Bath’s sizzling summer of festivals, events and exhibitions
20th May 2010
A true City of Festivals, Bath has a packed programme of festivals, events and exhibitions with lots to look out for this summer. Some of the highlights include a brand new exhibition at the Fashion Museum displaying a collection of dresses worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, and a new food and drink festival to take place in Royal Victoria Park. There will also be returning favourites with the annual Bath International Music Festival and Roman Baths by Torchlight. Here’s our guide to what’s hot in Bath this summer…
Bath International Music Festival: 26 May - 6 June
The Bath International Music Festival will again be presenting a dynamic mix of world-class performers in Baths’ wonderful venues, featuring orchestral and classical virtuosos, jazz giants, folk, roots and world musicians. The Wylde Party in the City is the biggest free show in Bath and will take place on Friday 28th May. There will be over 70 free performances in Bath buildings and public spaces in a celebration of music on the first Friday of Bath International Music Festival. This year the Music Festival will be welcoming the international touring exhibition ‘Play Me I’m Yours’ which is bringing 11 pianos to the streets of Bath. The pianos will be located in various places around the city and anyone - from novices to experts - can enjoy playing.
Lions of Bath: 20 May – 30 October
Lions will be lining the streets of Bath in the form of 100 life-size sculptures, all decorated with individual designs, as part of a public art exhibition. An eclectic mix of artists have taken part in the project including Lord Bath, Amy Williams - the Winter Olympics gold medallist - and Sir Peter Blake – designer of the Beatles’ ‘Sgt Pepper’ album cover. Designs will be varied and even include lions decorated with images of Michael Jackson and Elvis!
The Bath Food & Drink Festival: 3 July - 4 July
With more than 130 local and regional exhibitors showcasing a vast array of products, drinks and quality foods, in the beautiful setting of Royal Victoria Park, this two day event promises a display of cuisine delights. Leading local chefs will be tantalising taste buds with demonstrations, and there’ll be a good selection of real ales, ciders, as well as a Wine Theatre and a Champagne Garden Bar.
Diana’s Dresses: 17 July – 9 January
A special exhibition of ten dresses that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales will be on display at the Fashion Museum from 17 July. The dresses, which are on loan by their owner, Suzanne King, span the brief 16 years that Diana was in the spotlight as one of the most famous women in the world and a style icon. The exhibits include dresses worn during the Royal tours of Canada and New Zealand in the early 1980s, evening dresses from almost ten years later around 1990, and little black cocktail dresses by designers such as Versace from the mid 1990s.
Roman Baths by Torchlight: 1 July – 31 August
During the summer months, the Roman Baths will open late until 10pm in July and August. As darkness falls, the ruins of the Roman Baths lit by flickering torches provide an awesome sight for visitors who can walk on 2000 year old pavements, explore Roman artefacts, see the steaming baths and really sense the spirits of the ancients.
There’s so much more…
This is just the start: Bath and the surrounding area will be home to lots more events and festivals over the next few months. For more information visit the ‘What’s On’ section of the official tourism website www.visitbath.co.uk to check out our comprehensive and detailed listings of everything happening in the area.
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Notes to Editors:
For further information or images to illustrate this information, please contact Lucy Weaver at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or email: lucy_weaver@bathtourism.co.uk.
Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath’s destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation’s top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath’s official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk. For more information about the services that Bath Tourism Plus offers to meetings, conference and incentive travel businesses, see www.bathconference.co.uk
Travel to Bath
Bath is easy to access from all over the UK and the world. High speed, direct train services operated by First Great Western link Bath Spa train station to London and its major airports. Bath Spa train station is well situated, just 5 minutes level walk into the city centre’s main shopping and tourist areas. See: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk . Bath is easy to access by car, from junction 18 of the M4 motorway which links Bath to Bristol, London and South Wales. There are 3243 pubic car parking spaces in Bath with the main long stay car parks at Charlotte Street and Avon Street. There are three Park & Ride services on the outskirts of the city which operate fast, frequent services into the city centre, offering a hassle free, cost effective way of reaching the city centre. There is also a Park & Ride service that operates on Saturdays only from the University of Bath.
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