Debunking Bath

For many younger people, visiting Bath might not seem like the most exciting holiday you can go on. In fact, for many, there is a stereotype associated with visiting the town that suggests it is suited to older holidaymakers. With it’s gorgeous streets, historic buildings and incredible landscapes, it is arguable that a trip to Bath would suit any traveller. 

you can see what seems like a never ending sprawl of fields, with small villages and towns in the distance

My friends and I were fortunate enough to go to Bath during the summer (albeit conveniently on one of the only rainy weekends we’ve had this time) and properly explore. Bath is the perfect place to visit for a weekend trip, and allows for enough time to comfortably roam the cobbled streets and do the town justice.  

Growing up in London and Dubai, I was absolutely in awe over the town. In the last 45 minutes of the train journey from London, you can see what seems like a never ending sprawl of fields, with small villages and towns in the distance. The closer you get to Bath, you can see classic brown buildings and town houses. For me, just looking at them made me want to move to the suburbs. The area exudes serenity, so would be perfect to go to during reading week or after a stressful set of exams.

the River Avon, which connects up as far as Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa

If you’re looking to properly destress, I would strongly suggest splurging on a visit to the Thermae Bath Spa. Whilst it is a bit pricey, you can go for a lower price on weekdays, and it is definitely worth going to purely for the experience. In the two hours at the spa, you can go to a selection of pools (including the Instagram famous roof pool) and treatment rooms. 

We were amazed by the various treatments you can try, ranging from covering yourself in ice to a space-themed steam room. You can easily fill up the two hours just trying everything the spa has to offer, but if need be you are allowed to pay a bit extra and get an extra hour in. I will say that it is a good idea to go at an off-peak time, if possible, to cut down on queuing times. We went on a Sunday at midday, which is meant to have queues of 45 minutes. Whilst the time did fly by, if you are trying to pack in as much as possible you might want to go early!

For Harry Potter fans, Lacock is certainly worth a look around!

For those of you looking to be a bit more adventurous, Bath Tourism has launched some more ‘unconventional’ things to do in the area. Ranging from hot air balloons to paddle-boarding on the River Avon, which connects up as far as Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa (not that you could go that far!) For those looking for a more historical perspective, there are various different tours, including a Jane Austen themed one in costume, at different price points ranging from free to a bit more. 

If you have a car and the time, you could always drive further out and explore beyond the city. Castle Combe and Lacock are only about half an hour away and offer a wonderful, historic community to discover. For Harry Potter fans, Lacock is certainly worth a look around! As a world heritage site, it is the perfect quaint escape. 

Whether going for a budget staycation or a splurging spa retreat, Bath is the perfect place to explore during your time at university. In particular, if you are with a group of friends with a multitude of interests, you might be able to do a budget visit that meets everyone’s needs.