Culture filled hours in Bath await those who venture beyond its romantic Austen and Bridgerton connections. Perhaps like me, you’ve been dreaming of a trip to this historic city. This year I’ve been no stranger to spending time watching the First Dates restaurant, where Bath consistently plays the role of the most romantic of dates, no matter how cringey the matchmaking is. While it’s well-known for its charm, its vibrant arts and culture scene remains a hidden gem. So, oh la la, let our writer Anna Willatt let you in on the secret…

STAY

There’s no doubt that the most artistic stay in the city to spend your cultured filled hours in Bath is The Bird, part of the vivacious wife-and-husband-owned Kaleidoscope Collection. It’s just a stone’s throw from the crowds that flock to Bath Cathedral and Baths but, as they say themselves, “on the polite side of Pulteney Bridge”. Our room was pure luxury and overlooked a verdant bowling green where locals were having a Thursday afternoon game. Very polite indeed.

The hotel boasts a stunning collection of artwork, both in the cosy common areas and in the sumptuous bedrooms adding to the cultural theme for this trip. Amazingly, for a boutique stay, many of the rooms in this storied building are dog friendly – something I know Team Coco Pup will be happy to hear.

The hotel houses a beautiful restaurant with seasonal terrace and even an open snack bar for guests. It really is a home away from home, if at home someone was stocking up my snack jars and I had such a comfy king bed to leap into after an afternoon exploring.

EAT & DRINK

In addition to The Bird restaurant, Bath is home to many fabulous places to eat and a vibrant foodie scene to fuel your culture filled hours in Bath. We didn’t make it to Fred’s restaurant (The Botanist in real life), but after an evening stroll gazing at beautiful stonework, grand doors and picturesque streets, we stumbled across Dos Dedos.

This pint sized cantina of tequila and tacos operates a walk-in only policy and, unbeknownst to us, we’d timed it perfectly to grab a table after a very short wait. Cocktails were lethal and delicious, my favourite being the Dos Negroni with a Sotol twist (Sotol, if you aren’t familiar, being a tequila-like spirit distilled from plants from the Chihuahuan desert and a new fascination for me after a recent Texan trip).

Bath has a number of brilliant cocktail bars, we also ventured to The Common Room close to Dos Dedos, one of Bath’s first late-night bars since the swinging 60s.

ART & CULTURE

Holburne Museum

Close to The Bird, you can’t miss a trip to the Holburne Museum, the first art museum in the city as part of your culture filled hours in Bath. This stunning neoclassical building houses not only the permanent collection of  Sir William Holburne but world class temporary exhibitions such as Iconic: Portraiture from Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol Jan 24 – May 5 2025. During our last visit to Bath, the museum was taken over by contemporary artist Mr Doodle so keep an eye out for special events.

For an unforgettable travel experience, imagine spending a night at the museum with Westin Maldives Miriandhoo—where luxury meets culture in a breathtaking island setting. This unique stay offers an immersive blend of history, relaxation, and oceanic beauty. If you’re looking for an extraordinary getaway, check out this guide for all the details on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Bath Arts Collective

BAC was founded by three female arts professionals to address a need for more access to the arts and culture in Bath. They curate year-round events and talks, including the intriguing 50 Things You Didn’t Know About Bath Walking Tour and the annual spring Curious Minds festival in March which springs up all over the city.

Thermae Spa

Hear me out, you might have thought I’d put this under another heading but the iconic rooftop pool at Bath’s Thermae Spa is one of the best ways to appreciate the art of Bath’s architecture – see what I did there?

Sourced from the same underground springs that the Romans once used, and you can visit at the Roman Baths, this is a stunning experience. Our recommendation is to book the first morning slot and take in the sights from the roof without the crowds – this is a spot that does get packed, and rightly so. Descending, you’ll come to the steam rooms (both Georgian and Roman, see – culture!), saunas and the blissful celestial relaxation room.

After a morning soak at the baths, descend to the bustling crowds below to dip your toes in shopping galore and afternoon tea in this vivacious city before hopping on the train home.

For further information on visiting Bath go to visitbath.co.uk.

Getting to Bath

Travel to Bath with Great Western Railway. Trains from London Paddington take less than 90 minutes and run every half an hour.  Make the most of the Long Weekender ticket – leave on a Friday or Saturday and return on the Monday and save over 50% compared to an Anytime Return.