A Right Royal City Walking Tour | 6 May 2023

What has royalty done for Bath? What has Bath done for royalty? On both counts, a great deal! The coronation of Edgar, the first crowned king of all England, took place in Bath in 973 AD. Ever since, coronation services have been based on what happened in the Saxon Bath Abbey 1,050 years ago.

Discover Bath’s many fascinating royal connections on this walking tour on the coronation weekend. Led by a professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide, the tour takes in a royal-titled theatre, street, square, crescent and park, along with royal-related coats of arms and monuments, to uncover Bath’s intimate links with royalty.

You’ll also learn about the influence that monarchs as diverse as Alfred the Great, Richard I and Elizabeth I had on the development of Bath, and how kings and queens in centuries past came to the city seeking a cure from their ailments by bathing in the health-giving thermal waters. You’ll hear stories of royal visits in more recent times, including from George VI in World War Two, Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth II, whose appearance in 1973 was to mark the 1,000th anniversary of Edgar’s coronation.

Meeting Point: Abbey Churchyard, in front of the main doors of Bath Abbey (BA1 1LY)
End Point: Guildhall, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW
Duration: two hours
Distance: around 1.5 miles
Terrain: Gentle-paced walking, on pavements, with frequent stops
Accessibility: Suitable for wheelchair users

6 May, 5pm – 7pm
Bath, Abbey Churchyard, Abbey Street, Bath
Click here to purchase tickets

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The Coronation glove

Dents glove-makers has refurbished King George VI's coronation glove for King Charles to wear at his coronation

The glove, worn on the right hand of the monarch during a coronation, had been in a private Royal collection in London but has since been refurbished by Dents of Warminster, Wiltshire. A family-owned business, Dents was founded in 1777, and has made items for other royals, including the coronation gloves for Edward VII, George V, George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

The Coronation glove will be carried by Lord Singh of Wimbledon, 90, a cross bench peer. The glove is worn to hold the Sovereign’s Sceptre during the crowning and then removed before processing to the Throne Chair. The glove is made of white kid leather, with the gauntlet embroidered with gilt metal thread, wire and spangles in the form of national emblems. The back of the hand has an embroidered coronet with red velvet above a coat of arms.

King George VI's gloves were made in Dents' Worcester factory in 1937 and the original one, which was used for the coronation, was kept in the Royal Collection. Dents CEO Deborah Moore said, "When we heard that King Charles is going to use his grandfather's glove, which really fits in with sustainability, we were delighted," said Ms Moore.

Click here to go to dentsgloves.com
Click here to read our recent article on Dents: thebathmagazine.co.uk

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Words by Melissa Blease

Discover: Burrata

What is it? A soft, fresh Italian cheese typical of the Puglia region of southern Italy; expect to encounter a cricket-ball sized shell/pouch of buffalo mozzarella wrapped around a decadent, oozing mixture of cheese curds and cream. 

What does it taste like? Mild, soft and rich in decadent buttery overtones (burro is, after all, the Italian word for butter), with just the right amount of cheesy sourness to balance the creamy load.

Nutritional know-how: High in fat and calories, Burrata is most definitely not an everyday cheese. It is, however, high in both protein and calcium, and the mozzarella casing is laden with probiotics.

How should I use it? Always, always allow your burrata to come to room temperature before tucking in; fridge-cold is an absolute no-no. Unsurprisingly given its Italian origin, Burrata is delicious simply drizzled with a little balsamic vinegar and served with Italian charcuterie, Italian bread (or breadsticks) and Italian olives as part of an antipasti selection. Or, try it on bruschetta, topped with a smattering of pesto and a sprinkling of pine nuts. It also works really well served on a bed of lightly-dressed salad (consider using it in place of mozzarella in a classic Caprese), or alongside griddled fruit (think, peaches, nectarines or figs)... and, as you might expect, it makes for a really luxurious addition to pasta dishes, stirred in at the last moment just before serving.

And to drink with that...? Don't team your Burrata with heavy, tannic reds; they'll absorb too much of that essential, creamy fat and leave a chalky feeling in your mouth. Instead, opt for light, fresh wines to match the Burrata's light, fresh personality; think, crisp, unoaked Pinot Grigio (or an easygoing Soave?), a lightly fruity rosé or a classic Prosecco. 

Coronation Ale

A new beer brewed especially for King Charles III coronation has been selling like hot cakes at the Abbey Brewery Shop in Northumberland Place Bath. Called Coronation Ale, the beer brewed by Baths own brewery Abbey Ales comes in a bottled form and a cask beer on draught.

“If anyone doubted the popularity of our future King judging by our sales it’s certainly not here in Bath” says Simon Morgan Operations Director.

Abbey Ales has been brewing in Bath for 26 years and runs three pubs in the centre of Bath. The Coeur de Lion The Assembly Inn and The Star Inn on the Paragon.

Go to abbeyales.co.uk for more information

The Gaff Restaurant

The Gaff started in Abergavenny by Daniel Saunders and Danielle Phillips, both from Michelin Star backgrounds in hospitality. After 4 years and recognition from The Michelin Guide, The Hardens Guide, The Good Food Guide and rated in the top 50 restaurants in Wales, they have brought The Gaff to Bath.

The menu is designed around small plates, concentrating on the best produce and cooking them with respect & passion.

Supper club every Wednesday and Thursday evening - 3 dishes for £25

29 Milsom Place | Bath | BA1 1BZ | 01225 984834
Book online at thegaffrestaurant.co.uk Or email bath@thegaffrestaurant.co.uk to book

Sugarcane Studio

Voted Bath’s best café in 2022, Sugarcane Studio is located near the picturesque Pulteney Bridge in the centre of Bath. 

The café specialises in French patisserie with East Asian flavours, and with a rotating menu of cakes, pastries and confectionery, you will find a variety of matcha, black sesame, and tropical fruit flavoured delights, along with macarons and the freshest choux buns in the city! Oolong and black tea is imported from Taiwan, and matcha and hojicha from Japan, making the perfect pairing for your sweet treats. 

Opening hours: Wed–Thur 12am–5pm, Fri–Sat 9.30am–5pm, Sun 12.15–5pm
Sugarcane Studio, 1 Grove Street, Bath BA2 6PJ
Tel: 01225 251707; sugarcanestudio.co.uk

Discover a Chablis from one of the great domaines

Hugely underrated, Domaine Louis Michel produces consistently exquisite and good value Chablis, a fact recognised and praised by The Wine Advocate. Guillaume Michel makes no apology for his refusal to use oak barrels to age his wines, to ensure that they convey - unmasked - a very special sense of their unique vineyard origins. These Chablis wines are expressive, individual and fabulous value: offering quality to rival the most famous white Burgundy from further south, at a fraction of the cost.

Petit Chablis
This comes from from a special vineyard site on the hillside above the Chablis Grand Cru vineyards. While cooler, it experiences exceptional drainage and exposure to sunlight, making it one of the very finest Petit Chablis locations. The wine is bright white-gold in colour, with an expressive apple and citrus zest aroma. £29.95

Chablis Premier Cru Montmain
Louis Michel's four Montmain vineyards are planted with mature vines, and extend along a clay slope known for being sensitive to spring frosts. Careful attention is therefore required to cultivate this land. It's worth it, because the wine demonstrates that magical Premier Cru combination of ripe fruit with quintessential Chablis saline character. Intricately complex, with spicy floral aromas, toasted almonds, candied lemon and apple; it is dry, lively, pure and accessible, with no artifice. £39.95

Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre
Montée de Tonnerre is the very finest and most prestigious Premier Cru, offering quality regularly approaching that of Grand Cru Chablis. Louis Michel produces grapes from an entire slope at this location, creating a powerful wine with complexity, balance, wonderful refinement and ageing potential. It has concentration and richness, carried in such a subtle way. "Grand Cru, at half the price" - fabulous, and not to be missed. £42

Chablis
This is outstanding Chablis, that evokes its northern Burgundy origins with a fabulous sense of place. It displays the typical 'stony' character of the region, over which are layered exciting notes of white peach, apricot and chervil, thanks to the care and dedication in the vineyard and cellar of this top producer. £33

Visit the Louis Michel cellars at The Great Wine Co here: greatwine.co.uk

Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?

Click through to browse our full Delicious Guide!

Montblanc Great Characters Jimi Hendrix

In honour of one of the most influential guitarists in the history of rock. Made from precious resin, this superb special edition fountain pen is made by Montblanc.

The off-white colour of the cap and its engraved pattern is inspired by one Hendrix’s guitar straps, the black barrel features an elegant pattern resembling a WAH pedal and the platinum-coated clip is angled to imitate the vibrato bar.

The Montblanc emblem in the cap top is made from precious resin. Another striking detail is the platinum-coated barrel ring which draws inspiration from a 1960´s guitar cable – it is engraved with the date of a famous Jimi Hendrix concert. The handcrafted Au 585 solid gold nib with rhodium coating bears a portrait of Jimi Hendrix and that folks is... rock and roll £995.

Also available is the Jimi Hendrix rollerball pen, £795; as well as a ballpoint version, £745.

See this and a fabulous range of Montblanc’s fine writing instruments at Mallory Jewellers

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Running a successful art magazine is a tough gig these days but we have plenty of outstanding examples, one of the best being Spike, a Berlin-based journal that employs entertaining and intellectually-nourishing themes to engage its readers. This time it tackles the museum – a veritable trove of histories and symbolic expression, many of which now function in high tech settings but with many also remaining as old fashioned places of refuge, comfort and contemplation. All these institutions are now rightly tasked with decolonising their collections and highlighting longstanding injustices and insensitivities, so Spike #75 is devised as a museum guest book that invites us to leaf through a range of informed comment on how the modern museum might function. | £16

store.magalleria.co.uk

Bath Contemporary Artists' Fair cancellation

It is with great sadness that we are announcing the cancellation of BCAF on May the 14th.

Due to the recent terrible fire, Green Park Station will be closed for the next two to three weeks, but BCAF look forward to welcoming you all on June 11th!

Go to bcaf.co.uk for more information

England’s smallest city hosts some of the biggest names in comedy

The Wells Comedy Festival returns for a seventh year, bringing a ‘weekend-long comedy jamboree’ (The Guardian) with dozens of comedians descending on the city across the bank holiday weekend of 26-28 May.

Tickets are already flying out the door with Tim Key, John Robins, Phil Wang, Jen Brister and Kiri Pritchard-McLean already sold out, and Jamali Maddix, Esther Manito, Stephen Bailey, Mark Watson, Chloe Petts and Jessica Fostekew all selling fast.

Fri 26 – Sun 28 May | Wells Comedy Festival, Somerset, BA5
Tickets from £9
All shows on sale at www.wellscomfest.com

The Little Theatre's Eurovision Party 2023

Occurring as part of a unique broadcast across the UK, The Little will be hosting fans to be ‘united by music’ sharing in the incredible experience of celebrating the biggest, brightest, boldest music party of the year on the big screen!

Hosted this year in Liverpool by the BBC on behalf of Ukraine to a global audience of more than 160 million, the 67th Eurovision Grand Final will take place on Saturday 13th May.

Eurovision fans will be able to take to their seats with their friends in their local cinema to view a special preview of BBC Three’s new show ‘I Kissed a Boy’ presented by Dannii Minogue before the Grand Final takes place from 8pm.

Saturday 13 May, 7:30 pm
Booking Link: picturehouses.com
Facebook Event: facebook.com

From bedroom to stage – 4 contemporary dancers reflect on life in and out of lockdown

Nova Grace Productions presents “Unlocked” at The Mission Theatre on 1 and 2 June, as part of Bath Fringe Festival. It is the development of a unique project beginning in the dancers’ bedrooms during lockdown 2020 and continuing to virtual performances and now to stage. It reflects on the whole “Covid-19” experience and aims to help people talk about what lockdown was for them. See. Feel. Heal.

Jumping on beds, climbing through windows, rolling in duvets and dancing with mops, this beautiful and moving performance will take you on a journey back in time to reflect on your own experiences. What was lockdown life for you? Join the post-show Q&A to hear more about the creative process.

Tel: 07988 989680 | Twitter: @NovaGraceProds | Instagram: @unlocked_theater_23
Click here for more information bathboxoffice.org.uk

Binocular and Optics show at Chew Valley Lake hosted by London Camera Exchange

This binocular and telescope show organised by the London Camera Exchange takes place on the lawn of Car Park No. 2 overlooking the Chew Valley Lake. 

An opportunity to ‘try and buy’ the latest binoculars and telescopes from leading manufacturers including Hawke, Opticron, Swarovski, Nikon, Vortex and Zeiss. Special offers available on the day; part exchange prices offered for quality used gear.

Friday 12 May, 10am – 3.30pm | Chew Valley Lake, Walley Lane, Chew Valley, Bristol BS40 8XS | More information at lcegroup.co.uk/events

Styled by Design: Modern Masters including Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Elisabeth Frink and Sonia Delaunay

Gray M.C.A presents an outstanding exhibition of framed 20th-century Modernist textiles that brings together a collection of rare and limited-edition works by significant and renowned artists including Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Patrick Heron. In response to the collection, David Simon Contemporary has curated an exhibition of original artworks and multiples by many of these 20th-century masters, creating a fascinating survey exhibition, which explores the artists’ journeys from the easel and the translation into textile. Highlights include a significant and rare linocut by Pablo Picasso, Peintre Dessinant et Modéle Nu au Chapeau, created in 1965; and John Piper’s stunning screen print commissions for both Arthur Sanderson and David Whitehead. 

19 May – 30 June
David Simon Contemporary, 37 High Street, Castle Cary BA7 7AWOpen Monday – Saturday (except Wednesday), 10am – 5.30pm.
More information available at davidsimoncontemporary.com

Chair of Trustees vacancy at Prior Park Educational Trust

Prior Park Educational Trust (known as Prior Park Schools) is seeking their next Chair of Trustees and welcomes applications from suitably qualified individuals with the time, energy, skills, and enthusiasm to devote to this important role.

The Chair of Trustees is a critical and important role within the Schools community and oversees the strategic development and direction of the Schools and guides governance to the highest possible standards.

For more information please visit: chalkdownresearch.com or contact Executive Search Partner Ali Hollingbery for an informal conversation: ali@chalkdownresearch.com | 01730 776655

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, it is a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the post holder be committed to the Christian faith as a Roman Catholic or as a member of another Christian denomination.

Learn, explore and discover

Discover why Royal High Bath Prep School is the perfect place for your daughter to grow and flourish during those essential early stages of their education. 

With a supportive, caring ethos where every girl is an individual and known to all, pupils thrive in a stunning setting where they explore the world around, learn through discovery and develop into resourceful and independent learners. Additional benefits include small class sizes, specialist teachers and a wide variety of learning activities in and beyond the classroom.

Register for the Open Morning on Friday 19 May, 8.45am-12.30pm for pupils looking to join the Nursery, Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.

Click here for more information

Applications open: Executive Masters in Strategy, Change and Leadership

Due to the continued success of the University of Bristol’s part-time Executive Masters in Strategy, Change and Leadership, applications are now open for the 11th cohort, commencing in September 2023. The university is hosting a webinar for prospective students on 17 May, 6-7pm, providing an opportunity to find out more about the programme.

The challenging and rewarding programme is designed for those aspiring to, or holding, senior manager and leadership positions and will fit around the demands of a busy, professional leadership role. It is aimed at providing senior managers with the tools and techniques they need to navigate their organisations through demanding times. By attending the programme, you will learn how to improve your ability to manage change and uncertainty; increase your leadership impact; understand organisational complexity and issues affecting success; make better choices about growth and strategic direction. 

If you would like to have a chat about the programme or to attend the next webinar on 17 May, 6pm-7pm, contact Cheralyn Baines-Dark, Programme Manager, by phone 01179546694; or email: mgmt-scl@bristol.ac.uk

To find out more or to apply for September 2023 entry, visit; bristol.ac.uk

Bath Rugby v Saracens Gallagher Premiership final match

Saturday 6 May | Kick off 4pm | The Recreation Ground

Click here for tickets

Weston Park Lane, Bath BA1

Offered for sale by Cobb Farr estate agents

An attractive, detached, period, 4 bedroom, former lodge house situated in delightful walled gardens, with plenty of gated off street parking and a single detached stone built garage, beautifully located in a prime residential location on the edge of Royal Victoria Park and within an easy level walk of Bath city centre.

Linden Lodge, an attractive former lodge house dating back to 1981 is in immaculate decorative order throughout and offers particularly flexible and spacious accommodation arranged over 2 floors.

The ground floor accommodation is entered into a formal entrance lobby, to the left there is a handsome double aspect formal sitting room with a central exposed stone fireplace and double doors leading onto the gardens.

To the left there is a spacious formal dining room with an open staircase leading to the first floor and doors through to the well-appointed kitchen and breakfast room.

In addition, accessed from the rear lobby there is a large utility room which houses the boiler, a guest cloak room and a generous double aspect study / family room.

On the first floor there are 2 spacious ensuite bedrooms and 2 further smaller doubles along with a lovely family bathroom.

Externally the property sits beautifully secluded walled and gated gardens with several attractive paved seating areas and a wealth of mature shrubs and trees.

There is also off street parking for several cars along with a detached stone built garage that could be converted into a separate independent annexe if required. Offers in excess of £1,500,000

For further details and images click here to see Linden Lodge on the Cobb Farr website