Early Booking for the 2016 Independent Bath Literature Festival

Each year Bath holds it’s famous literature festival. Big name authors, playwrights, illustrators and other literary figures come together to fill the impressive programme of events. This year, to celebrate the 21^st birthday of the festival, organisers have decided to release tickets for 12 special events ahead of the general ticket release date on the 18^th of January (although festival friends and priority bookings go on sale a few days before this). As always tickets sell out fast, so planning ahead is important, especially if you want to see any of the twelve early release events. 

These are:

• ·      Alice Roberts, presenter of The Incredible Human Journey and Coast, talking about her explorations into the forgotten Celts of Europe. (27^th February, 1pm-2pm at The Guildhall) 
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• ·      Vince Cable discussing his new book After the Storm with Financial Times columnist Stefan Stern. The book looks at the global economy from the past five years from the perspective of a senior coalition member at the heart of it all. (27^th February, 4:30pm-5:30pm at The Guildhall) 
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• ·      Joan Bakewell gets to the heart of this year’s festival theme “Forever Young” as she discusses her book Stop the Clocks: Thoughts on What I Leave Behind. It touches on politics, literature, love and everyday customs. Thought-provoking, enlightening and emotional, this is set to be a real highlight. (28^th February, 11:15am-12:15pm at The Guildhall)     
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• ·      An expert panel, which includes Artistic Director Viv Groskop and culture writer Mark Lawson, debates the best coming-of-age novels of all time. The Bell Jar, Great Expectations and Little Women are all sure to be a few of the contenders, as well as some lesser known gems. (28^th February, 1pm-2pm at The Guildhall) 
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• ·      Author of Girl with a Pearl Earring Tracey Chevalier presents her new historical fiction novel, this time her stage is in 19^th century Ohio with the Goodenough family who struggle against themselves and against the nature around them. (4^th March, 6:15pm-7:15pm at The Guildhall) 
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• ·      Ben Miller abandoned a physics PhD to pursue his career as a comedian, but now he has combined the two in his book The Aliens Are Coming! Here he talks about the serach for the real E.T.s. (4^th March, 8pm-9pm at The Guildhall) 
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• ·      Classic FM’s morning programme presenter John Suchet explores the Strauss family in his latest book The Last Waltz. Suchet looks to show how the turbulence of 19^th century Austria influenced the fate of the family. (5^th March, 4:30pm-5:30pm at Nexus Methodist Church) 
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• ·      Comedian and writer Dom Joly introduces his audience in this hour to his life and his new autobiography Here Comes the Clown. (5^th March, 8pm-9pm at the Guildhall) 
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• ·      91 year old RAF veteran Harry Leslie Smith shot to prominence when his Facebook post about Remembrance Day was shared 80,000 times. He’s now a Guardian columnist and author of Harry’s Last Stand. His message is that the NHS and the welfare state need protecting.  (6^th March, 1pm-2pm at The Guildhall) 
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• ·      Anthony Seldon, former head of Wellington College, and journalist Peter Snowdon were given access to the inner circle in the coalition government. Together they analyse the dramas that came from that partnership and the turning points of their governance. (6^th March, 2:45pm-3:45pm at The Guildhall) 
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• ·      Every year when Austentatious comes to Bath it sells out. This year it returns once more with their improvised take on Jane Austen’s work. The audience suggests and the performers oblige; in the past they’ve done Strictly Come Darcy and Mansfield Shark. Each performance is different and each a must-see. (6^th March, 4:30pm-5:30pm at The Guildhall)   

Tickets for these twelve events are available now via the Bath Literature Festival website: http://bathfestivals.org.uk/literature/

Bath Christmas Market – Only One Week Left

The Bath Christmas Market’s 170+ wooden chalets opened their doors up to shoppers at 10am on November 26^th, and from that very first moment the city has been alive with shoppers and sight-seers alike. Bath’s market is always popular but this year it really has gone the extra mile to bring Scandinavian festivity to the city. We took a trip around the market and these are a few of the things we were delighted to find.

1.      Tasters! 

A lot of the stalls in the market are foody stalls and, even better, most of them offer free samples. Wandering around we’ve tasted Cheddar cheese that’s been aged in the Cheddar Gorge itself, handmade chocolate orange chocolate brownies (we were also really impressed with their ginger chocolate brownies), tots of Bath Ale, cured sausages, clotted cream fudge (and sea salted caramel fudge, and coffee fudge, and even strawberry fudge (practically every flavour was covered), and, of course, Christmas puddings. We could have quite easily had an entire meal consisting only of free tasters, and been very happy with it too.

2.      The Lodge

Except that if we’d properly filled up on tasters then we wouldn’t have had room left to eat in the Lodge. New this year is the huge rustic snow lodge which has been built on the Stall Street side of the Pump Rooms. When you want to take the weight off your feet for a bit after all of your exploring then the Lodge is a great place to go. 10a.m.-10p.m. they’re serving heart-warming food, hot drinks, cakes and local ales in a setting that will make you feel as if you’ve just come in off the slopes.  

3.      The Apres Ski Bar 

Close to Bath Rugby’s Recreation Ground, the Apres Ski Bar is another Alpine escape to visit. It has snow on the roof, wooly blankets to snuggle up in (not that it’s been very cold recently!) and ski boot drinks that we’re yet to sample. At night the Ski Bar has it’s own resident DJ so you can go and dance the night away in style.

4.      Last but not least - no more loo-queues

Ever practical this year the organisers have arranged for extra free and pleasant facilities to be around the market. Not a portaloo or a queue in sight.

Bath is in its element at the moment. Our city is thriving with energy and atmosphere, and so if you’re thinking of visiting a Christmas market this year we really do recommend that you choose Bath. Come and stay with us at Dukes Hotel (we’re only five minutes level walk from the city centre and Bath’s Christmas Market) and let us get you in the Christmas spirit. Bring on the mince pies and mulled wine! 

Stay in Bath for the Bath Christmas Market 

It’s that time of year again - one of the most popular times to visit Bath. Because as we get nearer to the end of November, we get ever nearer to the start of Bath’s Christmas market. From the 26^th of November until December 13^th  the village of traditional chalets will once again set up shop in the middle of our beautiful Georgian city. With the combination of wooden huts, steaming mulled wine and the Abbey soaring high lighting up the Bath night, you’re hard pressed to find another market in the country than can rival it when it comes to an amazing atmosphere.

Each year for the past 15 years, Bath has played host to a vast market emcompassing a huge variety of stalls including food, crafts, and gifts. Stallholders will be coming from all around the world, but there’s also a heavy emphasis on local artisans. This year 82% of the exhibitors will be from Bath or the South West, 76% of these will be products that are handmade, and the number of stalls is set to be over 170! A few of the more unusual things we’re expecting to see include: marmite fudge and strawberry fudge, contemporary ironwork homewares, gluten-free Christmas puddings, Morrocan lanterns, and German nutcrackers.

The market will be open each day from 10am and stays open until 7pm Monday-Wednesdays, 6pm on Sundays, and has late night shopping until 8:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. And though visiting in the evening means wrapping up warm it is definitely worth it. Each stall is individually lit up, and the Abbey at night is a real sight to behold. Wandering around the stalls in a warm winter coat and a wooly scarf, nursing a cup of hot cider in one hand and a mince pie in the other is a brilliant way to get into the Christmas spirit.  

If you’ve got time after you’ve been around the market (or before you go) then Bath’s Victoria Park also has some seasonal attractions to try. As in previous years there will be a huge outdoor ice rink to have a spin on, and wood-fired pizzas and a fully-licensed bar to partake of afterwards. One thing we haven’t seen before though is going to be the glow-in-the-dark mini golf. If it was hard during the day then it’s going to be a lot harder (but certainly highly amusing) once the sun goes down!

Another reason we love the Bath Christmas market is that is is so easy for us to get to. It’s right in the centre of Bath, and only a five minute level walk from us at Dukes Hotel and from Bath Spa train station. It’s easy to come and go from as we please – to experience it during the day when it’s quieter, as well as at night. If you’re looking for a nice weekend of shopping that will get you into the festive mood (and get you out of the same old high street shops that everyone will be going to) then there really is no place better than Bath.

Our top tip: try and come during the week if you can – that way you can beat the crowds and take your time exploring, not only the market, but the city itself as well. You definitely won’t be stuck for things to do! 

The Best Independent Shops to Visit In Bath

In almost every city centre in the UK there are a few shops that you can expect to find. Most cities have their own branch of Boots, Marks and Spencer, WHSmith and Waterstones. On a similar note when it comes to eating out you don’t have to travel far to find a pizza hut, and it’s been shown that wherever you are on the UK mainland, you’re never further away than 85 miles from a McDonalds. But one reason we love being in Bath is the fact that our city has so many great independent alternatives. When you need a good coffee or you want to go clothes shopping there’s no need to be limited to the same old chain stores. After all, visiting a new city is all about new experiences. These are just a few of our suggestions.

When you want something to read:
Toppings bookshop regularly hosts signings, talks and events with various prominent authors; but our favourite has to be Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights. It’s tucked away down a side street and is one of the only bookshops we know of that has a Reading Spa with coffee, cake, and bibliotherapists (like a personal shopper, only helping you choose the best books rather than clothes).

Having said that, if you’re a fan of clothes shopping:
Hampstead Bazaar on Pulteney Bridge is a favourite of the likes of Dame Judi Dench. They specialise in elegant flowing designs that flatter just about every woman who puts one on. Another recommendation is Channi B; an independent boutique shop on the ground floor of Milsom Place (a shopping area just off from Milsom Street). They sell unique clothes and accessories, and their shoes in particular are stunning statement pieces that you won’t find on the highstreet.

If you’re in need of a stationers:
Woods stocks everything from inlaid fountain pens to Filofaxes to iPad accessories, and they have been a feature in Bath for over 200 years. The other place to go, especially for art puzzles and the most beautiful advent calendars, is Maythers card shop.

Looking for a good old-fashioned pint:
The Raven on Queen Street has a wide range of local beers and real ales. It’s a family-run pub in a pair of conjoined Georgian townhouses with plenty of atmosphere and happily no loud music, TVs or arcade machines. Every second Monday they also host a scientific debate. Worlds away from a commercially driven chain-pub.

Keen to see a film:
While you could visit the Odeon, which has all of the latest releases, there are few cinemas we like more than The Little Theatre. This is a small (as the name suggests) and intimate cinema still set out as they used to be in yester-year; with tiered padded seats, balconies and a ticket seller on the door in a ticket booth.

When you’re looking for a great pizza:
Bath does have a Pizza Express but our recommendation is to try either the Ponte Vecchio, which is only a five minutes stroll from Dukes Hotel and has amazing views as it is right next the weir. Or for modern and atmospheric, try The Stable on Kingsmead Square.

We hope Dukes Hotel can welcome you for an explorative visit in Bath soon!

Visit Bath for A Week of Heritage in October

To coincide with the schools half term, special exhibitions, talks and workshops will be going on across Bath from Saturday October 24th to Sunday November 1st, all as part of a heritage week of events. While there are many activities aimed specifically at children and families (making masks at Victoria Art Gallery or attending a storytelling session at No.1 Royal Crescent for example), there are also several special events going on that are not-to-be-missed for visitors of all ages. Especially anyone interested in history!

Welcome to the Mayor’s Parlour is an exhibition that will be running everyday for the Heritage Week from 11:00am-4:00pm. On display will be eight hundred years of history, including the City’s Royal Charters, gold, silver and sword. Located within Bath’s Guildhall, the Mayor’s Parlour is in itself quite impressive to visit; decked out in a decadent Victorian style with vast crystal chandeliers.

Wreck Mail: Letters from the Deep is a collection of letters which were carried aboard ships but lost at sea due to enemy fire in WW1. From 11:00am-5:00pm each day visitors to the Bath Postal Museum will have the opportunity to read some of this correspondence that was never delivered. Each piece has it’s own story and the story of the vessel it was being carried on. These include military vessels sunk by torpedoes to civilian ships that were scuttled by the enemy. As well as this special display the Bath Postal Museum details the history of the post right back to 2000BC and Ancient Egypt, through the birth of the Royal Mail and up to modern times. It’s rather appropriate that this museum should be in Bath as Bath is where the first penny black stamp was sent from in 1840.

Next on our list is a single day event at The American Museum in Britain – a unique museum dedicated to American life and history that can be found next to Bath University’s Widcombe campus. On Tuesday 27th October there will be a falconry demonstration going on in its impressive grounds (which have stunning views over the surrounding countryside). From 12:30pm-1:00pm and 2:30pm-3:00pm leading falconer Ray Prior will be flying owls, hawks, eagles and falcons and talking to visitors about the birds.

Finally, what kind of Heritage Week would it be if there wasn’t a big event being hosted at the Roman Baths? On Friday 30th October the Baths will be lit by blazing torches and open late from 6:00pm-8:00pm, allowing guests the opportunity to explore the Baths in a new romantic evening atmosphere. At the same time there will be the Great Roman Feast: an opportunity to try some traditional Roman dishes, as well as sampling the famous mineral waters should you wish to.

There are many other events going on throughout the week, but these are just a few of our picks. More details and the full Heritage Week programme can be found at: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/tourism-and-heritage/museums-galleries-and-tours/heritage-open-week. We hope all of us at Dukes Hotel in Bath can welcome you to stay soon!

It’s The Little Things That Make A Stay in Bath

At Dukes Hotel we know that it's the little details that can make all the difference to a stay in Bath. Whether this is just the right amount of milk in your morning tea, a room with a view, or having an egg that's just the right mix of soft and hard boiled for breakfast; these are the details that make all the difference. So this got us thinking recently about all the small things around the city that we might not always notice. And with this is mind we decided to write a post on some of the often-overlooked gems to look out for during a stay in Bath.

Bath is lucky to be the only city in Britain to have been given UNESCO world heritage site status. It was awarded this honour, among other things, for its Georgian architecture and grand Roman Baths. What fewer people know is that to commemorate this achievement Bath installed the UNESCO symbol in the floor outside of the Pump Rooms; just at the junction between Bath Street and Stall Street.

One primary example of Bath's grand Georgian architecture is the Circus. Completed in 1768 by John Wood the Younger (following plans laid out by his Father) this impressive circle of townhouses has stone statues of acorns lining it’s roofs. But since they're quite high up the acorns are not always noticed, and if they are then their significance is often unknown.

The reason John Wood included them was as a reference to the story of how Bath became a city. In around 850BC the future King Bladud was working as a swineherd, having been cast out of court for being a leper. The pigs he was looking after also had leprosy. At least they did until they played in some hot springs while they were hunting for acorns. The pigs came out muddy but cured of the disease. Bladud saw this, also went into the waters and his leprosy was also cured. He founded the city of Bath on the site in gratitude.  

Another impressive feature of Bath has to be Bath Abbey. At one hundred and fifty meters tall it’s not easy to miss. What is easier to miss though are the holes in the ceiling, but we promise you they are in fact there. Each one is about the size of a two-pound coin and they were put there deliberately to make it easier for the bell ringers. The ringers could put their eyes to the holes and see during weddings and the like when the happy couple was making their way back down the aisle. This was their cue to start the bells.  

Bath has plenty of secrets to reveal if you know where to look, and we’d like to think that Dukes Hotel might be one of them. Come and stay in Bath at our Georgian gem of a Bath guesthouse and let us help you discover the city’s hidden stories.

Bath and the Theatre

When tourists in the Georgian era came to visit Bath, one of the top things on their list of things to do in Bath was to go to (and also to be seen at) Bath’s new Theatre Royal. For over two hundred years now Bath has been a big name on the theatrical circuit; welcoming the best classic productions, as well as some of the most innovative new works, that there are around. Ever the history enthusiasts (hardly surprising given that of all the types of hotels available in Bath, we chose to run a luxury Grade II listed guest house) we had a look at the history of theatre in Bath.

In 1768 Bath became the first city outside of London to receive a Royal Patent and, already with a growing reputation for top quality performances, this really put Bath on the theatrical map. Soon Bath was as important a booking for thespians as London was.

The original Theatre Royal wasn’t in the building that it is today though. The first Theatre Royal was in Orchard Street. It still survives but it is currently used as a Masonic Hall. Part of the building that now houses Bath’s Theatre Royal actually used to be Beau Nash’s house (Bath’s Master of Ceremonies from 1704 to his death in 1761). The move from Orchard Street to Sawclose followed plans drawn up by George Dance, professor of architecture at the Royal Academy. Amazingly the project only took a year to go from concept to finished creation, and on the 12th October 1805 it opened with a performance of Shakespeare’s Richard III. Since then it has played host to such famous faces as Sir Derek Jacobi, Rosamund Pike and Sir Patrick Stewart. It has had included in it’s programmes everything from family pantomimes to Shakespeare’s tragedies, and from Mozart’s operas to multi media adaptations of Virginia Woolf.  And with such a rich and lengthy past it’s hardly surprising to learn that it is said to have it’s own ghosts - The Grey Lady and The Phantom Doorman.

But Bath’s love of the theatre doesn’t stop at the historic Theatre Royal. There are a great many theatres to choose from in Bath. The Egg is dedicated to children’s theatre, while the Mission Theatre and The Rondo Theatre are both smaller scale venues which host a wide variety of touring and also locally produced works. Open-air productions are regularly held each year at local heritage venues such as Prior Park and Iford Manor and Bath is also home to the renowned street theatre company, The Natural Theatre Company.  

There are now over 18 cities in Britain with a Theatre Royal but Bath has still managed to retain its long-held reputation for theatrical excellence. So if you visit Bath we recommend having a look at what’s on and taking some time to catch a performance or two.