A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours (or more) in Bath
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ON THE BIG SCREEN | THE LITTLE THEATRE CINEMA
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The Sparks Brothers + live Q&A with Edgar Wright and Sparks (15) |
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How can one rock band be successful, underrated, hugely influential, and criminally overlooked all at the same time? Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favourite band's favourite band.
This screening will be followed by a live Q+A with director Edgar Wright and special guests, broadcast from Sundance Film Festival: London 2021
Thursday 29 July at 6.30pm.
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AUGUST ISSUE: OUT ON TUESDAY |
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As always, there will be a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bath's best businesses. We hope you'll enjoy the read!
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 [Green Park], M&S Foods in Twerton, Tesco in Weston Village, and at The Holburne Museum.
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if you would like to have a copy sent in the post then we offer a postal subscription of £3.95 for a single copy, £15 for a six-issue subscription, or £30 for 12 issues.
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WEEKEND WINE | PRODUCER OF NOTE
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Hailed as one of Spain's most innovative producers, Ramón Bilbao was established way back in 1924, when Don Ramón Bilbao Murga set up his home in the heart of Rioja's wine region. Today Ramón Bilbao creates some of the finest wines in Spain and is celebrated worldwide for its excellent bottles. Here are just five from the producer's wonderful selection at The Great Wine Co.
Albariño
On the nose, tropical notes of pineapple and passionfruit interspersed with golden apple and stone fruits mix with white floral aromas. The palate is refined with unctuous notes of apricot and mango, and a delicious tropical fruit finish with a refreshing acidity. £13.95
Rioja Crianza
This wine is amazing, with aromas of fresh dark fruit, such as blackberries and blackcurrants and hints of blackberry. It has a lovely ripeness and generous fruit character, whilst retaining good structure. One of The Great Wine Co’s best red wines around the £10 price point. £11.95
Rioja Viñedos de Altura
A wine that portrays the beautiful fruit produced by high-altitude vineyards: in this case 50% Tempranillo from La Rioja Alta and 50% Garnacha from La Rioja Baja. This has lilting violet and plum aromas, and vibrant, intense fruit on the palate. Medium-bodied and supple-textured, it is both full of personality and dangerously easy to drink! £16.50
LaLomba Rosado 'Finca Lalinde'
This wine's intricacy, finesse and balance is possibly the finest rosé we had ever tasted. Combining feather touch delicacy with enormous personality, it displays delicious juicy blush pear fruit, tempered by savoury bay leaf aromas, electric-bright acidity and a genuine impression of 'minerality'. Bone dry, yet with fabulous flavour intensity and sustain, this is a masterpiece. £25.00 (£49.50 for a magnum)
Monte Llano Blanco Rioja
Pale lemon in colour with green hues. On the nose aromas of tropical fruits such as banana and citrus fruits can be found. The palate is fresh, vibrant and fruity with a balanced acidity. £10.95
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Feta and Summer Vegetable Tart |
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Super-pretty, ultra-vibrant and bursting with fresh summer flavours, this light, elegant tart is ideal for a late summer lunch or supper.
Asparagus is starting to disappear from our local markets for another year now, but there are still plenty of bunches of big woody spears to be found; roasting before adding them to the tart softens and even slightly sweetens any hint of end-of-season bitterness. Crisp, piquant radishes, however, are still abundant (but, sadly, all-too-easily overlooked) and bring a soft, gently peppery whisper to the party, while the spring onions liven everything up with their intrinsically youthful tang. Mixed with the creamy feta and yogurt 'custard', an uplifting blast of fresh citrus and the sweetly tart pop of fresh pomegranate seeds, the combined flavours are a match made in heaven, while the buttery, melt-in-the-mouth pastry base is irresistibly moreish.
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Ingredients (makes one large, rectangular tart to serve 4–6 people)
250g asparagus 150g radishes, halved 100g frozen peas 6 spring onions, sliced 200g feta cheese 150ml Greek yogurt 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed The zest and juice of 1 large lemon 1 x 320g ready rolled, all-butter puff pastry sheet Optional: a generous handful of pomegranate seeds
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 5.
2. Snap the woody stalks off the asparagus and discard (or save to make vegetable stock). Chop the spears into bite-sized chunks and tip onto a baking tray. Add the halved radishes and sliced spring onions, drizzle with olive oil, season well and roast for 35-40 minutes, until the asparagus is nicely charred. Allow to cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile, roughly crush 150g of the feta in a bowl. Add the yogurt, garlic, lemon zest and half the lemon juice (reserve the remaining juice for serving) and season with plenty of black pepper (you probably won't need to add any salt at this stage, as the feta is usually salty enough.)
4. Unroll the pastry onto a large, greaseproof paper-lined baking sheet and lightly score a border around 1–2cm from the edges, taking care not to cut all the way through the pastry. Using a fork, lightly prick the pastry's surface within the border all over, again taking care not to puncture the pastry all the way through.
5. Spread the feta/yogurt mixture over the pastry all the way up to the border, followed by the roasted vegetables. Bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes until the pastry around the edges is turning golden.
6. Five minutes before the end of cooking time, toss the frozen peas in a little bit of seasoned olive oil and scatter across the top of the tart before returning to the oven for a final short blast of heat.
7. Remove the tart from the oven, scatter with the remaining 50g crumbled feta cheese, the reserved lemon juice and the pomegranate seeds, if using.
8. Allow the tart to cool slightly before slicing and serving with a nicely-dressed green salad.
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DELICIOUS GUIDE 2021 | OUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS
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Robun: opening next week!
Robun is a tribute to Japanese author Kanagaki Robun and his 1872 book Seiyo Ryoritsu, which introduced Western barbecue to Japan. This modern-day interpretation of ‘Yakiniku’ specialises in sharing plates of beautiful robata grilled meats, seafood and vegetables fused with elements from across Asia, paired with inspired cocktails, wines and an extensive choice of Japanese whiskeys in the most inviting and sociable of settings. Robun’s unique Japanese Afternoon Tea service brings together elements from the menu and fine Japanese teas, perfect for an elegant afternoon with friends. There’s also a spacious private dining room on the first floor, perfect for private celebrations. Robun is the place to relax, unwind and enjoy sharing plates with friends and family. It will definitely leave you wanting more!
Sign up to the Robun's newsletters online for your complimentary cocktail!
4 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Tel: 01225 614424 Web: robun.co.uk
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Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?
Click through to browse our full new look Delicious Guide below!
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BATH EATS | FOOD MEMORIES
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By Melissa Blease
McAvoy's Cafe
It wasn't pretty and it couldn't, by any stretch of the imagination, be referred to as fine dining. But McAvoy's Cafe – adjacent to the old Manvers Street bus station until the new SouthGate mall transformed the southern reaches of Bath city centre – was, in its own, quiet way, a destination diner in its own right for shoppers laden with freezer bags of goodies from the nearby branch of Iceland, bus drivers, National Express tourists... and those in-the-know who knew all too well that this was the place to find the best Full English Breakfast (served all day) in Bath.
Garish strip lights; worn grey lino floors; utilitarian formica-topped tables; heavy duty, pre-formed plastic chairs bolted to welded joints... there was no attempt to turn McAvoy's into a relaxing chill out zone, despite the jugs of dusty plastic flowers that did their best to bring cheer. But it was always spotlessly clean, and sometimes the staff were almost friendly, and the lively Bath Bus Station Fruiterers stall to the front of the caff softened the erstwhile fairly grimy landscape.
Coffee wasn't what you visited the cafe for, despite the fact that there was an ancient proper coffee machine steaming away in the corner. But the tea from the urn was always the perfectly hot, sturdy brew that perfectly accompanied those Full English Breakfasts that always came with chips, or the corned beef omelette, or the sausage and chips. There were 'Light Bites' too, largely on the sausage roll or cheese/ham/egg bap theme.
If you fancied a cake rather than a Wagon Wheel, or a Fruit Club, or a 3-pack of Custard Creams, you could have a slice of Victoria sponge, or a Mr Kipling-esque lemon slice, or 'Afternoon Tea' taken from the top of a pile of plates in the corner, already set with a scone, a pat of butter and jam in a tiny plastic pot; on ordering, the ubiquitous cling film would be whipped off and a splodge of squirty cream sprayed on the side.
There was something intrinsically reassuring about McAvoy's: the epitome of the old school British caff; affordable, reassuringly familiar and totally without pretension.
McAvoy's was demolished along with the rest of the old Ham Gardens/Dorchester Street area in 2007 to make room for the new SouthGate... and all the impeccably sourced, artisan coffee you can drink. So if you crave an authentic taste of late 1970s-era British cafe society, you'll have to serve yourself – just don't forget to take the cling film off your cheese bap before you tuck in.
Image: stock image of a full english breakfast
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BEAUTY MUST-HAVES | EXCITING NEW PRODUCT
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AESOP: Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum |
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Central to the anti-oxidant-rich Parsley Seed Skin Care range, Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum is formulated to hydrate and fortify the skin while guarding it against airborne pollutants.
Suited to normal, combination and sensitive skin, the lightweight daily hydrator is ideal for those living in urban environments, and warm or humid climates.
Lightweight and rapidly absorbed, Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Intense Serum leaves the skin hydrated, with a pleasingly matte finish, making it an astute choice for those seeking an alternative to cream or oil-based moisturisers.
All Aesop products are vegan and cruelty-free. We are proud to be Leaping Bunny approved, and to be included on PETA's cruelty-free and vegan lists. Aesop is a Certified B Corporation.
£65 / 60mL (pipette) | £63 / 60mL (screw-top)
aesop.com/uk
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OBJECTS OF DESIRE | OMEGA'S OLYMPIC CHAMPION
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Seamaster Olympic Games Limited Edition |
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OMEGA’s role as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games began in 1932 and has been a passion and a commitment ever since. The special edition Seamaster Olympic Games collection is inspired by the Olympic rings and OMEGA's traditional stopwatch design from the past.
This 39.5mm model, with polished stainless steel case features a black domed Arabic and baton dial with an easily readable railway minute track, sporty, contrasting hands and date window at 6 o'clock.
There is also a pulse reader on the dial to measure 20-second timing intervals of the wearer’s heartbeat. The stylish simple look is complemented by a micro-perforated black calfskin leather strap
On the caseback, there is a black anodized aluminum ring which includes all known host cities and dates from OMEGA’s Olympic Games journey, from Los Angeles 1932 up to Los Angeles 2028.
Inside, the watch is driven by the Master Chronometer calibre 8806 automatic movement and the watch is water resistant to 60 metres. Priced at £4,630.
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FASHION | KEEP COOL AND CARRY ON
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Finisterre's new towelling collection |
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Men's Otis Towelling Short Soft towelling shorts in organic cotton Available in three colours; £45 finisterre.com
Women's Robeston Towelling Hoodie Soft towelling hoodie in organic cotton Available in two colours; £65 finisterre.com
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ON THE BOX | WITH CHARLIE'S ANGELS VIBES
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Sky Rojo: season two (2021) |
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A fatal turn of events at a brothel sends three women haunted by their pasts on a wild run from their pimp and his henchmen.
From the creators of Money Heist comes this new action-packed series complete with dark humour and adrenaline-filled moments.
Released today – watch it on Netflix here!
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ON THE BOOKSHELF | SUMMER READS
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Review by Matthew Leigh
Paul by Daisy Lafarge
When Frances, a young graduate student, spends a summer volunteering in rural France, she hopes to re-establish her sense of self that was dislodged after a scandal drove her out of Paris. She doesn’t, however, anticipate the impact of meeting Paul, the significantly older owner of the eco farm.
Daisy Lafarge, a poet who gained recognition for her T. S. Eliot-shortlisted collection Life Without Air, intelligently renders the discomfort of power imbalances, as Frances struggles with her own passivity in the face of the emotional neediness of various male figures around her. Village communities vacillate between being quaint and stifling as she finds herself caught in the current of a passion that is not her own. The prose is minimalist, allowing room for the uneven dynamics of power between its characters to exist at a quietly discomforting volume. Tense and unsettling, Paul is as terse as a thriller but all the more unnerving thanks to its muted realism set against the serene and sunny tranquility of the French countryside.
Granta, publishes 5 August, £12.99
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Review by Saskia Hayward
The Gold Machine: In the Tracks of the Mule Dancers by Iain Sinclair
The Gold Machine is the latest book from Iain Sinclair, whose previous books, such as Lights Out For The Territory, have earned him a reputation as a chronicler of urban myth, in his signature hallucinogenic, hypnotic language.
Here he unravels the journey that took him and his daughter from Hackney to Peru, following the footsteps of his great-grandfather Arthur Sinclair, who had travelled there in 1895, crossing the Amazon on a raft in an ill-fated quest for gold.
The book is an attempt to superimpose two journeys – and two narratives – that cannot coexist. One of the Victorian Sinclair, with his voracious desire for riches, viewing the world through the lens of colonial and well-worn Boys’ Own adventure archetypes; the other of the contemporary Sinclair, to whom the violent exploitation of the land and the indigenous peoples are barefaced, documented in the stark colours of a smartphone camera.
As always with Sinclair, this revolves around the psychology of place, of how history is etched onto the land and its people, and also how, when you write about place, you are inevitably writing about yourself.
Oneworld, £20
Topping & Co. Booksellers, 3 Bladud Buildings, The Paragon, Bath; toppingbooks.co.uk
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THE MAGAZINE KIOSK | PRINT IS READ
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Curated by Daniel McCabe – Magalleria |
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Printing Fashion is a completely new magazine providing an enlightening meditation of the role of print media (and the fashion magazine in particular) in the digital age. The print versus digital discourse is well-worn but here it’s explored in a much more expansive, thought-provoking and refreshing way. This first issue is themed around ‘time’ as it relates to the process of planning a magazine, creating the visual and textual content and finally printing it. There’s some light academic jargon in use – it’s created by lecturers from the prestigious MA in Fashion Studies at The New School Parsons Paris – but anyone interested in fashion, fashion magazines or just magazines in general will simply fall into it. £15
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ART EXHIBITION | COLOURFUL, CONTEMPORARY ART
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Summer Exhibition, Woolverton Gallery, Bath BA2 7RH, throughout August |
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The Woolverton Gallery’s first exhibition features the work of well-known Bath artists such as David Wilkey, David Ringsell and Brian Elwell, as well as many other contributors from further afield. There are exhibits from the majority of its resident artists, with over 60 paintings on view in its five display areas. The emphasis is on colourful, contemporary artwork in a variety of styles. Ray Jones, the owner of the gallery, will be present to show guests around and to answer questions about all the wonderful exhibits.
Image: Light on their Feet by David Moss
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SUMMER FUN | HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
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Hestercombe Gardens & Gallery
Nestled at the foot of the beautiful Quantock Hills AONB, Hestercombe Gardens features a stunning collection of historic gardens, steeped in history and bursting with wildlife. A visit should include a meander through the splendid Georgian Landscape Garden, followed by the vibrating colours of the formal gardens, designed by Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edwin Lutyens. Lose yourself along the cool rills, or under the picturesque pergola, adorned with fragrant roses and lavender.
The whole family will enjoy Hestercombe, with 50 acres of gardens to explore, two play areas, a café and restaurant, gift shop, and plant centre, plus art exhibitions at Hestercombe Gallery. During school holidays there are fun-packed activity days for children. See the website for more information and tickets.
Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton TA2 8LG hestercombe.com; 01823 413923
Photo by Chris Lacey
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MILSOM PLACE | LOOK OUT FOR
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Summer at Milsom Place
As the weather seems to be catching up with the season, we're confident those long, lazy summer afternoons are now upon us and Milsom Place will be making the most of them...
The summer season will see new arrivals join the site as well as exclusive pop-ups championing local artistic talent alongside alfresco dining and stylish summer gifts, homewares and fashion in-store!
Two new eateries will soon be opening their doors within the characterful walkways and courtyards:
From the founders of The Colombian Company, Vero's will feature small Spanish bites for breakfast, brunch and lunch “one if you’re peckish, two if you’re hungry and three to share” says co-owner and Spaniard, Veronica. These will be served alongside homemade cakes and coffee roasted by The Colombian Company.
Drawing closer, there’s the much-anticipated opening of Bosco Pizzeria, a modern pizzeria with an emphasis on informal, casual dining, drawing influences from New York to Naples. The style of cooking at Bosco is simple, seasonal and ingredient-led, with weekly imports from Italian markets and the menu is made up of a variety of classic regional Italian dishes.
milsomplace.co.uk
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FINE ART & ANTIQUES SALE | COMING SOON
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Aldridges of Bath: fine art and antiques sale
On 27 July, Aldridges of Bath is hosting a fine art and antiques sale, which will include silver jewellery, porcelain, ceramics and glass, oil paintings, watercolours and prints, works-of-art, clocks and so much more!
Viewing available in limited numbers. Online auction only.
For more information visit Aldridges of Bath's website: aldridgesofbath.co.uk
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TASTE OF BATH | LOCAL SUPPORT
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Taste of Bath partners with Swoon Gelato to support Bath Foodbank! |
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Taste of Bath is delighted to announce that its new long-term charity partners will be Bath Foodbank, and is launching its partnership with a joint initiative with lovely local indies Swoon Gelato. For every order over £25 placed during the month of July, Taste of Bath will be donating a voucher to the Foodbank, valid for one of Swoon’s incredible ice creams – a little treat to lift the spirits for people struggling through the toughest of times.
As well as this fabulous launch initiative, Taste of Bath will also be donating £1 from each sale of its Taste of Bath tea towels to the Bath Foodbank from now on, as well as using its social media platforms and mailing list to raise awareness about how the public can help support the foodbank. It launched its beautiful tea towels (designed by local artist Alex T Sykes) in 2018, and between 2018 and 2021 we donated £2250 from tea towel sales to our previous charity partners FareShare South West.
Image top: Spend £25 or more and Taste of Bath will donate to Bath Foodbank. Why not create your own hamper and mix & match all of Taste of Bath's delicious goodies? taste-of.co.uk
Image bottom right: The Taste of Bath tea towel stars beautiful hand-drawn illustrations of some of their favourite local fare, created just for them by local artist Alex T Sykes. £8.50. £1 from every sale goes to Bath Foodbank; taste-of.co.uk
Taste of Bath creates beautiful hampers filled with the best local food and drink, all sourced within 25 miles of the city – for more, visit taste-of.co.uk
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LOOKING BACK | AT MILSOM STREET
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Not socially distanced in 1909 |
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Following on from last week’s photo showing the massed ranks of performers in the 1909 Bath Pageant, this photo gives an idea of the size of the crowds that turned out to cheer them on. On 19 July, as part of the celebrations, the Duke of Connaught, brother of Edward VII, came down to Bath to declare the pageant open. After lunch at the Guildhall, attended by Lord Bath and various other dignitaries, the royal party set off for Royal Victoria Park in seven carriages, escorted by the Bath troop of the North Somerset Yeomanry and the Bath mounted police.
The route was lined with cheering crowds, and – in the words of the Morning Post – "the ashen face of the ancient city was half hidden in the brilliance of banners and bunting that scattered rich colour in almost every street. The people of the Parade and Milsom Street have thrown aside the reverential restraint of age, and decorated their houses and shops with splendid hues that recall the joyous days when the uncrowned King of Bath drove along those thoroughfares in his gaudy chariot, with his prancing cream-coloured ponies and gold-laced flunkeys."
Once the procession had passed, the crowds lining Milsom Street swarmed into the road. Fast forward 112 years to July 2021, when the council has been awarded a grant from the West of England Combined Authority to boost high street activity. Very good news, of course, although, even with the dropping of social distancing measures, it’s likely to be some time before Milsom Street sees crowds like this again.
akemanpress.com
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GARDENS & OUTDOORS | A TIMELESS ANTIQUE
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Homefront Interiors: Brass Obi Lantern |
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The elegantly proportioned Obi Lantern from Nkuku is crafted with a timeless antique brass finish. The classic arch design displays a church pillar candle perfectly, creating a soft ambient aesthetic. Ideal for use indoors or outdoors.
Large: £39.95; homefrontinteriors.co.uk; small: £29.95; homefrontinteriors.co.uk
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PROPERTY OF THE WEEK | 40 BLOOMFIELD PARK
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The best of Bath in Bear Flat - An exclusive collection of seven luxury apartments and a three-story townhouse |
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40 Bloomfield Park is a rare development of contemporary, elegant and understated homes. Located in popular Bear Flat, voted one of The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live in the UK 2020, this is one of Bath’s most highly sought after areas, with dramatic views over the city and across to Lansdown racecourse beyond.
Built from honey-coloured Bath stone, the exterior of this bespoke development looks traditionally and distinctively Bathonian. Inside, its unique characteristics tell a different story: clean, fresh and contemporary, with modern sash windows, engineered oak flooring and underfloor heating throughout. The high level specifications have been carefully considered, to include hand crafted kitchens, Bosch appliances and Lusso Stone bathrooms throughout.
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Hidden behind a mature tree line, each individually-designed home benefits from two private undercover parking spaces, a lift to the upper floors and private secure basement storage. The communal gardens have been designed by an award-winning landscape designer with the ground level apartment and townhouse both benefitting from private paved terraces. 40 Bloomfield Park combines the old and new, the traditional and modern, to create a unique home in a delightful setting.
We are delighted to announce the forthcoming launch event at 40 Bloomfield Park, Bath on Saturday 31st July from 10am – 2pm.
This will be an excellent opportunity to view the newly completed apartments available at this architecturally elegant new development in Bear Flat, Bath. With two homes already sold, there is still a diverse choice of design led apartments on offer, from south facing one bedroom apartments, spacious open plan, two bedroom homes with views over the city and finally a dramatic loft apartment with vaulted ceilings. All of these exemplary homes also benefit from remarkable landscaped residents’ gardens, allocated underground parking and independent storage spaces.
Contact Hunter Harling at Savills on 07967 555 865 or email him from the link below.
For further details on 40 Bloomfield Park, or to arrange a viewing visit the Savills Bath webpage by clicking here.
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