A UNESCO World Heritage Site in toto and most English of English towns, Bath welcomes close to 4 million tourists per annum. Quite a feat for a place with under 85,000 residents. If you want to blend with some of the locals and have a good time in the process, discover some worthwhile points of interest and events in the Somerset gem.

River Avon, Bath – Photo credit

Nosh Well, for a Song

Though Bath and Somerset have some fine Michelin star restaurants, a memorable and affordable breakfast, lunch, elevenses or dinner is never far away.

Jika Jika
4a Princes Buildings, George Street

A perfect coffee house and canteen for hungry locavores and fair trade fanatics. Rugby star Lee Mears, of all people, is the owner.

Same Same But Different
7a Princes Buildings, entrance Bartlett Street

A convivial, casual spot with inventive food and bold décor.

Best Of British Organic Delicatessen
12 Broad Street

All organic, all local, Best of British churns out stellar sandwiches and sinful desserts.

Yak Yeti Yak
12 Pierrepont Street

A superb, no-frills basement curry shop with explicit Nepalese overtones.

The Fine Cheese Company
29 & 31 Walcot Street

Artisan cheese is the obvious star at The Fine Cheese Company, a twee café where the menu is chock full of comfort food faves.

Find a Fest

Bath Coffee Festival
May 21-22, 2011

Forget tea at Sally Lunn’s (locals do) and discover one of the best festivals solely devoted to that other beverage.

Bath International Music Festival
May 25 – June 5, 2011

A calendar staple since 1948, the Bath International Music Festival is wildly eclectic and inclusive.

Bath Fringe Festival
May 27 – June 12, 2001

For almost every International Music Festival, there is a counterculture, anti-establishment rebuke. In Bath, that would be the Fringe Festival, which welcomes and advocates the avant-garde.

Bath Food & Drink Festival
July 2011, 2011

The wonderful Bath Food & Drink Festival celebrates Somerset’s top class ensemble of farmers and purveyors. A must for those of us who like to know where our food comes from.

Bath Christmas Market
November – December, 2011

England is not quite as gung-ho in the Christmas market department as Germany but Bath’s annual yuletide bash, which features over 120 stalls, is jolly good fun.

Culture & Nightlife

Ustinov Studio at Theatre Royal Bath
Sawclose

Built in 1997 and fresh off a 15-month refurbishment in 2006, the Ustinov Studio is a terrific showcase for alternative theatre in Bath.

The Little Theatre
1-2 St. Michaels Place

The Little Theatre is just the place for arthouse and foreign film lovers.

Moles
14 George Street

Moles is, simply put, the home of the best live new music and late night DJs in Bath.

Thermae Bath Spa
The Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath Street

Thermae Spa from Bath Abbey – Photo credit

You can visit Bath without a dip in the city’s namesake feature – but why? The Thermae Bath Spa is the only natural thermal spa in Britain and is open every night until 10:00 p.m.

The Hop Pole
7 Albion Buildings, Upper Bristol Road

The best late-night pub in Bath, bar none.

Bed Bath & Beyond

The Royal Crescent Hotel Bath
16 Royal Crescent

The Royal Crescent is a luxury Relais & Chateaux property and not a shabby spot to sleep in a UNESCO World Heritage city.

Windsor Guest House Bath
69 Great Pulteney Street

Make a handsome home away from home in a Grade 1 landmark and five star bed and breakfast.

Hilton City Hotel Bath
Walcot Street

View from Hilton City Hotel Bath – Photo credit

If you prefer a spacious, traditional hotel with posh perks, the Hilton on the River Avon is your best option in Bath.

Mercure Bath Francis Hotel
Queen Square

A beautiful Georgian property with contemporary style.

Pratt’s Hotel Bath – A Forestdale Hotel
South Parade

Pratt’s is a comfortable, affordable choice in the heart of the city.

Popularity: 1% [?]