AQUILA began as a family business over 30 years ago, created with one clear goal – to offer an intelligent, ad-free magazine for gifted and curious children. What started as a small independent project has grown into a trusted collectable publication read by families across the world. Today, our mission is to spark a lifelong love of learning through meaningful, screen-free reading – and to give children a sense of belonging among a community of like-minded, inquisitive readers.
Independent, UK-based and created by experts, AQUILA is designed for inquisitive readers aged 8–14. From our family-run studio in Eastbourne, UK, we’ve been crafting high-quality children’s magazines since 1993.
Our team is dedicated to producing original, engaging content that goes far beyond the standard curriculum, exploring everything from quantum physics and slime mould to the history of the humble hotdog. Each issue is packed with vibrant articles, challenging puzzles, creative activities and comics.
We regularly collaborate with UK universities and leading institutions to bring young readers the latest ideas and research in a way that’s accessible, funny and genuinely exciting.
Taskmaster, The Royal Institution, Dr Chris van Tulleken, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, London Transport Museum, The Royal Observatory, Royal Observatory Edinburgh, Ivy Press, We the Curious, Bloomsbury, Roald Dahl Museum, Dicken’s Musuem, Let’s Make Art, Foodini Club, Stephen Hawking’s estate, Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, Turner Prize, Towner Art Gallery, Dr Harish Tayyar Madabusi (University of Bath), Place2Be, Little Inventors, InkyGoodness and National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Freya Hardy – Editor-in-Chief
Benita Estevez – Managing Editor
Jen Newton-Brown – Editor
Sophie Bryant-Funnell – Art Director
Emily Stone – Graphic Designer
Nikki Waters – Office Manager
Cathy Powell – Office Administrator
Hannah Thorpe – Office Administrator
Mark Sutton – Web and Technical Manager
Written by educators and experts:
Rick Adams (Writer and broadcaster)
Tanya Akrofi (Writer and oral storyteller)
Harry Barrat (Doctor of biochemistry and environmental analyst)
Dr Sarah Bearchell (Award-winning science communicator)
Jim Beckett (Author)
Kate Daniels (Founder of PSHE Education)
Dr Frances Durkin (Historian and writer with a PhD in Medieval History)
George Egg (Comedian and chef)
Dr Adam Ferner (Philosopher and writer)
Dr Jess French (Broadcaster, veterinarian and author)
Liam Findlay (Writer, designer and scent specialist)
Professor Catherine Heymans (Astronomer Royal for Scotland)
Gillian Hovell (Archaeologist, writer and broadcaster)
Helen Hovell (Writer (natural sciences))
Iqbal Hussain (Writer and composer)
Professor Salima Ikram (Professor of Egyptology, American University, Cairo)
Jenny Jacoby (Best-selling STEM writer)
Danielle Jawando (Award-winning author and screenwriter)
Jenny McLachlan (Award-winning author)
Jo Neary (Comedian and writer)
Dr Jacob Parrott (Radio scientist at the European Space
Jonathan Pavey (Teacher and history enthusiast)
Josette Reeves (Writer)
Bee Rich (Science communicator and PhD Student in Lunar In-Situ Aluminium Manufacturing)
Annalie Seaman (Historian)
Chitra Soundar (Author)
Amy Sparkes (Author and screenwriter)
Avantika Taneja (Author)
Noah Weisz (Writer and educator)
