http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33419 Demuths has its own cookery school and I treated myself to their Edible Gifts Workshop. This was the perfect combination of making it yourself and eating as you make!. We made dark chocolate, rum-truffles; white chocolate and pistachio snowflakes; then chocolate coated peppermint creams & caramelized hazelnuts. We learned to create perfect cantuccini and mince pies; a delicious chilli and persimmon jam plus an infused cranberry gin that looked lovely and tasted divine. What I don’t eat when I make it at home will be amazing homemade presents.
To sate my Christmas fetish, I also joined Demuths Christmas Cookery Course to get more imaginative with that standard and somewhat unexciting dinner. Brace yourselves parents and in-laws. We created a centre piece Moroccan style bastilla, to go with saffron roasted parsnips and griddled squash and fennel, followed by an over the top Dark Chocolate and Chestnut Roule. And we will start with that cranberry gin I have just decided not to give away this year.
It is in a listed Georgian building with gloriously distracting views of the Abbey from back windows.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33419 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31025 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31025 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30325 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30325 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29814 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29814 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29758 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29758 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28931 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28931 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28743 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28743 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28742 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28742 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28622 Themed literary evenings are led by well known authors and enable readers to share their love of books over a glass of wine, sample food from around the world and listen to a local talented band. Other delights include reading spa treatments, a bibliotherapy room, reading groups, personalised gifts and the famous tin-tin wall. Whether you are nine or 90 enter here and you will be hooked.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28622 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28619 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28619 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28606 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28606 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28144 Venture further up Walcot Street (towards the London Road) and you will arrive at Jack and Danny's - a vast collection of clothes
from all eras. Ask the staff if you have something in mind and they will
rummage around to find the perfect thing, and they will often hire out pieces for the weekend. Hidden in an alleyway off Milson Street is Vintage
to Vogue which has a very good collection of men's and women's clothing and last time I was
there, some one-off vintage road cycling jerseys.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28144 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27852 Although there are full ranges of treatments available, it is not really necessary to book one to have the full spa experience. A two-hour spa session at £24 is a relatively cheap and wonderful way to relax. That gives you plenty of time to use the four scented steam rooms, swim in the enclosed thermal ‘Minerva’ pool and have a glass of something in the Springs café. Finish the visit by floating in the naturally warm spring water Rooftop Pool overlooking the picture perfect Bath Spa rooftops.
The modern spa does feel a little utilitarian in places, after all, the council part owns it, but that adds to a unisex vibe that means men won’t feel as though they landed in the middle of an episode of ‘Sex and the City’. But remember, Bath being a tourist magnet, it is worth avoiding during the busiest times of the week.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27852 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26592 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26592 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25833
Nearby you will find the Roman Baths. Worth a visit, one of the best museums I've ever seen. But if bathing is what you want, then go to the Spa. A bit too expensive for the amount of services you can get, but you'll gain access to the impressive rooftop pool. Be sure to go at night and enjoy the breathtaking views of Bath, the illuminated Abbey, the moon shining upon you and the cold rain falling on your head while your body stays comfortably warm in the water.

If you're up for it, you can catch a bus to Stonehenge near the Abbey and Puteney Bridge (check that out as well). Now, as much as I'm fascinated by the history and the mistery behind this Neolithic monument, the visit there is not pleasant. The place is cold and chilly and the only thing to do is walk around the stones at a distance while listening to an audio-guide. What makes this visit particularly unenjoyable is the fact that such an important monument is placed right next to a couple of roads. The brochure promises that plans are being made to divert the road and solve the problem. I really hope they do, for the sake of future visitors. After grabbing a hot chocolate from the coffee shop, the bus takes you back to good ol' Bath in an hour. Enjoy the beautiful views of the countryside in the meantime.

Get lost in the streets of Bath, admire the century-old buildings around you and have a cup of tea inside St Michael's church while the organist is rehearsing. This lovely little city will leave an impression on you that time won't be able to fade.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25833 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25782 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25782 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25425 We loved this special place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25333
The place is set to open in February but from what I have seen, it's definitely worth a visit - will give you the low down after i have stayed there!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25333 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24963 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24963 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24625 Historically, there was a panel of young children along with the board who contributed to the design of the theatre so it has children at the very heart of its program. Simply a brilliant place and deserves to be celebrated.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24625