Holiday rentals in Bath

There’s far more to the city of Bath these days than Jane Austen and hot water. While the ancient Roman Baths and magnificent Georgian architecture of the Royal Crescent and Circus continue to wow, an overlay of sustainably minded cool has reinvented the city. Over the last decade Somerset has established itself as one of the coolest parts of the United Kingdom, and Bath, its crowning glory, has become a hotbed of art, independent retail, and innovative cuisine. Now foodies, fashionistas, and farmers alike flock here for the organic markets and Nordic bakeries, hip natural wine bars, and cult interiors stores.

Myriad must-see museums (the Holburne, the Fashion Museum, Beckford’s Tower) are accompanied by forward-thinking galleries and artisan shops, and you’re as likely to seek out the hottest new gin bar as to sip tea in the Georgian-era Assembly Rooms and Pump House portrayed in Austen’s novels. Thermae Bath Spa, with a steaming rooftop pool, represents a luxurious new epoch for the city’s long legacy of wellness, while on the doorstep are West Country wonders including Cheddar Gorge, and dynamic rural enclaves Bruton and Frome.

Come on weekdays to avoid crowds, or at least aim to see the most popular sights then, giving your weekend days to less obvious spots. Throughout the year, world-class events add another dimension, and rarely a week passes without some variety of cultural festival, from film and comedy to classical music. May’s huge music- and literature-focused Bath Festival, the masked balls of the Jane Austen Festival in September, and the Bath Children’s Literature Festival in October are highlights. Summer is very busy, but joyful, bringing outdoor cinema, nightlife spilling into the streets, and wild swimming in the River Avon. The Christmas run-up is tempting, too, for top-notch shopping and the twinkling Bath Christmas Market.

Bath Skyline Walk

Birdsong and babbling waters replace the acoustics of city life on a 10-kilometre National Trust path through wooded hills around the metropolis. While some cities are ugly from above, Bath’s honey-toned stone buildings and church and abbey spires make it a beautiful sight to survey from this elevated circular route. Leading east through green meadows and flower-filled woodlands, it takes in a kids’ play area and stunning viewpoints.

Quirky guided tours

Choose from dozens of brilliant expert-led tours that reveal hidden aspects of this great city, whether your interest is piqued by its breweries, ghosts, literary history, or food scene. Guided trips by bicycle, canal barge, paddle board, or even hot-air balloon show Bath from a different angle.

Roman Baths by Torchlight

In summer the Roman Baths, some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, usually host torchlit evening sessions, when the flickering flames of torches mounted around its courtyard cast romantic shadows across its milky green pool. A pop-up bar adds to the fun.