England’s finest Georgian city is full of architectural marvels that, thanks to Bath’s compact size, can be discovered on foot. With its buttery limestone townhouses, the splendours of the Royal Crescent and the Circus, the unmissable Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, the city amply justifies its status as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Beloved of Jane Austen, its museums, independent shops, historic pubs, grand vistas and cobbled streets make Bath a winner.
Friday 3pm: Check in
The quietly glamorous Queensberry Hotel, spread over four townhouses, is a bonnet’s throw from two of Bath’s Georgian set pieces, the Circus and the Royal Crescent., so drop your bags and get sightseeing. Start with John Wood the Elder’s Circus, which mimics Stonehenge’s structure, and continue to the world’s first Crescent. Cross to the small park below to take in the sweep of its 30 Palladian-style houses and, for a sense of life in the late 1700s, visit interactive museum No 1 Royal Crescent or stroll through Royal Victoria Park’s beautiful botanical gardens.
Friday 4.30pm: Get literary
For some Regency role play, try on an empire-waist frock at the Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street, which links the Circus with palatial Queen Square. Or, for galvanism, jump scares and a gory escape room, head two doors down to the House of Frankenstein, a wonderful, immersive teach-in on Mary Shelley’s world.
6pm: Wet your whistle
Have a sharpener at bijou Green Street Wine Co or at the tiny Coeur de Lion pub nearby - the smallest in the city.
7.30pm: Be entertained
Catch a pre-West End play at the charming and historic Theatre Royal or the intimate Ustinov Studio or treat the kids to a puppet show at the Egg, followed by a pizza at nearby Dough, which offers12 bases, including chocolate.
Related articles:
Saturday 9am: Take the waters
Book ahead for a two-hour session at the Thermae Bath Spa near the Abbey, soak in the rooftop mineral-rich thermal spring pool, then heat up in the steam rooms and sauna before cooling down in the ice room.
11.30: See how the Romans bathed
History comes to life in the Roman Baths, where the Romans fashioned themselves a pleasure zone. Take the audio tour and see where they exercised and gossiped.
1.30: Have lunch
Drop in at Bath Abbey before heading up to Monmouth Street for excellent local fresh fish, oysters, salted cod fishcakes or the catch of the day at the convivial Scallop Shell.
3pm: Choose your cultural fix
Bibliophiles will love Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, a labyrinthine bookshop that offers a bespoke book spa and has a winning children’s section. Then take the 10-minute walk from the city centre up Great Pulteney Street, another Georgian wonder, to the Holburne Museum for a taste of Gainsborough and Stubbs, followed by a stroll over the canal to the regency-styled Sydney pleasure gardens.
6pm: Drink like a local
For something stronger, have a margarita at lively Dos Dedos on cobbled Bartlett Street, opposite the fabulous Bartlett Street Antiques Centre.
7.30pm: Dinner and night cap
For upscale Japanese food in ambient surroundings, there is none better than Robun, which specialises in yakiniku, or grilled dishes. Round the evening off with a whisky at the Hideout – there are 300 to choose from.
Sunday 9am: Break bread
Arrive early to beat the queue for exquisite pastries or a sourdough country loaf at artisanal Landrace bakery and flour mill on Walcot Road, which also serves 18-inch pizzas and notable small plates at its bistro, Upstairs At Landrace.
10am: Take a wander
For a walk with views, continue up Walcot Street, past all its indy shops (gems include The Bath Hat Co, Alfred’s for men’s vintage, and The Fine Cheese Company – a lovely spot for cakes or lunch, too), to Camden Crescent for sights of Bath Abbey and Prior Park and up to Lansdown Crescent, Bath’s most complete late Georgian crescent, which views across the sumptuous Charlcombe Valley.
1pm: Have a roast
You’ll get a full roast – pork belly, beef or nut – with all the trimmings, and a rich sticky toffee pudding at Sydney’s on Monmouth Place. Of an evening, book a table in its new Rooftop canopied dining space featuring parasols and a luxe bar.
3.30pm: Before you go
Catch evensong at Bath Abbey, or climb up Beckford’s Tower for a final glimpse of this beloved city.
IN BRIEF
Stay Try the centrally located, quietly glamorous Queensberry Hotel, 4-7 Russell Street, Bath BA1 2Q (thequeensberry.co.uk)
Don’t miss The world-class Roman Baths to see how the Romans bathed and relaxed (romanbaths.co.uk)
Eat A hearty roast or Mediterranean small plates in the new rooftop space at Sydney’s neighbourhood restaurant on Monmouth Street (sydneysbath.co.uk)