48 HOURS IN BATH
The ancient spa city is perfect for a relaxing weekend, says Carol Driver
WITH its glorious golden crescents, historic tearooms and independent boutiques, the beautiful city of Bath is the perfect place to enjoy a weekend shopping getaway.
And as the prospect of jetting abroad for a holiday still looks rather tricky thanks to Covid travel restrictions, now is the ideal time to explore wonderful sights closer to home.
A trip to this world-famous spa town offers a break unlike anywhere else in the country, thanks to its ancient baths, Georgian architecture and an abundance of hidden gems and one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.
Treat yourself to a spot of retail therapy and explore the charming stores dotted around the crescents and squares of the UNESCO World Heritage City centre as they reopen for business following lockdown.
The independent styles – as well as the charming boutiques set against a backdrop of historic grandeur – are what have made Bath an incredible shopping destination for 300 years.
For treat-yourself handmade jewellery, pop into Nicholas Wylde or Mallory. Chanii B is where you’ll find fabulous new shoes, and Carole Waller is wonderful for gifts including handpainted scarves.
For designer clothes and accessories, Grace & Ted sells an incredible range of pre-loved styles, while Portman Bath, Square, Grace & Mabel, Maze, Boho, Sassy & Boo are the boutiques to visit for all your clothing desires.
After all that retail therapy, it’s time to relax!
The city’s award-winning rooftop Thermae Bath Spa – a natural thermal spa – is just the place when it reopens. Here, you can bathe in the famed waters, as the Celts and Romans did 2,000 years ago.
Soak up the dreamy views of the city skyline – including a backdrop of beautiful Bath Abbey – and the green rolling hills from the open-air pool, while relaxing in the naturally warm, mineral-rich waters.
If you like to be active, take in the beautiful sights on the 13-mile Bath Two Tunnels cycling circuit, or enjoy the slower pace of the National Trust’s six-mile Bath Skyline walk.
There’s also paddleboarding and kayaking on offer along the River Avon.
Then there are galleries – the Holburne Museum is reopening this month – and stately homes, as well as perfectly preserved parks and nearby attractions such as Cheddar Gorge, Wells and Stonehenge within an easy drive. And, when it reopens at Easter 2021, a visit to Bath’s Fashion Museum is a must. Housed in the magnificent Assembly Rooms, the museum is home to more than 160 dressed figures showcasing fashion changes over the past 400 years. Finish your stay with a delicious afternoon tea in one of the historic eateries – Sally Lunn’s tearoom (and home of the famous Bun) is inside in one of Bath’s oldest houses, dating back to 1483. Before you go, make sure you don’t miss a thing during your weekend away by downloading sightseeing app Vidi Guides (vidiguides.com) from your phone’s app store. It provides podcast tours of cultural sites and off-the-beaten-track spots in the city.
For city breaks in Newcastle, Leeds or Nottingham, check into the charming Peel Hotels, all centrally located to make getting around easy. peelhotels.co.uk