Ian Waller and his family enjoy a superb Sunday lunch at Emberwood, the restaurant at Bath’s Francis Hotel There are few better ways to spend a Sunday than sitting down with the family for a proper roast dinner. No cooking, no washing up and, best of all, everyone gets to choose exactly what they fancy....
Category: Reviews
Review: Not Now, Bernard at The Egg, Bath
by Silvia C Di Frisco A children’s story about parents being too busy to listen might feel even more relevant today than when Not Now, Bernard was first published in 1980. More than four decades later, David McKee’s much-loved picture book has arrived at The Egg in a wonderfully playful adaptation that had its young...
Review – Brasserie Beau serves up a satisfying family meal in the heart of Bath
Ian Waller and his family enjoy an evening meal out in Bath Bath is spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out, with restaurants, cafés and diners seemingly around every corner. Even so, we always enjoy the chance to try somewhere new, particularly when the whole family is coming along. On a recent balmy...
Review – a family lunch at Flourish that genuinely delivers
Tom O’Dwyer and his family make the most of a special offer on children’s lunches at Flourish in Saltford ‘Kids eat free’ or ‘kids eat for less’ often sounds better than it is. Too often, children’s food feels like an afterthought: a small plate of something beige, included because families expect a kids’ menu rather...
Review – a swashbuckling birthday party at The Little Gym Bath
Georgie Crawshaw calls on the experts at The Little Gym Bath to make sure that her five year old’s birthday party is a huge success! Ahoy there, me hearties! Batten down the hatches – my wee man has just turned five. And where better to drop anchor for a birthday party filled with flips, tumbles...
Review: Bath Pizza Co remains a firm family favourite as new summer menu arrives
We all have our favourite Bath restaurants. For my family, the best Indian cuisine has to be Bandook, Pintxo takes the top spot for tapas and, when it comes to pizza, it has to be Bath Pizza Co. For a recent family outing – hey, it was Friday, so that means pizzas – our latest...
Review: The Secret Garden at The Egg, Bath
By Silvia C Di Frisco Some theatre productions begin the moment the lights dim. At The Egg, The Secret Garden begins much earlier than that. Before the story unfolds, handcrafted fabric puppets wander through the auditorium, delighting children and introducing them to the magical world they are about to enter. The cast then explains what...
Review – Family-friendly Sundays by the water at the Locksbrook Inn
Ian Waller and his family enjoy a Sunday lunch at a very family friendly Bath pub There’s something reassuring about a pub that understands families aren’t all looking for the same thing. Some want a relaxed Sunday roast, some want a riverside drink in the sunshine, some need a menu flexible enough for teenagers with...
Review – Harry Enfield and No Chums at The Forum Bath
Ian Waller enjoys another great evening out at The Forum Bath with a visit from comedy royalty It is not many comedians who can persuade the King to introduce their show, but Harry Enfield clearly has unusual connections. As the lights went up at the Forum, King Charles himself appeared stage right to welcome the...
Review – Don McCullin in Conversation with Mariella Frostrup at The Forum Bath
There are events you attend, and then there are evenings that stay with you long after you’ve left the room. Hearing Don McCullin speak at The Forum Bath last night was very much the latter. At 90, McCullin remains sharp, reflective and disarmingly honest. In conversation with Mariella Frostrup, he offered a rare insight into a...
Review – an excellent lunch created by students at Wiltshire College
Ian Waller enjoys a lunchtime treat prepared and served by students at Wiltshire College in Trowbridge Tucked inside Wiltshire College & University Centre is a hidden gem that offers something a little different for diners: a relaxed restaurant experience where the next generation of hospitality professionals are learning their craft. The White Horse Restaurant is run...
Review – The Tale of the Loneliest Whale at The Egg, Bath
Tom O’Dwyer and his family enjoy another excellent production at The Egg Hoglets Theatre’s The Tale of the Loneliest Whale is a gentle, thoughtful production that places story and inclusivity at its heart. Performed by a single storyteller, Gemma, the 45-minute puppet play follows a whale who feels different from the others because he cannot...
Mother’s Day treat: Indian high tea at The Mint Room, Bath
If you’re looking for something a little different – but still utterly amazing – this Mother’s Day, then the Indian High Tea at the Mint Room could be just the thing. We’ve visited The Mint Room a couple of times before for family celebration meals and it is, quite simply, superb. Surely among the very...
The Sleep Show at The Egg Theatre, Bath – A Dreamy Exploration of Bedtime
Tom O’Dwyer and his family enjoy a wonderful exploration of the land of nod Every parent knows the nightly challenge: the resistance to teeth-brushing, the negotiations over “just one more story”, the seemingly endless journey from bath time to lights out. Bedtime is often the most fraught hour of the day – a chore for...
Bath Literature Festival 2026 welcomes Hamnet author Maggie O’Farrell
Bath Literature Festival has announced that bestselling novelist Maggie O’Farrell will appear at this year’s festival to celebrate the release of her new novel, Land. The award-winning author will be in Bath for a special evening at The Forum on Monday 1 June at 7pm, in partnership with Waterstones. Maggie O’Farrell is best known for...
The January/February 2026 issue of The Bath & Wiltshire Parent – Bath’s biggest magazine – is out today!
The new issue of The Bath & Wiltshire Parent is out now – and it’s packed with ideas, inspiration and local stories for families just like yours. Delivered free to 22,000 families, The Bath & Wiltshire Parent is the only magazine distributed through every school – state and private, nursery, primary and secondary – in...
Wiltshire mum of five launches natural deodorant designed especially for teenage girls
Wiltshire mum of five launches natural deodorant designed especially for pre-teen and teenage girls When a Wiltshire mum picked her daughter up from school and was met with an awkward moment familiar to many parents of tweens, it sparked the idea for a business now helping families across the UK. Amanda, a paramedic and mum...
Review – family Christmas fun with Under The Frozen Moon at Pound Arts
Rachael Kenward and her family discover a frosty adventure worth braving the cold for Right then, parents – let me tell you about the loveliest little gem we discovered at Pound Arts this week. Under a Frozen Moon is one of those rare treats that had our entire brood spellbound, from our two-year-old right through...
It’s back ! Festive magic for Christmas 2026 already on the horizon in Bath
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into Bath City Centre – it’s back!!! Bath & North East Somerset Council has confirmed that the internationally acclaimed Bath Christmas Market will return from 26 November to 13 December 2026. The announcement comes as this year’s 25th anniversary market drew to a close, with...
Review – A Christmas Carol at the Theatre Royal Bath
Victoria Walters enjoys a one-man performance of a festive masterpiece Master storyteller, Guy Masterson, renowned for his distinctive brand of physical storytelling in one-man productions of classic stories such as Animal Farm and Under Milk Wood, makes a very welcome fifth annual Christmas visit to Bath’s Theatre Royal this week. He returns with his spellbinding,...
Winners announced in Wera Hobhouse MP’s Christmas card competition
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has announced the winners of her annual Christmas card competition, after receiving a record number of entries from schoolchildren across the city. Launched in October, the competition invited local pupils to create artwork inspired by the theme A Bath Christmas. With more submissions than ever before, Wera said the standard this...