** Talk **
Discover the Maremma.
Meet former UK Ambassador to Iran Nicholas Hopton, who'll be discussing his latest book, Maremma Mia.
Maremma Mia is the charming, wittily written and extraordinary story of Nicholas's restoration of an overgrown old farmhouse and olive grove in the Maremma- the stunning, historic and unspoilt southwestern corner of Tuscany, overlooking Elba.
All, except for the Italians, are completely unaware of its wonders.
If you can't make it to Italy this summer, attend and hear his story.
You'll probably buy the book - and may not resist booking flights to the Maremma.
£25 early bird or £35 after 24th February.
Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Joe’s Brasserie
130 Wandsworth Bridge Rd
London
SW6 2UL
Arrive at 7 pm - Drinks at the bar.
Talk starts at 7.30 pm.
Optional dinner 8.30 pm.
Why come?
Nicholas Hopton will enthral and charm you with the story of Maremma Mia.
You'll hear the tales of Nicholas and his family's extraordinary adventure as they begin renovating this run-down farmhouse. Ten years on, and it’s now the home we all fantasise about.
Nicholas writes beautifully. You’ll be drawn into this beautiful, unspoilt, undiscovered area of southwestern Tuscany. The Maremma is steeped in history, legends, delightful hilltop villages, beaches and rolling Tuscan hills.
Nicholas will bring them all to life - in the convivial company of your fellow Revellers.
As the Tom Leonard of the Daily Mail wrote, Nicholas "does for Southern Tuscany what Peter Mayle did for Provence".
Finally, it's at Joe's Brasserie, where drinks flow fast amongst the culinary delights.
Access is easy too - and you can park in nearby streets without getting a ticket*
You'll also discover...
The art of winning over local expert artisans, owners of Aladdin cave stores, gardeners, and plumbers . How did Nicholase’s diplomatic skills and ambassadorial experiences help?
How the Maremman artisans make things practically from nothing, such as crafting marble scraps into a matching soap holder for the swimming pool shower. Just for a few euros. (You should never haggle or ask for a quote.)
How to stop finding terrifyingly deadly vipers in your bathroom when you're at your most vulnerable.
How hunters for wild boar in the Autumn might shoot you if you take the wrong part of the wood.
What happened when Nicholas took his meagre olive harvest to the olive-pressing co-operative in shopping bags?
Some of the best beaches and restaurants, and why the Italians holiday in the Maremma, yet it remains largely undiscovered by northern Europeans.
Why Maremma produces some of Italy’s best wines - the Super Tuscans, including the famous, exquisite Sassicaia.
About Nicholas Hopton
Nicholas Hopton's love of Italy started when he was sixteen years old, with a student inter-rail pass.
He was on his way to an exchange with an Italian, with whom became a life long friend, and who, man years later, introduced him to the idea of buying a house in the Maremma.
After St Peter's school, Nicholas studied Italian at Cambridge University.
His dissertation Sicilianità - on Twentieth Century Sicilian literature - won the Peskett Modern Languages prize.
He also studied at the British Institute of Florence and La Sapienza University in Rome.
His first published novel was In Pieces (Bloomsbury), which The New York Post described as ‘A wry, intelligent story of London life in the nineties’. He served as a diplomat for 35 years, including at the British Embassy in Italy and as UK Ambassador to Libya, Iran, Qatar and Yemen. He now lives in Twickenham and spends as much time as possible with his wife and five children at their house in Tuscany.
Enjoy Nicholas being interviewed below:
Cancellation
If you or we cancel, we'll offer you a ticket to another RC event or your money back - unless you cancel before Midnight on 24th February 2026.
* Parking/Travel
If you are driving and would like to park easily for free, email Will Hattersley at [email protected] with your car registration number. (He will then add that to Hammersmith and Fulham's parking website.)
Meanwhile, the nearest tube stations are Parsons Green and Fulham Broadway (a 10-minute walk from both).
Buses: there are heaps - C3, 295, 28, and 424,
The address: Joe’s Brasserie, 130 Wandsworth Bridge Rd, London, SW6 2UL
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