Visiting Bath and not sure where to go? I’ve pounded the streets, gone on the tours and eaten the goodies to help you decide! The historic city of Bath literally has an endless list of things on offer, and Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is only a short stroll from the busy city centre, making it the perfect base to explore from. This top 10 guide has lots of variety, so you’re sure to find something to tickle your fancy!
1. The Pump Room
The perfect place for a taste of the high life! The Pump Room is steeped in history with a range of meals available. You can dip your toe into tradition here and have the Traditional Pump Room Afternoon Tea, with cakes, scones and an option of champagne (it’s a must really, not an option). Relax with a cuppa and listen to The Pump Room Trio set the scene with their elegant string music.
2. The Cork Pub
With a total contrast to The Pump Room, The Cork Pub offers classic pub food and is highly recommended by both locals and tourists, with its two resident bars under one roof, and al-fresco dining area, as well as a beautiful conservatory eating area too. The historic building was originally a debtors prison, and the pub makes full use of the cellar with The Vaults bar where you can enjoy live music, comedy acts and magicians while sampling a fancy cocktail.
3. Vintage Classic Car Tour
Explore Bath in luxury with the Vintage Classic Car Tour, hire anything from a Jaguar E-Type, Alfa Romeo to a Morris Minor (the car of choice for our family, with mum having her green convertible Cilla. Her partner has a real Metropolitan Police Morris Minor among his collection, along with his three sons who all have at least one each!). So jump in a classic car and race (responsibly and within the speed limit please!) through the streets of Bath!
4. Bath Escape – Detective Tours
Take a walk around the historic city, seeing the sights and sounds while solving an exciting murder mystery! Very popular with families and teenagers (those moody years were hard!) you can solve the riddles as a group and move to the next landmark, don the Sherlock Holmes hat and put your deduction skills to the test while enjoying the beautiful Royal Victoria Park!
5. Hidden Gardens of Bath
The tour to go on if you love nosing around other peoples are gardens. Marvel at the beauty and the history of this wonderful city as well as exploring the best hidden places around. See the beauty behind the city in the private gardens of hotels and stately homes.
6. Bath Narrowboat
Fancy a slow and relaxing self guided tour of Bath from the river? Bath Narrowboat is for you, tour along the Kennet and Avon Cannals and see the city from just around the river bend! Don’t want to be the captain of your own Ragdoll? (Rosie and Jim reference!) Well no worries, enjoy an evening out on John Rennie’s Restaurant Boat, sit back and relax while someone else steers and enjoy the good food and scenic views.
7. The Makery
The Makery is a crafters dream! They run workshops for all ages and abilities, learn everything from sewing to jewellery making. The shop is stacked full of ribbon, buttons and knick knacks ( a Borrower’s heaven!). There is also a fantastic glassmaking workshop where you come home with a cool handmade (by you!) paperweight!
8. Bath’s Fashion Museum
This is a fashionista’s dream destination, a free audio guide helps you travel through 100 years of couture. With works by Vivenne Westwood and Anna Suri, the museum also has over 30 original 18th Century outfits too. End the tour with a fun children and adult (yay!) Victorian dress up area, with the option of a vintage photo shoot to take home too!
9. Royal Victoria Park
The park was opened in 1830 by an 11 year old Princess Victoria (wow!), beautiful gardens, flowers, trees and water features galore in the expanse of greenery. There is also plenty to do for the younger and more sporty ones with a skateboarding ramp and tennis courts, as well as a boating pond, children’s play area and 9 acre botanical gardens to explore. Also the option of a 12 or 18 hole golf course, as well as a putting green to practice on too! Keep a look out of Bailey’s Balloons and see the city from a birds eye view in a hot air balloon ride!
10. Roman Baths
This is probably the most famous attraction in Bath, the award winning audio guide will travel through the history with you. Enjoy the short demonstrations on the people of Aquae Sulis who lived just down the river, marvel at the temple pediment in the Roman Baths Museum, and see the strangely beautiful Gorgon’s Head statue, which was a symbol of the Goddess of Sulis Minerva (not Professor McGonagall Potterheads!). Goddess Minerva was worshipped at the temple over 2000 years ago! See the private alters with tributes and sacrifices to the image of the Goddess Luna (notice a theme here?). And lastly visit the great bath, the scared spring and the spring overflow and watch the fantastic Roman drainage system in action (what did the Roman’s ever do for us?) A fun and history filled day out.
So the next time you are visiting Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, either for a day stop in one of our unique Norland Lodges or a full weeks holiday in a larger family lodge, you wont be lost of things to do!