10 Reasons to Visit Bath for a UK Staycation | Things to do in Bath

Last week I visited Bath for the #FeelGoodBath Wellbeing Bloggers trip with Visit Bath. Sometimes a quick getaway is all we need and I’m all for a UK staycation. I absolutely adore Bath, not only is it one of the UK’s prettiest cities, but also one of the best destinations for independent restaurants, shops and spas. So with further ado, here are my 10 reasons to visit bath alongside some things to do and places to eat in Bath.

1 - Travel time. Just hop on a train!

Bath Spa train station is located smack bang in the middle of Bath City Centre. From Cornwall, Bath is just a 2 and a half-hour drive or a three hour train journey with GWR (#GWRAdventures.) For this particular trip, I came from London which only took me two hours and three hours from Bath back to Truro. It’s a breath of fresh air not having to worry about flight departure times, plus, traveling by train is much more sustainable than flying. Win, win!

2 - Cobbled streets and georgian architecture

Bath is the only place in the UK to have the whole city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Bath is undoubtedly one of the prettiest cities in the UK. In the 18th century, George III developed the city into an elegant town with neoclassical Palladian buildings. I spent a whole afternoon just wondering around, taking photos and stopping off at coffee shops. ⁣⁣It’s easy to stay entertained in Bath.

3 - full of history, the roman baths

Bath is full of history! As mentioned above, George III developed the city back in the 18th century. The most famous and iconic feature of Bath is undoubtedly the Roman Baths. The Roman Baths are one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world! Over 170,000 litres of steaming spring water, reaching 46°C, still fills the bathing site every single day. 

I spent a couple of hours alone, wondering around the Baths, learning about the history. You can also pick up a portable speaker (or join a guided tour) that gives you the relevant information at each stop. Personally, I believe the Roman Baths are a must see if you’ve visiting the city.

4 - 1 Hot Bath Street, Bath Boutique Stays

For our girly bloggers trip, we stayed at the GORGEOUS 1 Hot Bath Street Apartment. The apartment sleeps up to 10 people in the heart of the City (literally 10 seconds away from the Bath Thermae Spa) and is perfect for a girl’s weekend away. I was one of the first girls to arrive so I had full run of the house! The apartment is spread across three floors, 4 bedrooms, a main bathroom, toilet room and the large living room and kitchen. I was completely obsessed with the kitchen - an Instagrammer’s dream, fit with flowers lined across the wall and a fitting quote saying “let me shop and drink and no-one will get hurt.”

The lovely Bath Boutique Stays team left a beautiful bottle of pink gin and tonics on the table for our arrival. Once the other girls arrived we took full advantage of the gin and all got to know each other around the large kitchen table.

Bath Boutique Stays has a number of different apartments across Bath, all with their own character.

5 - sweet little thing, the prettiest brunch spot

For brunch we were kindly invited to Sweet Little Things, literally one of the PRETTIEST brunch spots ever - quite a statement considering I’ve had my fair share of brunches! Sweet Little Things have got it SO right. Not only is SLT completely gorgeous, but the food is just as good, especially for the price! I chose the berry and banana pancakes - so light and fluffy! I’m a coffee critic but I can happily say that the cappuccino was also top notch. I am already excited to return.

6 - Iconic Landmarks

Okay, so we’ve already spoken about the famous Roman Baths but there is so much more to see in Bath. The Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge are just some of Bath’s iconic landmarks. The Royal Crescent was built in the 1700s by John Wood and designated a World Heritage Building. Personally, I absolutely adore the 15th Century Bath Abbey which stands proudly in the centre of the City. I made a quick visit to the Abbey during my trip and lit a candle for my loved ones.

7 - britains only thermal spa

There are plenty of spa complexes to choose from in Bath. The girls and I were invited along to check out the famous Thermae Bath Spa located in the heart of the city. Here, you can bathe in Britain’s only naturally warm, mineral rich waters, as the Romans did over 2000 years ago.⁣ The main feature of the Thermae Bath Spa has to be the open air rooftop pool that offers 360 views across the city. We arrived before the spa opened so we had the opportunity to snap some photos before other spa guests arrived. A 2 hour spa session starts from £37pp.

8 - bath has many eateries to choose from

There are SO many incredible eateries in Bath. Trust me. On the first evening we enjoyed dinner at Aqua on Walcott Street, a beautifully restored Arts and Crafts former church house. We tucked into yummy small plates and then for main I chose for the seafood linguine. Obviously! Aqua is a good option if you’re looking for an Italian in Bath.

Bandook Indian (images above) was definitely a highlight for me. Bandook is an Indian Cuisine and DEFINITELY a restaurant to visit if you enjoy Indian food. The food was incredible and the staff were lovely and extremely accommodating! The staff would explain each dish and made sure that those with allergies were also catered for to the highest of standards. We tucked into a selection of small plates, curries and specials. Each plate was packed with flavour. I would 100% recommend Bandook if you’re in Bath or Bristol (they have their second restaurant in Bristol.)
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9- Independent shops

I prefer shopping at independent shops. Of course, sometimes it cannot be helped, but independent shops are were I’d rather spend my money. The girls and I noticed that there are so many gorgeous homeware shops in Bath, alongside wellbeing and bookshops.

On the last day we were invited along to check out the Good Body Wellness CBD shop. I am a total newbie when it comes to CBD and only understand the basics. The lovely members of staff shared their knowledge and introduced some of their latest natural products. If you struggle with anxiety, sleep deprivation or pain in the joints, then I suggest having a chat to the ladies at Good Body Wellness
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10 - It’s small enough to explore in a few days

Bath is a fantastic destination for a UK staycation. There are so many places to explore in Bath, so it’s worth extending your trip to 3-4 days, however you can get around the main highlights on foot within a day or two. With a bit of forward planning, Bath in a day can certainly be done!

This was a complimentary trip in exchange for a review, including accommodation and GWR travel. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Visit Bath and their partners for a lovely trip!