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

BOOK NOW  |  DINE IN FESTIVE STYLE

This year, The Bird, Bath offers a new way to experience the lead up to Christmas in the city with the launch of the Plate Terrace and Dining Domes, providing a variety of magical drinking and dining experiences from 3 December.

The ideal way to mark the season, the Plate Terrace beckons with its crackling fire pits, heaters, cosy outdoor seating and sparkling Christmas decorations, as well as three Dining Domes. The terrace is ideally situated to offer spectacular views of the city itself, day and night, across the Rec to Bath Abbey twinkling in the distance.

Delight in festivities daily from noon through to 9pm at the Plate Terrace, whether dropping by for a steaming mug of rich hot chocolate or Irish coffee to shake off the cold, or choosing a mulled wine, hot cider or Christmas cocktail enjoyed with family and friends.

thebirdbath.co.uk

A/W20 COLLECTION  |   JUST LAUNCHED

M&S has launched its collaboration with Ghost London just in time for the festive season. A 10-piece collection of limited-edition dresses, thoughtfully designed by Ghost London, exclusively for M&S.com.

Designed in house by the iconic British brand, the collection reflects Ghost’s signature aesthetic, featuring contemporary silhouettes, exclusive fabrications and timeless detailing. Placing style, quality, and comfort at the heart of the brand collaboration, the dresses champion exquisite attention to detail and premium quality.

Shop the collection here: marksandspencer.com

BATH AT CHRISTMAS  |  CITYWIDE BUNTING DISPLAY

This festive season, the Bath BID and Minuteman Press Bath have lined the city streets with a rainbow of artwork created by people who live and work in the local area.

In October, the Bath BID invited the public to enter their Bath at Christmas Art Competition, with the aim of inspiring locals and visitors to rediscover the magic of Bath this Christmas.

The competition was open to everybody living and working in Bath and North East Somerset, with entrants separated into four categories – Under Ten, Under 21, Over 21 and Businesses.

Dozens of entries were submitted, with 31 of the best picked to be reproduced by Minuteman Press Bath as two-metre-long giant bunting, which can be found on lamppost pennants in Southgate Street, Brunel Square and Churchill Bridge in November and December. All the entries will also be available to view in a colourful window display in Abbey Churchyard.

As of yesterday, Bath residents can also now enjoy the city in technicolor as the joyful Christmas lights now brighten up our streets.

bathbid.co.uk

CHEERS TO THE WEEKEND  |  ENGLISH CRAFT WINE

Nania's Vineyard is a Bristol drinks company inspired by their backyard allotment vineyard. The canned English rosé spritzers are crafted from the Rondo grape, Glastonbury spring water and finished with a touch of a raspberry shrub from the Bristol Syrup Co.

There is a 20% Christmas special offer for readers using the code newsletter2.

naniasvineyard.co.uk

WEEKEND RECIPE  |  WINTER COMFORTS

Minced beef is convenient and reasonably speedy to cook with... but its texture is solely responsible for giving cottage pie its nursery food reputation. Replacing the mince in this British comfort food classic – the perfect antidote to a chilly winter day – with slow-cooked beef shin, however, puts a grown-up spin on a familiar dish.

Making your meaty casserole the day before you assemble your cottage pie makes a big difference to the end result as the depth-charged flavours are given a chance to settle and mature. If you're dining à deux, stick with the quantities below and freeze the surfeit for using another day (it's also fabulous in a shortcrust pastry pie).

When it comes to the mashed potato 'lid', do it your way: substitute some of the potatoes with sweet potatoes, parsnips or swede; add finely chopped spring onions, sautéed leeks and/or grated cheese before mashing – it's all good. And if beef's not your thing, replace the beef shin with lamb neck and the thyme with rosemary for the ultimate Shepherd's Pie.

Ingredients (serves 4–6)

800g beef shin, cubed
2 large onions, peeled and chopped
4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
2 sticks of celery, sliced
1 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp dried thyme
4 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
600ml beef stock
2 tbsp cornflour
Approx. 200ml red wine (optional, but highly recommended)
Vegetable oil, for frying

For the mashed potato topping:
Approx. 1.5g potatoes peeled, boiled, mashed and seasoned to taste 
Buttered greens, to serve

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 150ºC/gas mark 4 (or turn on the slow cooker to low).

2. Heat a splash of oil in a large pan (or ovenproof casserole dish, if oven cooking) over a high heat and brown the cubed beef all over (you may need to do this in several batches.) Set the browned beef to one side.

3. Add the sliced onions, carrots and celery to the same pan and sauté until thoroughly softened, adding a little bit more oil if necessary.

4. Add the tomato puree and the thyme and stir well before adding the red wine (if using) and allowing to bubble down for a few minutes until reduced.

5. Introduce the beef back to the pan and pour in just enough stock to cover. Mix the cornflour with 3 tbsp cold water and stir it in. Bring to the boil and simmer briefly before covering with a lid and braising in the oven for 3–4 hours, stirring occasionally and adding more water if necessary, until the meat is velvety soft. If using a slow-cooker, cook on Low for 6–7 hours.

6. Tip the cooked meat mixture into a container and allow to cool completely before storing in the fridge, preferably overnight.

7. On the day of serving, take the casserole from the fridge. Remove and discard any visible fat that may have risen to the surface, allow to come to room temperature, spoon into an ovenproof dish and create an even but textured topping with the mashed potato.

8. Cook in a pre-heated oven at 180ºC fan/gas mark 6 for 30-40 minutes until the mash is crisp and golden on top and the gravy is bubbling around the edges. Serve with a heap of buttered greens.

FOODIE DELIGHTS  |  TREAT YOURSELF

In an industry that's notoriously rife with challenges (now more than ever before) very few independent restaurants survive their fifth anniversary, let alone reach the 40+ year landmark. But the hugely popular family-run Alfred Street brasserie/bistro Woods is one of the very few exceptions to the rule – and owners David and Claude Price have recently launched a new initiative to adapt to what's probably been their biggest challenge of all. 

Woods' online Take Out, Deli and Wine Shop offers a sumptuous selection of top notch but eminently affordable meals ready to be cooked at home from fresh (the Woods' chefs have done all the prepping for you) or from frozen after defrosting in the fridge overnight, alongside all kinds of everything else on the fine food front. The ready-to-roll dishes range from proper bangers and mash to treatsome fillet steak by way of salmon fillet, sirloin steak and maize-fed chicken, all with the appropriate sides and trimmings; the frozen range includes Provencal Fish Soup, venison or beef casserole and pork curry; the fresh fish array makes a splash with king prawns, whole crab and whole lobster served with fresh-cut lime, side salad and lobster flavoured mayonnaise; puds bounce along on mousse/tart/brownie theme... and a fabulous selection of the best English and French cheeses with quince jelly and biscuits ends the party in fine style (or, take centre stage; it is, of course, up to you.)

Meanwhile, browse fresh stocks and just alongside a fabulous line up of charcuterie, Severn and Wye smoked salmon, Boqueron Alinado anchovies, oils, vinegars, chocolates and truffles in the Deli, and grab a top tipple to complete your shopping in the Wine Shop. 

Ready to take a wander around Woods, virtual shopping basked in hand? Browse the full list and order online (woodsrestaurant.com), by phone on 01225 314812 or by email woodsinbath@gmail.com

The small print: Place your order between 12noon-3pm on Monday for collection on Wednesday, between 12noon-3pm Wednesday for collection on Friday. Collection on both days is between 11am-2pm, when payment will be taken by card machine.

CABINET ESSENTIALS  |  TIME TO STOCK UP

The Great Wine Company's cabinet essentials and Christmas wine shop is now open. With tempting offers to suit all pockets and palates, with discounts and multi-buy options there are incredible savings of up to 38%. There are also special selections of Christmas essentials, winter treats and carefully chosen organics. And if you are doing some gift shopping, then they have festive mixed cases, special wines and spirits, and much more.

Shown here from the Great Wine Co’s cabinet essentials range is:
Pretty Gorgeous Rosé, France. £7.50
Rioja Crianza Ramon Bilbao, Spain £9.50
Prosecco Stelle d'Italia £8.95
Sancerre Franck Millet, France £16.95

View the cabinet essentials range here

TAKE FOUR  |  CHESTNUT RECIPES

BEAUTY MUST-HAVES  |  WARM YOUR LOOK

As the winter months turn colder, sculpt and warm your look with the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Colour, £42. A staple in your makeup bag; this product is enriched with mineral waxes and beeswax for a 'second-skin' effect.

Order online: harveynichols.com

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING  |  LUXURY WOOLLEN GIFTS

Luxury socks and accessories brand Corgi Socks has been hand-crafting luxury woollen goods for more than a century. These Fairisle cashmere and cotton socks are the perfect Christmas gift presented in a new Corgi Christmas box. Beautifully comfortable for lounging at home and keeping your toes toasty on a chilly evening. Available in three sizes.

£39; available online at corgisocks.com

OBJECT OF INTEREST  |  NEW OYSTER CULT

This year has seen a riot of avant-garde colour bursting into watch design like never before. Rolex has always had a playful side since the late Sixties when it started adding joyful colours and tones on its enamel Stella dials. Forty years on, five new colourful dials have been added to the 2020 Oyster Perpetual 36 line up.

Incredibly cool with unisex appeal thanks to the mid-sized 36mm case the range will look great on any wrist. The new hues are: coral red, yellow, green, turquoise blue and candy pink. All have Chromalight displays, which means that these dials are super bright in the daytime but also have a beautiful lume and are perfectly legible in the dark too. The classic stainless steel Oyster bracelet, domed bezel, super self-winding movement and waterproof quality – up to 100 meters – are all what you'd expect in this thoroughly modern classic. £4,450.

For availability and more details contact Mallory, an official Rolex retailer.

NOVEMBER ISSUE  |  OUT AND ABOUT & LOOKING GOOD

THE KIOSK  |  MAGAZINE MOMENTS

Curated by Daniel McCabe – Magalleria

Is the colour red quintessentially Italian? IL Libro certainly thinks so and has dedicated its second issue to exploring its subtleties and complexities through couture, cars (Ferrari of course), Leonardo da Vinci and more. By turns thought-provoking and whimsical, this Italian art journal is very much about pushing back against a perceived decline in the influence of Italy’s artistic heritage in this century. Sumptuously produced and lavishly illustrated, IL Libro was hugely popular with Bath Italophiles last year. It’s theoretically biannual, although 2019 was the last time we saw this unusual magazine so grab it while it’s (red) hot.

£12; magalleria.co.uk

CITY NEWS  |  A GENEROUS DONATION

Despite the pandemic, Bathavon Rotary Club has been continuing to actively support projects in the community and has generously donated £5,000 to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).

Bathavon Rotary Club Secretary, Michael Wood, has been aware of CHSW’s work for over a decade. He said: “I used to live in North Devon and, along with friend from Braunton Rotary Club, was a volunteer gardener at CHSW’s Little Bridge House hospice. The work they do across the South West is vital and as such is a well-deserving cause.”

Charlton Farm currently cares for more than 220 families from Bath, Bristol, Somerset and West Wiltshire.

rotary-ribi.org; chsw.org.uk

ON THE BOOKSHELF  |  MEMORY AND MEMOIR

ON THE BOX  |  ACROSS THE POND

In a UK exclusive, former American president Barack Obama encounters historian David Olusoga to discuss his long-awaited memoir A Promised Land, his reflections on the volatile racial divide in the US, his steadfast refusal to abandon American ideals, and how the sight of a Black president and Black 'first family' in the White House may have cast a spotlight on the depth of racial fault lines in America.

Watch it on BBC iPlayer here

As we watch David Olusoga's interview with Barack Obama, we remember our exclusive interview with the historian, writer, presenter, broadcaster and professor of public history at the University of Manchester from our September issue.

Emma Clegg spoke to David about the racial inequality within the television industry just days after his powerful James MacTaggart Inaugural Lecture in Edinburgh.

Enjoy our nine minute read here

FINE ART  |  INDIE SHOP SHOUT-OUT

Tracey Bowes is a professional fine art painter and creates original masterpieces designed to add statement and style to your interior and enhance the living space around you.

Based in the south west, she has worked exclusively in the creative arts sector, winning awards and also working for the finest brands and discerning clients. She is known for her enthusiasm for visual language, as well as exploring meaning, colour and expressive making techniques both traditionally and digitally. Her work contains a visual narrative which is expertly conveyed. 

We love her fine art pieces of familiar landmarks, but also her very affordable and delightful print designs such as Ruby's Flowers (pictured) which starts from just £6.75 for an A6 unframed print and sizes and options range to £57.50 for an A3 print framed. Tracey also loves to customise products so she will happily source A3 frames and restyle them by painting to match or contrast your colour preferences.

thefineartistshop.com

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK  |  ON THE MARKET

Lark Mews House consists of two unique and individual dwellings, bursting with Georgian charm located in the heart of the sought-after village of Larkhall. This exquisite property has been tenderly and sympathetically renovated over recent years by the current owner, an acclaimed artist and interior designer.

These two impressive properties offer endless versatility but could easily be adjusted back into one dwelling. The larger of the two properties offers a large open plan kitchen/living/dining area, light and spacious with three double bedrooms and three bathrooms all complimented by exposed architectural stone features . The first floor one bedroom studio sits to the rear of the building flooded with light, the perfect artists residence, the studio offers a large work area/reception room, bedroom and beautiful bathroom and a Juliet balcony. The property has Live/Work Planning Permission, which provides the potential for a excellent income.

Larkhall offers frequent bus services into the City centre which is an approximate 20 minute level walk. The amenities in Larkhall village include a butchers, Co-op, three public houses, pet shop, takeaways, coffee shop, deli, gift shop, pottery painting, greengrocer, Post Office/Newsagent, hairdresser, bookshop and the very handsome St Saviours Church. Larkhall further benefits from the charming Rondo Theatre, with many stage productions on offer throughout the year. There is also the wonderful Alice Park, complete with coffee shop area just a five minute walk away. Guide price £750,000.

On the market with Zest Sales and Lettings; zestlovesproperty.com