Last Updated on May 28, 2024
Guide to Bath – Tried and Tested Boutique Hotels in Bath and More
Bath is the pre-eminent city in England’s West Country. Situated on the River Avon it lies 100 miles to the west of London and attracts visitors from around the world because of its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many cities claim to be historic but with its Iron Age, Roman and Georgian heritage, Bath can truly lay claim to that title. It’s also one of the most beautiful cities in the British Isles with stunning Georgian crescents and the grandeur of the Roman Baths giving the city a character of its own. With a wealth of quirky boutique hotels in Bath, it’s the perfect place for a short break.
For the best view of the city why not climb to the top of the tower at Bath Abbey, a stunning piece of vaulted Victorian Gothic architecture.
Then, take a fascinating journey into the lifestyle of a Georgian gentleman – your next stop should be no.1 Royal Crescent where there’s a museum which has been decorated and furnished just as it might have been during the period 1776-1796. The Crescent itself is one of the great architectural sights of the western world.
The Roman Baths are the premier tourist attraction in Bath and you get to see the spring that drives the complex, the extraordinary Roman drainage system and of course the series of baths and plunge pools culminating in the stunning Great Bath and its series of faux Roman statues.
Bath has plenty of great restaurants and hotels to choose from. At London-Unattached we enjoyed a staycation in the Georgian elegance of The Queensberry Hotel and to eat at its sister establishment, the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant. It’s one of many boutique hotels in Bath and one we heartily recommend. We can also recommend Clayton’s Kitchen for classic, seasonal English cuisine. After all the history a visit to the Pump Rooms for tea (£19.50) is a must and the perfect way to finish off a hard day’s sight-seeing, and no trip to Bath is complete without a visit to Sally Lunns, the tea shop and bistro that resides in one of the oldest houses in Bath.
There are a wealth of specialist museums and galleries in Bath. We love the fashion museum, where you can learn about costumes through the ages and even dress up in a style to suit. The Jane Austin museum is rightly popular. Jane Austin was very much part of Bath Society – and many of her novels were inspired by her days there. And, the charming Holbourne Museum is worth a visit both for the permanent collection of items donated by Sir William Holburne and for a fabulous series of exhibitions for both adults and children. There’s a great cafe with alfresco dining in the pretty pleasure gardens to the rear.
With its idiosyncratic shops, food festival, theatre, art galleries and music scene there are lots of other reasons to visit Bath and it provides a great base for investigating the West Country. Other regional attractions include Stonehenge, Cheddar Gorge and the cheese caves the grandeur of Corsham Court and Swindon’s STEAM, the museum of The Great Western Railway. Finally, it’s an easy journey from Bath to Bristol where there’s even more to explore. There really is something for everyone.
For more information about visiting do check the Visit Bath website
And, if you are planning a trip, please check our round-up of tried and tested hotels where you can stay in and around Bath.
Our top recommendation for Bath is the luxurious Queensberry Hotel in the heart of the City. With the Olive Tree, a Michelin starred restaurant, it's the perfect place to base yourself A charming traditional country house hotel, with excellent dining facilities and friendly staff just a few miles from the centre of Bath Want to really channel your Jane Austen? 51 Great Pulteney is a wonderful restored town house in Bath with carefully curated art and collectables to get you into the mood! For a luxurious country house hotel with fabulous grounds and great Spa facilities, Bishopstrow Hotel is worth considering. We based ourselves in Bristol for a recent visit to both Bristol and Bath - find out more about the centrally located quirky Brooks Guest House, our base for the trip If country pubs are more your style, it's worth considering the charming Lamb at Hindon in Wiltshire. Just over 40 minutes drive to Bath, it's in the heart of the country and offers a comfortable and luxurious gastro-pub stay We have always loved the Indigo Hotels from IHG. Newly Opened Hotel Indigo Bath is between the Station and Bath Abbey, situated in three grade I listed buildings. With dining at The Elderfrom the same team who run the Woodsman at Hotel Indigo Stratford and the Michelin Starred Harwood Arms in London, 
Queensberry Boutique Hotel
The Old Manor Hotel - Near Bath
Quirky Elegance at 51 Great Pulteney Street, Bath
Bishopstrow Hotel and Spa, Wiltshire
Brooks Guest House, Bristol
The Lamb at Hindon, Wiltshire
Hotel Indigo Bath - Staycation and Dining at The Elder
And not far away, between Bath and Bristol is the Bath Soft Cheese Co. (https://parkfarm.co.uk) makers of award-winning, world class cheeses. Their cafe is closed at the moment but the shop is open.