Discover the Highlights of Bath this Winter
The beautiful UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath is starting to make its name as a destination synonymous with the festive season, and is certainly the best place in the UK to blow away those winter blues and indulge in a wonderful winter break.
A new 'Winter Highlights' brochure and website are packed with information to help you plan your break - be that a post school holiday break, a pre Christmas shopping expedition, a refreshing New Year spa break or a relaxing getaway in the romantic capital of South West England.
September and October are traditionally the 'wind down' period for holiday destinations after the buzz of the summer period. However, the festival season never stops in Bath, continuing throughout the autumn and winter months, so there is plenty still happening for those of you who prefer to holiday after the children are back at school.
Bath's most famous resident, Jane Austen, is celebrated with her own festival (21 - 30 September), which will see a range of talks, events and concerts at various events throughout the city. Food lovers will be in their element during Bath Food and Drink Fortnight (22 September - 7 October), when many of the best restaurants in the area will be offering special menus and promotions, highlighting their use of the finest locally produced ingredients in the region. Music fans will be enthralled and entertained by two months spent continuously celebrating the works of two of the worlds best loved composers - Bach throughout October, and Mozart throughout November.
Families are always welcome in Bath, and this year sees the fist ever Bath Festival of Children's Literature (21 - 30 September), during which some of the biggest and most creative names from the world of children's publishing will be hosting talks, discussions and readings which are great for the whole family.
Bath is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit and start to plan and prepare for the upcoming festivities. With over 40% independent retailers as well as a full complement of high street stores, a central railway station and aesthetically pleasing streets, shopping in Bath is always a pleasure. The run up to the festive period is an even more special time for this most pleasurable past time, with the addition of Bath Christmas Market (29 November - 9 December), the largest outdoor festive market in the region. 123 traditional wooden chalets adorn the streets in the vicinity of the world renowned Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, with retailers selling everything imaginable for the perfect shopping experience - local and unique crafts, jewellery, clothing, accessories and decorations. Street decorations, musicians, entertainers, a Victorian carousel and warming winter food and drink complement the experience, and no-one could fail to get into the Christmas spirit after a visit to Bath Christmas Market. The Winter Highlights brochure is the official guide to the Christmas Market and includes a full list of the stallholders along with a site plan to help you plan your shopping trip.
If you are hoping to surprise your loved one with a really special gift this Christmas, why not organise a break away to Bath in the New Year? It is easy to organise, with helpful advice from Bath Tourist Information Line (UK: 0906 7112000 (50p/min) Overseas: +44 (0)870 444 6442) and information and online booking facilities at www.Visitbath.co.uk.
New Year is another perfect time for a relaxing break in Bath. Spend some time browsing the designer boutiques and independent shops for that bargain treat, then wind down and recharge in one of the city's wonderful spas. There are three spa hotels in the city as well as Thermae Bath Spa, the modern spa complex right in the heart of the city's shopping district, which utilises the city's most important resource - its naturally warm spring water. With a range of beauty treatments and complementary therapies, Thermae Bath Spa's real 'jewel in it's crown' is it's rooftop pool, from where you can overlook the city, lit with festive lighting, as steam rises from the water you are immersed in - a totall unique and wonderful experience!
With its beautiful architecture and stunning surroundings, fine restaurants and sumptuous accommodation, Bath is a romantic destination at any time of year. Valentines Day is a great time to show your other half just how special they are, and Bath is the perfect place to do it. See the Love Bath section of www.visitbath.co.uk for advice about how to court your lady in the Georgian style, and to find out the best places in Bath to propose!
Whatever your reason for visiting Bath and beyond this winter, you will find all the information you need to plan your visit, online accommodation booking facilities and the chance to order your 'Winter Highlights' brochure at www.visitbath.co.uk/winter.
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Notes to Editors:
For further information please contact Debbie Ponting at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or email: debbie_ponting@bathtourism.co.uk
Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath's destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation's top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath's official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk
For more information about the services that Bath Tourism Plus offers to meetings, conference and incentive travel businesses, see www.bathconference.co.uk
Bath Christmas Market
Bath Tourism Plus is the company responsible for the marketing and operation of Bath Christmas Market, which attracts approximately 200,000 visitors per year to Bath.
For more information about Bath Christmas Market, visit: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.
Event Dates
All event dates other than Bath Christmas Market are not within the control of Bath Tourism Plus, and may be subject to change. All are confirmed as correct at the time of distribution of this press release.
Travel to Bath
Bath is easy to access from all over the UK and the world.
High speed, direct train services operated by First Great Western link Bath Spa train station to London and its major airports. Bath Spa train station is well situated, just 5 minutes level walk into the city centre's main shopping and tourist areas. See: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
Bristol International Airport is just 15 miles from Bath and operates direct flights from New York and Orlando in the USA, as well as most major European and UK airports. An express bus service to Bristol Temple Meads train station operates throughout the day, and Bath is just a 20 minute train journey from there. See: www.bristolairport.co.uk
Bath is also easy to access by car, from junction 18 of the M4 motorway which links Bath to Bristol, London and South Wales.
There are three Park & Ride services on the outskirts of the city which operate fast, frequent services into the city centre, offering a hassle free, cost effective way of reaching the city centre.
Copyright © 2008 Bath Tourism Plus
