The Bath Magazine March 2026

8

Great goings on to look forward to in Bath this month 12

Our Q&A session with Melissa Anderson, founder of Camella estate and lettings agents, and a true Bathonian

18 COVER STORY

In this exclusive interview, Melissa Blease chats with Paul Merton and his wife, and long-time improvisation partner, Suki Webster

22 A PRIVATE LIFE

The story of local hero Arnold Ridley (AKA Private Godfrey), as told by his son Nicholas in a charming interview with Chris Allsop 24

Our monthly rundown of events, happenings and things to do

Curious Minds Artistic Director Kate Abbey gives us all the highlights of this year’s festival and its many facets

34 BONKERS ON STAGE

India Farnham interviews the cast of Murder at Midnight, a chilling and wickedly dark stage play ahead of its run at TRB, to find out more about the twisted characters being played

40 ARTS & EXHIBITIONS

44 A STABLE AMBITION

Local horse trainer Harriet Dickin runs a racing yard that’s shortening the odds against the big players

52 EXPLORE THE WORLD

We ask luxury tour operator Captain’s Choice to give us the best destinations for once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences

56 PORTRAIT OF BATH

Amy Peake, founder of Loving Humanity, a feminine hygiene charity that changes the lives of impoverished women and girls

70 WALK THE LINE

Andrew Swift takes us along a disused section of an old railway line near Shepton Mallet, a town that’s rich in history and with many sights of interest on the way

76 HOMES & INTERIORS – SCANDI DESIGNS

A complete Georgian townhouse given a contemporary, Scandi-inspired renovation by local designer Clair Strong

94 GARDENING

Elly West sheds light on the joys of the greenhouse

Our carefully curated guide to art and visual delights to be found at the city’s galleries On our cover this month

Paul Merton and Suki Webster bring their improv genius to the Bath Comedy Festival Image courtesy of Steve Ullathorne Follow us @thebathmagazine or enjoy our website: thebathmag.co.uk

City Updates

An Evening with Mary Berry

Toppings host cookery writer and presenter, Mary Berry at Bath Pavilion on Thursday 26 March 7pm in celebration of her new book, My Gardening Life.

A must for all fans, the evening promises to be a delightful event as Mary shares a deeply personal account of the second great love of her life, gardening. She talks about her love of growing plants, visiting gardens, and getting hands-on in her own plot. A passion that was sparked in her childhood, Mary first started gardening with her father and she has been fortunate to meet many inspirational and knowledgeable horticulturalists throughout her life. Her book, My Gardening Life is full of anecdotes, pearls of wisdom Q&As with her gardening heroes, and beautiful photos of Mary's own garden, and a unique memoir told through the gardens Mary has loved. For ticket details visit: toppingbooks.co.uk

Curious Minds Festival

Organised by the Bath Arts Collective – (see Kate Abbey’s special feature on page 30) – Curious Minds: A Festival to Ignite Ideas returns for its third year from 12–28 March, bringing a bold and wide-ranging programme of 60 events to venues across Bath. From politics and wellbeing to film, poetry and live performance, the festival invites audiences to explore big ideas, ask better questions and connect through culture. This year’s programme includes talks, film screenings, performances, walking tours and writing workshops, featuring some of today’s most engaging voices – from exciting debut writers to internationally recognised figures. For a list of all the events and to book tickets visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk

Saints & Sinners - it’s all going on at Bath Abbey

There’s a brand-new, immersive afterhours experience uncovering the ‘lost’ stories of Bath Abbey. Performed by the highly acclaimed Natural Theatre Company, audiences can expect to encounter saints and sinners, royals and rogues, as history, humour and a touch of theatrical licence combine in a journey through the Abbey’s spaces, where stories are uncovered at every turn. We find out more from Andy Burden, Artistic and Executive Director of ‘The Naturals’.

What initially attracted the Natural Theatre Company to Bath Abbey? Why stage a piece of theatre there?

We had done some work with the Abbey before. We provided some characters for them during the Jane Austen Festival. We realised early on that we could do either an educational participation project about the Abbey’s history, or stage a performative piece there. There are so many stories to tell! On a personal note, my son sang in the Abbey’s youth choir and my brother's a vicar. I just thought it'd be quite interesting to see a church building in a different way. Everything we do at the Naturals is about; how can we see the world from a slightly different angle?

Could you tell us a little bit about the creative process?

We've done a number of these tours before, and so there were some models we could draw upon. The idea is that you could go into any environment and watch its characters come alive in front of you. What was interesting about the Abbey is that there were so many characters! Who do you leave out? So the model changed a bit, and the journey itself became the focus. A bit of fun, a bit of history, a bit of intrigue, and a bit about the Abbey’s values; all punctuated by this beautiful route through the building.

Early on, I was walking around with one of our performers to try and find said route. We got about halfway on our walk and sat down in one of the chapels. We just sat there for a minute and paused. That reflective moment became quite influential; everyone that comes to see the show should have that. This is a place of peace.

What should visitors expect from Saints & Sinners?

It is a journey through time; one that maps the Abbey’s history from the very beginning. It is brimming with amazing costumes and fascinating facts. There’s a real emotional arc to the chronology. We start from a place of hilarity, then we throw quite a lot of information at the audience, and it eventually ends up quite touching. Quite beautiful. Without spoiling it too much, there’s a real sensory element to the piece.

Who should come to the show? Who do you think is going to enjoy it? I think everybody will. So far the feedback has been really, really good. If you know a bit about the Abbey and know some of the stories, then I think you’ll find it really refreshing and entertaining. It's not a guided tour; it’s something new. But even if you know nothing about it and just want a different night out, you will have a terrific time. Not to mention it’s a unique way for tourists to access Bath’s rich history.

For performance details and tickets: bathabbey.digitickets.co.uk

things to do in March

Bath & West Food & Drink Festival returns, with extra cheese!

The ever popular Bath & West Food & Drink Festival returns to the Shepton Mallet showground on 21–22 March. This year, the exciting programme of events will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the British & Irish Cheese Awards. Visitors can explore hundreds of cheese entries, join guided cheese tours with expert judges, and meet some of the UK’s top cheesemakers. Besides the added cheese interest, the festival features an Artisan Farmers Market, food and drink stalls, demonstrations, talks, and masterclasses on the Farmhouse Kitchen Stage. There will also be plenty of family-friendly attractions including a kids zone, Fun Kitchen cooking workshops, and rides on the Bath & West Steam Railway. For details and to book tickets visit: bathandwest.com/food-and-drink-festival

Why run when you can walk?

Dorothy House is back with its popular ‘Men’s Walk to Support’ – a special event for men aged 8+ to get active, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with others while raising vital funds for end-of-life care in the Bath area. The walk takes place on Saturday 14 March 2026, starting at Dorothy House, Winsley. Walk with your brother, son, dad, mates or on your tod. There are now two walks to choose from: the Classic 8-mile route, perfect for all abilities, or take on a new 25-Mile Anniversary Route – celebrating Dorothy House’s 50th year – starting in Devizes and joining the 8-mile walkers along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Bath Pavilion. All finishers receive a free T-shirt, enjoy a complimentary meal from SoulFlava, and can watch the live Six Nations games. Always a great atmosphere and a very worthy challenge to be proud of. For details visit: dorothyhouse.org.uk

Cheer the Bath Half

The essential, and let’s be honest, the physically demanding role of cheering on the runners in the Bath Half Marathon on 15 March is not to be underestimated. Spectating requires stamina, vocal projection, advanced cowbell technique and the ability to deploy jelly babies at exactly the right moment. While the runners may be clocking up 13.1 miles, supporters are tasked with the equally vital job of delivering morale boosts, personalised shout-outs and highly enthusiastic applause for anyone dressed as a rhino. Although spectators are able to line the whole route, there are particular recommended viewing and entertainment points, including Royal Avenue where the race starts and finishes; Royal Victoria Park playground; Chelsea Road; Weston Lock Retail Park; Great Pulteney Street; Churchill Bridge; and Green Park Station. With plenty of top coffee spots and pubs along the way, spectators can sustain their efforts too with a flat white and cinnamon bun in hand. No pain, no gain. The fastest ‘Wave 1’ runners will be on the start line at 10.30am, followed by the other waves from 10.40 -11.10am. londonmarathonevents.co.uk/bath-half

Paragon Singers 50th Anniversary Concert

This successful chamber choir is gearing up to celebrate its fifty year birthday in style with a promenade concert at Bath Abbey on Saturday 21 March, 7.30pm. Featuring gems from their extensive repertoire. Expect some Renaissance treasures in the form of William Byrd’s magnificent Civitas Sancti Tui and John Sheppard’s Libera Nos as well as the contemporary sounds of James MacMillan, Will Todd, and Roxanna Panufnik’s tour de force, Love Endureth. The 75 minute concert comes with a programme with text and translations are included. There will also be the opportunity for the audience to stay afterwards for a glass of something and enjoy this milestone year with the choir. For tickets and details visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk

Making scents with Parterre Fragrances

Join Bath based, luxury perfume house, Parterre Fragrances on Wednesday 11 or Thursday 26 March, for a mini perfume making workshop in the centre of Bath. These fun, hands-on sessions are ideal for those who want to learn a bit about the fascinating world of perfumery and try their hand at blending. The workshops run from 11.15am-12.30pm, so by lunchtime you will have a simple 10ml bottle of perfume that you have created yourself. Priced at £38pp per session. Private workshops can also be arranged. For further information and to book go to: parterrefragrances.com

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Melissa Anderson My Bath

Melissa Anderson is the founder and managing director of Camella estate agency. Since starting the business in 2023, Melissa now operates three branches across the city and has just launched into the lettings market with Camella Lets. We chat with her to find out more about her career, and her love for life in Bath.

Do you think women still face a glass-ceiling at work and what can be done about it?

Yes. 2025 real estate data shows women hold 52% of roles and 71% of non-management jobs, yet only 42% of board positions. The glass ceiling persists due to unconscious bias, especially toward working mothers. We must invest in development and create equal opportunities – I’m proud to employ a powerhouse of working mums.

How long have you lived in Bath and what do you enjoy most about living in the city?

I was born in Bath in 1976 and moved here from Midsomer Norton when my parents worked hard to make their aspirational dream a reality. I spent my first 18 years in Combe Down famous, if you’re a true Bathonian, for serving slightly shorter pints known as a “Combe Downer.” I went to St Gregory’s School, and although I spent time away at university, Bath has always been home.

What I enjoy most about living in Bath is that it’s small and perfectly formed, yet genuinely bustling. There’s a real sense of connection – you’re always somehow linked to someone else. Independent restaurants and businesses are everywhere, and controversially, I actually love the beauty of Bath Christmas Market… on the right evening.

Which part of Bath do you live in, and what do you like about that area? I now live in Batheaston and love having the countryside on the doorstep with easy access to Bath. It’s where we opened our first Camella branch, and the people of Batheaston and Bathford are wonderful and welcoming. It’s the people, schools, and sense of community that really make this area feel special.

Has your impression of the city changed over time? If so, how? Yes, it has. The older I get, the more I appreciate Bath’s culture and history, though I do miss some of the pubs and clubs from my youth. For me it was the fun Beehive and Hat and Feather days. Like everything, the city has changed, but it’s lovely driving around and remembering the venues and businesses that shaped my past. I recently reminded my son that Sainsbury’s Local was once Chemies nightclub, where I was often found on the dance floor making some shapes!

Tell us about any different places you’ve worked in the city and how if different roles have given you different insights?

In my early years, I worked as a retail assistant at Jones Bootmaker, where my passion for shoes first began, and it hasn’t stopped since! I also spent time as a barmaid at The Crown in Bathwick, a charming pub (now a Chinese restaurant) with a round pool table. These experiences gave me a real appreciation for how both retail and hospitality bring people together, and it’s a reminder of how important these community hubs are, especially as the hospitality sector faces new challenges.

What do you love about your role, what makes the company special? A business is only as strong as its culture, and that’s what I love most about

my role. I work with a team who genuinely support each other and go the extra mile for our clients. I’m biased, but the Camella family truly cares, we put people before profit, and that’s why we succeed. Watching the business grow alongside the development of our team is incredibly rewarding.

Where do you tend to eat, drink, or grab coffee in Bath – any favourites you keep going back to?

I seem to have a knack for opening branches where the best coffee and brunch spots are! Locally, I love Gather in Batheaston, The Village in Larkhall run by the lovely Holly Bower, and the Good Bear Café on Bear Flat for their amazing peri-peri eggs. In the city centre, Green Rocket is a favourite, and Mokoko is unbeatable for cinnamon buns and almond croissants.

Foodwise, I keep finding myself back at Pintxos, Landrace, Sotto Sotto, Noya’s Kitchen, Scallop Shell, Corkage, Bosco… and recently, Root! Oh dear, I’m realising I do eat out a lot – but can you blame me with spots like these around Bath?

What are your favourite landmarks or scenic places in the city?

Bath is amazing for walking – some of my favourites are the Skyline Walk, Browne’s Folly, St Catherine’s, and Southstoke/Midford. I also love strolling along the Kennet and Avon Canal, with a coffee stop at the Holburne. It’s a yearly tradition to hire a boat from Bathwick Boating Station… though I still somehow manage to steer into the bank!

Are there any events, markets, or festivals in Bath that you particularly look forward to?

I always look forward to the Bath Music Festival in May, Bath Boules in June, and the Bath Christmas Market in December – though preferably not on a weekend! Bath Rugby days are always fun too, especially when we win, which, luckily, happens quite frequently!

What makes Bath feel like home to you?

What makes Bath feel like home to me is my family, friends, and all the wonderful people I’ve shared memories with in the city over the years.

If someone were thinking of moving to Bath, what would you tell them about what makes the city special or unique?

Bath is renowned for its beauty, architecture, and rich history. As an estate agent, I’d say it’s no surprise that 50% of our enquiries are from people wanting to relocate here. The city is safe, welcoming, and offers something for everyone – truly a special place to call home.

Any property predictions for Bath in 2026?

Based on the start of the year, the Bath market is showing strength. I expect price growth in 2026, supported by an increase in property transactions. On the rental side, the exit of some landlords due to recent rental reforms is likely to put pressure on supply, making the market more competitive. n

camella.co.uk

The Bath Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Tel: 01225 424499 www.thebathmag.co.uk

Editorial team and contributors: Melissa Blease, India Farnham, Chris Allsop, Simon Horsford, Andrew Swift, Katherine Raderecht, Rosanna Spence, Elly West, Dara Foley, Kate Abbey, Joe Short, Steve Miklos. editor@thebathmagazine

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Threads of Time

Saville Row style lands in Bath

Gieves & Hawkes has launched their new SS26 collection that makes the most of its long history and adds a modern twist to its heritage theme. Threads of Time redefines the silhouette: softened structure, relaxed shoulders and unlined double-breasted jackets create effortless movement without compromising precision. Breathable cottons, airy wools, linen-silk blends and exclusive British cloths deliver polish suited to heat, distance and long summer days.

Gieves & Hawkes, 2 Broad St, Bath BA1 5LJ www.gievesandhawkes.com

The art of improv...

When two wits are double the

fun

After 17 years of marriage and more than two decades touring together, Paul Merton and Suki Webster have turned improvisation into an art form built on instinct, trust and razor-sharp timing. Ahead of their Bath Comedy Festival appearance, they talk to Melissa Blease about cruise-ship calamities, marital harmony and why it’s okay to have the occasional wobble

The combination of two elements can create a synergy where the total output is greater than the sum of individual efforts. Think, Batman and Robin, salt and pepper, socks, nostrils, sunglasses; just a handful of examples that confirm the power of two becoming one.

Now I’m certainly not implying that either Paul Merton or Suki Webster couldn’t stand up (weak pun intended) as stand-alone forces to be reckoned with in their own right; heck, we’re talking about two of the UK’s best-known, fastest-witted comedians here. But together, they create uproarious, full-on hilarity magic, unscripted and impromptu, spontaneous and gloriously haphazard – and they’ll be bringing that magic to the Bath Forum on Saturday 28 March (‘Paul Merton and Suki Webster’s Improv Show’) as part of this year’s annual Bath Comedy Festival.

But does that magic happen despite or because of being married for 17 years… and what if they have a marital spat before going on stage?

“We don’t row,” says Paul, in the familiar, deadpan-but-friendly tone that so many of us are familiar with from his 35-year stint on Radio 4’s Just a Minute, or his 36-year stint on the BBC’s Have I Got News For You, or Room 101, or one of his many TV travelogues, or – oh come on, we all ‘know’ Paul so well and are so familiar with Suki being by his side that we’ll feel as though we’re welcoming old friends home when they come to Bath.

But despite Paul’s response to my initial question, I’m pushing them on that ‘pre-show spat’ theme; surely even Mickey and Minnie Mouse had their cat and dog moments… and they didn’t have to be funny all the time.

“Honestly, we’re just not very argue-y people!” says Suki, who first met Paul way back when they were working together in The Comedy Store Players troupe decades ago before romance eventually blossomed over a shared stomach bug contracted while on tour in India. “What’s hard about being in a showbiz marriage is that you’re apart a lot, and there’s a strain on the showbiz person because they’re living in a sort of heightened world that your partner isn’t a part of. There’s only so much you can explain about it when you get home at night; it’s like being in a different reality, really.”

“I quite often look at Suki and think I wish I was in a different reality!” Paul deadpans again – but it’s already clear that this is a man protesting too much. “I am of course joking!” he adds (a little nervously, perhaps?). “What Suki says is right: I think the fact that we do what we do together is really good for our marriage. And improvisation relies on being on the same wavelength as the person you’re improvising with, so the fact that we’re married and spend all day together is helpful. I’m often puzzled that people think it’s unusual that we’re married and we work together; maybe it is, I don’t know!”

Okay, so let me push those marriage/working life crossover boundaries in a slightly different direction: if Paul and Suki are together 24-hours a day in their personal lives, how do they keep their ongoing banter fresh when they ‘go to work’?

“I think both of us are really vigilant about constantly striving to really be the best that we can be, and stretching ourselves – that’s not a funny answer, but it’s the truth,” says Suki. “Paul has done Have I Got News For You forever, he’s been on Just a Minute forever, and he constantly reviews what he’s doing and constantly works on what he’s doing to make sure he’s always as good as his last show. If he’s not happy with what he’s just put out there, he goes back in with fresh ideas and renewed energy. That’s how we both play it.”

“We did a show on a cruise ship in the worst seas the petty officer had seen in 42 years... trying to make up a show while trying to not stagger around was hysterical”

“Because we’re improvising and not relying on a script, we can’t just sit back and think well, we’ll just do what we did yesterday,” Paul adds. “When you see actors in a long-running play, with the best will in the world you can often see them looking tired, like, ‘here we go again’. Because we’re doing new stuff all the time I think it’s easier to maintain freshness. It won’t always come off to the extent that you want it to, but if you’re trying for your best and not falling short, if you’re aiming high, it works.” And then, in true tag-team style, Suki chips in: “And occasionally, you’ll sink!”

Now I don’t believe for one minute that Paul and Suki ever sink their show; their chemistry is too dynamic, too spirited, too authentic – and clearly strong enough to get them through a moment when they almost did, quite literally, sink.

“We did an improv show on a cruise ship some years ago,” Suki recalls, when asked for an example of an inevitable moment when improvised comedy threatens to turn into a tragic farce. “We were on the worst seas that the petty officer had ever seen – and he’d been on cruise ships for 42 years. The stage was vast, like an aircraft hanger. Paul came on from one side and I came on from the other, and we both immediately listed – Paul looked like he was walking up a mountain and I shot on at ➲

about 30 miles an hour, and the audience watching us trying to make up a show while trying to not stagger around was hysterical. It was so rough we fell over a couple of times and had to go down on our hands and knees to wait for the wave to pass. But the spontaneity of us trying to justify why we were staggering in that moment, or why one of us had to step back; we incorporated it into the show, and it was sensational!”

And… smooth? “I wouldn’t say that the word is smooth,” says Paul. “But we’re certainly experienced!”.

“Improvisation isn’t about perfection –it’s about spontaneity and joy. The audience don’t want you to fall over and fail, but they love a little wobble. That’s all part of the excitement.”

Experienced for sure; Paul and Suki have toured as a double act for over 20 years. But still, their Improv Show is as spontaneous as spontaneous gets and features an ever-evolving line-up of special guests (me, on this very topic: who would be your dream guest, dead or alive? Paul: “I think I’d just prefer somebody alive. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause please for Queen Victoria?’ I’m not sure that’d work well…”) and a revolving schedule of games, all of it as reliant on Paul and Suki’s unpremeditated wit as it is on audience participation that can never be anticipated.

“Audiences are unpredictable for sure,” says Paul. “But we reserve the right to filter suggestions. If we ask for a location to riff on, for example, somebody might say ‘abattoir’, and that’s not going to be really funny. So we filter for suggestions that we know are going to have more entertainment value than, say, a slaughterhouse.” “And sometimes, if we’ve had the same suggestion three or four times in a row, we might say ‘oh, we had that one last night, sorry!’ because otherwise your head will be saying, ‘have I already said that line, tonight’?,” says Suki. “Having said that, the audience don’t want you to fall over and fail but they love a little wobble! And that’s all part of the excitement; improvisation isn’t about perfection, it’s about spontaneity and joy. You don’t want to be swimming out of your depths, you want your toes to touch the bottom – that’s where it’s exciting, finding that level.”

“It’s a bit like a football match, really ”, says Paul. “No football match is the same as every other football match, but it’s still identifiably a football match. Every show is completely different, even though the format remains the same.” “But we don’t have 11 bare-legged men on the stage with us every night,” Suki points out. “That used to be the only reason I’d watch a football match, but now they wear their shorts longer, honestly, what’s the point?”

And they were off, riffing on football vs rugby kits, bouncing off each other and merging again with seamless, immaculate comedy timing and offering a perfect example of how the combination of two elements can create a synergy where the total output is greater than the sum of individual efforts. Batman and Robin? Kapow! n

The Paul Merton and Suki Webster’s Improv Show. The Bath Forum, 28 March, doors 7pm.

The Bath Comedy Festival runs from 21 March to 19 April. For all event details and to book tickets, visit: bathcomedy.com

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The talented Mr Ridley

Nicolas Ridley’s play at the Mission Theatre examines the rich and varied life of his father, Dad’s Army actor and Bathonian, Arnold Ridley – better known as Private Godfrey. Words by Chris Allsop

The challenge of writing a play about my father,” says writer Nicolas Ridley, “is that his life was so full of triumphs, disasters, and reinventions that getting it into a hundred minutes is almost impossible.”

We’re talking in the art deco surrounds of the café of the Everyman Cinema – a suitably theatrical setting to discuss his father, Arnold Ridley, best known to millions as the gently dithering Private Godfrey in the BBC’s famous television sitcom Dad’s Army. Following a successful London run, Nic’s one-man show, Were You Anyone Before Dad’s Army? is about to open at Bath’s Mission Theatre – a homecoming of sorts for his father, a man whose life was intertwined with this city.

Nic himself is genial, reflective and tenderly funny in person while recounting stories about his father. And the stories are astonishing, with Arnold’s CV offering a near-embarrassment of narrative riches for his writer son to tap: playwright, war veteran, Intelligence Officer, Home Guard member, and latterly one of the most beloved comic creations in British television history.

The Ghost Train

Born in Bath in 1896, Arnold grew up in Walcot, in an environment that one might think would discourage any thoughts of treading the boards. His father was an enterprising Cockney who’d relocated to the West Country and ran a shoe shop on Manvers Street, while Arnold’s mother, as Nic recalls, wasn’t crazy about the arts.

“My grandmother’s people were very strict Methodists,” Nic says. “Fierce, really. Anti-drink, very upright. They regarded the theatre as, more or less, the work of the devil.”

However, demonstrating the inner steel that would see him succeed, Arnold pursued a theatrical career. In his early twenties, he headed to London, determined to make his name on the stage. Success was elusive. Roles were scarce, money scarcer, and by his mid-twenties he’d returned to Bath, penniless and chastened, to work alongside his father.

Fortunately, scarcity of a different kind helped imbue Arnold’s dream with fresh momentum. While enrolled at the University of Bristol to train as a teacher, he joined the Drama Society. “They were desperately short of male actors,” Nic says. “So, he ended up playing all the great Shakespearean roles.”

Just as a career appeared to beckon, the First World War intervened. Arnold was wounded at the Somme and eventually invalided out. The physical injuries healed; the psychological ones lingered.

“He suffered from what we would now call post-traumatic stress disorder,” Nic says carefully. “But while he was the gentlest, kindest father, he was also incredibly tough. At some point he realised that he had to snap himself out of the depression and melancholy – and he did. The strength of the man still astonishes me.”

After the war, Arnold set about rebuilding his career with almost heroic persistence. He wrote to virtually every theatre company in the country seeking work. Engagements followed – Birmingham, then

...His outward frailty raised an awkward question: would he live long enough to complete a full series? (of Dad’s Army)

Plymouth – before disaster struck once more: all his savings were lost in an ill-fated investment in a Bath-based theatre company.

Once more, he found himself back home, broke. For three years he worked as a salesman in his father’s shop. “He absolutely hated it,” Nic says. “And whenever he could, he’d escape upstairs above the shop and start writing plays.”

One of those plays was The Ghost Train, destined to become Arnold’s greatest playwriting success. When it reached the West End, it broke records for its run, was translated into seventeen languages, adapted into multiple films, and continues to be staged nearly a century later.

Called Up

Alongside his playwriting success, Arnold continued working as an actor. During this time, he was always involved in the city’s community life, as his stint as President of Bath Rugby Club in the early 1950s demonstrates.

It was over a decade later, however, that he would get his big break. A rumour reached him that producer David Croft – the man behind Hide-Hi! and Are You Being Served? – was assembling a new sitcom that required, as Nic puts it, “a lot of old men”.

Croft had previously seen Arnold perform as a tailor’s assistant in another of his sitcoms, Hugh and I. When Arnold auditioned, Croft and

his co-creator Jimmy Perry were impressed, but did have concerns. His outward frailty raised an awkward question: would he live long enough to complete a full series?

As it transpired, Arnold, the only member of the cast who had fought in both world wars and served in the Home Guard, would go on to appear in all 80 episodes of Dad’s Army across nine series. For Nic, who was travelling and living abroad when Dad’s Army began, his father’s transformation into a national treasure was a vague, distant reality.

While Nic himself was always interested in the theatre – acting and directing during his own life – he chose a different path, working as an English-language teacher abroad before a career in publishing.

“My mother used to say, ‘You’re far too sensible to be an actor,’” Nic recalls. “Which is a very effective way of putting you off. And seeing your father live with constant financial anxiety – waiting for the phone to ring with the offer of an audition – didn’t help. As a child, I saw none of the glamour. Only the worry.”

The idea of writing about his father came much later, in 2017, when a director suggested Arnold’s life would make an ideal one-man show. The result is Were You Anyone Before Dad’s Army? – a portrait of the long, complex, and often hilarious life story of the man behind the gentle Godfrey.

Before we part, Nic offers a final anecdote about his father that seems to succinctly weave all of Arnold Ridley’s goodness, generosity and proximity to genuine, life-threatening danger into one neat story. “One Christmas,” he says, “in my parents’ flat in Highgate, we had dinner with both of my father’s ex-wives.”

He smiles. “I think that gives you the measure of the man.” n

Nic Ridley’s play, Were you Anyone before Dad’s Army? is on at The Mission Theatre from 19-21 March. For further details and tickets visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk

What’s on

LIVE MUSIC AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE

Throughout March

n Green Park Brasserie, BA1 1JB

Soak up live music alongside world-class pizza, cocktails, and craft beer every night, Wednesday through Saturday. Bookings and walk-ups available. greenparkbrasserie.com

KITH

&

KIN: THE QUILTS OF GEE'S BEND

Throughout March, 10am-5pm

n The American Museum and Gardens, Claverton Manor, BA2 7BD

This exhibition celebrates the extraordinary work of a group of African American women from a remote river island community in Alabama, which embodies a 200-year tradition of making quilts that hold both profound artistic and political significance. For tickets and more information visit: americanmuseum.org

BATH DECORATIVE ANTIQUES FAIR

6-7 March, 10am–5pm

(Trade day: 5 March, 12noon–5pm)

n The Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, BA2 4EU

After more than 35 successful years the hugely popular Bath Decorative Antiques Fair remains the premier regional event for decorative antiques, blending sustainability, originality, and a flair for current interior trends. With its vibrant mix of exhibitors, the fair appeals to both seasoned collectors and a younger generation discovering the beauty and functionality of antique design. £7.50 via

Eventbrite – £10 on the door. bathdecorativeantiquesfair.co.uk

BATH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS

Saturday 7 March, doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7.30pm

n The Forum, Bath BA1 1UG

Everyone knows the iconic ‘Sunrise’ opening of Richard Strauss’s tone poem Also Sprach Zarathustra, as used in Stanley Kubrick’s ground-breaking film: 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Bath Symphony Orchestra perform this epic work as well as much-loved blockbuster film themes from Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Jurassic Park and many other Hollywood favourites. Tickets: from £23.10 (inc. fees). bathboxoffice.org.uk

THE HANDFUL CHAMBER CHOIR DURUFLÉ REQUIEM

Saturday 7 March, 7pm

n St Mary’s Church, Bathwick, BA2 4EB

This Bath-based chamber choir presents Duruflé’s Requiem, a powerful Gregorian chant-inspired work rich in emotion, alongside choral music by Patrick Gowers, Brahms, Morley, Gómez and MacMillan. On organ, Richard Gowers (Patrick Gowers’ grandson) Tickets from £18, (under 25s, £6). bathboxoffice.org.uk

HELLEBORES GARDEN

OPEN DAY

Sunday 8 March, 2–4pm

n Kapunda, Southstoke, BA2 5SH

As seen on BBC Gardeners World enjoy a magnificent display of Hellebores at the

gorgeous 2-acre gardens of Kapunda in Southstoke. This open garden event is in aid of Dorothy House. Entry is £7. Visit the events page at: dorothyhouse.org.uk

BATH & COUNTY CLUB

Join the The Bath & County Club as a member and you and your guests will enjoy a relaxed, friendly ambiance and the opportunity to meet, eat and drink in the centre of Bath. bathandcountyclub.com

Tuesday 3 March

St Davids Day Dinner. 6.15 for 7pm. Three course meal. £40.

Sunday 8 March

Sunday Carvery. 12.30 for 1pm. Choice of meats and four vegetables. Coffee/mints. £32.

Thursday 19 March

St Patricks Day Dinner. 6.15 for 7pm. Three course dinner. £40.

Friday 27 March

Evening Talk “Waging Peace” UN operations in the Sudan and Lessons to learn for peacekeeping. 6 for 6.30pm. Two course supper, coffee/mints. £29.

Visitors welcome. Rooms also for hire. Event venue: Queens Parade, Bath BA1 2NJ. Booking essential, email secretary@bathandcountyclub.com Call: 01225 423732.

THE U3A MONTHLY TALK – THE BATH ASSEMBLY ROOMS THROUGH THE AGES

Thursday 12 March. Doors open 9.45am Talk starts: 10.30am

n The Pavilion North Parade Road, Bath With ambitious plans by The National Trust to breathe new life into the Assembly Rooms, join Dr Timothy Manningmore, a lecturer of at the University of Oxford, and the National Trust’s first ever Inclusive Histories Curator, for a talk on the rich and colourful history of this wonderful building and its part in Bath’s society through the ages. For non-members, a discretionary £5 donation is suggested. u3ainbath.uk

THE GLAM ROCK SHOW

Friday 13 March, doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7.30pm n The Forum, Bath BA1 1UG

Get it on with this ultimate glam rock experience that promises to transport you back to the golden age of platforms, glitter, guitars, and the anthems that define a generation! With a sensational live band and powerhouse vocals, you’ll go wild, wild, wild to the biggest hits from T. Rex, Slade, Bowie, The Bay City Rollers, Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Wizzard, Mud, and more. Dig out your platforms and get dressed up for a night of non-stop glam-rock nostalgia! Tickets from £34.10 (inc. fees). bathforum.co.uk

AN EVENING WITH GUY CHAMBERS

Friday 13 March, 7.30pm

n St Swithin's Church, BA1 5LY

Just one of the Curious Minds Festival’s many fabulous events. Guy Chambers is perhaps best known for his partnership with

Robbie Williams but his collaborations span 40 years working with superstars including Tina Turner, Kylie Minogue, Diana Ross, Tom Jones and many more. Promises to be an unforgettable evening as this most celebrated songwriter will perform songs like Angels and Feel while divulging the never-before-told stories behind how they were written. Tickets from £14.30 (inc. fees). bathboxoffice.org.uk

THE FULLTONE ORCHESTRA:

VERDI’S REQUIEM

Friday 13 March, 7.30pm n Bath Abbey, BA1 1LT

The outstanding musical talent of The Fulltone Orchestra – in the magnificent setting of Bath Abbey – will bring to life the breath-taking drama and transcendent beauty, of Verdi’s Requiem taking audiences on an emotional journey from terror and turmoil to hope, light, and ultimate peace. Tickets from £16.50 (inc. fees). bathboxoffice.org.uk

PERFUME MAKING FOR MOTHERS DAY WITH PARTERRE FRAGRANCES

Saturday 14 March, 11am - 1pm n City Centre

This workshop – on the Saturday before Mothers Day, offers a sensory and interactive treat to enjoy with your mother. Learn a perfume theory and explore shared scent memories. Then working with high quality oils, you will be expertly guided through the process of designing and blending your own perfumes. By the end of the session you will each have a 50ml bottle of your personal composition to take home and enjoy. Complimentary glass of fizz or soft drink included. £95pp. parterrefragrances.com

MOSAIC OF MUSIC

Saturday 14 March, 7.30pm

n Christ Church, Julian Road, BA1 2RH

Join Matt Finch and CitySound Voices choir, together with the West of England Music and Arts Schools Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by David Garcia, and M.G.B. as they perform Mosaic of Music, a sparkling medley of choral and orchestral pieces. This concert is in aid of Voices for Life, a charity that uses the power of music to help children grow in confidence and wellbeing. Tickets £10 (under 18s free) available from citysound.org.uk or at the door.

BATH MINERVA CHOIR: ‘ROMANTIC GLORIES’ OF BRAHMS AND MENDELSSOHN

Saturday 14 March, 7.30pm n Bath Abbey, BA1 1LT

The Bath Minerva Choir, conducted by Gavin Carr, are joined by the Bath Philharmonia and tenor, James Gilchrist to perform a wonderful selection of ‘Romantic Glories’ by Brahms and Mendelssohn. Tickets from £20. For more details visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk

BATH ORCHESTRAL GALA CONCERT: VOICES OF CHANGE

Tuesday 17 March, doors open 6.30pm, performance starts 7pm n The Guildhall, BA1 5AW

King Edward’s School joins Bath Philharmonia for Voices of Change, celebrating music’s power to inspire progress. Highlights include concertos by Mozart, Elgar and Hoffmeister, plus works by Beethoven, Ethel Smyth and John Lennon, alongside the world premiere of The Tree of Life by Composer in Residence Mark David Boden. Guest conductor Rebecca Miller leads. Tickets £20 adults, £10 concessions.

For more details visit: kesbath.com

SOFT POWER & ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE UK IN A CHANGING WORLD

Tuesday 17 March 7:30-9pm n BRLSI, BA1 2HN

In a more fragmented world, economic growth requires astute positioning of a country in order to navigate global economic tensions and geo-politics. Dr Linda Yueh CBE, at the London Business School examines the UK’s opportunity to highlight its role as a trusted convenor through its use of soft power. Whereas hard power is military might and coercion, soft power is based on influence and persuasion. Foreign policy requires both. In today’s changing world, economic growth strategy will also need to include soft power. Tickets from £3. brlsi.org

THE WRITING LIFE: CONVERSATIONS

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP

Thursday 19 March, 5:30pm-7.30pm n The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel, BA1 1QY

This new, four-part series of intimate literary evenings at the hotel features bestselling author Harriet Evans in conversation about the creative writing process and is designed to demystify the writing life and inspire guests through authentic storytelling. Offering practical encouragement to anyone curious about writing, from aspiring authors to those simply seeking to reconnect with creative expression. Each session includes prosecco, canapés, and an engaging Q&A. £15 per session. Book online at: eventbrite.co.uk

ABBA TRIBUTE: THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC

Thursday 19 March, doors open 6.30pm, show starts 7.30pm n The Forum, Bath BA1 1UG

Calling all dancing queens, this is your night to say, ‘thank you for the Music!’ You can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life as this international smash-hit tribute show brings all ABBA’s number one hits to the stage including; Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Mamma Mia, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, The Winner Takes It All and many, many more! Unmistakable harmonies, colourful costumes, and dazzling performances by this all-star cast. Tickets from £34.10 (inc. fees). bathforum.co.uk

WHY WOMEN’S HEALTH MATTERS: FROM RESEARCH TO RESULTS

Thursday 19 March, 6.30-8pm n Combe Grove, Brassknocker Hill, Bath BA2 7HS.

Menopause affects half the population directly and the other half indirectly. Raising awareness and breaking taboos are essential to ensure women receive the support they need. This session offers expert guidance from menopause specialist Dr Philippa Girling from Sulis Hospital and a lead team member from Combe Grove to help navigate the journey through perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Book for free. Find the event on: sulishospital.com

UNIVERSITY OF BATH GARDENING CLUB: PLANTING FROM THE HEART BY ROY DIBLIK

Thursday 19 March, 7:30pm-9pm n University of Bath, Room 1, Level 1, East Building, BA2 7AY

Roy Diblik is an internationally celebrated gardener, garden designer, nurseryman and author. Part owner of the influential Northwind Nursery in Wisconsin, he will be talking about his life with plants, places and the people he has met on the way. Open to all, Annual membership £25, Visitors £8. ubgc.org

LAWRENCES AUCTIONEERS –FREE VALUATION DAY

Friday 20 March, 10am-2pm n The Holburne Museum, BA2 4DB

Want to know the value of your antique piece or object d’art? The expert team from Lawrences Auctioneers will be on hand and available to help you at this free valuation event at The Holburne. For further details on

the event or to arrange a no charge/no obligation home visit for a private valuation see: Find all the details on lawrences.co.uk

LITERARY ESCAPE FESTIVAL

Saturday 21 March, 10am-2.30pm

n Percy Community Centre, New King Street, BA1 2BN

Taking place at the Percy Community Centre in Bath, The Literary Escape Festival is a one-day grassroots book festival celebrating independent authors, local creatives and small businesses. The event offers a welcoming space for readers to discover new voices, meet writers, and enjoy a lively, book-filled atmosphere. Visitors can browse stalls, attend book signings and explore a curated selection of handmade goods from independent makers. Part of a UK-wide touring series in 2026, the festival champions independent literature and creative entrepreneurship while delivering accessible, affordable cultural events. Tickets: literaryescapeco.co.uk

MARK SIMMONS: JEST TO IMPRESS

Wednesday 23 March, doors 6.30pm show starts 7.30pm

n Komedia, BA1 1EP

Mark is back on tour in 2026 with his brand new show packed with even more expertly crafted one-liners, alongside his trademark off-the-cuff jokes based on random audience suggestions. Tickets £21. For all the details and to book, visit: komediabath.co.uk

BATH VALUATION DAY

Thursday 26 March, 11am-3pm

n Lansdown Grove Hotel Bath BA1 5EL

Pop along to the Lansdown Grove Hotel to have your jewellery, watches, silver, object of vertu or coin collection appraised for free by the specialist valuations team from Noonans of Mayfair. For further information visit: noonans.co.uk

KILVER COURT SPRING POP-UP

Saturday 27 and 28 March, 10am-5pm n Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5NF

Discover a fresh, seasonal celebration at Kilver Court’s Spring Pop-up, held in the beautifully restored Ballroom. This carefully curated event brings together independent brands and makers showcasing fashion, food and flowers, chosen for quality, creativity and thoughtful design. Expect to find beautiful things, and delicious treats in a relaxed Springtime atmosphere at Kilver Court. Free entry. Find out more at: kilvercourt.co.uk

PÄRT / BACH

Saturday 28 March, 7.30pm n Christ Church, Julian Road, BA1 2RH Bath Bach Choir’s spring concert brings together two composers separated by centuries yet united in faith and shaped by traditions that value music not as an ornament but as a proclamation. JS Bach’s Jesu, meine Freude and Arvo Pärt’s Passio; heard together, these works reveal contrasting responses to the same impulse: to let music serve the word of God. Joining Bath Bach Choir will be the singers and instrumentalists of The Facade Ensemble, a chamber group that specialises in bringing 20th-century music to the fore. Tickets: £20 / U18 & students £10. bathbachchoir.org.uk

YOUNG MARTYRS TOUR FINALE PLUS SUPPORT, TRUE FOXES

Saturday 28 March, doors open 7.30pm n Chapel Arts Centre, BA1 1QR Young Martyrs return home as their UK tour comes to a close. Playing songs from their brand new third album plus a handful of favourites from their first two albums. They’ll be supported by the fastest rising, hardest working act in the world of UK Americana –the brilliant True Foxes (catch these ladies while you can still afford the ticket!). Advance tickets are £15 and are also available on the door. chapelarts.org

J.S BACH: ST MATTHEW PASSION

Wednesday 1 April 7-9.30pm n Bath Abbey, BA1 1LT

Experience the tragedy, the pity, and the hope of the Easter story – in the glorious setting of Bath Abbey. Baroque virtuosic specialist players Rejouissance will lead the nationally acclaimed singers of Abbey Girls, Boys and Lay Clerks in this most uplifting, spiritual and deeply inspiring piece of choral music for Holy Week. For ticket information and details visit: bathboxoffice.org.uk

RIOT ACT WITH DYLAN MORAN

Thursday 9 April, doors 6.30pm n The Mount Without, Upper Church Lane, St Michael’s Hill, Bristol BS2 8FN Bristol’s madcap, open-mic cabaret club promises a night of unforgettable highoctane fun in the gorgeously Gothic main hall of The Mount Without. Topping the bill is the legendary, international “Oscar Wilde of comedy”, Dylan Moran. Expect laughs, fun, clowning chaos, punk poetry mayhem, circus insanity and stand-up galore from this favourite open-mic night and all-star line up of local cabaret legends. Tickets from £15. Details at: headfirstbristol.co.uk

Why curiosity still matters... and why Bath is the perfect place for it

Starting your own festival is a very effective way to find out how much you actually trust your instincts.

By Kate Abbey, Artistic Director, Curious Minds

Between the three of us - Kate Hall, Jasmine Barker and mewe’ve spent years working on festivals for other people. We know how programmes come together, how venues work, how to build an atmosphere that holds a room. But doing it for ourselves felt different. Riskier and more personal.

In November 2023, Curious Minds existed only as a title and a handful of hopeful notes. No funding. No venues. No speakers. No website. Just a decision to begin. By the 8th March 2024, the first of 35 events went live.

That jump, from an idea to a room full of people listening, laughing and asking questions still gives me the same mix of joy and nerves every time March comes around. Because once the doors open, the festival stops being yours. It belongs to the people who turn up.

Curious Minds didn’t arrive fully formed as a grand cultural vision. We set up Bath Arts Collective in late 2023 to give our work a home rooted in Bath. It’s a social enterprise built around collaboration, supporting emerging creatives, platforming local talent and showcasing established names, in ways that feel accessible rather than intimidating.

So when we asked ourselves what kind of festival would be true to this place, the answer felt obvious: one built around curiosity. That, and the slightly dangerous thought: I wonder if we could actually pull this off.

A festival built on what we knew (and a lot we didn’t)

Because we came from festival land, our first instinct wasn’t to overthink the theory. It was practical. Let’s book spaces people already love. Let’s

“From the beginning, Curious Minds felt like a

natural extension of the conversations we have every day in our bookshop.

It’s a festival that trusts audiences to be

thoughtful

and open and that’s something we’re proud to partner with.”

Nic Bottomley, Mr B’s Emporium

After nearly a decade of all working together in Bath we’d learnt a lot! The events that really worked, the ones people talked about afterwards, the ones where the atmosphere shifted weren’t the ones telling people what to think. They were the ones feeding a curious mind. Hidden stories. Expert insight. Immersive experiences in heritage buildings. The common thread wasn’t a topic or a format; it was curiosity. The kind that encourages us to connect, to stay fluid rather than fixed, and to meet each other with a little more empathy.

invite speakers and performers who ask interesting questions. Let’s make it feel welcoming. Let’s see what happens.

The first year felt a bit like throwing a dinner party before you’ve finished building the kitchen. We booked venues while designing the website. We confirmed speakers while still explaining what the festival actually was. And we sent a truly heroic number of emails beginning, “Hello! We’re starting a new festival…”

One of our earliest headline speakers was Jeremy Bowen. He nearly didn’t make it. A last-minute BBC request meant he might have been sent to the Middle East the day before his Bath appearance. When he arrived in the city in time, it felt like a minor miracle (or at least the reward for a lot of crossed fingers and frantic WhatsApp messages).

What surprised us most wasn’t just that people came. It was the generosity they brought with them.

Some of my favourite moments happened quietly, at the back of the room. Standing with my co-directors Jas and Kate, pretending we were just there to “check the lighting” or “count the chairs”, while actually watching an event unfold and realising that this thing we’d imagined was really happening. The room leaning in. The laughter landing. The questions flowing. Those were pinch-me moments.

There were others too. Like the support of Mr B’s Emporium, our brilliant festival bookseller, who backed the festival from the very beginning and The 7 Hills Festivals who brought glorious awardwinning musicians to the festival. We have to also shout-out brand designer Bob Mytton, founder of Mytton Williams, who heard me talk about Curious Minds at a networking event, simply said, “We’d love to help” and designed our logo for free.

And then there were the emails. People we’d never met asking if they could volunteer. Not for the glamour (there isn’t much), but because they wanted to be part of something that felt positive, thoughtful and shared.

Making space, not noise

Curious Minds is now an award-winning, city-wide festival popping up in bookshops, museums, heritage buildings, pubs and performance spaces across Bath every March. It’s a place to listen deeply, laugh loudly, challenge assumptions, try something new or simply enjoy good company.

We’re returning for our third year now, and in that short time the

festival has almost doubled in size. Growth like that only happens because people keep turning up and because Bath has room for emerging creatives and local talent alongside established names. That mix matters. We want the programme to feel like a conversation across experience and perspective, not a one-way lecture from the same few voices.

“Hugely diverse and incredibly eloquent speakers. I learned something at each event that I will take forward and share with others.”

Audience member

Over the past two festivals, that approach has brought some extraordinary voices into the city and into conversation with our audiences. Bryony Gordon opening up about mental health with honesty and humour; Patrick Grant on sustainable fashion in a way that made people rethink what they buy and why; Elif Shafak on fiction writing that stayed with aspiring writers long after the event; Gabriel Gatehouse unpacking US conspiracy culture with rigour and empathy; Ros Atkins helping people think differently about communicating with confidence. We love ideas that linger.

From the beginning, we wanted the festival to feel like it belonged to the city. Collaboration isn’t a buzzword; it’s how the thing works. Guest curators, venues, volunteers and sponsors turn bookshops, museums and pubs into spaces for curiosity and discovery. That shared ownership is what makes the festival feel alive.

I’m lucky this year to work with a wide range of guest curators including broadcaster and journalist Anu Anand; Sudanese-British cultural producer and Sudafest founder Hiba Elhindi; poet and performer Manganaro; conductor and community music leader Jason Thornton; Spencer Hancock, Head of Operations at the Holburne Museum; social media and PR specialist Sarah Baker; and film programmer Ellie Hendricks, curator of the Movie at the Museum strand. ➲

“My Curious (journalistic) Mind craves new information, new insight, new experiences and new friendships - which is exactly what this festival offers in and around Bath. To actually help curate this year’s festival feels like a real privilege.”

Anu Anand, lecturer, broadcaster and journalist

Not knowing is kind of the point

If Curious Minds has a philosophy, it’s probably this: we’re more interested in good questions than neat answers.

That’s why the 2026 festival (12–28 March) is built around five thematic strands, offering different ways in, whether you’re drawn to wellbeing, politics, storytelling, hidden histories or simply a really good night out.

There’s Wellbeing Without the Woo-Woo, which promises grounded conversations about mental health and modern life without clichés or quick fixes. The State We’re In tackles big, sometimes uncomfortable questions about politics, belonging and disagreement. Read. Write. Repeat. celebrates storytelling in all its forms. Hidden Stories uncovers the overlooked and quietly radical. And An Evening Out exists for a simple reason: shared experiences are good for us.

A few things I’m especially excited about this year

Choosing highlights always feels slightly unfair, but there are a few moments I can’t wait for. Who Belongs? Britain and the Small Boats Debate takes on one of the most urgent questions in public life. How to Stop Hating the People We Disagree With, with Professor Paul Dolan, asks how we stay open in a polarised world. And in Food Noise, Dr Jack Mosley explores weight loss drugs, cravings and the future of eating in a way that feels both timely and grounded.

I’m delighted that Nussaibah Younis joins us for The Festival Read, and thrilled that Cerys Matthews brings Under Milk Wood to life. Our All Stars Poetry Night promises brilliance, bite and joy in equal measure.

Across the wider programme, conversations range from government and media to mental health, climate, storytelling and sustainable fashion. Across 60 events, you’ll find talks, film screenings, walking tours, workshops and performances which have all been designed to invite you in rather than talk at you.

Growing without losing our nerve

After our first year, we were thrilled to receive sponsorship from Bath Spa University, a moment that felt like a real vote of confidence. Support from partners including Mr B’s Emporium, FilmBath and the Holburne Museum has helped the festival grow without losing its character. Growth, for us, has never been about being louder or bigger for the sake of it. It’s about keeping things welcoming, inclusive and creating moments where people slow down, connect and turn ideas into shared experiences. In the world we’re currently living in, that feels quietly radical.

If you come along, I hope you’ll leave with a question that stays with you. Or a conversation you didn’t expect. Or a small reminder that being curious - together - is still one of the best ways we have of making sense of the world. n

Curious Minds: A Festival to Ignite Ideas runs from 12–28 March 2026. Tickets are on sale now. Full programme details are at: curiousmindsfestival.co.uk

Downright bonkers

Katie McGlynn has perfected her Cockney accent. Susie Blake has packed her sketchbook. Jason Durr has found new nuances in his sociopathic and one-eyed character. And Max Bowden is making a beeline for a falafel wrap. The cast of the brand-new, whiplash-fast and ‘theatrically ludicrous’ Murder at Midnight are ready for Bath. But are we ready for them?

India Farnham catches up with this all-star crew and finds out exactly how they’re planning to spend their week in Bath and why these quirky, East London characters with a closet full o’ skeletons might just win us all over...

All photography by Pamela Raith

Is anyone else in need of a Spring pick-me-up? Or rather a pickme-up-twist-me-around-and-then-accuse-me-of-murder...-up?

Yeah, me too. Thankfully, Theatre Royal Bath has got us covered, because this month, as if on cue, a larger-than-life clan of glitzy British TV stars are arriving on our doorstep to dust off our cobwebs and shake off our raincoats. Welcome to the utterly absorbing, never predictable, and really rather camp world of Murder at Midnight, which will be showing at Theatre Royal Bath from 16 – 21 March. Murder at Midnight is a comedy-thriller written by the acclaimed (and quite mysterious) British playwright Torben Betts and produced by Original Theatre. Much like Betts’ previous play, 2023’s Murder in the Dark, Murder at Midnight is also set on New Year’s Eve, but this time in the glossy Kentish home of a notorious one-eyed gangster (played by Heartbeat and Casualty’s Jason Durr) known as Jonny ‘The Cyclops’. There has, of course, been a suspicious murder, and the responsibility to work out whodunnit relies on a plucky undercover detective named Paul, played by EastEnders’ Max Bowden.

As the night draws on and midnight approaches, we meet the rest of Jonny’s quirky crew: his trigger-happy sidekick, his glamorous wife Lisa, played by Katie McGlynn (Waterloo Road, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks), his slightly loopy mum, played by Susie Blake (Victoria Wood’s As Seen On TV, Coronation Street) and her apprehensive carer who has a serious case of the heebie-jeebies. Oh, and there also happens to be a vicar, a burglar, a clown mask, a Robbie Williams bust, and a suitcase full of cash in the mix.

In other words, it’s absolutely bananas. What were the cast’s first impressions of the script? Max laughs, “It was hilarious!”.

“I thought it was bonkers – in the best way,” Katie tells me. “All of the characters are just off their rockers.”

“When I read it,” she continues, “I couldn't wait to find out how it would be blocked. I was like ‘How is this gonna work?’. I was way too intrigued not to do it.”

“Yeah, it’s one of those scripts that really jumps off the page,” Jason agrees. “I read it and thought, ‘Gosh, that’ll be a good thing to be in.’”

The perfect crime

As with all new productions, audiences will have to take a punt when heading to the theatre for Murder at Midnight; it’s a completely original story and its twist(s) are not yet public knowledge.

So, without giving anything away, how would the cast describe the play in one line?

“It’s like if Tarantino was going to write a farce,” offers Jason.

“I would say it’s Guy Ritchie on LSD,” Max notes, before continuing, “Susie, have you got a politically correct answer?”

“It’s Torben Betts at his best,” Susie suggests.

“It’s thrilling, it’s got a lot of depth, and it’ll make you laugh,” Katie tells me earnestly.

“Yep, it’ll make you laugh and cry!” Susie agrees.

Sounds like we’ll be getting our money’s worth then. What has the reception been like so far, I wonder?

“Well, the best thing I can say about our audiences so far is that nobody’s fallen asleep during the show yet!” Susie tells me.

“And I don't think that anybody has guessed what’s going to happen at the play’s conclusion yet. So that’s another win,” adding, “Also, the play is for 14+, so it’s great for teenagers too. My oldest granddaughter was 15 when she came to see it, and she absolutely loved trying to work it out.”

“ I feel like a lot of people who are in this industry would like to escape, and that's why we do what we do ”

Katie McGlynn

“Yeah, it goes like a bullet train, our show – it’s kind of fast and furious, so it’s great to debrief with your friends afterwards, and figure the whole thing out.” Jason tells me. “People have a lot of fun with it.”

Something we do know about the production, based on the reviews, is that it has a very impressive, realistic set designed by Colin Falconer.

Across multiple floors, the set is made to look like Jonny’s sprawling house: super-swish and atmospheric, with stylish lighting allowing for dark, shadowy corners. How has this unique design influenced the play?

“Well, Colin’s set, which has two staircases, allows us to have four or five different spaces to work with within the play,” Susie explains. “And sometimes there are characters in every single one. Someone will be on a phone call, someone will be in a bedroom, someone else in an office and someone else on the sofa. It’s really impressive.”

“I don’t think any of us were quite prepared for how wonderful the set is,” Max chips in.

Who’s who?

Now, this is certainly a cast of familiar faces, but, as they reassure me, many of these characters are unlike any we’ve seen this lot take on before.

“I'm very much well known for my voice,” Katie explains, “So I’m doing an Essex accent in the play. I do think audience members will be quite surprised once they've seen it, compared to my other roles. That’s why I love it, because I like challenging myself.”

Also hoping to surprise audiences is Max, who, despite clearly having a brilliant natural sense of humour (I can confirm), has never done a comedy before. As someone who’s best known for his quite serious role as Ben Mitchell in ‘Easties’, is change something he actively strives for in his acting career? “Always!” he tells me definitely. “It’s a constant choice [to play different roles]. I don't like repeating myself. I find the

escape of a brand-new character quite addictive, so I like change, and I do strive for it. It can be quite easy to get type-cast when you’ve done a soap for a long time, so I count my bloody blessings that I’ve been able to break out of that mould.”

Speaking of mould-breaking, I’m pretty sure Jason’s character Jonny, a Robbie-Williams-loving gangster with a violent past, would be a departure from the norm for most actors. What’s it like to play such an unabashedly nutty character, I wonder?

“Well, it’s just a joy,” Jason enthuses. “He’s endlessly entertaining. And bonkers, like you say. What’s also been rather nice is that I’ve found more nuances to Jonny as the tour has gone on. But all of our parts are brilliant – we just bounce off each other on the stage.”

The Bonnie to Jonny’s Clyde is of course the glamorous girlfriend, Lisa, who is described as having many layers. Is this something that Katie, who plays her, can relate to?

“Oh yeah, massively. I have a lot of empathy for Lisa. She’s always dreamed of escaping, of becoming an actress. And I feel like a lot of people who are in this industry would like to escape, and that's why we do what we do. I can very much relate to that.”

Another actor drawing on their personal experiences for their performance is Susie, whose character Shirley, Jonny’s mum, may or may not have dementia. She can’t quite remember.

“I’m at the age where I’ve known and loved people who have ended up with Alzheimer's and dementia,” Susie explains. “And it can be extremely funny. It’s also handy because if I’m confused with what’s going on as Susie, it doesn’t really matter, because Shirley is pretty much always confused too!”

“Double confusion!” Jason interjects with a smile.

Perhaps this is also handy if Susie/Shirley ever forgets a line?

“Oh, absolutely – I’ve been helped out by every member of the cast when I’ve forgotten a line,” Susie shares graciously. “We’re very in tune now,” she continues, “We all know what needs to happen and the information that's important. So, if I trip up over a bit of plot, there's always someone ready to jump in.”

A family affair

Indeed, it’s clear within minutes of chatting to this all-star crew that they

really have gelled. What’s it been like being together all the time?

“We all hate each other! We can’t wait for it to be over!” Max laughs. “No, I’m joking. It’s been great. Are you gonna print that?”

Erm, apologies Max. Context is a wonderful thing.

“We’re like a little family, ‘cause we’ve known each other a while now,” Katie shares. “Obviously Susie and I were both on Coronation Street, so we’ve been able to chat about that. We’ve both said we wish we could have been on the Street together.”

“But she wouldn't have spoken to me, I’m an old bird!” Susie Blake chimes in, giggling. “But yeah, the ‘Corrie’ lot are very, very talented. I was always amazed by the talent in that crew. So it’s lovely to be working with Katie on this project now.”

“Should we leave you two to it?” Max offers, smiling. Clearly the cast’s new-found family status extends to their banter.

Next stop: Theatre Royal

Now, the all-important question: what are the cast looking forward to getting up to in Bath?

“Bath is one of my favourite cities, so I’m really looking forward to being back,” Max tells me, earning immediate brownie points.

“I was there last year,” he continues, “and there’s a place called Chai Walla on Monmouth Street which does the best falafel wrap, like, in the world. And they are the loveliest, the guys who run it. So I’ll be heading there!”

Susie is taking a more artistic approach.

“Peter Moreton [who plays Trainwreck, Jonny’s sidekick] and I love going somewhere to sketch. We’re looking forward to visiting Bath because we won’t have to go very far to find something to recreate in our sketchbooks, what with all the amazing little corners and the Georgian fronts and the bow fronts and goodness knows what else. It’s a beautiful city, isn’t it?”

Yep, that it is. Bath: home of falafel wraps, Georgian architecture, and now, a healthy dose of midnight mischief... n

Catch Murder at Midnight at Theatre Royal Bath from 16 – 21 March. Tickets are available to book via theatreroyal.org.uk

Arts & exhibitions

Recent Acquisitions Exhibition, until 26 April

Last year marked the 125th anniversary of the Victoria Art Gallery, a milestone that reflects the Gallery’s long-standing role as a place where art is collected, cared for and shared with the public. This display celebrates the most recent additions to the collection, all of them generously donated. These new donations are a reminder that the Gallery’s greatest strength lies in its supporters.

Poster Power!, until 10 May

This colourful exhibition showcases an exceptional range of beautiful British posters from the 19th and 20th centuries, drawn from the collections of the Victoria Art Gallery and Bath Record Office.

Thea Dupays: A Life of Painting, until 29 March

Thea mostly works in oils, in a strong, distinct figurative style. Her paintings feature warm, rich, colours in simple, bold compositions. Her home environment, the gardens her husband lovingly created, and the Somerset landscape are all documented through the changing seasons. This is a selling exhibition. It is free to attend. victoriagal.org.uk

By Imagination

We Live, throughout March, Beaux Arts, 12-13 York Street, Bath

In their exhibition By Imagination We Live Beaux Arts feature artists whose principal source is their own imagination, rather than observation or photography as source material. There is something particularly notable about artists who are, in the main, ‘making it all up’. The show features work by painter Graham Dean (who as a filmmaker made the original video for Peter Gabriel’s Solsbury Hill), the surrealist painter Helen Flockhart, as well as Andrew Crocker, Bobbie Russon, Beth Carter, Patrick Haines among others. beauxartsbath.co.uk

Above: Andrew Crocker, Betwixt, Oil on Panel, 76 x 61 cm.

Peter Malone Exhibition, until 14 March Gallery Nine, 9B Margarets Buildings, Bath

Featured Artist Peter Malone will for the first time be having a solo show at Gallery Nine. Peter Malone has worked for Howard Hodgkin for the last thirty years: framing Indian paintings, mounting Islamic tiles and preparing the supports on which to paint. Peter has illustrated a number of books for children and adults as well designing stamps for Royal Mail. More recently he has been commissioned to paint aerial view images of houses and gardens for clients such as The American Museum and Alan Titchmarsh. He has had articles on 19th century plaster-cast figure-makers published in both learned and not so learned publications and is the world authority on the plaster death masks of John Keats. He also has a great love of Islamic ceramics, the classical world and architecture. galleryninebath.com

Reimagnings, until 19 September, Museum of East Asian Art (MEAA), 12 Bennett Street Bath

MEAA presents Reimaginings, a new exhibition by sculptural artist Hannah Lim. Developed in collaboration with MEAA, Reimaginings marks Lim’s first solo museum show. In 2025, artist Hannah Lim was invited to visit the MEAA to create work in direct response to its collection. The resulting exhibition features a mix of new and existing artwork displayed alongside objects from the Museum’s collection, co-curated and reimagined by Lim. The exhibition also presents a selection of Lim’s snuff bottles, a recurring form in her practice. Larger than their eighteenth century counterparts, her ‘bottles’ are inspired by folklore and mythology and oen take on anthropomorphic forms, with animallike limbs. meaa.org.uk

The Same Sky, 4 – 28 March, Sandra Higgins

41

The Wilderness Art Collective and Sandra Higgins Art presents Under the Same Sky, the first of three exhibitions taking place across 2026 under a shared and expansive theme. Opening on Wednesday 4 March 2026 at Sandra Higgins Art in the heart of Bath, this new exhibition reflects on the idea that all life exists beneath the same sky, a unifying presence that connects us across place, culture and experience. Artists have responded freely to the title, resulting in a rich and varied exhibition rooted in the natural world. Through painting, drawing and mixed media, the works on display explore changing horizons, fleeting light, environmental awareness, and the quiet continuity that binds all living things. sandrahiggins.art

Images: Clockwise from top left, Eva Ullrich, Golden Hour; Anthony Garratt, Wolf Moon; Yeside Linney, There’s Always Time

Exhibiting at The Holburne, Great Pulteney Street, Bath

Zandra Rhodes: A Life in Print, until 10 May

This dazzling exhibition brings together a spectacular selection of Dame Zandra Rhodes’ screen-printed garments from the 1960s, 70s and 80s, shown as complete ensembles on vintage Adel Rootstein mannequins.

Don McCullin: Broken Beauty, until 3 May

As legendary photographer Sir Don McCullin turns 90, the Holburne is proud to present the first UK exhibition of his most recent body of work: striking, intimate studies of Roman sculpture captured in museums across the world.

The Shape of Care: Making Care Visible, until 4 May

The Shape of Care presents a remarkable body of work created through Pathways to Wellbeing, our community engagement programme that places art and creativity at its core. holburne.org

IInterior Trends 2026

BY CYNTHIA WIHARDJA, Beau Nash Antiques

nterior trends in 2026 are moving away from perfectly matched, minimalist rooms and towards homes that feel more personal, layered, and built to last. Many homeowners want interiors that reflect both their values and their individuality, and antique furniture fits naturally into this shift. Choosing antiques is a sustainable option — giving beautifully made pieces a second life — while also bringing character and authenticity that newer furniture often lacks.

One of the clearest changes is the move toward relaxed, curated interiors. Rather than buying full matching suites, people are choosing one or two distinctive antique pieces to anchor a space. A characterful cabinet, sculptural chair, or decorative mirror can become a focal point, helping a room feel thoughtfully gathered over time while still working comfortably for modern living.

Scale is changing too. Instead of large, heavy furniture sets, many buyers are favouring smaller, compact antiques that add personality without overwhelming the room. Compact accent seating such as slipper chairs is returning to favour, alongside practical storage cabinets that are valued for both usefulness and investment potential. Smaller decorative pieces — from footstools to quirky lamps — are also popular for introducing texture, charm, and a sense of discovery.

Materials play an important role as well. Richly grained woods, expressive timbers, and surfaces with gentle, natural patina are especially sought after for the warmth and depth they bring to interiors.

Alongside this, there is a noticeable move toward layered styling and a softer form of maximalism. Homes are becoming more expressive, mixing periods, finishes, and decorative accents to create spaces that feel lived-in rather than staged. Architectural antiques such as overmantel mirrors, along with storage pieces and decorative objects, are increasingly used to add structure, personality, and heritage detail to contemporary rooms.

For those inspired by these evolving trends, we’re always happy to offer personalised guidance, arrange global delivery, guarantee satisfaction, and help you source particular items. Visit our shop online or on Brock Street and let’s find the piece that feels right for your home.

www.beaunashbath.com; info@beaunashbath.com; 07535137808 @beaunashbath

Tourbillon Triumph at Lawrences’ Winter Fine Art Sale

An exceptional gentleman’s 18ct gold automatic tourbillon wristwatch by Audermars Piguet proved a highlight of the recent Winter Fine Art Sale at Lawrences in Crewkerne, achieving a hammer price of £24,000 against a pre-sale estimate of £10,000-£15,000.

Elegantly housed in a signed gold oval case with a starburst dial, the watch offers glimpses of both the tourbillon and winding weight. Subtle reminders of the intricate craft within. The tourbillon, one of watchmaking's most celebrated complications, was historically designed to improve accuracy by counteracting gravity, but today it stands as a mark of technical capability. When paired with precious metal construction and limited production, such features create a powerful draw for collectors.

Competitive bidding reflected continued strength in the market for rare, complicated timepieces. Results such as this demonstrate that buyers remain keenly focused on quality, rarity and craft.

Do you have a watch or work of art you'd like to consign to Lawrences Auctioneers? Contact one of the specialists for a complimentary valuation ahead of our forthcoming sales

Lawrences are welcoming consignments for their forthcoming Fine Art sales to include:

Silver | Vertu | Pictures | 19th/20th Century Design | Ceramics

Oriental Works of Art | Jewellery | Watches | Furniture | Clocks

Rugs | Militaria | Coins | Medals | Collectors | Sporting | Textiles

Wine | Spirits | Books | Maps | Manuscripts | Photography

Free valuations are available online at lawrences.co.uk

Home visits also available throughout Bath and the West Country without charge or obligation.

Lawrences AUCTIONEERS

South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8AB.

T: 01460 73041 E: enquiries@lawrences.co.uk

1A Woodlands Estate, Westbury, BA13 3QS

T: 01373 822337 E: wessex@lawrences.co.uk

A small yard with a big ambition

As jump racing reaches its high point this month with the four-day Cheltenham Festival, Simon Horsford talks to Harriet Dickin, a young, local trainer with racing in her blood

The romance, heartbreak and unpredictable thrill of jump racing.” That quote, from a book by the esteemed former jockey and broadcaster Lord Oaksey, came back to me on a cold but blissfully rain-free January morning, as I watch a string of horses trained by Harriet Dickin on the all-weather gallops just above Midford Valley. It’s a vision of beauty and muscular power as seven horses are put through their paces. Dickin, 30, has been based at Upper Twinhoe Stables for the past couple of years, and I’m watching the session with her dad, Robin, a former successful jockey and trainer himself, who has deftly driven me up to our vantage point, overlooking a picturesque lake, in his trusty Gator, a well-used, all-terrain utility vehicle.

Back in the warmth of the stables as the work-riders tuck into tea and crumpets next door, I wonder what advice Dickin had been given before she took over the training license from her father in 2022? “Jonjo O’Neill [the Grand National-winning trainer and former champion jockey], said ‘pick something else’, laughs Dickin. “It’s a difficult question, but the

biggest thing from me is to learn when you get it wrong. If you run a horse on a certain ground or track and it doesn’t work, like, remember that. Don’t run until it has got its ground and don’t be rushed into running if the owner says, ‘I’ve owned this four months, why hasn’t it run?’, say because it hasn’t had the right ground. So many things can go wrong and are out of our control. You have to have everything you can control – they are animals after all – perfect. So you’ve got to tick every box you can and then you are in the hands of the gods.” Earlier when I’d asked Robin what advice he’d given his daughter, he’d joked, “With Harriet, it pays for her to ask for advice, not to be given it because she’s probably not going to take it. Even at school, she once said to one of the teachers, ‘I want to see you in your office after this lesson.’’ He then adds, “patience with the horses and don’t make any enemies.”

Horse racing is a sport of occasionally unique highs and lows, does that make it harder for a young trainer? “It can be disheartening, you can have winners but also lose a horse [if it dies, or sustains a career-ending injury]. But you just have to carry on, there’s no other way. If you can’t

get on with it, you can’t train racehorses,” says Harriet. That resilience seems to be standing her in good stead and is part of her upbringing, “When we were growing up, if you hurt yourself someone would say ‘just get on with it’. Nowadays people are easily offended, or find something difficult, they stop.” The real thrill for Harriet, though, is winning, “100 per cent, that’s why you get up in the morning.”

And Robin, who will be 73 next month, adds, “The highs are so high, it makes up for the 80 per cent disappointment. Those highs are winning and the thrill of breeding a horse and having them right from scratch.” It’s a point he made earlier to me as we watched a couple of broodmares in a field having their breakfast feed. “It’s a very special thing [breeding from a mare], seeing them foal, [the foal] then grows, goes into training and hopefully wins races. It’s something money can’t buy and whilst there are horses that make millions, for many it’s not about the money, it’s about a member of your family becoming a really good athlete.”

“Everyone wants to have runners and winners at Cheltenham, but the horses that can run there are one in a 100. It’s tough.”

Harriet Dickin

Harriet who “could ride before I could walk” was obviously steeped in a racing as a child but initially had no designs on being a trainer. She rode in a race over hurdles aged 16 (coming third) at Exeter but then took up eventing, a sport in which she met her eventual husband Dominic Ruane, now part of the team at Upper Twinhoe (comprising four full-time and three part-time stable staff). When the family, which also includes mum Claire, who runs the racing stables office and finances and liaises with owners, moved from Robin’s training base at Alne Park in Alcester, Warwicks, it was then that Harriet decided to take up the reins as Robin had decided to stop training.

That in itself was hardly surprising as the Shropshire-born Robin rode the first of 115 winners aged 16 back in 1969 and after giving up riding in 1986 following a skull fracture sustained in a fall at Towcester, he began training. He went on to saddle more than 500 jump (mainly) and flat winners. Highlights included riding a winner at Cheltenham and six winners at Aintree when the fences were far more formidable than they are now as Robin recalls, “They were extremely fierce. Going to the start of the Topham [Chase], which is one-and-a-half times round the Grand National fences, I asked David Sunderland [the late, former Irish jockey] for any tips for me and he said ‘Ah Jaysus, it’s the same as riding over hurdles, the only difference is on take-off, let go of the reins, grab the back of the saddle and shut your eyes.” As for training, he adds his best moments were saddling 11 winners at Cheltenham.

Initially, the family moved to a stables at Bourton-on-the-Water but that didn’t work out so when the opportunity to rent Upper Twinhoe came about they grabbed at the chance. “Fate brought us here,” says Robin, who remains involved at Upper Twinhoe, “we’re loving Somerset and Bath”, while Harriet enthuses about the facilities at the dual-purpose yard, which includes 43 ‘state-of-the-art’ stables, two all-weather gallops, an arena and two horse-walkers all set in 30 acres. “The gallops and facilities are brilliant,” says Harriet. She explains “you want a stiff test up the hill on the gallops, so you’re doing enough with the horses but not

too much. [Here] you’ve got just the right gradient and then a flat bit at the top so you can get a bit of speed into them. Also the air flow in the barns [it was originally a dairy farm] is clean so the horses are always healthy [thanks to] the way barns are designed and its high up location.”

Harriet’s first winner was Ballinslea Bridge at Market Rasen on December 1, 2022. Last year there were 12 winners “and 52 per cent of our runners won prize money”, she adds; so far this season [as of mid February] she’s had three winners.“Anybody that can break 10 per cent or above [winners in a season] that’s good.” But this is not a level playing field and is one dominated by the “supermarket” trainers, as Robin calls them, (ie the likes of Irish duo Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, who have 200-plus horses each under their wing). He puts his own career and that of his daughter and many other of the smaller trainers in the “village shop” category – proud that in his day he was in the “top 10 of village shop” trainers, but reiterating how hard it is to compete against the “big boys” – harder than it was in his day.

“Everyone wants to have runners and winners at Cheltenham,” continues Harriet, “but the horses that can run there are one in a 100. It’s tough. If you can make a living out of it [racing] and be making money then you’re doing pretty well. It’s difficult to do even for the bigger trainers. In the short-term you have to pick realistic targets.” And she adds: I’d love to have horse with JP [McManus, one of the biggest and most successful owners in racing] – that’s on the bucket list.”

The “monopoly” of the big yards is “ridiculous”, says Harriet, ➲

suggesting that trainers should be limited to the number of horses they can run a big handicap race rather than be allowed to have several runners. This, in turn, she argues, might lead to the talent being spread more fairly. “There are so many trainers, myself included, that are perfectly capable but they don’t have the ammunition because owners are putting their half a million pound horses into those big stables.”

As in other sports, there are those who want a quick return on their investment – keeping a horse in training is expensive, costing from around £20,000 a year – but for many owners, says, Harriet, it’s a case of “if they can see their horse two [fences] out and shout ‘go on’ and its competitive, that’s 95 per cent of it. If they put money back in the pot even better.” It’s about “having a horse to shout for,” adds Robin.

Another pressing concern, one shared by many in racing, is the feeling that the industry as a whole is under-appreciated by the government, “they don’t want the countryside,” says Robin dismissively. Farmers might agree. Considering that the racing industry as a whole is worth £4.1 billion to the economy and directly and indirectly involves 85,000 jobs that appears as a misstep. Both feel the mooted trail-hunt ban by the current government would also be hugely damaging for racing as it would curb the point-to-points that feed jump racing. “It would be the end of point-to-pointing,” says Harriet.

On a more positive note, Harriet says of her current string, “we’ve got a lot of really nice young horses. Lord of All Saints is probably the best horse, potentially.

“Daring to Dream, I like her a lot. She’s complicated and she’s buzzy but starting to do things the right way and getting better. Pipas Lescribaa is another to look out for. She’ll go chasing next season. Not a world-beater, but she’ll win plenty of races and be a good, fun competitive horse.”

Harriet says 60 per cent of her owners are part of syndicates and 40 per cent individuals; to further push the family connection Robin’s son Chris owns one of the stable’s horses, Kingoftheswingerz with a small syndicate. Impressively, all 43 boxes at the yard are filled with 32 of the horses in training and 11 resting or in pre-training.

As she saddles up to take out another lot, Harriet says she prefers to do the training from the back of a horse “as [here] there’s no way you can see the whole gallop so you have to be with them. Between me a Dom, we probably sit on all of them once a month. I look at how they are travelling, if the jockey is having to ask them to go on, or if they are keen and how quickly they have got to the top of the gallop. You know when they are ready [to race].” Is there a secret to knowing when a horse is right? “You just have a feeling. It’s really something you can’t teach.” Then again Harriet is drawing on her experience of having ridden work for 20-odd years, plus there’s her dad’s near 60 years in the business. And they certainly do travel in search of the right race, “I’ll send horses anywhere – Kelso [in Scotland], Ireland or France. I’d love to have a runner in the American Grand National [run at Far Hills, New Jersey].”

During my visit, Harriet and Robin both joke separately about not having proper jobs, but this really is a “way of life”, as Robin puts it, and the knowledge, care and attention to detail that Harriet shows for the “delicate machines” in her charge is evident in all aspects of the yard. Jump racing is a hugely demanding sport, one that requires time, energy, patience and no little stoicism, but for Harriet, like Robin, the allure appears to be irresistible. n

harrietdickinracing.co.uk

The Shining Stars of Chile

Words

by Tom Bleathman from The Great Wine Co.

Last month, my colleague, The Great Wine Co.’s Fine Wine Manager Tom King, travelled to London to host a special dinner at Mareida, the city’s only Chilean restaurant. He presented wines from two standout producers, Viña Leyda and Viña San Pedro, offering guests a rare opportunity to taste Chile’s extraordinary diversity. If you missed the evening, fear not: throughout March, The Great Wine Co. is offering up to 25% off all South American wines, making this the perfect moment to explore these bottles for yourself. | greatwine.co.uk

Viña Leyda, founded in 1998, pioneered Chile’s cool climate coastal style. Its vineyards sit just 14km from the Pacific Ocean, where the cooling Humboldt Current protects acidity, slows ripening and gives the wines their trademark brightness and precision. By contrast, San Pedro, established in 1865, is rooted in the warmer Curicó Valley at the foothills of the Andes. The estate is celebrated for its bold Bordeaux varieties, refined under winemaker Gabriel Mustakis, recently named Latin America’s Winemaker of the Year 2025 by Master of Wine Alistair Cooper. Here are the three bestselling wines of the night, along with our Fine Wine Manager’s tasting notes...

Leyda Neblina Vineyard Riesling 2022

A Riesling with striking elegance, echoing top examples from Alsace. Aromas of mandarin, lime zest and beeswax lead to a fresh, brisk palate with mouth-filling texture. The long, bittersweet finish is layered with pink grapefruit.

Leyda Lot 5 Chardonnay 2023

From Leyda’s best Pacific facing sites, this Chardonnay avoids malolactic fermentation to preserve its taut, Chablis like acidity. Creamy oatmeal notes from oak ageing add depth. Already delicious, with excellent ageing potential. Awarded 95 points and a Gold Medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025.

San Pedro Sideral 2023

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Carmenere and Cabernet Franc, Sideral is named after the Latin word for ‘constellation’. This has a fresh and inviting nose of blackberry, blackcurrant and rhubarb. Rich yet soft on the palate, with velvety tannins and vibrant fruit. Perfectly balanced and effortlessly enjoyable.

Recipe: SEVILLE ORANGE & RICHARD BERTINET GIN MARMALADE

MOVE OVER PADDINGTON, THIS VIBRANT MARMALADE FROM T HE BERTINET KITCHEN TEAM HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS…

The Bertinet Kitchen’s (headed by renowned South West based baker Richard Bertinet) wonderful Head of Kitchen Jen has generously shared something truly special: her Grandma Muriel’s cherished Seville Marmalade recipes.

Ingredients (makes approx 10 jars)

750g Seville oranges

1 lemon, juiced

1.75 litres water

1.4kg preserving sugar

20cl Richard Bertinet Gin

Method

1. Remove any stalk ends from the oranges, scrub and dry them thoroughly. Using a potato peeler or sharp, knife, peel off the rind in thin downward strips, being careful to leave all the white pith behind. Chop the thin peel into strips and place into a bowl and cover with Richard Bertinet Gin. Set them aside for a few hours or preferably overnight.

2. Cut the oranges in half and squeeze out all the juice, saving the pips. Chop the pith roughly and tie it in a large piece of muslin, together with the orange pips.

4. Strain the orange juice into the pan and add the strained lemon juice, muslin bag and the water. Strain the peel from the gin, reserving the gin for later, add the peel to the preserving pan. Bring the fruit mixture to the boil over a medium/low heat and simmer, until the contents of the pan have reduced by about half.

6. Remove the muslin bag, and add the sugar, stirring continuously until it has dissolved.

7. Turn up the heat and boil the marmalade rapidly until setting point is reached, after 15-20 minutes. Skim the marmalade at once, add in the gin, then leave to cool and settle for about 30 minutes before spooning into sterilised jars.

If you give this recipe a go, don’t forget to tag The Bertinet Kitchen on Instagram @thebertinetkitchen or visit website for more inspiration: thebertinetkitchen.com

Bath Restaurant Week returns

Bath Restaurant Week is back for its second year, serving up a full week of flavour from 17–24 March. This diners’ delight celebrates the city’s vibrant food scene with exclusive menus, drinks, cocktails and a selection of deals at top venues across town

It’s time once again to celebrate the many places across Bath that source, prepare and serve food and drink to suit every taste, while creating the perfect opportunity for intimate tête-à-têtes, family gathering or group celebration. Bath Restaurant Week returns for its second year from 17–24 March 2026, bringing with it 50 exclusive offers and a vibrant citywide showcase of culinary talent. Diners can expect everything from generous discounts to playful surprises – including the chance to roll the dice for a deal – with all incentives available to download for free from the Bath Restaurant Week website and redeem throughout the week at the participating venues.

Launched last year by Bath Business Improvement District (Bath BID) – the city’s not-for-profit, business-led initiative working to create the environment for businesses in Bath to succeed – Bath Restaurant Week was developed with the support of Alex Peters, Director at Bath Pizza Co and Green Park Brasserie, who helped shape the idea of a Bath-specific restaurant week to champion the city’s hospitality sector.

This year there’s an exciting mix of new arrivals as well as muchloved favourites taking part. New to the event are Emberwood, The Cub and The Welly who join established names such as Clayton’s Kitchen, The Scallop Shell, Corkage, Woods, Solina, The Beckford Bottle Shop, and The Elder, and not forgetting the Bath Pizza Co and the Green Park Brasserie – where it all started – highlighting the depth and diversity of Bath’s food and drink scene.

Among this year’s stand-outs are Emberwood’s Signature Lunch – featuring its eponymous beef tartare with tallow crisps and a glass of Rhône Valley wine for just £25 – diners can enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles with the Taste of Spring menu at The Ivy Bath Brasserie, The Cub are offering £5 pints of any core beer at their taproom, or tuck in to Beer & Charcuterie for £10 at The Welly, and ‘Lunch for Less’ at The Olive Tree, while Solina are chopping 25% off the price of their delicious pasta plates. You don’t need to dine in either, you can find plenty of little treats on offer around the city’s cafés and coffee shops such as half price brownies to takeaway at the Good Day Café.

The Bath Restaurant Week kicks off in style on 16 March with the high-energy spectacle of the Bath Waiters’ Race at the Royal Crescent – watch the city’s waiters serve up fun, and a few spills, as they dash along the Crescent’s cobbles with their fully loaded trays. Competitive with a hint of slapstick.

This year’s event is proudly supported by RWK Goodman, Carlsberg Britvic, Deliveroo, Eat PR, Bath Echo and Zonkey Web Solutions, whose sponsorship helps bring this citywide celebration to life. n

For more information and to explore all the offers and venues visit: bathrestaurantweek.com

BSimply Sydney’s

India Farnham saves you at a seat at Sydney’s, the newest family-run foodie venture from the team behind The Scallop Shell, and is tickled pink by its laidback Mediterranean vibe and effortlessly satisfying eats (and possibly her Elderflower Mojito...)

lossom. Romance. Rosé. Some of my favourite things in life are pink, and I’m delighted to report a new pink thing is joining the line-up: Sydney’s restaurant in central Bath.

Alright, if we’re being technical, Sydney’s is more of a rosy terracotta, but it is very welcoming. Especially so if you find yourself, like I did, trudging along Monmouth Place on a particularly grey and gloomy evening in search of something a to be relished in relaxed, stylish and cheerful-yet-chic surroundings.

You’d be on the right path; Monmouth Place (perched handily on the Bath to Bristol bus route if you’re not driving) is home to both of the Rosser family’s – Bath’s answer to The Roux family – foodie ventures: the acclaimed seafood restaurant The Scallop Shell, often noted for its bathtub (if you know, you know), and, next door, its stylish younger sister, Mediterranean-inspired bar and bistro Sydney’s.

A Sydney’s story

The Rosser family restaurants’ proximity is no coincidence. After years of sending customers next door to The New Inn pub to wait for a table in The Scallop Shell, Garry and Lisa Rosser were delighted to make the former pub their own when its previous owners moved on.

And make their own they did. Named after Lisa’s dad, ‘a big-hearted family man who loved nothing more than bringing people together’, and inspired by a lifelong love of seafood and years of European travel, Sydney’s, which opened in May of 2025, has already received some brilliant reviews.

If you don’t believe me, believe Condé Nast Traveller; Sydney’s features on the publication’s ‘Best restaurants in Bath’ list, published in August of 2025, which praises the restaurant’s daily-changing menu and ‘sunny terrace overlooking Bath’s rooftops’.

The warm up

Now, the sun wasn’t on the menu on the day I visited Sydney’s, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the much-loved rooftop was still in action with a couple of cosy workarounds. Some infrared heaters, the option to grab a blanket, and a gentle 50s playlist meant that this unique space felt warm and buzzy despite the forecast. If that hadn’t had suited me though, Sydney’s

also has two stylish indoor dining areas to choose from, along with a gorgeous, fully-stocked bar gleaming with copper furnishings.

So, it would be rude not to order a cocktail, right? Purely for research purposes, of course. We tried the Elderflower Mojito, clean and cool, and the Winter Spritz, woody and complex. We opted for the ‘sooner the better’ option, but if you’d prefer a drink after your dinner, you can stay in-house; Sydney’s remains open Wednesday through Saturday ‘til 11pm.

The good stuff

To start we tried the Cornish cuttle fish (a thicker, more savoury calamari) which came on a zesty bed of salsa verde and paired with a satisfying potato rosti, and the luxurious roasted aubergine on toast with creamed goats’ cheese and Andalusia olives.

To follow, my dining partner indulged in the velvety Devon crab thermidor, served with a golden parmesan crumb and a squeeze of lemon, while I opted for the tender slow-roasted pork belly, which arrived as a perfect rectangle of succulence alongside some crispy bubble and squeak and topped with a vibrant, Canarian-inspired mojo verde sauce.

To finish, we were charmed by the ruby-streaked cherry fool’s tang, but utterly floored by the classic apple crumble, which we ordered with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and ate in devout, appreciative silence.

Food is served swiftly and simply in generous portions. The menu is fairly priced, uncomplicated and awash with nostalgic seaside favourites, with all the fish and meat being sourced from British boats and farms. The rooftop space works equally well as a relaxed spot to enjoy excellent food and drink with loved ones, or as somewhere you can sip on something sparkling and see where the night takes you. It’s Bath at its best.

If Sydney himself was anything like his namesake restaurant, he must have been a really special man indeed. Here’s to him.

Sydney’s Bar & Kitchen, 23 Monmouth Place, Bath BA1 2AY sydneysbath.co.uk | 01225 260260 | @sydneysbath Winter opening times: Wednesday to Saturday 12pm - 11pm (Kitchen 12pm – 3pm & 5pm - 9.30pm) Sunday 12pm - 6pm (Kitchen until 4pm)

Wish you were here!

It’s time to tick off that travel bucket list with once-in-a-lifetime trips that’ll decode the mystery and majesty of Egyptian Gods, embrace slow river travel in Laos, colour in the vibrant coasts of Latin America and much more – all while getting from A to B in luxurious style with Captain’s Choice

Make 2026 the year you explore new lands, unearth extraordinary experiences and make the impossible possible with tours for travellers who value substance as much as style, and who believe that the journey itself should be as rewarding as the destination.

Imagine taking a rare and remote trip, but never having to carry a map or reach for your wallet. Where every experience is included, like a hot air balloon over Cappadocia or trekking to find gorillas in Rwanda, staying in residences of the highest standard, where all meals and beverages, private transfers throughout, tipping and valet luggage service are looked after for you. When every journey is accompanied by an experienced Tour Manager and a dedicated Tour Doctor, offering both expertise and peace of mind, allowing you to relax fully into the experience, knowing that every detail has been thoughtfully managed.

Well, these dream trips are now a reality thanks to the 2026 Collection from Captain’s Choice, which includes bucket list adventures for all types of travellers.

Ancient sites

History enthusiasts can celebrate the long-anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Beginning in Egypt’s capital city, the journey(†) is guided by leading Egyptologists who bring the ancient world vividly to life. A charter flight from Cairo delivers guests to the awe-inspiring Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, one of the ancient world’s most dramatic monuments. Guests then embark on the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer for a leisurely river cruise north. This elegant vessel provides a refined base from which to explore both celebrated and lesser-visited sites along the Nile.

Stops include Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hathor, Tell el-Amarna, El Minya, Beni Hassan and Sohag, offering a broader, more nuanced view of Egypt’s long and complex history.

Returning to Cairo, guests enjoy privileged access to the Great Pyramids, including hidden areas, gaining access to the rarely seen feet of the Sphinx. Another highlight is an expert-led visit to the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest institution in the world dedicated to a single civilisation, where artefacts are presented in a stateof-the-art setting that reshapes the understanding of ancient Egypt.

River and rail

For those drawn to Southeast Asia, seeking to embrace slow travel to far-flung corners, your journey( ✧ ) begins in Luang Prabang, the UNESCO-listed heart of Laos, where you’ll be immersed in the surrounding gilded temples and colonial architecture, while exploring ancient sites, dining beneath the stars and discovering the subtle, aromatic flavours of Khmer-fusion and Lao cuisine through thoughtfully curated dining experiences.

From here, travellers embark on a private charter of the boutique vessel Heritage Line Anouvong for a cruise along the Upper Mekong River. Gliding through jungle-fringed gorges and past remote riverside villages, this tranquil journey offers a rare window into daily life along one of Asia’s great waterways. Carefully planned shore visits provide insight into local traditions while maintaining a sense of privacy and exclusivity.

Crossing into northern Thailand, the journey continues with a stay at the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, a secluded luxury retreat set amid bamboo forests and rolling hills. Here, guests ➲

meet rescued elephants in a responsible, ethical setting and enjoy the camp’s refined blend of adventure and comfort.

The final chapter begins in Singapore, where guests fly in and settle into the timeless elegance of the historic Raffles Hotel. From here, they embark on the iconic Eastern & Oriental Express, travelling north in vintage glamour toward Kuala Lumpur.

Along the way, travellers enjoy refined, gourmet dining, attentive service and ever-changing views of Malaysia’s tropical landscapes from their air-conditioned cabins. The journey continues with a boat crossing to Penang Island, where time is spent exploring the historic streets of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in culture and colonial heritage. Returning south by rail through the state of Johor, the journey concludes back in Singapore, bringing this remarkable expedition to a fitting and memorable close.

Remote coasts and celebrated cities

Another carefully curated journey begins by venturing west to the Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, islands known for their dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush gardens and rich maritime heritage ( ✵ ).These rarely combined destinations offer a sense of discovery even for seasoned travellers.

From here, the journey continues to Havana, where Cuba’s vibrant culture and colourful architecture are revealed through expertly guided experiences - from learning everything there is to know about cigars, from their origins, production, and exportation to tracing Ernest Hemingway’s steps across the city and beyond.

In South America, guests enjoy extended stays that allow for time to absorb the spirit of each destination. In Chile, nights are spent in the otherworldly Atacama Desert, where vast salt flats and star-filled skies create one of the planet’s most striking natural environments. In Brazil, Salvador’s unique blend of African, Portuguese and Indigenous influences comes alive through its music, cuisine and historic streets.

One of the journey’s most extraordinary elements is a privately chartered Amazon River expedition cruise. Travelling along remote tributaries rarely seen by visitors, guests explore pristine rainforest ecosystems, encounter local communities and experience the scale and biodiversity of the Amazon in comfort and safety. n

† A Journey of the Gods, departs 17 September 2026 and is timed to coincide with the long-anticipated and recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum near the Pyramids of Giza. This 16-day exploration of Egypt combines rich history with exceptional comfort and access rarely available to the public. Throughout the journey,

group numbers are kept small, with a maximum of 55 guests, and accommodation includes some of Egypt’s finest addresses, such as the St Regis Cairo.

✧ The Remote Laos River Cruise, Thailand & Malaysia by Luxury Rail journey offers a richly layered exploration of the region. Departing 26 September 2026 and limited to just 16 guests over 13 days, this intimate expedition blends cultural discovery with elegant transportation and exceptional accommodation.

✵ The 18-day Latin America & Atlantic Islands by Private Jet journey, departs 5 August 2026 with a London return. Travelling aboard a privately chartered Boeing 757-200, a maximum of 50 guests fly in business-class, fully lie-flat seats, enjoying generous space and attentive service throughout.

Captain’s Choice is the established leader in creating unrivalled travel experiences, with more than 30 years’ experience

A privately-owned Australian company and a pioneer of journeys by private jet, it leads the global push to explore new lands, unearth extraordinary experiences, and make the impossible possible. From polar regions to ancient civilisations, remote islands to legendary rail routes, Captain’s Choice exists to open doors to places and moments few travellers ever reach, and to do so with absolute confidence and care. Captain’s Choice explores all corners of the globe in small, like-minded groups of travellers. Journeys span a wide range of styles and interests, including private jet expeditions, luxury rail journeys, small ship cruises, self-drive supercar adventures, walking journeys and in-depth land tours, but all with a shared commitment to access, comfort, authenticity, and a desire to go further than conventional travel allows. What sets Captain’s Choice apart is its unwavering attention to detail and their ability to unlock experiences that feel genuinely special. Each itinerary is shaped by deep local knowledge, long-standing relationships and a commitment to doing things properly. The result is travel that feels personal, enriching and extraordinary.

Learn more about the Captain’s Choice 2026 Collection, including trips not listed here, at captainschoice.co.uk

Due to popular demand we are doubling our Weekend Happy hour / dinner.

Now available every Friday and Saturday 5.15pm to 9.00pm (last food order 8.00pm), serving complimentary hors d’houvre.

Daily specials, pastas, fish, sharing platters and more. Fully licensed!

NEW OPENING TIMES

Monday to Thursday 8.00am - 3.45pm. Friday 8.00am - 3.00pm and 5.15pm - 9.00pm

HAPPY HOUR / DINNER

Saturday 9.00am - 3.45pm and 5.15pm - 9.00pm. Sunday 9am - 3.45pm

5-6 St James’s St, Bath BA1 2TW Tel: 01225 698063

The Watersmeet Hotel in Woolacombe, proudly voted Best Waterside Hotel for the UK & Ireland, enjoys an exceptional position right on the water’s edge. This 4-star coastal hotel offers Luxury Balcony and Terrace Rooms and Suites with private outdoor seating and sun loungers, a 2-AA-Rosette restaurant with dramatic clifftop sea views, and indoor and outdoor pools with spa facilities.

2 Night Celebration Break

• Sea View Room for 2 Nights

• Dinner each Night & Devon Breakfast

• Bottle of champagne on arrival

• Devon Cream Tea for 2 Inclusive from £720

3 Night Mid-Week Break Offer inclusions:

• Sea View Room for 3 Nights

• Dinner each Night & Devon Breakfast Inclusive from £900

Portrait of Bath

Amy Peake, founder of Loving Humanity

“The thought that any girl wouldn’t have the potential to flourish, to me, was just unacceptable.”

Meet the unstoppable Amy Peake, the founder of Bath-based charity Loving Humanity, which provides at-cost sanitary product microfactories to some of the poorest communities in the world.

Loving Humanity’s story begins in 2014, when Amy was working as a personal trainer and Pilates teacher alongside raising her family. While waiting for a doctor’s appointment, Amy was leafing through a magazine. She stumbled across a photograph of 18,000 people queuing for bread in a refugee camp in Damascus. Focusing on a woman in the foreground of the image, it suddenly struck Amy that there must be millions of women and girls in conflict zones and slums without access to sanitary products. How, she wondered, do they cope?

“If we choose to act, we can be the change we wish to see in the world.”

Amy spent the next seven years travelling to refugee camps across the globe, discovering the need for sanitary products in these communities (not only for menstruation, which prevents millions of girls from attending school, but also for the increasing problem of incontinence), and learning about the various methods that could allow these products to be produced easily on location. To carry out this work, Loving Humanity was founded: a charity project which, with the help of a small community of donors, could begin to restore dignity where it had been ripped away.

In 2016, Loving Humanity opened its first sanitary product factory in Zaatari refugee camp, five miles south of the Syrian border. Working alongside UNHCR and the Norwegian Refugee Council, Amy employed thirty of the most vulnerable women in the camp to run the factory. It was the charity’s first success story.

Momentum built for Loving Humanity after its work was covered by the BBC. Following this, Amy can recall receiving hundreds of messages from people all over the globe who wanted the charity’s support.

Today, 27,000 girls a month use Loving Humanity’s pad kits, and there are 78 women across the world in Sierra Leone, Jordan, Burundi and Nairobi who are empowered through working and training at their local sanitary product micro-factory.

At home in Bath, Amy juggles her Loving Humanity work with being the mother of three daughters and studying mediation and conflict resolution. Central to her drive to improve the world is her belief that all people are powerful, and that “if we choose to act, we can be the change we wish to see in the world.”

Amy is now looking to scale up the charity’s work to help other local organisations establish micro-factories of their own and enable thousands more girls to remain in education for as long as possible.

To support Amy’s work, join ‘The Heart’ of Loving Humanity as a monthly donor. Visit lovinghumanity.org.uk

Main photograph by Joe Short, an award-winning photographer based in Bath. joeshort.com

Bath business

CITY BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES

Wealthtime announces new club partnership with Bath Rugby

Bath-based investment platform

Wealthtime has announced a new partnership with Bath Rugby, uniting two local organisations committed to supporting the city, its community, and its future. As an official Club Partner, Wealthtime brings its focus on performance, growth, and strategic thinking to one of the UK’s top rugby clubs, reflecting a shared dedication to excellence both on and off the field.

Sophie Hall, Wealthtime’s Commercial Director, highlighted the partnership as an opportunity to support a club and community aligned with their mission of helping advisers build stronger businesses and deliver results for investors. Bath Rugby’s Head of Business Development, Tom Adams, expressed excitement about collaborating with a fellow Bath-based organisation, noting the alignment of shared values and ambition. Together, Wealthtime and Bath Rugby aim to deliver meaningful benefits for fans, local businesses, and the wider community throughout the 2025–27 seasons, celebrating Bath as a hub of sporting achievement and commercial innovation. wealthtime.com

An Update on Cleveland Pools

Trustees behind Cleveland Pools have confirmed the full extent of flood damage that has kept the historic Bath lido closed since January 2024.

The Cleveland Pools Trust said a series of detailed technical and engineering investigations – including complex surveys of the plant room and the structure beneath the main pool – have now established the scale of the remedial work required.

As well as previously reported flooding to mechanical equipment, engineers identified damage to pipework beneath the main pool that will need repair. The Trust is now finalising cost estimates, with trustees warning that reopening the site will present a “significant funding challenge”.

Peter Askew, Chair of the Cleveland Pools Trust said: “The investigations have confirmed the full extent of the damage and what is required to restore the Pools. While the scale of the work presents a considerable funding challenge, we remain determined to see swimmers return and to secure a sustainable future for this unique site.”

University of Bath joins world-leading CERN particle physics collaboration

The University of Bath has been welcomed as a full member of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at CERN, becoming an official partner in one of the world’s largest and most significant scientific collaborations. The move reflects Bath’s long-term contribution to CMS through innovation-led engineering, including advanced cooling technologies and precision mechanical systems designed to enhance detector performance. Full membership gives Bath researchers access to CMS data, next-generation facilities and advanced computing infrastructure, strengthening the University’s global research impact. Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, said: “Contributing our engineering strengths to one of the largest international scientific collaborations in history is a truly exciting opportunity for our research staff and students. This partnership opens the door to deepening our international research collaborations across the global CMS network.” The CMS experiment, operational since 2008, is expected to run into the 2040s, marking a multi-decade commitment by the University. bath.ac.uk

They said the long-term goal remains to return Britain’s oldest public open-air swimming pool to year-round community use.

Cleveland Pools is owned by Bath & North East Somerset Council and is held on a long-term lease by the Cleveland Pools Trust, a small, local heritage charity established to bring the Pools back into community use.

Widely celebrated and attracting national recognition and multiple awards for community engagement,The Grade II* listed Pools in Bath reopened in 2023 following a £9.5 million restoration, but closed just months later after flooding. Trustees are also reviewing whether further design changes could improve resilience to future climate change and extreme weather.

The Trust remains hugely grateful to its volunteers and supporters who continue to care for the site and stand behind the future of Cleveland Pools – for more details and updates on the work or to get involved, visit: clevelandpools.org.uk

To B Corp or not to B Corp?

Dara

Foley speaks to companies with the accrediation and discovers why more Bath businesses are asking the big question

Agrowing number of businesses in Bath including many Bath Unlimited members and partners – are weighing up whether to pursue B Corp certification. For many, the answer is an enthusiastic ‘yes’ - for others, hesitation remains. But what exactly is a B Corp, and what difference does certification make?”

A B Corp is a company that meets independently verified, high standards of social and environmental performance, governance, transparency, and accountability. Certification assesses how well a business balances profit with its responsibility to workers, customers, communities, and the environment.

While the movement has been around for over a decade, it wasn’t until the pandemic that B Corps entered mainstream business consciousness. As consumer behaviour increasingly favoured ethically minded brands, what some assumed to be a passing trend instead became a sustained movement that shows no sign of slowing down

When Clearly PR became certified in 2021 - only the second Bath business to do so - there were fewer than 450 B Corps in the UK. Today, that figure has surged to over 3,000 (and 10,000 globally). The South West now boasts one of the highest concentrations of B Corp businesses in the country, second only to London.

For Clearly PR’s managing director, Paul MacKenzie-Cummins, choosing to certify wasn’t about expecting dramatic financial gain. Instead, he believes not being certified would have placed the business at a competitive disadvantage.

Five years on, Clearly PR has experienced consistent growth in its average client spend, with numerous instances where B Corp status gave

the agency a clear edge in competitive tenders. Certification has also transformed recruitment. The agency rarely relies on external recruiters anymore, as candidates increasingly seek out responsible businesses that align with their values and that has seen the business significantly reduce their hiring costs.

A similar story is unfolding at one of Bath’s most exciting brands, Canned Wine, part of Bath Unlimited. Founded in 2019, the company became a B Corp 12 months ago and its mission is to “elevate meaningful connections between people, planet, and place through the appreciation of wine.” They work with wineries committed to biodiversity and responsible land management, while innovating in packaging and design.

Co-founder Ben Franks believes the company is proof that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand. In 2025, Canned Wine sold over one million cans of premium wine and aims to almost double revenues to £3 million this year. Their success isn’t attributed solely to B Corp status, but certification reflects and reinforces their commitment to people and planet. It also aligns with growing customer expectations that brands demonstrate clear social and environmental values.

Bath Unlimited’s strapline - “A World Heritage Site with World Class Business” - has never felt more fitting. Other Bath Unlimited companies include L&C mortgages, Rocketmakers, Shakeup cosmetics, Storm and The Good Economy. Underpinning this success is a clear appetite for responsible, purpose driven business practice. As Clearly PR and Canned Wine demonstrate, Bath is home to a new wave of companies leading the charge for positive change - and there appears to be no shortage of others eager to follow. n

Have you missed the 31 January filing deadline?

According to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), an estimated one million taxpayers missed the 31 January deadline for filing their 2024/25 Tax Returns. If you are one of them then the key message is to act as quickly as you can and submit your Tax Return without any further delay.

Will I be automatically fined for not submitting my Return by 31 January?

The answer to this is generally yes since if HMRC sent you a notice to complete a Tax Return shortly after 5 April 2025, but you have not yet filed this, then there will be an automatic £100 penalty, even if there is no tax payable or if you have already paid all of the tax that you think you might owe.

In some circumstances you may have slightly longer to file your Tax Return. This may apply, for example, if HMRC have only recently issued you with a notice to complete a 2024/25 Tax Return. If that is the case then you usually have three months after the date of such notice to file your Return.

What about additional penalties and interest?

In addition to the flat rate penalty of £100, there will be interest charged (at a current rate of 7.75% per annum) on any tax which has not been paid by 31 January 2026. Furthermore, any tax which remains unpaid at 2 March 2026 will incur a further 5% surcharge.

The penalties get much worse if the delay continues. If your Tax Return was due to be submitted by 31 January 2026 and is still not submitted by 30 April 2026 then daily penalties are levied at the rate of £10 per day (up to a maximum of £900).

There are even more penalties levied if the Return is more than 6 months late or more than 12 months late. Similar additional surcharges of 5% are also applied to late payment of tax if the tax remains unpaid after 6 months and 12 months.

Do HMRC have any flexibility with reducing or cancelling penalties if I am still struggling to file my Return?

Because of the potentially significant penalties referred to above, it is much better to try to bring matters up to date as soon as possible, even if you have missed the 31 January 2026 filing deadline.

HMRC do have the ability to cancel late-filing penalties if you can demonstrate that you had a ‘reasonable excuse’ for not filing your Tax Return on time. There is no definition of ‘reasonable excuse’ for these purposes but if you feel you have genuine grounds for failing to meet the deadline, it may be worth writing to HMRC and attempting to appeal

against the fine. However, you should be aware that generally HMRC will require your Tax Return to be submitted before they will consider any appeal against late filing penalties.

Please contact us if you would like any assistance with bringing your tax affairs up to date or if there is anything else you would like to discuss.

The above is for general guidance only and no action should be taken without obtaining specific advice.

MISS OUT

Education matters

NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS AND LEADERS

Rugby legend Jonny Wilkinson delivers a masterclass at King Edward’s School, Bath in partnership with the Global Rugby Players Foundation

Sixteen Year 8 pupils and 14 senior kickers were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime coaching session, which focused on passing accuracy under pressure before a specialist place-kicking clinic.

Wilkinson – who famously helped England to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003 with his last minute drop goal – shared the technical precision and mental discipline that underpinned his distinguished career, challenging pupils to raise their standards in training habits, decision-making and match execution.

His hands-on coaching and individual feedback left a lasting impression. Head of Rugby at KES, Sean Lilley described the morning as “an incredible experience”, adding that hearing how Wilkinson mentally prepares before taking a kick – the process he follows and the focus required – was truly inspiring. He praised the hands-on nature of the session, noting that Wilkinson’s attention to detail and tailored individual feedback would make the masterclass

a lasting highlight of the pupils’ sporting journeys.

Launched in 2024 by eleven player founders including Wilkinson, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Rachael Burford and Siya Kolisi, and supported by World Rugby and the International Rugby Players Association, the GRPF empowers former players to thrive beyond the professional game, offering support around financial uncertainty, mental health and career transition.

Visit kesbath.com

MILO’S EXPRESSIVE VISION OF PULTENEY BRIDGE

A Prior Park College pupil wanted to see his artwork in print after embarking on an ambitious Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Milo chose to create an original art piece as part of the independent project, and encouraged by positive feedback from his art teachers, he set himself the challenge of securing coverage in The Bath Magazine – being his Mum’s favourite magazine... so he just asked us and we were more than happy to oblige. Having researched the styles typically featured in our pages, he used this insight to shape his final work. His painting is an abstract reimagining of one of Bath’s most recognisable landmarks, Pulteney Bridge. Milo describes it as a vibrant, dreamlike interpretation that blends the city’s familiar Georgian architecture with expressive landscapes full of colour and movement. Inspired by the bridge’s rich history and striking design, he aimed to capture both Bath’s heritage and his own creative response to the scene. priorparkcollege.com

Millfield student receives offer from University of Oxford

Upper Sixth Millfield student Freddie Beasley has received an offer to study Computer Science at Magdalen College, Oxford, widely regarded as one of the most academically demanding courses in the UK. Freddie, from Somerset, joined Millfield Prep in Year 7 and is currently studying A levels in Computer Science, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. He is the first person ever to have created an artefact for the CyberEPQ by programming two blockchains.

Reflecting on his offer, Freddie said; “Studying at a university like Oxford has been at the back of my mind

for many years and has constantly driven me to work hard. It feels incredibly rewarding to have achieved something I set my sights on so long ago, and I am excited to take on the next challenge.”

Alongside his academic studies, Freddie has fully embraced the opportunities available at Millfield, participating in a wide range of activities including rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, tennis and debating. He has served as School Captain where he represented the student body and is also a member of the Bath 2025/26 U18 rugby team. millfieldschool.com

beauty notebook

From luxury fragrances, luscious lipstick shades to magical serums, here’s some new and thoroughly gorgeous products to help you feel fantastic

New from CHANEL, the Denim make-up collection

With the launch of the Denim make-up collection, Chanel gives this iconic fabric a whole new expression. It’s all about the freedom and the sense of liberty that denim represents – from vibrant blues, powdery pinks to shimmery gold and silvers, each shade captures a mood, an aura, and an irresistible allure. Featured here, for the nails, Le Vernis Légende – lends itself to any style and the finishing touch of an all-denim look. Apply two coats for a deep and intense metallic blue. £30. Find Le Vernis Légende and more from the new Denim collection at: chanel.com/gb

THIRNS Advanced Skincare Collection

Thirns is an advanced botanical made-to-order skincare range founded on over 25 years of experience by skincare therapist Olga Brennand. The Thirns range harnesses the clinical powers of organic, plant-based ingredients through science for visible and lasting results. Olga delivers bespoke facial treatments and programmes at her clinics in Bath, Norfolk, and on Harley Street in London, using her own signature method of skincare therapy and custom-blended formulations. Find out more about the treatments and products at: thirns.co.uk

GIVENCHY Irresistible Nectar

This new this floral gourmand fragrance by Givenchy envelops the sweetness of glazed rose, creamy pistachio, and addictive vanilla. Irresistible Nectar is an Eau de Parfum that celebrates a joyful, vibrant, and free-spirited femininity. Served up in a captivating prismatic bottle –it’s a treat that’s truly impossible to resist: Available in three sizes: 35ml, 50ml, and 80ml. From £72. givenchybeauty.com/gb

BRAMLEY Wellness Tent

This prettily illustrated Wellness tent from Bramley contains all you need to bring a well-deserved glow of wellbeing into your life. It’ll help you recreate the feeling of going away to a beautiful summer wellness retreat and makes a wonderful present as it's full of all the products needed to enjoy some precious wellness time. The keepsake tent contains: 100ml pillow spray, 30ml soothing bath, body and shower Oil, 50ml bubble bath, 100ml body lotion, 15g mini calm balm and a 30g travel candle. £52. Bramley, Shires Yard, 41 Milsom Street, Bath. bramleyproducts.co.uk

New! Phyto-Rouge Shine Shades from SISLEY PARIS

Whether a delicate shine, a satin or a bold matte, the finish of a lipstick can transform your look and modify your mood. Between the three Sisley lipstick families –Phyto-Rouge Shine, Phyto-Rouge and Phyto-Rouge Velvet – there’s a finish and shade to cater to every occasion and makeup sensibility. Sisley have a brand new shade extension of their Phyto-Rouge Shines available in [below left to right ]

43 Sheer Scarlet, 26 Sheer Bel Air and 14 Sheer Acajou. priced at £48 each. Find out more at: sisleyparis.com

Stockists in Bath include SpaceNK, 10 New Bond Street.

HYPNOTHERAPY

Life changes when you change your mind

Would you like to:

FEEL BETTER

BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE

REDUCE STRESS & ANXIETY

ENHANCE PERFORMANCE

BE FREE OF HABITS, ADDICTIONS OR PHOBIAS?

Venetia Moore

Multi award-winnning Holistic Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, trained and certified by Paul McKenna PhD.

DENTAL & DENTURE CLINIC

NEW PRIVATE DENTIST APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE

Routine Check Ups

Crowns/Veneers

Hygienist Appointments

Teeth Whitening

Denture Experts

Free Denture Consultation

Call to book an appointment! 01225 311 681 info@jbdental.co.uk www.jbdental.co.uk @

ADVANCED BOTANICAL SKINCARE

Thirns Skincare facial treatments are highly personalised and tailored to your specific skin care needs.

Following an in-depth consultation, Olga will devise your unique treatment programme designed to deliver results, while also offering a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

In every treatment, Olga applies her in-depth knowledge of plant-based and scientific skincare.Your skin will be treated to her innovative sculpting face massage method and the application of her own custom-blended products. Olga will also advise you on a skincare regimen to continue at home for long-lasting skin health..

SIX-MONTH TREATMENT PACKAGES AVAILABLE

For more information about Thirns, visit www.thirns.co.uk Instagram: @thirns_skincare

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Walking the line: sixty years after the last train

Andrew Swift takes us on a four-mile circular walk along a dramatic section of an old trackbed near Shepton Mallet, through deep valleys, ancient woods, spectacular views and a town steeped in history

The Somerset & Dorset Railway, which linked Bath Green Park with Bournemouth, closed 60 years ago, in March 1966. Since then, much of the trackbed has been converted to shared-use paths, most notably south of Bath, where the Two Tunnels Greenway links the city with Midford. South of Midford, more of the former trackbed continues to be opened up, most recently near Shepton Mallet, high in the Mendips.

This wild and spectacular stretch of line features in this month’s walk, bookended by an exploration of the woods and valleys around Shepton Mallet and some of the hidden corners of this historic town.

Shepton Mallet lies some 20 miles south-west of Bath, and you can get to the starting point either by bus or car.

By bus, take the 174 service (which runs hourly) from Bath Bus Station and get off at the Great Ostry stop (ST618437).

By car, as you approach Shepton Mallet from the north along the A37, turn right towards the town centre along the B3136. Carry on for threequarters of a mile, and, after the road swings right uphill, turn left to leave your car in Great Ostry long-stay car park.

However you get there, walk up the main road a little way to a roundabout and cross to the right to head along Commercial Road. The imposing building you can see across the road is the former Anglo Bavarian Brewery, built in 1864, enlarged in 1872 and closed in 1921.

After crossing the end of Pike Lane, the pavement narrows to pass the lodge of Priory House. A little further on, turn down steps by Pembroke Cottages. At the bottom, carry straight on for 25m before turning left through a kissing gate (KG) to follow a path alongside the River Sheppey. Modest it may be, but the waters of this fledgling river drove the cloth mills which made Shepton rich.

After passing the Old Sluice House, carry on into the hamlet of Bowlish. Old Bowlish House, at the end, is one of several grand houses built in and around Shepton in the 17th and 18th centuries by wealthy clothiers.

Turn right uphill past more fine buildings, beyond which the road steepens to a high-banked lane. At the top, as you emerge into the open (with a couple of farm gates on the right), turn left to follow a footpath sign up a green lane, known – appropriately – as Rubble Lane (ST612443).

After 700m, when you come to a lane, turn right for 25m before turning left through a KG and following a track along the right-hand edge of a field. Here you are over 200m above sea level and, on a clear day, the views westward to Glastonbury Tor and beyond are spectacular.

When you reach the far corner of the field, follow an East Mendip Waymark down a rough, steep and muddy track into Ham Woods (ST613451). At the bottom, when the track forks, bear left (if you come to a wide tarmac track, you have come too far and need to retrace your steps).

The track continues downhill through a tumbled landscape threaded by a stream, with a railway embankment towering above. When the track forks again, turn right to carry on along the valley. Ham Wood Viaduct – the start of our trackbed walk – comes into view ahead. There are two ways to climb up to it. For the first, turn up a rough track on the right immediately after passing the viaduct and follow it as it climbs steeply uphill. For a gentler ascent, continue for a few metres and, when you come to an East Mendip Waymark, follow it uphill. At the top, go through a KG, turn right through a field (where there may be cattle) and go through another KG at the end.

Whichever option you take, you emerge onto the trackbed at the north end of the viaduct, where a shelter with a bench has recently been erected (ST609454).

As you turn right across the viaduct to start heading back to Shepton, you can look down into the narrow valley of shattered trees you have just climbed out of. This section of the line had a gradient of 1 in 50, one of the steepest on any British main line. Northbound expresses needed to be double headed but still had to work flat out to get over the summit at Masbury, another two miles away.

On the far side of the viaduct, there were sidings on both sides of the line serving extensive quarries. Beyond them a long tunnel leads through Windsor Hill, on the far side of which the path narrows as you come to a lane. Only an abutment of the bridge that crossed it survives – with SAD 78 painted on it, indicating it was the 78th structure along the line, counting from Bath.

Continue along the trackbed for another 600m, until the way ahead –across Bath Road Viaduct – is blocked (ST620443). Although there are plans to provide access over the viaduct, for now you need to climb up a bank on the right and go through a KG. Carry on to another KG and, once through it, head down a steep and muddy path with steps to a road.

This is Cowl Street, the old way into Shepton from the north, and some of the buildings along it are very old indeed. The former Unitarian Chapel on your right, for example, dates from 1696. Cowl Street is also spanned by two of Shepton’s many bridges. Behind you is Bath Road Viaduct, while the bridge ahead was built in 1856 to provide access to a mortuary chapel.

Turn right along Cowl Street. At the end, after passing Longridge House, where the Duke of Monmouth stayed in June 1685, turn left along Longbridge. This is the heart of the clothier’s district, a mixture of weavers’ cottages and mill owners’ houses.

Carry on under Waterloo Road, built in 1826 to carry the new road from the north which you crossed – either by car or bus – earlier. As you continue under a footbridge, the Sheppey burbles along on your left. At the end of the lane, you come to Leg Square, once home to several more mill owners. Not all of them, it seems, got on. If you look over at the side road running uphill directly opposite, you will see a rough rubblestone wall adjoining the house on the left. This was a ‘spite wall’, built by the owner of the property next door to block the view –not the sort of neighbourly gesture you’d be likely to get planning permission for these days.

Continue straight on, taking the right fork uphill past a former factory chimney. This leads past the imposing north entrance to the prison, closed in 2013 but still open for guided tours and cell sleepovers. A little further on, turn right between high walls and take the next right by the main gate of the prison. After another 100m, when the lane curves right, carry straight on along a footpath leading past the churchyard.

At the end, pass through a modern archway, head to the left of the 15th-century market cross, and go down a narrow lane to the left of the Royal Mail enquiry office. This leads past a row of seven three-storey weavers’ houses dating from around 1650, beyond which is Great Ostry car park. If you came by bus, continue along the lane as it curves round to the road and cross over to find the stop for Bath. n

Length of walk: Four miles

Accessibility: Extreme care is needed on rough and slippery tracks, especially those heading downhill.

Map: OS Explorer 142

Andrew Swift’s books on walking in around Bath can be found at www.akemanpress.com

notebook Interiors

Time to Go Green ‐ Inspired by the hues of springtime, these pieces breathe freshness and natural colour into every corner of your space.

MANDARIN STONE Hoxton Tile

Blending vintage charm with industrial and contemporary influences, the stylish Hoxton bottle green gloss Porcelain tile showcases a rich green hue enhanced by a glossy finish and subtle tonal variations. Priced £58.80 per Sq metre. The refined 3D geo surface, featuring delicate floral reliefs and reflective highlights, brings depth, texture, and a tactile dimension to every tile. 15-16 Broad Street, Bath or visit: mandarinstone.com

OKA

Omaha Artichoke Bowl

Taking inspiration from natural forms is one of OKA’s traditions; the artichoke, with all its leafy grandeur, is a highly favoured and classic botanical influencer. The Omaha Bowl is hand moulded into shape and hand painted for a realistic appearance. 30cm wide x 17 cm high, Priced at £75. Visit the OKA showroom 26-27 Milsom Street, Bath or shop online at: oka.com

GRAHAM & GREEN

Simplicity Blown Glass Vase

Traditionally used to serve diluted flavoured syrups such as grenadine or menthe, this ceramic sirop pitcher in pea green adds a touch of vintage charm to your dining table. £26. Find out more by visiting the store on 92 Walcot Street, Bath or take a look online at: grahamandgreen.co.uk

ANTHROPOLOGIE

Ruthie Vase

Display your beautiful bouquets in this decorative, 34 cm high earthenware glazed vase, £56. Visit the Bath store at 1-4 New Bond Street, or shop online at: anthropologie.com

HEALS

Velvet Cushion Sage Green

The elegant appearance of these cushions is down to the exquisite cotton velvet material. They are available in three sizes with prices from £55. 20 Milsom Street, Bath. heals.com

OLIVER BONAS

Aurora Green Round Wall Mirror

Art deco-inspired, the Aurora mirror has a distinctive curved edge bordered with green-toned glass panels. Height: 55 cm. £135.00. St Lawrence Street, Southgate, Bath. oliverbonas.com

The Electric Stove

Perfect for living rooms, home offices, conservatories or even a shepherd’s hut or narrowboat, the Everhot Electric Stove is an elegant and efficient stove that does not require a flue and simply plugs into a standard 13amp socket. The 1.5kW heater gently warms the room and behind the cast iron door is a 20 litre oven – great for cooking small dishes. Shown here in Forest Green. To see this and many more Everhot stoves and range cookers, visit Coopers Home Appliances at: Dunsdon Barn, Dunsdown Lane, West Littleton, SN14 BJA or at the Walcot Street showroom. coopershomeappliances.com

Mandarin Stone: Thoughtful surfaces for considered interiors

With a focus on timeless design, versatility and everyday practicality, Louisa Morgan of Mandarin Stone shares how thoughtfully chosen surfaces can shape interiors – creating spaces that feel calm, considered and are made to last

Choosing tiles and natural stone is one of the most defining decisions in any interior project. The materials selected shape how a space feels, how it functions and how well it stands the test of time.

Louisa Morgan of Mandarin Stone explains how for more than 30 years, the company has specialised in sourcing and supplying beautifully made tiles and stone that balance design integrity with everyday practicality, saying that “Bathrooms are a particular area of expertise for Mandarin Stone.”

Louisa highlights that the tiles are “regularly specified for shower rooms and ensuites because they offer a thoughtful balance of beauty and performance.” She says that considered finishes, appropriate slip ratings and a wide choice of formats make it easy to create spaces that feel calm, elevated, and practical for everyday use. “Kitchens, hallways, and living areas are equally well catered for, with durable porcelain floors, characterful stone, and decorative wall tiles that add depth and personality.”

Outdoor surfaces are another key element of the Mandarin Stone collection, allowing a “seamless connection between interior and exterior spaces”. Louisa notes that the range includes both natural stone and porcelain paving, each selected for durability, slip resistance, and visual

harmony, explaining that porcelain paving provides a low-maintenance solution that resists staining, fading, and weathering, making it ideal for terraces, pathways and contemporary garden designs, while natural stone paving offers a softer, more organic feel, with subtle tonal variation and texture that settles beautifully into its surroundings over time.

“Whether designing a modern courtyard, a relaxed garden terrace, or a continuation of an interior floor outdoors, the collection supports cohesive and considered design,” she adds.

“What sets Mandarin Stone apart,” Louisa continues, “is its design-led approach. Collections are created with versatility in mind, encouraging customers to mix formats, textures, and finishes rather than follow rigid rules. A classic chequerboard floor can feel just as at home in a modern kitchen as in a period hallway, and a richly glazed brick tile can add warmth to a contemporary bathroom or interest to a utility space.”

Louisa states the emphasis is always on helping customers create interiors that feel personal and thoughtfully curated.

“Visiting a Mandarin Stone showroom allows people to explore the collection in a calm and welcoming environment,” she says, noting that tiles are displayed on large sample boards and carefully arranged displays that make it easy to compare colours, finishes, and formats side by side.

Louisa points out that the showroom teams are knowledgeable and approachable, offering guidance on everything from layout ideas and grout choices to technical considerations and suitability.

“For those who prefer to browse from home, the Mandarin Stone website provides a comprehensive and user-friendly alternative,” she adds. The full collection is available online, supported by clear product information, practical advice, and inspirational imagery. Ordering samples is also simple process, allowing customers to see how tiles look and feel in their own space before committing. Louisa says this flexible approach suits both homeowners and design professionals working to tight schedules.

Longevity and responsible design are central to the Mandarin Stone philosophy. Porcelain tiles are valued for their durability and ease of maintenance, making them ideal for busy modern homes and outdoor settings alike. Natural stone is celebrated for its inherent variation and character, with surfaces that develop depth and patina over time rather than losing their appeal. This focus on lasting materials reflects a wider move towards interiors and exteriors that are designed to endure.

Whether planning a full renovation, reimagining an outdoor space, or making a small but meaningful update, Louisa believes Mandarin Stone offers reassurance at every stage of the process. With thoughtfully curated collections, expert guidance, and the option to explore both in showroom and online, it remains a trusted destination for those seeking timeless surfaces with lasting appeal. n

To explore the full collection, visit the Bath showroom at: 15-16 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ. Tel: 01225 460033 or browse the website mandarinstone.com for inspiration.

Scandinavian calm in a Georgian townhouse

Based in Bath, Clair Strong Interior Design is fortunate to work with some of the city’s most beautiful historic properties. This Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, forming part of a discreet terrace tucked away on the southern slopes of the city, is a wonderful example of Bath’s architectural heritage. From the outset, this project was about balance: carefully preserving and restoring the building’s inherent character while introducing a contemporary, Scandinavian-inspired interior that reflects the clients’ lifestyle, travels and love of uncluttered, considered design.

The five-bedroom house was already in good condition when the clients purchased it, with generous proportions, original stone flags and a striking cantilevered stone staircase. However, having recently relocated from London, they were keen to reshape the house to suit a different pace of life – one that embraces Bath’s architecture, its surrounding countryside and the way they like to live day to day. Passionate travellers, enthusiastic cooks and collectors of art and objects, they wanted a home that felt elegant yet relaxed, functional yet deeply personal.

From the first conversations, it was clear that their aesthetic would sit beautifully within a pared-back Scandinavian framework: an emphasis on texture, craftsmanship and natural materials, and a thoughtful dialogue between old and new. Rather than relying on bold colour or heavy pattern, the brief focused on cohesion and restraint, allowing the architecture, artwork and carefully chosen furniture to take centre stage.

Clair worked closely with architect Katy Morrison of Morrison Studios to sensitively restore and update the house, ensuring all changes respected the building’s listed status.

Setting the Tone: Entrance Hall and Staircase

In a Georgian townhouse, the entrance hall plays a vital role in setting the atmosphere of the home. Here, the original stone flags were carefully restored, their patina telling the story of centuries of use. Breathable paints from Atelier Ellis were selected in warm, nuanced shades that sit softly against the stone and plaster, enhancing rather than competing with the historic fabric.

The cantilevered staircase is one of the home’s most dramatic architectural features and was highlighted with a contemporary yet understated statement. A black and glass waterfall chandelier, selected with the clients, descends through the stairwell from the top floor to the ground level. This bespoke piece creates a striking vertical connection through the house and immediately introduces the interplay between classical architecture and modern design that defines the interiors.

Reimagining the Layout for Modern Living

A key part of the project involved rethinking the usage of rooms to better suit the clients’ lifestyle.

The principal bedroom was relocated to the first floor, taking over what had formerly been the drawing room. This generous space now functions as a luxurious bedroom with a dedicated seating area, creating a calm retreat for reading and relaxation while enjoying far-reaching views across the city. The second room on this floor was transformed into a spacious dressing room, where bespoke joinery was commissioned for a beautifully crafted wardrobe, offering ample storage and continuing the elegant, uncluttered aesthetic.

On the ground floor, the living, dining and kitchen spaces were brought together to form the social heart of the house. This open, flowing arrangement better reflects how the clients like to live and entertain, creating a welcoming hub that connects cooking, dining and relaxing in one cohesive space. ➲

Contemporary Scandinavian Living Within Georgian Proportions Georgian rooms are renowned for their elegant proportions, high ceilings and generous windows, and the design approach was to enhance these qualities through simplicity and a considered use of materials. Throughout the house, natural elements were layered – pale oak furniture, wood flooring from Bristol-based Chaunceys Timber Flooring, stone, soft Belgian linens, wool rugs and tactile ceramics – to create warmth and quiet sophistication.

Furniture selections leaned towards Scandinavian and contemporary European brands such as Carl Hansen, &Tradition, Audo Copenhagen, Vitra, Bolia, Porada, Living Divani, Ochre and De La Espada. These pieces are timeless in their design and craftsmanship, working effortlessly within a period setting. Pale oak was used repeatedly to provide continuity from room to room, while charcoal accents – in lighting, accessories and occasional furniture details – add depth and definition.

The clients’ extensive art collection played a central role in completing each space, with wall colours, lighting and furniture layouts carefully considered to showcase each piece. The framing of artwork and photographs was carried out by local specialists, The Bath Framer, bringing an additional layer of expertise to the interiors.

Kitchens

for Food Lovers

As self-confessed cooks and foodies, the kitchen was one of the most important spaces in the house for the owners. The brief was clear: it needed to be highly functional, thoughtfully designed and suited to both everyday cooking and entertaining. Together with the clients, a DeVOL kitchen was specified, its understated, classic cabinetry feeling entirely at home in a Georgian setting while remaining practical for daily use. Appliances were sourced from local company Coopers, reflecting a shared preference for working with trusted local suppliers wherever possible.

The kitchen continues the material-led approach seen throughout the house, with a central island topped with a striking copper worktop acting as a focal point. Feature pendant lighting by Hind Rabii adds warmth and interest, while still allowing the space to feel open and inviting.

On the lower ground floor, a bespoke cold store and wine room was installed – a practical addition that reflects the clients’ love of good food and wine. Designed with the same attention to detail as the rest of the house, it feels fully integrated rather than utilitarian.

Light, Texture and Detail

Lighting plays a crucial role in shaping atmosphere and highlighting architectural details. Lights were sourced from an array of designers and brands including Tom Rossau, Normann Copenhagen, Porta Romana, Hind Rabii, DCW Éditions and Moooi, layering light to create depth and flexibility. Statement pendants and wall lights are complemented by table and floor lamps, allowing each room to transition effortlessly from day to evening.

While the bespoke chandelier cascading through the stairwell is a standout feature, it is the quieter moments – a softly glowing wall light in a hallway, or a reading lamp beside an armchair – that give the house its lived-in elegance.

Rugs by Crucial Trading, sourced through Capitol Carpets in Bath, along with pieces from Bolia and Bomat, add warmth and softness underfoot, particularly important in tall Georgian rooms. Texture is layered throughout the house, from wool rugs and linen upholstery to oak furniture and Belgian linens by Bruder. Bedrooms are finished with bed linen from Ava Innes, C&C Milano and The White Company, adding to the overall sense of comfort and ease. ➲

Bathrooms and Private Spaces

The bathrooms were redesigned to feel timeless and quietly refined, using Duravit and Crosswater fittings paired with tiles from Fired Earth. Clean lines, high-quality materials and thoughtful detailing ensure these spaces feel contemporary while remaining sympathetic to the period setting.

In the smallest room in the house – the guest cloakroom – a playful twist was introduced. A monochrome patterned wallpaper by Dada brings graphic interest and personality, demonstrating that even within a restrained palette, small surprises can make a big impact.

Technology, Craf t and Collaboration

While the aesthetic is rooted in simplicity, the house is fully equipped for modern living. Audio-visual systems were designed and installed by Moss of Bath and seamlessly integrated so as not to intrude on the interiors.

Equally important to the project was collaboration with local craftsmen, builders and suppliers. From bespoke joinery – including a custom-designed boot room with integrated storage – to flooring, kitchens and framing, skilled local trades were prioritised wherever possible. This approach not only supported local businesses but ensured a level of craftsmanship and attention to detail essential in a listed property.

Respecting the Past, Designing for the Future

Working within a Grade II listed building requires sensitivity and care. Period features were restored rather than replaced, from stone flags to

original architectural details, ensuring the house retains its sense of history while functioning as a contemporary family home.

The result is a home that feels both rooted and forward-looking: a Georgian townhouse that honours its past while embracing a modern, Scandinavian-inspired way of living. It is elegant without being formal, minimal without feeling stark, and deeply personal to the people who live there.

Looking Ahead

While the interiors are now complete, the project continues. The current phase is focused on the garden, creating an outdoor space that complements the interior scheme and provides areas for outdoor cooking, dining and relaxation. For clients who love food and entertaining, the garden will become a natural extension of the living spaces – another opportunity to blend function, beauty and a connection to nature.

This project is a clear example of how contemporary Scandinavian design principles can be thoughtfully applied within a historic Bath property. For Clair Strong Interior Design, it encapsulates the studio’s approach: respectful of context, rooted in craftsmanship, and always centred on how clients want to live. n

Clair Strong is a professional interior designer, working in and around Bath, Bristol and London.

Clair Strong Interior Design, 2 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD. For further information visit: clairstrong.co.uk

Changing rooms

Our S/S guide features all our favourite trades and services to help spruce up your home. Whether it’s a small decorating touch or an ambitious major project, this directory has a treasured range of expert services to make all those home, interior and garden ideas become reality

AVONVALE CARPETS

37 Kingsmead Street, Bath BA1 2AA Tel: 01225 427057 Web: avonvalecarpets.co.uk

Your choice of flooring is vital in transforming any room and the range of options can sometimes overwhelm; fortunately, Avonvale Carpets is on hand to assist. It has served homeowners and businesses throughout the city of Bath and Wiltshire for over 50 years, providing an excellent choice of flooring, in-depth expertise and perfect fitting. An independent, second-generation family-run business, Avonvale Carpets uses professionallytrained fitters and deals directly with major manufacturers, offering customers a great selection of quality flooring solutions that’s second to none –LVT, natural, stain resistant, vinyl, wood, wool and tailor-made options too. You’ll be amazed at the variety on offer in the shop, located just off Kingsmead Square. Pop in and see.

WOODHOUSE & LAW

4 George’s Place, Bathwick Hill, Bath BA2 4EN Tel: 01225 428072 Web: woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Woodhouse and Law are a full-service interior and garden design company, working from their showroom and studio on Bathwick Hill. Founded in 2009 by Nick Woodhouse and John Law, the team takes pride in developing stylish, individual and creative schemes across the residential and commercial sectors. Alongside their collaboration with the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, the Woodhouse and Law studio is currently working on a number of projects across the city of Bath, and further afield, including London, Somerset, Devon and Dorset.

THE BATH FRAMER

14–15 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD Tel: 01225 920210 Web: thebathpictureframer.co.uk

The Bath Framer, owned by Kelly, is a friendly boutique picture framers that has a beautifully quirky front of house and an amazing naturally lit workshop. Both are a joy to work in and to visit for customers wanting to see how frames are created. Since opening, the business has gone from strength to strength, building a client list of local residents and businesses based in Bath, Bristol and beyond. A bespoke framing service, tailored to suit all individuals’ needs runs alongside a gorgeous selection of cards, gift wrap and stationery.

BATH KITCHEN COMPANY

3 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HA

Tel: 01225 312003 Web: bathkitchencompany.co.uk

Established in 1990, Bath Kitchen Company is an award-winning, well-regarded family business based in Bath. With vast experience, the company takes pride in its close attention to detail and its understanding of what each client requires. Whatever an individual client’s tastes, the team will find a bespoke kitchen that strikes a perfect balance between aesthetic and practical requirements. Consequently every kitchen is unique, beautifully designed and perfectly functional. Handmade using premium materials and to the highest standards, a beautiful kitchen can be carefully crafted to make the most of available space, existing features and the latest technology. Whether designing for Bath’s oldest private homes or cutting-edge city apartments, the principle is the same – Bath Kitchen Company will create a place that enhances your lifestyle. Book an appointment to see the Bath Kitchen Company’s impressive new studio at 3 Queen Square.

TR HAYES

15–18 London Street, Walcot, Bath BA1 5BX

Tel: 01225 465 757 Web: trhayes.co.uk

TR Hayes is the region’s largest furniture retailer, serving Bath for over 110 years with a strong reputation for quality and customer service. The store offers an extensive selection of furniture, including sofas, chairs, dining, living room and bedroom ranges, as well as beds and mattresses. Leading brands such as Vispring, Stressless and Ercol are on display, with styles from classic to contemporary to suit a wide range of budgets. The store also includes a highly regarded made-to-measure curtain and blind department, offering a broad choice of fabrics, blind styles and shutters from leading design houses. With friendly and knowledgeable staff to help guide you, and excellent aftersales care, you can rely on TR Hayes.

JOEL BUGG FURNITURE & SPACES

Tel: 01225 583520 / 07779 236242 Web: joelbugg.co.uk

Joel Bugg Furniture & Spaces designs and creates elegant, bespoke fitted furniture and interiors, which are architecturally thought through to seamlessly fit and suit your property. Joel and his team offer a fully managed service from initial space planning and concept designs, using teams of skilled cabinet makers in their manufacture through to final installation. They will also recommend, source and provide lighting, flooring and other finishing touches as required. Their expertise spans all interiors from kitchens and bathrooms to libraries and boot rooms, and as well as working directly with clients they work collaboratively with architects and interior designers to deliver a truly tailored solution.

DUNSDON BARN

Dunsdown Lane, West Littleton, Wiltshire SN14 8JA Web: dunsdonbarn.com

With joined-up thinking by three of Bath’s most-loved independent homes, interiors and exterior businesses, Dunsdon Barn is a destination showroom for Boniti, with its beautiful stone, porcelain and timber flooring products; the brilliant kitchen designs by Ben Argent - with working kitchen displays on show, and Coopers Home Appliances for a fabulous range of the highest quality kitchen appliances - including AGA, Everhot, La Cornue, Lacanche and Smeg as well as Fisher & Paykel, Miele, Bora and many more. The showroom space is has been completely re-imagined and all three businesses are well-known for offering the highest standards of customer service, care and can work together to provide excellent delivery and fitting by skilled craftspeople. Conveniently located just a few miles north of Bath near Dyrham Park and J18, and with free parking, Dunsdon Barn is the perfect place to start your next dream project.

FRANCIS DIY

39 Moorland Road, Bath BA2 3PN Tel: 01225 427885 Web: francisdiy.com

Francis DIY, Bath’s original hardware store since 1966, can be found in the bustling area of Oldfield Park where the store supplies the widest range of DIY and hardware products imaginable. It is a family-run business, and the team there has a wealth of experience and are renowned for their friendly service, great advice or simply helping new and existing loyal customers find DIY solutions. The range is vast with hundreds of stock items immediately available including: domestic hardware, key cutting services, locks and security products, lightbulbs and electrical accessories, small electrical appliances, heaters, fans, DIY and decorating products, paints and varnishes, kitchenware and cooking accessories, hand and power tools, fireworks and fairy lights... and so much more. The store is open Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm and also offers a local delivery service. It’s the best!

CLAIR STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN

2 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD

Meetings by appointment. Studio: 01225 426905 Mob: 07855 797311 info@clairstrong.co.uk Web: clairstrong.co.uk

Clair and her experienced team at Clair Strong Interior Design Ltd provide a full range of interior design services for both residential and commercial projects. Established over 20 years ago, Clair works with a trusted network of professionals and trades to offer a complete interior design service for projects of all types. From city centre apartments and shops to large family homes and hotels, her portfolio includes contemporary projects through to listed Georgian properties. The company ethos is to take a collaborative approach with clients, working with them to create spaces that meet their needs, improve their lives, and exceed their expectations. Call or email Clair to discuss your project.

MARMALADE HOUSE DESIGN

Tel: 07733 263844

Web: marmaladehousedesign.com

Marmalade House Design is an award-winning, professional furniture painting and design company, based in Bath. It specialises in French and Gustavian finishes that include the layering of colours, distressed paintwork and lime-washing as well as gilding, colour-washing for ageing and waxing services. The focus is all about colour and style and how that fits into a customer’s home. The team of trained interior designers also offer a design and styling service that brings together the client’s style and aspirations for change. For those who prefer to do everything themselves, the company also offers popular training courses on how to paint furniture to professional standards, and the use of colour within your home. Run by Vanessa Sayce, Marmalade House Design is an established, friendly company that has its clients’ interests at heart, whatever changes they would like to make, and at whatever scale.

BEN ARGENT KITCHENS

Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Wiltshire SN14 8JA

Tel: 01225 892270

Web: benargentkitchens.co.uk

Award-winning creators of beautiful bespoke kitchens. Ben Argent Kitchens is a local independent company run by Ben and Emi Argent, who have been designing and hand crafting timeless, sophisticated kitchens since 2011. Every design detail you see has been meticulously refined. Every function and material application has been imagined with the most in-depth level of consideration. And every kitchen has been installed with the highest level of precision and finesse. Their beautiful showroom is conveniently located near M4 J18 with plenty of free parking. Please contact them to arrange a viewing.

COMPASS GARDEN & LANDSCAPE DESIGN LTD

Tel: 07920 051549 Web: compassgardendesign.co.uk

Email: office@compassgardendesign.co.uk

Working with a professional designer is the key to creating the garden you’ve always imagined — whatever the size of your space or your personal style. Compass Garden & Landscape Design can guide you through every stage, from layout and materials to planting and lighting, helping you make the right choices with confidence. Whether you’re seeking a full redesign or a subtle transformation, creative ideas are balanced with practical requirements and budget. With technical expertise and horticultural knowledge, the team will ensure your garden is beautifully built and planted, giving you an inspiring outdoor space to enjoy for years to come.

SELBY LANDSCAPES

Tel: 01225 571350 Web: selbylandscapes.com

Selby Landscapes is the leading landscape gardening company based in Bath with an excellent reputation for crafting beautiful and enduring outdoor spaces. Selby Landscapes offer a turn-key solution to your landscape requirements including landscape design and construction, garden design, planting and garden maintenance. Frequently working alongside other garden designers in the Somerset region, as well as offering an in-house garden design service, every garden project Selby Landscapes create, from city courtyards to large country gardens, is crafted to give a lifetime of pleasure.

COOPERS

HOBBS MARBLE & GRANITE

Radstock Road, Midsomer Norton, Bath BA3 2AA Tel: 01761 412934 Web: hobbsmarbleandgranite.co.uk

Hobbs Marble & Granite specialises in the fabrication of kitchen and bathroom worktops in granite, quartz, marble, limestone and slate. A natural stone worktop brings an unrivalled unique beauty to the heart of your home. Whether you choose the rich tones of granite or one of the many colours of quartz for contemporary style, a professionally fitted work surface from Hobbs Marble & Granite will give you a stunning finish to your kitchen or bathroom. You are welcome to visit our showroom just outside of Bath to view the wide selection of materials and our friendly and knowledgeable team are on hand to discuss your requirements.

HOME APPLIANCES

13–15 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BN

And at: Dunsdon Barn, Dunsdown Lane, West Littleton, SN14 8JA Tel: 01225 311811 Web: coopershomeappliances.com

For many years, Coopers has been a standout feature in our Best of Bath guides and it’s easy to see why. With over 70 years of experience, Coopers is an award-winning independent kitchen appliance specialist known for quality, expertise, and a carefully curated range that includes both leading brands and more distinctive choices. With spacious showrooms in the centre of Bath on Walcot Street and at Dunsdon Barn which just north of Bath near Junction 18, customers can explore an extensive selection of range cookers, refrigeration, laundry, dishwashing, built-in appliances, and small appliances. Coopers offers something increasingly rare: a genuine hands-on experience, allowing you to see, touch, and compare appliances before you buy. The team regularly hosts demonstrations and events, often working alongside other local specialists, creating a welcoming and informative environment. Knowledgeable, approachable, and competitively priced, they also provide expert delivery and installation support to make the whole process seamless. With outstanding customer service and an emphasis on personal attention, Coopers makes buying home appliances a genuinely enjoyable experience. It’s independent retail at its very best.

by Pete Helme

Photography

CATRIONA ARCHER INTERIORS

Tel: 07823 884945 Web: catrionaarcher.com

Catriona Archer Studio offers support, guidance, and peace of mind for projects both large and small, taking a flexible, hands-on approach that works for you and your budget - From full renovations, room makeovers that work with your existing belongings to one-off consultations. Twin sisters Bettina and Catriona Archer each bring 25+ years of experience, fresh ideas and practical design solutions to help you create a space that works beautifully for everyday living.

KELLY MARIE KITCHEN INTERIORS

8 Pulteney Terrace, Bath BA2 4HJ Tel: 01225 481881 (Mobile: 07796 554466) Web: kellymariekitchens.com

Kelly Marie has more than 15 years experience in the kitchen design industry. She has had the pleasure of working on many luxury kitchen projects in the Bath area and now owns her own unique and creative business based on a constant list of wordof-mouth recommendations. Her technical designs with intrinsic creativity allow spaces that are functional yet beautiful. With a vast portfolio of luxury German kitchen projects, Kelly works with each client’s budget, providing personalised attention throughout the design process. Kelly believes that it is all about the little details and her approach combines purposeful variations of colour, textures and finishes. The careful selection of these elements endow the home with a sense of harmony, while reflecting the individual style of the client.

CHAUNCEYS TIMBER FLOORING

Unit 1 St Philips Trade Park, Albert Road, Bristol BS2 0YB Tel: 0117 971 3131 Web: chauncey.com

Wood flooring brings timeless warmth and character to any home. Since 1988, family-run Chaunceys Timber Flooring has supplied and finished high-quality sustainable wood floors for homeowners, awardwinning architects and renowned interior designers across the UK. With decades of craftsmanship and specialist knowledge, Chaunceys creates beautiful floors built to last. Their collections span a wide variety of wood species, colours, finishes and styles – from rustic charm to sleek modern minimalism. Whether you're renovating a period property or designing a contemporary space, Chaunceys offers expertly crafted flooring to complement every interior scheme, including fully bespoke options.

LOLA SWIFT

INTERIOR DESIGNER & COLOUR CONSULTANT

Tel: 07971 106546; Email: lola@lolaswift.co.uk Web: lolaswift.co.uk

Lola Swift offers a creative and comprehensive design service, effortlessly blending style with practicality. She brings personality, colour, and texture into every home, ensuring each space is both beautiful and functional. Whether you're moving house or refreshing a room, Lola makes the process seamless, designing schemes that reflect your taste and budget.

MARTA ROSSATO INTERIORS

Tel: 07932 521514 Email: design@martarossato.net Web: martarossato.net

Marta Rossato Interiors is a boutique design studio specialising in architectural renovation and full service interior design for private homes. Rooted in Italian heritage Marta works across Bristol, Bath and Italy, bringing architectural sensitivity and contemporary restraint to both period and modern properties. She respects the integrity of each building while reimagining how it can support the way her clients live today. Through intelligent spatial reconfiguration and carefully considered materials, the spaces Marta creates feel calm, refined and deeply personal. Sustainability guides every decision, from collaborating with skilled artisans to repurposing existing pieces wherever possible. The result she achieves for her clients is that their home, is designed to evolve with their lives.

NEWMANS JOINERY

6 Locksbrook Court, 88-89 Locksbrook Rd, BA1 3EN Tel: 01225 318378, Web: newmansjoinery.co.uk

Newmans specialise in superior-quality, bespoke architectural joinery, hand-crafted by a highly skilled team in Bath. With decades of experience, Newmans provide sympathetic solutions that enhance the character and integrity of your property, offering thorough attention to detail and craftsmanship. From the Bath workshop, the team deliver a full range of joinery services, handling projects of any size – from simple window repairs to extensive property refits. Having worked on an array of buildings across Bath, including its iconic Crescents, Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian townhouses, churches, cottages, mews houses, and contemporary homes; Newmans dedication to quality has established a great reputation throughout the city and beyond. If you have a joinery project in mind, why not get in touch to discuss your requirements.

BATH CARPETS AND FLOORING

4 Kingsmead Street, Bath BA1 2AA

Tel: 01225 471888 Web: carpetsandflooringbath.co.uk

Supplying and fitting flooring throughout the South West since 2004. Bath Carpets and Flooring (BCF) offers a wide selection of carpets, all made from a variety of different materials including wool, polypropylene, nylon and sisals. With the combined experience of more than 100 years, the team’s extensive knowledge and expertise puts you at ease as they match your needs with the perfect flooring solution. BCF pride themselves on only giving impartial advice and hassle-free measuring and estimating, so there will never be any sales pressure or confusion. As the city’s largest Karndean flooring specialist, BCF’s luxury vinyl tile showroom will give you the freedom to create impressive floors, where the only limit is imagination. With showrooms over two floors offering an even greater selection of homely carpets, vinyl’s, LVT’s and modern rugs. Commercial flooring from all leading manufacturers is available through Bath Contract Flooring Ltd. So if it’s flooring for your home or your business BCF have got it covered.

HOUSE OF RADIATORS

22 Wellsway, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 2 AA Tel: 01225 424199 Web: houseofradiators.co.uk

House of Radiators sells traditional and designer radiators that can be off-the-shelf sizes/finishes or bespoke sizes and colours - including a colour-matching service for many popular paint ranges including Little Greene, and Farrow & Ball finishes. This popular, family-run business opened its Bear Flat showroom in 2011 and not only sells to Bath areas but throughout the UK and overseas. Following a major re-fit, there are over 100 radiators on display and due to increasing popularity the traditional cast iron and column radiator range has expanded. With over 50 years experience in the heating and radiator industry they offer a friendly and high level of customer service. This is key in helping customers choose the right radiator for their home that will not only look amazing but will heat their room and do its job. Because the team work with leading manufacturers and distributors in the radiator industry, there’s always something to suit all budgets and styles. Locally the company are able to offer an at-home consultation where they’ll measure up and work out the correct heat requirements and size up radiators accordingly.

KEYSTONE DRIVES & PATIOS

Tel: 01225 968164 Email: keystonedrivespatios8@gmail.com Web: keystonedrivesandpatiosspecialistltd.co.uk

Keystone Drives & Patios Specialist Ltd is a trusted provider of high-quality driveway and patio installations, delivering tailored solutions to suit every home. With years of hands-on experience, the company transforms outdoor spaces through durable workmanship, premium materials, and proven installation methods. Services include block paving, tarmac drives, resin drives, patios, landscaping, and fencing, offering complete exterior improvements under one roof. The team is committed to reliable service, attention to detail, and professional standards on every project. With honest pricing, clear communication, and a customer-focused approach, they work closely with clients from consultation to completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and built to last.

DREAM DOORS BATH

10 Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1JY Tel: 01225 282172

web: dreamdoors.co.uk/kitchen-showrooms/bath

Dream Doors Bath is a one-stop shop for beautiful kitchen makeovers. Visit the Bradford on Avon showroom and meet owners and kitchen designers Lorraine and Malcolm to discuss your ideas for your dream kitchen. From concept to completion (and beyond) they are there to oversee every part of the process. There’s a whole spectrum of services and options available from simple door swaps or worktop replacements that will revitalise your old kitchen quickly and cost-effectively or go for a full transformation with the design and installation of a completely bespoke new kitchen. All Dream Doors products and kitchens are made to measure, and there’s a wide selection of styles and finishes to match every taste, so whatever your preference Dream Doors will have the perfect solution. Lorraine and Malcolm enjoy a great ‘Checkatrade’ rating for their highly personalised service too, overseeing every part of the process and making sure customers are kept informed throughout the installation and are always satisfied with the end results.

BONITI

Dunsdon Barn, Dunsdown Lane, West Littleton, Wiltshire SN14 8JA Tel: 01225 892200 Web: boniti.com

Run by Giles and Simon Lunt, Boniti is a high-quality interiors and exteriors business. The showroom is a destination for all things natural stone, porcelain, and timber flooring. Boniti offers expert restoration and professional installation services, ensuring every project is completed to the highest standard. For large and small projects, the Boniti team are masters of their profession and it shows in every detail. The showroom is easily reached from J18 just off the M4.

GARDEN REQUISITES

Tel: 01225 851577 info@garden-requisites.co.uk Web: garden-requisites.co.uk

Based near Bath, Garden Requisites produce high quality, hand-made products such as wall trellis panels – as shown, porches, door canopies, window boxes and planters. Specialising in weaving wire, each piece is created locally and made to order. Standard sizes or bespoke designs in solid steel or wirework can be created and despatched nationwide or worldwide. Established 20 years ago to cater for the discerning gardening world, the company also produces arches, troughs and fireguards. Due to the sustainability and longevity of hot dip zinc galvanized steel, any Garden Requisites’ product will last a lifetime, eliminating the need to be replaced or maintained so reducing the carbon footprint – a truly sustainable solution. For more information, get in touch.

BEAU NASH BATH

28 and 31 Brock Street, Bath BA1 2LN

Tel: 01225 259 646 and 01225 334 234

Web: beaunashbath.com

Antiques are firmly back in style, valued for both their sustainability and their ability to bring individuality into the home. Choosing antique furniture supports the green movement by giving beautiful, well-crafted pieces a new life, while adding character and uniqueness that modern items often lack. The Beau Nash antique furniture shop has built a loyal following in Bath, London, and the surrounding areas thanks to its carefully curated, fashionable antiques, straightforward shipping, and satisfaction guarantee. The team are also very good at helping clients source unusual or hard-to-find pieces – from striking overmantel mirrors to distinctive decorative objects – finding those special items that make a home feel truly personal.

THE LANDSCAPE CONSULTANCY

Tel: 07730 570162

HEIDI HOLISTIC HEALING FIND CALM AND CREATE BALANCE

Tel: 07776 255875

Email: heidi@heidiholistichealing.com

Web: heidiholistichealing.com

Finding the Harmony Within Your Home. Your home holds more than furniture; it holds energy. When that energy feels dull or unsettled, it can shape the way you rest, your mood and your sense of peace. Integrative Holistic Practitioner Heidi Lerner Rearden has over 20 years of experience harmonising people and places through Feng Shui, Energy Clearing, Reiki and Mindfulness Meditation. A former Management Accountant and HR Executive, Heidi knows first-hand what it feels like to live under stress; it's what inspired her to create a business that creates calm, balanced spaces that genuinely restore wellbeing. Heidi creates bespoke offerings tailored to you and your space. To discover how she can support you and your living spaces towards harmony, book a free consultation through her website. Cultivate inner calm. Embrace balance and resilience. Nurture rest.

Web: thelandscapeconsultancylimited.co.uk

Email: info@thelandscapeconsultancylimited.co.uk

The Landscape Consultancy, based in Bradford on Avon, is a leading design-and-build landscaping partnership creating beautiful gardens across the South of England. With expertise in all aspects of garden design, landscaping and planting, the team offers a bespoke, turn-key service tailored to each client. From the initial concept through to completion, every detail is guided and managed by experienced professionals, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable process. Whether it’s a compact city courtyard, a stylish new-build garden or larger rural grounds, The Landscape Consultancy delivers inspirational design and exceptional craftsmanship to create unique, high-quality outdoor spaces.

NOAD ROOFING LIMITED

Bolwell Buildings, 1 Claverton Street, Widcombe, Bath BA2 4LE Tel: Tel: 01225 941 949 / 07885 278910 Web: noadroofing.com

Noad Roofing Limited is a family-owned business based in Bath, proudly serving the community since the 1920s. With four generations of experience, they are known for quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. They offer a consultative approach, providing free pre-installation inspections to ensure your needs are met. Services include roof repairs, complete replacements, leadwork, roofing carpentry, and personalised projects tailored to each homeowner. Fully insured, they use only the best materials, guaranteeing both the materials and our workmanship. they are committed to giving back to the community that supports them.

JOE’S DOORS

joesdoors.co.uk

Thinking about replacing your kitchen but worried about the cost, disruption, or who to trust? Joe’s Doors has transformed more than 30,000 kitchens across the UK, offering a smarter, more affordable way to give your kitchen a fresh new look. The team will replace your existing doors, drawer fronts, and worktops, so there’s no need for a full refit.

Joe’s Doors offers made-to-measure replacement kitchen doors in a wide range of styles, quartz overlay worktops fitted seamlessly over your existing surfaces and fast, mess-free makeovers, often completed in just one day. Get in touch for a free, no-pressure quote.

J & G CLEANING

Tel: 07379 364 815 Email: gabi_grillo9@hotmail.com

J&G is a professional cleaning company dedicated to keeping homes, agency properties, and offices spotless. They offer a range of services, including regular cleaning, deep cleaning, pre and end-of-tenancy cleaning, ensuring every space is left fresh and immaculate. Whether you need routine maintenance or a thorough one-time clean, the skilled team delivers high-quality results tailored to your needs. They take pride in their reliability, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction. With J&G, you can enjoy a clean, healthy environment without the hassle. Let them handle the cleaning while you focus on what matters most!

LAURA CAMPBELL DESIGNS

Tel: 07446 983 383

Web: lauracampbelldesigns.com

Laura Campbell Designs creates bespoke window treatments and soft furnishings to your request with a growing library of fabric books and product samples in her studio at Farrington's Farm. As an experienced seamstress producing traditionally made curtains, blinds, pelmets and cushions and supplying tracks, poles, roller blinds, bamboo blinds, fabrics and more, Laura Campbell designs has vast product knowledge of products with the highest standards. From start to finish, Laura will personally work with you to make sure your space looks just as you envisioned. Starting with a free local measuring service within 30 miles but with all locations considered and finishing with the option of excellent fitters installing your order. All orders are made to measure, new designs can be created. Please contact for a quote or to arrange a meeting.

No17 INTERIORS

Tel: :07977 271503 Email: lisa@no17interiors.co.uk

Web: no17interiors.co.uk

No17 Interiors specialises in bespoke interiors for show homes, hotels and private residences. With a background in fashion and textiles, Lisa began working with a textile artist before joining a small interiors company. After relocating to Bath, she managed a successful interiors business for many years, before launching her own. Work ranges from custom-made window treatments, headboards and soft furnishings to full interior design services and installations, with each design carefully tailored to each brief and budget. The design process begins with an initial visit to discuss the project in detail, taking time to understand the client’s style, budget and preferences. From there Lisa develops furnishing concepts, sources samples and provides pricing - carefully incorporating the client’s vision and with the aim of exceeding expectations at every stage. "Working in interiors allows me to bring together my passion for fabrics and eye for design to create spaces that are both beautiful and functional. I love that no two projects are ever the same. Whether it’s enhancing a single room or transforming an entire home, I enjoy the challenge of turning tired interiors into beautiful, uplifting spaces. There’s real satisfaction in bringing a client’s vision to life and making the entire journey a smooth and rewarding experience"

BATH RECLAMATION

Tel: 07983 556 757

Web: bathreclamation.co.uk

It was a sad day when Walcot Reclamation and Walcot Architectural Salvage had to move out of Bath, but the good news is that former manager Cary Morgan, remains the owner of Bath Reclamation, based just outside Bath in Newton St Loe. Bath Reclamation stock and source all types of reclaimed materials, with a special focus on building materials such as Bath stone, ashlar, walling stone, paving, flooring, roofing and bricks. All other types of salvaged materials and salvaged items – from sleepers to curbs and resawn pine – are kept in stock when available. A visit to its helpful, new website is a must.Visits to the reclamation yard are by appointment only.

The greenhouse effect

Having a greenhouse can ease the guesswork when it comes to growing plants that may not survive outdoors, writes Elly West, who this month shares the benefits of having your own at home, as well as tips on what to sow this month

Gardening in the UK, as we all know, is very much driven by the weather. Last year I ate blackberry and apple crumbles for weeks on end, boxes of fruits were a regular sight at the end of people’s drives in my village with ‘please help yourself’ signs, and the trees were laden, driven by a warm sunny spring that boosted pollination, followed by a hot summer.

We don’t know yet what this year will bring, given our unpredictable climate, but having a greenhouse can remove some of the guesswork and give us a little more control, extending the season and allowing us to grow more tender plants that may not survive our outdoors.

The smell of a greenhouse is evocative of summer, that leafy, warm, damp scent that often takes us back to childhood. For me it’s pelargonium leaves and tomatoes, grown by my grandfather. Stepping into his greenhouse felt a bit magical, a warm, sunny den in the garden where you were instantly surrounded by lush green leaves and trays of who-knew-what.

Greenhouses, along with orangeries and conservatories, are largely a northern-hemisphere phenomenon, and references to ‘forcing houses’ and covered gardens can be found dating back to classical Greek and Roman times. Roman emperor Tiberius was supposedly told he needed a cucumber a day for his health, his gardeners then cultivating them in beds mounted on wheels, which, in cooler months, they could move under frames glazed with sheets of selenite – a transparent rock that let the sun in.

As glass became more widely available from the early 17th century, greenhouses, or glasshouses, became the private playgrounds of the rich, used to grow fruits and flowers. Aristocratic Victorians are well-known

for their love of plant collecting and tropical rarities, and structures similar to the Palm House at Kew were built at many stately homes, heated by hot water and allowing the cultivation of tropical plants and fruits such as the coveted pineapple.

By the early 20th century, small self-assembled glasshouses were widely available to everyone with the space and money to buy, and further advances mean today’s greenhouses are relatively inexpensive, giving anyone with a little bit of space the opportunity to grow plants undercover.

Whether you are wanting a full-on orangery-style glasshouse, or a small polythene growhouse or coldframe, one of the keys to success is where it is placed. A glass greenhouse is heavy and requires a solid base in a spot where it gets plenty of light, particularly in winter. An east-west orientation is generally preferred, while a lean-to is best on a south or west-facing wall. Another big decision is whether to have a heated greenhouse or a cold greenhouse. In mild areas, a cold greenhouse can be all you need to give plants and seeds the best start in spring, protecting them from mild frosts and wind, although overwintering tender plants is still going to be a risk. Heated greenhouses cost more to run and need an electricity source, but allow year-round cultivation of a wide-range of plants, including citrus fruits and orchids.

At this time of year, the greenhouse comes into its own, providing a space to start off seeds for early sowings of flowering plants and veg. Cool-season leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, kale and rocket can be sown now, and with some heating you can also grow more tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, courgettes and beans, ready for planting outside

later on. Other more hardy veg, such as spring onions and radishes, will benefit from a head start in the greenhouse in early spring, as will many herbs, including basil, coriander and parsley.

In terms of flowers, now is the time to start growing summer bedding in the greenhouse, such as snapdragons, petunias, cosmos, zinnias, marigolds and dahlias. Young plants bought in trays at the garden centre or supermarket can also be grown on and hardened off before they go outdoors once the risk of frosts has passed.

Another advantage of greenhouse growing is protection from pests. There’s nothing more depressing than discovering a slimy slug or snail trail across your carefully grown seedlings, and a greenhouse bench is a much safer spot than the bare soil. Watering is also more controlled, and plants dry out less quickly in a humid environment. Aim to water in the morning and consider simple automatic systems such as capillary matting under your seedling trays, or drip irrigation from a water butt. High humidity can lead to fungal diseases though, so good ventilation is also vital.

Greenhouses can be attractive features in their own right, blending function and beauty. A greenhouse can be a quiet retreat and somewhere to sit and relax with the addition of a small chair, cushions and perhaps some solar fairy lights for when the sun goes down. Wooden structures can be painted in soft heritage colours, and think too about the area around the greenhouse, perhaps framing the entrance with climbers or potted plants, or positioning it at the end of a path so it draws the eye and provides a focal point. n

Elly West is a professional garden designer, working in and around the Bristol and Bath areas | ellyswellies.co.uk

Plant of the month: Tomato

March is prime season for tomato sowing, whether they are greenhouse varieties or ones that will be grown on outside in beds, containers or growbags. Fill trays with seed compost and sprinkle the seeds thinly on the surface, then cover them with a fine layer of compost. They will need warmth to germinate, so start them indoors on a sunny windowsill, or invest in a heated propagator if you want to keep them in the greenhouse. Generally speaking, from around mid-April they can be moved to the greenhouse, once night-time temperatures are around 10°C.

Leaves should appear around two to four weeks after sowing. When your seedlings are ready to pot on, at around 5-10cm tall, bury them deeply, up to the first set of leaves. The buried stems will then throw out more roots, anchoring them more firmly in the soil and encouraging a stronger root system.

There are lots of varieties to choose from, from tiny cherries to large beefsteak and colourful heritage types, but among the best-selling for reliability are ‘Sungold’, ‘Gardener’s Delight’, ‘Moneymaker’ and ‘Shirley’. Check the packet to see whether your variety is a bush or a cordon. Cordon varieties will need support and the sideshoots removing as they grow to encourage heavier crops, while bush varieties are better for containers, needing little support and no pruning.

I specialise in modernising mid-century furniture, meticulously updating classic designs to give them a contemporary look that seamlessly blends with today’s trends. Each piece is crafted with exceptional attention to detail, ensuring it is not only aesthetically pleasing but incredibly durable. Many of the pieces I offer are well-known classics from the mid-century to 1990’s. I believe in the importance of sustainability, which is why I advocate for reclaiming old pieces of furniture. Each reclaimed item can be customised and painted in a colour of your choice to perfectly suit the room in which it will be placed.

The property is approached via a pillared gate and driveway on Tyning End, with newly laid limestone paving leading to the front porch and the side access.

The house has been sympathetically extended to the side and rear and it sits in an elevated plot which has easily manageable gardens to the front and rear.

The covered entrance porch leads to the welcoming entrance hall where stairs rise to the upper floor and the hall splits to the main reception rooms and into the new extension where there is the study or ground floor bedroom, stylish shower room and utility room with a door to the rear garden. The bay-fronted sitting room is south facing and opens to the dining room and in turn the wellappointed kitchen. The kitchen has been fully upgraded and boasts bi-fold doors leading to the rear terrace and garden. There is also a playroom which completes the ground floor.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms and a refitted family bathroom.

Externally the gardens wrap around the house and are fully enclosed and secure. Steps rise from the rear garden to the original garage which is now used as a home gym but could easily be a studio as it is very light. The driveway and electric car charger are in front of the garage and has space for one car in addition to the residents parking scheme.

Cobb Farr, 35 Brock Street, The Circus, Bath; Tel: 01225 333332

37 Market Street, Bradford on Avon; Tel: 01225 866111

Widcombe Hill, Bath

• 3/4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms

• Extended ground floor accommodation

• Immaculate décor

• Open plan kitchen/breakfast room

• Well maintained garden

• Gym/garage

• Driveway/off road parking

OIEO £1,000,000

Upper South Wraxall, Bradford on Avon

£1,150,000

Situated in the heart of the village, a handsome, 4 bedroom, detached period property with retained features and the benefitof a separate studio/5th bedroom, double garage and delightful Cotswold stone walled garden.

• Detached stone period property (circa C17th)

• 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms

• Separate stone building housing garage, studio,bathroom

• Driveway parking and private enclosed garden

• Central village location with beautiful church and village views

Lower Oldfield Park, Bath

OIEO £1,000,000

A beautifully presented 4 bedroom bay fronted Victorian semi-detached family home of lovely proportions with a generous wellstocked south facing garden and off-street parking for several cars, located in a popular residential area within 10 minutes’ walk of Bath city centre and within easy walking distance of many excellent local amenities.

• 4 lovely double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms

• Open plan kitchen/living/dining

• Utility room, guest cloakroom

• South facing gardens and off street parking for several cars

01225 333332 | 01225 866111

Bridgetower Drive: a landmark finale to the Holburne Park story

Vicky Dudbridge, head of Residential Development Sales for Savills Bristol and Bath

The sale of the last four spectacular townhouses on the prestigious Bridgetower Drive represents the final opportunity to buy a new home at Bath’s acclaimed Holburne Park.

Set within beautifully landscaped grounds and alongside the natural hillside that affords expansive views across the city and surrounding countryside, Holburne Park is ideally located for enjoying all that Bath has to offer. The historic centre is less than a mile away along the Kennet and Avon canal, which flows quietly nearby, offering peace and tranquillity alongside cultural vibrance.

Now complete and ready to move into, this last collection of homes brings together the very best of what has made Holburne Park such a success.

Architecture rooted in heritage

Holburne Park has been celebrated for its authentic Georgian style terraces, villas and apartments – architecture inspired by the world famous streetscapes of Bath.

While the exteriors are reminiscent of the elegance of the Georgian era, inside, the homes have been thoughtfully reimagined for contemporary life. Open plan living areas with modern 3 way spaces perfect to entertain and relax by day alongside formal drawing rooms – complete with log burners – offer warmth, character and a sense of occasion for evening relaxation. Principal bedroom suites and beautifully crafted marble bathrooms bring boutique style luxury to daily life.

It is this combination of classical design and modern convenience that sets the homes at Holburne Park apart.

North or south

In releasing these final four homes for sale now, it could be said that we have saved the best for last. Located on the coveted Bridgetower Drive – a grand terrace of four and five bedroom homes occupying the most elevated position within Holburne Park – they represent the ‘crème de la crème’ of the scheme. And with two homes on the northside and two on the southside of Bridgetower Drive, buyers have the choice of two distinctive house types.

The five bedroom townhouses on the northside are positioned to enjoy what many consider to be the best views on the entire development – farreaching across the stunning Charlcombe Valley. They offer exceptionally spacious accommodation arranged over four floors, and feature full width balconies off the drawing room, allowing residents to step outside and take in the panorama.

The four bedroom townhouses on the southside have proven to be the most popular house type across the whole scheme. Accessed from a promenade deck, with undercroft parking below, these homes offer generous living accommodation, including a contemporary open-plan living space that opens out to a south-facing rear garden.

A community shaped by its residents

One of the most distinctive aspects of Holburne Park is the community that has developed over time. Its residents include families who were drawn by the excellent access to Bath’s highly regarded schools, downsizers wanting beautifully designed and equally manageable home, and those relocating to Bath for its lifestyle, culture and strong connection to nature.

As the neighbourhood has grown, so too has its sense of community. It’s common for residents to relocate within the development – upsizing, downsizing or choosing a new plot depending on their life stage – simply because they love living at Holburne Park. This evolution has created a warm, welcoming environment where neighbours know one another and the now well established surroundings feel cared for.

Final chance to buy

These final four townhouses on Bridgetower Drive complete the Holburne Park story – now ready to move into, this is the last chance to secure a new home in one of Bath’s most desirable modern neighbourhoods. Prices from £1,150,000, contact Savills on 01225 474591 to arrange your viewing.

43% of Landlords Unaware of the Renters’ Rights Bill –Why That Matters Now

Melissa Anderson, Director of Sales and Lettings at Camella, has highlighted concerning findings from recent research conducted by Rightmove.

The survey of 900 landlords revealed that 43% are unaware of the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill and how it will affect them.

Melissa outlines the key phases of the Renters’ Rights Bill, with particular focus on the imminent changes under Phase 1. She emphasises that these reforms will commence on 1st May 2026, marking a significant shift for landlords across the private rented sector.

Renters’ Rights Act 2025: Implementation Timeline Overview

The reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will be introduced in three key stages:

• Phase 1 – Core legal reforms: 1 May 2026

• Phase 2 – New regulatory systems: Late 2026 to 2028

• Phase 3 – Higher property standards: From 2030 onwards

The most substantial changes will take effect during Phase 1, when major tenancy law reforms apply simultaneously across the private rented sector in England.

Ban on Discrimination Against Families and Benefit Claimants

From 1 May 2026, landlords and agents will be prohibited from imposing blanket bans on:

• Tenants with children

• Tenants who receive benefits

This reflects the government’s commitment to improving fair access to housing.

Preparing for 1 May 2026

With the implementation date confirmed, early preparation is strongly advised.

Landlords should:

• Review tenancy agreements and management processes

• Understand the revised possession framework

• Prepare for future registration requirements

• Plan ahead for property standard upgrades

End of Section 21 “No-Fault” Evictions

• Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without a legally valid reason

• Section 21 notices will be removed from housing law

• Possession must instead rely on revised Section 8 grounds The government has indicated that Section 8 grounds will be strengthened to balance tenant security with legitimate landlord needs, including circumstances such as:

• Selling the property • Moving in a close family member

• Serious rent arrears • Antisocial behaviour

Automatic Conversion to Periodic Tenancies

All existing and new Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will automatically convert to open-ended Assured Periodic Tenancies. This means:

• Fixed-term tenancies will no longer be the default

• Tenancies will not have a fixed end date

• Tenants may leave at any time with at least two months’ notice

• Landlords may regain possession only using a valid statutory ground

This reform is designed to increase tenant stability while preserving lawful routes for landlords to recover possession when justified.

Annual Limit on Rent Increases

From 1 May 2026:

• Rent may only be increased once in any 12-month period

• Landlords must use the formal Section 13 procedure

• A minimum of two months’ notice is required

• Tenants may challenge excessive increases at the First-tier Tribunal if they believe the rent exceeds market value

Ban on Rental Bidding Wars

From May 2026, it will be unlawful for landlords or letting agents to encourage or accept bidding above the advertised rent. This includes:

• Inviting offers higher than the listed price

• Accepting a higher rent after advertising a lower figure This measure aims to improve transparency and fairness, particularly in high-demand rental areas.

Right to Request a Pet

From 1 May 2026:

• Tenants have a legal right to request permission to keep a pet

• Landlords must consider requests reasonably

• Refusals must be based on valid justification

• Landlords may require suitable pet insurance

Blanket bans on pets in tenancy agreements will no longer be permitted.

QUEEN SQUARE, Bath, BA1 Guide Price £3,695,000

Discover a true gem of Georgian architecture – a magnificent townhouse designed by the renowned John Wood the Elder, part of his vision to establish Bath as one of England’s most elegant cities. Positioned proudly on the prestigious north side of Queen Square, just moments from landmarks such as the Theatre Royal and the Royal Crescent, this Grade I listed residence spans five beautifully preserved floors.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 5 Receptions | Outbuilding | Secondary Accom | Tenure: Freehold

TRIMNELLS, Colerne, SN14

Tucked away in the heart of Colerne, Trimnells House is a striking Grade II listed former farmhouse, built in 1871 by the Poynder family, who owned Hartham Park in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

7 Bedrooms | 6 Bathrooms | 4 Receptions | Tenure: Freehold

Bath and Rural Estate Agents 36 Gay Street, Bath, Somerset BA1 2NT 01225 320032 | www. bathandrural.com

COMBE HAY, Bath, BA2

One of a cluster of seven sought after properties on the edge of Combe Hay village Rowley Cottage is an attractive local stone four-bedroom detached house located on the site of a former farm building. Spanning two floors, the property was constructed in the early 1990s in a style unique to the local area ensuring that it blended seamlessly with its environment in the southern part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 3 Receptions | Tenure: Freehold

HIGH STREET, Seend, SN12

Price £1,200,000

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Wiltshire village of Seend, this elegant Victorian home, framed by immaculate walled gardens, is a must-see gem. Rich in history, it was originally built circa 1871 as the vicarage for the nearby Holy Cross Church. Sold in 2015 and thoughtfully refurbished, the house retains an abundance of character, with striking original features throughout.

4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3 Receptions | Tenure: Freehold

Bath and Rural Estate Agents

320032 | www. bathandrural.com

Why London buyers continue to look west

By Peter Greatorex, Managing Director, Peter Greatorex Unique Homes

There has long been a natural connection between London and Bath, largely driven by strong transport links. With direct trains taking around 75 minutes and easy access to the M4 corridor, the two cities have always been closely connected. During the pandemic period five years ago, that connection intensified as remote working allowed more London-based professionals to reconsider where they wanted to live. While that surge has settled, the underlying relationship has not disappeared. What we are seeing now is not a wave of relocation, but a steady and deliberate flow of buyers who view Bath as a long-term move rather than a temporary shift.

Bath is often seen as a practical alternative for London-based families who still want to remain connected to the capital. It offers city living on a smaller, more manageable scale, with transport links that make regular travel to London entirely workable. At the same time, it provides more space, access to countryside and a pace of life that feels less pressured. For many, it is not about leaving city life behind, but about finding a better balance.

The conversations we are having with London buyers are often centred around lifestyle. Access to strong schools, open countryside on the doorstep, independent cafés and restaurants, and the ability to walk across the city rather than commute across zones are frequently mentioned. There is also consistent demand for homes that offer flexibility, including space for working from home, multi-generational living or layouts that allow for future reconfiguration.

Of course, the way buyers search has evolved. The majority of initial enquiries still come through portals such as Rightmove. That remains the starting point for most people. However, once a property has caught their attention, presentation becomes increasingly important.

London buyers are often time poor. They cannot make multiple exploratory trips, so much of their decision-making happens before they visit. Professional photography, c lear descriptions, strong video content and thoughtful use of social media all help build confidence early on.

We have found that this type of content connects particularly well with buyers coming from outside Bath. Video, in particular, allows them to understand the setting, proportions and flow of a home in a way that static images alone cannot. Social media also plays a growing role in widening reach, often bringing properties to the attention of buyers who were not actively searching in that specific area.

In short, the digital presentation of a property now does much of the initial work. By the time a London buyer travels down for a viewing, they are usually already well informed and, in many cases, ready to proceed.

For many London-based families, Bath offers continued access to the capital alongside more space, strong schools and a different pace of life.

Our position in Bath as representatives of The Guild of Property Professionals is relevant in this context. The Guild connects us to a national and international network of more than 800 independent agents, including a strong presence in London. That network allows properties in Bath to be shared directly with agents whose buyers are already considering a move west, rather than relying solely on online searches.

On 2 April, we will be taking part in an exhibition at the Mayfair office in London, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase our properties to buyers actively exploring relocation to Bath, Bristol and the surrounding area. If you are thinking of selling and would like to include your property, please contact us now. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a strictly first-come, first-served basis.

The underlying reasons people move remain consistent. For many London-based families, Bath offers continued access to the capital alongside more space, strong schools and a different pace of life. The beauty of Bath is that it allows people to feel they have not left city living behind entirely, but instead found a version of it that works more comfortably for the long term.

4 Queen Street, Bath, BA1 1HE | 01225 904999 info@petergreatorex.co.uk | www.petergreatorex.co.uk

Set in approximately 5 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, orchard, paddocks, and private woodland, this charming Grade II listed Cotswold stone house offers exceptional period character combined with stylish, modern living.

• 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms

• Separate coach house with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

OIEO £2,250,000

• Swimming pool

• Tennis court

Clevedon, Somerset

OIEO

£2,000,000

Stancliff is a striking Grade II listed late Georgian detached home set in an elevated position above Clevedon’s seafront

• 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4 receptions

• Swimming pool

• Council tax band G

• EPC rating D

Nempnett, Thrubwell

OIEO

£1,600,000

Bellevue Farm is a truly remarkable home with high quality equestrian facilities perched above Blagdon Lake.

• 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 receptions

• Plans available for bedroom extension

• 5 stables and all-weather arena

• Council tax band D

• EPC rating D