Where to Stay, Dine and Unwind in Bath - From a Local!
Have you thought about making your Boudoir Photoshoot the excuse you need for a mini-break in Bath?
I’m very lucky to be a Bath local, born and bred!
Bath is a gorgeous, peaceful place to be - not to mention a World Heritage Site. It is rich with history, with incredible Georgian architecture, and there are so many amazing places to eat and drink. You could go from soaking up the serenity at one of the town’s brilliant spas, enjoying a show at the vibrant Theatre Royal, sipping cocktails in one of the many awesome bars, to viewing the sights of the Bath Abbey or the Roman Baths… all against a golden, elegant backdrop.
We are so honoured to say that a lot of our Divas travel from afar for their Boudoir photoshoot with us, and what with Bath being the beautiful destination that it is, it’s a great idea to make a night, or trip, of it! Bring your partner for a memorable romantic getaway, make it a girls trip, or why not just spend a few days in your own company?
Bath, and the studio itself, is all easily reachable from Bristol, London, Wales and further afar and the city prides itself on having some of the best hotels, and B&B’s that you’ll find in the UK.
To make your trip to Bath special, I have jotted down a list of places I absolutely recommend. Every place is below is somewhere I have either visited and loved, or close friends have been to and adored too!
Summary:
Where To Stay:
Royal Crescent Hotel £££ (Perfect for a proper treat. High luxury on an iconic, historical street.)
No15 Great Pultney Street £££ (A boutique townhouse hotel in a listed Georgian building on one of Bath’s grandest streets. Perfect for those who live a creative feel and want a bit of luxury also)
Bath Spa Hotel ££ (A middle option but still beautiful! It’s a little further out but a lovely stroll into the centre.)
The Royal Hotel £ (Perfect location, directly opposite the Train Station, with big spacious rooms!)
Z Hotel £ (Brilliant budget option. Nothing fancy but does the job, and in a nice location opposite a wine bar!)
Where To Eat Whilst at The Studio:
The Locksbrook. A gastro-pub with lovely, sunny outdoor seating alongside the canal.
Rooted. A vegetarian cafe that will convert even the most religious meat-eaters! We recommend the mushrooms on toast!
Marks and Spencers. Potentially the easiest option. Grab some picky bits and eat them at the studio.
Where To Eat in Bath City Centre:
Solina: An italian restaurant with a tiramisu to die for!
Walcot House: An upmarket buzzing restaurant, that is worth the money.
Burgers and Barrels: An award-winning, independent burger bar that is popular for a reason.
Thai Balcony: as the name suggests, delicious Thai food served with a view of Bath city.
Pinxto: a delicious tapas and sherry bar.
Yak Yeti Yak: a laid back but brilliant Nepali restaurant.)
Where to Drink:
For a Wine Bar: Try Vino Vino (sophisticated but relaxed) or Beckford Bottle Shop (refined with plush Chesterfield sofas and tin-clad ceilings!)
For Cocktails: The Hideout. Hidden in the historic lanes of Tudor Bath, lies The Hideout; an award-winning cocktail and whisky bar.
For a Pub: The Marlborough (a fancier pub with a lovely outdoor terrace) or The Grapes (a pubby pub with live music and a jovial spirit!)
What to Do
For history & architecture: Visit the Roman Baths, take a tour around the awe-inspiring Bath Abbey, walk through the backdrop of Bridgerton on Pulteney Street, stumble across the architectural brilliance of the Royal Crescent and the Circus and, then, finish your day with night-lit panaromic views from Alexandra Park.
Shopping in Bath: If you fancy a bit of retail therapy, head to Southgate. If you prefer cuter independents, wonder up town and through the alleyways!
For Literature Lovers: Toppings Bookshop, the Jane Austen Centre and Mary Shelley’s House of Horrors!
Want to unwind? Bath Thermea Spa. Book the Twilight Package if you can and see the Georgian skyline of Bath at night from their rooftop pool.
Where To Stay in Bath City Centre
Below I have included five choices. They’re all in a great location, and come very highly recommended. You can have a read and choose depending on budget, and your preference!
If you’re looking for a treat, look no further! Royal Crescent Hotel is a five-star retreat with many spectacular views - and it is one of the most iconic streets in Bath! Their spa has a blissful sanctuary-like feel, and their restaurant is meant to be brilliant. The building itself has a prestigious history; with more than 250 years of charm and grandeur, they are one of the few landmark buildings in the world where you can actually spend the night. It’s situated on the world-famous Royal Crescent in Bath City Centre and, like a lot of these other recommendations, it is walking distance from some of the best bars and restaurants.
Distance From The Studio
10 min drive
20 min on public transport
30 min walk
A boutique townhouse hotel in a listed Georgian building on one of Bath’s grandest streets. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Bath City Centre AND you’re a fan of Bridgerton, look no further! You’ll definitely recognise the Museum at the end of this street… This hotel is recommended by lots of our Divas; it’s full of colour and quirky, luxury touches, like a record player in every room. You can even enjoy their beautiful spa whilst you’re there. They also offer to meet you from the station and whisk your bags off from you so that you can go explore the city.
Distance From The Studio
10 min drive
30 min on public transport
45 min walk
A Diva recently stayed here and said it was the most perfect place for ‘me’ time. There is a gorgeous spa, 7 acres of private grounds and the option of High Tea too! It’s a little further out but a lovely stroll into the centre.
Distance From The Studio
13 min drive
40 min on public transport
The perfect hotel for convenience and relaxation! It’s designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and is directly opposite the Train Station. It has big, spacious rooms with a Victorian Aesthetic. As one Diva said, “perfect for settling my nerves and trying out my outfits the night before!”. You can also include a trip to Bath Spa as part of your booking.
Approx £75 a night
Distance From The Studio
10 min drive
15 min on public transport
35 min walk
Z Hotel £
This is less of a luxury option, but it is popular with our Divas for a reason! It is so conveniently located in the centre of Bath and 5 minutes away from a car park. It may be less luxurious, but it’s still a great option with cosy rooms and the hotel itself is in a beautiful building. It’s also directly opposite the Theatre Royal and one of the best wine bars in Bath, Vino Vino (in my opinion anyway!)
Distance From The Studio
15 min drive
15 min on public transport
30 min walk
Where To Eat In Bath IN THE HOUR GAP whilst at the STUDIO!
This is specifically for our clients who come to visit us at the studio. Your day is 5-hours long and includes a professional makeover, photoshoot, and design consultation where we select and design your artwork. There is approximately an hour gap between your photoshoot and seeing your photos. You are more than welcome to just bring some food with you, but here are some options if you’d prefer to go out to eat in that time!
A lovely option on a summer’s day. It is a gastro-pub with lovely, sunny outdoor seating alongside the canal. They have a varied menu with healthy options if you’d prefer - and delicious pizzas too! You can drive here in five minutes, or walk in fifteen.
This is a vegetarian restaurant that will convert even the most religious meat-eaters! It’s a five minute drive, and specialises in fresh, seasonal dishes. We recommend the mushrooms on toast!
Marks and Spencers
Okay, so it’s not the most exciting option - but it may be the easiest, and who doesn’t love a Percy Pig?! You can walk there in a few minutes, grab some picky bits and eat it at the studio where we can make you a hot drink.
Where To Eat In Bath City Centre
Bath hasn’t always been known for it’s culinary scene, but as time is evolving it’s scrubbing up. There are some real gems in the food scene here, quietly making waves for those in the know. Below are some recommendations you won’t help but love.
If you love Italian food, you HAVE to go here. Truly mouth-watering homemade pasta, hearty sauces, and a tiramisu that will have you raving about it for years after… This is the go-to Italian star in Bath, if you ask me. It’s also in a lovely building with a very Bath feel, right next to Pulteney Street and the Weir. The prices are also reasonable. One word of warning - it’s often busy and you can’t book tables. You can, however, join the online waiting list via their website.
Walcot House is housed in a stylish converted bakery spanning two floors. During the day it offers café-style lounge spaces filled with natural light; by evening it transforms into a buzzing restaurant, cocktail bar with lively energy. It is a slightly fancier option, but worth the money!
If you want is a no-fuss, satisfying option then here you go. Burgers & Barrels is an award-winning, independent burger bar that is popular for a reason. The people who run it care a lot about what they do, and it exudes a vibrant yet relaxed rock-and-soul vibe, complete with cocktails, craft beers, wine, and milkshakes. It is worth noting that it’s not quite in the centre of town, but it’s only a 5-10 minute walk from the hustle and bustle.
Other places of note also include Thai Balcony (as the name suggests, delicious Thai food served with a view of Bath city), Pinxto (a tapas and sherry bar) and Yak Yeti Yak (a laid back but brilliant Nepali restaurant.)
Where To Drink In Bath City Centre
Photography by Divine Divas’s Head Photographer, Neill Menneer
When I first started drinking in Bath, my one local was the Wetherspoons… Nowadays, that wouldn’t be my first recommendation. Especially considering there are so many brilliant spaces in Bath. Whether you want a luxurious wine bar, or a very pubby-pub then we’ve got some suggestions just for you.
For a Wine Bar: Try Vino Vino or Beckford Bottle Shop
Vino Vino is a wine and cocktail bar set in a very European feeling square. It is sophisticated but relaxed, with an outdoor heated terrace or an elegant indoor area.
Beckford Bottle Shop feels very refined. Inside, you'll find plush Chesterfield sofas and tin-clad ceilings, plus 300 carefully curated bottles from around the world.
Both places offer charcuterie boards and small plates if you fancy some nibbles.
For Cocktails: The Hideout
Hidden in the historic lanes of Tudor Bath, lies The Hideout; an award-winning cocktail and whisky bar. It has a bit of a cool, alternative edge to it which, some may say, can feel a bit unusual in Bath! The expert barkeeps are always happy to help too.
For a Pub: The Marlborough or The Grapes
Just a stone's throw from the Royal Crescent the Marlborough Tavern, a pub for over 200 years stands as a proud part of Bath's vibrant foodie scene. This is one of the few pub gardens in Bath that gets sun late into the day too!
I have to say, The Grapes is not elegant or refined BUT it is a proper pubby pub. It has live music and a good jovial spirit!
What to Do in Bath City Centre
The Roman Baths. Photography by Divine Divas’s Head Photographer, Neill Menneer
For history & architecture: You are truly spoilt for choice. Go visit the iconic Roman Baths, take a tour around the awe-inspiring Bath Abbey, walk through the backdrop of Bridgerton on Pulteney Street, stumble across the architectural brilliance of the Royal Crescent and the Circus and, then, why not finish your day with night-lit panaromic views from Alexandra Park?
Shopping in Bath: If you fancy a bit of retail therapy, head to Southgate. It’s not the cute or quaint part of town, but it has got all the big hitter highstreet shops like Zara. If you prefer cuter independents, wonder up town and through the alleyways!
For Literature Lovers: If there is ONE place in all of Bath that I cannot resist recommending, it is Toppings Bookshop. Not only is it the UK’s biggest bookshop, it is truly beautiful with staff who love reading and championing authors. If this wasn’t enough, you can help yourself to free tea and coffee AND gasp they have ladders you can use, like in fancy libraries! If you truly want to geek out, you can also visit the Jane Austen Centre and Mary Shelley’s House of Horrors!
Want to unwind: I have to be totally honest here, the one time I went to Bath Thermea Spa I was not blown away. However, if there is one thing I can say, hand on heart, it is that the rooftop pool at Bath Spa is incredible. You can have a swim amongst the stunning rooftops of Georgian Bath, which is even more spectacular if you can get one of their ‘Twilight’ packages.
So, there we have it!! Tips from your Bath local!
We’re always happy to help all our lovely Divas who make a trip of their visit, so if you have a question or want more recommendations we’d love to do that for you. Just whatsapp the team, or ask us on the day of your visit!