Caroline Gladstone
I started my career in design at Laura Ashley, when it was a force to be reckoned with, designing homewares, gifts and the Christmas collections. In 1989 I had my first (of six) children and left Laura Ashley to design as a freelancer. In 1997 Charlie and I started Pedlars, which we ran together for 23 years while also renovating Glen Dye Estate and launching Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages. Charlie and I have always worked together and in 2012 we published The Family Guide to the Great Outdoors (Random House). I co-founded the Good Life Experience with Charlie and two friends about a decade ago and that has led to all sorts of interesting work in food, including seven years as Global Project Manager for the restaurants of the late, great Bill Granger. I am also involved in the day to day operation of several of our other businesses, including Hawarden Estate Farm Shop and our holidays business in Wales. I am the mother of six children and grandmother of three. My main interests are my family, cooking, dogs, making, literature, nature, walking and riding.
SARAH HELLEN
I studied fashion design at Leeds before doing my MA at Kingston, focussing on locally sourced materials and British manufacturing. I designed for Topman and Oliver Spencer for a number of years while also lecturing fashion and design at John Moores University, Liverpool and Manchester University. I created, edited and published a magazine and website dedicated to Welsh craft, Jwrnal, before joining Hawarden Estate as Creative Director in 2017, where I oversee the look and feel of all of the hospitality, retail and events businesses. Gladstone / Hellen neatly combines all of my professional experience and enthusiasm in one package. My principal enthusiasms are craft, dogs (well one, specifically) food and drink, design and style, painting, Wales and manufacturing techniques.
CHARLIE GLADSTONE
My career started in the music business, where I was head of A&R at Warner/Chappell Music before moving to Scotland and consulting for the same company. This led to me managing a band signed to Warners Music, Chrysalis and EMI. In 1994 I realised I loved music but hated the music business so left to focus full time on renovating Glen Dye Estate. In 1997 I founded Pedlars with Caroline and subsequently I have founded lots of hospitality, event and retail operations including The Good Life Experience, Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, The Glynne Arms, Summer Camp, Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages, Hawarden Estate Holidays and more, all of which I still oversee. I have published The Family Guide to The Great Outdoors (Random House) with Caroline and Do/Team (Do Book Co) by myself (!) as well as recording around 100 episodes of my Mavericks podcast (now having a rest). I am the father of six children and grandfather of three. My enthusiasms include nature, contemporary art, antiques, music, fashion, football, literature, small business, family and design.
Pamphlets
These Pamphlets are beautifully made real-life publications full of words and pictures chronicling our work and inspirations.
