Vanda was born and raised in Penrith. Vanda left education at 16 to work with racehorses, ending up at Newmarket working for Sir Michael Stoute. This is where she met her husband Phil. Phil was born and raised in London but also relocated in his teens to Newmarket to follow his love of horses. They have a daughter Emma who is a qualified Veterinary Nurse working locally. Vanda and Phil have now moved back to Penrith to fulfill their dream of running a Guesthouse.