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A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours (or more) in Bath
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| Review: A Christmas Getaway at The Ustinov |
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Words by Melissa Blease
It's Christmas Eve at the upper crust posho Jameson family's country house. As far as butler Derek Fambridge is aware, the family won't be coming home for Christmas, leaving him to woo Ms Stokes the housekeeper in peace while ditzy Mitsy the maid gets on with her own wooing of the household's former employee, the equally ditzy Len.
Meanwhile, inept head of the household Carl Jameson is having an affair with estate agent (and neighbour) Jill Thorpe while his glamorous wife is having it off with their daughter's (yes, their daughter's!) daft fiancé... but chic daughter Kim is planning to ditch the daft fiancé anyway and elope with dashing Frenchman Claude DuBois instead.
The Jameson family's shenanigans are, of course, unbeknown to each other. So how do we know all about all the goings-on if the family aren't in residence? Because, as it turns out, the Jamesons will be very much in residence after all: each couple has secretly planned to use their country home as a covert bolthole over Christmas. Can Fambridge keep each couple's arrivals at the house secret from each other... and continue to keep them apart for the duration of their visit? Will he ever be rich enough to convince Ms Stokes to accept his marriage proposal and reveal her first name? And what on earth is Mrs Jameson planning to do with that pineapple...?
To read the full review, visit The Bath Magazine's website: thebathmagazine.co.uk
A Christmas Getaway is playing at Theatre Royal Bath's Ustinov Studio until 8 January. You can book tickets on the theatre's website: theatreroyal.org.uk
Featured image credit: Pamela Raith Photography
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| OUR DECEMBER ISSUE – CURRENTLY BEING ENJOYED |
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As always, this month's issue has 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.
Read the digital version here.
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And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £30 for 12 issues, £15 for six issues or buy a copy for just £3.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website.
GIFT SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE - A LOVELY CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM BATH
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WEEKEND RECIPE | CLASSIC WITH A TWIST
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| By Melissa Blease |
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| Mince Pie Chocolate Brownies |
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A Christmas marriage made in heaven!
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Ingredients (makes 12 large/16 small brownies)
185g unsalted butter
185g high-quality dark chocolate
85g plain flour
40g cocoa powder
3 large eggs
275g caster sugar
6 mince pies
Method
1. Cut the butter into cubes, break the dark chocolate into chunks and place both ingredients in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a pan of just simmering water (but do NOT let the bowl touch the water) and heat gently, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon, until the chocolate and butter have melted. Remove from the heat and set the mixture to one side to cool to room temperature.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Grease and base line a shallow, square baking tin approx. 20cm in diameter.
3. Sieve the flour and cocoa together into a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until thick and creamy (we want the mixture to run off the whisk and leave a trail for a second or two).
4. Pour the egg and sugar mixture into the cooled chocolate mixture and, using a large metal spoon, fold together (working gently to retain the air in the whisked eggs) until the mixture is a mottled dark brown.
5. Sift in the cocoa and flour mixture and continue gently folding; the mixture will at first look dry and dusty before becoming fudgy and rich. Don't overmix! We want to retain that fudgy texture.
6. Spoon half the chocolate mixture into the prepared tin, then add the mince pies in broken-up chunks. Top with the remaining chocolate mixture, gently easing it between and over the mince pie chunks, and level the top.
7. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until the top has a shiny, papery crust, the sides are just beginning to come away from the tin and a knife inserted into the middle comes out slightly glossy.
8. Allow the mince pie brownies to cool in the tin before serving cut into squares and dusted with icing sugar.
The mince pie brownies will keep in an airtight container for a week or in the freezer for up to a month – like you'll have leftovers, right?
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FOUR OF A KIND | YOU SAY POTATO, I SAY...
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| Words by Melissa Blease |
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| 4 Potato Canapés |
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The humble potato gets a glamorous makeover for the party season!
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Dinky Caviar Jackets (makes 24)
Toss 24 small new potatoes in seasoned olive oil and roast in a medium-hot oven for 25-30 minutes until the potato flesh is soft and the skins golden. Allow to cool down enough to handle, then cut a small cross in the top of each potato, squeezing each a little bit as you go. Top each potato with a generous blob of crème fraîche and a smattering of lumpfish caviar (or actual caviar, if you feel like splashing out!).
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Mini Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon and Crème Fraîche (makes 24)
Combine 400g cold, well-seasoned mashed potatoes with 1 large beaten egg,1-2 tbsp whole milk, 1-2 tbsp plain flour and 2 tbsp finely-chopped fresh chives until you have a firm 'dough'. Roll the dough out onto a lightly-floured surface to around 1cm thick and, using a pastry cutter or the rim of a suitably-sized, flour dusted glass, cut into 24 discs. Coat the base of a large frying pan with oil and fry the potato cakes over a medium heat for around 2 minutes on each side, until browned (you will need to do this in several batches) placing each one on kitchen roll when cooked to remove excess oil. Top each cooled potato cake with a generous dollop of crème fraîche, slivers of finely-sliced smoked salmon, freshly ground black pepper and a squirt of lemon juice.
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Sweet Potato Discs with Herby Cream Cheese (makes 24; vegetarian)
Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Slice 2-3 sweet potatoes (scrubbed but unpeeled) into 24 discs around 1cm thick. Divide the discs in one layer across 1-2 baking trays, season well, drizzle with olive oil and roast for around 25-30 minutes until just turning crispy. Meanwhile, mash 150g cream cheese with 1 fat garlic clove (peeled and crushed), 1 tbsp chopped chives, 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp dried oregano. Serve the sweet potato discs while still warm, topped with the herby cream cheese.
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Cheesy Potato Puffs (makes 24; easily adaptable to vegetarian)
Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Combine 400g cold, well-seasoned mashed potatoes with around 150g grated Parmesan or Gruyère cheese (or a mixture of both), 3 beaten eggs, 1 generous tsp Dijon mustard, 1 generous tbsp finely-chopped chives and 50g smoked ham (optional). Lightly grease 2 x 12-hole muffin or tart tins and fill each cup with the mashed potato mixture topped with more grated cheese and a sprinkling of paprika or cayenne pepper. Bake for around 20-25 minutes until the puffs are baked throughout and turning crisp and golden on top. Allow to cool for around 5 minutes before releasing the puffs from the trays and serve hot, topped with a dollop of soured cream or crème fraîche and more finely-chopped fresh chives.
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WEEKEND WINE | DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS
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Six classic whites
Chablis – Louis Michel
This is an outstanding Chablis, that evokes its northern Burgundy origins with a fabulous sense of place. It displays the typical 'stony' character of the region, over which are layered exciting notes of white peach, apricot and chervil, thanks to the care and dedication in the vineyard and cellar of this top producer. £22.50
Sancerre – Franck Millet
The wine has an intensely aromatic nose of blackcurrant leaves, herbs and minerals. It has fresh acidity and is dry and fruity with a flinty quality. £19.95
Pouilly Fumé – Château Favray
Starting with an aromatic flowery/fruity bouquet and finishing with clean, crisp citrus style fruit, great length and limestone/minerally tones. A round, lush wine - elegantly classic.£18.85
Riesling Karthauser – Weingut Tesch
If you have been enjoying Weingut Tesch’s popular and delicious ‘Unplugged’ Riesling (£14.95), then you’ll love this upgrade. The aromatic nose displays notes of weathered red slate and rich, dense aromas. A wonderful example of Riesling showing excellent concentration, crystalline purity of fruit and rich flavours of a well exposed single vineyard site. £20.50
Classic Reserve Brut – Hattingley Valley
Gold medal winner at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2019. Pale gold in colour with an abundance of fine bubbles, the wine has baked apple, creamy nougat and brioche on the nose, supported by hints of toast and fresh red fruit. With notes of soft lemon sherbet on the palate, it has beautiful roundness of texture and a lovely finish. A really great British fizz! £33
Les Folies de la Marquetterie – Taittinger
Deep yellow in colour with golden highlights, the bubbles are fine and delicate. Les Folies de la Marquetterie is a full-flavoured and harmonious Champagne distinguished by its immense richness and complexity. The House’s very first “Champagne de Domaine”, Les Folies de la Marquetterie is made exclusively from grapes grown at the Folies vineyard that overlooks Château de la Marquetterie, the birthplace of the Taittinger family champagne. £45
Explore these and so many more: greatwine.co.uk
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Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?
Click through to browse our full new look Delicious Guide!
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OBJECTS OF DESIRE | CHOPARD THIS CHRISTMAS
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| Classic gift ideas from Chopard |
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Le Petit-Fils de L.-U. Chopard & Cie S.A., more commonly known as Chopard, is a Swiss manufacturer and retailer of luxury watches, jewellery and fine accessories.
Founded in 1860 by 24 year old Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the son of a farmer in Sonvilier, Switzerland, Chopard's innovative designs helped him gain a reputation by making watches for 19th-century nobility such as the court of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. The precision and reliability of his pieces were highly sought-after qualities, and remain the foundation of the business today. Louis-Ulysse Chopard has been owned by the Scheufele family of Germany since 1963 and the brand is one of the most respected houses of highly desirable luxury items across the globe.
As well as an excellent range of ladies' and gentlemen's watches, here are just a few of Chopard's most popular and wanted pieces. (See more at Mallory).
- Chopard Ice Cube Lady black quilted calfskin leather handbag, £1,610
- Chopard Happy Sport watch in steel with navy blue dial featuring a floating moon and stars. Automatic movement, £6,190
- Chopard Mille Miglia stainless steel table clock, £920
- Chopard Lotus Flower blue silk twill scarf, £273
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GIFTS GALORE | GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS
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Sony A7 IV Mirrorless Digital Camera
Hot on the scene is the oustanding Sony a7 IV mirrorless digital camera. The body has been designed from the ground up to create the definitive full frame hybrid in Sony’s mirrorless E-mount range. Now a completely new 33 megapixel full-frame sensor inside a new body design, incorporating both stills image and 4k (60p NTSC) movie technology from their flagship Alpha 1 and A7S III cameras. The A7 IV Body and FE 28-70, F3.5 kit lens shown, pre-order now, £2,599.99.
London Camera Exchange Bath, 13 Cheap Street, Bath
www.lcegroup.co.uk
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FASHION | BERRY COSY INDEED
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| Up To Seven: children's clothing |
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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 and in the colours of Bath Rugby) , they are priced at just £16, making them the perfect gift. They can be matched with Up to Seven’s beautiful handmade cardigans, baby shoes and mittens.
Up to Seven, 6 Pulteney Bridge, Bath; uptoseven.co.uk
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HOME MAKING | GIFTS TO IMPRESS
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ON THE BOX | DANCING SHOES
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BBC One: Strictly Come Dancing Final 2021, 7pm
Only three couples remain in this year's Strictly Come Dancing competition – and only one can walk away with that all important glitterball trophy...
Tune into BBC One and BBC iPlayer tomorrow evening at 7pm (Saturday 18 December) to see the results as they come in live: bbc.co.uk/bbcone.
Above video: watch every dance from the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final
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LITTLE THEATRE CINEMA | "WELCOME TO THE PARTY"
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Die Hard screening at 'The Little', 20 December, 8.45pm
Hoping to spend Christmas reconciling with his estranged wife, police detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) arrives in Los Angeles at the tower block where she works. However, during the office’s holiday party, a group of thieves posing as terrorists seize control of the building and turn the partygoers into hostages – except for McClane.
Armed with little more than his wits, his police training, and a department-issue pistol, McClane does his best to stay alive, pick off the thieves, and save his wife.
Starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Die Hard has become something of a Christmas classic; you can book your tickets to The Little's screening on the Picturehouse website: picturehouses.com
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THE MAGAZINE KIOSK | WHY WE LOVE PRINT
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Curated by Daniel McCabe
Valet is a new, high end, bookish magazine focused on classic menswear. It’s like nothing else in its market, although style-conscious devotees of The Rake and WM Brown will find plenty to entertain them here. Valet, as its name gently hints, is a nod back to (as the publisher puts it) ‘a golden age of men’s literature, when the reader was not told what to wear, but shown how to decide for himself.’ So useful then, as well as entertaining. Plus it’s only a tad larger than the average pocket guide, so quite easy to pop a copy into a stocking this Christmas. £16
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Magalleria has moved - The magazine store, which carries almost 2000 rare, specialist and independent titles, is now operating from much larger premises in the centre of the city at 5 Upper Borough Walls BA1 1RG.
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FESTIVALS | SAVE THE DATE
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Bath Festivals 2022 announce key dates
The Bath Festival will take place from Friday 13 May to Saturday 21 May 2022, and will open with the traditional Party in the City on Friday 13 May, offering dozens of free live music events in city venues.
Bath Children’s Literature Festival, Europe’s largest stand alone book festival for children and young people, will run from Friday 23 September to Sunday 2 October.
You can stay in the loop by signing up for festival news: bathfestivals.org.uk/the-bath-festival/sign-up
Above image: Richard Osman in conversation with Miles Jupp at The Bath Festival 2021
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MUSIC | UPCOMING CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
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Bath Camerata Christmas Concerts
20 December, 5pm and 8pm, at St Mary’s Bathwick BA2 4EB
The incomparable John Rutter leads Bath Camerata (and the audience!) in a magical celebration for the festive season, with two concerts of around 70 minutes, including songs and carols old and new to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year.
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Tickets are £25/£20/£10 (half price for under 18s) and can be bought at: bathcamerata.co.uk
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A Baroque Christmas with the Bath Abbey Choirs
18 December 7–9pm in Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey’s Choirs are joined by Baroque instrumentalists Rejouissance playing on historic instruments. With carols for audience and a feast of glorious Christmas music from Venice and Paris. Directed by Huw Williams.
Tickets are £20, £15 and £10 (16s and under half price) and can be purchased at: bathboxoffice.org.uk; you can also learn more about the Abbey at bathabbey.org
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SHOPPING | SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT BRANDS
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| Dorothy House's 'Ubiety: All Good Things' Pop Up shop |
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Ubiety - a UK made vegan essential oil home fragrance and body care wellbeing brand owned by Dorothy House - have opened a Christmas pop up shop.
The brand exists to generate new income for hospice care and to raise awareness around the complimentary therapies offered to patients, families and carers as part of the holistic approach to end of life care on their journey.
Until 23 December, Ubiety have a beautiful and serene shopping space on 27 Walcot St, Bath called 'Ubiety, All Good Things'. Here you will find Ubiety products for sale as well as other locally made artisan products.
Ubiety is about recognising the value of taking pleasure in small things, everyday wellbeing, unselfish self-indulgence. Ubiety's other brands represent ‘All Good Things’ where good is ‘indulgent, locally made, collaborative and community spirited.’ A percentage of profits and marketing support from these brands will be going to Dorothy House.
'Ubiety : All Good Things' is open until 23 December from 10 - 5pm Monday to Saturday and 11 - 4pm on Sunday, at 27 Walcot Street, Bath, and will have some wonderful items on offer from Ubiety, Carole Waller, Gary Wood, Sugar Cane Studios, Mantric by Love Honey – plus many more.
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| By Andrew Swift |
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| Electric Tramways |
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Bath Electric Tramways operated for only 35 years – from 1904 to 1939 – but, although trams disappeared from the city’s streets over 80 years ago, they are far from forgotten, and calls for their reintroduction are growing ever more insistent. This week’s archive photograph takes us back to the High Street in the 1930s, with a tram setting off along Cheap Street on its way to Combe Down, and pulling in front of one bound for Twerton. When Bath’s trams were scrapped, over 80 years ago, their replacement by buses was seen as the way forward. Services, it was claimed, would be more frequent and congestion would be reduced. No one could have foreseen that trams would ever return, but, although they would look very different from these cumbersome beasts, Bath may well follow the lead of many other cities by bringing them back.
akemanpress.com
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| McConnochie returns as Spencer captains Bath Rugby v Stade Rochelais |
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Ruaridh McConnochie returns to the Bath Rugby starting XV as Stade Rochelais visit the Rec for the first time on Saturday.
The wing’s last outing came in the Gallagher Premiership match against Exeter Chiefs at the end of November and he joins a backline which otherwise all started last weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup opener in Dublin.
Ben Spencer will captain the side, linking up with Orlando Bailey in the half-back positions. om de Glanville and Semesa Rokoduguni continue in the back three with Max Ojomoh partnering Will Butt in the centre.
After his mandatory rest following international duty, Sam Underhill comes back into the back row alongside Tom Ellis and Josh Bayliss. England pair Charlie Ewels and Will Stuart are set for their mandatory rest week meaning starts for Mike Williams and D’Arcy Rae, respectively.
Will Spencer and Tom Dunn are named in the pack with Lewis Boyce retaining his place at loosehead prop.
On the bench, Tom Doughty could make his first appearance of the campaign following a period on the sidelines with injury. Johannes Jonker is back in the 23 while Academy back row Frankie Read will make his senior debut if he comes on.
For updates keep an eye on Bath Rugby's social media feeds.
KO: 1pm, Saturday 18 December, The Rec; watch on BT Sport.
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INTERIORS | BREAKFAST LIKE ROYALTY
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| Lay the table with Beau Nash style |
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Shown here is a stylish flower vase by Asprey, £165 and a lovely, big-hearted toast rack, made in 1912, £525. The perfect way to start any day.
Visit Beau Nash, Bath’s specialist antique silver shop to see these and an ever-impressive range of beautiful and interesting artefacts to treasure and enjoy.
31 Brock Street, Bath; beaunashbath.com
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PROPERTY | A SPECTACULAR, LUXURY NEW HOME
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| Serenity, London Road West, Bath, BA1 |
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On sale with Bath estate agents, Cobb Farr
This is a meticulously designed, new, detached 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom property with magnificent views to the rear and benefitting from secure gated access, double garage, ample parking and large garden.
‘Serenity’ has been built using the finest ashlar stone and housed under a natural sedum roof; the aesthetics of this building are both understated on arrival and immediately breath taking on entry.
On entry to the ground floor of the property is a striking metal spiral staircase winding down to the garden level where the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area enjoy spectacular expansive country views over the garden and to the south. On this floor is also a cinema/family room and one of the spacious bedrooms with a beautiful en-suite as well as cloakroom and utility room.
The beautiful kitchen has been hand built in Portugal and designed to a fine specification, with granite quartz worktops, Siemens appliances to include induction hob, dishwasher, oven, grill, microwave and counter top extraction, two full height integrated fridges, wine cooler and a concealed butlers kitchen and pantry.
On the ground floor, above the garden floor is the elegant principal bedroom with an oversized luxury en-suite. There are two more bedrooms both with en-suites; all three of these bedrooms open onto a lovely balcony to enjoy the views. There’s a study (or fifth bedroom) and the entrance hall also has access to the garage.
‘Serenity’ is ideally situated within 3 miles east of Bath city centre and the historical village of Batheaston. £2,250,000
For further images, floorplans and more information see the property on the Cobb Farr website: cobbfarr.com
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| Popular on our website this week: |
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