Lucknam Park's Executive Chef, Hywel Jones, retains Restaurant Hywel Jones' Michelin star for a milestone 20th year

In very exciting news for the south west, it has been revealed that Lucknam Park's Executive Chef Hywel Jones has retained Restaurant Hywel Jones’ Michelin star for the 20th consecutive year.

Speaking of the accomplishment, Hywel Jones says: “Maintaining a Michelin Star for a milestone two decades is a tremendous honour and a testament to the dedication of our entire team. Consistency at this level requires passion, precision, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved at Restaurant Hywel Jones."

Restaurant Hywel Jones takes gastronomes on a tantalising journey using only the finest ingredients to ensure the fullest of flavours. While his culinary creativity has afforded his restaurant the reputation of one of the best in the UK, he always prioritises locally sourced ingredients, from lamb reared on the Lucknam estate to delicate herbs grown in the hotel’s kitchen garden.

For the 2025 season, guests can expect new, innovative dishes to take centre stage such as Brecon lamb two ways complemented by wild garlic, artichoke and new season morels, as well as hand-dived Orkney scallop garnished with Wiltshire truffle and served with lardo and celeriac. 

Restaurant Hywel Jones is open weekly between Wednesday and Saturday. 
Lucknam Park, Colerne, SN14 8AZ; lucknampark.co.uk

For more Michelin restaurants in Bath visit guide.michelin.com

Our February issue, currently being enjoyed

Sun's out! Well, maybe not quite yet, but our February cover star Luke Jerram is certainly bringing the heat with his new installation Helios.

The huge seven-metre-wide model of the Sun can be seen in Bath Assembly Rooms from 30 January to 23 February. In this issue, we've provided a run-down of everything you need to know about the breathtaking installation ahead of your visit.

We also chat to horologist Steve Fletcher, star of The Repair Shop, about how the TV show has been captivating audiences and warming hearts since its first series in 2017. Steve and other members of The Repair Shop team will appear at the Forum on 25 February.

Elsewhere, we speak to Sarah Williment, Director at Bath Bridge and Programme Director for The Bath Future Talent Programme, about the work being done by Digital Divide Collective initiative to tackle digital poverty in the region.

And for all the art lovers among us, we've got not one, not two, but three features on exhibitions taking place in the city this month! Firstly there is Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol at the Holburne; secondly one of the finest collections of Renaissance maps in the world at The American Museum & Gardens; and finally Mirror of Mirth at Victoria Art Gallery welcomes the scandalous world of Georgian Bath with satirical works by Thomas Rowlandson and John Nixon. There's even more artful activity with local photographer Paul J Gooch who gives us a preview of his innovative shots of the city of Bath. 

There's so much more to get stuck into this month, so keep an eye out around the city for the new issue!

Every month we deliver 15,000 copies door to door, but if you don't get a magazine 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 £35 for 12 issues, £20 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Recipes by Melissa Blease

You forgot the date, didn’t you? Raid the store cupboard, the freezer and the fruit bowl (!) and rustle up this simple, sophisticated, speedy Valentine’s Day menu for two.

The set-the-scene cocktail: Cupid’s Arrow

Mix 150ml cranberry juice, 50ml vodka and 1 tsp grenadine (optional) together in a large jug or cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Add a spritz of fresh lime and stir or shake again. Drop 2-3 raspberries into the bottom of two chilled Champagne glasses, add the cocktail mixture and top up with Champagne, prosecco or sparkling wine. Serve immediately.

The sensual starter: Garlic and Chilli Prawns

Peel and crush 3 cloves of garlic, finely slice 1 red chilli (deseed if you can’t stand the heat) and saute together in a small, oil-drizzled frying pan over a medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Add 12 large raw king prawns (defrosted if frozen) to the pan with 1 tsp smoked paprika and a splash of dry sherry (optional) and fry for 2-4 minutes or until the prawns turn pink. Sprinkle with finely-chopped fresh parsley and serve on warm plates with lemon wedges for spritzing and crusty bread to mop up the garlicky juices.

The main event: Truffle Carbonara

Gently fry 150g fatty pancetta or plump bacon lardons (smoked or unsmoked; it’s up to you) in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat for around 10 minutes or until the fat has rendered down and the meaty morsels are golden and crisp, adding 1 whole clove of garlic (unpeeled but bashed with a rolling pin) for the last 5 minutes or so of cooking time. Remove and discard the garlic clove, take the pan off the heat and set to one side. In a large saucepan, cook 200g spaghetti, linguine or fettuccine for 2 minutes less than the instructions on the packet. Meanwhile, whisk 2 egg yolks in a small bowl. When the pasta has cooked, use kitchen tongs to lift it into the pancetta pan and muddle it around, adding small ladlefuls of pasta cooking water as you go until there’s only a little bit of pasta water left in the bottom of the pan. Tip the beaten egg yolks into the pasta and stir vigorously (the egg yolks will cook and turn silky in the residual heat from the pasta and pasta water). Add 50g finely grated Parmesan and keep mixing, adding a little more pasta water if necessary (you’re aiming for a smooth sauce with the consistency of double cream). Serve immediately in warmed bowls scattered with plenty of ground black pepper, a little more parmesan and drizzles of truffle oil.

The sweet treat: Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Melt 100g dark chocolate in a bowl over (but not touching!) a pan of simmering water or in short blasts in the microwave. Holding individual strawberries by the leafy top, dip each one into the chocolate, rolling to cover and tapping any excess back into the bowl. Lay each chocolate-dipped strawberry onto a serving platter as you go, and leave them in a cool place (not the fridge) until the chocolate has set. Serve drizzled with melted milk or white chocolate.

The day of love has arrived! Today's the day to crack open the very best of the bottles and say 'I love you' in style.

For those in need of some last minute vin-spiration, here's a list of the most romantic reds on the market, available to buy right here in Bath from The Great Wine Company.

Old Vine Field Blend Malbec/Carmenere 'Las Cruces' – De Martino
Hailing from Chile, this blend is incredibly deep in aroma and flavour with notes of crushed black cherry, pencil lead and herbs. Fine and delicate on the palate, exuding the amazing balance that comes from old vines. £38.50

Terrior Exclusivo Tannat – Casa Valduga
A Brazilian red with notes of leather and vanilla integrated into the ripe red and black fruit character. On the palate, the tannins are firm, supporting the acidity and ensuring long persistence. £25

Iscay Malbec Cabernet Franc – Trapiche
From Argentina, this wine is almost black, with concentrated blackcurrant, damson and black cherry fruit flavours, complemented by complex nuances of black olives, savoury herbs, charred padrón pepper and cream. £42

Amarone Classico DOCG – Bertani
Looking to splash the cash? World-renowned winery Bertani's 2010 Amarone Classico is where to do it. This Italian red has a deep garnet colour and witnesses the long barrel ageing. Fresh black cherry aromas, leading into notes of maraschino cherry and plum on the nose, with immense depth and complexity on the palate. £195

Douro Old Vines Reserva – Quinta Do Crasto
This Portuguese Decanter World Wine Award-winner is hugely complex, with concentrated aromas and flavours, married to wonderful freshness. It is lively and juicy, yet far from straightforward, with intriguing nuances of spices, Mediterranean herbs, olives and well-integrated oak. £37.50

Discover all of these and more romantic reds at greatwine.co.uk

The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

The latest addition to TAG Heuer’s legendary Aquaracer collection, the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph, is engineered for sport, adventure and perfect for travel. With a 40mm case size, this new model's strength lies in its ultra-light yet rugged construction, crafted from titanium it ensures durability and all-day comfort.

At the heart of the Solargraph is its revolutionary Calibre TH50-00 solar-powered movement. The watch's semi-translucent dial allows light to the solar cell movement below, charging the on-board battery and eliminating the need for battery replacements for 15 years. Just one minute of sunlight provides a full day’s power, while a complete charge will power the timepiece for up to ten months.

The sleek, sporty aesthetic of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph is the perfect companion from daybreak to nightfall with the markers and hands coated with Super-LumiNova® lacquer for maximum visibility even in total darkness.

With 200m water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel & screw-down crown, an ultra-light titanium case and bracelet, and case back with stamped compass motif, this feature-packed, über cool timepiece is the ultimate acknowledgement to unrestrained wanderlust and exploration. £2,950.

The Solargraph also comes in a steel collection, with either a 34mm or 40mm case size and a range of coloured dials available.

For more information, click here to visit Mallory.

Looking for something fun to do this half-term? Bring your little artists to Bath Abbey's ‘Terrific Tiles’ drop-in craft session! 

Design your own unique ceramic tile inspired by the stunning Medieval and Tudor birds and flowers that adorn the Abbey.

This hands-on session is free with admission or a Discovery Card, and is the perfect way for your family to get creative and explore history together. No tickets required, drop in throughout the day. Ages 4+.

Bath Abbey | Saturday 15 February, 10am - 4pm | bathabbey.org

Live discussion at BRLSI, Queen Square, and online

A special conversation being livestreamed from the USA this Tuesday 18 February at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution sees leading expert on the subject of Ukraine-Russian relations, Professor Rajan Menon from City University in New York, share and discuss thoughts on the new geopolitical developments influencing the endgame to this conflict.

Chaired by BRLSI’s Andreas Wasmuht, the speaker will take audience questions via Zoom at the end of the event, and those wishing to participate can watch from the comfort of their own home or join fellow audience members at BRLSI’s HQ in Queen Square, Bath, where the event will be screened live.

With President Macron warning in an interview with the Financial Times yesterday that any “peace that is a capitulation” would be “bad news for everyone, including the US”, and fears being voiced across the European continent that the planned Trump-Putin negotiations not only circumnavigate the demands of the Ukrainian nation, but the opinions of the continent itself, what workable way forward now exists?

As we search for our respective positions on the global geopolitics attaching itself to the framework of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, informing ourselves as fully as possible seems just about the most important thing citizens can do. BRLSI look forward to hosting this very timely and important event for them, and hope that you can join them.

Tuesday 18 February, 7.30pm; 16 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN, or online
Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

For further lectures and events brlsi.org

Fulltone Orchestra presents Karl Jenkins - The Peacemakers

The Fulltone Orchestra is proud to present Karl Jenkins’ The Peacemakers, a profound musical experience that celebrates peace, unity, and the shared hopes of humanity. For classical music lovers and newcomers alike, this performance promises to be an unforgettable evening of music and reflection.

Whether you’re a seasoned concert-goer or someone seeking a transformative cultural experience, The Peacemakers offers something for everyone. This is a rare opportunity to hear a modern masterpiece performed by a top-tier orchestra—right here in your local area. Let the power of music inspire hope and bring us all closer together.

15 March, 7.30pm; Bath Abbey, BA1 1LT
Click here to buy tickets

All is still to play for in the West Country derby tomorrow, as Bath Rugby travel to Ashton Gate for the Premiership match!

Bath’s unbeaten run in the Cup continues, and a win at Ashton Gate would guarantee a home quarter-final. The match sees Alfie Barbeary and Joe Cokanasiga return to action, and Hooker John Stewart also starts alongside Vilikesa Sela who returns from representing England’s U20s in the opening two fixtures of the Six Nations. Will Jeanes comes into the engine room to partner captain and fellow lock Ewan Richards, whilst Arthur Green and Ethan Staddon are joined in the back row by Barbeary at No.8.

In the half-back positions, Tom Carr-Smith starts alongside Orlando Bailey at scrum-half and fly-half, respectively.

Cam Redpath starts in the midfield, partnering Louis Hennessey, and Ruaridh McConnochie returns on the wing with Cokanasiga on the opposite flank and Ciaran Donoghue completing the starting line-up at fullback.

Kick off at 3pm; bathrugby.com

A Grade II Listed home for sale in beautiful Batheaston

Offered for sale by Hamptons Estate Agents

4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 1 Reception 

Guide price: £1,000,000

This Grade II Listed former coachman’s house has been the subject of sympathetic refurbishment and extension to offer a versatile layout with the addition of a home office studio. Suitable to accommodate multi-generational living with a potential ground floor bedroom suite, the convenient location is ideal for all age groups and the most discerning buyers looking for a piece of local history.

Dating from the mid-18th Century, this former coachman’s/gardener’s cottage is only attached at the rear to the garages of Batheaston House. It has been extensively updated and extended to offer the current layout over three floors that includes a potential ground floor bedroom suite with wet room. 

The front door opens to the primary reception room with a slate floor and French doors to the garden. Open stairs ascend to the upper floor with further steps flanking a feature wall to the kitchen. Fitted in a modern, contemporary style with a comprehensive range of cabinets on three sides including integrated appliances and space for a large fridge freezer.

Returning to the reception room, a doorway and slate floor continue to the family dining room with a wood burner to one corner and a deep window looking over the garden. 

From here, doors open to the wing extension with a utility cupboard and a shallow flight of steps down to a further sitting room. With an exposed feature stone wall and tiled flooring, a sliding door opens to the garden and a large roof light adds to the natural light of this room. A modern fitted and fully tiled wet room adds the benefit of using this area as a guest suite if required. 

On the first floor, a wooden floored landing has an airing cupboard and access to each of the three bedrooms. The largest is vaulted with deep windows offering a view of the "Secret Garden" and an ornamental fireplace. The second bedroom is also vaulted, and both are served by a luxurious bathroom with egg bath in addition to a separate shower cubicle. The third bedroom has a space saver staircase up to an attic bathroom also with slate floor, Velux, and storage.

Outside, the walled garden has electric gates providing parking for a number of vehicles on a gravel drive. With a raised and fenced terrace to the front of the house, providing a lovely seating area, the garden offers excellent privacy. In addition to various storage areas, there is a bespoke, wood clad home studio that comprises a sitting room with compact fitted kitchen area with twin electric hob and fridge, and a cloakroom.

To see more images and read through the details, click here to view the property on the Hamptons website.