For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to do a trip to Bath. It’s always very highly spoken of – and I can see why. I never realised how much history it had, along with style & elegance. It’s not a cheap place to live, but it’s well worth a visit! My mum went to uni there, so we decided to make it our last trip together before I headed back to NZ with Connor.
Getting to Bath is super easy, there’s a direct train from London Paddington station (which again is easy to get to via the tube no matter which direction you’re in). It’s also a really great way of seeing the beautiful scenery with ease, without having to worry about driving/parking etc. If you book it far enough in advance (at least a month or so) then the tickets aren’t expensive either, you can book through www.trainline.com which makes it nice and easy to work out how many changes you will have, and which time of day costs more.
We stayed in a very central Airbnb which was great, however there are lots of options in Bath, and everything is pretty quick to get to so you don’t need to be central. I often stay in an Airbnb & definitely recommend it. Check it out here if you haven’t already, and get £25 off your first stay.
I had no idea of the history and the extent of the beautiful architecture in the city, so make sure you spend some time just walking around taking it all in. The city bloomed in the Georgian era (1700s) so many of the buildings are Georgian style, with the two famous areas, The Royal Crescent & The Circus designed by architect John Wood. No. 1 Royal Crescent is set up as it may have been in the 1700s, so you can walk around and really experience what life might have been like back then, including walking down the servants secret doorways & stairs so they were out of sight. The museum is mainly run by volunteers & costs £10.60pp.
Don’t forget to take a walk around Pulteney Bridge, which crosses the River Avon. Its beautiful structure holds shops & tea rooms along it, so you can sit above the river with a cup of tea, taking in the views. There’s a stairway on the other side, allowing you to walk along the side and access the park.
One thing you don’t want to miss out on is the charity shops. Sounds ridiculous, but because there is a lot of money in the area, you tend to find some absolute bargains on designer items – it’s well worth a look!
When in Bath, the thing to do is go for afternoon tea (or cream tea.. high tea.. any excuse for tea). There are plenty of places to choose from, the most iconic is the Pump Rooms, which is part of the Roman Baths (but you can access without visiting the baths). This is a pricey option, but very picturesque. Other options include The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa (most expensive), The Ivy (far more affordable but just as classy), The Regency Tea Room (for the Jane Austen enthusiast), Pulteney Bridge tea rooms & The Bath Bun.
If you’re a foodie like me, it’s well worth a visit to The Fine Cheese Co. shop, which sells a big variety of cheeses, with a beautiful shop set up in a vintage style (we bought some Bath soft cheese & it was delicious). There is also a cafe too so you can grab a tasty lunch.
Last but not least, if you’re in Bath, you must visit the Thermae Spa. Britain’s only naturally warm mineral spa, it has saunas & steam rooms, but also an indoor pool, along with the famous rooftop pool providing panoramic views of the beautiful Bath skyline. A visit is only £36 during the week (£40 on weekends).
Feeling like a world away from the hustle and bustle of London, (yet only a 1.5hr train ride) Bath is the perfect place for a weekend getaway, without leaving the country. Let me know if you’re heading there, or what you think of the place in the comments below. Don’t forget to check out my Instagram too: @harrietcartertravel
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