Guidebook for Bath
Drinks & Nightlife
It's the official place for official Bath Ale, the yummiest amber you will ever try. It's cozy in the way you need an English pub to be and they also do really good bar food too.
21 locals recommend
The Salamander
3 John StIt's the official place for official Bath Ale, the yummiest amber you will ever try. It's cozy in the way you need an English pub to be and they also do really good bar food too.
They do iconic English pies with funny sounding names. It's real English food - but be careful if there's a football match at the Oval on after lunch, because everyone goes there and you won't get a seat!
53 locals recommend
The Raven
7 Queen StThey do iconic English pies with funny sounding names. It's real English food - but be careful if there's a football match at the Oval on after lunch, because everyone goes there and you won't get a seat!
Food Scene
We used to go here, when they started out and could only seat 10 in their little pop-up. Now people bike here from miles away on a Saturday morning to discuss the art of the barista. They don't have much food, only small snacks, and beware, they might refuse to give you milk with one or other special brew because it ruins the taste - but in other words, if you're into coffee, you need to go, because they know what they are doing.
64 locals recommend
Colonna & Small's
6 Chapel RowWe used to go here, when they started out and could only seat 10 in their little pop-up. Now people bike here from miles away on a Saturday morning to discuss the art of the barista. They don't have much food, only small snacks, and beware, they might refuse to give you milk with one or other special brew because it ruins the taste - but in other words, if you're into coffee, you need to go, because they know what they are doing.
Shopping
The best ever bookstore, like they used to be. Floor to Ceiling of eclectic stuff, you need a ladder to get to the top of. If you like books, beware you can spend hours here [they supply free coffee and armchairs] and you will need an extra suitcase to take the spoils home. They do great book launches for authors too, which make an entertaining afternoon or evening - you can meet them and get a signed copy.
24 locals recommend
Topping & Company Booksellers
York StreetThe best ever bookstore, like they used to be. Floor to Ceiling of eclectic stuff, you need a ladder to get to the top of. If you like books, beware you can spend hours here [they supply free coffee and armchairs] and you will need an extra suitcase to take the spoils home. They do great book launches for authors too, which make an entertaining afternoon or evening - you can meet them and get a signed copy.
This is a laneway filled with arty, antiquey things to see, buy and eat from. There's also a fantastic independent sushi bar and a teashop serving from grandma's china.
Bartlett Street
Bartlett StreetThis is a laneway filled with arty, antiquey things to see, buy and eat from. There's also a fantastic independent sushi bar and a teashop serving from grandma's china.
Sightseeing
You already know this is an absolute must to get your photo taken in front of it. It not only proves you've been in Bath, you can't fail to get a gorgeous snapshot that makes you look like a model. You can promenade back and forth on the Crescent itself, or look up at it from the lawns that back onto the Botanic Gardens.
172 locals recommend
Royal Crescent
Royal CrescentYou already know this is an absolute must to get your photo taken in front of it. It not only proves you've been in Bath, you can't fail to get a gorgeous snapshot that makes you look like a model. You can promenade back and forth on the Crescent itself, or look up at it from the lawns that back onto the Botanic Gardens.
Obvs, possibly the most famous thing in Bath, apart from the Baths themselves. Take a free walking tour with a local guide and hear all about the secret significance of the roundness of the architecture and the acorn symbols in the stones.
209 locals recommend
The Circus
The CircusObvs, possibly the most famous thing in Bath, apart from the Baths themselves. Take a free walking tour with a local guide and hear all about the secret significance of the roundness of the architecture and the acorn symbols in the stones.
Parks & Nature
It's a bit of peace and quiet and if you love plants, you'll see an enormous range here, that you don't often see elsewhere! Like most of Bath, it has just one of everything you want. And it's a great secret spot for a picnic, lazy summer day or special chat with someone you love.
35 locals recommend
Botanical Gardens
Park LaneIt's a bit of peace and quiet and if you love plants, you'll see an enormous range here, that you don't often see elsewhere! Like most of Bath, it has just one of everything you want. And it's a great secret spot for a picnic, lazy summer day or special chat with someone you love.
Arts & Culture
This is such a cutey - a tiny Art Gallery in the best ever spot. Upstairs is the permanent free exhibition - there are old paintings from famous locals and early line drawings of famous Bath buildings by their architect. Pop in here for 30 mins between your stroll along Pulteney Bridge and visiting the Abbey.
59 locals recommend
Victoria Art Gallery
Bridge StreetThis is such a cutey - a tiny Art Gallery in the best ever spot. Upstairs is the permanent free exhibition - there are old paintings from famous locals and early line drawings of famous Bath buildings by their architect. Pop in here for 30 mins between your stroll along Pulteney Bridge and visiting the Abbey.
Essentials
Waitrose is the top-end English supermarket. You can get all sorts of fine UK and European food, wine and organic groceries here. It's quite a bit more expensive than Sainsbury's, but easy to find and worth the experience.
142 locals recommend
Waitrose & Partners
Northgate StreetWaitrose is the top-end English supermarket. You can get all sorts of fine UK and European food, wine and organic groceries here. It's quite a bit more expensive than Sainsbury's, but easy to find and worth the experience.