There is no doubt that Bath provides enough excitement, history and entertainment to help you while away a long weekend in the city.  And there is no better time to visit than the present if you have a taste for Shakespeare.

Whatever you might think of the original Shakespeare plays, you can see a different side to them if you visit the Theatre Royal Bath between the 23^rd February and the 13^th March this year.  This is because the plays are being put on with an eye firmly on the 21^st century instead of the century in which they were written.

Not only does this mean you get to see a different side to Shakespeare and his plays, it may also make them more accessible for you.  There is no doubt that some modern audiences find it hard to connect with these plays, classics though they may be.  Reinventing them for the 21^st century can only serve to bring them to a wider audience – and that is something which should definitely be applauded.

So what can you expect during this time if you are visiting Bath and staying in local accommodation for a UK weekend away?

The season kicked off with a retelling of Henry the 5^th, but there are other Shakespeare plays that are going to be given the 21^st century treatment as well.  The season finishes with The Tempest, which features Prospero among others in the cast of characters.  But you can also see the Animated Tales of Shakespeare if you go on selected dates during the season, so don’t miss the chance to see that either.

The Theatre Royal Bath is very easy to reach once you are in Bath itself.  Once you are familiar with the famous Pulteney Bridge you can walk directly from here to the theatre and barely turn a corner in the process.  Simply cross the bridge and bear slightly right into Northgate Street before bearing left into Upper Borough Walls and walking right to the end.  You will then see the Theatre Royal directly in front of you.

Since this season at the Theatre Royal Bath is likely to be very popular, it pays to book tickets in advance if at all possible.  Book your UK weekend break in Bath now and then visit the Theatre Royal website in Bath to book your tickets online.  The prices are very competitive and whatever you choose to see, you will love the experience and enjoy a great night out in the process.

And once all that is done, why not enjoy a nice meal nearby before you return to your Bath accommodation?  There are plenty of delightful restaurants in Bath you could choose from, and it all makes for a good day out and a touch of culture as well.

The Theatre Royal Bath is steeped in history but in this case we have history meeting with the 21^st century to provide some fantastic retellings of some Shakespeare favourites.  Will you be there to enjoy them?

Is It Too Early To Be Thinking About Mothering Sunday?

It certainly isn’t, because we are less than four weeks away from it already.  Mothering Sunday this year falls on the 14^th March, and there is a spectacular opportunity to treat your Mum to a wonderful lunch out and about in the Cotswolds.

This opportunity comes courtesy of the Avon Valley Railway, which has one of its stations at Bitton.  This is just to the north west of Bath, so you can see it isn’t too far from any Cotswolds country cottage you might be staying in at the time.  If you are visiting the Cotswolds for a long weekend why not treat your Mum to a ride on the railway – and a steam railway at that?

You might think that steam railways appeal more to the men in the family than the women.  But there is a significant difference on Mothering Sunday that is well worth thinking about.  And this is why you need to consider booking tickets for this special day now

The steam trains that will be running on Mothering Sunday will include the dining carriage in First Class.  The meals served in this carriage are always exceptionally popular and you will experience a wonderful three course meal to enjoy.  The Avon Valley Railway are already starting to take bookings for this day so if you are thinking of taking advantage of it, make sure you contact them now to make an enquiry.

The food is renowned for being excellent and there are two menus in operation depending on when you visit.  Each menu has a choice of four or five items for each course as well, so you will be sure to find something you like.

There is a lot more to enjoy during your day at the railway as well.  The station at Bitton is quite stunning and it has been restored to its former glory very nicely indeed.  Be sure to bring a camera, regardless of whether you visit on Mothering Sunday for a nice meal aboard a steam train, or at any other time.

If you are out and about on a Cotswolds or Bath based holiday and you want to think about cycling to the railway, you will find plenty of bike racks available to lock your bike safely while you explore the area.  The railway is close to the cycle path between Bristol and Bath so the cyclists are very well taken care of.

As you can see, whether you visit the railway on Mothering Sunday or any other day of the year you are sure to have a great time.  The Avon Valley Railway operates special events and special days all through the year so you can always find an excuse to come back and see them again.

You will find the entrance to the railway on Bath Road, just outside the main part of Bitton itself.  And if you have a good time you will certainly want to return to it again and again.

For A Wonderful Holiday Experience Stay at our Bath Holiday Cottages

For a wonder holiday with all the comforts of home, along with various site-seeing opportunities and luxuries, our Bath holiday cottages are the getaway that you and your loved ones will enjoy.

These cottages are very affordable for the average couple or family, and they are near many tourist attractions, making many things to do within reach. You can golf nearby, or go cycling, visit castles via tours and ruins. There are also trails for walking, and you can enjoy the tranquillity of boating, as well.

Still other cottages are perfect for business trips, such as Grosvenor Place Apartment, located within the city of Bath. History surrounds you while you walk down the picturesque streets, as you return to your spacious accommodation.

Weekly rates are available, which increase for long weekends and holiday stays.

The many ways to travel in this historic city will enable you to visit the Bath Boating Station. This overlooks the River Avon, and you can rent a skiff, punt or perhaps a canoe to enjoy the wonderful scenery from the water, and all of the surrounding nature. There are units here to rent, as well, such as the Toad Hall and the Garden Room. And you will enjoy the fresh English cuisine at the Boatman Restaurant.

While visiting Bath, do not pass up the Thermal Bath Spa. This is a day spa with mineral-rich waters and treatments for your relaxation and delight. These are natural thermal waters, which were enjoyed by the Celts and Romans more than 2,000 years ago. For the ultimate treat for body and mind, go to the only natural waters of this kind in Britain.

From a wonderful shopping experience, to various restaurant choices, to boating, golfing, and the spa, these home away from home cottages will make for enjoyable and memorable vacation holidays, which you will treasure for years to come. You will find unique activities and pleasures when you stay at Bath holiday cottages.

Visit The Bath Literature Festival

The Cotswolds is beautifully situated for anyone wanting to spend a week or more staying in the area.  One great example of somewhere you can go for a day trip is to Bath.  If you are staying in a holiday cottage somewhere near Lechlade for example, you are looking at a drive of little over an hour to reach Bath itself.

And there is actually no better place to go at the moment, because the Bath Literature Festival is going on.  It begins on Saturday 27^th February and goes through until Sunday 7^th March, so you have plenty of time to go and pay a visit.

If you have a love of literature in any form at all you should definitely make time to see this particular festival.  It is well known in Bath and it draws people from all kinds of places to come and see what is going on.  It draws lots of famous writers to attend as well, so you have the hope of seeing someone you have read and admired for a while.

The history of this festival goes back to 1995 and since then it has developed into something that people look forward to every year.  There is something for everyone here as well, as there is a huge difference between the various talks and events that are laid on.  For example the first day of the festival sees an hour long exploration of Winnie the Pooh.  Meanwhile on the 3^rd March British actor Bill Paterson will talk about his acting life, as well as reading one of his short stories for the occasion.

As you can see the diversity is what attracts many people to visit the festival.  No matter what kind of writing or literature you like, you are sure to find something worth seeing here.  As such it is worth finding out what events are happening when.  This should enable you to plan ahead and organise your Cotswolds holiday around the event itself.  Of course if you have already planned your holiday you can simply choose a day to visit Bath and take in the festival as well.  Just be aware that you should book your tickets for the festival in advance.  Doing so as soon as possible would be a good idea.

The festival itself will be held in the Guildhall in Bath.  This is on the High Street, which you can reach quite easily.  This is a one way section of Bath that isn’t too far from Pulteney Bridge in one direction and the Roman Baths in the other.  If you are travelling there by car you are best off parking somewhere nearby and walking the remaining distance to attend the Bath Literature Festival.

There is no doubt that if you are planning a UK weekend break or a holiday in the UK, this is a good time to visit the Cotswolds and the surrounding areas.  And since there is plenty more to do in Bath as well, you will be guaranteed to have an enlightening time.

Get Ready For The Re-Opening Of Blenheim Palace

There is no doubt that the Cotswolds has a wide variety of venues and attractions to visit during your stay here.  There are plenty of Cotswolds country cottages to stay in, and whether you want to visit towns and villages or more precise attractions, you’ll enjoy every minute of it.

And February brings with it the re-opening of one of the area’s finest attractions, Blenheim Palace.  The first day of the new season starts on the 13^th February, just in time for Valentine’s Day if you want to treat your loved one to a weekend away and a stroll through the grounds.

Indeed the Palace is re-opening with Valentine’s Day firmly in mind.  The Orangery is a popular part of the venue because it serves some wonderful food that will definitely get your taste buds excited.  You can book to have a Sunday lunch on Valentine’s Day itself, or try something different and opt for a champagne tea instead.  The prices are quite reasonable considering the location and what you get in return, and it is the perfect way to surprise your loved one on this special day.

The Palace is very near to Woodstock and if you are staying in Chipping Norton to the north west of the Palace you can follow the A44 quite easily to find it.  Be sure to reserve the whole day for your visit though, because the Palace is quite big and you will want to explore every corner of it.

The park is the only part of the Palace that is always open for visitors to enjoy.  There is a small charge for seeing this part and foregoing all the rest, but as we have seen you will have every reason to book a Cotswolds weekend to coincide with Valentine’s Day.

Not everyone knows that Sir Winston Churchill was born here, and indeed you can visit the room where this historic event occurred.  There is also an exhibition which reveals more about his life and his connection with Blenheim Palace.  You can also explore the state rooms and the history of the Palace itself, which brings to life stories you may not be aware of.  It may sound like a slice of history, but this particular slice is definitely brought to life in a wonderful way.

The good thing about Blenheim Palace is that not only does it offer a great day out it is also within close proximity to much of the Cotswolds.  For example you can enjoy a half hour or so drive from Moreton in Marsh if you have found some Cotswolds accommodation to stay in there.  Bourton on the Water is also not too far away, so you can see how ideally situated it is.  And with places like Banbury and Chipping Campden equally close by, you can enjoy the best of the Cotswolds as well as enjoying the Palace.

So why not make some plans for Valentine’s Day right now?  It’s coming up fast and as you can see there are some stunning places you could be visiting.