The Georgian City of Bath Christmas Market 2013

Christmas markets originated mainly in Germany and Austria. They soon spread to other parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom. 

The Weihnachtsmarket (so called in Germany and Austria) or the Christkindlmarket (called in southern Germany and Austria), is a street market connected with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks known as Advent. 



Bath Christmas Market 2013

These types of market go way back to the middle ages in Germany. In Vienna for example the ‘December Market’ (Circa 1294) was seen as a forerunner to the Christmas market. 

There are many famous Christmas markets throughout Europe such as Dresden, Frankfurt, Nuremburg, Dortmund, Cologne and Stuttgart. The most visited of these is Dortmund with more than 3.5 million people. The Frankfurt markets around 3 million and Nuremburg and Dresden can only muster 2 million.

In the UK we have Christmas markets in Lincoln, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds (hey up like). And of course the best and most fantastically wonderful Christmas of all, yes you’ve guessed it the Bath Christmas Market (where’s it to?).

 

Bath Christmas Market 2013

Bath Christmas Market was established in 2000. With well over 380,000 people visiting it is a great attraction for the City as well as earning fantastic revenue for not just the stall holders, but hoteliers, restaurants, shops, buses, taxies etc. etc.

For eighteen festive days the Georgian City of Bath will be transformed into a Christmas paradise of colour, sound and smells.

 

This year the market runs from Thursday 28th November through to Sunday 15th December.

 

It is certainly a great way for Mrs Bingham to start her Christmas shopping and find her loyal devoted partner a present he will treasure. Because it will be very big and very expensive.

The times for this year’s market are:

Monday through to Wednesday

10.00hrs – 19.00hrs
 

Thursday through to Saturday

10.00hrs – 20.00hrs
 

Sunday

10.00hrs – 18.00hrs

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Link to Bath Christmas Market 2013 Website:  

 





Did you know that last year Bath Christmas Market became the very first in all of the United Kingdom to receive a quality assured visitor attraction award from Visit England? Oh yes! Take it away Bath.

 

Bath Christmas Market 2013

With over 150 wooden chalets offering handmade and quite unusual gifts, decorations, mulled wine (yummy) food items, garden products, jewellery.

 

In fact everything you could think off to make your Christmas stocking filled with wonderful presents and gifts.

 

In the very heart of Bath sitting under the Bath Abbey and spreading to all corners of central Bath.

 

In fact there are woodworkers, clothing designers, novelty product specialists, painters, photographers, food suppliers and much, much more. All the fun of Christmas for adults and children alike.

 

Bath Christmas Market 2013

 Join in with the remarkable atmosphere that is Bath Christmas Market. There will be carol singers, a carousel, street traders, local bands and choirs, street entertainers, Christmas trees, twinkly lights.

 

Just about everything you can imagine to get you in the Christmas spirit. Mrs Bingham and I will be heading straight for the mulled wine chalet. My goodness does that put the feeling of warmth and Christmas cheer in my belly and loosen the purse of Mrs B.

 

Did you realise as well that out of the many thousands of visitors who come to Bath for the Christmas market a staggering 64% come purely for this joyous event. These wonderful people visiting our fine City are estimated to boost the local economy by £17,000,000.00.

Bath Christmas Market 2013

The market also boosts tourism greatly for the following year as visitors at Christmas see the potential Bath has to offer with our many festivals, events, attractions and of course the great shopping areas and streets that offer so much.

So why not come on down to the Bath Christmas Market to enjoy and savour the atmosphere. There are of course the many pubs and restaurants which supply a good hearty meal.  Mrs B likes a good hearty meal and has promised in the New Year she will work off the turkey and mince pies.

Christmas is certainly a magical time for adults and children alike. The Bath Christmas Market will certainly get you in the festive mood. For children it is possibly the most exciting time of the year.

Walking through the streets of Bath

With presents to open and the family getting together. Spending time at home with good food and playing those inevitable Christmas games.

And not forgetting the magical films and programmes on the telly, including all the usual repeats. As long as the Great Escape is on I will be a very happy Bingham.

Walking through the sttreets of Bath will bring back all the memories of Christmas past. Kicking in the nostalgia of it all.

 

 

To get you in the carol singing mood I have included in this blog a little YouTube video that will get you laughing more than singing. Check ot these really sweet tenors from China who will cheer you up and get you feeling very festive indeed. Just click on the logo to access the video.

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So for now just enjoy the splendour and magic that is The City of Bath Christmas Market 2013. Get down there and savour the atmosphere. If you go at night you will be dazzled by the splendour of the Christmas lights. The smells of Christmas are all around and with carol singers and Christmas decorations lining every street, you and your children will love it.

Pre-Christmas present for Mrs B

You are so going to enjoy the array of gift ideas and Christmas goodies for you and your loved ones.

Mrs Bingham doesn't know it yet but I have already got her a pre-Christmas pressie of chocolates.

Well she does deserve the very best and especially when I tell her I am off out with the boys tonight for a Christmas jaunt to taste the Christmas ale in the Raven.

So have yourselves the very best of times
to the run up to Christmas Day.

We at Bath Business Web Ltd wish you all a very peaceful and joyous time to celebrate this wondrous occasion and look forward to a prosperous New Year.

Love and Jingle Bells.

Bingham

Blogger for Bath Business Web Ltd
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Things to know about the Beautiful City of Bath

Here at Bath Business Web Ltd we do like to know about the fine City of Bath which we work in. It always helps wit the local pub quiz or just impressing our friends at parties. So I have listed a few little gems about Bath, its history and some of its peoples, past and present

• Archaeological evidence suggests there was human activity around the hot springs on which the great City of Bath is built at least 8,000 years B.C
• According to legend, Prince Bladud was cured of leprosy after bathing in the hot muddy water in 863 B.C. He had been banned from court and was here looking after pigs (nice work if you can get it)
• Before even the Romans arrived, the hot springs were a spot held sacred by the Celts. They believed that the spring waters was the work of the deity Sul or Sulis, the Celtic goddess associated with fertility and healing
• Aqua Sulis, was the name given by the Romans sometime in the AD 60s and about 20 years after they had conquered Britain in AD43
• In the 9th century the old Roman streets had started to disappear. Bath had become a Royal possession and by order of King Alfred the Great, who reigned from 871 - 899, the town was laid out afresh
• In 959 Edgar was crowned King of England at Bath Abbey
• In 1590 Queen Elizabeth I awarded Bath a Royal Charter, which meant life free from Royal control
• During the English Civil War (1642–1651) the City of Bath was garrisoned and fortified for Charles I. However, when the parliamentary forces arrived at the gates, the city surrendered. It was retaken by royalists following the Battle of Lansdowne in 1643
• Somewhere between 1740 and 1745 No. 7 Pierrepont Street, now business offices of our very own Bath Business Web Ltd, were designed and built by Architect John Wood the Elder. He described them as “a row of fifth rated houses of the grander sort” (bless him)
• Early 18th century Bath had its first purpose built theatre, The Old Orchard Street Theatre
• In 1785 Stothert & Pitt established an engineering company in Bath creating an important manufacturing sector for the region. They built cast iron Dock cranes or construction plant products as well as items for household use until their closure in 1989
• In 1801 the population of Bath had reached 40,020 making one of the largest cities in Britain
• In the early 1850's Bath like many large towns in the UK had horse drawn Trams operating in the City. They were then followed by electric Trams until their demise in 1939
• In April 1942 Bath suffered 3 air raids in reprisal for RAF raids on German cities. The Germans targeted picturesque cities, which were reputedly selected from the German Baedeker Tourist Guide to Britain. Over 400 people were killed and more than 19,000 buildings in Bath were damaged or destroyed in the Bath blitz
• In the 1950’s a post-war review of inadequate housing led to the clearance and redevelopment. The nearby villages of Combe Down, Twerton and Weston were incorporated into Bath to enable the development of further housing
• In 1987 the City of Bath was inscribed as a World Heritage Site
• In 2012 a hoard of 30,000 silver Roman coins, (3rd century) were found near the Baths
• The hot springs in Bath are the only ones naturally occurring in the UK
• The City of Bath is in the valley of the River Avon and surrounded by 7 hills (as is Rome)
• Each year Bath hosts 3.8 million day visitors and well over 1 million visitors stay in the city
• Many famous people who have been born here, visited or made it their home…

• A Bathonian is somebody who comes from the City of Bath
• The City of Bath is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful cities in the UK
• Bath has a population of 176,000 + and is situated 97 miles (156 km) from London
• And finally did you know it is the Jane Austen Festival starting this weekend? 2013 is the 200th Anniversary of the first publication of Pride & Prejudice. Bath will be celebrating with concerts, etiquette lessons, dancing lessons, workshops, how to dress Regency on a budget, walks to Sydney Pleasure Gardens and other such places. Breakfasts and talks in Regency Town House. Regency Costume Fashion Show. And a rather grand costume promenade through the streets of Bath

 

Hope you learnt something new from things to know about the Beautiful City of Bath

 

Bingham

Blogger for Bath Business Web Ltd

What To Do in Bath & Somerset this Summer

Whether you are a resident or here as a visitor there are a multitude of things to see or do in this fine City of Bath. Here are just a handful of suggestions which are definitely on my hot list this summer in Bath.

Just click on the event name to see more details:
 
The Roman Baths
Possibly the most famous attraction in the City of Bath. Offering a spectacular insight into the life and times of the City when we were occupied and governed by the Roman Empire. Also offering a night time tour as the ruins of this Roman building come alight with flame flickering torches. Walk on the 2000 year old pavements and take in the steamy and captivating experience that is quite unforgettable.                                 
 
The Special Olympics GB National Summer Games
Held every 4 years this is the country’s largest sports event for athletes with intellectual disabilities (also known as learning disabilities). The 2013 Summer Games this year to be hosted in our great city. Organised by Special Olympics GB this is a competition for children and adults, with over 1,700 participants. Held at The Sports Training Village at The University of Bath something for everyone.

The Jane Austen Festival
This year is the two hundredth anniversary of the first publication of Pride & Prejudice. Celebrations will include concerts, etiquette lessons, dancing lessons, workshops, tours, talks and a Regency fashion show. There will also be a grand Regency costume parade through the streets of Bath.                                                                      

Bath Fringe Festival
This weekend sees the launch of The Bath Fringe Festival. This includes 17 days of music, art, theatre and comedy. This takes place at various venues throughout the city and has something for people of all ages.

The American Museum
Not only a wide array of American artefacts and furniture, but also family fun with Wild West events and activities. Find out more about the gangsters and gunslingers of the Wild West and make your own Wild West outfit. Including sheriff’s badges, bandanas, fake moustaches, fluttering fans or feathered headpieces.

The Little Theatre Cinema
Built by community theatre pioneer Consuelo de Reyes and her husband in 1935. It initially functioned as a news theatre open from midday and showing hourly programmes of documentaries and newsreels. The Little Theatre retains the charm and welcoming warmth of a 1930's cinema, including a luxury balcony with sofas in the main auditorium.

The Chapel Arts Centre
Now firmly established as Bath's alternative arts venue. It operates as a community and culturally based arts Centre presenting a wide range of the performing arts. This includes a variety of musical tastes, theatre, dance, comedy, film, mime, poetry and much more.

Farleigh Hungerford Castle
Only nine miles from Bath on the border between Somerset and Wiltshire sits the remains of Farleigh Hungerford Castle. The building goes back to the 14th century and has much for visitors to see and enjoy. The fortified mansion was occupied by the Hungerford family for over three hundred years. There are many tales and stories, sometimes quite gruesome, about this remarkable family. Visit the family tombs, the chapel with rare medieval wall paintings, the Priests house and if you’re really brave enter the crypt wherein lies a collection of human-shaped coffins. Eeeek!

Komedia Comedy Club
Voted best venue in the West and Wales in 2012 and 2013, this great comedy playhouse follows in the footsteps of the legendary Komedia in Brighton. Offering a great line-up of comedians every Saturday night and the Ministry of Burlesque on the last Friday of the month.

Bath Abbey
For over a thousand years people have been worshiping on this site. The Abbey may well have undergone many transformations and changes during that time, yet it survives through major conflicts, religious reforms and two World Wars. Welcoming over 420,000 people through its doors every year this historical and sacred place stretches back to Anglo-Saxon times. There is the Tower Tour where visitors get the chance to go behind the scenes and take a look at the Abbey from a very different perspective. You will get a chance to visit the ringing and bell chamber, stand on the top of the Abbeys vaulted ceiling and even sit behind the clock face. Once on the roof the views across the city and beyond are spectacular.

Dyrham Park
Just outside Bath is the most beautiful and spectacular 17th century mansion, garden and deer park in the South West. Set in 270 acres (110 hectares) of stunning and ancient parkland, where fallow deer roam freely. With magnificent trees and breath-taking views, this is a place of natural beauty not to miss. The mansion built by William Blathwayt has changed little in 300 years.

Bath Approach Pitch and Putt Golf Course
Located to the north of Victoria Park in central Bath is the 12 or 18 hole course for beginners and experience players alike. Ideal for those needing to practise their pitch and putt skills or just a good fun day out for family or friends. There is no need to book and club hire and balls are all provided.

Whatever you do make sure you enjoy it and get the best from what Bath and Somerset has to offer. Have a great Summer!

Bingham

Blogger for Bath Business Web Ltd