BATH

Welcome to Bath: Where Elegance Meets Epsom Salts (and a Bit of a Climb)

Set in the green heart of southwest England, wandering through Bath, a city that wears its history like a well-tailored Georgian coat, feels like stepping into a perfectly choreographed period drama like Bridgerton – minus the corsets and with just a cheeky wink underneath. Famous for its Roman Baths, honey-hued architecture, and naturally steamy spa scene, this UNESCO World Heritage city has been charming visitors for over two millennia. And honestly, once you arrive, it’s easy to see why people have been queuing up for a soak since 70 AD.

I started my day under the honey-coloured stone of the Bath Abbey, one of only four churches in the UK with a fan-vaulted ceiling so intricate, it’s hard not to get a crick in your neck from staring upward. I headed up the 212 steps of the Bath Abbey Tower for panoramic views and a bit of a thigh workout. You’ll be rewarded with sweeping vistas, a peek behind the Abbey’s famous clock, a pull and ring on one of the ten bells and probably a justified need for a sit-down afterwards. Just outside, the city gently unfolded around me like a Georgian love letter.

Right next door, I stepped into ancient history at the Roman Baths, where steam still rises mysteriously from the green waters that once soothed toga-clad bathers nearly 2,000 years ago. You can’t take a dip anymore (unless you want a stern talking-to from the museum staff), but the sense of time travel is very real. It’s equal parts impressive and atmospheric—and the audio guide is surprisingly witty.

Next stop: Sally Lunn’s, the oldest house in Bath (dating all the way back to 1482), where they’ve been serving high tea since 1680. That’s a lot of buns. Naturally, I had to try one—purely for historical research, of course—and yes, it was worth every glorious, buttery bite.

From there, I wandered the cobbled streets toward Pulteney Bridge, one of the few in the world lined with shops on both sides. It’s hard to know whether to admire the boutiques or the views over the weir, which look like something an 18th-century landscape painter would weep over.

The path led me up to the Royal Crescent, that iconic sweeping row of 30 Georgian terraced houses that makes you want to quote Jane Austen or at least dramatically pause with a parasol. No surprise it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site—every stone is dripping with elegance and symmetrical perfection.

Speaking of Austen, Bath proudly celebrates its most famous former resident at the Jane Austen Centre, which is currently in full celebratory mode for her 250th anniversary. I may or may not have tried on a bonnet. You’ll never know.

In search of something a little quieter, I made my way to the Holburne Museum—a treasure trove of decorative arts housed in an elegant building at the end of Great Pulteney Street. It opens out onto a beautiful park where locals sunbathe, sketch, or sip coffee in full Regency repose. Beyond that lies the Avon Canal, where I followed a charming towpath alongside narrowboats and ducks (equally photogenic) all the way toward Bradford on Avon—or at least until my feet suggested otherwise. In fact I treated myself for a leisurely return trip cruising the River Avon ending with a fresh view of the city — it’s the perfect way to admire Bath’s grand facades without lifting more than a finger (unless it’s to lift a cup of tea).

Back in the centre, I grabbed a pie, a few fudges and headed to Parade Gardens, a flower-filled haven with perfectly trimmed lawns and the best view of Pulteney Bridge in town. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a picnic while the sounds of a nearby string quartet mix with the gentle gurgle of the river and the occasional distant squeal of someone trying their first sip of Somerset cider.

And when the culture overload hits, you’ve got options: unwind in a rooftop thermal pool, demolish a scone (or three), or pick up “just one more” bar of fudge. Bath is a city that rewards the curious stroller, the slow sipper, and anyone with a soft spot for a good view, a great bun, and just the right amount of Georgian flair.

Whether you’re here for the history, the hot springs, or a good excuse to wear linen and look mysterious, Bath delivers timeless charm with a modern smile. Come for the heritage, stay for the steam — and maybe the views too.

Hungry? Well, here are our favorites : for a Sunday lunch with a view, I would recommend the Bath Priory http://www.thebathpriory.co.uk. Week days lunch with good quality/price ratio I can recommend a few. Fancy fish and chips? then go to the Scallop Shell http://www.thescallopshell.co.uk or Clayton’s kitchen http://www.claytonkitchen.com or for a brasserie atmosphere The Ivy http://www.ivycollection.com. Fancy spending time choosing and sampling different beers while eaten a famous pie? Then the must is The Raven http://www.theravenofbath.co.uk or Cristal Palace for their back yard terrace http://www.cristalpalacepub.co.uk

Feel free to contact me if you would like a tailored travel itinerary quote, [email protected]

Also check my pre-organized itinerary for travel agencies : https://www.ult.lu/reise/englischer-zauber-in-bath/