Bath!

[OverlyFragrant]

Tell me all the wonderful things to do/see/eat/drink in Bath.

I'm going to the Theatre later this month to see Ralph Fiennes (very excited) on the stage. I will be making a weekend of it, so please any suggestions would be most welcome.

The best thing we did in Bath was a free walking tour run by the mayor’s office. You meet at the Pump Rooms and the chap who led ours was spellbinding about all the layers of history and made us notice so much more as we walked around. Excellent. We just booked it by googling.
Also as a treat we stayed at the Royal Crescent and had their tasting menu. It was one of the best meals we have ever had. Highly recommend.
Lovely to have coffee in the Pump Rooms. There’s often a string trio or pianist playing classical music and you feel as if you are in a Jane Austen.
Enjoy yourself OP.

Don’t - I repeat don’t 😀- be tempted to go to the Jane Austen Museum. It’s a real stinker. Very little to the point and very little info. Poor students coerced into adopting fake supposedly Austinian RP accents. Sets the teeth on edge. Very much directed at American tourists I assume who they seem to think will welcome bad acting and a very ‘literature light ‘ experience. I think they’re mistaken in that judging by the comments I heard outside.

If you’re that way inclined, far better as recommended by PP to visit the Pump Room or do a DIY ‘streets mentioned in Austen novels’ tour.

Visit The Loft in Bartlett St. Fabulous interiors store and great cafe especially for brunch. https://www.theloftbath.com/

The old Roman baths at night

The Roman baths are the single best thing.

1 Royal Crescent is good.

I liked the Building of Bath Museum, but it might be a bit obscure for you. The Holburne has some nice art.

The American Museum is more interesting than it sounds, but it's a bus ride out of town.

The walking tour is good.

Sotto Sotto for a lovely, atmospheric Italian meal. You will need to book though.

We also liked The Circus restaurant for a bistro type meal.

My DS, the coffee snob (and former student at the uni there) says the standout place for coffee is Colonna and Small’s….so if coffee is your thing that might be worth knowing!

We loved the spa with rooftop open air pool.

We also enjoyed the tour of the Roman Baths, although you may opt not to sample the waters as they taste revolting!

Just strolling around the city is lovely on a nice day, it is an absolutely beautiful place. Visiting the Royal Crescent is a must but there are loads of other beautiful Regency streets, including The Circus which is like the RC but smaller and circular. The river has a set of wide steps by the Pulteney Bridge and the water gushes down in a very picturesque way. The bridge itself is lovely to visit as it has independent and quirky shops along both sides. Bath is one of our favourite cities, you wilL love it!

Also, just remembered, The Roseate Villa hotel does the most amazing afternoon teas. Everything is homemade including all the jams etc. Much better than some of the more well known afternoon tea spots. In fact if you still haven’t booked somewhere to stay we loved it there..loads of little home touches, honesty bar and wonderful breakfast.

Sally Lunns bun shop, tiny but the buns are amazing. Chez Dominique restaurant on Pultney St, Pump rooms for coffee for the ambiance more than the food (which is very nice but the setting is superb).

https://no1royalcrescent.org.uk

This is a ‘must’ imo.

If you’re a reader there are some fabulous bookshops. Mr Bs has lots of quirky decorations throughout, Toppings is beautiful with lovely wooden shelves and library ladders, and Persephone sells lovely rediscovered books. The Waterstones is good too.

Fidels Rum bar for the best (strongest) cocktails.

Pintxo for tapas. https://pintxobath.co.uk/

We were there on Sunday. Highlights were afternoon tea in the Pump Rooms (book in advance) and a tour of the Roman Baths. Also wondered round the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Poultney Bridge.

The Roman Baths

Really good

Thanks everyone, loving the suggestions for tea and books.

The Roman baths were so interesting. Bath itself is lovely to walk around.

The burger boys is great for delicious burgers!

Beckford Bottle Shop is lovely.