With so many ways to brighten up your day in Bath, you can bid the blues goodbye!
Bath and its surrounding countryside is a top destination for wellness and wellbeing, thanks to the natural thermal waters and spas – it’s one of the main reasons the city is the only place in the UK designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are also many more things you can do to feel good, in addition to the relaxing spas. Whether dining out and unwinding in cafés or exploring independent shops; whiling away an afternoon in one of our museums, getting fresh air in the countryside, or enjoying one of the city’s lively festivals and watching live sport or theatre performances, there are plenty of ways to feel good in Bath.
Whether you indulge in a spa offer in one of the city’s luxurious hotels, learn a new skill in a craft workshop or feel revitalised on a wellbeing walk, have a refreshing and restorative break in Feel-Good Bath.
It’s no secret that an active lifestyle makes us feel better and, in Bath, there are plenty of ways to achieve just that. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful countryside, providing the perfect outdoors escape.
Stroll through Prior Park Landscape Garden as the Georgians did, or get on your bike with Bath Cycle Tours and cycle along the scenic waterside path of the Kennet and Avon Canal. There are plenty of invigorating walking routes on offer, including the Bath Skyline walk, which takes you past an ancient hillfort, through enchanting forests and along hidden trails, with spectacular views over the city.
With guided and hire options available for canoes, rowing boats, stand-up paddleboards and day boats, make a splash on the canal and look out for water wildlife on the way – you might even spot a kingfisher!
Ever since the Romans first harnessed the healing powers of its mineral-rich thermal springs, Bath has been a resort for relaxation. Home to Britain’s only natural thermal waters, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to spas in Bath.
Take a dip in the rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa and enjoy sensational 360-degree views of the city. The ideal place to unwind, Bath has a number of sophisticated spa hotels to choose from. Combine your visit with a luxurious stay at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, The Bath Priory Hotel or Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, which all offer a restful retreat and five-star facilities.
To incorporate some pampering into a day of sightseeing, why not pop into one of Bath’s day spas? Frontlinestyle, an award-winning hair salon and day spa, is the perfect place to unwind.
Nurture your wellbeing with a stay at Combe Grove, and don't forget to make the most of the hotel's onsite wellness facilities, including spa hydro beds, sauna, steam room, tennis courts and swimming pool.
Bath has always been a show-stoppingly stylish city, and its fantastic selection of shops makes for a rewarding day of retail therapy. From big brands to quirky independents, Bath is a shopper’s paradise.
Start your shopping spree at SouthGate Bath, where you can find high-street favourites before heading to the Guildhall Market, Bath’s oldest shopping venue, to seek out some treasures. Every Saturday, the superb Bath Farmers’ Market comes to Green Park Station, whilst Milsom Street is home to Jolly’s, the UK’s first department store. Explore the Artisan Quarter on Walcot Street and you will find a vibrant, eclectic collection of characterful independents offering everything from vintage clothes to designer homeware.
Bath is the perfect place to nurture yourself, both physically and mentally.
For meat-free menus, book a table at Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen to sample Richard Buckley’s adventurous plant-based plates or have a relaxed lunch at the Chapel Arts Café, where they serve hearty salad plates, delicious flat breads with a variety of toppings and a selection of freshly baked cakes, guaranteed to hit the spot after a morning of shopping.
Learn to whip up healthy dishes at home at Demuths Cookery School. Originally founded by professional chef Rachel Demuth, a pioneer of vegetarian and vegan cooking, Demuths teach a variety of cuisines from Mediterranean to Mexican.
You can expand your mind and learn new skills with fun classes and fascinating museums in Bath.
Get your hands messy at one of Bath's many cookery schools - you’ll find everything from vegetarian cuisine and breadmaking to butchery and foraging on their varied schedules. Learn how to distil gin with The Bath Gin Company or shake up a storm in a cocktail-making class at Sub 13. Get crafty and blow baubles with a glass-making course at Bath Aqua Glass, try your hand at needle punch embroidery with Julia Davey, or zone out and learn the art of meditation in a tranquil and restorative class at The Soul Spa.
Treat yourself to a mindful stroll around one of Bath's many museums - get lost in history at No.1 Royal Crescent, enjoy fascinating art in a majestic setting at The Holburne Museum and discover the life of one of Bath's most famous residents at The Jane Austen Centre.
If you want to relax, rejuvenate and refresh during your stay in Bath, there are plenty of great accommodation options.
The stunning eighteenth-century manor house of Combe Grove, set in 76 acres of woodland, boasts a leisure club and spa, meaning there are lots of opportunities to either get active or lie back and relax.
As a spa city, there is no shortage of spa hotels in Bath. Bathe in natural, thermal waters at The Gainsborough Bath Spa, recharge in The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa’s vitality pool, or indulge in a treatment at The Bath Priory Hotel.
Take the stress out of travelling by taking the train and admire the picturesque rural scenery as you speed through the countryside surrounding Bath.
Bath Spa Station is conveniently located in the heart of the city centre, just a short walk away from Bath’s shops and attractions. One of Bath's many charms is the fact that the city is so easily navigated on foot, making train travel a smart option for a stress-free city break.
Great Western Railway serves the city and South West region with regular high-speed services from London Paddington, taking just 90 minutes to deliver you to the heart of Bath. Plan ahead by booking one of their inexpensive advance fares and leave the car at home.
As part of making Bath a truly Feel-Good city, Visit Bath is proud to work with Bath Mind.
Bath Mind are a local and independently run mental health charity, working to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems and ensuring that anyone in the region has somewhere to turn to for advice and support. Bath Mind provide services for people experiencing poor mental health and those who want to maintain or improve their wellbeing.
Bath Mind's vision is for a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all, and one which treats people with experience of mental distress fairly, positively and with respect. Social inclusion is at the heart of everything they do.
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