BATH’S most famous author Jane Austen: said about the festive time: "At Christmas everybody invites their friends about them, and people think little of even the worst weather..."

And it seems in 2011 everybody is invited to Bath and surrounding area to enjoy the Christmas season with a host of activities on offer.

Tourism chiefs claim the city has been named the Christmas capital of the West.

Andrew Cooper, Bath BID manager, said: “Bath has so much to offer as a Christmas shopping destination with its beautiful backdrop and vast array of shops. 

“Few cities offer the same range of top quality high street names with strong independents. The joy of shopping in Bath is in the sense of discovery.     

“Bartlett Street, Northumberland Place and Green Street are a few examples of thriving side streets to explore, each with great shopping. Superb shops are complemented by lively cafes and restaurants so plan to stay in Bath for a great day out.  

“Stores and restaurants throughout the city from SouthGate to Milsom Place will be open late for Christmas shopping and park and ride hours are extended for the festive season.

“The Bath Christmas Market runs this year until Sunday December 11. This year 130 wooden chalets will be offering a great mix of locally sourced and hand crafted gifts.”

Mr Cooper added that the Bath Business Improvement District (BID) organised the switching on of Bath's Christmas lights in  November by legendary comic John Cleese.”

A spokesman for Bath Tourism Plus said: “We are very lucky that there is such a wealth of festivals and events that take place over the winter months, unlike many destinations that usually wind down for the winter period. 

“Bath’s busy event calendar in the lead up to Christmas makes the city a really vibrant, festive and appealing place to be, and the popular Bath Christmas Market, set in such a unique and stunning location, is hard to beat.”

We’ve picked out just some of the activities on offer including some which are available to see into early 2012.

Holburne Museum, Bath:

1000s of tiny fibre optic lights will feature at the recently reopened Holburne Museum creating an impressive display that will spread out from the museum’s new extension into the back garden, shimmering and changing colour to provide a spectacle of sheer magic.  The display will run until January 8 2012.

Holburne Museum, Sydney Place, Bath, BA2 4DB T: 01225 466669

American Museum in Britain:

Christmas at Claverton - a favourite and long-running event at the American Museum in Britain will be returning for another year.  Running until December 11, children will be awe inspired by the stunning decorations, and they may even learn something of American history at the same time!

American Museum, Claverton Manor, Claverton, Bath, BA2 7BD T: 01225 460503

No 1 Royal Crescent, Bath:

Celebrate the festive season with No.1 Royal Crescent this year by enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of the Georgian townhouse, traditionally decorated for Christmas.  Each room is an exquisite example of Georgian interior design and for two weeks will be dressed with garlands of holly and wreaths, accompanying a variety of beautiful floral displays.

No 1 Royal Crescent, 1 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LR T: 01225 428126

Jane Austen Centre:

At the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, the month leading up to Christmas is marked with seasonal additions to the exhibition.  Illustrating how the festive time of year was celebrated in the early 1800s the attraction will have a selection of specially chosen gifts in the shop and Regency style decorations throughout the house until December 31.

Jane Austen Centre, 40 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT T: 01225 443000

Longleat:

Longleat will be opening for the festive season this year with a number of special events for all the family to enjoy.  Grab a woolly hat, wrap up in a cosy scarf and glide round the shimmering ice rink or see hundreds of dazzling lights dance in time to much-loved festive tunes on Longleat’s 50 foot musical Christmas tree.  See favourite fairy tales and Christmas stories come to life in Longleat House and Father Christmas will be waiting in his log cabin to welcome every child with a special present.

OPEN DATES: Friday - Sunday's only: Friday 18th November to Sunday 11th December. Daily: Friday 16th December to Monday 2nd January (excl. Christmas Day).

Opening times vary. Day tickets allow entry to Longleat House, singing Christmas Tree show plus standard Longleat Safari & Adventure Park attractions. Additional charges apply for ice skating and Santa Train.

Longleat, near Warminster, Wiltshire T: 01985 844400

The Snowman:

Bath Music Plus and The Bath Phil are bringing a magical Christmas spectacular to The Forum in Bath on Wednesday December 21 when the Forum will resume its original role as a cinema, but with a difference.

Bath Phil's performance will feature the hand-tinted animated film on the big screen with the orchestra providing live accompaniment.

The Forum, St James Parade, Bath, BA1 1UG. Show at 3pm. Tickets £16 (£9) from Bath Box Office

Christmas tree festival at Lacock Abbey:

Until December 18, the medieval cloisters at Lacock Abbey will be full of twinkling fairy lights and festive decorations after local community groups and clubs from the village were invited to decorate a tree in a way which reflects the aims and activities of the organi

sation.

Lacock Abbey, Lacock, near Chippenham, SN15 2LG T: 01249 730459

Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath:

Open at the weekends for those who want to enjoy a walk and the scenery before or after the festive period. For the first time the tea kiosk will also be open with visitors able to warm up next to the chiminea in the eating area near the lakes. Gardens open at 11am.

Prior Park Landscape Garden, Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH T: 01225 833422

Dyrham Park:

Visit William Blathwayt’s home set for a Victorian Christmas on December 10 and 11 from noon until 4pm with a tall tree in the Great Hall and the main show rooms decorated for Christmas.Walk through the secret servants passage – normally closed to the public – which connects the house to St Peter’s Church with carols in the church. Father Christmas will also be on site.

Dyrham Park, Dyrham, near Bath, SN14 8ER T: 0117 937 2501

Dick Whittington:

Children’s TV star Naomi Wilkinson, Holby City’s Mark Moraghan join leading Dame Chris Harris at Theatre Royal Bath for the pantomime this year which runs from December 15 to January 22.

Theatre Royal Bath, Saw Close, Bath, BA1 1ET T: 01225 448844

Avon Valley Railway Santa Steam Specials:

Santa Steam Specials: - Every weekend in December including Christmas Eve plus Friday December 23, Father Christmas will be on the steam train at the Avon Valley Railway in Bitton.  The Santa Special Experience takes approximately one hour during which time all the family can enjoy the views of the Avon Valley on a six mile round trip from the old fashioned carriages and experience the unique sights, sounds and smells of a bygone age when steam was king.

Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bath Road, Bitton, BS30 6HD, T: 0117 932 5538

Carols by Candlelight:

The City of Bath Bach Choir bring three consecutive nights of carols and Christmas music performed at the candlelit Pump Room on December 14, 15 and 16.

Pump Room, Stall Street, Bath, BA1 1LZ T: 01225 444477