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In the first of a new series of ‘A local’s guide to…’ blog posts, Kate Taylor from Bath tells us about her favourite places in the city and her top tips.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m an engineer and a working mum of 2. I love holidays, food and wineries!
How long have you lived in Bath?
I’ve lived in Bath with my family for a year and a half.
If a visitor only had one day in Bath how would you recommend they spend it?
They should do a walk round the city hotspots – the Royal Crescent, The Circus, Bath Assembly Rooms, the little streets in the city centre, Pulteney bridge/weir. The walk could also include part of the canal (which includes some good back garden nosing of posh houses). A trip to the Thermae Spa and lunch somewhere in town would be ace.
What is your favourite local food dish?
Bath soft cheese!
Where are your favourite places to eat in Bath?
The Bath Priory, the Gainsborough or Sotto Sotto for top nosh, Dough for excellent pizza, Pollocks for the best fish and chips, Rui for intriguing Chinese, The Ivy for brunch with the girls, Pintxos for raucous tapas, Hall and Woodhouse with the family, Bath Soft Cheese for an afternoon snack and play with kids, Newton St Loes farm shop or The Old Crown in Kelston or the Bathwick Boatman for a Sunday roast. There are too many places!
What is your favourite coffee shop in Bath?
Colonna and Smalls is good but very hipster, Picnic by the Park, Chelsea Road cafe.
Where are your favourite drinking spots?
The Locksbrook, The Ivy and Hare and Hounds.
Do you have any favourite walks?
We discovered a recent walk to Newton St Loes from Lower Weston which was all off-road and pretty easy. And we rewarded ourselves with a roast at the end 🙂
Sydney Gardens at the end of Great Pulteney Street, and the Skyline are also brilliant. The Skyline has a fairy door section where little ones can find lots of fairy doors (complete with glittery fairy dust at the doorstep!) which is a great thing to do in Bath with kids. Or we just walk along the river out west and back along the Bristol/Bath cycle path.
Where is your perfect place to relax?
Bath Priory – a great spa and beautiful gardens, The Pig, The Botanical Gardens – just Victoria Park generally in summer.
Where is your favourite spot to watch sunset?
Our house! We have a west-facing garden and kitchen so we get amazing sunsets and the light hitting the Bath stone on the nearby houses looks truly spectacular.
What are your favourite shops in Bath?
Mr B’s Emporium is amazing (bookshop) as is the Waterstones actually. Fine Cheese Company is brilliant and stocks a huge amount and the Guildhall has lots of quirky shops. The Fig Store on Walcot St is a little gem too.
Which is your favourite neighbourhood in Bath?
Probably my own but I’m biased (Newbridge / Lower Weston) – great shops and cafes on Chelsea Road, family community, pubs nearby, the park is only 15 minutes walk away, and you’re in the countryside in less than a few minutes by car.
Is there anywhere / anything you think is overrated or would recommend to avoid?
The Thermae Spa can be VERY busy so I would say go mid week to avoid the crowds/tourists. The Roman Baths are incredible but again are somewhat spoilt by the crowds so get there mid-week, at opening time, out of school holidays.
What is the best way to get around the city?
Walking/cycling as the city centre is so compact. Buses are expensive as is car-parking.
Any other tips for visitors?
Warleigh Weir is amazing in the summer but tends to get very busy. Get there early on a summer’s morning, preferably mid-week, and you’ll almost have it to yourselves. Read Northanger Abbey before/while you visit for a taste of Bath in Jane Austen’s era.
Thanks Kate for all these amazing recommendations!
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