Bath Literature Festival celebrates books and literature in a beautiful city. Check out these two (very exciting) upcoming events... 

Richard Armitage on his new book, The Cut, 3 September

You’ll probably recognise Richard’s face and his voice, as he has appeared in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, Captain America, Alice through the Looking Glass and Oceans 8. His debut novel, Geneva, was a Sunday Times top 5 crime debut for 2023 and a no. 1 Audible bestseller. And this event will be your chance to hear more from
this star of page-turning thrillers.

7pm - 8pm | Christ Church, Julian Rd, BA1 2R

Jacqueline Wilson on the adult sequel to The Illustrated Mum, 
Picture Imperfect, 8 September 

If you grew up reading national treasure Jacqueline Wilson's books you’ll be delighted to hear she’s written an adult sequel to her bestseller The Illustrated Mum. Dame Jacqueline this week told the BBC that The Illustrated Mum, published in 1999, is still one of her favourite books, and the follow-up Picture Imperfect, was both the easiest
and the hardest thing to write.

Join this much-loved author, who was born in Bath, in conversation with Bath based novelist Harriet Evans (whose new family saga The Treasures is out now) at St Swithin’s Church. 

7pm - 8pm | St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon, BA1 5LY

For more information and to book tickets, visit bathfestivals.org.uk

Recipe

Classic Cornish Pasties

The sun is setting on August and September is softly strolling into view. Cross that bridge with these classic UK seaside/picnic treats, perfect for alfresco dining… or
munching in a cosy kitchen!

Click here to read

Weekend Wines

Best Selling Reds in The Great Wine Sale

The Great Wine Co. summer sale is still going. This is your opportunity to pick up some outrageous bargains - from exceptional fine wines to last-of lines to beautiful older vintages - with savings of up to 50%! Today, as we (slowly but surely) head into the autumn months, we've selected a trio of best selling reds that you can
grab with brilliant discounts... 

1. Biferno Rosso DOC, Palladino | £9.50
2. The Plantation Grenache, Pikes | £11.10
3. Pater Frescobaldi | £9.95

Browse the red wine sale on the Great Wine Co. website

Marco Bicego's Jaipur Colour Collection is a hymn to the beauty of natural gemstones, resulting in infinite combinations and styles.

Our favourite pieces in Blue Topaz...

18ct Yellow Gold Ring with London Blue Topaz and Diamonds | £1,290

Hand-engraved with the ancient Florentine technique and embellished with a rose-cut semi-precious gemstone and a sequence of small brilliant-cut diamonds. Elegant on its own, it is the perfect addition to a stackable look.

18ct Yellow Gold Blue Topaz Drop Earrings with a Hook and Hinge Fitting | £1,290

A cascade of gemstones marks this bold and dynamic multi-strand earring. The stones have been carefully selected for their intensity and purity, and are set in an 18ct yellow gold bezel setting finely hand-engraved using the ancient Florentine technique.

Discover more of the Jaipur Colour Collection in store or on the Mallory website

Summer is at its mid-point, the weather is a challenging mix, and thoughts start to turn to the new season. Time to explore some key in-betweeners, pieces that will update your wardrobe and allow you to wear now and restyle for the autumn season and beyond.

Chocolate Faux Leather Bomber | £120

Denim Basque Midi Skirt | £99

albaray.co.uk

Every layer tells a story... this collection is made to combine, inviting you to playfully layer and discover combinations that are uniquely you. Play. Combine. Create.

To inspire Scent Layering experimentation, this September Jo Malone London has selected three colognes from its library, each with a distinct effect, that can be layered with a choice of fragrance to create a scent that is uniquely you.

Jo Malone London's Uniquely You Full Collection:

New! Uniquely You Scent Layering Set
English Pear & Sweet Pea Cologne

Combiners:

Grapefruit Cologne
English Oak & Hazelnut Cologne
Peony & Blush Suede Cologne

Available from 1 September both in-store and online at jomalone.co.uk

On our cover we have actor Adrian Lukis, best known for playing Jane Austen’s most charming cad, George Wickham, in the TV adaption of Pride and Prejudice. Inside, we chat to him about his new one-man show, Being Mr Wickham, on from 20 - 21 September at Old Theatre Royal.

We also speak with Ian McEwan, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest British writers of all time. He discusses his new book, What We Can Know, advice for budding writers, how he spends his downtime, and the enduring power of storytelling.

For those with younger children, you’ll want to check out our round-up of the best events at the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, which will be filling the town with fun and imagination from 26 September to 5 October. We also chat with the illustrators whose artistry helps bring the stories to life.

On the culinary front, we introduce you to Emberwood, Bath's elegant new British Brasserie. And, for those inspired by autumn’s rich palette, we showcase plum-toned treasures to refresh your interiors, as well as some of the latest beauty products to treat yourself to as we transition to cooler weather.

You’ll also find our Schools Guide, an extensive directory of schools and colleges in Bath.

So, keep an eye out as the mags will land in cafés, restaurants, shops, cultural venues and on doormats across the city next week! In the meantime,
catch up with our August issue online. 

Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) is Jessica in the much-anticipated next play from the team behind Prima Facie.

Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright?

7pm | The Little Theatre Cinema, St Michaels Place, BA1 1SF 

picturehouses.com

An exhibition of original paintings and limited edition prints from
current and new collections.

Throughout the creative journey Chloe uses a variety of mediums to convey a concept. Exploring ideas, techniques and processes are a big part of her work, focusing on
texture and mark making.

Her abstract landscapes offer a familiar feeling to each viewer, transferring a unique memory of place, an imaginative space for individual thought and reflection.

10am - 6pm | Studio 22, New Bond Street, BA1 1BW | chloeyandell.com | @chloe.yandell

Artwork shown: Resonate, Echo, Empyrean II

Join the Toppings team for a special evening celebrating the incredible first memoir from the Booker-winning literary icon Arundhati Roy, author of
The God of Small Things.

Arundhati Roy's first work of memoir, this is a soaring account, both intimate and inspiring, of how the author became the person and the writer she is, shaped by circumstance, but above all by her complex relationship to the extraordinary, singular mother she describes as 'my shelter and my storm'.

7pm | Bath Pavilion, N Parade Rd, Bathwick, Bath BA2 4EU

toppingbooks.co.uk

Celebrate Bath's unique landscape by taking a walk.

Join in for this year’s Bathscape Walking Festival. Simply browse through the walks offered on the website and book on the ones you like the look of. 

New to this year’s programme: two Deaf-led guided walks; an accessible sensory experience in Henrietta Park; a photography walk-shop, as well as some returning favourites. The festival will be celebrating Bath’s links with Alkmaar for the 80th anniversary of the twinning relationship and visiting some modernist architecture. And of course, Jane Austen gets a mention too!

bathscape.co.uk

How can a film score make you cheer, shiver, cry or punch the air?

Join the UK’s favourite film critic (and our August cover star) Mark Kermode, and radio producer Jenny Nelson as they explore the emotional connection between great musical scores and the silver screen audience. Their brilliant new book, Surround Sound is a fascinating trip down the glorious rabbit hole of film composition.

This event will be followed by a book signing, copies available to purchase on the night.

14+ | 7.30pm – 9.30pm | komediabath.com

This September, sites across Bath & North East Somerset will once again throw open their doors for Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture.

Running from 12–21 September, the festival offers a rare opportunity to explore the area’s most fascinating buildings, landscapes, and stories — all completely free.

The 10-day celebration features over 20 venues offering guided tours, exhibitions, talks, and family-friendly activities. From ancient burial sites to Victorian chapels, and from art galleries to working mills, the programme invites everyone to discover the rich and often surprising heritage on their doorstep.

Highlights include: Museum of Bath at Work,The Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre, Stoney Littleton Long Barrow and Victoria Art Gallery.

There are many more places to explore across Bath & North East Somerset during the festival. For the full programme, visit heritageopendays.org.uk
or download the local leaflet.

The new term is nearly here. This is your final chance to take advantage of Bath Rugby's 3 for 2 offer on school accessories.

From backpacks to water bottles, make sure every school day is equipped with performance-driven essentials.

Don’t miss out — once it’s gone, it’s gone.

bathrugbyshop.com

4 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 2 Receptions | Guide Price: £900,000

Offered for sale by Peter Greatorex Estate and Letting Agents 

The entrance hallway immediately impresses with a line of sight through the home to the garden beyond. Every detail has been considered for comfort, style, and energy efficiency, creating a truly turn-key home.

Step into a warm and welcoming sitting room where a log-burning stove offers a cosy centrepiece—perfect for curling up on cool evenings. Bi-fold doors lead out into the pretty courtyard garden beyond. The open-plan layout of the living area flows seamlessly into a bright dining area and modern kitchen, where clean lines and ample storage create a stylish yet highly functional heart of the home, flooded with natural light.

On the ground floor, a glass walkway leads from the sitting room through to the older part of the house, which originated from a stone-built cottage, dating from the mid-19th century. This has been thoughtfully preserved and carefully integrated with the new part of the house and includes two-storeys with remarkable flexibility—ideal as a home office with its own separate entrance, a private therapy or consulting room, or even as a self-contained Airbnb or guest accommodation to generate additional income. The space has been sympathetically updated to combine period charm with modern convenience, featuring charming original details alongside two contemporary shower rooms and comfortable living and sleeping areas.

The property is approached via a shared access drive that opens into a private parking area with space for two vehicles. The pretty courtyard garden provides a peaceful outdoor retreat with plenty of room for relaxation or entertaining. Its landscaped design complements the home’s modern aesthetic while remaining low-maintenance and family-friendly. The overall layout maximises privacy while retaining a welcoming village atmosphere.

Combe Down is a highly desirable residential area and thriving community, on the southern outskirts of Bath, renowned for its blend of village atmosphere, rich history, and family-friendly amenities. Situated just over a mile from the city centre, it offers a peaceful, semi-rural setting while providing easy access to Bath’s cultural, retail, and dining attractions. The village is perfectly placed for easy access to the City Centre to the north and open countryside to the south.

The area is particularly popular with families thanks to its excellent choice of schools, including well-regarded local primaries and secondary options such as Prior Park College, Monkton Combe Junior School, and Ralph Allen School. Day-to-day living is made easy with a range of local amenities, including independent shops, a pharmacy, bakery, Post Office, dentist, GP surgeries, and a nearby Sainsbury’s.

To see more information, images, and the floorplan, visit petergreatorex.co.uk