Ethereal and striking are unmistakable hallmarks of Cereal Magazine. Founders Rosa Park and Rich Stapleton have created a cultural icon with their poised, trademark white-washed images, and their thoughtful stories. No other magazine represents the generational shift towards aesthetically driven content better than Cereal. We had the honour to chat with Rosa about the majesty of the place she and Rich call home, the place that inspires them, and the place where the undeniable magic of Cereal is made; Bath, England.

http://readcereal.com/

Tara Lange: How did you end up in Bath?

Rosa Park: I moved to England from New York back in 2010 to pursue at Master’s in English Literature at the University of Bristol, which is what brought me to this part of the world. When I was studying in Bristol, I visited Bath – it’s just a 10 minute train ride away – and I knew I had to move there because I was immediately smitten with it. After graduating, I got a job with a local magazine in Bath so ended up moving here. That was three years ago.

TL: You said Bath is one of your favourite cities in the world, and in your opinion one of the most beautiful, so clearly you find Bath an inspiring place, why is this so?

RP: It’s hard to put into words why I love Bath so much because it’s more of a feeling I get, rather than a specific, tangible reason. I just feel incredibly calm and comfortable here, and very much at home. At the risk of sounding trite, it’s as though I was always meant to live in Bath. And yes, I do believe it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world; on its architectural merits alone this would be the case. But then you’ve got the surrounding Somerset countryside, and all the lovely independent shops and cafes, and it makes for the perfect setting to live your daily life. Cereal was founded in Bath, and I always say that it could only have been founded here because it was the one place that gave both Rich (my partner and Cereal’s creative director) and I inspiration and motivation to start our own magazine.

TL: What’s the “vibe” of Bath. Or if Bath has a “word”, what would it be?

RP: I think Bath has a wonderful air of elegance to it, in a very British way of course, so it comes with quirks and charms rather than glamour. If I had to assign a word to it, it would be ”˜lovely’. Bath is a lovely city; that’s the best way to describe it.

TL: What do you miss the most about Bath while you’re away?

RP: The calm.

TL: Favourite place to work when you’re not digging your desk at home?

RP: The Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath, where I can park myself in one of the sitting rooms with my laptop and work with tea and biscuits.

TL: First place you want to go when you’re back in town after traveling?

RP: Topping Booksellers. I read a ton when I’m on the road travelling (so much time to kill at airports and on flights and trains), so I need to restock when I’m back home. Topping is my favourite bookshop in town.

TL: Do you have a local cafe that feels like home?

RP: I like to switch it up so I visit different cafes depending on my mood. If I am looking for a great flat white, I go to Colonna and Small’s or Society Cafe.

ROSA PARK’S QUINTESSENTIAL BATH

Found Concept Store

They have everything from clothing and accessories to homewares and magazines. A great edit.

http://foundbath.co.uk/

17 Argyle St, Bath BA2 4BQ, United Kingdom
+44 1225 422001

Meticulous Ink

A stationery and letterpress design studio. They produce wonderful cards and stationery and do the best invitations in the area.

http://www.meticulousink.com/

Avon, 134 Walcot St, Bath BA1 5BG, United Kingdom
+44 1225 333004

Colonna & Small’s Specialty Coffee

A specialty coffee shop. Owner/barista Maxwell is the UK barista champion.

http://www.colonnaandsmalls.co.uk/

6 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1HN, United Kingdom
+44 7766 808067

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

This is my go to spa in town, and I always take guests here for afternoon tea. When it’s summer and you can sit out in the garden, it’s my version of heaven.

http://www.royalcrescent.co.uk/

16 Royal Cres, Bath BA1 2LS, United Kingdom
+44 1225 823333

Scallop Shell

They do all kinds of seafood here, but you really go for their fish and chips, it’s too good.

http://www.thescallopshell.co.uk/

22 Monmouth St, Bath, BA1 2AY, United Kingdom
+44 1225 420928

The Marlborough Tavern

Love to pop in for an after work glass of wine or beer. They also do nice English comfort food and Sunday roast is always good here.

http://www.marlborough-tavern.com/

35 Marlborough Buildings, Bath BA1 2LY, United Kingdom
+44 1225 423731

Holburne Museum

I enjoy going here to check out what exhibit they have on, and also just to sit in their cafe and catch up with friends.

http://www.holburne.org/

Great Pulteney St, Bath BA2 4DB, United Kingdom
+44 1225 388569

Topping & Company Booksellers

They have so many signed first editions and hold great author events. Plus, they service free tea and coffee to patrons!

http://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/

The Paragon, Bath, Somerset BA1 5LS, United Kingdom
+44 1225 428111

Tara is Travel Editor at Est Magazine and regular contributor to Trendland. A New York native, minimalist and wearer of black, Tara’s happiest when traveling and eating so she can be packed and ready to travel in under an hour. She was a French aristocrat in a past life.

All photos couresty of Cereal Magazine, by Rich Stapleton

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