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Forbes
15 hours ago
- Forbes
How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Bath, England
N estled in the rolling hills of Somerset, Bath is a glorious English city that seduces with its honeyed townhouses, stately colonnaded crescents, swish spas, and timeless Roman relics. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city owes much of its acclaim to the legendary Roman Baths—still bubbling with mineral-rich waters today that have enchanted visitors for centuries. Beyond these ancient springs, you can wander along the lazily curving Royal Crescent, catch a play at the opulent Theatre Royal, or toast Jane Austen's 250th anniversary with an Austen-themed afternoon tea beneath the glittering chandeliers of the elegant Pump Room Restaurant . Or, simply amble through charming cobbled streets overflowing with independent cafés, treasure-filled antique shops, and glowing bakeries that perfume the air with warm, buttery pastries. Whether you're melting into the rooftop thermal pool at Thermae Bath Spa or gazing at a blazing sunset sinking behind the spires of Bath Abbey— Moët in hand—you'll be utterly spellbound by the city's golden glow. The beautiful exteriors of Bloomfield House. Bloomfield House Just a mile south of Bath's city centre, Bloomfield House is a gorgeous Georgian mansion that marries Regency elegance with suave modern comforts. Originally built in the 1790s, it once served as the residence of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bath—and today stands as a Grade II-listed golden palace offering Bridgerton-style stays for hedonists and high-flyers—complete with a private chef and discreetly attentive housekeepers. Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Bakewell By Lewis Nunn Swipe your keycard and glide down a sweeping drive (EV charger in tow) as you meet Bloomfield's majestic limestone facade. Step through lion-handled French doors into a glowing reception hall lit by a champagne globe chandelier. Ahead of you, lies a mammoth kitchen-diner—dressed with a long banquette table, quirky pop art (one piece of Queen Elizabeth II ), and glass-boxed cabinets brimming with honesty-bar spirits and crystal champagne flutes—perfect for a celebratory welcome toast. Kitchen-diner at Bloomfield House. Bloomfield House Mornings beckon bean-to-cup cappuccinos and lazy continental breakfasts laid out by your private chef: think buttery croissants, velvety Greek yoghurt, rustic granolas, and fresh fruit platters. Meanwhile, a grand Georgian staircase leads to nine individually styled bedrooms—light-filled and elegant—sleeping up to 23 guests; with seven en-suites and a snug kids' chamber with six bunk beds. Expect stylish features like sumptuous wingback beds, soft-toed wool carpets, and oak-panelled wardrobes. While marble bathrooms dazzle with brass finishes, rainfall showers, and luminous vanity mirrors: and some rooms boast four-poster beds and freestanding bathtubs perched atop platforms fit for royalty. Bedroom at Bloomfield House. Bloomfield House Spend sunny afternoons sinking into your bubbling hot tub as you sip salt-laced margaritas or bask in Bath's golden glow, surrounded by ornate landscaped gardens—anchored by a towering Holm Oak. Then, fire up the BBQ while the little ones play Jenga in the Garden Room . Inside, however, you can relax in one of two plush living rooms—think Turkish rugs, five-tier chandeliers, grand oil paintings, and Art Deco sofas—perfect for curling up for a cozy night watching Pride and Prejudice as you grab a tipple from the honesty bar (think gin, vodka, and Jack Daniel's). Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Guernsey By Lewis Nunn For something a little more extravagant, book a private at-home wine tasting with award-winning Minerva Wine—proprietors of the 2-hectare, 10,000-vine Corston Vineyard Estate in Bath. Inspired by a Newcastle University study, you'll sample fine wines while listening to classical music, varying in moods, to explore how it alters flavour perception—prepare to be awestruck. Comfy lounge at Bloomfield House. Bloomfield House Final flourish? Indulge in a three-course dinner, lovingly prepared by your private chef—think smoked mackerel, followed by tender Welsh lamb or silky crab linguine. Finish with a divine Eton mess—bursting with ripe strawberries and clouds of whipped cream. Then, swirl down a sweeping staircase into your cozy cinema room, crunchy popcorn in hand, ready to lose yourself in Gladiator on your epic 4K 120' screen surrounded by 13 thunderous speakers—no words needed. Pure, hedonistic bliss. Best Things To Do In Bath The Roman Baths Built around 70 AD atop natural hot springs, the Roman Baths stand among the world's most astonishingly preserved ancient bathing complexes—once the heart of Roman Britain's social and religious life, known as Aquae Sulis. Over 1.1 million litres of geothermally heated water still flow daily into the baths at a steamy 46°C—and while swimming is no longer allowed—you can explore the mystic Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, and the Great Bath itself; with an immersive audio guide. Don't miss its adjoining museum—a trove of archaeological treasures unearthed on-site, from eerie inscribed curse tablets to the majestic gilt bronze head of Sulis Minerva —goddess of healing to whom the Roman Baths are dedicated (tickets from $37 per person). Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Cirencester By Lewis Nunn Thermae Bath Spa Open-air rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa. Thermae Bath Spa For those craving a contemporary soak, slip into Thermae Bath Spa —offering a rare chance to bathe in Britain's only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters—just as Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago. Begin in the Minerva Bath , where swirling whirlpools meet a lazy river. Then rise to the rooftop pool—its steamy shimmer offering panoramic views of Bath's golden skyline. Finale? Retreat to the Wellness Suite —housing Roman and Georgian steam rooms, an Ice Chamber, Infrared Sauna, and the celestial-themed Relaxation Room —inspired by astronomer, William Herschel. Or, for an exclusive dip, book the Cross Bath —a Grade I-listed Georgian gem fed by sacred springs once steeped in royal fertility legends (a two-hour session from $55 per person). The Holburne Museum Exteriors of Holburne Museum. Holburne Museum Framed by the leafy Sydney Gardens, the Holburne Museum is Bath's oldest public gallery, housed in a Grade I-listed Georgian building—once the Sydney Hotel —now home to the eclectic collection of Sir William Holburne, a 19th-century naval officer and art collector. Inside, you'll discover a rich tapestry of fine art, from Renaissance bronzes and exquisite Chinese porcelain to masterpieces by Gainsborough and Zoffany. The museum's grand ballroom still glitters with silver and china ready for a Georgian banquet—while more recently, Holburne has stepped into the limelight as Lady Danbury's residence in Bridgerton —drawing a steady stream of Netflix pilgrims (tickets from $17 per person). Read More: Forbes How To Spend A Weekend At Burghley House By Lewis Nunn Bath Abbey Exteriors of Bath Abbey. Bath Abbey With its origins tracing back to 675 AD, Bath Abbey is one of England's crowning jewels of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Its current structure was commissioned by Bishop Oliver King , who—according to legend—dreamt of angels climbing golden ladders to heaven: now immortalized on the Abbey's West Front . Over centuries, the abbey has evolved through phases of monastic life, Norman might, and Tudor grandeur—surviving destruction under Henry VIII's Dissolution and later revived by Queen Elizabeth I. Step inside and marvel at its fan-vaulted ceilings, ornate stained glass, and 52 windows flooding the sacred space with light—earning it the nickname 'Lantern of the West' (tickets from $10 per person). Best Restaurants In Bath The Olive Tree Beneath the Georgian elegance of Russell Street, The Olive Tree is Bath's Michelin-starred secret—equal parts culinary theatre and quiet sophistication. It whispers luxury, never screams, serving seven-course tasting menus that read like edible sonnets. Begin with Isle of Skye langoustine—smoky and citrus-kissed, dancing with jalapeño. Fallow deer follows, earthy and dramatic, tangled with Cheltenham beetroot and Kampot pepper. Vegetarians? Prepare to be serenaded with black onion seed gnocchi and BBQ cauliflower, laced with Perigord truffle. Desserts are a dream: think Tahitian vanilla crème chiboust with jasmine tea or lush islands chocolate adorned with 50-year-old balsamic. Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Plymouth By Lewis Nunn Corkage Bath Courtyard of Corkage Bath. Corkage Bath Hidden away on charming Chapel Row, Corkage Bath is a wine lover's fever dream—half candlelit hideaway, half small plate playground. It hums with clinking glasses and aromatic swirls: silky Scout & Sage gin-cured salmon, red lentil dahl with coconut yoghurt, and smoky beef shin croquettes crisped to perfection. For serious indulgence, the hanger steak shines—rosy and rich with mushroom purée, crispy cabbage, smoky bacon, and velvety jus. Plant-based dishes hold their own, too—from caramelised courgette in cashew-miso velvet to salt-baked celeriac with burnt apple and black truffle. The wine list? Wildly worldly—from zippy Grüner Veltliner to inky South African Cinsault. How To Get There Travelers in London can hop on a 75-minute direct train service from London Paddington to Bath Spa with Great Western Railway . To book your escape at Bloomfield House, visit For more Bath inspiration, head to Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Bakewell By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Guernsey By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Cirencester By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend A Weekend At Burghley House By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Plymouth By Lewis Nunn
Fox News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Ozzy Osbourne fans gather in Birmingham for funeral procession to honor rock legend
Fans are bidding their final farewell to Ozzy Osbourne. On Wednesday, thousands of people flocked to the streets of Birmingham, England to honor the legendary rock star as the hearse and accompanying vehicles made their way to the Black Sabbath bridge and bench. On Tuesday, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE, JP, said it was "important" for the city to honor Osbourne in the city that he loved so much. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham. Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the 'Back to the Beginning' concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves." According to People, Osbourne — who died on July 22 — will also be honored privately by his close family and friends with an intimate funeral. "They're very grateful for the special family time they had together before Ozzy passed," a source told the outlet. "They're planning a small, private funeral that will be a celebration of his life. Ozzy would never want a mope-fest." The source said that the rocker's family, including wife Sharon, 72, and their children, Aimee, 41, Jack, 39, and Kelly, 40, is "touched by all the love and support pouring in from around the world." In a "Dear Ozzy" column for The Times in 2011, Osbourne shared his wishes on what he hoped his future funeral would be like after a fan asked if it was "too morbid to plan your own funeral? Or is it a thoughtful gift for your surviving relatives?" "I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral; they can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes 'em happy," Osbourne wrote. "But I do want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest." "I'd also like some pranks: maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin; or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of 'death,'" he continued. "There'll be no harping on the bad times." "So to answer your question, yes, a bit of planning is the right thing to do for the family you leave behind," he said. "It's worth remembering that a lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives. So by any measure, most of us in this country — especially rock stars like me — are very lucky." "That's why I don't want my funeral to be sad. I want it to be a time to say 'thanks.'"
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Ozzy Osbourne: Funeral held in Birmingham
Ozzy Osbourne will make his final journey through his home city of Birmingham, in England's West Midlands, eight days after his death. The Black Sabbath singer's body will travel by hearse through the city on Wednesday, local time, on the way to his private funeral to be attended by family and friends. The event, funded by the Osbourne family, is a chance for the city to pay its respects to one of its 'greatest legends' the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, said this week.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ozzy Osbourne's body to make final trip through home city of Birmingham
Fans will be able to pay their final respects to Ozzy Osbourne as his body is brought back to his home city for a procession on Wednesday. The Black Sabbath frontman's hearse will make its way through Birmingham, travelling alongside his family to Broad Street from 1pm, the city council has announced. The cortege, accompanied by musicians Bostin Brass, will stop at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where thousands of fans have been gathering since the heavy metal icon died last week aged 76 to leave flowers and tributes. The event is expected to draw huge crowds as fans gather to say goodbye to the pioneer of heavy metal, giving his family an opportunity to see the memories and tributes left by those who loved him. Birmingham Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said the city where Osbourne grew up will give him the 'farewell he deserves'. He said: 'Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham. 'Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. 'We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. 'We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.' The city council said it had worked 'at pace' to co-ordinate a respectful and safe public event in co-ordination with the Osbourne family ahead of a private funeral. Broad Street will be closed to traffic from 7am and buses and trams will be diverted.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ozzy Osbourne funeral plans revealed: Black Sabbath icon to have procession through Birmingham with city set to pay tribute to rock legend after his death aged 76
Fans will be able to pay their final respects to Ozzy Osbourne as his body is brought back to his home city for a procession tomorrow. The Black Sabbath frontman's hearse will make its way through Birmingham, travelling alongside his family to Broad Street from 1pm, the city council has announced. The cortege, accompanied by musicians Bostin Brass, will stop at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where thousands of fans have been gathering since the heavy metal icon died last week aged 76 to leave flowers and tributes. The event is expected to draw huge crowds as fans gather to say goodbye to the pioneer of heavy metal, giving his family an opportunity to see the memories and tributes left by those who loved him. Birmingham Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said the city where Osbourne grew up will give him the 'farewell he deserves'. He said: 'Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham. 'Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. 'We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. 'We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.' The city council said it had worked 'at pace' to co-ordinate a respectful and safe public event in co-ordination with the Osbourne family ahead of a private funeral. Broad Street will be closed to traffic from 7am and buses and trams will be diverted. Ozzy took the stage for his farewell concert at Villa Park Stadium in his native Birmingham, England less than three weeks before his death. The rocker reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time since 2005 to bid an emotional farewell to his decades of performing live on stage. Over 42,000 fans packed into the venue for the Back To The Beginning show, which saw Ozzy and Black Sabbath return to their hometown 56 years after they formed there. He told the crowd in his final speech: 'You've no idea how I feel - thank you from the bottom of my heart.' He vowed, however, that it would be his last performance due to his health, having opened up about his battle with Parkinson's in 2020. In a statement shared last Tuesday, Ozzy's family said he died 'surrounded by love'.
