Nick’s guidebook of Bath

Since the Roman times Bath has been famous for its mineral - rich waters, the Thermae Spa offers the most natural, indulgent and soothing Spa experience. It is essential to book tickets and treatments as it is super popular: https://www.thermaebathspa.com The Thermae Bath Spa do not accept bookings for the use of the spa. It is advised that you arrive as early as possible, to minimise time queuing. On weekends, the least busy time to enter the Spa is opening time at 9am. Note: Treatments will need to be booked in advance, directly with the Thermae Bath Spa 01225 331234

Join the Bertinet team for a fabulous life changing cookery course, the courses range from one day to a week. www.thebertinetkitchen.com

We love to walk into Bath, either along the Kennet and Avon canal, up the hills of Camden and Lansdown or along the level along the London Road. Fast buses into Bath via London Road: X31, X72, 3, 3A Bath Spa railway station has regular fast trains to Bristol, London, Wales and South to Devon/Cornwall Tickets and timetables can be found via trainline: www.thetrainline.com Local Taxi company telephone numbers are: Abbey Taxis: 01225 444 444 Roman Bath Private Hire: 01225 484 346 Chauffeur Travel: 01225 463404 National express to London/Heathrow: www.nationalexpress.com

If you are planning to relax at the Thermae Spa then please bring your swimming costume/flip flops. If you plan to walk on the Cotswold way then pack walking boots and wet weather gear.

The Mayor of Bath Guides are completely free (they won’t accept tips) and are manned by volunteers. They will lead you on two daily 2-hour tours of Bath taking in the main sights as well as other places of interest to their groups and the tour leader’s area of expertise. They work to welcome visitors to Bath on behalf of the Mayor and have been doing so since 1934! http://www.bathguides.org.uk/

Whatever time of year you are here, there is always something street side that creates ambience and excitement throughout the city. The Bath Carnival is here during July adding colour to the city, whilst the Jane Austen festival follows in September and brings a traffic stopping smile to Bath. Street artists are here all year around with their puzzling art and street sculpture trails add free family fun. Christmas market runs from Mid November into December and is free if you browse but there are lots of amazing stalls to tempt you! https://visitbath.co.uk/

Victoria Art Gallery holds frequent and often modern exhibitions. It is proud of its free tag and welcomes residents and visitors alike. You can also grab a free art store tours with a gallery curator if booked in advance. https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/

You can’t come to Bath without sampling some of the world’s finest architecture. A bold claim you might say but we don’t exaggerate, UNESCO, who are kind of a big deal have listed the city as a World Heritage Site which means Bath is of ‘outstanding universal value’. Whatever the season, or the weather you won’t fail to spot something new in its intricate and considered design of The Royal Crescent and on each and every visit an impressive view. Take in The Circus and Great Pulteney Street too and you can easily imagine life here as a Georgian. http://www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

One of our favourite things to do in bath for free, the Skyline is a National Trust signed walk that gives you some of the best views of the city. Bath’s unique geography offers a flat-lay look at the city with breath-taking views that includes Capability Brown’s Prior Park famous bridge. It will also keep you fit as there will be a hill to tackle before you start, but believe you us, there is no pain without gain…..this walk comes highly recommended. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bath-skyline

No list of things to do in bath for free would be complete without mentioning the Abbey! Bath’s city status relies upon it having an Abbey. And what a glorious example of Victorian gothic architecture it is! Whether you are visiting to worship or to soak up its unique atmosphere and marvel at its sheer scale we’d recommend a look inside its vast doors. It’s the final stop at the end of the Cotswold way too so a welcome sight for many a walker. http://www.bathabbey.org/visiting-abbey

The Two Tunnels is part of a 13 mile circular route that Sustrans, the English walking and cycling route organisation, worked to open in 2013. The route starts in central Bath, takes in the now iconic Two Tunnels along the old Somerset and Dorset rail line, and includes the Combe Down tunnel, a dark but lit long mile, making it the longest cycling and walking tunnel in the UK. http://www.twotunnels.org.uk Bike hire at Green Park: www.greenparkbikestation.info

Sally Lunn's opened in 1680: www.sallylunns.co.uk Sweet Little Things: 6 Lower Borough Walls BA1 1UQ Colonna and Smalls: www.colonnaandsmalls.co.uk Cafe Lucca Bartlett Street: www.cafelucca.co.uk The Royal Crescent hotel: www.royalcrescent.co.uk The Bath Priory: www.thebathpriory.co.uk Commins Tea: www.comminstea.com - loose tea specialists

Comptoir+Cuisine: www.comptoirpluscuisine.com Wine, champagne and small plates in bijoux club environment King William: www.kingwilliampub.com Georgian traditional pub, delicious food and local ales The Canary Gin Bar: www.thebathgincompany.co.uk Beckford Bottle Shop: www.beckfordbottleshop.com