I’m looking forward to visiting the beautiful city of Bath next month for a friend’s thirtieth Birthday.
My friend’s fiancé has lined up a few activities for our party of seven already (comprising of three couples and one handsome bachelor), but we would really welcome your recommendations for the trip too.
We’re arriving on Saturday morning and heading home on Sunday afternoon after staying for one night in a hotel on the outskirts of Bath.
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After lunch and a bit of a wander, next on the list is a trip to the Thermae Bath Spa. I visited last year on a friend’s hen do and we all had a jolly good time relaxing in the naturally warm, mineral-rich waters. Admittedly you don’t get the ultimate spa experience in this environment as the set up is very much like an extremely fancy leisure centre. However the open-air rooftop pool is a must to view the jaw-dropping Georgian architecture and backdrop of the Gothic Abbey.
We’re hoping to visit the Spa around 5pm, take in the sunset from the roof and then get ready for a night on the town.
On to dinner. We had plans to eat at Sotto, Sotto which comes highly recommended via Trip Advisor. According to the website, it’s an “attractive and atmospheric restaurant located in a charming candlelit historical cellar of natural Bath stone with vaulted ceilings throughout, and resembles the cavernous cellars of an Italian grotto.”
That’ll do nicely. Well apparently not, as despite trying to book five weeks in advance there was only room for four of us and we’d have to eat at 5.30pm. As tempting as it was to let the other three hang about outside while we devour an early meal we’re now on the look out for another place to go.
The evening entertainment is more than likely to involve a few cocktails. Both hen parties I’ve been to in Bath were fab but I know on both occasions the bridesmaids had to really hunt down places to drink and dance in.
We’re considering the Sub 13 Bar for a few drinks. A quick scoot of their website reveals them to be “the number one, award winning, cocktail destination in Bath. Our aim is perfection in everything we do, from the quality of the drinks we serve to the vibrant atmosphere we create.”
Hopefully Sunday will bring a little bit of shopping and perhaps a relaxing Pub Lunch.
I would love to hear your suggestions for hotels, eateries, bars and shopping. Have you tried the Thermae Spa at sunset? Would you change any of the activities that we’ve lined up?
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{Shopping}
I think the shopping in Bath is great; lots of boutiques and stalls as well as the newish SouthGate area with High Street stores galore.
On past visits I have enjoyed scouring many of the shops including:
The Bertie and Jack stall for original and affordable cut-out artwork (a great gift for newborns as their designs look beautiful in nurseries), Bloomsbury and Co for quirky gifts (especially good for men) Vinegar Hill for a wide selection of interior accessories Prey for beautiful stationery and other unusual items
Image source: Thermae Bath Spa
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I love the Thermae Spa – went for a friends hen do and the rooftop pool was just breathtaking. We didn’t go at sunset though, but think that would be absolutely stunning.
If you are looking for somewhere to eat I can highly recommend http://www.koh-thai.co.uk/ – we had the Koh Thai tasting option at £20 each so that we could try lots of different things and it was absolutely delicious!! The staff were really friendly and attentive too (though we were there at lunch instead of dinner) and it is a lovely restaurant in terms of atmosphere too. Definitely worth a try 🙂
Hope you have a fabulous time xx
Thanks Emma. Tasting options are fab aren’t they? Thanks for the suggestion x
Ooh Lauren, it sounds lovely already! I think the Thermae Spa and a good Sunday lunch with some time to wander around is perfect. For dinner I would suggest the Olive Tree which we have only been to once and was simply amazing: http://www.olivetreebath.co.uk/ The food was outstanding and we can’t wait to go back (hopefully in two week’s time)! Hope you have a wonderful time x
Thanks Kate, just had a peek at the Olive Tree and it looks lovely x
Oh I love Bath! I tried to book us into Sotto Sotto for my friends hen last year, but no joy either – only just managed to get booked in for my birthday this year….in May.
We ended up at Koh Thai so I definitely recommend that restaurant too. We also went to La Perla (Spanish tapas), lovely atmosphere and unique setting: http://la-perla.co.uk/
For a yummy lunch time bite and cocktail try Yammo! Doesn’t look like anything special but wonderful food and friendly owner: http://www.yammo.co.uk/
Sub13 is a great cocktail bar, at the back there’s a hidden garden which is lit up with twinkly lights in the evening. (Koh Thai is about 5 mins walk from Sub13). Circo is also really good – we did a cocktail masterclass there, lots of fun, but even just for drinks it’s very nice: http://www.circobar.co.uk/ (La Perla is just around the corner from Circo).
Activities wise I really recommend having afternoon tea at the pump rooms, sometimes they have a pianist playing and there’s a giant chandelier – it just feels abit special. http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/food_and_drink/pump_room_restaurant.aspx
Something I had booked in last year but didn’t do because we were all, ahem, a little hungover was take a boat up from Bath to Bathampton to have Sunday lunch. It’s about a 30 minute journey (and you can bring some celebratory bubbles on board with you): http://www.pulteneyprincess.co.uk/ The pub we were planning on having Sunday lunch at was http://www.thebathamptonmill.co.uk/home/ (currently closed for flood damage but open again at the end of March).
Have a really great time!! x
Thanks so much for your comments Sarah. Twinkly lights and chandeliers are the Birthday Girl’s kind of thing – she’ll love both of them! x
Oooooo we’ve just found out our friends are getting married in Bath later this year. So, although we’ll be pretty busy partying on the Saturday, we plan to spend a lazy Sunday taking in the sights of Bath, YAY!
May have to head the the Thermae spa for a little hangover treatment! 😉
Any suggestions for a yummy but budget friendly lunch very much welcome! xx
Have fun Rebecca! What a gorgeous location for a wedding.
I may have visited the Thermae Spa last year with a slightly fuzzy head after a few glasses of fizz the night before… 😉
Looks like bath is very popular for hen dos…and there’s me thinking how original I was 🙂 Just to add to the long list of tried and tested restaurants – Martini Restorante is great for a bit of Italian food.
Hi Kat, it’s a fab location for a Hen Do especially if you’re after a more classy affair 🙂
I think I’ve walked past the Martini Ristorante one evening and it was bustling with a great atmosphere.
My home town!! Definitely go to the Spa at sunset, it is really lovely – even if it gets a bit chilly! Sub 13 is worth a visit for lovely cocktails. For dinner – so much choice! You always need to book on a weekend – there is The Stable which is a new funky pizza place, great for socialising, Thai Tapas is also fantastic. As is The Porter. oh and The Olive Tree and Casanis (French Bistro) have superb reputations. Oh and I know its a chain, but I have never had a bad meal at Jamies Italian. The newly refurbished Crystal Palace pub is fab for drinks on a a Saturday night, or for lunch whilst shopping. Speaking of which, dont miss lovely Bartlett Street and Walcot Street for fabulous little individual shops…..Breakfast/Brunch at Bills or Adventure Cafe on Sunday morning would soak up any hangover before going more shopping!
Oooh Kate you lucky thing getting to experience Bath every day!
Thanks so much for all the recommendations. If Bill’s in Brighton is anything to go by then it’s a top suggestion for brunch.
I think we’re going to need to extend our stay! x
I live a just 10 minutes away from bath!
For cocktails you should definitely do circo and opium. You should also try the Muddy duck in Monkton Farleigh. Food to die for and yummy cocktails.
Where are you staying?x
Thanks Clare. I’m not sure where we’re staying exactly. Kelston rings a bell?
The Muddy Duck looks gorgeous! x
You may have problems with access in and out of Kelston. A road is shut due to subsidence. My husbands family are originally from though and its really pretty.
Having tried it out the other week I really recommend the Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen, whether you are vegetarian or not. My husband who loves his meat has also been recommending it. Afternoon tea wise I prefer the offering at the Royal Crescent Hotel but it’s a little more pricey than the Pump Rooms. Activities wise I would suggest visiting Prior Park Landscape Garden for the views but be warned the route is by no way flat.
Hi there,
Here are a few of my favourites in a city I went to university in and then worked;
Caffeine hit!
There are so many unbelievable coffee shops: collona and smalls is an independent shop off queens square that has one of the worlds best coffee baristas (he has the trophy in shop to prove it)! Society cafe is great for boys and girls…the boys can salivate over expensive bicycles on the wall and the girls can flick through magazines such as the gentlewoman.
Lunch; Sams kitchen on Walcott street has fab salads and has a really friendly feel with it’s shared dining table.
Shop: by far the jewel to Baths crown is Found, off pultney bridge it’s an independent shop run by quite possibly the nicest couple – they stock Karen walker, comme garçons accessories and have just come back from Paris with amazing jewelry.
Cocktails:
Opium does the best old fashioned…fact!
Enjoy your weekend! Clare x
Thanks Clare for all the suggestions. I’m taking notes! x
I know Adam and his wife in Colonnal & Smalls! Truly the best coffee in Bath with a very cute garden out the back if the weather is good. Ignore all the coffee chains and head there x
This is the perfect post! I am going to Bath for my hen weekend! There are already some fab tips from everyone! Xx
Have an amazing time Helen x
Well! I am very much looking forward to my trip to Bath after reading this post!
It would be amazing if this could be a regular blog focussing on different desirable UK destinations!
Having lived in Bath for years and recently moved to Australia this post makes me very homesick! Bath is such a wonderful and charming city. For dinner you have to try and get a reservation at Menu Gordon Jones, without doubt one if the best places I’ve ever eaten. They serve an 8 course tasting menu which changes daily and the restaurant feels very special and intimate. If you can’t get a dinner reservation (they do get booked up months in advance) then they may have a space for lunch. Sotto Sotto is ok but is pretty standard Italian food.
For an amazing breakfast/brunch/lunch you have to go to The Wild Cafe, a quirky little cafe with amazing food focussing on local ingredients. I miss this place so much!
On a Sunday morning a visit to the farmers market at Green Park station is a great way to start the day, lots of yummy treats, there’s also a monthly vintage market held there.
Pop into Paxton and Whitfield to sample their amazing range of cheeses and there’s an amazing cookware shop called Kitchens a couple of doors down which is great for poking around in.
Lots of great gift and homeware shops like Vinegar Hills, Bloomsbury and French Grey and a very old school little department store called Rossiters which is lovely.
You have to start an evening out with drinks on the rooftop terrace at Hall and Woodhouse, great on a warm evening. Sub 13 is fab for cocktails (they have an early 241 happy hour) and Circo is a great way to end the evening.
The Thermae Spa is definitely worth a visit but unless you’re having a treatment you can’t book a slot and the queues can be long at weekends. I’d suggest a late afternoon or early evening visit when it’s quieter, the views from the rooftop pool are stunning and if you get there for sunset it’s very atmospheric. Just take your bathers and hire towel/robe/slippers when you get there so you can just chuck it all in the laundry basket on the way out.
Hope that helps, such a beautiful, elegant city, enjoy your visit!
Thanks for all the suggestions Laura. Love the sound of the Wild Cafe and the Farmer’s Market too x
Also, you might want to reconsider your accommodation in Kelston, the road between Kelston and Bath is closed indefinitely because of subsidence due to the weeks of rain. There’s now no direct route between Kelston and Bath and a lengthy detour instead.
sounds amazing! especially the rooftop views. I’m available to join if the handsome bachelor doesn’t want to be a 7th wheel 😉
He is very handsome Rebekah!
hmmm….
Laura and Clare H – thanks for the heads-up on Kelston – we’ve changed our accommodation to avoid the detour.
Much appreciated x
Hey, thanks so much for the mention. Bertie & Jack is very proud of our fabulous home in Bath. It’s the perfect weekend away; especially for a girlie get-together. Thanks again x