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A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours (or more) in Bath
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If Opera's 2022 Season, from 19 August, Belcombe Court
If Opera are back in the beautiful grounds of Belcombe Court in Bradford on Avon this August and September, which offers the perfect backdrop for their operas, picnic prom and family show.
Productions include La rondine by Giacomo Puccini (sung in Italian with English surtitles) on 26, 29 August and 1 and 3 September; double bill Rita (sung in English) and Il segreto di Susanna (sung in Italian with English surtitles) on 27 and 31 August; Dido and Aeneas on 17 September (at Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon); The Clare Teal Seven Picnic Prom on 19 August; and The Man in the Moon in association with Charles Court Opera on 28 August.
Apart from Dido and Aeneas, performances will take place in If Opera’s fully enclosed Saddlespan theatre with raked seating at Belcombe Court.
ifopera.com
Featured image courtesy of If Opera
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| OUR AUGUST ISSUE – OUT NOW |
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Our August magazine features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bath's best businesses. 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.
You can enjoy our August magazine by clicking 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 £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £3.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website.
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WEEKEND RECIPE | KEEPING IT VEGGIE
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Recipe by Melissa Blease
Courgette 4
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| Courgette and Mint Soup (serves 4; vegetarian) |
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Heat around 3 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and sauté 1 peeled, finely sliced onion for around 6 minutes until just turning translucent, adding 3 cloves of peeled, crushed garlic and a pinch of salt for the last couple of minutes. Add 5-6 thinly sliced, medium-sized courgettes and continue to sauté gently for around 20 minutes, or until the courgettes are just starting to 'collapse'. Add 750ml vegetable stock, bring to the boil and simmer briefly before either tipping the soup into a food processor or using a stick blender to blitz until completely smooth. Add 150ml crème fraîche and a generous handful of fresh mint leaves and blitz again. Gently reheat the soup before serving (without allowing it to boil) and serve topped with blobs of crème fraîche and more fresh mint leaves.
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| Courgette Fritters (serves 4; vegetarian) |
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Tip 100g self-raising flour, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tbsp cumin and 1 large egg into a bowl (or the bowl of a food processor). Season well and add 100ml cold water and whisk or blitz until you have created a thickish batter. Add 2 peeled, grated courgettes and gently fold into the batter. Allow the batter to rest for a minimum of 20 minutes (or up to 8 hours in the fridge). Spray or lightly drizzle a non-stick frying pan with vegetable oil and place over a medium-high heat. Add generous blobs of batter to the pan (you're aiming to make 8 fritters in total) and cook in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and puffy, then flip and repeat. Keep the cooked fritters warm in a low oven while you make the next batch. Note: these fritters are delicious topped with poached eggs and Sriracha or harissa sauce, for brunch.
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| Courgette Curry (serves 4; vegan) |
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In a blender, whizz 1 large peeled onion, 4 cloves of garlic (peeled), a 4cm knob of peeled ginger, 1 green chilli and a generous pinch of salt with 50ml of water to create a smooth paste. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pan over a medium heat and fry 1 tbsp cumin seeds, 1 tbsp mustard seeds and 8 fresh or dried curry leaves for around 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the onion paste to the pan and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes until slightly darkened. Add 4 large, chopped courgettes and sauté briefly before adding 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes, 1 x 400g can coconut milk, 1 tsp turmeric and 1 tsp garam masala to the pan. Stir well, bring to the boil then simmer around for 25-30 minutes. Add a handful of frozen peas to the curry and continue to simmer until the peas have cooked. Season to taste and serve topped with plenty of freshly-chopped coriander, accompanied by steamed basmati rice or fresh roti.
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| Courgette Pickle (makes 1 large jar; vegan) |
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Gently dry-fry 1 tsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp dried red chilli flakes and ½ tsp black peppercorns for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Lightly crush using a pestle and mortar (or the end of a rolling pin) and set to one side. Halve 2 large courgettes and chop into ½ cm dice. Pack the courgette dice into a large, sterilised, sealable jar along with 1 clove of garlic (peeled and very thinly sliced) and a handful of roughly-chopped fresh dill. In a small pan over a medium heat, stir 3 tbsp caster sugar with 3 tbsp water until the sugar has dissolved. Add 6 tbsp red wine vinegar and remove from the heat to cool slightly. Add the toasted spices to the courgettes and muddle together. Pour the slightly cooled sugar/vinegar mixture over the whole lot, seal the lid and shake well. Allow to cool completely before chilling in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours, bearing in mind that the pickle will get tastier as time goes by, and will keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. This pickle is delicious served with cheese and charcuterie.
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WEEKEND WINE | VINHO VERDE
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We have sun – so just imagine that we’re in Portugal!
Perfect for the sunny hot weekends, garden parties and lazy lunchtime drinking – an ice cold, lip-smackingly delicious Vinho Verde ticks all the boxes.
With delicious, fruity aromas of light apple, peach, lemon and grapefruit alongside herbal notes, a good Vinho Verde is medium-bodied and has a joyfully refreshing texture on the palate. It also has a lovely, generous finish, plus that added touch of spritz.
Here are three absolute beauts to enjoy! De nada...
- Vinho Verde Signus 2018 – 10.5%, Quinta da Lixa | £7.50 or £9.75 for a 2021
- QL Flowers Vinho Verde – 10.5%, The Quinta da Lixa | £9.50
- Alvarinho Pouco Comum – 12.5%, Quinta da Lixa | £13.30
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AFTERNOON TEA WEEK | A TASTY TRADITION
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No.15 by Guesthouse, Bath
A noble British tradition done in a subtly playful way, with dainty sandwiches, scones and cakes all made by the talented team at No.15. If the sun’s shining and only a picnic will do, the team will pack up a hamper full of afternoon tea goodies so you can enjoy a lovely, long, lazy feast in a park.
No.15 by Guesthouse, 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4BS | 01225 807015 | guesthousehotels.co.uk
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Lucknam Park
Make afternoon tea an experience to remember with Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath. Indulge in a traditional English afternoon tea served in one of the hotel’s drawing rooms, set within an 18th century Palladian mansion. Lucknam Park is surrounded by 500 acres of stunning countryside, making it the perfect destination for any special occasion. There is a variety of afternoon tea options ranging from a full afternoon tea menu including a selection of sandwiches, scones and dainty patisserie or, if you fancy adding a touch of sparkle to your day, you can upgrade to the Champagne afternoon tea menu.
Call or email reservations@lucknampark.co.uk to book | Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8AZ | 01225 742 777 | lucknampark.co.uk
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| Enjoy a Graham & Green Tea Party |
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Enjoy your afternoon tea al fresco with these paper plates, cups and napkins from Graham & Green.
Moving clockwise: Set of Twenty Boho Floral Napkins (now £3.57, was £4.95) | Set of Eight Wildflower Garden Paper Teacups (now £3.57, was £5.95) | Set of Twelve Citrus Paper Plates (now £3.47, was £4.95)
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Looking for more delicious foodie inspo?
Click through to browse our full Delicious Guide!
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OBJECT OF DESIRE | MOONPHASE: IT'S COMPLICATED
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Lasso the Moon with Patek Philippe
Our fascination with the phases of the Moon has been there since ancient times, as well as in folklore: it has always been shrouded in mystery. We know that the Moon has a strong influence on the ocean tides, flora and fauna activity as well as fertility, our sleep patterns and moods.
The lunar month – or lunar cycle – is recorded in eight different phases: from New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter and Waning Crescent. The sequence roughly lasts 29 and a half days to fully cycle from one of these phases ( known as a syzygy) to its next occurrence.
Unlike a rugged explorer or chronograph watch, Moon-phase watches cannot really be classed as a utility watch – but their considerable aesthetic appeal and total appreciation of the watchmakers skill makes them truly desirable.
Indeed, the watchmaker's ingenuity is challenged by the precision they aspire to, as most models will feature two moons on a disk which travels a full lunar cycle with the help of a 59 tooth cog. However, the exact lunar month is: 29 days, 12 hours, 48 seconds and 2.8 hundredth of a second to be precise; which means that over the years, the watch display becomes very (oh so slightly) out of sync with that of the Moon.
To fix this anomaly, top-end models possess a complicated movement and a 135 tooth wheel, which – over the course of 122 years – amounts to a single day disparity. Splitting hairs, perhaps? That is the beautiful art of the master horologist.
Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe created its first Moon-phase movement in a lady’s pendant watch in 1898. In 1925, Patek introduced its Moon-phase Perpetual Calendar.
This magical infatuation and mystical allure with the Moon phase watch continues today with Patek Philippe producing some of the most desirable, collectable and reassuringly expensive timepieces.
Shown here: Patek Philippe’s Complications 5396G – 011 | Launched in 1996, it features a self-winding mechanical movement. Caliber 324 S QA LU 24H/303. Annual Calendar. Moon phases and 24-hour display. Sweep seconds hand. On the dial is silvery opaline, gold applied hour markers. The 38.5mm case is in 18ct white gold with a sapphire-crystal case back. It is water-resistant to 30m. The strap is in shiny black alligator with a fold-over clasp | £42,810
Lasso the moon (It’s A Wonderful Life ) and explore one of the country’s greatest collections of Pateks at Mallory.
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The Orangery Clinic
The Orangery is an independent beauty and aesthetic clinic established for over 30 years.
The team are experts in skin health, aesthetics and advanced beauty treatments, and pride themselves on delivering excellent customer service from a small, friendly, professional team.
Now located at No.1 Argyle Street, just over Pulteney Bridge with light, airy treatment rooms backing onto the river, the ambience of the clinic is the perfect backdrop to the new and inspirational clinical treatments on offer.
The Orangery, No.1 Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA | 01225 466851 | theorangeryclinic@gmail.com | theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk
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SPORTSWEAR | SUSTAINABLY MINDED
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Special Edition Heal Rewilding Jersey from Presca
Inspired by the exploration of flora and fauna in Britain, Presca's graphic repeat jersey is sure to become a future collector’s item.
Presa is partnering with charity Heal to celebrate their rewilding work and those amazing countryside long rides we all know and love. Become become part of an extraordinary movement of people taking action to help nature recover and to fight climate change by rewilding land in the English lowlands by purchasing this exclusive jersey, a portion of the profits from which will go directly to Heal.
Designed with minimal trims for sustainability, manufactured from recycled fabric using fully sustainable, climate positive production methods.
Crafted from lightweight, form-fitting European made fabric with a full-length zip and silicone grip tape | £85
Available from prescasportswear.com.
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Emonk Ibiza Hat from Monsoon
An accessory for your cool and breezy styling, this hat has a sturdy weave that'll last many summers to come. It has a flat crown and wide brim, with the star of the show being the unique bohemian band | £119
Available from monsoon.co.uk
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BEAUTY | MAKE YOUR OWN BATH BOMB
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Lush Party Experience Workshops, 15 – 21 August
From Monday 15 to Sunday 21 August, Lush will be hosting Party Experience Workshops.
Throughout the week, customers will have the opportunity to try a taster of Lush’s popular customisable party packages, including activities from product making to experiencing fun games.
The Lush Party Experience Workshops are priced at £15 per person – including some of the customisable activities, handmade product making of Lush’s best-selling bath bomb Toby’s Magic Cow (£4) and one of the exclusive party products to take home after the workshop.
Get in touch with Lush Bath ( Lush Bath Spa, 8 Union Street, Bath BA1 1RW | 01225 428271 | bath@lush.co.uk ) to secure your slot for the Party Experience Workshop.
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GIFT GIVING | CARDS FOR CONSERVATION
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Sarah Epsom greeting cards
Sarah Epsom created her first art and greeting card range in April 2021 whilst on maternity leave following the birth of her second son.
Taking a break from her successful career as a TV producer in the advertising industry, Sarah took the step of turning her passion for art into a small business and painted, designed and produced her inaugural range called ‘Meliora’: a Latin adjective meaning ‘for pursuit of the better’. Her local Bath business has provided a home for her artwork and an opportunity to share her paintings through making them accessible as prints and greeting cards.
In June 2022, Sarah received a commission from the UK's leading Wetland and Conservation charity – the WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) – to paint and design a bespoke card range displaying the diversity of insects and plants in UK wetlands. The range is now available in stores across WWT sites throughout the UK. In addition, Sarah has a new range, 'Tropicus', which is available in all shops throughout the UK.
See more of Sarah's works on Instagram or Etsy.
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MAGAZINE KIOSK | WHY WE LOVE PRINT
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Curated by Daniel McCabe
The latest issue of venerable British photography magazine Hotshoe has a truly hot item on its hands. A West African Portrait (#207) explores photography from West Africa by bringing together work from several decades by ten artists in a region of highly concentrated talent. Selected contributors include Leonce Raphael Agbodjelou, Samuel Fosso, Rachida Bissirou and Seydou Keita among others, in an effort to examine why the form seems unique in West Africa, how it’s changing – and how we might bring a more informed and educated eye to many of the older images here, now-reappraised and better contextualised. | £16
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ON THE BOX | COMING OF AGE
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Netflix: 'Never Have I Ever', Season 3
In Season 2 of the coming-of-age comedy Never Have I Ever, Indian American teenager Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) continued to deal with the everyday pressures of high school and drama at home, while also navigating new romantic relationships. Season 3 delves further into Devi's story of teenage antics.
Never Have I Ever Season 3 is out on Netflix today (15 August). Watch all new episodes now at netflix.com
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LOOKING AHEAD | A DAY AT THE RACES
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Bath Racecourse Beer Festival Race Days, 10 – 11 September
Bath Racecourse is holding two Beer Festival Race Days on the weekend of 10 and 11 September, so you can enjoy making the most of the longer days (before the autumn temperatures take hold) with a day at the races. Make it a family day out that everyone will enjoy, or go along with your friends. There’ll be at least seven exciting live horse races to watch and delicious food and drink available to enjoy. It’s a really special and unique day out that everyone will love.
Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, Bath | bath-racecourse.co.uk
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IN PURSUIT OF LEARNING | OLD DOG, NEW TRICKS
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Love2Learn at Bath College
If you have always wanted to learn a new skill but haven’t had the opportunity, a Love2Learn part-time leisure course at Bath College is just what you need.
All courses are timetabled to fit around your existing commitments, so you can learn in the evenings, at the weekend or even for a week in the school holidays. The college offers a wide range of art and design courses in traditional disciplines such as creative writing, printmaking, printed textiles, ceramics and sculpture as well as creativity courses in cake decorating, floristry, contemporary embroidery, and sewing: zero waste fashion. If you would like to brush up on your language skills or learn a new language from scratch, there are courses at different levels in French, German, Italian and Spanish.
All courses and many more can be found at bathcollege.ac.uk | For further enquiries call 01225 328720
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RSCM’s Sing Joyfully! A Choral Celebration, August 27, St Mary's, Bathwick
The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM)’s week-long summer training course for choristers aged 8-21 takes place in Bath every year. This showcase concert is a new part of the course for 2022 and, in a varied programme of classic choral music, celebrates the achievement of the nearly 100 young people from across the UK and beyond who are participating this year. Led by RSCM’s Director, Hugh Morris, the evening promises to be a joyful and uplifting occasion – not to be missed.
Tickets available from: bathboxoffice.org.uk/whats-on
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HEALTH | SPECIAL SUMMER EVENT
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Goodbody Clinic offer free rapid diabetes and cholesterol blood tests
On Thursday 18, Friday 19 and Saturday 20 August, local health specialists Goodbody Clinic will be providing FREE rapid diabetes and cholesterol blood tests for Bath locals.
Analysing a tiny sample of blood from your finger, these tests take just minutes to complete and provide ‘while-you-wait’ results. Each test usually costs £39, so with limited appointments available, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Book your free diabetes or cholesterol blood test appointment now, by visiting health.goodbodyclinic.com/bath-rapid-tests to avoid disappointment.
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GET INVOLVED | NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
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RUH begins search for seven public governors
The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is looking for seven public governors to help shape its services and plans for the future – and nominations are now open.
There are vacancies across the City of Bath, Mendip, South Wiltshire, North Wiltshire, North East Somerset and the Rest of England and Wales constituencies, where current governors have come to the end of their terms.
A public governor helps to ensure that the Trust delivers services that meet the needs of patients, carers, staff and local stakeholders. Governors do this by creating stronger links with the communities that the RUH serves by reflecting patient and public views and interests.
The core time commitment for public governors is four Council of Governor meetings per year, plus the Annual Members’ Meeting but there are many other activities you can get involved in. Governors receive full training for their role.
Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday 31 August. You need to be a Member of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust to be eligible to stand in the elections. To become a member, join here ruh.nhs.k/membership.
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LOOKING BACK | 'POSTCARD WHEN YOU GET THERE?'
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| Words by Andrew Swift |
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| A summer's day in Royal Victoria Park |
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Lounging on the grass in front of the bandstand in Royal Victoria Park is as popular today as it was when the first of this week’s archive photographs was taken over a century ago. This particular view can be dated fairly precisely, as it appeared on a postcard bearing the imprint of Viner & Co, who published hundreds of cards in the city during the First World War, but produced none before or after the war. The company seems to have been set up specifically, in fact, to sell cards to soldiers billeted in army camps in the city or convalescing in the War Hospital which opened in Weston in 1916. And, while prams and parasols may be the most obvious features of the scene in front of the bandstand, closer inspection reveals that many of the men lying on the grass are wearing the light uniforms issued to soldiers being treated in the hospital.
The second postcard, also published by Viner & Co, shows an army camp set up in the park. It was sent on 4 August 1916 by George Clark to his wife and son at home in Friston in Suffolk, and, as can be seen, he obligingly marked his tent with a cross.
More on Viner & Co and the postcards they published in Bath can be found in Andrew Swift’s All Roads Lead to France: Bath and the Great War.
akemanpress.com
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INTERIORS | CUSTOM STORAGE
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| Edinburgh Wardrobes offer free design visits |
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Edinburgh Wardrobes are expanding into the South West, and are pleased to announce that their custom fitted wardrobes are now available in Bath and Bristol.
They offer traditional Shaker-style fitted wardrobes, custom made to fit your space with solid hardwood in-frame doors and oak interiors. There are a range of options for the interior layout including drawers, shelves and hanging space; and you can also add lighting or sockets to tuck away all your gadgets. Custom fitted bookcases are also available – ideal for home offices or TV rooms. All wardrobes and bookcases are hand crafted at the Edinburgh workshop using traditional methods, and hand painted in any Farrow & Ball colour that you choose. Pricing is very clear and simple, with everything listed on the Edinburgh Wardrobes website at edinburghwardrobes.com.
Free design visits are currently available in the Bath and Bristol area: get in touch today to arrange an appointment with one of the team and, following a visit to take detailed measurements and discuss your ideas for the design, you will receive a hand-drawn design of your very own custom fitted wardrobe. If you would like a quote, you can simply send the width of the space available and you will receive a tailored quote within 24 hours. Follow Edinburgh Wardrobes on Instagram to see the latest projects.
0131 466 0258 | info@edinburghwardrobes.com | @edinburghwardrobes
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PROPERTY | A CLASSIC MAISONETTE
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| Belvedere, Bath BA1 |
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Offered for sale by Cobb Farr estate agents
Part of a very attractive, Grade II listed Georgian townhouse (that has been sympathetically divided into 4 apartments) this pretty, two bedroom maisonette occupies the ground and lower ground-floor and enjoys sole private ownership of a stunning 90ft south west facing garden.
The property is entered into via a communal entrance hall that leads to the ground floor accommodation, where there is an attractive newly refurbished kitchen/breakfast room to the rear, overlooking the gardens; the kitchen is linked to a drawing room to the front which has a feature period fireplace.
There are 2 double bedrooms in the lower ground floor along with a generous utility space and well-appointed shower room. In addition, the property has sole ownership of the vaults to the front which are accessed from the bedroom.
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The delightful walled gardens are conveniently accessed from the ground floor mezzanine level. The gardens feature several well-stocked ‘rooms’ with gravelled pathways that lead to a beautiful, secluded (raised and decked) sun terrace and a pretty paved seating area.
Belvedere is an elegant terrace of Grade II listed Georgian town houses, set in a fine elevated position on the lower slopes of Lansdown Road, opposite Hedgemead Park and Gardens and conveniently within five minutes’ walk of Bath city centre. Offers in Excess of £525,000
For more details and photographs click here to see the property on the Cobb Farr website.
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| Popular on our website this week: |
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