5 reasons to visit Bath
Elegant, vibrant and historic, Bath has enjoyed the deserved accolade of the UK’s most feel-good city
1 spa heaven
A visit to the Thermae Bath Spa is a must. The facilities include a fabulous, open-air, rooftop pool filled with the city’s naturally warm, mineral-rich waters, an indoor pool, a café, and a new wellness suite. It costs from £36, including a towel, robe and slippers. Treatments (booked in advance) include the sublimely relaxing Watsu water massage in a private pool, where the therapist cradles your head while manipulating your body (thermaebathspa.com).
2 shopping
Bath has some very tempting independent shops, of which Topping & Company Booksellers is a standout favourite for its collection of first-edition books (toppingbooks.co.uk).
A maze of alleyways, lined with stores selling fashion, confectionery, glassware and accessories, surrounds Bath Abbey. While the Guildhall Market on the
High Street has been selling cheese, flowers, ironmongery, silver and leatherware for over seven centuries.
3 history
No 1 Royal Crescent, a meticulously restored 18th-century house, is well worth a visit (no1royalcrescent.org.uk). Leave time for the magnificent Abbey, too, where you can admire the hand-sewn and painted diptychs charting the life of Christ, by contemporary artist Sue Symons.
The Roman Baths (adult ticket £15.50; romanbaths.co.uk), dating back to 70AD, are among the world’s bestpreserved Roman remains.
4 retreat
Two miles from the city centre lies Bath Mill Lodge Retreat (darwinescapes.co.uk) – a tranquil, landscaped resort of well-equipped luxury lodges sleeping up to eight. An excellent bar, restaurant and small gym are on site. Or stay at the four-star Abbey Hotel (abbeyhotelbath.co.uk). Dating from 1740, it’s a stone’s throw from the attractions.
5 Dine in style
Set in a Georgian townhouse, the Olive Tree Restaurant (thequeensberry.co.uk) serves Mediterranean-influenced English cuisine, boasts three AA rosettes, and is among the city’s oldest independent eateries.
For a leisurely brunch, try the Boston Tea Party on Alfred Street (bostonteaparty.co.uk).
For more information, go to visitbath.co.uk.