things to do - Reside Bath

For many, the peace and romance of Valentine’s Day will be shattered at around 3pm as Bath’s schools jettison an avalanche of excitable children from the sanctuary of the schoolyard and tyrannised teachers hastily secure the gates behind them for a week. With half term upon us, many a hassled household will be doing their best to balance work, life and a tangle of tireless tykes, so it is important to have an impressive armoury of activities at the ready.

Just as well, then, that we have scoured the region and picked 5 of our favourite things to do, places to be and sights to see with the kids during half term. We hope that it helps you to plan some fantastic family fun, and please let us know what you get up to on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

1. Bath City Farm
Kelston View, BA2 1NW
Twitter: @BathCityFarm
(photo credit: bathcityfarm.org.uk)

The presence of Shetland ponies, Dexter cattle, Wiltshire Horn sheep, pygmy goats, boar and guinea fowl on the southwestern outskirts of Bath might cause you to think that Old MacDonald has decamped to the city. They actually belong to Bath City Farm, a 37 acre community organisation which promotes sustainable farming and living. Whilst picturesque walks can be enjoyed over the farmland, the stars of the show are undoubtedly the animals who roam the fields and can be cautiously approached as long as an adult’s in attendance. The pigs, chickens and ducks can be fed with feed from the farm shop, and pony grooming sessions are also occasionally available. To top it all off, entry to this wonderful community experience is absolutely free, although donations are gratefully accepted.

2. The Egg Theatre
Sawclose, BA1 1ET
Twitter: @theeggbath
(photo credit: guide2bath.com)

The Egg is a cosy and comfortable theatre dedicated to children and families, and they have a half term agenda packed with adventure and excitement. Wanted: Rabbit gets half term off to a thrilling start with the tale (tail?) of a manhunt (rabbithunt?) for an escaped jailbird (jailrabbit? – enough, Ed.). On Monday, there is evocative storytelling with live musical accompaniment and the rest of the week is occupied by Grandpa’s Railway, a poignant story from the highly acclaimed M6 Theatre Company.

3. Adventure Golf
Royal Victoria Park, BA1 2NR
(photo credit: visitbath.co.uk)

Unless the weather dramatically changes over the next few days, you may have to turn up to Victoria Falls Adventure Golf dressed for the Niagara Falls. However, kids couped up indoors contracting cabin fever is not a pleasant experience, so a trip to the Adventure Golf clad in anoraks may well be the solution. 18 holes of very crazy golf wend their way between waterfalls and over waterways, so there is always a chance of getting splashed even if the weather holds!

4. Frozen Sing-Along at Little @ Komedia
Westgate Street, BA1 1EP
Twitter: @LittleTheatreUK
(photo credit: flickr.com/thelittletheatrecinema)

In a world… where children are scowled upon in a cinema for the slightest rustling, bustling or fidgeting, what a relief it will be to take your musical minors to a movie theatre where participation is very much encouraged. As far as family films are concerned, Frozen was the big hit of the winter and Bath’s favourite cinema, The Little Theatre, is hosting sing-along screenings at Komedia this half term. Packed with typical Disney belters, this is an event which is sure to bring the house down.

5. Two Tunnels Greenway
Twitter: @twotunnelsbath
(photo credit: ctcwest.org.uk)

Opened in 2013 to much acclaim, the Two Tunnels Greenway is a cycle path which follows a disused railway line which connects Bath to the Midford Valley, making use of two tunnels which had been blocked off since the Beeching cuts in 1966. The tunnels are both lit and music is played in the lengthier of the two tunnels; best of all they provide shelter from whatever the elements are doing outside. Any grown-ups in the cycling parties will be pleased to know that the route leads past some very pleasant pubs – cycling can be such thirsty work.

As the school bells signal the start of half term, I hope that our blog will help you to feel ready to entertain the whole family this half term. And don’t forget to let us know what you got up to!

It’s the week before Christmas and here at Reside,
We feel it our duty to help and to guide.
We love Bath in winter and have cherry-picked things,
That reflect Christmas and the joy that it brings.

So when you get home from your Christmas excursion
And are indulging in some mince pie immersion,
Or sipping away at your ale or your bitter,
Don’t keep it to yourself, tell us – on Facebook or Twitter.

1. Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal
12 December 2013 – 12 January 2014
Twitter: @TheatreRBath

Bath’s Theatre Royal will be retaining its place in the heart of all panto loving families this Christmas with a production of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan – one of the best-loved stories in children’s literature.

The fun starts when Peter Pan flies into the Darling children’s nursery one night and whisks them off to Neverland. And there the magic begins, with Tinkerbell, Tiger Lily and the Lost Boys, as the children go into combat with Captain Hook and his pirate crew.

There will be flying, special effects, comedy, singing, dancing and lots of audience participation in traditional panto style. Jessica Punch stars as Peter Pan and look out for young dancers from Bath’s Dorothy Coleborn School of Dance playing the Lost Boys.

2. Christmas at the American Museum
Until 22 December 2013
Twitter: @Americanmuseum

It’s a good time of year to visit The American Museum as you’ll see it dressed to the nines with traditional decorations throughout. Its crowning glory is a seventeen foot Nordman Fir tree that dominates the Central Hall. This tree is lit with over 1,000 lights and hung with ornaments that have been handmade by staff and volunteers.

Most of the Period Rooms pre-date the celebration of Christmas as we know it today, so the displays show winter activities that were popular during each period. You’ll see festive colours added by costume, textiles, and flowers. Meanwhile the shop has plenty of decorations and gifts if you’re still hunting!

3. Carols by Candlelight
18-20 December 2013
Twitter: @BathBachChoir

The City of Bath Bach Choir will perform three consecutive nights of carols and Christmas music in the atmospheric, candlelit Pump Room.

In this, its 67th Season, the choir will perform a mixture of traditional and modern Christmas carols, directed by Nigel Perrin and accompanied by Marcus Sealy. The audience will be able to join the choir in singing some of the carols.

4. Bath on Ice at Royal Victoria Park
Until 5th January.
Twitter: @BathOnIce

Hire those skates and get out on the ice to wobble and fall or dazzle them all. Afterwards, sustenance can be found from a new Christmas Avenue offering mulled wine, mince pies, roasted chestnuts and hot dogs. Keep an eye on the @BathOnIce Twitter feed for special offers, such as their regular 2-for-1 day, and yes – they do have the plastic penguins for those of us with no balance!

5. The Holburne Winter Light Installation: Light to Light
Until 5th January 2014
Twitter: @Holburne

Lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe has created a spectacular display in the Museum Garden, with a multicoloured light show accompanied by a soundtrack created by composer Matt Clifford.

Patrick Woodroffe has produced lighting designs for many, including Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Matt Clifford wrote the score for cult horror film The Return of The Living Dead and toured the world as a keyboard player with bands such as Yes and The Rolling Stones. Scores for the West End include One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and the ballet The Red Shoes.

Merry Christmas from us all here at Reside; we hope that the big day is filled with fine food, good cheer and fun times.

Tag: things to do

Reside5 – Half Term Trips

Reside5 – Christmas in Bath