A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours in Bath

WORLD RANKING  |  THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF BATH

Global media company Monocle have released their 2021 Small Cities Index, with Bath ranked as not only 17th on the list – up from 19th last year – and the only UK city on the list. Monocle's Small Cities Index is a detailed ranking of the world’s 25 best urban spots for relocation and opportunities in 2021.

As big-city dwellers endured tough lockdowns in 2020 many considered relocation to quieter, but still well connected, places with ample working opportunities. This second edition of the Index reveals the small cities that offer enticing lifestyles, including a rich cultural life, varied career paths and progressive planning, alongside plenty of green space.

In our latest issue, Emma Clegg spoke to Kevin Peake, the dynamic behind Bath Unlimited, a project that is pulling 17 groundbreaking Bath-based companies together and creating a wave of potential for Bath and beyond.

Enjoy our 11 minute read here and take a look at Moncole's feature here

THE CROWN RETURNS  |  STEP INSIDE THE ROYAL REALM

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II publicly declared 1992 an official annus horribilis. But did she suffer in silence throughout the decennium atrocius that was the 1980s? As season 4 of The Crown returns to Netflix on 15 November, this is our chance to find out.

Tears, tantrums and tiaras meet shoulder pads, sultry Sloanes and careless whispers as Lady Diana's fairytale marriage to Prince Charles turns into a nightmare, Margaret Thatcher rules a riot-torn country with a rod of iron, and a crumpled, 25-foot long wedding dress train acts as a metaphor for the fast-appearing cracks that are set to shake the foundations of the British Monarchy's reputation forever.

Appearing alongside Olivia Colman as Ma'am and Helena Bonham Carter as her difficult little sister, Gillian Anderson miraculously transforms into a formidable Margaret Thatcher and Emma Corrin steps into Princess Diana's low-heeled slingback pumps.

Click the image to watch the trailer and catch it on Netflix on Sunday

INDIE SHOP SHOUT-OUT  |  OPEN FOR TAKEAWAY

Throughout lockdown, Sugarcane Studio will be there for you! Serving a range of drinks for takeaway, including coffee from Roundhill Roastery, special Taiwanese high mountain oolong and red jade teas, matcha latte, hot chocolate and apple juice from Druce’s Juices, Sugarcane Studio is the perfect stop-off on your daily walk.

Why not treat yourself to one of their freshest cakes, delicious macarons and filled choux buns while you're there too!

Open Monday–Friday 11.30am – 6pm; Saturday 10am–4pm.

Read more about Sugarcane Studio here and visit their website.

COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS  |  NON-ALCOHOLIC RUM

On a mission to bring joy to not drinking, leading alcohol free spirit Caleño presents the delicious new addition to its tropical line up, Caleño Dark & Spicy which launches this November. The distilled, golden and spicy blend, packed with warming pineapple tropical notes, ginger and kola nut spices is the perfect way to add some spice to your night and get the fiesta going. Grab your glass and get pouring...

Ingredients

50ml Dark & Spicy
15ml lime juice
25ml orange juice
25ml cranberry juice
Top with lemonade

Method

Fill your glass with ice, pour in the fruity flavours of lime, orange and cranberry – top with lemonade and you're ready for the fiesta!

calenodrinks.com

WEEKEND RECIPE  |  COSY NIGHTS IN

Hearty, nutritious and comforting, Chicken Cobbler is an old fashioned dish for right here, right now. If, however, you just fancy a straightforward chicken casserole, simply add the cornflour/water mixture after the initial 30 minutes of oven-cooking and then return to the oven, covered, for a further 30 minutes. But be warned: the fluffy, golden dumplings that form a lid on this flavour-packed, cheerful concoction are the Chicken Cobbler's crowning glory.

Ingredients

For the chicken casserole:
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, each cut into 4 pieces
250g smoked bacon lardons
2 onions, sliced
2 celery sticks, thinly sliced
350g carrots, peeled and sliced
2 leeks, trimmed and sliced
150g button mushrooms, halved if large
400g can chopped tomatoes, preferably plum
600ml chicken stock
2 tsp dried thyme
1 tbsp cornflour
Oil for frying
Seasoning

For the potato cobbler topping:
350g floury potatoes (King Edwards or Maris Piper work well) peeled and cut into chunks, OR 250g cold mashed potato
250g self-raising flour, seasoned
100g cold butter, cubed
125ml full-fat milk, plus extra for brushing

Method

1. If making mash for the dumplings from scratch, put the peeled potato chunks in a saucepan, cover with cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for around 15 minutes until tender. Drain in a colander, mash until smooth and allow to cool in a big bowl while you put the chicken casserole together.
2. Season the chicken chunks with salt and pepper. Heat a little oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and brown the chicken (you may need to do this in 2–3 batches.)
3. Transfer the browned chicken to a large flameproof casserole dish and preheat the oven to 200ºc/Gas 6.
4. Add a little bit of oil to the same frying pan used to brown the chicken and sauté the bacon lardons, carrots, onion and celery together for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned. Soften the leeks and the mushrooms in the same pan for another minute or two, then tip the vegetables into the casserole dish with the chicken pieces.
5. Add the tomatoes, stock and thyme to the casserole, bring to a simmer on the hob, cover with a lid and cook in the oven for 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, put the seasoned flour in a large bowl or a food processor and either rub the butter in using your fingertips or process until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
7. Combine 250g mashed potato with the butter/flour mixture and stir the milk in to form a soft, smooth dough.
8. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll into a thick sausage shape, around 24cm long. Cut into 12 rounds, each round around 2cm thick.
9. Take the casserole out of the oven and season to taste. Mix the cornflour with 2 tbsp cold water and stir into the casserole, then top the chicken/vegetable mixture with the potato dumplings to form a nice, snug, dumpling 'lid'.
10. Brush the dumplings with a little extra mix to glaze, season again and return to the oven without a lid for a further 30 minutes, or until the cobbler topping is well risen, fluffy and golden brown.
11. Serve piping hot, with a pile of buttered greens (such as broccoli or spinach) on the side.

WEEKEND WINES  |  AUTUMNAL MUST-HAVES

While the nation is slowly digging out their winter coats and woolly jumpers, we have been picking out a variety of red wines that scream value and are perfect for warm, cosy evenings on the sofa. We all know it often doesn’t matter what the bottle price is, it matters what treasures hide within. This selection is a list of wine rack essentials, great quality wines at sharp prices for all to take advantage of. Cheers!

Pinot Noir, Les Mougeottes

We don't think we've ever tasted a French Pinot Noir at around ten pounds that offers more rewarding drinking, and better value than this Southern French beauty. The Les Mougeottes Pinot Noir has a lovely fresh nose of violets and sweet red berries, harmonised by integrated and subtle oak. Rich and velvety on the palate with great poise and structure from the soft tannins.

£10.95

Ventoux 'Les Boudalles', Domaine Brusset

This wine not only looks like raspberries in the glass, but it shows them on the nose as well. On the palate it is supple, elegant and harmonious, and the aromatics give it a lift which can be very moreish! If you could describe a wine as fun, this would be one. Packed full of bright red berries and a lively pallet, if you are a Grenache fan then you’ll love this.

£10.95

Malbec, La Mascota 

Intense purple red colour with ruby hues. Aromas of black fruits, jam and vanilla, with a subtle liquorice touch and sweet and full-bodied tannins, with a long and pleasant finish. This is a wine that never fails to impress, due to its bold and broad structure and its consistent quality, this Malbec has become a wine-rack essential for many.

£12.95

Mountain Red, Thelema Mountain Vineyards

A concentrated centre with lighter, brighter purple hues, this wine is one that offers more than you initially think. An interesting blend of; Shiraz, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a wholesome wine that offers plush juicy fruit with spicy aromas of black pepper and mulberry mingle with the plum flavours in this soft and approachable wine. One would say, it is the perfect Pizza match!

Currently £11.10 due to online promotion

All wines are available online and there are further discounts for multi-buys of 12+ bottles or more; greatwine.co.uk

IN THE KITCHEN  |  ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO RECIPES

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING  |  INDEPENDENT GEMS

The annual contemporary craft and design fair where the very best of national and international designer-makers has gone digital this year.

Combining the convenience and ease of an online show with the range of artists you’d encounter at the Made Makers London live show – shoppers can expect 140 top makers along with a series of free online events.

The show has a limited number of pieces, one-off collectables and seasonal discounts and local designer Carole Waller has a new collection of small painted silk scarves, face coverings and velvet circle scarves, cushions and hand bound books – which make lovely presents and can be shipped anywhere, gift wrapped.

mademakers.co.uk; carolewaller.co.uk

THE BIG SHOPPER  |  LUXURY WOOLLEN GIFTS

Luxury socks and accessories brand Corgi Socks has been hand-crafting luxury woollen goods for more than a century. The Donegal Wool Gift Set pairs a classic beanie and matching rugby-inspired striped socks. Crafted from Donegal yarn, and super soft to touch, these flecked blue and cream accessories are a perfect cosy Christmas treat. Price £55.

Available online at corgisocks.com

WINTER WALKING  |  THE WELLINGTON BOOT

Handcrafted by Le Chameau, and now in seven delightful colours, the Iris is the lightest, most colourful wellington boot to date. Made from the famous Chamolux rubber, this durable material provides the wearer with a flexible rubber boot that can withstand the elements making it 100% waterproof. 

A lightweight single density sole provides sure-footed traction and supreme comfort all day long. Lined in Le Chameau’s signature poly-cotton jersey which helps to wick moisture away from the feet keeping them dry. The high levels of breathability make these wellington boots perfect for warmer months, and transitions well into colder weather.

£99.95; Wadswick Country Store

OBJECT OF INTEREST  |  DESIRABLE WRISTWEAR

Mallory is widely regarded as the finest luxury goods emporium in the west country and ranks as one of the best in Europe. We often highlight their most coveted designer products and stellar brands to be wondered at, but Mallory is also highly renowned for its beautifully crafted in-house creations and bespoke jewellery. Here we look at four pieces from their huge collection of the most desirable wristwear.

Top left: 18ct white gold four claw set, emerald-cut amethyst and round brilliant-cut diamond bracelet. Total amethyst weight: 34.06ct and total diamond weight: 2.14ct; £13,080

Top right: 18ct yellow gold bar set princess-cut rainbow sapphire line bracelet. Total rainbow sapphire weight: 7.44ct; £5,595

Bottom left: 18ct yellow gold, 9mm-width bangle; £2,435

Bottom right: 18ct white gold Akoya pearl bracelet. Pearl size: 6.5 – 7mm; £675

mallory-jewellers.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE  |  OUT AND ABOUT & LOOKING GOOD

KEEP IT LOCAL  |  BATH BID LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE

THE KIOSK  |  MAGAZINE MOMENTS

Curated by Daniel McCabe – Magalleria

Lapham’s Quarterly explores a topical subject by collecting enlightening snippets of literary and historical writing to help us relate the past to the present day. Themes are broad – war, religion, money, medicine, nature, crime – and if they seem a little familiar the abridged selections tend toward the unusual. Often submitted by readers, the content is threaded throughout with poems, plays, songs and illustration to make this US quarterly an invigorating read. The recent ‘revenge’ issue was quite rollicking and this quarter’s ‘epidemic’ issue with contributions from Lucretius, Daniel Defoe, Georges Seurat, Mikhail Bulgakov, Gene Tierney, Willa Cather, Mike Jay and others looks very lively too.

£15.99; magalleria.co.uk

ON THE BOOKSHELF  |  IMMERSIVE READS

INTERIORS  |  PREMIUM KITCHEN COOKERS

The premium quality French range cookers are available in a variety of colours, with a choice of hob and oven options that will best suit your cooking style.

Lacanche range cookers are made-to-order in France, giving you the freedom to create your perfect bespoke combination. Sizes range from the petite 70cm to the show-stopping 2.2m.

Browse the range at Coopers Stores

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK  |  ON THE MARKET

11 Belmont is an exquisite example of a Grade II Listed Georgian townhouse in the centre of Bath. The spacious accommodation, which is arranged over five floors, has been remodelled by the current owners to a very high standard. The property is accessed via the ground floor from a raised pavement on Lansdown Road. The entrance hall has a white marble tiled floor which leads through into the kitchen/breakfast room. This has a central island with contemporary suspended lights over the breakfast bar area, a wall of units with built-in fridge and a large range-style oven. A door leads off the kitchen into the rear entrance hall which also houses the cloakroom, and in turn leads into the rear garden. Also off the kitchen is a luxurious dining room with views straight down to the famous Georgian 'King’s Circus' built by John Wood. 

On the first floor we find the principal grand Georgian reception rooms, the drawing room and withdrawing room. These two spectacular rooms are linked by an archway and have oak floors, original cornice, ornate fireplaces with gas fires and spectacular views to the front and rear of the property. A doorway off the drawing room leads into the bathroom.

On the second floor we find the principal bedroom. This is a very large beautifully presented double bedroom with en-suite shower room built in wardrobes and phased lighting. Bedroom 2 is also on the second floor and is also a very stylish large double bedroom.

There are three further bedrooms and a shower room on the upper floor.

On the lower ground floor there is a family room/cinema room in what would have been the original kitchens. From here a doorway leads into the utility room and plant room in the rear vaults which also house a w.c. and allow access to a rear courtyard with steps up to the rear garden. There is a spacious study on this floor with lots of built-in storage and finally a doorway leading to the front vaults. The front vaults are ideal for storage and have a doorway leading out onto the main road, so ideal for bikes or for taking in deliveries.

Outside

The rear garden can be accessed either from the lower ground floor courtyard via stone steps or off the kitchen and rear entrance hall. It is mainly laid to lawn with a raised patio seating area ideal for al fresco dining or a morning coffee.

On the market at £1,950,000; winkworth.co.uk