Business Management from Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, Connecticut, and has her SCRP, SGMS and SGDS industry designations. She currently sits on the Executive Board of RDC and held the role of President of NYCorp, for two consecutive terms. Christine is still active on this board. DOUGLAS ELLIMAN 575 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022 Telephone: 212-303-5250 Email: chaney@elliman.com
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THEATRE REVIEW By Tim Baros Tracy Lord (adoringly played by Victoria Serra) is engaged to George Ketteridge (Will Richardson), much to the chagrin of her ex-husband Dexter (Matt Blaker) who appears to still be in love with her. Two reporters arrive (Matthew Jones as Mike and Laura Tyrer as Liz) to get the scoop and all the gossip about the dysfunctional Lord family during the wedding weekend. However, Tracy slowly questions if George is the man for her, especially after Dexter gives her a gift that is special to both of them. Meanwhile, Mike has his eye on Tracy as well, much to the chagrin of Liz. Mayhem and madcap hijinks ensue, with lots of toetapping with glittering costumes, jewellery, and hairstyles that would put any real wedding to shame. It’s all good fun, and while the cast works up a sweat, we just sat back and enjoyed the show. It’s such a small stage, but the cast make it work as they dance around the stage and at the sides of each other, and up and down the staircases. It’s as intimate a theatre experience as they come, and set to the wonderful music of Cole Porter, it’s a riproaring fun toe-tapping show! Set on the banks of the Thames, the Mill at Sonning Theatre is celebrating its 40th birthday. It’s such a unique place, in a beautiful setting, with wonderful staff and a very very cosy atmosphere. You owe it to yourself and your loved one to pay a visit very soon. ‘High Society’ finishes its run on January 20th, 2024. www.millatsonning.com/shows/high-society
High Society At The Mill at Sonning
What a lovely show in an absolutely fantastic venue. This is how I describe ‘High Society’ at The Mill at Sonning. Only a 25 minute train ride from London to Reading, and then a 5 minute taxi ride to the theatre, it’s absolutely worth making the trek to see, and to do something different other than seeing a West End show time and time again. The Mill at Sonning is a lunch/dinner theatre in a magical setting. Each ticket comes with a two course meal - and as it’s buffet style there is plenty of food to go around. We were lucky 18
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enough to attend recently so we had the Christmas meal - it was perfect. Delicious Turkey, potatoes, with all the trimmings, and more! Water and wine on the table, with pastries and coffee/tea to top it all off. The restaurant starts serving two hours before each performance so there is plenty of time to enjoy the meal and to get to the theatre as the entrance is easily located on the other side of the dining room. Currently playing in the intimate theatre (which sits 217 people) is ‘High Society’ - the classic Cole Porter musical about a wealthy New York socialite who is getting married, but it becomes a huge guessing game, as several men are in love with her.
TAKE FIVE
TAKE FIVE Wonderfully Winter! by Judith Schrut
Going for Glow, Waddesdon Manor Winter Lights: Robert Fung Light Installation (l) and Light Trail Alliums (r), ©Waddesdon, a Rothschild House & Gardens, photos by Chris Lacey
By the time you are reading this, those crisp, bright autumn afternoons and seasonal holiday buzz will be fond memories, and it’ll be some time before winter’s thaw and the first snowdrops of spring are with us. Sounds like the perfect time to pull on those woolly hats, outsized scarves and newly-gifted socks and give winter the cold shoulder, with some of our favourite ways to cut those frosty feelings down to size!
1. Great Illuminations
Who doesn’t yearn for a little more light in winter? With this winter’s open air light displays more magnificent and magical than ever, many shining well into the new year, that wish can easily be reality. You’ll find plenty of twinkling lights for dark nights at Waddesdon Manor’s Winter Lights Festival. Waddesdon, a National Trust gem and home to the Rothschild family for almost 150 years, is renowned for its annual extravaganza of lights and soundscapes. Each day as the sun goes down, Waddesdon’s grand façade is illumined with lights inspired by three classic tales, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and the Snow Queen. Then, follow the alfresco light trail and be dazzled by colourful tree canopies, giant alliums, luminous elephants, and beacons of light dancing to sequenced music. London’s Southbank Centre lights up the Thames riverside with Winter Light, a stunning outdoor show of radiant artworks created by talented light artists from around the world. Then, head east along the river for WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
another gaggle of glow, as Canary Wharf transforms into its outdoor spectacle, Winter Lights. Amongst the highlights, look out for On a Wave of Light, an interactive display of 100 LED light sticks which waves, shines and mimics passersby, We Could Meet, 500 reflecting and colour-changing illuminated rods installed in a water channel and Marbles by Dutch artist Gertjan Adema, a giant, hypnotising marble run of light, sound and movement. Returning by popular demand is the ingenious Spectacular Submergence by SquidSoup, showering walkthrough visitors with a thousand points of suspended light. Baylight Morecambe arrives on Lancashire’s seafront mid-February for a scintillating weekend. Meanwhile, Light up the North beams a network of nine winter light festivals across Northern England, including the spectacular Lumiere Biennial, which took place across four November
nights in Durham and Bishop Auckland, wowing over 160,000 visitors. Still to come are Light Night Worcester and Illuminate Oldham, a glorious night of illuminated townscapes, street shows, food pop-ups and a community lantern parade. Last, but not least, the Bristol Light Festival takes place throughout the city of Bristol for 10 shimmering nights in February. Expect a family-friendly showcase of stunning and adventurous light art including immersive light, colour and sound bubbles, giant walk-through flowers and the world premiere of Ascendance, described as an interstellar installation featuring an astronaut floating through the cosmos. Further information: waddesdon.org.uk lumiere-festival.com lightupthenorth.com bristollightfestival.org
Liquid Geometry: Stunning light projections on Durham Cathedral, created by Javier Riera for Lumiere 2023, produced by Artichoke, photo by Matthew Andrews
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2. Sounds Of Music
To many music lovers, Britain is Music Heaven, with dozens of venues, concerts and gigs to suit every taste or sound style. Whether your favourite is jazz, classical or hip-hop; synthwave, shoegaze or posthyperpop - or a sound so new it doesn’t have a name yet - the UK offers a breadth and variety of music unequalled anywhere on the planet. London’s Barbican Centre boasts some brilliant music spaces and is home to the London and BBC Symphony Orchestras, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Academy of Ancient Music. It’s ringing in 2024 with a glorious glut of world-class orchestras, bands, choirs and solo artists. Each year, along with the cream of international musicians, the Barbican warmly welcomes top American artists. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and its jubilant Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, soprano superstar Joyce DiDonato, and titan conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, will all be appearing in 2024. Sensational US rising star Missy Mazzoli, nicknamed the ‘21st century gatecrasher of classical music,’ will be front and centre for the Barbican’s Total Immersion Day, while eminent pianist-composer Robert Levin joins the Academy of Ancient Music’s Golden Anniversary celebrations. Glasgow is the place to be in late January to early February, when Celtic Connections, the annual festival of folk, roots and world music comes to town, featuring 300 events and over 2,100 Celtic-connected musicians from across the globe. In April it’s time for La Linea, the London Latin Music Festival. Venues across the capital will be filled with a joyous Latin music feast. Festival top notes will come
The charismatic Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic, ALT©Stephan Rabold
from vivacious singer-songwriter Lila Downs, Argentina’s Nu-Cumbian queen La Yegros and the UK debut of multi-Grammy winning Los Tigres del Norte and their vibrant Mexican Norteño beats. In early May, the incomparable Cheltenham Jazz Festival brings together international stars, up and coming newbies and lots of sound surprises under its very big jazz umbrella. If that’s too long to wait, you can whet your appetite any night of the week at Britain’s numerous jazz and blues venues like Jazz Café Posk, The Verdict, The Old Duke and Ronnie Scott’s. Throughout 2024, London’s Kings Place hosts Scotland Unwrapped, a lilting and uplifting season of Scottish folk, roots, jazz and classical music and music making, along with poetry readings, song workshops, family events and ceilidhs. Expect a packed year of rich and resonant Scottish sound from the likes of Blazin’ Fiddles, multi-award-winning singers Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis, Cuta-Shine’s Ceilidh Collective, guitar virtuoso Sean Shibe, percussionist extraordinaire Evelyn Glennie and dozens more. Further information: barbican.org.uk comono.co.uk/la-linea
3. Meandering Museums
Lila Downs, appearing at La Linea London, 2024, photo courtesy ComoNo & BaxterPR
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A winter outing to one of Britain’s 2,500 museums and art galleries is an excellent way to cheat the chill. Many of the UK’s 70 million+ annual museum and gallery visitors express particular surprise and delight to find the vast majority may be visited absolutely free. London’s Victoria & Albert Museum is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance and an absolute treasure house of amazing and beautiful objects. The V&A, as it’s affectionately known, houses 150 galleries and nearly three million objects from around the world and across the ages, from breathtaking jewellery, glass, fashion and photography collections to vast and glorious displays of gold, silver, ceramics, sculpture and much, much more.
Vincent van Gogh, Sunflowers, 1888, ©The National Gallery, London
It’s all free and invitingly displayed - along with plenty of special events, late night openings and award-winning daily guided tours, including the unique Remarkable Women and LGBTQ+ tours. Be sure to leave time for tea and tempting cakes in the Refreshment Rooms, the world’s first museum café, designed by none other than William Morris and his contemporaries. Amongst the V&A’s special exhibitions in 2024 (ticketed, free for members) are Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Elton John Collection and Naomi, the first ever show on the life and trailblazing career of supermodel Naomi Campbell, while its current blockbuster, Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, continues to the end of February. Across the four Tate Galleries - Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives - current and upcoming shows salute traditional greats including Wassily Kandinsky and John Singer Sargent, as well as lesser known but no less vibrant, groundbreaking artists such as South African photographer and activist Zanele Moholy and Finnish visual artist Outi Pieski. Over at London’s National Gallery it’s party time, as Britain’s premier gallery of European Art celebrates its 200th birthday.
TAKE FIVE
Amalgama, Spanish Gallery, light projection created by Daniel Canogar for Lumiere 2023, produced by Artichoke, photo by Matthew Andrews
As well as the chance to admire permanent gems by Rembrandt, Canaletto, Vermeer, Cezanne, Monet and many others, you can fête the bicentenary with a visit to Poets and Lovers, the NG’s first exhibition devoted to Vincent Van Gogh. From dozens of outstanding museums and galleries outside London we highly recommend Glasgow’s Burrell Collection, Bath’s Holborne Museum, Margate’s Turner Contemporary, and the brand new Spanish Gallery and Faith Museum, both part of the exciting Bishop Auckland (Regeneration) Project. The Spanish Gallery is the first UK space dedicated to the art and culture of Spain, while the Faith Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum inside Auckland Castle. It takes you on a fascinating journey exploring how faith, belief and religion have shaped 6,000 years of British history. The glorious, woodlands-set Burrell Collection, recently re-opened after a major facelift, has just been awarded the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year. Apart from a splendid trove of paintings, sculpture and art objects, its country park location guarantees stunning views through every gallery window. Further information: vam.ac.uk nationalgallery.org.uk aucklandproject.org/venues burrellcollection.com
4. Best In Show
You can count on UK Theatreland to deliver a snowplough of toasty treats to snuggle up to this winter. If you’re thirsting for something new, the eagerly awaited European premiere of Spirited Away arrives at London Coliseum in early spring. It’s an enchanting adaptation of the animated film and features the original Japanese cast and creatives. Meanwhile, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s acclaimed stage version of another Studio Ghibli animation, My Neighbour Totoro, is playing at the Barbican Theatre. We’re also excited about an upcoming new musical, Opening Night, by Rufus Wainwright and Ivo Van Hove and starring the supremely talented and charismatic Sheridan Smith (Cilla, Mrs Biggs, Legally Blonde, Funny Girl). The always impressive National Theatre presents the world premiere of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, a rip-roaring musical based on Dahl’s famous tale. NT also gives us a gripping revival of Lorca’s House of Bernardo Alba, starring Olivier Award-winner (as well as notable Succession and Ted Lasso guest), Harriet Walter. In addition, you can catch topnotch NT-originated shows like Dear England, the Motive and the Cue and Hadestown in the West End. Even more exciting to know that friends and family back home can enjoy all these fabulous shows, as NT broadcasts in movie theatres across the USA as part of National Theatre Live.
Britain’s superb regional theatres should not be overlooked for outstanding drama and musicals. A hop, skip and brisk train ride from London is the Bristol Old Vic, the UK’s oldest continually operating theatre. First opened in 1766, the theatre and its theatre school have launched careers of many great British actors including Sarah Siddons, Olivia Colman, Peter O’Toole and Daniel Day Lewis. Its 258th year begins with a humdinger production of Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka’s surrealist tale of a man who wakes one morning to find he has turned into an insect. Octogenarian National Treasure and legendary thespian Ian McKellen steals the show wherever he goes. This spring there’s a thrilling chance to see him in perhaps his most perfect role, as John Falstaff in The Player Kings, an inventive adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2. One of the definitely don’t-missables, it opens at New Wimbledon Theatre followed by the Opera House, Manchester before a West End run. Also in Manchester, playing the Royal Exchange’s in-the-round stage, is Brief Encounter, Noel Coward’s heartstopping story, classic movie and now musical re-telling of forbidden love. Regional theatres provide a fantastic chance to view top shows on tour. This coming year you can see fine touring versions of favourite musicals like Hamilton, Wicked, Les Miserables and The Wizard of Oz. A sparkling new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, that crazy flying car filled with exuberant song and a star-studded cast, touches down in April at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, before setting off on a 25-stop gallivant round the UK. Finally, when treating yourself to a show this winter, remember our Golden Rule: there’s no need to pay full price! You’ll be amazed how many theatres have hugely discounted on-the-day tickets to in-person callers, students and over-60s. Do also check out Leicester Square’s official discount ticket booth. For really useful tips on choosing seats and insider reviews, consult Theatre Monkey. Further information: nationaltheatre.org.uk spiritedawayuk.com officiallondontheatre.com/tkts Spirited Away, Kanna Hashimoto ‘Chihiro’, image courtesy Raw PR
Katherine Kingsley, Grand High Witch, and the Witches Company, National Theatre, photo credit Marc Brenner
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Hands up! OAE Tots at LPO FUNharmonics, Rob Howart, Southbank Centre, image credit Andrew Thomson
5. Cool For Kids If you’re keen to share some warm and fuzzy feelings with your mini loved ones this winter, look no further than London’s Southbank Centre. This February it hosts a ton of piping hot fun for children and families at its annual Imagine Children’s Festival. This year’s Imagine takes place in mid-February and looks sensational, with 130 events and 11 jam-packed days of theatre, music, workshops, comedy and other activities, a whopping 40% of which are completely free. Highlights include the London debut of Starchitects: A Cosmic Adventure, shortlisted for the Fantastic for Families Awards 2023, and the return of the Akram Khan Dance Company and its heartwarming show, Chotto Desh. Enjoy a live version of
hit CBeebies TV YolanDa’s Band Jam and puppetry and music from the Instrumentals. Spend an inspirational afternoon with beloved author Michael Rosen, giggle along to sketch comedy with Shelf: The Kids Show, named best show at the recent UK Kids’ Comedy Festival, and explore human anatomy through games and fun quizzes in Amazing Bodies with Dr. Ronx. For another deliciously defrosting treat, why not take your young’uns on a dance adventure they’re sure to remember. Sadlers Wells is staging The Velveteen Rabbit, a dance delight for children and their grownups, based on Margery Williams classic tale about a stuffed rabbit and a growing-up boy, what it means to be loved and what it takes to be ‘real’. Meanwhile, toddlers in tutus will be flocking to First Ballet: Swan Lake,
The well-worn & much loved Joey the War Horse Puppet, on display at the Young V&A
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English National Ballet’s production introducing children 3 years and up to the magical world of ballet. The newly-opened Young V&A is Britain’s first museum of art, design and performance created for and by young people. But you don’t have to be a child to be entranced by the museum’s bright, spacious and welcoming galleries of wonderment, 2000+ objects and collectibles old and new and from all over the world, invitingly displayed across three levels and three themes, Play, Imagine and Design. Look out for top treasures like Japanese samurai armour, an ‘Aah’ factor Teddy Bear collection and the original giant Joey the War Horse puppet. There’s an eyepopping collection of dolls and dollhouses; action figures like Barbie, Ken, Paddington, He-Man and She-Ra; board games, video games, build-it games past and present like Stickle Bricks, Octons, Jenga and that ageless favourite, the Marble Run; plus an array of moving-play toys including the Pogo Stick, the Spacehopper and the little red wagon. Young V&A is simply packed with make-it, try-it and play-with-it choices for serious fun. There’s a well-stocked dressing up area, a theatre and performance space, a self portrait-making station and a play-friendly café. There’s even a delightful mini-museum for under 3’s. Spacious, light-filled and covered in soft or textured floors, walls and ceilings, it’s loaded with options for rolling, crawling and toddling, for discovering colours, textures and shapes, all at toddler eye-level height. Further information: southbankcentre.co.uk vam.ac.uk/young sadlerswells.com Take Five brings the Best of British to Americans in Britain. We’d love to hear how you’re wonder-fulling your winter - feel free to reach out to Judith at judith0777@gmail.com.
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HEALTHCARE Physiotherapy new and increased demands we put on them. However, too many people avoid exercise for fear that it will ‘hurt their back’. Unfortunately in those cases the back will not improve. We recommend that everyone embarks on a 3-6 month programme with a Physio to build the strength and tolerance of their body so that they are able to do more of the things they love.
Future Proofing
Preventing Injury
Up to 70% of us will suffer with neck or back pain in our lives. For some it is a minor niggle that is relieved within days, for others it can be debilitating, and is a major cause of sickness within UK employment. The question remains, why do some people get injured and others do not? Today we talk to Caitlin Miles, Consultant Physiotherapist from Six Physio in Chelsea, who talks us through some of the contributing factors and what we can do to help to prevent injury.
Mobility
Injuries often occur because bits of our body get too stiff. If some parts of us don’t move enough it puts undue stress on other parts of our body. Think of a slinky spring coming down the stairs. If some of the rings of the spring were stuck together, then the other end of the spring would over-stretch and become distorted. That’s similar to our body, if one bit doesn’t move enough then it can cause increased stress somewhere else. Think of a runner with stiff hips. If their hips don’t move through the required range of motion, then unnecessary stress could be put onto the lower back and in turn cause pain. It is very common amongst office workers to stiffen up in their thoracic spine (the bit between the shoulder blades). If that part of the body doesn’t move enough, we can put more stress into our neck, shoulders or lower back. Everyone should therefore try to maintain mobility in their body, whether that’s regular pilates classes, yoga or even a stretch routine at home. 24
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Strength And Control
As well as having lots of flexibility, we also need the strength and control to support that range of movements. Strength is our ability to move weight or resistance whereas control is the ability to use muscles to move our limbs through a desired and selected range of movement. Strength is a great thing to have as it supports our bones and encourages bone density. The cross section of our muscles will be thicker too, and therefore provide us with more capacity to be able to do more things (skip, jump, run, hop etc.). Having more control, however, provides us with the ability to move, with ease, through more ranges which reduces our risk of injury. Strength is best achieved through high resistance training, pushing the muscle system to fatigue so that it adapts to the new demands. Control is best achieved through regimes such as pilates which challenge the body in slower conditions. Pilates is often the Physios favourite, as it challenges the body in a controlled environment which means it is a great choice for the injured patient as it allows progression without pain.
Reduce Fear
Decades of manual handling programmes and people telling us how we should and shouldn’t lift things off the floor has caused a huge amount of fear amongst people. Analogies that our backs are like jam donuts or that they ‘crumble’ under pressure simply isn’t accurate. The fact is that our backs are incredibly strong and are able to adapt under pressure. We have to expose our bodies to these stresses so that they are able to get stronger and withstand the
There are lots of things we can do to maximise the health of our body; eat healthily, drink water, manage electrolytes, stop smoking, limit alcohol consumption, regular exercise etc. As science advances, more options are available to us. Six Physio now offer MBST at their flagship clinic in Chelsea. MBST uses the same science as MRI scanners, using magnetic resonance to influence the metabolic health of cells from within our bodies. Caitlin states; “If we can help our patients to manage the biomechanical elements of their body, and then we use MBST to treat the joints, then we are future proofing our clients against the effects of ageing. It’s a super exciting proposition for us as it doesn’t involve injections, medication or even surgery”.
Six Physio - 9 Clinics Across The Capital
Six Physio was established in 1996, gaining a reputation as London’s Leading Private Physiotherapy provider, where it leads the field in treatment of all MSK presentations and its well-known Specialist Physio services. They pride themselves in doing the simple things well, providing uncomplicated approaches to assessment and treatment, getting their patients back to fitness with ease and compassion. Their tag line ‘Don’t Treat, Cure’ is a nod to their ethos of fixing patients’ ailments and not simply pacifying symptoms. The testimonials speak for themselves; thousands of messages from grateful patients, often thankful for the holistic approach adopted by their Physio. Director Matt Todman says “Physio school teaches you a plethora of information, then you spend the first few years of your career sifting through the chaos. At Six, we aim to make everything clear. Simple straight forward Physio that works. It’s as simple as that”. Please contact the Team at Six Physio E. bookings@sixphysio.com T. 020 7036 0286
HOTEL REVIEW
HOTEL REVIEW Sopwell House, St Albans, Hertfordshire When you think of places to go away to for a break, either midweek or at the weekend, your first thought may not be St Albans, but that would be a mistake, as St Albans not only has a wonderful Cathedral it also is right next to Verulamium, which was the most important Roman city in its time, and it also home to Sopwell House, a fabulous refurbished hotel, that is now in my top ten hotel’s I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing in the UK. Regardless of what you have planned, a visit to Sopwell House Hotel, situated just outside of St Albans, is the place to relax and enjoy a luxurious break. The hotel is a hidden sanctuary which gained fame as the gathering place for the England national football team, as well as other British and International football teams, and on the walls of the corridor leading to the spa there are a number of signed football shirts commemorating these stays. The hotel is family owned, and that warmth of welcome is apparent from the friendly staff the moment you arrive. The Mansion House has 112 rooms including family and balcony suites, and there are 16 exclusive Mews Suites which are separate from the main hotel and can WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
be reached through private gates and are set in landscaped gardens. These suites are individually designed rooms and cottages with features including fireplaces, four poster beds, private terraces, cedar wood spa baths and even self-sufficient high-end kitchenettes. If that wasn’t enough, in the relaxing gardens there is also an outside hydro therapy pool where you can take a soak in the peace and quiet of the garden. Our room was beautifully decorated and full of home comforts, including a coffee machine and two state of the art TV’s, one to look at from the bed and the other from the sofa (both with Sky and BT packages including sports), but it was the small touches that turned the room into a room that made you feel at home, rather than being in a hotel room. Our large Superking bed was covered by a sumptuous duck feather duvet, and gave us one of the most relaxing night’s sleep for some time. Our studio room was so welcoming it almost made us feel like just staying in and not venturing out, but everyone needs some pampering once in a while, and Sopwell House has not one, but two places for guests to get as much relaxation as they need,
namely Cottonmill Spa, and The Club Spa. The first thing you notice when you walk into the main area at the Cottonmill Spa, is the feeling of space, with the large pool, separate vitality and spa jacuzzi, as well as the steam room and sauna, that are available to all guests. This feeling of space is cleverly created not by high ceilings, but by a mirrored ceiling spanning the swimming pool’s length, that reflects its glimmering water. In addition to these offerings, there is a further delight for those who are staying in the Mews rooms, or those who make an additional payment, namely The Club. This special area includes an indoor/outdoor massaging hydrotherapy pool, along with a number of exclusive areas including an organic sauna, and a botanical steam room, allowing the guest to truly relax. There are two-options available for guests to eat at Sopwell, the less formal Brasserie restaurant with its wooden floors and large windows providing lots of natural light, or the more exotic Omboo, with its walls covered with exotic floral designs and a more intimate vibe. But before choosing either you should certainly visit the Octagon Bar and sample one of the signature WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK
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cocktails on offer, that can be enjoyed in either the relaxed lounge with high ceilings and comfortable seats and sofas, or at the more formal marble bar. The Brasserie provides a wide range of dishes along with a number of Steaks cooked on a Mibrasa Grill, with its mix of oven and charcoal grill providing additional flavour to the meat. For those looking for something different, the other dining option is Omboo, that serves Far Eastern sharing dishes, and the mantra here is that you order dishes for the table not for each diner, but be warned, dishes do come out when ready, so if you want a little more structure to your meal, order a few dishes at a time so you
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don’t get everything arriving at the same time, as this can force you to eat too quickly to ensure they don’t go cold. Sopwell House is a stone’s throw from London (20 minutes by train), and is the perfect place to go and just take some time off from the hustle and bustle of daily life, in a friendly and homely environment. The rooms are well appointed and stylish, the staff are welcoming and go the extra mile, and their Spa is luxury personified, and to add the cherry on the top of the cake, the Spa is also adult only, so your peace is not disturbed by screaming children. The perfect cocktail for relaxation! www.sopwellhouse.co.uk
TRAVEL
TRAVEL The Test Valley, Hampshire featuring The Duke On The Test
Travelling around the UK will constantly surprise you as there are a number of quintessentially ‘British’ hidden gems that are not spoilt by being too commercialised, and one such place is the little-known Test Valley in Hampshire, with its stunning countryside and many places of interest. The area unsurprisingly gets its name from the valley that surrounds the River Test, that is renown, (for those keen fishermen/women amongst you), as one of England’s greatest trout rivers, and there are many fishing trips you can book, including lessons for beginners. The Test Valley mainly comprises of the towns of Andover, Romsey and Stockbridge in the north-west of Hampshire, and each has their own individual character. Andover is dominated by its Guildhall, Romsey is clustered around the Abbey (where you can see the resting place of Lord Mountbatten, Prince Philip’s Uncle), and award-winning Stockbridge, that has a lovely, scenic main street, very much in the style of a number of Cotswolds towns. It’s a peaceful place where you can have a short break and slowdown from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and I have listed a few suggestions as to where to visit whilst there.
Walk The Test Way
The Test Way is a 44-mile-long walking route that takes you from the Chalk Downs at Inkpen following the River Test down to the tidal waters flowing into Southampton Water. Before you think I have lost my marbles and that this might be a little too far for you to walk, the walk has been divided into eight sections allowing you to choose between meadows, tidal marshes and peaceful woodlands, as well as enjoying picnics on the banks or visiting cosy local pubs, but whichever section you select, they all have spectacular views of 44 miles of unspoilt part of the UK. Walkers will be spoilt with the abundance of WWW.THEAMERICANHOUR.COM
the wildlife, plants and rare birds that can be found here, including, Kingfishers, Marsh Harriers and Wild Orchids. Walks range between 2 to 4 hours and maps are available on www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/ the-test-way-walk.
Mottisfont Abbey
An Augustinian Priory was first set up in 1201 at Mottisfont, as they discovered a spring (hence ‘the font at Mottis’), that is still producing water today, and that combined with its proximity to the river Test made it prosperous and the perfect place for pilgrims en route to Winchester to come and worship Mottisfont’s relic, which was said to be the finger of St John the Baptist. I am sorry to have to tell you I don’t know where this finger is now, or the rest of him for that matter!, but after the Black Death and the dissolution of the monasteries, the priory was dissolved and Henry VIII gave Mottisfont to one of his favoured Statesmen, and surprisingly rather than demolishing the priory he turned the existing buildings into a country house with the church’s nave the main body of the new mansion. Further additions were made in the 18th century, including the owners calling the house ‘Abbey’ rather than priory, as they thought it sounded more romantic! The house is now owned by the National Trust, and as well as the interesting period house with glimpses of that old medieval priory beneath the mansion (don’t miss the cellar it is stunning), there are extensive gardens to enjoy, and especially in Spring. The gardens burst into life with colourful floral displays from daffodils and crocuses in March and April and tulips in April and May, while newly hatched ducklings and cygnets take to the water. The famous National Collection of roses starts to emerge in May, building up to the main National Collection of pre-1900 oldfashioned roses which are in full bloom once
a year in June. It’s a sight to behold! There will also be a ‘Heath Robinson At War’ exhibition to look out for from 20th January to 14th April, showcasing his humorous drawings from both World Wars, demonstrating Robinson’s ability to counter the horrors of war with gentle satire and absurdity. Property admission applies (free entry for National Trust members and under 5s). For information on all the above and for Spring events visit www.nationaltrust. org.uk/mottisfont
Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm
Originally a dairy farm, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm first opened its doors as a Rare Breeds Farm run by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) in 1985, and was purchased by the McConnell Family back in 2002. Since then, they have created a lovely family run business with a really welcoming vibe with knowledgeable and very friendly staff, that along with the animals, also has a number of play areas and a play barn to keep the most energetic children occupied. If this wasn’t enough, they also have established their very own vineyard which produces a white and a rose English sparkling wine, which having bought a bottle (all in the interests of research), I can heartily recommend. During your visit to the farm, there is so much to see and do, and families can look forward to enjoying some well-deserved quality time together when you visit. Along with the quaint and slightly quirky alpacas, a highland bull and a number of other rare breeds, the farm is packed full of your favourite animals, including: Pigs, Goats, Sheep, Donkeys, Calves, Ponies, Rabbits, Peacocks, Chickens, Ducks and Geese to name but a few. There are daily activities including pig races and guinea pig fishing (which really isn’t as cruel as it sounds), and the opportunity to WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK
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get up close and personal with some of the animals in the petting corner. After all this fresh air you can relax in the café and enjoy a glass of that special English fizz or a coffee, along with a large slice of cake, and on your way out there is a small farm shop to purchase truly organic produce. They even have a hostel there so are able to host a number of events including weddings (where one of the Alpacas will walk your rings down the aisle!) and weekends away. This is a great place to spend a happy day out with the family, as you can enjoy the animals and play options, as well as seeing how a small vineyard runs, and taste its wares! For further information visit: www.choldertonrarebreedsfarm.com Advanced online booking essential.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Thruxton Motor Centre
For our green fingered readers, the wonderful Houghton Lodge Gardens opens for its main season in April. At this time of year swathes of riverside daffodils, dainty crocus, and bright blue of scilla set the scene for visitors. Early visitors to the garden will be treated to the heart-warming sights of spring across the Walled Garden, Long Border, Peacock Garden and the rolling lawns down to the River Test. Apple blossoms are in full bloom and tulips provide a splash of colour mid to late April across the Walled Garden’s raised beds and borders. A few times a year the house is opened to visitors. During these times guided tours are arranged so that visitors can learn more about this unique building - the finest surviving example of a cottage Orné in England. See the beauty of the exquisite rooms and listen to the stories and history that have been part of this house since it was built in 1793. The tearoom is also open, serving drinks, sweet and savoury treats, and snacks and seasonal dishes. Traditional Afternoon Teas are available too. www.houghtonlodge.co.uk
For racing enthusiasts, Thruxton Motorsport Centre is the UK’s fastest racetrack and offers Driving Experiences, events and race meetings. For Driving Experiences choose from supercars, sports cars and racing cars. All the driving experiences use the full 2.4mile Thruxton race circuit - an FIA licensed venue. You can also develop your driving skills in a safe and controlled environment by choosing the Skid Pan option. Thruxton also hosts Junior experiences where children from 12 years old can learn to drive. Race meetings are a must-see at Thruxton. Look up events at www.thruxtonracing.co.uk
Sir Harold Hiller Gardens
The world-renowned Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are a delight all year, but have some real highlights in Spring. Look on the website for monthly updates of what to see, and when. Courses, tours, family seasonal trails, exhibitions and art, craft, and gardening workshops and more, are all on offer. Family events include archaeology, bushcraft, pond dipping, seasonal trails and more. Art and craft workshops for adults include botanical pottery, botanical art, mixed media, Ink drawing, lino printing, coloured pencil drawing, and making a mini-quilt amongst others. There are also art and craft exhibitions and regular forest bathing sessions. Full details of all events are at: www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens
The Hawk Conservancy Trust is a bird of prey visitor attraction and conservation charity that cares for and displays birds of prey. It also runs spectacular events and hosts experiences. Experience the wonder that is the Evening Owls experience when, as night falls, visitors will experience these majestic birds’ graceful, silent flights, in and out of the darkness over their Savannah Arena and amongst the mysterious Woodland Arena. For further information please visit www.hawk-conservancy.org
Houghton Lodge Gardens
Whitchurch Silk Mill
Whitchurch Silk Mill is a 19th century water mill that weaves English silk fabrics using 19th century machinery. It’s open to the public and is one of the area’s hidden gems and has a shop where you can satisfy all of your silk-related needs. It runs events throughout the year including workshops, exhibitions, markets and much more. For more information and the latest on Spring events, visit www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk
The Duke On The Test
To enjoy all that the Test Valley has to offer you do need to stay more than one day and where better to stay than the newly refurbished Duke on the Test Inn which can be found just outside Romsey right in the heart of all there is to see. This 16th Century Inn has 12 stylishly furnished rooms (all with their own parking space) all named 28
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after English Dukes, and there are even dog friendly bedrooms available. The rooms are thoughtfully decorated and are homely and warming places to come home to after a long day sightseeing and would not look out of place in a high starred hotel. I am unsure if it was the fresh air or the very comfortable bed and the ultra-luxurious duvet, but I slept like a log all night and awoke totally refreshed when we stayed. The Inn has a rich history dating back to as early as the 1500’s and manages to maintain that old charm whilst having all the mod cons you would expect. The Duke on the Test not only provides a welcoming place to rest your head, its bar and restaurant provide an equally welcoming haven for the tired traveller, and the staff are charming and helpful. There are a wide range of local ales and draft beers on offer, and the wine list has something for everyone. The restaurant serves up many favourites all sourced from local produce including, my favourite, a truly wonderful home-made pie. The pies are made fresh each day with a different filling each week which is surrounded by a crunchy and rustic buttery pastry, just as it should be. They even get their trout from the River Test which is a stone’s throw away, so you really can’t get fresher than that! The Duke on the Test is perfectly located to visit all that the Test Valley has to offer with its well-appointed rooms overlooking the River Test all behind the 15th century Inn which has served up fine food and wine for many centuries, and we will definitely stay there again the next time we find ourselves in the Test Valley. www.thedukeonthetest.co.uk
HISTORY
HISTORY Bletchley Park Many people know the name of Bletchley Park, but can’t recall why. There are others that know Bletchley Park from the film ‘The Imitation Game’ which tells the story of the cracking of the Enigma code. And there are those who have actually visited the site and have experienced what it was truly like to work here at the cutting edge of breaking codes and helping to defeat the Germans during the World War Two. The film is very interesting and well worth watching, but as with many films, although they say it is based on real life, there has been a lot of artistic license and the facts have been stretched very thinly. Bletchley Park has had an amazing history over the years with the site actually appearing in the Doomsday Book of 1086, but our interest in the house starts in 1938, when the house and the 581 acres were about to be turned into a housing estate by a builder. Every government department needed a base outside of London in case of bombings, so when Admiral Sir High Sinclair, Head of MI6, saw the site (under the cover of Captain Ridley’s shooting party!), he realised it was the perfect place for his Government Communication Headquarters as it had great telephone and communication links, as well as being on the main railway line to London, and on the Varsity Line between Cambridge and Oxford, where all of his code breakers would be supplied from. Bletchley Park, under Sinclair, then blossomed and from the 100 code breakers he started with at the beginning of the war, that number grew to just under 9,000 by 1945, but after the war GCHQ (Government Communications HQ) moved to Eastcote and then to Cheltenham where it remains today, and ironically Bletchley Park’s fate then came full circle and it was about to become a housing development again, until Milton Keynes council stepped in due to its historic importance, and gave it protected status.
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Bletchley Park has not looked back since, and is now a vibrant heritage attraction which enables its visitors to step back in time and experience what it was like for the men and women who worked there and does so in a variety of dazzling and innovative ways, which will delight children and adults alike. The stories that are told, some by the people themselves, are fascinating, and the way they are told is so engaging it really brings them to life. The famous story of Alan Turing and his teams cracking the German’s Enigma code is told in detail, and you can see the huts they worked in, their desks and even the mug that he chained to his radiator so others couldn’t steal it (mugs were in short supply in the war!), along with the machine they developed to crack the code and help the Allies win a war that they were losing until then. But many other codes were cracked here, and you can see how they did this by playing interactive games to crack codes yourself! The site is large and packed with history, so to accompany the signs, films etc., in the huts you are able to get a free multimedia guide to explain more of the history. The Adult version has more history, and the Family one has the history and also has games to play to keep the childrens’ interest.
The mansion at Bletchley is still a stunning country house today, with many wonderful decorative touches. You must take a look at the ballroom as it is magical, despite being used as a war office for many years, and it was here, on 8th February 1941, that the UK/ US special relationship that is talked about at length today was born. Senior American Military personnel met with Commander Dennison (Head of Intelligence at Bletchley) in his office and over sherry, (oh how British!), and discussed sharing intelligence for the first time. At this time countries didn’t share information, indeed in the US the Army didn’t even share information with their Naval counterparts!, and the British were reticent to share that they had cracked the Enigma code, but when the Americans came with details as to how to crack the Japanese Purple code, Dennison realised that they should be open with the Americans and shared the details of how they had cracked the Enigma code, and from there the special relationship between our two nations has grown and grown, and there are still to this day US personnel at GCHQ and UK personnel in US bases. The site is vast and the number of exhibitions extensive, so you will be pleased to know that the ticket you buy on the day entitles you to revisit Bletchley as many times as you like in the following year to enable you to see new exhibitions or revisit parts you didn’t see the first or even second time, making it incredible value as well as important to know about. It is hard to put into words how important Bletchley Park was to the war effort, and also how well they tell this story now, and this place is just steeped in history. Add to the stopping of the uprise of Nazism, with the fact that it is also the birth place of the modern-day computer, it becomes clearer how it has helped to shape our lives in more ways than one and will fascinate both you and your family regardless of one’s age. www.bletchleypark.org.uk WWW.AMERICANINBRITAIN.CO.UK
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DAYS OUT WITH THE FAMILY The Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill Regent’s Park, officially entitled The Regent’s Park, is one of eight Royal Parks of London, occupying 410 acres of high ground in northwest Inner London. In addition to its large central parkland and ornamental lake it contains both private and public structures, including London Zoo, Regent’s University and the official home of the US Ambassador. History In the Middle Ages the land was owned by Barking Abbey, but after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, 1536 - 1541, it became a hunting and forestry park for Henry VIII. After 1649, the land was let as smallholdings until in the early 19th century the Prince Regent suggested the land became a park. In 1811, the Prince Regent, wanting to make London a place of style, commissioned the architect John Nash to plan a grand neoclassical scheme with Piccadilly Circus as its pivot. A sweeping processional route was built to connect Westminster and St. James’s Park, with an encircled space in the north that was to become The Regent’s Park. However, the money and time ran out and only part of the grand concept was completed to leave a splendid park, a circle within a circle with, mainly on the periphery, superb stucco terraces of houses. The dominant architect was not Nash, but Decimus Burton. In 1852, Primrose Hill was added as a separate, but integrally linked park and from the top of the hill there is one of the best views of London. The Park Today Today the Park has an outer ring road, the Outer Circle, with a circumference of 4.45km, and an inner ring road, the Inner Circle, with a circumference of 1km. The south, east and most of the west side of the Park are lined with elegant creamcoloured stucco terraces of houses and inside the Park, around the Inner Circle, are located the campus of Regent’s University, St John’s Lodge and Holme Lodge. At the north of the Park is London Zoo, through which runs the Regent’s Canal, which connects the Grand Union Canal to London’s docks. The Park is mainly open grassland, but includes gardens, playgrounds, sports pitches, a bandstand and the Open Air Theatre, and Winfield House, the official residence in London of the US Ambassador to the Court of St. James, stands in magnificent private grounds. 30
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Within the Park there are over 7,000 trees, 20,000 rose bushes and 185,000 bulbs are planted each year. The Inner Circle encloses Queen Mary’s Garden, with wide herbaceous beds, a sunken garden, a romantic lake with a waterfall, and the summer Open Air Theatre. The glory of Queen Mary’s Garden is the Rose Garden, where there are a comprehensive collection of 85 varieties, encircled by tall posts supporting climbing roses. The main Park thoroughfare is The Broadwalk, which runs from St. Mark’s Bridge in the north to the Outer Circle in the south. From Chester Road on the east side is the English Garden, which incorporates meandering paths, shrubs and informal planting. Parallel to this, on the west side of the Broadwalk, is Avenue Gardens, which is a formal garden with a series of highly ornate flower beds punctuated by tazzas and urns on both sides of a plain central avenue. Sport Sports take place in an area called Northern Parkland, centred on the Hub. This pavilion with underground changing rooms was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005. Sports played in the park include tennis, netball, athletics, cricket and softball. Rounders, football, hockey, Australian Rules football, rugby and ultimate frisbee. Cycling is also very popular. There are four children’s playgrounds and a boating lake, with pedalos and rowing boats for hire. The Outer Circle is used by road cyclists, where a number of amateur cycling clubs meet regularly. Musical Events In 2024, starting on 9th June, there is a free concert which includes all types of music, opera jazz, brass bands and classical. Non-Musical Events Our programme for 2024 includes over 30 events. There are guided walks in the Park, led by experts, looking at trees, fungi, bats, birds, the Rose Garden and the more unusual trees and plants. Also there are specialised walks looking at the Frieze Art sculptures, smart phone photography, painting instruction, and a tour of the Park’s statues and fountains. Tours have been arranged to the Hyde Park Super-Nursery, which provides plants for all the Royal Parks as well as for Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street, to the new monkey
house at the Zoo, behind the scenes at Baker Street Underground Station, and a coach trip to a private tour of the Royal Horticultural Gardens at Wisley. Of particular interest to Americans in London might be a visit to Winfield House, the official residence of the US Ambassador, which is not normally open to the public. Within the Park is a branch of Capel Manor College, an environmental specialist college which has arranged workshops for the Friends on flower arranging, growing plants on balconies and creating festive wreaths and table decorations for Christmas. Many of the above events are available only to participants who are Friends of Regent’s Park. The Friends Of Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill The Friends is a charity run by volunteers to promote and encourage the conservation and preservation of the Park. Membership of the Friends is open to anybody over the age of 18. The modest subscription of £20 per annum includes all family members living at the same address and entitles them to many benefits, both financial and cultural as the Friends arranges many events, both musical and non-musical. To join the Friends is easy. Just go to the website www.friendsofregentspark.org and follow the links. By Dr Vivian John Ward and Robin Black
AMERICAN CLUBS’ NEWS AWBS International Women’s Club
Established in 1981 as an American women’s club, today we are a vibrant international community based in Surrey and Berkshire with 300+ women members from 46 countries. Whether you’re new to the UK, or seeking international friendships, AWBS extends a warm welcome. With over 25 monthly activities, we cater to all passions and interests. From tennis, golf, and horse riding to country walks, English History and art appreciation, to exploring all that London and Europe have to offer – there’s something for everyone. Our signature General Meetings feature renowned speakers and local vendors, creating unique experiences every month in some of our counties’ most stunning venues. AWBS also has a philanthropic side, nurturing local charities. With over £150,000+ donated in the last decade and £650,000+ since our inception, our impact is profound. We are also very excited to sponsor a local women’s football club, Berks County FC, as part of our community involvement. Join AWBS to connect with accomplished women offering friendship, support, and fresh possibilities. Reach us at membership@awbs.org.uk. Learn more at www.awbs.org.uk and follow our journey on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
CAWC International
The year end at CAWC International was as busy as ever. We had the usual myriad of activities throughout the week. As we have a lot of new members who work, we have been arranging events in the evenings and at weekends, which have proved a great success. Bunco is a firm favourite. The opportunity to wear a tiara is a hard one to miss!
CAWC International’s annual Hallowe’en celebration, Trunk or Treat, took place once again in the village of Jordans in Buckinghamshire. Jordans is a great location for a celebration that is essentially all about the children. It is a quintessentially English village with a traditional village green around which all the ‘trunks’ can park, allowing the children to run about in complete safety. There is a village shop, an independent community store, owned, operated and controlled by the Village, where ‘treats’ could be purchased and Jordans has the further bonus of being the final resting place of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, and a regular place of pilgrimage for many American expats in the UK. The 36th Annual Christmas Bazaar took place on Sunday, 12th November at the Crowne Plaza in Gerrards Cross. Hundreds of people streamed through the door keen to buy our handmade festive baskets, do their Christmas shopping with 70 artisan vendors, not to mention indulge their sweet tooth at the CAWC bake sale and try out our wonderful chilli at the Lone Star Café. Over 100 people went home with raffle prizes. A good day out had by all. All the money raised will be donated to Carers Bucks to support 1,800 young people aged 5-25 throughout the Buckinghamshire area who give unpaid support and care to their loved ones. If you would like more information about the Club please email: cawcpruk@gmail.com.
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Junior League Of London
What is the Junior League of London? Discover the dynamic force that is the Junior League of London, the distinguished UK chapter of the Association of Junior Leagues, International. With nearly 300 leagues and a remarkable 125,000 global volunteers, we stand as one of the most impactful volunteer organizations globally - entirely powered by the dedication of women. The league is a diverse community dedicated to fostering women’s leadership to achieve meaningful impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Fuelled by a passion for social change, we are committed to eradicating poverty in London. From tutoring sessions to meal service, our volunteers serve as a driving force behind transformative change. Learn more here: www.jll.org.uk/ join-us/ or email: membership@jll.org.uk.
Kensington Chelsea Women’s Club - KCWC
KCWC is a vibrant community of friendly, dynamic women from over 50 countries who enjoy London life to its fullest. Join us to fill your diary with exciting events in the company of new friends, like expert-guided museum and walking tours, a Latin dance class or tennis lesson, coffee mornings or evening cocktails, cooking classes, a night at the theatre, and so much more. You’re invited to be our special guest at the winter General Meetings on January 18th and February 23rd, where you can meet the KCWC community, hear high-profile speakers like Glyndebourne Executive Chairman Gus Christie, and learn more about the fantastic member activities and benefits. Register today at KCWC.org.uk under Featured Activities - tickets are free for KCWC Members or £15 for guests and redeemable towards a new membership. You can also view our full events calendar and learn how you can be a part of London’s premiere women’s social club for over forty years.
Please email ben@theamericanhour.com to share your news and events
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USEFUL CONTACTS CHARITABLE GIVING CAF AMERICAN DONOR FUND 10 St Bride Street London EC4A 4AD Contact: Joe Crome, Senior Manager, CAF American Donor Fund Telephone: +44 (0) 3000 123 150 (Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm excluding UK bank holidays). Email: cadf@cafonline.org Website www.cafonline.org/cadf With over 20 years’ experience, we are the smart, tax-effective way for dual UK and US taxpayers to achieve greater impact with their charitable giving. The CAF American Donor Fund is a dual qualified Donor Advised Fund which can help you maximise the value of your gifts to charitable organisations. If you pay tax in the UK and the US, the CAF American Donor Fund enables you to claim eligible UK and US tax relief on your global giving, including adding 25% through UK Gift Aid where applicable. We have a range of flexible products available, starting at one-off giving through to long-term invested funds. We accept donations of cash (any major currency); stocks and shares as well as non-cash gifts. Whatever stage you’re at with your philanthropy journey, we can help. Our specialist team of Relationship Managers will be with you every step of the way to guide you quickly and efficiently throughout the management and administration of your giving, using our established and trusted service.
EDUCATION - SCHOOLS TASIS THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN ENGLAND Coldharbour Lane, Thorpe, Surrey, TW20 8TE Contact: Sarah Travis Telephone: 01932 582316 Email: ukadmissions@tasisengland.org Website www.tasisengland.org The educational pathways TASIS England offers to day (3-18) and boarding (13-18) students include a broad-based American curriculum, AP courses, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and EAL support. Taught in small classes, every student in our diverse community from 50 nations is encouraged to reach their academic potential. Participation in co-curricular activities, the arts, athletics, and leadership programs provides balance, fosters curiosity, and develops Individual talents. With excellent exam results and one-to-one college counseling, 97% of TASIS graduates 32
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gain acceptance to their first- or secondchoice university in the US, the UK, and worldwide. Extensive summer opportunities are also offered to students from all schools. Located close to London on a beautiful and historic 46-acre estate.
TAXATION
BUZZACOTT LLP 130 Wood Street, London, EC2V 6DL Contact: Carlo Gray Partner - Expatriate Tax Services team Telephone: +44 (0)20 7556 1200 Email: enquiries@buzzacott.co.uk Website: www.buzzacott.co.uk Buzzacott is a top 20 UK accountancy firm in London, with a team in Hong Kong. For more than 50 years, our dual-qualified US/UK tax experts have helped individuals, companies, partnerships and trusts to comply with everincreasing tax regulations and minimise their tax liabilities. We specialise in preparing US/UK tax returns and providing bespoke advice tailored to individual circumstances. Rely on us for exceptional service with empathy and authenticity. EXPAT LEGAL SERVICES GROUP Website: Expatlegal.com Telephone: +1.888.502.8579 Contact: Roland Sabates Email: roland@expatlegal.com Expat Legal Services Group, with its background in international taxation, offers unique legal services for American expatriates and foreign nationals with financial interests in the United States. We leverage a suite of modern technology solutions that enable us to bring our international expertise directly to you no matter where in the world you might be living. USTAXFS 3 Harbour Exchange Square, London, E14 9GE Telephone: +44 20 7357 8220 Contact: Joni Trulock Email: j.trulock@ustaxfs.com Website: ustaxfs.com Twitter: @ustaxfs With over 35 years’ experience, our US/UK expat tax specialists provide US and UK tax return preparation, planning, compliance, and expatriation as well as all US business tax services, wherever you are in the world.
The core of our expertise at London & Capital is managing investments for wealthy families and our clients generally share similar requirements; they have amassed wealth or capital and now need it to be structured and invested in a way that preserves and grows it for the future. We build investment strategies that are designed to be resilient and help clients achieve their long-term financial goals. Many of our clients are international, with finances, business interests, property and family across multiple countries. We provide clear comprehensive financial strategies and global reporting regardless of currency or location. US CONNECTED FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS We are also one of the few wealth managers who actively welcome US clients and are both SEC (US) and FCA (UK) regulated, with a dedicated team looking after the wealth of international American families since 1989. Whether you are a US Citizen or Green Card holder living abroad, a British expat in the US or a foreign entity with US reporting, we are uniquely positioned to work you to organise your wealth into a coherent global strategy, invest with a focus on capital preservation and provide clear, concise global reporting. MASECO PRIVATE WEALTH Burleigh House, 357 Strand, London, WC2R 0HS Telephone: +44 (0)20 7043 0455 Email: enquiries@masecopw.com Website: www.masecoprivatewealth.com MASECO Private Wealth gives peace of mind by providing expert guidance to US families on how to simplify their cross-border wealth management needs. We serve and care for Americans living at home or abroad through the planning and implementation of rational, practical and tax efficient wealth management strategies.
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LONDON & CAPITAL Two Fitzroy Place, 8 Mortimer Street, London, W1T 3JJ Telephone: +44 (0) 207 396 3200 Email: invest@londonandcapital.com Website: londonandcapital.com
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