Circus Journal Vol 22

Style, creativity and community 

in the south-west 

Volume 22 Early spring 2023 Rituals 

8 ways to improve your day 

+ The art of bookbinding 

+ Joyful seasonal events 

Spring hikes + Retail rebels 

+ 48 hours in Cheltenham 

+ Win a spa treatment & stay

Hello 

Welcome to the first issue of 2023. This time, 

we turn to rituals – the seasonal customs and 

everyday habits that shape our existence. 

We shrug off winter with four exhilarating 

hikes, taking in sweeping valleys, proper pubs 

and a forgotten stone circle. And suggest 

simple ways to bring lightness to your days. 

A bookbinder in Bath basks in the craft’s rich 

history, relishing in centuries-old methods. 

Plus, we nip over to Cheltenham for a buzzy 

weekend of shopping, food and culture. 

Meet the retailers bringing joy back to the high 

street – offering everything from homeware 

swaps to rug-tufting courses. Then check out 

the best local events in early spring. 

Finally, head to the back page for your chance 

to win a night for two (including dinner, 

cocktails and a spa treatment) at No.15 by 

GuestHouse, Bath. Happy reading. 

Emily Payne, editor 

AN EMPORIUM OF TREASURES FOR YOUR HOME 

FIND US ON 92 WALCOT STREET, BATH, BA1 5BG 

WWW.GRAHAMANDGREEN.CO.UK 

circusjournal.com @circusjournal 3

Contents 

Regulars 

The Edit 9 

Design, community + lifestyle 

Directory 57 

Indie businesses we love 

The Guide 63 

Events in February + March 

People 

Win a night 

for two at No.15 

by GuestHouse, Bath, 

including dinner 

and a spa treatment. 

See p74. 

Page turner 17 

Meet the bookbinder 

Ideas 

8 spring rituals 23 

Dust away the cobwebs 

Retail rebels 31 

Shops shaking it up 

Places 

Best foot forward 39 

Hikes in the west 

48 hours in... 49 

Culture hub, Cheltenham 


Contributors 

Meet some of the talented people who 

helped to create this issue 

Show Home Open Day 

Saturday 4th February 10:00am—3:00pm 

Please call 01225 302 888 to make your appointment to view 

View our 

brand new 

show home 

CGI 

Writer Tola Fisher lives in 

Cheltenham. Her book, 

Still Standing: 100 Lessons 

From An ‘Unsuccessful’ 

Life is out now. 

Spring ritual: Wishfully 

digging out summer clothes. 

James Beck is a 

Bristol photographer 

contributing to the New York 

Times and Channel 4. 

Spring ritual: Finding 

outdoor pursuits to turn into 

photographic projects. 

Sarah Baxter is a 

Bath-based travel writer, 

editor and hiker. 

Spring ritual: Attempting 

to walk every inch of 

footpath on my local 

OS Map. 

All our stockist deliveries are 

made using zero-emission 

electric cargo bikes 

CBP016816 

The team 

Creative director + founder 

Kate Monument 

kate@circusjournal.com 

Publisher + founder 

Simon Tapscott 

simon@circusjournal.com 

Editor 

Emily Payne 

emily@circusjournal.com 

Sub editor 

Camilla Cary-Elwes 

Instagram: @circusjournal 

circusjournal.com 

Advertising 

To advertise in Circus, please 

call Simon on 07816 322056 or 

email simon@circusjournal.com 

Stocking 

Circus is available to pick up for 

free at over 395 locations across 

Bath, Bristol and the south-west. 

To find your nearest stockist 

please visit circusjournal.com. 

Thank you to the advertisers, 

whose support and encouragement 

enables this project to happen. 

This issue of Circus was printed 

in January 2023 by Zenith Print 

Group, in Pontypridd, Wales. 

© Circus Journal 2023. All 

information contained in this 

publication is for entertainment 

purposes only. Circus is published 

by Do Good Things Limited who 

do not accept any responsibility 

for errors or inaccuracies that 

occur in such information. While 

every reasonable care is taken with 

all material submitted to Circus, 

the publisher cannot accept any 

responsibility for loss or damage to 

such material. All rights reserved. 

This publication is copyrighted 

and no part of this publication may 

be used or reproduced without 

the written permission of Do Good 

Things Limited. 

Reflecting Bath’s Georgian architecture, Bridgetower Drive comprises 

four and five bedroom townhouses and villas featuring Bath Stone 

facades that add a traditional feel to these contemporary houses. 

Northside Townhouses from £1,725,000, ready for occupation Autumn 2023 

Southside Townhouses from £1,325,000, ready for occupation Winter 2023 

The Marketing Pavilion: Holburne Park, Warminster Road, Bath BA2 6SF 

Rosemary McAndrew: rmcandrew@savills.com | 01225 302 888 | bridgetowerdrive.co.uk 

6 

Circus Journal Early spring 2023 

Disclaimer: This CGI was prepared from preliminary plans and specifications before the completion of the development. It is intended only as a guide. Details may have changed during construction 

and final finishes could vary. Prospective purchasers should not rely on this information but must get their solicitor to check the plans and specification attached to their contract. January 2023.

THE 

Edit 

Design, community + lifestyle 

Colour me beautiful 

Welcome spring daylight 

into your home with walls 

from Anthropologie’s collab 

with Morris & Co. The Arts 

and Crafts paint brand has 

40 colours, available in 

chalky matt and eggshell 

finishes. We love rich 

Madox Madder, pictured, 

named after Pre-Raphaelite 

artist Ford Madox Brown. 

anthropologie.com 

BATH BESPOKE 

Handmade Interiors 

Cabinetry Architectural Joinery Kitchens Flooring 

enquiries@bathbespoke.co.uk 01225 920 900 @bathbespoke 

Hartley Farm, Winsley, Nr Bath, BA15 2JB 


The Edit 

Morning 

Words: Natalie Paris 

Boat life 

Imagine waking up on a narrow 

boat decked out like this. The 

Bath family behind Marwood 

Makes refits boats and vans, 

turning them into clean, dreamy 

spaces with strong Scandi vibes, 

pastel-tiled nooks, genius 

shelving and retro-style fridges 

tucked between purpose-built 

birch ply cabinets. 

@marwood_makes 

Wild breakfast 

Try freshly baked treats 

made with ingredients foraged 

from the Jurassic Coast at 

chef Harriet Mansell’s new 

wild food bakery in her Lyme 

Regis restaurant, Robin Wylde. 

Specialities include woodruff 

palmiers, nettle and wildflower 

pinwheels, and gorse and 

winter citrus Danishes. 

@robinwyldedining 

One-step beauty 

Liha Okunniwa, co-founder of 

LIHA Beauty, draws inspiration 

from her Nigerian heritage and a 

love of aromatherapy. The brand’s 

multi-use lotions are designed 

to simplify your skin routine. The 

Oju Omi Cleansing Mud unclogs 

pores, exfoliates and can reduce 

breakouts. Products come in 

100% recyclable packaging. 

@lihabeauty 

10 Circus Journal Early spring 2023 


The Edit 

Cosy days in our Restaurant, 

Bar and Spa in the centre of Bath 

There’s a lot more to love than great stays here. Our kitchen and bar 

team serve up the essence of great British escapes, their dishes and 

drinks feel familiar and original all at once. 

Down in the quiet calm of our spa, skilled therapists listen carefully 

to needs before tailoring treatments to address them. All in a gorgeous, 

Georgian-townhouse setting on one of the city’s very best streets. 

No.15 Bath, 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath, BA2 4BS 

www.guesthousehotels.co.uk 

@guesthousehotels 

Booming ‘shrooms 

The Flushrooms began in a shed 

in Montpelier last year. Its 

founder Antony Potts now grows 

posh funghi for restaurants, 

shops and markets at St Anne’s 

House – a community centre 

run by social enterprise Bricks. 

Find its lion’s mane, shiitake and 

oyster mushrooms at Poco Tapas 

Bar and Hugo’s Greengrocer Deli. 

@theflushrooms 

Noon 

Chocolate fix 

Sip a mug of vegan hot chocolate 

at Cacao Circle, a tasty pop-up 

that opened in December on 

Bedford Street in Stroud. The 

venue hosts exhibitions and 

meditation workshops, and is 

run by Coco Caravan – chocolate 

makers who blend ethically 

sourced cacao beans with 

coconut blossom sugar. 

cococaravan.co.uk 

Frame it 

Great art deserves to be framed 

and shared, say the people at 

Somerset-based frame-makers, 

MOUNT. The company’s first 

collection is a set of architectural 

drawings dating as far back as 

the 16th century, carefully 

displayed in handmade frames. 

Composition I by Iakov Chernikhov 

c.1920-40, pictured. 

mountcollective.co.uk 



The Edit 

Sustainable 

Night 

Garden Rooms 

Handmade in Bristol 

www.littlegreenrooms.co.uk 

Out out 

Bristol Beacon has a banging 

line-up of live music throughout 

the city in 2023. We’re looking 

forward to catching Brightonbased 

psych-folk duo Native 

Harrow, at Crofters Rights on 

February 25. The band’s new 

album Old Kind of Magic is a 

gorgeous set of songs with an 

off-kilter 1960s vibe. 

bristolbeacon.org 

Cuddle up 

Wool from smallholdings across 

Wales and the south-west was 

going to waste until Gather’s 

co-operative began making 

100% British wool blankets. 

Native-breed wool is spun by 

British mills and the natural 

colour is preserved. Blankets are 

numbered, so can be traced back 

to individual flocks. 

gatherwool.co.uk 

Hit refresh 

Bed down at the Royal Crescent 

Hotel, where the suites have 

been given a lick of paint and the 

restaurant is about to follow suit. 

Visitors to the hotel during Bath’s 

reBalance festival (February 

7-25) can learn Indonesian Satria 

yoga with WE.DNTPLAY, who 

teach flowing sequences rooted 

in martial arts. 

royalcrescent.co.uk 



People 

3 MONTHS AT BOXWORKS 

APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 

MY DESK 

By the book 

boxworks.co.uk/startup 

The dexterous acts of old-world craft 

are steeped in ritual. At a Bath bookbindery, 

Sim Orme preserves the historic practice 

Words Amanda Nicholls 

Photography James Beck 


People 

This trade might not be 

around forever, and with 

that comes lost skills. I hope 

to one day pass them on 

through teaching.” 

The age-old processes in 

bookbinding can involve 

around 100 elements 

ost people walk past the Victorian gables of George 

Bayntun Fine Bindings and Rare Books without 

paying too much attention. But behind the stone 

archways and mullioned windows is a wonderfully 

antiquarian shop and bindery barely altered since 

the 1930s. It’s a singular specimen still crafting the 

way it did a century ago, with an old library out 

back that looks like the opening setting of an 

adventure film. 

Surrounded by hefty, ancient Bibles and 

Shakespearean tomes stacked in gilt-edged profile; 

among brass finishing blocks from early publications 

of Winnie the Pooh; and beloved children’s classics sent 

in for careful restoration from as far as Hong Kong and 

Hawaii, Sim Orme works as a forwarder. 

Having studied at the Royal Bindery at Windsor 

Castle, and spent time in Europe learning from 

bookbinding maestros, Sim receives the text block (the 

body of the book) after its pages have been cleaned, 

treated, repaired, folded and sewn. Trimming, rounding 

and backing the book, they gild the edges, prepare and 

attach the boards, sew the end bands, adhere the spine 

linings and cover the book in leather. It is then passed 

on to the finisher, on the next workbench, for elaborate 

gold tooling or decorative debossing. 

Sim has recently finished a protective slipcase for an 

Art Deco-styled copy of Dickens’ Bleak House, and 

is about to bind a prized first edition of Lord of the Rings 

for a young Texan collector. 

Old habits 

It takes at least two months to bind a book at Bayntun’s 

– awarded the Royal Warrant in 1950 by Queen Mary 

by way of payment for her visits during the wartime 

years. The processes often involve around 100 elements 

before a book is put into the press. 

Over the years it takes to internalise these elements 

and their order, the binder will often develop their own 

daily customs and idiosyncrasies that get them into the 

focused mindset for such painstaking precision work. 

In the old days, founder George Bayntun would take 

snuff after selling a certain number of books, believing 

his subsequent sneezes would release ‘fresh energies’. 

Meanwhile, all the binders would stop, like clockwork, 

for elevenses, then again at 3.30pm for tea. 



People 

Libraries 

I love 

● Birmingham Library 

It’s amazing for 

working, hanging out 

and learning. I took 

British Sign Language, 

Arabic and French 

courses there. 

● The National Library 

of Malta 

For the feels. It’s a big 

space; a dark, cool 

room lined with a lot of 

vellum bindings. 

● My personal library 

A collection of book 

art, fine bindings, 

friends’ books and 

charity shop finds. 

Top: Ancient volumes in 

various states of repair 

Below: After Sim has 

bound the book, it is 

passed on to a finisher 

for gold tooling or 

decorative debossing 

For Sim, a creature of habit, mornings 

involve black coffee and yoga before 

cycling to the bindery, laying out their 

go-to tools (bonefolder, scalpel, Japanese 

square ruler) and tuning into some 

French electro and techno, or maybe 

some drill or drone music to get into the 

zone. “It touches my body in a totally different way, 

although it’s quite intense and gets inside your brain so 

can get emotional,” says Sim. “I listen to a lot of music, 

pop too. I’ve just recently got back into 50 Cent… Candy 

Shop – so good!” 

Connection to the past 

There are days when it’s easier to bind a book because 

the atmosphere is right, and days when the gold just 

won’t stick, and procrastination comes with its own set 

of practices. “I’m still a bit uncomfortable with buffing 

leather so will naturally gravitate towards trimming 

books, fraying their cords or making end papers to 

avoid it,” says Sim, who shakes off the studiousness by 

running and bell-ringing a couple of evenings a week. 

Or heading out to favourite haunts Beckford Bottle 

Shop, The Bell Inn and Bristol’s Strange Brew. 

While there’s access to over 15,000 unique, hand-cut 

instruments for carrying out intricate manual work, it’s 

not the done thing to borrow another binder’s tools. 

“You get attached to them, and they become incredibly 

personal. All my weights have personalities,” says Sim. 

“Most binders will insist you can’t use their paring knife 

because it’s moulded to their hand. And they do change 

shape through the way you use them.” 

It’s a satisfying craft. “When I started, I couldn’t get 

over the fact I’d taken a piece of board, covered it with 

cloth, completed all these little steps and ended up with 

this object that I was utterly amazed I’d made. There’s a 

sense of connection – in the same way that if I took a walk 

in a field I’d probably feel better than I would watching a 

bit of TV. It’s really nice just to touch all the materials. 

“With no bookbinding schools left in England, this 

trade might not be around forever, and with that comes 

lost skills. I hope to one day pass them on through 

teaching. It’s incredible to be doing something so 

historic and I do take pride in that.” 

georgebayntun.com 

Reading list 

Local booksellers suggest 

books on rituals 

The Practice 

of Not Thinking 

by Ryunosuke Koike 

Bookhaus, Bristol 

“A simple guide to mindful 

living by a Japanese 

former Buddhist monk. 

This is one of our 

bestsellers and it’s a book 

that could alter your life. 

bookhausbristol.com 

Daily Rituals by 

Mason Currey 

Topping & Company 

Booksellers of Bath 

“The routines of the 

world’s great minds, from 

philosophers to artists. 

This collection details how 

their differing routines 

aided their success (vices 

and all!).” 

toppingbooks.co.uk 

Rituals for Life 

by Isla Macleod 

Hunting Raven Books, 

Frome 

“A beautifully presented 

manifesto on how we can 

use everyday rituals to 

help connect us to find 

peace, joy and intention in 

our everyday living.” 

huntingravenbooks.co.uk 

The Almanac 

by Lia Leendertz 

Max Minerva’s Marvellous 

Books, Bristol 

“A month-by-month guide 

to the night sky, tides and 

gardening tasks, with songs 

and recipes. A wonderful 

way to reconnect with the 

natural world.” 

maxminervas.co.uk 


circusjournal.com @circusjournal 

21

Ideas 

INTERNATIONAL 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

EXHIBITION 164 

The world’s longest running 

photography exhibition 

Discover over 100 contemporary 

images by 46 photographers 

28 JAN - 7 MAY 2023 

Free 

Entry 

Mon - Sun, 10am - 5pm 

RPS Gallery 

337 Paintworks 

Bristol 

BS4 3AR 

rps.org/IPE164 

#IPE164 

© Frederic Aranda, Vogue House 

Spring 

rituals 

Simple tricks to break 

the daily grind 

22 Circus Journal Early spring 2023 

circusjournal.com @circusjournal 23 

Words 

Sonia Zhuravlyova

Ideas 

No. 1 

Learn 

Dry January is over. Here comes Try February (and March, 

April, May…). Trying a new skill helps to keep you sharp 

and can boost confidence. For something a little different, 

Stroud-based School of Larks (schooloflarks.com) offers 

classes in everything from handstands to trapeze. Or 

go practical with carpentry skills or DIY plumbing at 

TouchWood (touchwoodsouthwest.com), a female-led 

not-for-profit carpentry and joinery company in Devon. 

Want to up your food game? Learn how to make your 

own cheese at Bristol’s Coexist Community Kitchen 

(coexistcommunitykitchen.org). 

No. 2 

Mend 

The perfect antidote to throw-away culture 

is repairing your own clothes. “I love the 

ritual of mending and the meditative 

process of darning by hand,” says Lizzie 

David, who runs darning workshops across 

the south-west (@little_moth_mends). “It’s 

rewarding to bring clothes back to life. 

Darning requires only a few basic stitches 

and you don’t need much: a needle, 

some yarn and a darning mushroom.” Got 

something larger to fix? Try one of the 

south-west’s growing collection of repair 

cafés – one recently opened in Sea Mills, 

Bristol – where you can get things fixed 

and learn how to mend things in future. 

No. 3 

Doodle 

Artist Lisa Stickley hosts 

online doodle workshops 

from her kitchen in London 

(lisastickleystudio.com). 

Participants are sent a 

kit packed with covetable 

stationery, including crayons, 

neon paint, vintage papers and 

a Tunnocks chocolate caramel 

wafer for good measure. She 

says: “Life has its ups and 

downs. Losing my mum two 

years ago made me realise 

that drawing is my go-to. It 

stretches the creative strings, 

unblocks the flow. Guided 

drawing takes away all the 

thinking and allowing you to 

just create. It’s then that the 

magic happens.” 

No. 4 

The healing power of singing is well known. A 

recent article in the New York Times reported 

benefits ranging from the release of endorphins 

to beating stress and increasing lung capacity. It 

can also help with memory and concentration, as 

it involves focusing on multiple things at once. 

Luckily, having a ‘good’ voice isn’t a prerequisite 

– the Big Noise Chorus (bignoisechorus.co.uk), 

which is active from Exeter to Torquay, and the 

Birch Tree Folk Choir (birchtreechoir.com) in Bath 

and Bristol, are community-based groups that 

encourage everyone to join in. 



Ideas 

No. 5 

Breakfast stretches are a thing. “Waking up the vertebrae and 

switching on your core releases endorphins and gets oxygen 

into your muscles,” Bath-based Olympic skeleton racer and gold 

medallist Amy Williams tells us. “If you’re pushed for time, just 

stretch your hands up, then bring them down, placing your chin 

to your chest and rolling down through the whole vertebrae along 

your spine, with a soft bend in your knees. Then slowly come 

back up again,” she says. “You can do it while boiling the kettle!” 

No. 7 

Grow 

Tending to plants – whether on an allotment, 

in your garden or a window box – can reap great 

rewards. You’ll end up with a tasty crop or some 

beautiful shrubs, and feel stronger, both physically 

and mentally, for nurturing something. Plus, gardening 

gets you outside, upping your vitamin D. Roots 

Allotments in Bath (rootsallotments.com) has recently 

opened in Bristol, and its no-waiting-list patches 

are perfect for newbies. Down to Earth Stroud 

(downtoearthstroud.co.uk) holds seed exchange 

events at Stroud Farmers Market in early spring. 

No. 6 

Read 

2023 is set to be a corker for book releases. The 

people at Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath 

suggest: Old Babes in the Wood, a collection of stories 

by Margaret Atwood; Small Worlds, an exploration of 

family relationships by Caleb Azumah Nelson, and The 

Late Americans by Brandon Taylor, who is a masterful 

chronicler of contemporary life. A good book, whether 

a thriller, romantic novel or self-help manual, can be 

a tonic. Read Around Bath (readaroundbath.org.uk) 

runs Better with a Book sessions at Keynsham Library 

for people suffering from bereavement, depression 

or chronic pain. Meanwhile, Bristol Central Library 

(bristol.gov.uk) holds a range of free events, from 

lunchtime lectures to pop culture discussion groups. 



Ideas 

No. 8 

SWITCH 

Doom-scrolling, especially first thing 

in the morning, can be overwhelming, 

leaving us feeling gloomy and 

depleted. How many hours have we 

lost to Twitter and Instagram et al? A 

recent study from the University of 

Bath suggests that even a week-long 

break is enough to reduce anxiety and 

improve overall wellbeing. “We’re still 

trying to understand whether taking a 

longer break has longer-term benefits 

for people,” says Jeffrey Lambert, 

lecturer in health and exercise 

psychology at the University of Bath, 

who carried out the research. 

OFF 



Ideas 

Bringing joy to our high streets, 

these new openings have kinship and 

creativity at their core. Make way for 

the retail revolutionaries 

Words 

Vishaka Robinson 

Mark Welland Harriet Whyatt Amy Magee 

Tom White 

Angela Melkis 

Giles Ward 

“I recently purchased a fabulous painting from Clifton Fine Art. 

The service was impeccable. The communication throughout was first rate.” 

STEVE S 

“I’m so pleased we have found Clifton Fine Art. It has a great 

selection of quality artwork for all tastes. We’re very pleased 

with my purchases from them.” 

TINA B 

“We recently bought Our Walk by Cat Croxford from Clifton Fine Art and I have 

to say, the whole experience was very good indeed.” 

ROBIN T 

Soul 

stores 

www.cliftonfineart.com 12 Perry Road BS1 5BG 


Ideas 

This page and previous page: 

East of Home in Bath, where 

you’ll find ethical lifestyle brands 

and a host of workshops 

For bookworms and 

fashion lovers 

TwoSixFour, Bristol 

From keen bibliophile Cat Dickie and 

fashion designer Carla Diogo, St George 

newcomer TwoSixFour is the result of 

the pals’ overlapping passions. They’ve 

filled it with objects they covet, like 

Carla Llanos prints, vintage glassware, 

Our Lovely Goods candles and Florence 

Ceramics. “We didn’t want it to look like 

a traditional shop, and wanted everything 

we sell to work in harmony,” explains Cat, 

who has put together their bookshelves 

to focus on under-represented authors. 

She started up an in-store book club in 

January and book swaps are in the pipeline. 

Carla has cultivated her talents, selling 

her handmade clothing in-store, where 

samples, such as her scallop-necked Ronnie 

blouse, are on show. “I only make what has 

been ordered so there’s no waste, and no 

excess buying or making,” explains Carla, 

who also runs popular sewing classes. 

@twosixfourbristol 

For style seekers 

East of Home, Bath 

Stylist Felicity Lynch has devised this new 

shop, perched at the top of Walcot Street, to 

be more than just retail, giving prominence 

to a long farm table to use for super clubs, 

talks and events. “In our window I have 

a quote that encapsulates our ethos: ‘In 

community we teach each other.’ I want it to 

be somewhere people can feel comfortable 

and learn something new among friends.” 

Workshops are all based around a slower 

lifestyle (e.g. make do and mend with Little 

Moth Mends and natural dyeing with Tuck It 

In Quilts). And the place is laden with quality 

ethical brands like Nadinoo, Jaggery London 

and Runaway Bicycle, candles from Wiltshirebased 

Sinceris, and dried flowers from Bristol 

florist Lunaria. 

eastofhome.com 



Ideas 

APPRENTICESHIPS 

& CAREERS FAIR 

THURSDAY 

9 TH MARCH 

10AM-3PM 

in the Guildhall, Bath 

Meet 80+ national 

& local employers 

offering jobs & 

apprenticeships 

REGISTER 

TODAY 

SCAN ME 

bathcollege.ac.uk/apprenticeships 

FIND THE RIGHT FIT 

If you are a business and 

would like to exhibit, 

please get in touch 

For meeting the makers 

The Iron Gates, Frome 

Set in a Grade II-listed 17th-century pile (which 

was once a pet shop – you can see the old sign 

framed in the entrance), the Iron Gates opened 

last summer after a six-month renovation. Now, 

Forest Symphony green paint by Valspar and 

flagstone floors make for stylish digs for a family 

of talented craftspeople. “I wanted to create 

somewhere people can make and sell in the 

same space, so you can see the process behind 

the products and engage with it,” explains 

co-founder Alfie Lay. Residents include textile 

guru Laura Holden (known for her pear-shaped 

cushions), upholsterer Electra Danielle and 

jewellery maker Emma Aitchison. Workshops 

are planned in everything from ring carving to 

still-life drawing and plant medicine. 

theirongates.com 

For home renovations 

Atelier Ellis, Bath 

Paint maven Cassandra Ellis has 

quietly overseen the transformation 

of a townhouse in Bath’s Walcot 

area. Set to open this spring, this 

concept store will be spread over 

the building’s four floors. Cassandra 

is creating a set of colours to 

celebrate Bath – and each room 

will display these. Customers will 

be able to shop the collection of 

90 paints, all hand-mixed in a 

manufactory a short cycle from the 

store. “My husband and I love Bath, 

and have been visiting for many 

years,” says Cassandra. “The paint 

is natural and breathable, so perfect 

for listed buildings too.” The team 

has an allotment nearby, so staff can 

lunch together on seasonal produce. 

And there are plans to host regular 

exhibitions and events which 

share stories of the home through 

photography and hand-making. 

atelierellis.co.uk 


Ideas 

AMERICA 

IN CRISIS 

ORGANISED BY SAATCHI GALLERY 

ORGANISED BY SAATCHI GALLERY 

A major American 

photography exhibition 

exploring social change in 

the US through the lens of 

a diverse group of artists 

American Museum & Gardens 

Bath BA2 7BD 

americanmuseum.org 

Matt Bigwood 

For surprising 

finds 

Hidden, Bath 

The brainchild of eventsplanner-turned-shopkeeper 

Natty Whiting, Hidden is 

tucked down a side street of 

Georgian houses in the centre 

of Bath. Inside it’s split in two: 

a shop at the front, laden with 

Natty’s cherry-picked finds 

(scalloped straw pendants 

from Hastshilp, Lola’s Leads 

extension cords and Wild 

Rising Skincare); then behind is 

a high-ceilinged events space, 

earmarked for an ever-changing 

mix of experiences. “I want to 

deliver thoughtful workshops 

and experiences,” explains 

Natty (who has devised 

interactive events for the likes 

of Sony Music). A pre-loved 

homeware exchange, handpainting 

your own candles, and 

an Easter table display how-to 

are all on the cards. This spring, 

it’s set to become a chic toddler 

hang-out with kit from Little 

Squishy Soft Play Co. 

@hiddenstorebath 

For timeless crafts 

Weven, Stroud 

Weven is a hub of craft, community 

and creativity. Its frontage is 

adorned with medieval emblems 

(painted by local artist Alex Merry) 

and the whole place – part-shop, 

part-workshop space – operates 

as a not-for-profit. Founder Rhia 

Davenport says: “I wanted to find 

a way to support makers who 

celebrate folklore alongside ancient 

and traditional country crafts, folk 

skills and techniques.” The idea 

is that you can find out who made 

your object and how, often with 

the opportunity for you to learn 

how to make it yourself at one of 

Weven’s workshops. Expect a litany 

of interesting events planned for the 

coming year, from gansey knitting 

and wallpaper-making to rug-tufting 

and smocking. 

weven.co.uk 


Places 

Walk 

this way 

Putting one foot in front of the 

other is often the answer. Try these 

energising hikes in the south-west 

Words 

Photography 

Sarah Baxter 

Felix Russell-Saw 


Places 

Marshfield + 

St Catherine’s Valley 

Where? South Gloucestershire 

What? Hidden-feeling hiking on the 

city’s edge 

Distance: 8 miles 

Time: 3.5-4.5 hours 

St Catherine’s is a beautiful valley. 

Especially in spring, when the 

hawthorns are in brilliant white 

bloom. The wildflowers can be 

outrageous, sprinkling slopes that rise 

and plummet in great green pleats. 

Admittedly it can be muddy, so wait 

for a dry spell or prepare to squelch – 

it’s worth it either way. 

The village of Marshfield, with its 

grand Cotswold high street, two pubs, 

tea room and shop, is a good starting 

point for a fairly testing eight-mile 

loop. From the church, head south 

across the fields towards Ashwicke 

Grange, then around Clift Wood – just 

beyond are jaw-dropping views. Then 

descend steeply to the valley bottom, 

with St Catherine’s Court visible 

opposite. This striking 16th-century 

pile was originally a grange for Bath 

Abbey; more latterly it’s been used as 

a recording studio (Radiohead made 

OK Computer here). 

Follow the waymarked Limestone 

Link along the brook, eventually 

climbing, dipping and climbing again 

to reach Cold Ashton’s Jacobean 

manor. The Cotswold Way passes 

here, but ignore it to traverse a hillside 

and return to Marshfield instead. 

Pit stop: Order a well-deserved real 

ale at the charming 17th-century 

Catherine Wheel in Marshfield 

(thecatherinewheel.co.uk). 

Stand-out views: The whole loop has 

the wow factor, but linger on a bench 

in front of Cold Ashton Manor and 

admire the valley’s dramatic folds. 

Info: Use OS Explorer Map 155. 



Places 

Bradford on Avon Walking Wheel 

Where? Wiltshire and Somerset 

What? Superb signed network for bespoke 

walking adventures 


Time: 3-6 days 

Bradford on Avon is an official Walkers are 

Welcome hub – which is no surprise. This 

handsome Wiltshire wool town is cradled 

in cracking terrain, all plunging valleys and 

rolling hills, speckled with golden limestone 

houses and good country pubs. 

Bradford on Avon’s star offering is its 

wonderful Walking Wheel. This wellwaymarked 

set of trails comprises a 6.5- 

mile inner circuit, a 25-mile outer loop and 

eight spokes linking the two, which can be 

walked in multiple combinations – there’s 

something for everyone. There’s so much 

scenic variety too, from easy stretches along 

the river and canal (look out for spring 

ducklings) to yomps via lush fields and 

woodland pungent with wild garlic. Also en 

route lies 15th-century Great Chalfield Manor, 

the impressive aqueducts of Avoncliff and 

Dundas, and pretty villages such as Monkton 

Combe and Holt. 

Pit stops: For good food and stylish rooms 

try Timbrell’s Yard (timbrellsyard.com). Also 

make a beeline for the New Inn at Westwood 

(thenewinnwestwood.co.uk), No.10 Tea Garden 

(avonclifftea.com) for cake overlooking 

Avoncliff Aqueduct, the fancier Longs Arms 

(thelongsarms.com) in South Wraxall, and 

Hartley Farm (hartley-farm.co.uk) for locally 

grown goodies. 

Stand-out views: There are sweeping 

southward vistas from Monkton Farleigh, 

and lovely valley views from the bench in 

Monkton Combe churchyard (last resting 

place of Great War veteran Harry Patch). 

Info: Buy the Walking Wheel map 

(walkbradfordonavon.org). 



People Places 

Chew Magna + 

Stanton Drew 

Where? Chew Valley, Somerset 

What? Intimate encounters 

with a forgotten stone circle 


Time: 3-4 hours 

The spring equinox will likely see 

1,000-plus revellers descend on 

Stonehenge. But 40 miles west lies 

another stone circle – England’s 

third-biggest complex of prehistoric 

standing stones – that most people 

have never heard of. Erected 

4,500 years ago, the 26 remaining 

megaliths of Stanton Drew’s Great 

Circle loiter quietly in a farmer’s 

field; you might meet a druid or two 

on March 20, but usually there’s no 

one else about. 

See the site on a gentle loop 

through the rolling Mendips, from 

the village of Chew Magna. Pick 

up the Three Peaks Walk and head 

northeast over flowery fields to 

the villages of Norton Hawkfield 

and Norton Malreward, then on 

to Pensford, passing beneath the 

mighty arches of the abandoned 

19th-century viaduct. From here, 

return west, following the Two 

Rivers Way along the wiggly River 

Chew and through Stanton Drew. 

Pit stops: The Druid’s Arms 

(thedruidsarms.co.uk) sits next to 

the stone circle, with a cluster of 

three large stones called The Cove 

in its beer garden. Find sustainable 

seafood and Chew Valley Gin at the 

Lazy Lobster (lazylobsterltd.com) in 

Chew Magna. 

Stand-out views: Gaze at Maes 

Knoll Iron Age hill fort from Norton 

Hawkfield. See the viaduct loom on 

the approach to Pensford. 

Info: It costs £1 to see the stones 

(english-heritage.org.uk). Use OS 

Explorer Map 155. 



Places 

UPCOMING SHOWS IN 2023 

DRIVE YOUR PLOW MOG THE 

YOU BURY ME 

OVER THE BONES FORGETFUL CAT 

OF THE DEAD 

Now On Until 11 Feb 14 – 18 Feb | Half Term 24 Feb – 4 Mar 

Olga Tokarczuk’s criticallyacclaimed 

whodunnit is adapted 

for the stage, presented by 

international touring company 

Complicité. 

The Wardrobe Ensemble presents 

an enchanting adaptation of the 

Judith Kerr classic, with songs, 

live music and a menagerie of 

creatures little and large. Ages 3+. 

Coming of age in the aftermath 

of the Arab Spring, six young 

Egyptians navigate friendship, 

loss and secret Grindr dates in the 

city that made them. 

WALDO’S CIRCUS OF 

MAGIC & TERROR 

VENUS 

PRIDE & PREJUDICE* 

(*SORT OF) 

11 Mar – 1 Apr 3 & 4 May 8 – 20 May 

A dazzling and uplifting new 

circus theatre musical about a 

story of forbidden love which 

balances on the tightwire. 

Feb – May 23 

Tickets from £8 

A quadruple bill of new work 

from IMPERMANENCE following 

a decade of creating cutting-edge 

dance for stage and screen. 

bristololdvic.org.uk 

A unique and audacious retelling 

of Jane Austen’s most iconic love 

story, direct from its triumph in 

the West End. 

0117 987 7877 

Charity No. 228235 

Dan Booth Round 

Where? Bath 

What? Terrific trig point tour 

offering a full 360 of city highs 

Distance: 26 miles (ish) 

Time: One long day, or up to 

10 day trips 

Dan Booth was a local ultra 

runner who died suddenly in 

2011, aged just 42. This brilliant 

memorial challenge, linking 

the ten Ordnance Survey 

trigonometry points around Bath, 

was one of his training runs. You 

don’t have to do it in one brutal 

dash. Base yourself in Bath and 

tick off the stone pillars at a more 

sedate pace. 

For instance, try a northerly 

route, tracing a section of the 

Cotswold Way via the trigs on 

Penn Hill, panoramic Kelston 

Roundhill and Hanging Hill (also 

home to a Civil War monument). 

From here, you could peel off, 

walking via the Norman church at 

Langridge and wildflower-strewn 

Woolley Valley, to climb to the trig 

on Little Solsbury Hill. Drop down 

to the Avon and follow the canal 

back into Bath. 

Or continue clockwise. The other 

six markers are at Bannerdown (a 

steep haul), Bathampton Down 

(lovely open strolling), Widcombe 

(the actual marker is inaccessible), 

Englishcombe Knoll (big views), 

Southdown (more urban) and 

Newton St Loe (near the 

charming village). 

Pit stops: The Yard 

(theyardinbath.co.uk) is a smart 

Bath base. The Packhorse 

(packhorsebath.co.uk) in South 

Stoke is a splendid communityowned 

inn, and Newton Farm 

(newtonfarmfoods.co.uk) has a 

brilliant café and deli. 

Stand-out views: So many! 

But from the top of Little 

Solsbury Hill you can see great 

green valleys spidering off in all 

directions. Listen for skylarks too. 

Info: Buy OS Explorer Map 155; 

see fastestknowntime.com. 


IN... 

lordarchitecture 

b e s p o k e a r c h i t e c t u r e & i n t e r i o r s 


bespoke architecture & interiors 

Lord Architecture is an award-winning Bath based architectural practice with a passion for design, 

contemporary architecture and the re-imagining of historic buildings. We offer a bespoke service working 

across a range of scales, budgets and at all RIBA stages. Our services include design consultation, feasibility, 

pre-application, planning and listed building applications, through to implementation and construction. 

Places 

No38 The Park 

S48 HOUR 

Cheltenham 

Thanks to its prized food, shopping and art scene, 

this grand spa town is a Cotswolds must-visit. 

We plan the perfect weekend break 

Words 

Tola Fisher 


7-9 NORTH PARADE BUILDINGS 

BATH BA1 1NS 

E e : info@lordarchitecture.co.uk 

: info@lordarchitecture.co.uk 

W w : 

: 

www.lordarchitecture.co.uk 

: 

@lord_architecture 


S AT U R D AY 

Places 

Ritual Brew Bar is open Friday 

to Sunday each week for 

coffee, cake and brunch 

Ritual Brew Bar 

No38 The Park’s rooms are 

beautifully designed and 

several come with opulent 

antique claw-foot tubs 

F R I D AY 

8pm 

Sing for your supper 

Head for drinks, nibbles and 

karaoke at Filipino haunt Pyesta 

(pyesta.uk) on Clarence Street. Its 

name means fiesta – and that’s 

exactly the atmosphere owners 

Rose and Portia bring to this cute 

restaurant. Get your song list ready 

and sample traditional flavours from 

the Philippines while you wait your 

turn. Try the delicious ukoy crispy 

vegetable fritters served with spiced 

white vinegar, or the lechon kawali 

– deep-fried pork belly – along with 

lashings of local beer. 

11pm 

Hunker down 

No38 The Park (no38thepark.com) is 

a beautifully remodelled Georgian 

townhouse in leafy Pittville, on 

the outskirts of town. This dogfriendly 

hotel has members’ club 

vibes thanks to its tastefully deckedout 

bedrooms and unique art. 

Downstairs, there’s an open kitchen 

and bright dining room leading out 

onto a private courtyard. If all you 

want is a bed for the night, check 

out the newly opened Crescent 

Place (crescentplace.co.uk) with 

apartments in the centre of town. 

9am 

Coffee injection 

The Scandinavian Coffee Pod 

(thescandinaviancoffeepod.com) 

is a sleek glass and yellow steel 

container on Royal Well Place. 

Sit outside with a flat white and 

a tasty ginger and date friand, 

baked by Cheltenham local Lara 

Bryce-Morris. Or try The Artisan 

Baker (theartisanbaker.co.uk) next 

to the Town Hall, which does 

excellent coffee, croissants and 

perfect loaves for lunch. Ritual 

Coffee Roasters (ritualcoffee.org) 

on Lansdown Industrial Estate 

is home to a community-focused 

roaster and brew bar. Its new all-day 

brunch menu is full of flavour – see 

berry-soaked brioches, spicy steak 

sandwiches and fried cornbread. 



Places 

0% 

finance 

now available 

Terms apply. 

Expert media and IP advice... 

without the London lawyer costs 

Bringing 

www.battens.co.uk 

We offer a complete service, from 

design effortlessly through to 

build completion. 

Delivering your vision to the highest 

standards of quality and finish. 

Call: 01225 874 676 

Email: info@saltfordkitchens.com 

Showroom: 439 Bath Rd, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3AZ 

saltfordkitchens.com 

Scan to find out 

more about us 

“A highly responsive and knowledgeable lawyer with a wide 

range of experience internationally, Brian Levine is usually 

available and efficient in providing necessary guidance when 

needed urgently.” 

Legal 500 

0800 652 8373 | enquiries@battens.co.uk 

Offices in Castle Cary and Bath 

to Bath 

INTERIOR DESIGNER 

OF THE YEAR 

11am 

Hit the shops 

Cheltenham Literature 

Festival has welcomed 

the likes of Joan 

Collins, Jamie Oliver 

and Stephen King. For 

full literary immersion, 

pop into Hatchards 

(hatchards.co.uk) on The 

Promenade, an 18thcentury 

bookseller with rare books and first 

editions. Towards Montpellier, MIMMO 

Studios (mimmostudios.com) is a womenswear 

and homeware concept store. Ambitious 

founders Lil Gardiner and Katie Brown are 

on a mission to reinvent retail, and excellent 

local brands – like Stroud-based Mussi 

knitwear and LIHA Beauty – take precedent. 

Brands like Carhartt, Ganni and Patagonia 

find their home at lifestyle store The Union 

Project (theunionproject.com) on nearby 

Queens Circus. 

1pm 

Cotswold views 

Have lunch with a view at the town’s new 

rooftop bar and restaurant, The Nook 

(thenookcheltenham.co.uk). Since opening 

in November 2022, this fifth-floor eatery 

has wowed diners with dishes like venison, 

wild mushrooms and pickled blackberries, 

and vista onto the impeccably kept 

Imperial Gardens, nearby Cleeve Hill and 

Leckhampton Hill. The seasonal menu is 

centred around produce from the Cotswolds, 

Herefordshire, Worcestershire and 

Oxfordshire. Ask the sommelier to take you 

through the wine list – one zingy highlight is 

the Pulenta Estate Naranjo orange wine. 

4pm 

Feast the eyes 

The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum 

(cheltenhammuseum.org.uk) reopened in 

2022, following huge renovations. It is now 

home to resident artists and a changing 

rota of exhibitions, including displays from 

Clockwise from top: 

Rooftop bar and restaurant 

The Nook; lifestyle store The 

Union Project; Lil Gardiner and 

Katie Brown at their beautiful 

womenswear and homeware 

shop, MIMMO Studios 

Grayson Perry and designer 

Milligan Beaumont, who 

has made clothes for Helena 

Bonham Carter. The gallery 

also contains fascinating 

collections, including 

watercolours made by Edward 

Wilson, an explorer who 

accompanied Captain Scott to 

Antarctica, and 43 Dutch and 

Belgian paintings given by the 

Baron de Ferrières in 1898. 

8pm 

Dinner time 

Awesome diner Smokey Joe’s 

(smokeyjoescheltenham.co.uk) hosts live music, 

comedy and jazz. A fourth-generation family 

business, the burgers, fries and milkshake may 

feel like a throwback to Grease, but there 

are no sticky tables or cracked linoleum to be 

seen. Food is made ‘fresh not fast’, and artists 

from across the UK perform here. You’ll find 

Japanese and Korean food with your own 

table grill at Nagomi (nagomi.uk) and tasty 

falafels at Habibah (habibahcafe.co.uk). Or head 

to Muse Brasserie (musebrasserie.com), where 

Mumbai street tapas meet confit duck, okra 

and caviar; thanks to the pairing of Parisien 

Chef Grillet and Indian Chef Pramod. 


S U N D AY 

Places 

VISIT OUR TAPROOM 

ON THE EDGE oF BATH 

JOIN US FOR 

CRAFT BEER 

STREET FOOD 

LIVE MUSIC 

INTL. SPORTS 

OPENING HOURS 

THU 5-10 

FRI 5-10 

SAT 2-10 

SUN 2-6 

ELECTRIC BEAR BREWING CO. 

UNIT 12, THE MALTINGS. BRASSMILL LANE, BATH BA1 3JL 

DESIGN | SUSTAINABILITY | COMMUNITY 

"RETAIL IS BROKEN, LET'S MEND IT" 

@MIMMOSTUDIOS 

MIMMOSTUDIOS.COM 

6 & 7 MONTPELLIER WALK, CHELTENHAM 

7am 

Get your hike on 

Grab your hiking boots, bike or dog and 

head to nearby Leckhampton, a Cotswolds 

Area of Outstanding Beauty. Here, you can 

follow a three-mile circular trail starting 

at Old Bath Road, which takes around an 

hour and 40 minutes to complete. You’ll 

amble alongside Lilley Brook golf course, 

Leckhampton Hill and up towards Pilley 

Bridge Nature Reserve. Expect livestock! 

For a warming coffee and some wholesome 

breakfast, stop off at The Sober Parrot 

(recoveryhub.co.uk) on St James’ Square, a 

not-for-profit café owned and operated by 

The Nelson Trust, a charity that works with 

people who are affected by addiction. 

12pm 

Vintage joy 

The Suffolks Market takes place on the 

last Sunday of every month and hosts 

independent traders selling handmade 

crafts, candles, one-off pieces of jewellery 

and art. This area of town is full of 

interesting vintage boutiques, including 

Willow Hilson (willowhilson.com), which 

famously dressed Kate Middleton. Round 

the corner in Tivoli is the wonderfully 

named Department of Joy, Hope & Wonder 

(thedepartmentofhopejoywonder.com). Owner 

Catherine Colebrook stocks an array of 

uplifting trinkets, and there’s a secret coffee 

shed in the pretty pebbled courtyard. 

2pm 

One for the road 

DEYA Brewery (deyabrewing.com) has two 

taprooms on Lansdown Industrial Estate. 

The on-site taproom serves up 25 beers on 

draft and in cans, and around the corner 

is the mixed fermentation taproom, which 

also offers natural cider and wine. Think 

informal bench seating, food trucks varying 

from Thai food to falafels, and a general 

hipster vibe. 

Above: Rainbow-coloured 

candles at The Department of 

Joy, Hope & Wonder in Tivoli 

Left: DEYA Brewery, home to 

a huge range of draft beers, 

natural wines and cider 


Directory 

Showcasing independent 

businesses in the south-west 

WOULD YOU LIKE 

TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 

CIRCUS DIRECTORY? EMAIL 


REVOLUTION, 

PROPAGANDA, 

ART: 

Printmaking 

in Modern China 

12 October 2022 - 3 June 2023 

In Partnership with The Muban Educational Trust 

Photography: Felix Russell-Saw 

SERVICES 

Float Projects 

A contemporary picture-framing studio in Bristol that combines 

conservation methods with experimental design. They also offer 

framing services that can be carried out at your home or gallery, 

and consultation and management for large-scale projects. 

floatprojects.co.uk 


Promoted content 

Hot Property and Cold Storage by Richard Walker 

SHOPPING 

BAM Store + Space 

A non-profit, independent shop 

in Easton selling art, cards, gifts, 

books, vinyl, toys, games and 

other treats designed to provide 

a mood boost. Shop in-store or 

online, and check out the creative 

workshops with local makers 

in this happy, colourful place. 

bambristol.co.uk 

ART 

Sandra Higgins Art 

A tailored art advisory service, 

helping clients build art collections 

in their homes and commercial 

spaces, with work sourced from 

a diverse range of established 

artists. Artworks can be viewed 

in person (by appointment), via 

visits to artists’ studios and online. 

sandrahiggins.art 

WELLBEING 

Yoga for Beginners with Eliana 

Eliana offers accessible yoga 

for beginners in and around 

Bristol, with the intention of 

growing confidence in a studio 

environment. She breaks down 

key yogic teachings in a playful 

way to build the foundation of 

a rounded yoga practice. 

yogawitheliana.co.uk 

FOOD + DRINK 

Corkage 

An award-winning restaurant, bar 

and bottle shop in Bath, serving 

seasonal dishes using local 

produce. Wine comes from across 

the globe and is served by the 

bottle or glass. Open for dinner, 

Monday to Saturday, and lunch on 

Fridays and Saturdays. 

corkagebath.com 

INTERIORS 

Bath Bespoke 

Bath Bespoke designs, makes 

and installs handmade interiors. 

Offering a single point of contact 

for clients with large-scale 

projects. Services include dressing 

rooms, libraries, kitchens, boot 

rooms, hardwood flooring, and 

interior and exterior joinery. 

bathbespoke.co.uk 

WORKSPACE 

House of St John’s 

The perfect place to work, connect 

and grow. The elegant building at 

1 Queen Square, Bath, offers coworking, 

dedicated desks, offices, 

meeting rooms and an events 

space. Premium fittings and ultrafast 

broadband are complemented 

by a relaxing lounge and bar. 

hosj.co.uk 

FOOD + DRINK 

Lo Rapitenc 

This Frome deli and tapas bar sells 

a range of Spanish specialities 

in-store and online. Serving small 

plates and daily specials, it’s the 

perfect cosy venue for a special 

Valentine’s lunch or dinner. Check 

their website and socials for 

seasonal food events. 

lorapitencspanishfood.com 

SERVICES 

Obladee 

A graphic design partnership 

aiming to bring your projects to 

life while positively impacting the 

world we live in. With over 25 years 

of collective experience, the team 

at Obladee combine great ideas 

and good values with a unique 

purpose-led design process. 

obladee.co.uk 

SERVICES 

McKenzie & Co Financial 

Consultants 

Financial adviser Jonathan Knee 

DipPFS specialises in providing 

high-quality, face-to-face financial 

planning advice for individuals, 

families and businesses. A 

vouched for ‘Top Rated’ adviser 

in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 

linktr.ee/jonathanknee 

SHOPPING 

Julia Davey 

An independent lifestyle shop in 

Bath with a focus on locally made 

gifts and homeware, including 

Julia’s handmade lampshades and 

upholstered furniture. Curation is 

based on colour, form and natural 

materials. Use the code CIRCUS 

for 10% off online. 

juliadavey.com 

SERVICES 

Noughts & Ones 

The people at Bristol-based 

agency Noughts & Ones are 

champions of sustainable 

commerce. The all-round lovely 

bunch partner with planetconscious 

ecommerce brands 

to help them sell their products 

the right way on Shopify. 

noughtsandones.com 

SHOPPING 

Sprouts of Bristol 

So much more than a plant 

shop, Sprouts stocks botanically 

themed gifts and homeware 

from over 50 indie brands, artists, 

designers and craftspeople. 

Plus, there’s a diverse range of 

plants and the best plant care 

brands in UK. 

sproutsofbristol.co.uk 



Promoted content 

FOOD + DRINK 

Retribution Distilling Co 

Whisky, rum and gin distillery 

based in Frome. Retribution is 

the first distillery to start whisky 

production in Somerset, and uses 

local ingredients to produce a 

truly local spirit. The rums and 

gins have won awards, both 

regionally and internationally. 

retributiondistilling.co.uk 

SERVICES 

Customer IQ 

Are you the founder of a new 

business, or are you planning 

on leading a start-up? If so, then 

validation of your business idea 

with market research could 

be a game-changer for you. 

Get in touch with Gideon at 

Customer IQ for free advice. 

customer-iq.com 

SERVICES 

Manage My Website 

A friendly Bath-based team of 

experts who can build great 

websites, train people to use 

Squarespace, and advise on SEO 

and online marketing. Get in 

touch if you need a new website, 

a refresh or would like to learn 

to build your own. 

managemywebsite.com 

WELLBEING 

Hybrid Health Physiotherapy 

Bath-based Hybrid provides 

physiotherapy and specialised 

services for pain, injury or muscle 

tension. Treatments include 

exercise plans, sports massage, 

dry cupping and running analysis. 

Book online for 10% off with code 

CIRCUS10 in February and March. 

hybridhealthphysio.com 

SHOPPING 

The Bristol Artisan 

A curated space for design and 

craft, supporting independent 

makers from Bristol and beyond. 

Stock up on ceramics, jewellery, 

clothing, cards, candles, prints, 

vegan products and dried flowers. 

Get 10% off online by using the 

code CIRCUSTBA. 

thebristolartisan.com 

SERVICES 

2A1M Studio 

Adriana, Lauren and Josh form this 

young architectural practice based 

in Bath, Bristol and across the 

south-west. They are passionate 

about thoughtful design and 

believe that understanding a 

client’s brief is key to finding 

imaginative architectural solutions. 

2a1m.co.uk 

WORKSPACE 

Rengen House 

A home-from-home community 

to co-work, host meetings and 

events, and relax with clients 

or colleagues. With a high-end 

finish and cool, laid-back vibe, 

Rengen House offers a refreshing 

change to the traditional 

office environment. 

rengenhouse.com 

PROPERTY 

The Curated Property Company 

A bespoke high-tech property 

management company in Bath and 

London. Using cutting-edge data 

analytics, international marketing 

platforms, guest vetting and 

dynamic pricing, the team brings 

a more profitable perspective to 

the world of short-term letting. 

curated-property.com 

SERVICES 

Plural Studio 

An architectural design studio 

born in Berlin and based in 

Bristol. Whether in the cultural, 

commercial, educational or 

residential sector, Plural offers 

architectural, interior and furniture 

design, delivering sustainable 

material choices to fit your needs. 

plural-studio.net 

SERVICES 

Second Mountain Comms 

Ben Veal is an award-winning 

comms consultant specialising 

in copywriting, media relations 

and marketing support. Based 

at Holt’s Glove Factory Studios, 

Ben is passionate about working 

with charities, not-for-profits and 

ambitious company founders. 

secondmountaincomms.co.uk 

SHOPPING 

Luca & Fig 

A home, gift and clothing shop in 

Widcombe, Bath, just over the river 

behind the station. Find a mix of 

beautiful, unusual and affordable 

gifts for everyone. Luca & Fig 

sources everything from ethical 

suppliers around the world, as 

well as supporting local makers. 

lucaandfig.com 

SHOPPING 

May Hofman Jewellery 

Timeless, ethical jewellery infusing 

intricate, bold and minimal design, 

inspired by the mechanics of 

nature. May Hofman crafts all 

commissions using consciously 

sourced metals, including recycled 

and Fairmined gold that supports 

small-scale miners. 

mayhofman.com 

60 Circus Journal Early spring 2023 circusjournal.com @circusjournal 61

9 . 3 0 A M - 6 P M 

THE EDIT 

The 

Guide 

Early spring events in the south-west 

Words 

Clemmie Millbank 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE 

TO PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS 

ON THESE PAGES, 

PLEASE EMAIL 


Traditional Gentlemen's Barber 

Claw cups collection designed by Clare Chandler 

31 THE MALL BRISTOL BS8 4JG 

0117 973 1342 

CLIFTONROCKS.CO.UK 

INFO@CLIFTONROCKS.CO.UK 

T U E S DAY - FRIDAY 

SATURDAY 

9 . 0 0 A M - 3 P M 

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Women in Wine at KASK Wine 


The THE Guide EDIT 

Wellbeing 

Restore Day Retreat at 

Campwell Woods 

reBalance Festival 

Eating for Resilience with 

Sarah Bayliss 

Cooking It, Bristol 

February 5 

Kick-start your metabolism with this 

useful workshop and practical cookalong, 

which includes essential tools 

for becoming a well-balanced eater. 

sarahbaylissnutrition.co.uk 

reBalance Festival 

Bath 

February 7-25 

Bringing together various venues, 

hotels, therapists and practitioners, 

Bath’s first ever wellbeing festival 

promises a diverse programme of 

events to rejuvenate and refocus. 

welcometobath.co.uk 

PS, I Love You – Writing, 

Reflection and Meditation for 

Self-Love on Valentine’s Day 

Persephone Books, Bath 

February 14 

Led by local author Sarah Robinson, 

this relaxed mini writing workshop 

features enchanting tales and a 

guided visualisation on love. Don’t 

forget to bring a pen and paper to 

jot down your own reflections. 

persephonebooks.co.uk 

Mindfulness for Stress and 

Anxiety 

Rengen House, Bath 

February 16 

Nicola MacDonald, founder of 

Bath Mindfulness, is hosting this 

free event which will introduce 

you to the incredible power of 

mindfulness as an antidote to 

stress and anxiety. The session also 

includes a seated body scan. 

bathmindfulness.co.uk 

All details correct at the time of going to press. Please check event websites and social media for updates. 

Photography Felix Russell-Saw 

Aromatherapy and Herbs 

for Wellbeing 

Prior Shop, Bristol 

February 16 

Follow your nose to this sweetsmelling 

workshop. Learn about 

the science of blending, and 

make two of your own bespoke 

products to take away with you. 

priorshop.uk 

Restore Day Retreat 

Campwell Woods, near 

Chippenham 

February 18 

Set in magical woodland, this 

one-day retreat is a holistic 

experience, with yoga, breathwork, 

meditation, reviving cold water 

dips, comforting saunas and 

healing gong baths. 

campwell.co.uk 

Metabolic Health Retreat 

Combe Grove, Bath 

February 20-27 + March 27–April 2 

Combining medical science with 

a tailored wellbeing programme, 

this brand new retreat takes place 

in 70 acres of mature woodland 

and meadow in Bath. It features 

acupuncture, kinesiology, shiatsu, 

counselling and more. 

combegrove.com 

Trika Yoga North Devon 

Retreat by the Sea 

Watermouth, Devon 

March 2-6 

Bristol’s North Street Trika Yoga 

studio is on tour. This extended 

weekend break will be filled with 

good food, sea views, lovely 

company and dynamic yoga. 

trikayoga.co.uk 

Spring Equinox Retreat 

Somercecil, Badminton 

March 17-19 

Awaken from your winter 

hibernation and embark on a 

weekend of foraging, stretching, 

meditating, feasting on plantbased 

deliciousness and, finally, 

taking part in Somercecil’s 

memorable cacao ceremony. 

somercecil.com 

Bright Blue Yoga Mini 

Relaxation Retreat 

Upper Swainswick, near Bath 

March 18 

Can’t manage a whole weekend 

away? Book yourself in for an 

afternoon escape to a countryside 

yurt, complete with woodburner, 

gentle yoga stretches, guided 

relaxation and hot herbal teas. 

brightblueyoga.co.uk 

Icebreakers 

Women’s Wellness Summit 

Stoke Bishop Village Hall, Bristol 

March 25 

Time to talk all things womanhood 

and hear from some of the 

south-west’s leading experts 

on pregnancy, menopause and 

mental health. Plus, you’ll pick up 

an amazing goodie bag too. 

stokebishopvillagehall.co.uk 

Icebreakers 

Warleigh Weir or Dundas 

Aqueduct, Bath 

Sunday and Wednesday mornings 

Take the plunge with a group 

of friendly fellas braving the icy 

water each Sunday (at 8am) 

and Wednesday (for a spicy 

6.30am start!). Message the guys 

on Instagram if you fancy an 

invigorating start to your day. 

@icebreakers.uk 




Let the power 

of a full symphony 

orchestra sweep 

you away this 

spring! 

Standard tickets start from £15 incl. bf 

Plus £10 tickets available for U26s 

Bristol Beacon presents 

London Symphony Orchestra 

with Barbara Hannigan 

7pm, Mon 13 March 2023 

Bath Forum 

Olivier Messiaen – L’Ascension 

Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 4 

bristolbeacon.org / 0117 203 4040 

bathboxoffi ce.org.uk / 01225 463 362 

Art 

Wake the Tiger 

Bristol 

Throughout February + March 

Have you been to the Meridia 

Luxury Homes marketing suite 

yet? No? Well, you’re in for a 

treat. Step into Bristol’s own 

amazement park, where 

everything is something, and 

nothing is what it seems. 

wakethetiger.com 

Photo Open Exhibition 

RWA, Bristol 

Until May 1 

An open-call exhibition which 

invites artists at any stage of 

their career to submit their best 

photographic works. Prepare to 

be astounded by the quality, 

talent and range on offer. 

rwa.org.uk 

Rodney Graham: Getting it 

Together in the Country 

Hauser & Wirth, Bruton 

Until May 8 

Into photography, painting, 

sculpture, film, video and 

music? Luckily, polymath Graham 

brings all these art forms and more 

to his latest exhibition. 

hauserwirth.com 

Bristol Light Festival 

Across Bristol 

February 3-12 

This ten-day event will light up the 

centre with commissioned works 

from a variety of artists. Don’t miss 

the bright halos in Broadmead 

or the mesmerising holographic 

Ophelia in St Mary Redcliffe Church. 

bristollightfestival.org 

The Printed Line 

The Wilson Art Gallery and 

Museum, Cheltenham 

February 18 – May 14 

Explore how artists use 

printmaking, through works by 

Matisse and Picasso, Bridget Riley 

and David Hockney, and Rachel 

Whiteread’s LOndOn 2012. 

cheltenhammuseum.org.uk 

Howardena Pindell: A New 

Language 

Spike Island, Bristol 


Absorb Pindell’s six-decade career 

with this exhibition, featuring early 

abstract paintings and later political 

works tackling slavery, violence 

against black and indigenous 

people, and the AIDS pandemic. 

spikeisland.org.uk 

Garry Fabian Miller: ADORE 

Arnolfini, Bristol 


In his third show at the Arnolfini, 

Fabian Miller presents an 

expansive look at his work and the 

recurring themes and characters 

that have inspired decades of 

no-camera photography and 

darkroom experiments. 

arnolfini.org.uk 

Bath Art Fair 

Bath Pavilion 

February 24-26 

Discover over 80 of the UK’s best 

artists at this mega weekend for art 

lovers. From original paintings to 

hand-finished prints, and unique 

jewellery to figurative sculptures, 

you can find it all under one roof. 

bathartfair.co.uk 

Thiébaut Chagué 

Messums Wiltshire 

March 4 – April 30 

Witness the act of making 

becoming part of the exhibition, as 

Chagué creates an on-site woodfired 

kiln, and fires a series of new 

pieces to be displayed alongside 

existing works. 

messumswiltshire.com 

Physiotherapy & Wellbeing 

Specialising in arthritis pain relief & musculoskeletal conditions 

Physiotherapy • MBST ® Therapy • Soft Tissue Therapy 

At The Core, Unit 3, Beehive Yard, Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BT info@thecore.health | 01225 46 1205 

Wildlife Photographer 

of the Year 

M Shed, Bristol 

Until May 29 

With entries from over 90 

countries across the world, this 

treat of an annual exhibition 

showcases the beauty and 

brutality of nature in 100 

powerful images. 

bristolmuseums.org.uk 

The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum 



Women in Wine at KASK 

In partnership with 

CASTLE FARM 

Bath 

Bistronomie 

February 4 

This February, for one day only, 

enjoy an indulgent, lazy bistrostyle 

lunch in the barn. Guests 

will be treated to an Italian feast 

where homemade pasta is the 

star of the show. 

Food + drink 

Wellness Cookery and Yoga – 

Three-day Course 

Natural Cookery School, 

Nailsworth 


A nurturing course stuffed with 

restoring yoga sessions and cookery 

classes. Rebalance your body and 

mind, and master the skills of baking 

and seed sprouting along the way. 

naturalcookeryschool.com 

Feast Night 

Yard Space, Cirencester 

February 21 + March 24 

Need a little more banqueting in 

your life (don’t we all)? Book in for 

a feast at Old Gore Barn and wait for 

a plethora of delicacies and delights 

to come your way. 

yardspace.co.uk 

A Fermentation Deep Dive by 

Get Pickled 

Redford House, Frome 

February 25 

Give your gut some love by learning 

how to make your own ferments, 

including milk kefir and fermented 

vegetables (which are a lot tastier 

than they sound). Includes a 

nutritious fermented lunch. 

getpickledsomerset.com 

Curing and Smoking Day 

Empire Farm, Templecombe 

February 26 

Learn about hot and cold smoking 

processes, salt curing and more. 

Plus, you’ll produce plenty of 

appetizing preserved treats to take 

home with you. 

empirefarm.co.uk 

Photography Kym Grimshaw and Leah Morrison 

Wassail Prune 

The Newt, Bruton 

March 3 

Combine the ancient pagan 

custom of chasing off evil winter 

spirits and welcoming in good 

spirits, and the practical tradition 

of giving the apple trees a final 

prune before spring arrives. 

thenewtinsomerset.com 

Women in Wine 

KASK, Bristol 

March 8 

Celebrate International Women’s 

Day – with wine! KASK will pop 

the cork on bottles crafted by 

some of the bar’s favourite female 

winemakers, and offer a selection 

of cheeses to pair with each. 

kaskwine.co.uk 

Spring Feast at fforest 

Spring Feast 

fforest, Cardigan 

March 31 – April 2 

Featuring plenty of smoked 

stuff, cured stuff, stuff roasted 

over fires, sharing plates piled 

high with fish, meat and cheese 

– and even some vegetables. 

A bountiful celebration of the 

greenest season. 

coldatnight.co.uk 

Bristol Cider & Cheese Festival 

Cider Box, Bristol 

April 1 

Indulge in a day of cider and 

cheese from the finest indie 

suppliers, while participating in 

talks and workshops, and jiving 

along to live music. 

theciderbox.com 

That’s Amore 

February 11, 18 + 25 

Exploring the theme of 

romance in Italian culture and 

history, the Castle Farm supper 

clubs for February will share a 

love for Italian food. 

Indian Road Trip 

March 4, 11, 18, 25 

Inspired by a road trip around 

India, exploring Kerala, Delhi, 

Agra and Jaipur, Chef Pravin 

returns with the dishes he 

experienced on his travels. A 

journey through Indian food, 

not to be missed. 

castlefarmcafemidford@gmail.com 

castlefarmmidford.co.uk 

All supper clubs are 

booked through 

the website 




Beautiful Design, Wholly Considered 

Architecture & Interior Design Studio 

room-studio.co.uk 

info@room-studio.co.uk 

01225 311528 

Workshops 

Moonrise Face Oil Workshop 

Weven, Stroud 

February 5 

Learn how to blend your own 

skincare potion and welcome in the 

Snow Moon with an afternoon of 

plantlore, plus a gentle introduction 

to the wonder of folk magic. 

weven.co.uk 

Sew Your Love Embroidery 

Workshop 

Hidden Store, Bath 

February 9 

Personalise a favourite shirt with 

details, emblems or initials, guided 

by fabric fanatic Clemency Calkin. 

Bring a shirt or choose from a 

selection in store. Hot drinks and 

snacks provided. 

@hiddenstorebath 

Weave a Cushion Cover 

Creative Space, Bristol 

February 10 + 11 

Weaver and textile designer Angie 

Parker will thread up the loom with 

your desired colours (there’s loads 

to choose from) and guide you on 

technique and weave structures, until 

you have your own cushion cover. 

creativespacebristol.co.uk 

Robots Stay & Play 

Children’s Scrapstore, 

Bristol 

February 17 

Scissors and glue sticks at the 

ready! The Scrapstore is inviting 

children and their parents in to 

design and build their very own 

scraptastic robots. 

childrensscrapstore.co.uk 

My Wild City: Winter Bird 

Survey Walk 

Lawrence Weston Moor, 

Bristol 

February 19 

Take a walk in the low winter sun 

and be wowed by the local wildlife. 

Your guide will explain where and 

how to record what you see, and 

help conservation action. 

avonwildlifetrust.org.uk 

Papermaking & Sculptural Forms 

Hole & Corner, Bruton 

February 25 

Follow artist Jane Ponsford as she 

demonstrates how to make paper 

sheets, then explore this medium 

creatively by making a vessel or 

sculptural organic paper form. 

holeandcorner.com 

Casting with Plaster 

East Quay, Watchet 

February 25 

Sculptor Melanie Deegan goes 

through the process of casting with 

plaster to create simple tiles and 

ornaments. Design a mould, cast a 

plaster object and decorate it. 

eastquaywatchet.co.uk 

Embroidery Workshop at 

Hidden Store 

Paint by Wine Workshop – Lupins 

Studio LX, Bath 

March 10 

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon painting 

pretty lupins in this fun instructorled 

boozy art workshop with all of 

the kit supplied. 

paintbywine.com 



Performance 

Generously supported by: 

The Quantum Horse 

The Cube Cinema, Bristol 

February 4 

Take an adventurous canter 

through time and space with this 

21st-century re-imagining of the 

classic panto. It’s behind you, 

it’s in front of you... it’s all over 

the place! 

cubecinema.com 

Lissie at Komedia 

Until 8 May 2023 

finance 

now available. 

Terms apply. 

INSPIRATIONAL GLAZING 

ASPIRATIONAL LIVING 

Stuart and Bianca Roden 

HS339 – HM_Alberta Whittle_Circus half_150mm W x 103.5 mm H_AW.indd 1 12/01/2023 10:58 

Ready to make the most of your Vyoo? 

To arrange a visit to our Saltford showroom call 01225 874 676 or email info@vyoowindows.com 

vyoowindows.com 

Sophie Duker: Hag 

Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol 

February 9 

The Taskmaster favourite is back 

on tour and taking us on a chaotic 

journey into her thirties, complete 

with travels across Ghana with her 

badass fedora-clad grandmother. 

thewardrobetheatre.com 

The Shawshank Redemption 

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham 


Based on the Stephen King novella 

and following in the footsteps 

of the acclaimed movie, this 

stage show charts the life of 

Andy Dufresne as he is handed a 

double life sentence for the brutal 

murders of his wife and her lover. 

everymantheatre.org.uk 

Slapstick Festival 

Various Bristol 


Get ready for belly laughs at this 

multi-venue celebration of silent 

and visual on-screen comedy. 

This year, to celebrate patron Sir 

Michael Palin’s 80th birthday, you’ll 

be treated to his hand-picked 

comedy film favourites, plus 

introductions from him and his 

Monty Python pals. 

slapstick.org.uk 

Lissie 

Komedia, Bath 

February 16 

Taking her fifth, and most personal 

album, Carving Canyons, on tour, 

be dazzled by Lissie’s indelible 

melodies and honest vocals. 

komedia.co.uk 

Spark 

Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristol 

February 18 

An antidote to all the sickly 

sweet Valentine’s messages, 

this show is a celebration and 

exploration of unconventional 

love in all its surprising and 

wonderful forms. 

tobaccofactorytheatres.com 

Noughts and Crosses 

Theatre Royal, Bath 

February 28 – March 4 

Malorie Blackman’s Romeo and 

Juliet-inspired story of racial 

and social divides comes to 

the stage in this adaptation by 

Sabrina Mahfouz. A captivating 

tale of love and revolution. 

theatreroyal.org.uk 

Gordon Buchanan: 30 Years 

in the Wild 

Cheese & Grain, Frome 

March 23 

Having produced some of the most 

popular wildlife programmes on the 

BBC, Buchanan draws on stories 

from 30 years of working both 

behind and in front of the camera. 

cheeseandgrain.com 

Ritual Union 

Dareshack, Bristol 

March 23 

Taking place across four Bristol 

music venues, this one-day festival 

features headliners such as Porridge 

Radio and Bristol fave Rozi Plain, 

plus plenty of undiscovered gems. 

dareshack.com 

Orbital 

O2 Academy, Bristol 

March 31 

The electronic music duo are back 

with their tenth album, Optical 

Delusion. Partly written during 

lockdown, there’s a darker edge 

to the infectious beats. 

academymusicgroup.com 


Competition 

Win a stay 

Fancy a night at No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath with 

dinner for two and a spa treatment? We thought so… 

EOH 

How to enter 

For your chance to win, 

head to Instagram 

on February 14. 

@circusjournal 

A sustainable lifestyle store,led by the changing seasons. 

EAST OF HOME 


Competition time 

The lovely people at No.15 by 

GuestHouse, Bath are offering one 

lucky Circus reader the chance to 

win dinner, bed and breakfast for 

two, plus a Time Together spa 

treatment worth £230. The 

indulgent 60-minute treatment 

features a side-by-side massage and 

tailored-to-you mini facial with 

relaxing face, neck and shoulder 

massage. The winner and their 

guest will sleep in one of the hotel’s 

elegant high-ceilinged Pulteney 

rooms, which come with dreamy 

super-king four-poster beds and 

marble-topped washstands. 

guesthousehotels.co.uk 

7 LONDON STREET BATH 

Follow our programme of forthcoming 

seasonal workshops @eastofhomelondonst 

www.eastofhome.com

THE CURATOR’S 

APARTMENT 

THE FAIRYTALE 

WRITER 

THE ASPIRING 

COOK 

MODERN HERITAGE 

STAYS IN THE 

HEART OF BATH 

THECURATEDCOLLECTION.CO.UK 

@THECURATEDCOLLECTIONUK

Circus Journal Vol 22

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