OUR OCTOBER ISSUE IS OUT NOW!

You'll love our marvellous October magazine which features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bath's best businesses.

This month we've embraced the mystery and magic of Halloween. Caleb Ferrari tells us the story of writer Angela Carter’s time in Bath, the doyenne of dark, gothic-themed literature. We also, believe it or not, secured an interview with a self-confessed vampire, Nik Jovcic-Sas. Dame Siân Phillips also spoke to us about her performance in Table Number Seven, part of a Terence Rattigan double bill at the Theatre Royal. There's a celebration of Bath Philharmonia's 25 years, news of a spectacular sound and light experience at the Abbey, and a host of ideas for stand-out interiors and a rich directory of contacts providing inspiration and practical solutions for the home.

Every month we deliver 15,000 copies door to door, but if you don't get a copy at home then you can pick up a copy at many places around town and from our floor stands at: Waitrose, Sainsbury's [Green Park], M&S Foods in Twerton, Tesco in Weston Village, and at The Holburne Museum. 

Click here to enjoy the digital version of our current issue! 

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Discover: Quince

What is quince? A knobbly, fragrant relative of the pear, golden-yellow in colour and developing a pretty orange blush when ripe.

Season: From now until around the end of December.

What does quince taste like? In its raw state, quince is almost inedible – rock hard, and bitter. But, once cooked, the mellow citrus/honey-ish flavours totally belie first impressions.

Added bonus: Rich in antioxidants, potassium, iron, vitamin C and fibre.

How should I use quince?

Despite it's initially off-putting qualities, quince is extremely versatile, uniquely tasty and well worth making full use of during its short season. Braise with lamb in a casserole, or roast alongside pork or duck. Stew slowly with sugar and lemon and add to apple pie, bread and butter pudding, porridge or custard. Poach in sweet white wine and serve alongside a cheese board. Replace sloe berries with quince to make your own quince gin or quince vodka (start now, and it'll be ready to drink just in time for Christmas!). Quince also contains high levels of pectin, a naturally-occurring thickener that sets and stabilises fruit when heated with sugar, making it ideal for chutneys, jams, marmalade – or Membrillo, Spain's traditional solid preserve made from simmered, sweetened quince puree that's been allowed to set.

Where can I buy quince? Quince are occasionally spotted in supermarkets, but you're more likely to find them in farm shops, farmers' markets and independent greengrocers.

Red wines of America at The Great Wine Co.

California, the golden state, is not the only American wine region living the dream at the moment. The boutique wineries of Oregon have been staking a claim of independence lately, with rather successful results. In fact, the elegance and finesse of the Pinots from the lush, fertile hills of the Willamette Valley have begun to rival New Zealand's Central Otago and Chile's Leyda Valley as the home of New World Pinot. The basalt iron-rich red soils of Oregon's Dundee Hills offer equally interesting expressions of the Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris varieties.

•Phantom, Bogle Family Vineyards 2019 | £29.50
•Young Red, Bonterra 2020 | £21.00
•Merlot, Canonball 2021 | £22.00
•Columbia Valley Syrah, Chateau Set Michelle 2019 | £22.00

Click here to see this and many more wonderful wines at The Great Wine Co.

A new Twenty~4 edition from Patek Philippe.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Twenty~4 ladies' collection, an iconic classic of timeless elegance, Patek Philippe has introduced a new version of the quartz movement cuff-style model featuring a beautifully refined dial.

Set in an 18ct rose gold case, the dial plate is first embossed with a concentric wave pattern, and then coated with dozens of successive layers of translucent purple lacquer followed by transparent colourless lacquer which, once polished, create subtle plays on light and a beautiful depth effect.

The original shape of the rectangular case is highlighted by two rows of 17 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.63 ct) set on either side of the dial. The curved, entirely polished rose gold bracelet is fitted with a rose gold fold-over clasp ensuring both comfort and security. £40,780

To see this and one of the country's finest collections of Patek Philippe timepieces Click here to visit the Mallory website.

Hand Dyed Marl Sweater from TOAST

With sweater weather just around the corner, TOAST’s AW24 collection offers rich colours and snug wool meant to last, collaborating with the non-profit knitwear cooperative Manos del Uruguay. Founded in 1968 by five women who pooled their resources to support rural Uruguayan women – has upheld age-old techniques, proudly preserving an authentic, sustainable process.

Knitted to an easy shape with set-back shoulders for a relaxed feel, then finished with a high chunky ribbed neckline.

TOAST | £395

Click here to buy now or visit the store at 7 Bartlett St, Bath BA1 2QZ

Frantoio Muraglia Rainbow Stripe Cold-Pressed Olive Oil

After "meeting" the olive trees in Apulia, Frantoio Muraglia chose this region as the spot to grow and bottle his extra virgin olive oil. Made from cold-pressed Coratina olives, this particular oil boasts an intense flavour that makes it perfect for drizzling over salads, fresh veggies and soups. Plus, it's housed in a bottle that, like its contents, was hand-created by the workers of a small family business.

Anthropologie | £38

100% cold pressed Coratina olives from Apulia, Italy
(500ml)

Click here to buy now or visit Anthropologie at 1-4 New Bond St, Bath BA1 1BE

Hobbs Marble & Granite

Hobbs Marble & Granite specialises in the fabrication of kitchen and bathroom worktops in granite, quartz, marble, limestone and slate.

A natural stone worktop brings an unrivalled unique beauty to the heart of your home. Whether you choose the rich tones of granite or one of the many colours of quartz for contemporary style, a professionally fitted work surface from Hobbs Marble & Granite will give you a stunning finish to your kitchen or bathroom.

You are welcome to visit their showroom just outside of Bath to view the wide selection of materials and the friendly and knowledgeable team are on hand to discuss your requirements

Web: hobbsmarbleandgranite.co.uk
Radstock Road, Midsomer Norton, Bath BA3 2AA

50 shades of radiator with House of Radiator

When designing our living spaces, we spend a lot of time considering the colours of our walls and furniture. So why do we see so many plain white radiators in our homes?
House of Radiators stock many radiator designs which are a showpiece in their own right, but did you know it’s also possible to colour match radiators to individually enhance the look and feel of your rooms? 

With colour options from suppliers such as Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, and Paint & Paper, there is a finish for every setting. Beyond colour-matching you can also strike out with bold lacquer or metallic finishes. Say goodbye to your chrome towel rail and hello to a feature finish in ‘Charlotte’s Locks’.

Book an appointment to visit the colour zone in House of Radiator’s showroom.  houseofradiators.co.uk
22 Wellsway, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 2AA

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Calling All Horse Girls celebrates equine culture, art, fashion and lifestyle. It’s aimed a those who were, still are or have always wanted to be ‘horse girls’ and who have had to step away for school, career, family life and other things. Contributors who have answered the call to provide their own horse girl perspectives include renowned writers, artists, designers, illustrators and photographers from around the world. The vibe feels North American but it’s published in Istanbul. It’s serious, informative and charmingly silly in places – the latest volume (No 7), for example, comes with a set of horse poo stickers. | £19.95

magalleria.co.uk

Featured artwork: Void by Michele Silk

Uncharted Realities at Walcot Chapel
22-27 October

Walcot Chapel in Bath will host Uncharted Realities, an exhibition featuring works by Nadia Ryzhakova and Michele Silk. Both artists explore themes of belonging, migration, and the shifting nature of identity. Ryzhakova’s dreamlike paintings evoke the fluidity of childhood memories, while Silk’s textured pieces, inspired by her African upbringing, reflect the tension between vulnerability and resilience.

Curated by Lilia Bakanova, this exhibition also supports Off The Record (OTR), a Bath-based charity providing free mental health services to young people.

Open 10am-4pm

Walcot Chapel, Walcot Gate, Bath BA1 5UG
Click here for more information.

New Bath Arts Club (NBAC)- Inaugural October exhibition
Ends Friday 25 October

Bath’s newest professional art club showcases a diverse collection of original art. All work is for sale and created by local artists. Free entry, all welcome.
The exhibition will be available to be viewed in person and virtually.
Open every day from 10am to 4pm.

Cllck here for more information

Roper Gallery- Bath Artists' Studios, The Old Malthouse, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath, BA1 3AJ

Bath Rotary Fireworks on The Rec
2 November, 4.30pm-7.30pm

Click here to book your tickets now. 

Bath Recreation Ground, Pulteney Mews, Bath, BA2 4DS

Wylde Creatures of Bath Prizes Presented

Throughout July and August, the Bath Business Improvement District (BID) hosted a shop window and drawing competition over the summer as an extension of the Bath Biodiversity benches project, in which 24 small illustrations of local Bath wildlife were painted on the benches around Bath Abbey. The trail sponsored by Wylde Jewellers, invited residents and visitors to find the 24 corresponding animal paintings hidden in the shop windows throughout the city, with a trail booklet that included an animal drawing competition.

The prize-giving took place at the beautiful Wylde Jewellers shop on Northumberland Place, where Carly Cooke (Wylde Jewellers) welcomed winners with a drinks reception. The winners were:

• Lisa (Over 18s category) - won with a detailed drawing of a badger, receiving a Whittard Hamper, Bath Gift Card and art materials.
• Mollie (11 to 18s category) - won with her illustration of an adder, receiving a large box of paint pens and a £50 Bath Gift Card.
• Toby (Under 10s category) - won with his drawing of a monkey, receiving paint pens, a Bath Gift Card and his specially crafted silver pendant.

bathbid.co.uk
nicholaswylde.com

Dunsford Place, Bath, BA2

Offered for sale by Hamptons estate agents Bath.

An attractive Grade II Listed townhouse dating from Circa 1820 in a terrace of 15, arranged over five floors with a wealth of fine features including highly decorative plasterwork, architraves, and other period features. Having undergone a comprehensive refurbishment within the last five years, the house now comprises a wonderful family home and a self-contained yet interconnecting basement flat. 

A private front lobby with decorative mosaic tiled floor, opens to an entrance hall with exposed Bath stone walls. The two ample double bedrooms are served by a luxurious bathroom. The rear bedroom has French doors out to a courtyard that connects to the main garden. A front facing family room has fitted cabinets flanking a central fireplace and to the rear is a laundry room. The first floor is arranged as a principal reception room with feature marble fireplace and engineered oak floor continuing to a bespoke fitted kitchen breakfast room. On the half landing to the upper floors a luxurious main bathroom with bath and wet area.

The primary bedroom on the second floor is a spacious double with a wall of fully fitted and illuminated wardrobes.  Between the deep sash windows is a freestanding copper bathtub adding an extra touch of luxury. The top floor is found up a winding staircase and comprises two further bedrooms with views to the northeast.

To the front is a gravelled garden with inset evergreen shrubs and steps down to the front courtyard with two vaults. The rear landscaped garden is walled with a lower terrace serving the basement. Beyond this lies a barked play area with children’s fun house and gated rear access.

Guide Price £2,000,000

For more images and to read through all the details click here to visit the property on the Hamptons website