A few years ago, if you had told me you were headed to Bath, I would have assumed you were going on an Eat-Pray-Love quest to find yourself in the countryside. I don’t know why I had that impression of Bath. Was it something in the name? or the way it sounded so far from London, I assumed it was a remote little town with nothing to offer? Well, I was wrong!
After a couple of days in Weston Super-mare, the boy and I started to feel restless. Weston has its share of fun things to offer, but it might not hit the mark for everyone. So, after a brief conversation with the owner of Queenswood hotel in Weston, during which Bath was highly recommended, we decided to do a day trip.
Bath from Weston is a quick 43-minute train ride. It is in south-west England and in the county of Somerset. From the moment we stepped out of the train station into the city, I ditched my preconceived notions about Bath in a bottomless pit, never to be revived.
Bath is stunning and alive!
The first thing we noticed was the number of cafes offering luggage storage services. So, if you are on your way elsewhere and happen to travel through Bath, you can stop for a few hours to enjoy what the city has to offer.
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Many people go to Bath for the Roman Baths and the Abbey, which are both stunning elements of the city’s history. But there is so much more to see and do.
Did you also know that Jane Austen lived in Bath? There is a Jane Austen centre in the city where you can learn more about her life in Bath. Did you know that Bath was once a marriage market? Wealthy families back in the day would shepherd their children to Bath for the marriage season just as depicted in some of Jane Austen’s books, and in the Netflix series, Bridgerton. Bridgerton was filmed in Bath, with elements of the city’s flair for entertainment worked into the story. It’s not just a nod to the beautiful location but to the history of the city.
While you are out in Bath, stop by the Assembly Rooms. This is where a lot of the fun gambling, balls and matchmaking happened back in the day. It is also the location for Lady Danbury’s first ball in Season 1, Episode 3 of Bridgerton. And if you are wondering if there is anything for you in Bath if you are neither a Jane Austen or Bridgerton fan, the answer is yes!
The boy and I started our day in Bath with a group walking tour. We learnt about the history of Bath, starting from before the Romans arrived. After our tour, we had lunch at Square Grill House and Bar where I enjoyed a glass of the Lady Bridgerton cocktail. Then we braced ourselves for a short hike to the top of one of the mountains surrounding the city. From here, we could see the city sprawled beneath us. If you are unfit, the hike will feel like a test. Take it slow and steady. You are not going to win an award for getting to the top quicker! Also, if you don’t have shoes with good grip, your cardiovascular endurance might be the least of your worries. I worried that I would slip on the wet leaves and roll down the stairs, so I held on to the boy with a grip strong enough to squeeze the last drop out of an orange.
After our short hike, we made our way to the Fudge Kitchen for a much-needed sugar boost. Here, you will find a selection of fudge flavours and very enthusiastic fudge makers.
Like everyone does, we visited the Roman Baths and the Abbey. We also checked out the shopping scene, and enjoyed a leisurely walk around the city. Bath has no shortage of shops and cafes, so we were spoilt for choice. By the end of the day, we were spent, but happy. We enjoyed Bath so much, we took a train back the next day to explore some more. Now, Bath is on my list of favorite cities in the UK. I can no longer imagine a trip out west without a day or two in Bath.
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