Thursday 21 December 2023 |
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A specially curated guide to the next 48 hours (or more) in Bath
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CHRISTMAS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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Click the link to listen to our favourite Christmas song!
Merry Christmas from The Bath Magazine
As we reflect on the year 2023, we at The Bath Magazine wanted to thank you all for your endless support and interest in the content we share with you.
We hope to bring you more entertainment next year and help fill your weeks with plenty of activities, as well as keeping up to date with latest happenings.
However you intend to spend the festive period, we hope you find time to relax, reset and see out the end of the year in style.
But for now, enjoy the holidays...next stop, 2024!
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OUR DECEMBER ISSUE IS OUT!
You'll love our fabulous December 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.
Features include Robun head chef Kasae Fraser telling us about her experience on Masterchef: The Professionals; a look at the new Wonka film starring Timothée Chalamet with details of the filming locations, including Bath; and Melissa Blease’s interview with Guy Masterson about bringing Dickens' classic Christmas tale A Christmas Carol to life on stage, and why he once drove Richard Burton to Switzerland. We really 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.
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.
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WEEKEND RECIPES | CHRISTMAS LEFTOVERS
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Words by Melissa Blease
Four ways with Christmas Day leftovers
Keep this safe for Boxing Day!
1. Much more elegant than Turkey Curry: Turkey Fricassee (serves 4)
Heat 50g butter in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat. As soon as the butter starts sizzling, add 100g quartered mushrooms of your choice and sauté for 4-5 mins or until the mushrooms are brown and have started to release their moisture, adding 1 clove of garlic (peeled and crushed) for the last minute of cooking time. Add 1 generous tbsp plain flour, stir to form a paste and cook for another couple of minutes. Add 100ml dry white wine, sherry or a mixture of both. Allow the alcohol to bubble down for a minute or two, then add 200ml turkey or chicken stock and briefly bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for around 3-5 minutes, stirring continuously. Add 150ml double cream or crème fraîche and around 800g chopped/shredded cooked turkey. Simmer the mixture together until the turkey has thoroughly heated through. Serve immediately with boiled rice or mashed potatoes, sprinkled with finely-sliced fresh parsley.
2. The cheesiest dream dish of the season: End-of-Cheeseboard Macaroni Cheese (serves 4)
Cook 350g dried macaroni according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and set to one side. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Melt around 2 tbsp butter over a medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Add 3 tbsp plain flour and 'cook', stirring constantly, for around 2 minutes until the butter has thoroughly absorbed all the flour. Reduce the heat under the pan to medium and gradually add 500ml whole milk, whisking after each addition. When you've achieved a thickish, silky sauce, remove the pan from the heat and around 250g grated or chopped mixed cheeses: Cheddar, Brie, Camembert, Stilton – they're all good! When the cheese has melted in the residual heat of the sauce, add as much or as little Dijon mustard and/or cayenne pepper as you fancy, and season to taste. Fold the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce, tip into a greased baking dish, sprinkle grated hard cheese across the top (and a handful of breadcrumbs, if you've got any leftover bread lying around) and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling on top. Allow the Macaroni Cheese to settle for around 5 minutes before serving on warm plates accompanied by a well-dressed green salad.
3. Sprout Pesto – yes, really!
Tumble 130g trimmed, halved sprouts into the bowl of a food processor along with 2 fat cloves of peeled, roughly-chopped garlic, 2 large handfuls of fresh basil leaves, 75g pine nuts, cashew nuts or walnuts (or a mixture of all 3), 75g grated Parmesan cheese and the juice of 1 lemon. Blitz to form a paste then, with the motor still running, add extra-virgin olive oil until you've reached the pesto texture of your choice (you'll probably use around 80ml olive oil). Serve the pesto stirred through hot pasta or rice topped with more grated Parmesan, or as part of a buffet spread drizzled with extra olive oil and accompanied by crostini for dipping. The pesto will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
4. Better than the Christmas Pudding itself: Easy Christmas Pudding Ice Cream (makes around 10 portions)
Pour 1 x 397m tin of condensed milk into a large bowl. Add 600ml double cream and 100ml brandy or rum and whisk until the mixture forms stiff peaks. Crumble around 300g leftover Christmas Pudding into the bowl and fold it through the mixture using a large spoon. Line a 900g loaf tin (or suitably-sized container) with cling film and fill with the ice cream. Cover and freeze for at least 5 hours, or until frozen solid. Remove from the freezer around 10 minutes before serving to allow the ice cream to reach optimum creamy enjoyment temperature.
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WEEKEND WINE | DESSERT WINE
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Say "Merry Christmas" to your partner in wine
Check out our top selection of wines from The Great Wine Company that we think have the best burst of flavours for your dessert this Christmas:
Vidal Icewine - Peller Family Estates
Thrilling flavour-fireworks of lemon curd, peach, papaya, pineapple, orange zest and lime marmalade explode on the palate, while pinpricks of star-bright acidity provide beautiful balance to the heavenly sweetness. | £39.50
Aszú 6 Puttonyos - Patricius
Tokaji Aszú Patricius 6 Puttonyos has a dense exotic and spicy bouquet with apricot jam and marmalade notes. The palate is medium-bodied with a fresh, vibrant marmalade and quince entry and honeyed finish. It feels long in the mouth with a hint of spice. | £41.50
LBV Port - Quinta Do Crasto
This late bottled Vintage shows brooding black cherry fruit with a huge cedary core. A straightforward wine with a fine dark colour, ripe and mouth filling and rounded off by sweet finish. | £18.33
Moscato d'Asti Bricco Quaglia La Spinetta
The nose displays penetrating fruity and floral notes which continue to develop on the palate, it is rich and full flavoured with a slightly bitter finish. | £14.95
Recioto della Valpolicella DOC - Bertani
Classical notes of plum, cherry and raspberries accompanied by spices, vanilla and cocoa. In the mouth this is intense, full and opulent through to the lingering finish. | £29.50
To explore more, visit greatwine.co.uk
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Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?
Click through to browse our full Delicious Guide!
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LUNCH TIME | SUNDAY ROAST
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Sunday Roast in Bath at Green Park Brasserie
Enjoy a lazy weekend with Green Park Brasserie's Sunday Roast, served from 12-4pm.
Its Sunday Roast is served alongside the all day menu and all ingredients are sourced from local suppliers.
Enjoy quality Topside Beef from Newton Farm in Bath, Free Range Chicken and our popular Apricot & Almond Nut Roast with generous sides of Sunday Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Maple Glazed Parsnips and Carrots, Cauliflower Cheese and more.
Click here to book in advance to secure a table.
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CHRISTMAS GIFT | BAKED GOODS
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Basil's Bakery Gift Vouchers
Share the love by gifting your friends and family with a Basil's Bakery gift card.
Basil's Bakery is an independent family run, open craft artisan bakery in Bath. Everything is freshly baked in full view of customers.
The gift card is available at various prices ranging from £5-£30, order online and they will post the voucher out to you or the recipient.
To claim or send a gift voucher click here.
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Positano Candle | £29.50
The fragrant aroma of freshly chopped basil, mint leaves and green trailing tomato vines ripening in the sun.
Lifted by the beautiful citrus essence of bergamot, pomelo and a dash of creamy limoncello. A gentle Mediterranean breeze carries the fragrance of watery blossoms, woods and a soft moss to finish.
The 225g natural wax candles will fill your room with scent. Be sure to trim your wick between uses and allow all the top layer of wax to melt.
For more information visit lordsfragrancehouse.com
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FROM THE GIFT GUIDE | BERRY CHRISTMAS
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Child's Red Strawberry Hat | £20
Hats off to Up to Seven! Designed and handmade at their workshop in Bath.
These adorable, roll-edged hats are all knitted in anti-tickle wool, and can be machine washed at 30 degrees.
Available in five sizes (and also in navy), making them the perfect gift. They can be matched with Up to Seven’s beautiful handmade cardigans, baby shoes and mittens.
For more information visit uptoseven.co.uk
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FROM THE GIFT GUIDE | PRETTY PLANTS
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The Urban Garden at Christmas
The Urban Garden specialise in stylish plants and garden products for all types of urban spaces.
Whether you have an outdoor garden, a terrace, or just room for a couple of houseplants, it has the plants for you.
Everyone loves The Urban Garden on the edge of Royal Victoria Park – it’s always packed with beautiful, interesting things and with an extended range of festive gift ideas, they have really got Christmas covered. Get your Christmas tree there too.
Visit the store at Marlborough Buildings for some last minute Christmas shopping, Bath BA1 2LZ For more information, visit theurbangarden.org
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With temperatures plummeting it's officially time to wrap up and get cosy! Colmar’s beautifully crafted AW23 collection has the perfect range of pieces for all your cosy needs this winter, there’s no need to compromise style for that cosy, comfortable and warm feeling!
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Oversize down jacket with drawstring at the bottom | £515 |
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Women’s oversize jacket made of soft matt-look fabric, with water repellent treatment. Natural down padding. The drawstring hem allows you to adjust the width.
Click here to buy.
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Oversized wool turtleneck | £195 |
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Women's polo-neck sweater made from a soft wool and alpaca-blend yarn. Comfortable and warm, it is the perfect garment for the colder winter days.
Click here to buy.
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Chanel Le Vernis Nail Varnish | £29 |
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Protective and long-lasting, Le Vernis by Chanel is designed to make vibrant colours dazzle, for beautiful nails.
A new formula – featuring a higher concentration of pigment and enriched with camellia eco-ceramides, a naturally derived ingredient developed for Chanel – provides an ultra-shiny, perfectly even lacquered finish with every fine, long-wearing coat.
A new flat, wide brush makes for easy and precise application.
Click here to purchase.
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Dandelion Etched Lamp - Light Blue | £69
The Cotswold Company's dandelion etched lamp has a beautiful ceramic base with a raised floral detailing.
The base uses a contrasting light blue hand painted etching to highlight the design. The lamp comes with an off-white shade to complement any colour scheme.
The base is hand-painted, so some slight variations in finish may occur.
Click here to buy online. Visit their new store at 12 Northgate Street, Bath BA1 5AS
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MAGAZINE KIOSK | MAGALLERIA
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Curated by Daniel McCabe
Issue 6 of A RABBITS FOOT is this relatively new film magazine’s first special issue – an ode to cinema and speed entitled ‘Movies and Motors’.
Focused on both four-wheeled vehicles and motorbikes, it features interviews with filmmakers whose works are associated with cars and bikes or ‘the road’, some of the genre’s classic films, and the people who starred in them. You’ll come across names such as Michael Mann, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Franc Rodham, Nia DaCosta, Jeff Nichols, Danny Lyons, Patrick Dempsey, Donald Campbell, Isadora Duncan and many others, plus movies including Akira, Gasoline Rainbow, The French Connection, Girl with a Motorcycle, Fallen Angels and more. | £20
magalleria.co.uk
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Christmas Carol Services at Manvers Gospel Hall |
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Manvers Church is an independent local church consisting of people from a variety of backgrounds.
The Gospel Hall will be hosting carol services for all to attend over the Christmas weekend. On Sunday 24 December at 11.30am there will be carol singing, tea, coffee and mince pies. On Christmas Day at 10.30-11.15am there will be a service to focus on the importance of Christmas.
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New Year Concert - A Ceremony of Carols at Bath Abbey
As part of Candlemas, in January we celebrate Epiphany, the time when the wise men from distant lands brought gifts to the baby Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem.
Welcome the New Year with a magical evening of enchanting music sung by the acclaimed Bath Abbey Girls’ Choir. Music includes Benjamin Britten’s masterpiece, A Ceremony of Carols and John Rutter’s Tomorrow shall be my dancing day accompanied by beautiful sounds of the harp. The concert will begin at 7pm.
To purchase tickets click here.
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NEW OPENING | WARRENS BAKERY
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Warren's Bakery expands, with newest store opening at Bath Spa station
The oldest Cornish pasty maker in the world, Warrens Bakery, has opened its newest store at Bath Spa station, filling the platforms with the aroma of freshly baked sweet and savoury goods.
Conveniently situated on Platform One, Warrens Bakery Bath Spa is the Cornish bakery’s 42nd store across the West Country and South Wales.
Famed for its iconic pasties as well as its speciality Cornish delicacies, Warrens Bakery caters for all tastes and times of day. The new Bath Spa store will allow commuters easy access for an on-the-go meal, snack and hot or cold drinks and has seen the creation of eight jobs for local people.
For further information, visit warrensbakery.co.uk
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THE GUEST EDIT | THE LUXURY GUIDE TO BATH
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Postcard from Bath - Edition Number 6
Produced by the team at The Bath Magazine - the 6th edition of Postcard from Bath, our beautifully presented visitor guide to the city, is officially out!
This luxury guide book is designed to elevate the visitor experience and can be found in over 1700 hotel rooms, Airbnbs, and other visitor accommodation across the city.
Postcard contains the very best of shopping, dining, and things to do and see in the Bath, alongside editorial pieces on the city's fascinating history, architecture, culture, people and so much more.
To see the digital edition or to buy a real copy for yourself as a keepsake or souvenir, head over to: postcardmagazine.co.uk.
Enjoy the read!
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PROPERTY | ELEGANCE IN BARBADOS
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Royal Westmoreland, Palm Ridge 2A, St. James, Barbados
Offered for sale by Hamptons International estate agents in Bath.
This elegant, well-maintained four-bedroom home has been tastefully finished in coral and natural woods, and is complemented by an open plan layout and high vaulted ceilings, giving the property a light and airy atmosphere.
The pool deck and terrace offer the finest in outdoor living and entertaining, with spectacular views of the Royal Westmoreland Estate. This desirable location will also position guests and residents within close proximity to alluring beaches, boutique shopping, fine dining restaurants and all amenities along the West Coast and nearby Holetown. | Guide price £1,414,629
For more images and details click here to view this property on the Hamptons International website.
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