BATH
Bath is at her best in the sun—when the sun hits the white limestone of all the buildings. Town itself is small, and you can walk easily to all the main spots in about 20 minutes. There’s lots of hills (those rolling Somerset hills) so be sure to stop and have a coffee break at one of the many, scrumptious cafes.
To Drink
Caffeinated
Society Cafe
One of my personal favourite cafes in Bath; there’s 2, one on High Street and another on Kingsmead Square which has more seating. I like the one on High Street for the people watching and bar stools.
Green Bird Cafe
This one is tucked between the Royal Crescent and the Circus so is the perfect spot for a pitstop. Good chai lattes.
Picnic Cafe
A small cafe with huge windows—perfect for a sunbeam and a coffee.
Colonna & Small's
This one is a specialized coffee roasters—their selection changes day to day, and they can recommend the type of coffee based on what flavours you’re looking for in your cup. There’s also a lovely wee patio out back.
Lacerand Bakery
My Finnish's friend's proclaimed this cafe has the best cinnamon buns in Bath! High praise from a Finn.
Cafe Au Lait
A good cafe if you’re looking for a good cup of coffee before or after the train.
Pultney Bridge Cafe
A cosy cafe for a tea overlooking the weir. I’ve never had coffee there but it’s my favourite spot for a cream tea in town—homemade scones still warm from the oven (plus it’s only £6!). They have great cake too (I’m partial to the rhubarb slice)!
Boozy
Electric Bear Brewery
My favourite brewery in Bath! Their beers are on tap at pubs around the city but their tap room was our favourite Friday night spot. It’s sparse, in an old warehouse, but you can bring your own food and they set up seats in the parking lot.
Brewed Boy
A small hole in the wall spot with all local beers on tap.
Sub 13
An spot for cocktails (so slightly pricier but they do have 2 for 1); it’s got great ambiance inside and a luscious patio out back.
Corkage
A local wine bar; a bit pricey but a nice spot to go for a drink or two.
Canary Gin Bar
A fun place with all-gin cocktails! High on my list for a good night our.
Locksbrook Inn
A nice patio by the canal. Their food is good pub food, too.
To Eat
Cafe Walcot
A great brunch menu—with lots of halloumi, which is always a plus in my books.
Whole Bagel
A spot for lunch with sandwiches made on bagels! Does it get any better?
Boston Tea Party
A nice spot for brunch! Not too expensive and delicious. The Alfred Street location is bigger and brighter than the one off Kingsmead Square so go there if you can!
Good Day Cafe
A lovely interior and delicious food for all meals. I especially recommend the banana bread with coconut yoghurt.
Rye Bakery
New since I've left but looks oh so good.
The Oven
AMAZING pizza. I brought my parents here when they visited and my mom proclaimed it some of the best pizza she’s had. Quite small and gets busy in the evenings, especially weekends.
Chai Walla
A hole-in-the-wall Indian takeaway off Kingsmead Square that’s SO good! All the locals know!
The Raven
One of my absolute favourite pubs! It’s a classic English public and has great food—their pies are a must while you’re in the city. Their sticky toffee pudding is also dreamy (I still think about it!).
Dos Dedos
Great Mexican! Those margs! Need I say more?
Swoon Gelato
A Bristolian gelateria that really is swoon-worthy.
Marshfield Farm Ice Cream
A local ice creamy on York Street; my favourite in the city. You can also go to their farm just outside of Bath.
To See & Do
A Free Walking Tour
There's 2 Free Walking Tours put on by the mayor that meet in front of the Abbey daily; I recommend the main one that brings you to the Bath must-sees and has some great history. The second one goes across the river to Widcomb but doesn't have the main attractions of Bath.
Kennet and Avon Canal Walk
Take this path on a beautiful sunny day for a calm stroll with great views. There’s also some nice pubs along the way for a pit stop!
Fashion Museum
A must do! It has the evolution of fashion over the centuries and comes with an audio guide. The fashion is (unsurprisingly) beautiful and it’s such a well-organized museum. My favourite part was the room where they had dresses from the monarchy including The Queen Mother, Queen E, and Kate.
The Assembly Halls
Where the whos-who went to parties when they came to the socialite hub of Bath (Jane Austen has been here!). It’s free to go in and right next to the Fashion Museum.
The Roman Baths
When in Bath! Not something to miss and definitely worth the money. An audio guide is in the price of your ticket. You can get a ticket that is good for The Fashion Museum, the Victoria Art Gallery, and The Baths which is worth it if you’re going to go to all three.
Victoria Art Gallery
The upstairs galleries are free, it's just the changing exhibition you have to pay for. The exhibition is only one room and it’s not always worth paying for so I'd say check what it is first!
The Royal Crescent and the Circus
My favourite walk in Bath! The Royal Crescent is also my favourite picnic spot in the city. There's a museum in one of the Royal Crescents apartments (No. 2 I think it's called). I haven't done it but haven't heard good things.
Walk of the Crescents
Bath has 6, Royal Crescent included, and I loved walking between them when I lived there. If you’re up for a wander, you can go between them to see the city. Bath is beautiful from above (especially in the sunshine) so even if you don’t go to all the crescents since it does take a bit of time, I’d climb a hill to get some views.
Prior Park
A national trust park that’s beautiful to spend some time in, especially with a picnic or a drink. It is a bit out of the city but well worth it.
The Holburne Museum and Sydney Gardens
A nice collection of art with a nice cafe that looks out onto the gardens. You can access the canal through the gardens there.
Great Pultney Street
Posh and swanky—where the who’s who of Bath socialites would stay. Walk down here to soak in the views! At the end is the Holburne Museum and if you turn right at the end up the hill it leads to the skyline walk.
Bath Abbey
Definitely worth a look inside, I think (by donation to enter). The £6 tower climb is also interesting. The highest viewpoint in the city!
Skyline Walk
A national trust walk! There's sign posts for it / you can google it. Gives a nice view of the city. Best done at sunset or sunrise, in my opinion!
Jane Austen Museum
A fun if slightly kitchy museum; I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. They talked about her in the walking tour I did and found it more interesting than the museum.
To Day Trip
Oxford
An easy day away from Bath!
Bristol
One of my great loves of the southwest—Bristol is Bath’s working-class cousin with the beautiful grime and edges of a long day at the docks. My Bristol recommendations :)
Cardiff
The capital of Wales, of course, Cardiff is a lovely introduction to the country of song. Although not my favourite city or spot in Wales (get out into the green hills and cobbled towns!), Cardiff is a great spot to go for the day. Easily accessible via an hour train and with a castle in the middle. Make sure you have a welsh cake while you’re there.
To Shop
Found Bath
My favourite boutique (so much so that one friend texts me whenever she visits). They have great brands including Merimekko, Baggu, and some kiwi brands.
Mr. B's Emporium of Reading Delights
The best local bookstore (you can count on it, I’ve done my research!) with great selection, great staff, and a cosy place to spend some time browsing.
Widcomb
Just across the canal (behind the train station!), Widcomb has a lovely wee high street with boutiques.
To be in Bath for a day
If you’re just in Bath for a day, let my curate it for you!
Start with the Roman Baths—can you say you’ve been to Bath if you haven’t gone to the namesake of the city? This will take a couple hours. Then pop into the abbey (right across the square). If you don’t want to spend the money on the Baths, though I promise it’s worth it, I recommend doing the steeple climb of the abbey to get the best view in the city.
Walk up to the Circus and along the Royal Crescent. You can stop at Green Bird cafe near the Crescent, or continue down and along to the Pultney Bridge.
Have a cream tea at the Pultney Bridge Cafe.
Carry on walking down Great Pultney street and wander the grounds of the Holbourne museum. You’ll be at the Kennet and Avon canal here, so you can take a wander along here before returning to town for some food or drinks.