Fine textiles, paintings and pretty items of blue-and-white delftware reside at Gloucestershire's majestic Dyrham Park. Built between 1692 and 1704, the house and its contents reflect the taste of the time for Dutch fashions.
Available :
Feb - Oct 2013; not Wed or Thu (various dates)
Badminton Horse Trials are among the more testing competitions in the equestrian calendar. The famous cross-country course is long, gruelling, but always well built and most competitors get round, if they don't fall in the water!
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
The 120-foot, neo-classical Beckford's Tower in Bath offers fantastic views of the surrounding countryside. The museum inside has displays of furniture made for the tower as well as paintings, prints and objects illustrating the life of arts patron William Beckford.
Available :
Apr - Nov 2013; Weekends only (annual)
The Fashion Museum in Bath is housed in the magnificent Assembly Rooms. The museum's collections comprehensively cover the history of fashion dating from the early 17th century up to the present day.
Available :
Daily
Fashionistas have cause to rejoice at Bath's Fashion Museum as it once again dedicates a display to The Dress of the Year. An annual occurrence, the dress can vary from decadent to demure but it's always highly desirable.
Available :
Mar - Dec 2013 (annual)
Bath Assembly Rooms were designed by John Wood the Younger in 1769 when the town was emerging as a fashionable centre for "polite society". Bombed during the Second World War, the building was fully restored and today comprises offices for Bath & North East Somerset Council, elegant public rooms and the Museum of Costume in the basement.
Available :
Daily
The Bath Mozartfest returns for another year of high-quality classical music. Performances predominantly take place at the Assembly Rooms, but others are hosted at Bath Abbey, The Guildhall and the Forum.
Available :
Nov 2013 (annual)
Held throughout the UK, the Sky Ride encourages cyclists of all abilities to hop on their saddles and hit the streets. Taking place in Bath, this event allows cyclists to reclaim the city and enjoy a day of bike-based entertainment.
Available :
Jun 2013 (annual)
The 100-mile, ancient droving trail of the Cotswold Way is a fantastic way to explore the beauty of this romantic countryside. Buy an Ordnance Survey Map and follow the route for an epic eight-day hike along the western escarpment, starting close to Shakespeare's Stratford and finishing in Bath via Stanton, Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham, Painswick, Dursley, Upton and Cold Ashton.
Available :
Daily
Over nearly two weeks, the magnificent surroundings of Britain's finest Roman city are graced with the world's best music. From classical to jazz, world music and beyond, the Bath International Music Festival presents its annual musical extravaganza.
Available :
May - Jun 2013 (annual)
Bath's annual Fringe Festival brings more than 150 different events to this Roman spa town. With a visual arts programme spread across the city, fringe theatre, plenty of live music and comedians galore this is Bath's biggest arts festival.
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May - Jun 2013 (annual)
Over 100 events are hosted in Jane Austen's former home town for the annual Bath Literature Festival. It is held at venues around the spa town, including the Guildhall, Bath Masonic Hall and the Holburne Museum.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
Bath's traditional Christmas Market is held between the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. More than 100 wooden chalets sell Christmas items, from food and drink to decorations and hand-crafted goods. Carol singers and strolling players provide festive entertainment.
Available :
Nov - Dec 2013 (annual)
Established in 1991, Bath Film Festival retains the feel of a community-orientated event but with an internationally focused programme. Showing a commitment to promoting the best of contemporary cinema it returns this year with local, national and international film highlights.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
The jovial annual Jane Austen Festival features costumed promenades, talks, tours and theatrical performances throughout Bath in honour of the city's most famous resident. The festival is a must for Austen fans - and people who like dressing up.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Bath celebrates its UNESCO World Heritage status in April with military re-enactments, guided tours, walks and outdoor theatre. Activities take place all day long across the city centre and coincide with International World Heritage Day.
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Apr 2013 (annual)
Spend the May Bank Holiday weekend listening to glorious music in Bath. The four-day Bath Sing for Life event features glorious choirs in various churches, young musicians in city centre stores, and a concert on the final night.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Bath International Dance Festival sees top dance stars visit venues across this historic city to teach their graceful moves to all willing students. Leave as an expert in the Modern Jive, street dancing or even Georgian period dancing.
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May 2013 (annual)
Bath is having a laugh this April, with a comedy festival starting on April Fool's Day. The annual festival brings the cream of stand-up comedians, street theatre and mime performers, plays, caricatures and more to venues around the historical city.
Available :
Mar - Apr 2013 (annual)
The best children's books are brought to life by their authors and illustrators at the Bath Festival of Children's Literature. Kids are encouraged to take part in author interviews and book signings, drawing with illustrators, storytelling and stand-up comedy.
Available :
Sep - Oct 2013 (annual)
Get your running gear on, do some training and enter the Bath Half Marathon. For those that can't manage the full distance, there's a fun run too, following a one-and-a-half-mile route that should be manageable for most children.
Available :
Mar 2013 (annual)
Venues throughout Bath host the Mid-Somerset Festival of speech, drama, creative writing and music classes. Aimed at participants from six years old to adults, it is open to amateurs only and adjudicated by professionals.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury, contains one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the world. With 18,000 trees set in 600 acres of landscaped grounds, it merits a visit any time of year.
Available :
Daily
Bath's Victoria Park is an expansive, tranquil oasis in the heart of the West Country UNESCO World Heritage City. Come to stroll the manicured lawns, enjoy the floral displays or explore the nine-acre Botanical Garden.
Available :
Daily
Looking for that special piece of furniture that really ties the room together? Then make your way to Bath Pavilion's Decorative and Antique Fair. With English and continental furniture, decorative accessories, garden items and more, there's plenty to choose from.
Available :
Mar 2013 (annual)
Follow your nose to Bath's Recreation Ground this summer for the city's annual Coffee Festival. Brews from throughout the world are available for sampling, so curious consumers and coffee connoisseurs alike can get their caffeine fix and learn about the craft.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Banff Mountain Film Festival tours dozens of different countries, presenting award-winning films with topics ranging from remote landscapes to daredevil action sports. Visit Bath's Komedia club for some jaw-dropping and thought-provoking features.
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Feb 2013 (annual)
Do as the Romans did thousands of years ago and bathe in the naturally warm spring waters of Bath. Thermae Bath Spa's pièce de résistance is its mineral-rich roof-top pool with spectacular views of the Abbey and the city below.
Available :
Daily
Green Park Market is located in a restored Victorian railway station, with a mix of shops and market stalls showcasing local businesses and crafts people. Cheltenham locals flock to the Saturday morning farmers' market with the best of local produce.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
Bath's Holburne Museum of Art is located in a fine historic building that was once the Sydney Hotel. In 1916 it became home to the superb collection of art of Sir William Holburne.
Available :
Daily; not Mon
Travel back to the glory days of steam power on the two-mile Avon Valley Railway in Bristol. Visitors can enjoy trips on steam or diesel trains through the scenic river valley, and take part in the railway's many themed events.
Available :
Daily
Based at Bath's Claverton Manor, The American Museum in Britain traces the heritage of the United States. It comprises a series of diverse and authentically decorated rooms, tracing the American way of life from colonial times to the mid-19th century.
Available :
Mar - Oct 2013; not Mon (various dates)
Bath Guitar Festival presents a programme of workshops and creative technology courses at venues around town. Featuring some of the best classical and popular guitarists in the world, the majority of courses take place at the Michael Tippett Centre.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
Prior Park Landscape Garden was created by local entrepeneur and philanthropist Ralph Allen and is set in a sweeping valley with magnificent views of the city of Bath. Interesting features include an 18th-century Palladian bridge and three lakes.
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Daily; not Tue
Bristol Blue Glass has been made locally for hundreds of years, although production virtually stopped in the 20th century. The factory in Arnos Vale has revived original techniques, creating and selling vases, glasses and jugs in the distinctive dark blue glass.
Available :
Daily
The Friends Life T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Gloucestershire Gladiators play their home games at the County Ground in Bristol.
Available :
Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Bore is the rather curious name given to a unique tidal phenomenon. An exceptionally high tide produces a wave so large that it travels upstream within the banks of the nearest river, sometimes for several miles. Favourable conditions for a really big Bore, such as a strong following wind, can produce a wave on the Severn river over two metres high, moving at an average speed of 16 kilometres per hour. The waves attract hundreds of spectators and more excitingly, the daring and intrepid Bore Riders.
Available :
Daily
A long-established, award-winning Bristol favourite, Bell's Diner in Montpelier serves European food with a modern twist, such as beef carpaccio with a beetroot sorbet. The understated décor in cool colours with pristine white tablecoths belies the buzzy atmosphere. It is ideal for those with an adventurous palate. Reservations are a must.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
The Croft on Stokes Croft showcases local, national and international DJs and live bands. The laid-back Front Bar regularly hosts DJs and acoustic bands and the Back Room has live acts most nights of the week.
Available :
Daily
The art market has long been recognised for peddling its wares at over-inflated prices. The Affordable Art Fair, held in Temple Meads Station's Old Passenger Shed, provides an antidote, offering a relaxed, unstuffy environment in which to browse and buy.
Available :
May 2013 (annual)
08457 76 76 76
