Beckford's Tower & Museum
Reopening 29 June

Beckford’s Tower and Museum is reopening this weekend following a £3.9million refurbishment funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other public and private funders. The project, which began in October 2022, has gone beyond essential repairs to encompass reimagining the museum and creating new interpretation, installing renewable energy sources, plus a full excavation of a hidden grotto, which visitors can now experience for the first time ever.

New displays showcase pieces from Beckford’s varied collections, including: furniture, such as an oak coffer cabinet and stand commissioned by Beckford for the tower; design objects, including over 30 silver teaspoons bearing the Beckford family crest and making a material link between the source of Beckford's wealth - sugar plantations - and his prolific collecting habits; and fine art, such as a Willes Maddox painting commissioned by Beckford's daughter after his death, depicting a combination of his rare historic pieces and new designs made by skilled craftspeople.

Lansdown Rd, Bath BA1 9BH
Click here for more information.

OUR JULY ISSUE HAS LANDED!

You'll love our marvellous July 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 spoke to local costume designer and puppeteer Hannah Southfield about giving human life to inanimate objects – and look forward to the Bath Carnival this month, for which Hannah is creative director. We also discover why busy is the very best adjective for the honey bee, and how these pollinators support our ecosystem. You'll also find some of the production highlights of the Garden Theatre Festival in the grounds of the Holburne – with deckchairs provided! The artichoke on the cover hails our new Delicious Guide, our directory of local food and drink outlets. Plus so much more!

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

Courgette, Lemon and Mint Linguine

A speedy summertime supper, ready in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients (serves 2)

150g dried linguine
2 courgettes
½ a bunch of fresh mint
30g Parmesan cheese, finely-grated
The finely-grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

Method

Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet then drain well, reserving around 6 tbsp of cooking water.

Spiralise the courgettes or slice them lengthways then again into long matchsticks to achieve the same effect. Sauté (tossing regularly) with around 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat for around 3-4 minutes, adding the mint leaves for the last 30 seconds.

Toss the drained pasta into the courgette pan with a splash of reserved cooking water. Add most of the Parmesan, a sprinkling of lemon zest and all the lemon juice. Toss thoroughly to combine and season to taste (this recipe likes lots of black pepper!)

Serve immediately in warm bowls drizzled with a little extra virgin olive oil and the reserved Parmesan.

French rosé wines at The Great Wine Co.

There is not, and will never be, anywhere quite like France: eccentric, idiosyncratic and unswervingly confident as it is in the ability of 'terroir' and tradition to continue to produce the world's best wine in the face of ever-increasing competition. The French are immensely proud of their heritage and with a winemaking history stretching back over 2000 years this is hardly a surprise.

Love by Leoube Organic Rose, Château Leoube | £17.50

This rosé is made from a blend of traditional red grape varieties from Provence. A fruit forward rosé, with a lovely freshness and round mouthfeel. Showing light citrus aromas mixed with notes of fleshy white fruits, bringing the palate to a balanced finish. A rosé filled with happiness, perfectly prepped to illuminate all your special moments.

Côtes de Provence Rosé, Domaine de l'Amour, La Vidaubanaise | £14.95

One of the finest co-operatives of Provence, known for producing balanced and highly drinkable rosé wines. The grapes for this wine, come from a SINGLE estate. So, put your shades on, open a bottle and you could be in Provence in the early 60's, although now the wine is much, much better. Delicate aromas of strawberry and cherry on the nose. The wine is crisp, dry and elegant on the palate, with notes of red cherry, citrus, and crushed red apples. An easy drinking, refreshing, rose and the perfect aperitif.

Consult Rosé, La Lande | £10.50

With an attractive pale pink colour, this is a light and refreshing rosé from the Languedoc region of Southern France. Cinsault lends itself particularly well to the production of rosés, and this dry, unoaked example can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with a wide range of Mediterranean dishes.

Fleur de Mer Rose, Fleur de Mer | £23.30

A classic Provençal Rosé, Fleur de Mer is a brilliant pale pink color, beautifully balanced with bright fruit notes and crisp acidity. Delicate aromas of fresh watermelon and cherry give way to a complex, refreshing palate. Layers of red berries and subtle citrus are complemented by a softly textured middle and a fine, cleansing, mineral finish.

Visit greatwine.co.uk to explore more

Opens Tonight!

Welcome to Summer! Bath Pizza Co and Green Park Brasserie officially kick off summer with their Aperol Terrace launch this Friday (28th June) from 6pm onwards.

Expect live music, world class pizza and burgers and more Aperol Spritz than the Italian coastline!

The first 50 guests to show the team the @bathpizzaco terrace launch Instagram post will receive an Aperol Spritz on the house.

Kick back and watch the world go by with big alfresco vibes on the terraces every day of the week, with cocktail happy hours running 12-5pm, 7 days.

Manja Manja

There’s a new Italian restaurant and wine bar in George Street and it’s called Manja Manja. The owners are brothers Mike and Matthew Lisanti, who are also owner managers of The Circus Restaurant in Brock Street.  The idea of Manja Manja is drawn from the brothers’ Italian grandmother (or ‘Nonna’) who used to serve them steaming plates of pasta as children, directing them in Italian to ‘mangia, mangia!’ (‘eat, eat’).

Head chef Fraser Scott and general manager Jessie Warlow have both moved over from The Circus Restaurant – Jessie has developed and crafted the wine list, which has been carefully procured over 18 months and a large part of the new space will be devoted to the wine bar. Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm–3pm and 5.30pm–11pm.

Manja Manja, 8 George Street, Bath
manjamanja.co.uk

The Iconics Rose Nebula collection

Lalique, named after René-Jules Lalique who founded the business in 1888 is synonymous with everything excellent in French crystal and art.

Celebrated for its expertise in glassmaking and jewellery creations, Lalique continues to enchant the world with exquisite pieces.

The new Iconics Rose Nebula collection showcases Lalique's exceptional craftsmanship, with a name derived from the pink luster process - applied as a final touch by the master glassmaker where a colourless, vaporous mist, composed of precious metals including yellow gold during the annealing process, revealing intoxicating pink finish for each piece.

The outcome is both beautiful and breathtaking. Shown below is the Lalique Sparrow pink luster crystal sculpture £429 and to the right is the Lalique Anemones crystal votive, £165.

See the Rose Nebula collection and many more Lalique pieces at Mallory by clicking here.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
No 1 in the US has landed in the UK!

This gentle, yet effective lightweight vitamin C serum with three essential ceramides also helps to restore your protective skin barrier, and includes moisturising hyaluronic acid, and soothing vitamin B₅ (pantothenic acid) to help improve skin hydration. Plus, MVE technology continually releases moisturising ingredients for all-day hydration. Suitable for all skin types—including sensitive skin—this antioxidant serum comes in protective packaging to help prevent oxidation and maintain product performance.

CeraVe | £29
Click here to purchase now.

COLMAR'S PIQUÉ POLO SHIRT WITH RIBBED EDGES

These tennis-inspired pieces combine classic elegance with modern performance, ensuring you stay stylish and comfortable whether you're on the court or enjoying summer activities.

Effortless style meets functionality in Colmar’s polo shirts, blending timeless sophistication with contemporary details to offer a refined yet sporty look. Made from breathable fabrics, they are designed to keep you cool and comfortable in the summer heat.

Colmar | £71.20

Click here to shop.

Reebok Club C 85 Trainers

A favourite among casual athletes at the time, Reebok's Club C was first released in 1985 as a retitled version of the Revenge Plus. Evolving into a contemporary staple over time, the silhouette returns once again this season.

The soft leather upper doles out superior support and quality. The midsole cushions every step and a timeless Reebok window box logo amps up the look for casual yet sophisticated style.

Anthropologie | £80

Click here to shop.

Curated by Daniel McCabe

There’s no escaping the football right now – even the country’s leading wine magazine leads on lunch with Gary Lineker, but other delights in the always-irreverent Noble Rot include Kiera Knightley’s wine reviews, the best meal Fat Boy Slim ever had (although he’s not 100% sure it happened), the £7,500 bottle of wine nobody’s heard of, social media influencers versus restaurant reviewers, musings on restaurant art and more.| £12

magalleria.co.uk

Fancy Dance (15)

Since her sister’s disappearance, Jax (Lily Gladstone) has cared for her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson) by scraping by on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma. Every spare minute goes into finding her missing sister while also helping Roki prepare for an upcoming powwow. At the risk of Jax losing custody to Roki’s grandfather, Frank (Shea Whigham), the pair hit the road and scour the backcountry to track down Roki’s mother in time for the powwow.

What begins as a search gradually turns into a far deeper investigation into the complexities and contradictions of Indigenous women moving through a colonized world while at the mercy of a failed justice system. Directed by Erica Tremblay and starring Shea Whigham, Lily Gladstone, Audrey Wasilewski, Isabel Deroy-Olson, Ryan Begay and Crystle Lightning.

Little Theatre, St Michaels Place, Bath
Click here for showing times and to book your tickets.

All-American Summer Party
7 July 10am-5pm

Join the American Museum  for a fantastic day out celebrating American Independence Day with an exciting medley of live music, family games, BBQ, line dancing and much more. With a backdrop of stunning views across the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and incredible gardens.

Visitors can explore the Museum’s fascinating collections in the Manor House and the new, interactive exhibition: American Road Trip, plus the children’s play area and parkland meadows.

Normal admission applies | Free entry for members

Click here for more information and to book your tickets.

Amadeus Orchestra
Thursday 18 July at 7pm

Amadeus Orchestra presents a summer selection of orchestral fireworks. From Carter Pann’s visceral sprint Slalom though Rachmaninov’s sublime Piano Concerto No 2 and Britten’s colourful masterpieces, Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes and The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.

Philip Mackenzie
conductor

Kasparas Mikužis
pianist

Tickets are £28, £15 for students and £3 for Under 18s.

Wiltshire Music Centre
Ashley Road, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1DZ
Click here for more information and to book your tickets.

Happy 200th Birthday BRLSI!

Queen Square is being taken over for a family-friendly weekend celebration, jam-packed with free science and crafting activities, live music and performances, exhibits, open-air games and refreshments on 29th and 30th June 2024.

Click here to secure your tickets.

Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
Saturday 20 July at The Forum

Based on the original book Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Tickets start at £13

The Forum
1A Forum Buildings , Bath
BA1 1UG
Click here to secure your tickets.

Iford Manor Estate: Annual Nature and Butterfly Day
Sunday 7th July 11am to 4pm

The annual Nature Day, in partnership with Butterfly Conservation, returns to Iford.

Join the team at Iford Manor Estate on this FREE day as they open two of their conservation meadows for walks where you can spot butterflies and wild orchids, with volunteers from Butterfly Conservation on hand to answer your queries.

A number of other conservation groups, including the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts, will be present, and there will be a selection of nature-related activities for children to participate in free of charge.

Suitable for everyone of all ages (although please note that the walks are not pushchair friendly).

This event does not take place in Iford Manor Gardens. Should you wish to enjoy the gardens, entry may be purchased separately (online in advance).

Cost: Free of charge (no booking required)

Click here for more information. 

High Street, Weston, Bath, BA1 4DF

Offered for sale by Simon Lord 

A distinctive, highly desirable three bedroom period house, beautifully presented and set in a well screened position at the heart of Weston Village.

With an intriguing individual character, this fine double fronted home forms part of a short, discreetly situated mid Victorian terrace which has a notable local history, with a 17th Century date stone evidencing earlier origins.

There is style, quality and good design evident in the well proportioned living space, which presents high quality contemporary refurbishment and retention of period features in equal balance, all enhanced by notably high levels of natural light.

The accommodation is arranged around a central hallway which connects front and rear gardens and a remarkably light and open stairwell.

On the ground floor, there is a comfortable sitting room, superb open plan kitchen/dining room, utility/pantry and light, well equipped shower room. At first floor level, there are three broadly evenly proportioned bedrooms with good storage and an outstanding bathroom refurbished in modern period style. In addition, and subject to the usual consents being obtained, there would appear to be excellent scope to develop the spacious loft.

One of the primary features of this property is the notable way in which the interior and outside space fuse as one; unusually, both front and rear gardens both enjoying a significant level of privacy. There is a lovely rear courtyard, perfect for relaxing and outside dining, and to the front, there is a charming garden, sheltered by an established natural boundary and providing a compelling mix of hard and soft landscaping.

With the protection of Conservation Area status, the house is located in the perfect spot for buyers requiring easy access to both the City centre and the glorious open countryside on the North and West side of Bath. There are local shops and bus stop right on the doorstep in the village, and there is an enjoyable walk to the City centre via Royal Victoria Park. For those looking to explore the open country beyond the city boundaries, there are so many options, including the highly favoured Kelston Roundhill 7km circular walk, and beyond that to Bath Soft Cheese and the Racecourse. An alternative would be to walk up to Lansdown and enjoy a pub lunch at the Hare and Hounds. The Royal United Hospital is just a short walk away.  | Guide Price £600,000