Hidden Gems in Bath?

[SallySkelington]

DH and I have managed to wangle 3 nights in Bath without the DC or the Dog but I have no idea what to do except lie down and sleep!
Can anyone recommend any hidden gems to do or amazing food I can book last minute?

The small but perfectly formed Gin Bar and if you like reading MR B’s Bookshop, these are the two things I go to Bath for

There's the Roman baths of course. If you have the money, afternoon tea at the Pump Rooms is amazing (you need to book). There are 2 tiny little coffee shops on the bridge which have nice views if you can get a seat by the window.

If you want to chill you can’t go wrong with the Thermae Spa. I love the roof top pool that’s as warm as a bath!

No. 1 Royal Crescent, tea in the Pump Rooms, the rooftop Spa

You must pop into Sally Lunn's for a Sally Lunn bun. There's a restaurant/tea room and a museum dedicated to the bun! They serve the buns both sweet and savoury so it's the perfect place for a light lunch, afternoon tea or brunch.
My favourite museums are the Jane Austin museum, the Royal Mint Experience, No 1 Royal Crescent and the Fashion Museum and I’d also recommend the brewery tours at the Bath Brew House. If you don’t mind heights, it’s worth climbing the Abbey tower for amazing views on a clear day. Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass is also interesting and you can watch glassblowers and stained glass artists and even have a go yourself.

Sotto Sotto for dinner, but you’ll need to book in advance as it’s very popular.

Opium bar is very atmospheric

Following

Tbh in Bath i do the classics, Thermae Spa if I'm flush, Roman Baths, tea in the Pump Room, shopping. I haven't been since Covid but the clothes shops in Bath were fab from my perspective.

Goodness me I read the title as hidden germs in bath. I clicked looking for cleaning tips

I did

Roman baths. I went in the evening which was really peaceful but may just be a summer thing.
Afternoon tea at pump room
Thermae spa - I booked the first slot on Sunday morning and the rooftop pool with only a couple of others was lovely. By the end of my time it was much busier.
The council used to run free walking tours with volunteers - it was about 2.25 hours and was really interesting. Groups of about 10 people.

Jars Meze in Northumberland Place , lovely food , friendly and welcoming staff.
Lots of small independent shops ( especially clothing as mentioned above ) .
And agree with 1 Royal Crescent and Fashion Museum - but there is so much to see and do in Bath , you’re going to have a great time and make your own discoveries . Enjoy !

I'd just gorge on Ben's Cookies for three days.

Persephone Books has recently moved to Bath.

A restaurant called La Perla

Sotto Sotto restaurant is lovely, but it’s small and popular so definitely book ASAP.

Do the skyline walk, there's a free map on the NT site. It circles the city has amazing views and you could squeeze in a pub stop or two fairly easily.

Best for food: Walcot House, The Circus, Noyas Kitchen, Corkage, Yak Yeti Yak. The Holbourne museum is set in a lovely park and has a great coffee shop.

Don't get over excited about the baths, they're fine but massive a tourist trap. If you're there on a weekend Green Park Station has markets.

There used to be a fabulous Nepalese restaurant called Yak Yeti Yak - don't know if it's still considered good, but it was lovely 10 years ago!

Amarone Restaurant - divine food and lovely staff and surroundings.

Sotto Sotto is also good.

I think you still need to prebook the Roman Baths (on the plus side it will be quieter).
The city is busy, but there aren't the coachloads of day trippers.

Chez Dominique is my 'go to' for a quality lunch. Mint Rooms is a lovely posh Indian.

There is a film Festival on from 29 October-4 November.

If you wanted to watch the new James Bond Movie I recommend that you splurge and book tickets at the Tivoli, which has comfy sofas and food and drink is delivered during the trailers.

What sort of thing do you fancy doing?

Make sure you visit the Assembly Rooms where Jane Austen used to dance. They are free to visit.

Not too sure about Sally Lunns. We are local and had a bad experience there a few years ago and have never been back. The buns are lovely, but the service was awful and the place is a bit of a cynical tourist trap.

I thought this whole post was about you and your DH managing to share a bath without your children or dogs interrupting and then wanting to hide gems in the bath to find it wasn't until you said about booking food I was like hang on a minute

I’ve lived in Bath a few years now and these are my foodie picks-

pintxobath.co.uk/. www.beckfordbottleshop.com/
bandookkitchen.com/
barbretonbath.co.uk/
www.boscopizzeria.co.uk/
underwood.kitchen/

Head along Great Pulteney Street and wander around the Holburne museum (currently showing Rossetti) and have a glass of fizz and a scone in their garden cafe. Roman Bathe and No 1 Royal Crescent are the best touristy bits IMO.

Have a great time 🙂