Holiday Accommodation & Cottages in Bath

This sophisticated city offers some excellent dining options, whether you're looking for upmarket restaurants or a more relaxed dinner. Here are some of the best options.

The Scallop Shell If a place is in contention for being one of the UK’s best fish and chip shops, you know it’s going to be good. This is not your standard battered fare here. On the menu, you’ll find oysters, razor clams, prime cod fillets, and haddock, among many other grade-A seafood options. This is rightly a popular place, so it’s best to book a table in advance.

Henry’s In town for a special occasion? Then Henry’s should be your top dining pick. Located right in the middle of town, it’s an independent restaurant with a menu full of creative dishes, and there’s even a full vegan menu too. If it feels like a local, homey spot, that’s because it is. Here, you’ll be well-received and well-fed: it’s Henry's guarantee.

Your own kitchen You don't have to head out to enjoy a delicious meal when you’re in Bath. Book a holiday cottage with a kitchen, and you’ll be able to cook up your own culinary storm. Bath is known for the deliciousness and freshness of its ingredients, and also specialises in cheese. Put together your own menu, open up a bottle of wine, and enjoy a night in your comfortable and spacious holiday accommodation.

Bath is a lovely, green city, but there is a price to be paid for this lush environment: rain. Bath receives a slightly higher amount of rain than many other areas of England and it can rain on any day of the year. That being said, spring and summer can also see very pleasant weather.

Should the odd shower occur, at least you'll be able to take shelter in your cosy Bath holiday cottage! It’s best to pack waterproof clothing and an umbrella, just in case. Don’t let the prospect of getting wet dampen your enthusiasm for Bath. It’s a gorgeous place to be regardless of the weather.

Bath boasts an array of historic sites, landmarks, and charming shops and cafés that attract more than a million visitors each year. This World Heritage Site city is filled with attractions at every turn, and simply walking the streets is an experience in itself. When you step out of your Bath holiday accommodation, you won't need to travel far before you've reached somewhere interesting.

1. The Roman Baths

Perhaps the most famous attraction in Bath is the Roman Baths, which date back to the 1st century AD. The buildings surrounding the natural springs were added around 200 years ago, and provide a stunning backdrop to the springs. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in England, and while you can no longer step into the soothing water yourself, you’ll be able to imagine what it would have been like in the days when you could.

2. Royal Crescent

After you’ve seen the baths, take a stroll down to Royal Crescent, a magnificent row of beautiful terraced houses that was completed in 1774. This excellently preserved building is one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the country.

3. Royal Victoria Park

Located nearby is Royal Victoria Park, a fantastic park that was first opened in 1830 in honour of Princess Victoria and today features sport facilities, a botanical garden, and open-air concerts.

4. Bath Abbey

Also not to be missed is Bath Abbey, a Gothic style cathedral founded in 1499. Take in the grandeur of its architecture before returning to your Bath holiday letting.

As a city that's steeped in history, it’s little surprise that Bath is home to many museums and galleries.

1. The American Museum

Among the best is the American Museum in Britain, which chronicles American history through representations of art, maps, and other Americana.

2. The Jane Austen Centre

Literary fans will love the Jane Austen Centre, which is dedicated to the author, who lived in Bath. This is a fun museum where fans can recreate their favourite scenes and see what life was like during Austen’s day.

3. The Fashion Museum

Fashionistas should check out the Fashion Museum, which showcases designs and styles from the past 400 years. This is also a good stop for those with children, as there is a dress up room where they can try on clothing from different periods.

4. And some quirkier options...

Bath’s more unusual museums include the Haynes International Motor Museum, located just outside Bath, which has more than 400 cars from throughout motoring history. The Museum of Bath at Work, which explores the different working methods in Bath over the past 2000 years, is another highlight, while postal collectibles and fun, interactive games can be found at the Bath Postal Museum.

With so much to discover in Bath, renting your own Bath holiday cottage is a great option, so that you and your travel companions can rest comfortably after exciting days in the city.

If you’re visiting Bath with children who love to explore they’ll be spoiled for choice. As well as winding streets and hidden closes, there are also some wonderful stately homes and museums to explore. Visit the Somerset Rural Life Museum for some excellent interactive displays and fascinating dioramas, or the Fashion Museum for a dressing-up session!

Adventurous families won’t want to miss the opportunity to go underground at Cheddar Gorge. This spectacular natural cave network features some stunning underground vistas and is great for little explorers. You can even get locked up in a themed escape room!

Venture out to Lucknam Park and children of all ages will be able to try their hand at horse riding, under the supervision of skilled instructors. Grown-ups can join in, or relax in the on-site brasserie and enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea.

Want to indulge your sweet tooth? Try Sally Lunn's, a famous bun and sweetbread maker which has been serving up fresh-baked treats since the 17th Century! A visit to this historic shop involves stepping into one of the oldest buildings still standing in the city, where you can choose to dine in or take away a sticky snack of your choice.

Those visiting Bath with kids can let their little ones burn off any excess energy at Royal Victoria Park. This sprawling park contains not only an excellent playground, but also a range of skate ramps, a seasonal ice rink, mini golf, tennis courts, and botanical gardens. There’s something here for all of the family.

You don't need to look very far to find a cosy, atmospheric pub in Bath. Check out some of these during your stay in your Bath holiday cottage.

The Bell Inn You’ll find The Bell Inn in Bath’s bohemian district, but that doesn’t tell the whole story by any stretch. Situated in an 18th-century coach house, it’s a Bath institution where you’ll find plenty of real ales, live music, and people willing to engage in friendly conversation.

The Star If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, then head on over to The Star, which is just a short walk from The Bell Inn. It’s a centuries-old pub, where not much has changed over the past hundred years. There you’ll find cosy rooms, wooden seats, and numerous ales. It’s a local's favourite for good reason.

Moles If you’re looking to dance, then head over to Moles. It’s an intimate, underground venue that hosts live music six nights of the week. Some huge bands have played this place before they made it big, so you might just see the next Smiths, Blur, or Mumford and Sons take the stage.

The Abbey Churchyard You would think that a churchyard would be an inappropriate place for a drink, but this is no ordinary place. Here, you can drink the famous Bath spring water for a small cost. It might not taste quite as you expect, but that’s just because it’s loaded up with minerals, which many say will give your health a boost. It's a one of a kind Bath experience.

The Somerset region is a beautiful corner of England, which means it's an ideal area for exploring the great outdoors. Get your boots on and get ready for some adventure.

Dyrham Park What could be more magical than spending some time on the grounds of a 17th-century house, as fallow deer freely roam all around? That’s just the experience that awaits you at Dyrham Park, which is about a 8 mile drive from Bath. Head in with some comfortable shoes, and you’ll find plenty to explore, including nature trails and an exquisite garden.

Bath Skyline Walk You don’t have to venture too far to find the great outdoors when you’re visiting Bath, as the city is surrounded by nature. Indeed, one of the best walks in the area begins a short walk from the city centre. The Bath Skyline Walk stretches for some 6 miles and passes ancient woodlands, meadows, and wildlife. It’s all so close to the city that no car is needed; you can just walk back to your holiday lettings.

Exmoor National Park If you have an entire day to spare, then consider taking a trip over to the Exmoor National Park, which is located around eighty miles southwest of Bath. A regional highlight, it has many miles of open woodlands, sea cliffs, waterfalls, and deep valleys. If you’re an adventurer at heart, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and wonder there.

Bath Abbey

A prime example of magnificent Gothic architecture, Bath Abbey is a stone’s throw from the River Avon and the famous Roman Baths.

Theatre Royal Bath

Built in 1805 in the Georgian style, this impressive theatre forms the core of the town’s cultural scene. Catch a variety of performances here including drama and dance.

Pulteney Bridge

Completed in 1774, this beautiful structure is unusual in that it’s lined with traditional boutiques and cafés.

Prior Park Landscape Gardens

Created by the renowned 18th-century poet, Alexander Pope and landscape designer, Capability Brown, these stunning gardens are set within a valley outside Bath. They're a great spot for a picnic or a stroll on a sunny day.

Royal Crescent

Royal Crescent hosts one of the country’s most attractive rows of terraced houses, numbering 30 in total. Admire the fine Georgian architecture and the ha-ha, a wall which spans the lawns.