Have you been to Bath, England?

A travel guide to Bath with top sightseeing walks and great places to eat & unwind

Bath, is a beautiful city in the countryside of southwest England and the perfect place to relax and explore on foot.

A long weekend in Bath is a nice break from city life, or a chance to see the English countryside from a different angle.

Why visit Bath?

• The 18^thcentury Georgian architecture is stunning. 
• Bath is a student town therefore, it’s full of life. It has a lively atmosphere during the day and at night. You’ll find cool roof terraces, wine bars, cafes and old pubs.
• There is a wide variety of international restaurants with great cuisine.
• The size of the city is perfect to explore on foot therefore, you can forget about driving, taking public transportation or taking taxis.
• There are great places to enjoy beautiful walks such as wonderful parks and the riverbank.
• Bath has beautiful luxury and boutique hotels with nice and relaxing spas in addition to the famous Thermae Bath Spa.

From London to Bath Spa

• One and a half hours by train from London Paddington station.  

• Two and a half hours by bus from London Victoria station. 

• Two hours by car.

Once you are there, you can do everything on foot if you like to walk.

Bath highlights

History & Architecture

• The Roman Baths is a ‘must–see’ when you go to Bath. You will get an audio guide that will tell you many interesting facts and history about Roman Britain and the Roman Baths. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and it’s better to get the tickets online to avoid queues and to get a discount.

Architecture

• The Royal Crescent is one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture found in the UK. It is a row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a semi-circle or crescent shape, made from the golden coloured local Bath stone, and built between 1767-1774. Most of the townhouses have been divided into flats of various sizes and some have stayed full-size. No. 1 is a museum where you can see how the townhouses were furnished and decorated in the 18^th century, and No. 16 is The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa which is worth a visit. 

Nature

• This affluent area is surrounded by the Royal Victoria Park, a 57-acre beautiful green park, open year-round. You can do fun activities such as relaxing walks, feeding the ducks, picnics, enjoy hot air balloons and an open-air ice rink in winter.

Architecture

• The Circus is a historic street of 18^th-century Georgian townhouses forming a circle. It has three entrances which divide the circle into three segments of equal length. The Circle is near the Royal Crescent and surrounded by beautiful boutique hotels and great restaurants.

Architecture

• Pulteney Bridge crosses the River Avon and is above the horseshoe-shaped weir. You will find shops and intimate places to eat and drink with nice views. This is one of Bath’s most famous images.

Nature & Architecture

• Riverside walk is a beautiful stroll with wonderful views of the Abbey, The Empire building; a former grand hotel and today, a luxury apartment building with restaurants on the ground floor; and the Pulteney Bridge and Weir. Take the stairs down from the Pulteney Bridge to the riverside along the east side and walk south along the river Avon a few hundred metres. 

Architecture

• Bath’s Abbey and the Roman Baths mark the centre of town. It is a beautiful experience to get lost in the centre of Bath, enjoy the architecture and the warm golden colour of Bath stone. Explore the centre, walk along the narrow streets, find beautiful squares with big old trees and take a break in one of the many cafés where you can see the world go by.

Nature & Architecture

• It’s also nice to walk along the river Avon on the less touristy area, going from the city centre to the west. There are nice bridges, interesting buildings, decorated boats and green areas.

Great places to eat and drink in Bath

1. The Dower House Restaurant, located at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa has award-winning dishes, an extensive wine list, impeccable service, in a beautifully decorated setting.
2. The Circus Restaurant, located in a Georgian building, on a street that connects The Circus and The Royal Crescent, is a small, nicely decorated restaurant with excellent food. Make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment.
3. The Chequers, located near The Circus and The Royal Crescent, is a gastropub with a good menu and nice presentations. You may also stop by for a drink.
4. Hall and Woodhouse, is a bar and restaurant in a big 1960’s house. It has a big staircase in the centre and is divided into different atmospheres over three floors. On the top floor, it has a roof terrace with nice views of chimneys, rooftops and green hills in the background.
5. Jars Meze, is an authentic Greek restaurant with great variety and quality. A friendly place located on a pedestrian street in the centre of Bath.
6. Tagine Zhor, is a Moroccan restaurant that will transport you with the décor, the music and the aromas. Flavourful cuisine nicely presented.
7. Corkage, is a cosy wine bar and restaurant. It has a pretty outside area, perfect to enjoy on sunny days.
8. The Dark Horse, located in the centre of Bath, is not your usual pub. The atmosphere is chic, intimate…like a sexy boudoir. The service is very professional and the drinks are creative and delicious. You must have a reservation in order to go in. There is no standing nor being too loud. 
9. Coeur de Lion, located in the centre of Bath on a pedestrian street, is the smallest pub in Bath. This Victorian pub has a colourful stained-glass front window and some tables outside where you can people-watch while you enjoy a nice local beer.
10. The Boater, has a lively beer garden next to the Pulteney bridge along the river Avon. It also has different atmospheres with four bars and three dining areas, all very nicely decorated.
11. Sub 13, is one of the best bars in Bath. It has different atmospheres; a heated terrace, a dancing cosy area and lively cocktail and champagne bars. The drinks are really good and they even offer cocktail masterclasses. 

Bath is not a city to get bored in. After the excitement of the walks along the river, the architecture, the beautiful parks, the city centre, the wide variety of fine restaurants and the fun nights out…take time to relax in the spa of your choice. Enjoy!

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