Serious pampering, secret gardens and delicious buns in Bath – it’s time to spoil yourself silly
MENTION a weekend city break and your first though may be Barcelona, Paris or some other city on the European continent - but you don't need to think that far away.
Bath is the perfect destination for a weekend retreat and we have picked out six different reasons why we think you need to head down there as soon as you can.
Hit the waters
Visitors may have been soaking in the mineral-rich waters since 863 BC, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about Thermae Bath Spa.
This five-floored pamper palace takes two hours to explore – admire Bath’s skyline in the rooftop pool, then hit the Minerva bath, whirlpool, lazy river and the five steam and sauna rooms.
Entry costs from £36 ().
Post-spa, pop to the Roman Baths museum, from £16.50, to chat with a toga-wearing guide, find out about the hot spring’s history and even taste the water ().
Then head to its restaurant The Pump Room for Victoria sponge with inch-thick raspberry jam and cream.
Get lost in Austen
Jane Austen lived in Bath for five years, so you’ll find nods to the author across the city.
Meander along Gay Street to the Jane Austen Centre and learn about her life.
Entry costs £12 ().
You’ll find sticky, Danish-style Bath buns all over town, but go classic with half a “Lunn Bunn” topped with cinnamon butter, £4.28, at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House ().
Fans of Netflix’s The Crown shouldn’t miss the Fashion Museum.
The Royal Women exhibition displays Princess Margaret’s dresses, including a black lace and pink gown from 1953.
Entry costs £9 ().
Eat among orchids
For a slap-up meal, head to The Circus Restaurant.
It’s packed with locals and the menu changes seasonally.
We loved the authentic Sri Lankan red lentil dal.
Mains cost from £11.70 (.
After a decent lunch? Feast on Thai tapas at Giggling Squid, set in a former Georgian school hall that’s filled with orchids.
Dishes start from £2.95 ().
Or nip to Olé Tapas on John Street for albondigas (Spanish pork meatballs), £5.95, and a Cabrales cheese and walnut salad, £5.25, washed down with Rioja ().
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Find a secret garden
Grab a bike to zip around Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent, from £2 an hour (), and stop off at Darcy’s News Café for a cuppa.
Bath isn’t short of green spaces, but our fave is the Georgian Garden, a secret walled oasis behind the historical houses of the Circus.
Later, reward yourself with a tipple at the quirky Canary Gin Bar – it has over 230 types, and cocktails cost £9 ().
Splurge 1920s-style
Bath has buckets of backstreet boutiques.
Blink and you’ll miss Vintage To Vogue off Milsom Street, but the shop has sourced costumes for TV shows like Downton Abbey and stocks gorge 1920s flapper dresses ().
For hand-made chocolates that make lovely gifts, stop by Charlotte Brunswick – though save the salted caramel spread for yourself ().
And pick up everything from street food to furniture and art at hipster fave Green Park Station market. ().
FYI
- The planet Uranus was discovered from a garden in Bath in 1781.
- Plan your trip at Visitbath.co.uk.
- Train tickets from London Paddington to Bath Spa start from £15 each way. Visit Gwr.com.
Sip Martinis before bed
Just minutes from the train station, everything is right on your doorstep at the Abbey Hotel.
Expect rain showers, Ren toiletries and king-size beds.
Downstairs, the ArtBar serves up a mean dry martini, £9, while the two-rosette Allium restaurant offers a great set menu from £20 with treats like pan-fried cod.
Double rooms cost from £125 B&B (.