Bath: a city guide
Bath is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, and with its UNESCO World Heritage status, stunning architecture, and Roman history, it's naturally one of the most famous and frequently visited cities in the country too. Placed on the edge of Somserset, it's only a short train ride away from London, and makes the perfect destination for a romantic escape or long weekend; read on to find out my favourite places to eat, see, and stay whilst visiting.
To stay:
This elegant converted townhouse brings some contemporary chic to the heart of Bath. The hotel is home to 36 stylishly decorated bedrooms overlooking historical Pulteney Street, each boasting neutral, luxurious furnishings with artful touches: expect 100 Acres toiletries, and record players in every room. Downstairs you’ll find a vinyl library to peruse, along with the bar and restaurant and even a soothing mini-spa where guests can be pampered with a range of restorative treatments. Oh, and the best feature of Guest House Hotels? The 24/7 pantry, stocked with homemade treats, and welcome for guests to raid all day every day.
This was a gifted stay, but all opinions are my own. I do not accept and write about gifted stays unless I truly enjoy them.
To eat:
Do not attempt to visit Bath without scheduling a visit to Landrace Bakery. Since opening in 2019, this stylish spot on Walcot Street has been doing a roaring trade, and it’s easy to see why. Offering perfectly poured specialty coffee and freshly baked goods, you’ll want to try something of everything here. Grab a delicious pizzetta and perch on one of the tables outside - make sure to leave room for a home baked cinnamon bun or chocolate chip cookie…or two.
Landrace Bakery
While you’re at the bakery, make sure to book in lunch or dinner at Landrace Upstairs, the more formal restaurant above the bakery. You’ll find a daily changing menu in this cosy, light-filled space: on the menu delicious Parmesan fritters, homemade tagliatelle and fresh sea bass are paired with natural wines.
A household name in Bath, Society Cafe somewhat pioneered the specialty coffee scene in the city. Come here to enjoy your coffee in a design-led space and indulge in delicious home baked goods (many of which are vegan) like their tasty banana chocolate chip loaf. The branch in Kingsmead Square is quite large and always very popular; they also have a smaller location just off the busy High Street.
Society Cafe, Kingsmead Square
A vegetarian focussed restaurant (with most dishes catering to vegans too), Oak Restaurant is nestled on a quaint passageway in the centre of town. Here you’ll find a daily-changing menu that puts vegetables front and centre: aubergine harissa flatbreads, charred courgettes, and ricotta agnolotti were some of our favourites. Make sure to request a table upstairs - the entire restaurant is pretty poky anyway, but downstairs in particular feels a bit cramped.
Connoisseurs of good coffee, Colonna and Small’s proudly roasts and pours small-batch specialty coffee in a beautiful, light-filled location on Chapel Row. Head here if you’re a coffee lover, and while away the time in the spacious setting.
Society Cafe, High Street
A large and inviting cafe space serving specialty coffee, sandwiches, and avocado toast, it’s easy to see why Forum Coffee House is a favourite amongst freelancers and students alike. This is a great place to hole up with a book or if you have time to kill and you’re craving good food and coffee for a reasonable price.
Don’t miss this romantic and atmospheric restaurant - part wine shop, bar, and restaurant, Beckford Bottle Shop offers whatever experience you’re looking for, whether that’s a formal dining experience or a casual drink snuggled up on the sofa. Thanks to the bottles of wine lining the walls of the shop, you might think that the food would be an after thought here, but how wrong you’d be…serving up seasonal British sharing plates with a European influence, the dishes are all deliciously moreish and inventive; think roasted cauliflower with hazelnut puree, green beans with almonds and a spicy chilli oil, and creamy homemade truffle linguine. Save room for the delicious desserts too: you’ll find rhubarb and tonka bean choux buns and homemade madeleines. Book yourself in for a stellar meal with oodles of character that you won’t forget.
Picnic Coffee
A vegan-friendly specialty coffee shop serving up some seriously tasty cakes and an inventive brunch menu, plus all of the nut milks possible in the world; we were super impressed with the delicious rose and vanilla sponge cake here: for non-vegans, you’d be glad to know that the baked goods are just as tasty (if not tastier) than regular cakes.
And one last coffee shop…Picnic Coffee is a relaxing and spacious cafe serving specialty coffee, homemade cakes and a range of lunchtime sandwiches. With its cosy sofas and nooks to curl up in, it’s the perfect place to grab a relaxing coffee not far from the High Street.
To visit:
The Roman Baths
Of course it wouldn’t be a visit to Bath without a trip to the Roman Baths. Famed for its healing waters, Aquae Sulis, as it was known in Roman times, was a place of pilgrimage and significance. Visitors will follow a well-thought out trail throughout the baths, which has been well-preserved, accompanied by lots of helpful information along the way to transport you back in time. Check out even more sites to visit here.
Bath Abbey
A beautiful work of architecture in the centre of the city, it’s worth popping in here just to marvel at the stunning ceiling and indulge in a moment of quiet reflection.
If you’re happy to be a bit of a tourist, hopping onto one of the open deck double-decker tour buses that passes through town is actually quite a fun way to see the city, and a convenient way of passing by famous sights such as the Royal Crescent and Arnold Circus. The bus also does a a loop around the surrounding countryside.
Have you ever been to Bath? I’d love to know your favourite places to visit in this beautiful city.
Planning to explore more of Somerset? How about booking yourself a countryside stay - read my hotel reviews of The Pig and Babington House (both just 20-25 minutes from the city centre).
