Classy, cultural Bath in southwest England is famous for its exquisite architecture and Bridgerton backdrops.
While the Roman Baths and Georgian Royal Crescent are must-see sights, there’s also a cool, contemporary city to explore. True, the city can be expensive. However, avoiding peak times brings accommodation prices down. Moreover, with superb shops, arts and music venues and some surprising outdoor activities, Bath presents an appealing destination for couples and friends alike.
Tour Bridgerton Filming Locations
When it premiered in late 2020, Bridgerton quickly became Netflix’s biggest-ever series. A record 82 million households watched in the first month. Set in Regency London, the show was filmed extensively in Bath, where city buildings are clearly identifiable behind the action.
The Visit Bath website lists the locations, allowing you to embark on a self-guided tour that includes Lady Danbury’s mansion, the home of the Featheringtons, and the Assembly Rooms, which served as the settings for those lavish balls. Alternatively, consider a guided tour with BritMovie Tours for an anecdote-filled, two-hour promenade through Bath’s iconic Bridgerton locations, spiced with scandal, naturally.
Soak Like a Roman in a Rooftop Pool
Bath was born of geothermal springs which flow from the earth at a toasty 46°C (114ºF). Those arch lovers of luxury, the Romans, spotted their potential and built a state-of-the-art bathhouse. Almost two centuries later, the Thermae Bath Spa invites you to blissfully float in mineral-rich waters.
The complex offers massage jets, whirlpools, an ice chamber, and steam rooms, but the big draw is the open-air rooftop pool. Schedule an evening session, and you could be soaking under the stars while taking in views of illuminated rooftops as the steam rises all around.
Experience the Roman Baths
Although the Roman Baths are undeniably a tourist attraction, they hold the key to unlocking both Bath’s rich history and the city you see today. The Romans constructed this sumptuous bathing complex in 70AD, and today, the cluster of atmospheric pools, courtyards, and exhibits come to life through projections, soundscapes, and CGI displays.
Located next to a temple dedicated to the healing goddess Sulis-Minerva, the Roman Baths reflect the historical significance of geothermal waters and health that has contributed to Bath’s prosperity over centuries.
Delight in the Royal Crescent
An exquisite semicircle of grand honey-colored homes, Bath’s Royal Crescent is another cannot-miss sight. The terrace of 30 houses sweeps for 150 meters around a manicured lawn and was built between 1767 and 1775.
This gorgeous place inevitably featured as a backdrop in Bridgerton. One of the houses, the museum No 1 Royal Crescent, served as the Featheringtons’ home. Plan a visit to admire lavish Georgian furnishings and explore the pots and pans of the servants’ quarters, enhanced by digital projections and soundscapes that have brought the story of the house and its residents to life since its June 2021 reopening.
Discover the Circus & the Georgian Gardens
After visiting the Royal Crescent, many visitors take in the Circus en route from the city center, often missing its intriguing insight into Bath’s past. A ring of 33 graceful townhouses split into three semicircular terraces, the Circus features beautiful stonework adorned with intricate emblems.
Nearby lies one of Bath’s unsung sights: the Georgian Garden, restored to resemble a typical town garden from around 1760, providing a rare glimpse into life beyond Bath’s grand facades.
Clamber Up Bath Abbey’s Tower
Bath’s architectural wonders entice visitors to trace paths from the Roman Baths to the Georgian Royal Crescent. However, the best way to fully appreciate these exquisite buildings is to look down on them from the roof of Bath Abbey.
During the medieval abbey’s Tower Tours, visitors climb 212 steps, navigate a stone spiral staircase, and weave past bell ropes to emerge onto the roof for panoramic views. Here, the city’s architecture and layout unfolds like a giant animated map.
Enjoy Superb Shopping
Bath’s shops are among the finest in the west. High-quality independent stores line the narrow lanes just north of Bath Abbey, while Milsom St is perfect for upmarket fashion. The SouthGate shopping center offers all the popular high street brands.
Bookworms will appreciate Mr B’s Emporium and Topping & Co, the latter boasting rolling library ladders and complimentary coffee. Additionally, Walcot St, known as the city’s artisan quarter, features the Bath Aqua Glass outlet, the workshop of celebrated weaver Katherine Fraser, and the delightfully aromatic Fine Cheese Co shop and café.
See a Film in an Art Deco Cinema
In a city rich in history, it’s fitting that one of its independent movie spaces is historic too. The Little Theatre Cinema was built by community theater pioneers in 1935, originally screening newsreels and documentaries.
With a second screen added, it now focuses on art house films and foreign language cinema. Moreover, it holds special screenings designed for autism, toddlers, children, and dementia, all while maintaining its classic art deco atmosphere.
