OFFICIAL VISITOR GUIDE 2019 BATH visitbath.co.uk The Royal Crescent WELCOME TO BATH Built for pleasure and relaxation, beautiful Bath has been a wellbeing destination since Roman times. The waters are still a big draw, both at the ancient Roman Baths and the thoroughly modern Thermae Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot Bath Spa springs in Britain you can bathe in. Bath’s compact, visitor-friendly novel – highlights include the cosy country cottages and chic centre is overflowing with iconic Royal Crescent and the central apartments. For great places to eat and drink, plus majestic Circus. There’s plenty value, we recommend staying some of the finest independent to see beyond the city too, with midweek. shops in Britain, making it the stunning Somerset countryside Whether you’re looking to ideal city break. Lose yourself to explore, as well as attractions celebrate a special occasion, in Bath’s remarkable collection including Stonehenge, Avebury immerse yourself in culture, of museums and galleries, and and Longleat Safari Park. relax and unwind with a spa enjoy year-round festivals, With so many sides of the city day, embark on an outdoor theatre, music and sports. to discover, it’s worth treating adventure or treat your taste Bath’s stunning honey-coloured yourself to an overnight stay – buds to a foodie feast, a visit to Georgian architecture is choose from luxury hotels and Bath can be anything you want straight from a Jane Austen grand Georgian guesthouses, or it to be. Information published correct at time of going to press. Visit Bath accepts no liability for the information supplied by, or quality of product or service provided by, the individual businesses which appear in this publication. Proudly printed using green energy on 100% recyclable paper. Front Cover Image: Bath Carnival, Casper Farrell. Fall in love with Bath, a unique, feel-good city, combining vibrant, contemporary culture with a rich history and heritage. visitbath.co.uk FEEL-GOOD BATH My favourite spot in Bath Whether it’s treating Rest and Relaxation Spa, which all offer a restful has got to be Prior Park Landscape Garden – it’s my yourself to a spot retreat and five-star facilities. Bath is the centre of wellness Alternatively, book yourself secret retreat. You feel like of retail therapy, and wellbeing in the UK, and a hot stone massage or you’re in the countryside, indulging in a relaxing thanks to natural thermal aromatherapy treatment at The but you’re only five minutes springs beneath the city that Gainsborough Bath Spa, the from the city centre. spa day, enriching your produce 1,170,000 litres of UK’s only hotel with a naturally- Danny Byrd, DJ mind in one of Bath’s steaming spring water every heated spa. many museums or single day, it’s been a leading spa destination since the Bath’s Skyline getting some fresh Romans constructed their Expand the Mind air in the surrounding baths here in 70 A.D. Book Take time to relax in Bath and a spa break in Bath and countryside, there are learn new skills with a variety on mind, body and soul, return relaxed, refreshed and Feel-Good Events of classes and fun courses events include a Wellness plenty of ways to feel rejuvenated. to suit all ages and interests. Bath will be celebrating Retreat at The Gainsborough good in Bath. Take a dip in the rooftop pool Cocktail enthusiasts can shake wellness and wellbeing with Bath Spa, rooftop Aquasana at Thermae Bath Spa to enjoy up a storm at Sub 13 and distil events taking place across at Thermae Bath Spa, and a MIDWE sensational MIDWE 360-degree views their own gin with The Bath Gin the city in January and refreshing winter walk with Y E Y E A K A K The Gainsborough T T of the city, or combine your Company. Foodies can improve February 2019. With a focus Newton Farm Shop. S S F F Bath Spa O O their skills and learn from the • • visit with a luxurious stay at R R E E best at Bertinet Kitchen and G G U U the elegant Royal Crescent L L R R A A E E V V A A T HotelT & Spa, The Bath Priory, Demuths Cookery School. If or Lucknam Park Hotel & The Great Outdoors you’re feeling crafty, blow your own baubles at Bath Aqua It’s no secret that an active Glass, make your own clothes lifestyle makes us feel better, at The Makery or choose from a and in Bath, there are plenty variety of creative workshops at of ways to achieve that. Bath Julia Davey Ceramics. is surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful countryside, providing the perfect outdoor escape. Stroll through Prior Park Landscape Garden as the Georgians did, or get on your bike and cycle along the scenic waterside path of the Kennet and Avon Canal. For an invigorating six-mile walk, follow the Bath Skyline past The Cross Bath at Thermae Bath Spa an ancient hill fort, through enchanting forests and along hidden trails with spectacular Pulteney Weir views over the city. Demuths Cookery School Find out more about Feel-Good Bath at visitbath.co.uk/feel-good 2 3 Bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters of Bath’s natural thermal Spa, relax in the Wellness Suite and enjoy a choice of over 40 spa treatments & packages. Open daily from 09.00 – 21. 3 0 (pools & Wellness Suite close at 21.00) 01225 33 1234 www.ThermaeBathSpa.com The laTesT novel from besTselling baTh auThor available now YOU’LOVELL LOVEBATH THIS A sweeping, coming of age saga, painting a shocking portrait of Bath, and shining a spotlight on little-known aspects of the city’s colourful past. Business, politics and history are interwoven in this page turning tale, with Westcott’s engaging prose filled with moments of cultural interest, humour, and, ultimately, hope. for further information on the author, the novels and to order signed copies at special discounted prices please visit douglaswestcott.com 4 5 REMARKABLE BATH Victoria Art Gallery One of the most visited museums in Bath, this central gallery is known equally for its exciting and varied programme of exhibitions and for its stunning permanent collection, including works by Turner, Gainsborough and the Moderns. The Jane Austen Centre Bath is, without a doubt, remarkable. With an Devoted to Bath’s most impressive Roman legacy and majestic Georgian Fashion Museum and Herschel Museum of Astronomy Assembly Rooms famous resident, this premier architecture, it’s no wonder the entire city is a World attraction is designed to give Heritage Site. However, delve further into Bath’s Designed by John Wood you a unique insight into Jane the Younger in 1769, the American Museum & famous history and you’ll find little-known stories Austen’s experience of living in The Roman Baths Assembly Rooms was the Bath and the effect it had on Gardens waiting to be told. With so many tales to uncover social epicentre of Georgian her writing. Explore Europe’s best- Born out of a transatlantic about the city’s extraordinary past and present, plan Bath. Located below the preserved Roman temple alliance, this intriguing Assembly Rooms, the and bathing complex and to stay for more than a day so you can explore Bath’s Museum of East Asian museum is the only one outside Fashion Museum houses learn about the origin of the USA to showcase the museums and galleries to their fullest. a world-class collection of Art Bath’s thermal springs. decorative arts of America. contemporary and historical Showcasing artefacts from dress. 150 dressed figures China, Japan, Korea and South Herschel Museum of present the changing styles East Asia, this museum is and fashionable trends considered to host the finest Astronomy from the sixteenth century collection of East Asian Bath was home to pioneering to the present day. Visitors treasures outside of London. eighteenth-century astronomer can even try on historical siblings William and Caroline garments – truly a fashion- Herschel. Visit their home lover’s paradise! where, on 13th March 1781, William discovered the planet Uranus. Museum of Bath at Work The Roman Baths An intriguing journey through 2,000 years of Bath’s working The Holburne Museum heritage, from Roman tourism Museum of Bath to modern technology, Architecture this museum features a Beckford’s Tower The Holburne Museum Charting the architectural reconstructed Bath stone This unusual 120-foot neo- With a grand historic façade, influences and the people mine, a nineteenth-century Assembly Rooms Classical tower was designed stunning rear glass elevation Bath’s Georgian behind Bath’s transformation soft drinks factory, engineering as a study retreat and to house and lawned gardens, this architecture, history, natural from provincial town to works, and an eighteenth- century real tennis court. William Beckford’s precious handsome building, which sits No.1 Royal Crescent landscape and rich culture world-famous Georgian spa, rare art and book collection. majestically at the end of Great make the city remarkably this remarkable collection Climb the spiral staircase of Pulteney Street, contains a Discover how the Georgians unique. illustrates the influence of Find out more about the nineteenth-century folly fascinating art collection, from lived in this beautifully- classical designs and features Samantha Murray, Remarkable Bath at for panoramic views of the Gainsborough masterpieces to preserved townhouse, at the a fully detailed model of the Olympic Modern Pentathlete visitbath.co.uk/remarkable surrounding countryside. contemporary installations. city’s most iconic address. historic city centre. 6 7 NO.1 ROYAL CRESCENT MUSEUM OF BATH TripAdvisor Hall of Fame Award – eight years of five stars ARCHITECTURE TripAdvisor Hall of Fame Award - five years of five stars From £3.20-£6.50 per person From £5.10-£10.30 per person No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LR +44 (0)1225 428126 [email protected] The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, The Vineyards, no1royalcrescent.org.uk Paragon, Bath, BA1 5NA +44 (0)1225 333895 | [email protected] Step into the past at one of England’s finest Georgian museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk townhouses.