After coming sixth in 2024, Bath has now been revealed as the Best UK City by Condé Nast Traveller magazine, beating landmark cities including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Cambridge and Liverpool to the top spot. 

The 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards represent the most loved and cherished travel experiences, as voted for by Condé Nast Traveller’s readers and are regarded as the biggest and most influential in travel. This year. 182,500 readers in the UK shared their experiences and voted for their favourite countries, cities, hotels, spas, islands, resorts and more.

“Condé Nast Traveller is such a well-respected and influential publication so we are thrilled Bath has been voted the UK’s best city by its readers, who have clearly been captured by not only the city’s remarkable history and picturesque architecture, but also by its rich range of events and festivals, award-winning attractions, amazing places to eat and drink and great independent shopping,” says Kathryn Davis, chief executive of Visit West. “Bath has also gained huge attention for being a prominent filming location for productions such as Bridgerton, Wonka and ITV’s McDonald & Dodds, so visitors really feel like they are stepping into a film set when they explore the city.”

Recipe

Apple and Blackberry Crumble Muffins

Two of October’s fabulous fruits bought together in perfect muffin harmony. You could, if you so wish, use blueberries instead of blackberries - and you could, should the urge take you, serve your muffins warm with custard as a comforting pudding.

Click here to read

Weekend Wines

Spotlight: Bodegas Martín Códax

Spain has the greatest area under vine of any wine producing country, and the diversity of wine styles is immense. This week, we're taking a look at the winery Bodegas Martín Códax in Rías Baixas, where Atlantic influences enhance crisp acidities to the
spicy undertones.

This winery focuses both on innovation and the traditional, creating a range of fresh and exciting wines. Here are a few of our favourites:

Orange Wine Albariño | £22

Lías Albariño | £24

Cuatro Pasos Rosé | £14.40

Discover more brilliant wines at greatwine.co.uk

Chopard, the Big-Hearted Maison, has always regarded generosity and kindness as its core values. A perfect match between Chopard’s heart talisman and the Maison’s iconic dancing diamonds, the Happy Hearts collection unites big-
hearted women around the world.

These new lariat necklaces feature 18ct ethical rose gold alongside diamonds and come with either an onyx or mother-of-pearl heart.

Chopard Happy Hearts White Mother of Pearl Necklace | £5,180

Chopard Happy Hearts Onyx Necklace | £5,180

Discover more from Chopard's Happy Hearts Collection at mallory-jewellers.com

A wind of change whispers through the hills of Haute-Provence, carrying the promise of re-enchantment. Explore the reimagined fragrance collection and the flourishing new world of L’Occitane en Provence.

Each fragrance in the reimagined fragrance collection is a
melody inspired by the beauty of nature.

uk.loccitane.com | 13 New Bond St, BA1 1BE

A near-future thriller intertwining twist-laden mystery and drama. This is an exploration of the human condition, grappling with cutting edge science and spiritual faith, and building toward a shocking revelation.

Written by local entrepreneur, Chris May.

£11.95 | troubador.co.uk

Bath Contemporary Artists' Fair (BCAF) returns Sunday 14 September with a newly curated exhibit of unique, quality art by Bath's best creatives.

Returning to its home in the historic Green Park Station, the fair showcases the talent of both established and up and coming artists, and is an opportunity for the artists and art-lovers alike to come together, share in Bath's creative community, and discover new pieces. Artistic mediums on show include paintings, sculptures, photos, and ceramics.

BCAF takes place on the second Sunday of every month; entry is free.

10am - 5pm | Green Park Rd, BA1 1JB | bcaf.co.uk

Armani Lawlor is bringing her bold and vibrant art to the Bath Contemporary Art Fair. Her work is all about bold brushstrokes, rich colour, and stories of places near and far. From striking landscapes to whimsical travel inspired moments, each painting and fine art giclée print is designed for people who crave art
with energy, character, and originality.

armanilawlorart.co.uk | @armanilawlor | Etsy Shop: Armani Lawlor Art

Artwork by Armani Lawlor

The Bath Film Festival returns for its 35th edition – ten days packed with over 50 films, events and immersive experiences across the city of Bath. From historic venues to unexpected spaces, the festival is once again bringing world-class
cinema to the heart of the city.

As always, Bath Film Festival offers you the chance to see some of the year’s biggest films before anyone else. Audiences will also have the chance to go beyond the screen with an outstanding line-up of Q&As.

Our pick of the upcoming screenings...
Strange Days starring Ralph Fiennes, 22 October 2.20pm
Sentimental Value starring Renate Reinsve, 25 October, 12.15pm, 5.45pm
Yorgos Lanthimos' Bugonia, 26 October, 12pm, 8.30pm
Die, My Love starring Jenifer Lawrence, 26 October, 12.15pm, 5.45pm

Tickets for the full line-up can be booked online at filmbath.org.uk, by phoning 01225 463362 or by visiting Bath Box Office, The Forum, BA1 1AG.

Images: Film still- Rental Family (directed by Hikari), Sentimental Value with Stellan Skarsgard and Elle Fanning (photo- Kasper Tuxen v2), Film still - Die My Love (©MUBI photo- Kimberly French), Film still- Bugonia, starring Emma Stone
(directed by Yorgos Lanthimos).

Join Marie and her team in Bath as they welcome Louise Sword
from HX Hurtigruten Expeditions.

To travel with HX is to open yourself to a world of awe. From cultural encounters to wildlife wonders, what you see and learn on your trip will inspire and energise you. And when you come back home, you’ll have a deeper, richer love of the planet we all share. Learn about their amazing programme to Antarctica, Galapagos Islands, Greenland and more. So, if you have ever thought about a bucket list, expedition cruise then be sure to head over to find out more!

Availability is limited, so reserve your space today by calling 01225 486 800 or emailing bath@milesmorgantravel.co.uk

This year’s Bath Literature Festival may have come to an end, but there are still plenty of brilliant literary events coming up to get excited about. 

An Evening with F1's Susie Wolff, 24 October 
Former racing driver and Managing Director of F1 Academy Susie Wolff lifts the bonnet on her incredible journey to the top of motorsport.

In conversation with Alan Davies, 29 October 
White Male Stand Up is the sequel to Alan Davies’s best-selling memoir, Just Ignore Him. It tells the story of what happened next to the much loved comedian, writer and actor, best known as BBC’s Jonathan Creek and as a panellist on QI.

Bath Festivals present Joe Hill, 4 November
Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of KING SORROW - a game changing horror with an unforgettable cast. Unmissable for fans of Stephen King, Jordan Peele, and Leigh Bardugo.

bathfestivals.org.uk

Step into a musical world of imagination and bold invention with Bath Philharmonia, led by internationally acclaimed conductor Michael Rosewell.

Ludwig van Beethoven’s trailblazing Eroica Symphony shook the foundations of the classical tradition and heralded the start of a bold new era. Joe Hisaishi, master of cinematic soundscapes and resident Studio Ghibli composer, brings irresistible energy in Pulsation from his Sinfonia for Chamber Orchestra. Maurice Ravel’s magical Mother Goose Suite whisks us into fairytales full of colour and charm, before Beethoven’s joyful Piano Concerto No. 1 dazzles with wit, brilliance, and sparkle — performed by the sensational soloist Junyan Chen [silver medal winner at the Leeds International Piano Competition 2024]. From heroic visions to enchanting dreams, this programme celebrates the power of music to move, transform, and inspire.

7.30pm - 9.30pm | The Forum, 1A Forum Buildings, BA1 1UG | bathboxoffice.org.uk

Bath Bach Choir’s mid-autumn concert will bring together an array of exciting international musicians, with Carl Orff’s famous cantata Carmina Burana as the centrepiece of what’s set to be an upbeat and scintillating performance.

World-renowned drummers BackBeat Percussion Quartet will open the evening and then raise the roof in Orff’s own arrangement of Carmina Burana for two pianos, voices and drums, with concert pianist Nurry Lee, fresh from performing at Carnegie Hall, playing the piano opposite Marcus Sealy. A thrilling setting of 24 secular poems (‘songs of Beuern’) written in Middle High German and Latin by medieval monks in Bavaria, this much-loved work describes physical and spiritual love, the joys of spring, gambling, dancing in the meadows and drinking in the tavern – all subject to the whims of Fortune (‘O Fortuna’), empress of the world.

7.30pm | Kingswood School, Lansdown Rd, BA1 5RG | bathbachchoir.org.uk

Bath Rugby have named their matchday 23 for Saturday evening’s Gallagher PREM ‘Derby Weekend’ showdown against Gloucester Rugby at The Rec (kick-off 5.30pm).

Will Stuart features for the first time this season having returned from international duty with the British and Irish Lions in the summer. Stuart joins hooker Tom Dunn and fellow prop Beno Obano in the front row.

Ewan Richards and Ross Molony will partner-up in the engine room while in the back row Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill will play blindside and openside flanker, respectively, alongside Josh Bayliss at the base of the scrum.

Fly-half Finn Russell, also back from Lions duty, captains the Blue, Black and White in the absence of Ben Spencer with Tom Carr-Smith paired alongside the Scottish international at scrum-half.

Max Ojomoh returns to his more familiar role at inside centre having operated at fly-half in the previous two PREM fixtures, with Ollie Lawrence named at outside centre.

Henry Arundell and Joe Cokanasiga start on either wing with Tom de Glanville wearing the number 15 jersey.

Head coach Johann van Graan has selected a five-three split amongst his replacements with Santi Carreras set to make his Bath Rugby debut, having been away with the Argentina national team.

Scrum-half Neil le Roux and Chris Harris are the other impact backs. Francois van Wyk, Kepueli Tuipulotu and Thomas du Toit – fresh from winning the Rugby Championship with South Africa last weekend – are the replacement front rowers. Miles Reid and Alfie Barbeary complete the matchday 23.

Bath Rugby Starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Ewan Richards, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Josh Bayliss, 9 Tom Carr-Smith, 10 Finn Russell ©, 11 Henry Arundell, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Tom de Glanville

Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Miles Reid, 20 Alfie Barbeary, 21 Neil le Roux, 22 Santi Carreras, 23 Chris Harris

5.30pm | Pulteney Mews, Bathwick, BA2 4DS | bathrugby.com

3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 4 Receptions | Guide Price: £750,000

Offered for sale by Zest Sales and Lettings

West End is a charming and versatile three-bedroom detached home, nestled in the picturesque Cotswold village of Marshfield. Offering spacious and flexible living accommodation, this unique property presents an exciting opportunity for renovation and personalisation to suit a variety of lifestyles.

Inside, the home features two inviting living rooms, one showcasing a striking open fireplace, alongside two separate kitchen areas, a utility room, a shower room, and two dining rooms, providing ample space for both everyday living and entertaining. 

Upstairs, you’ll find three generously sized bedrooms and a well-appointed family bathroom. If further bedrooms are required one of the reception rooms on the ground floor could also be used for this purpose.

Outside, the expansive and beautifully maintained gardens create a peaceful, private haven—ideal for keen gardeners or those seeking outdoor tranquility. The double garage offers excellent storage and has great potential to be converted into a home office, studio, or workshop. There is also plenty of driveway parking available. Lovingly maintained over the years, West End is now ready for its next chapter and would make a wonderful family home. Offered with no onward chain.

To view more images, details and the floor plan, visit the Zest
Sales and Lettings website