Where is the best place to stay in Bath?
By Maya Mehrara. July 14, 2023
Bath is the crown jewel of the English countryside located in North East Somerset. Once known as the Monte Carlo of England in the 19th century, Bath is now recognized as the place where the Netflix series Bridgerton is filmed. The UNESCO World Heritage site offers tourists the chance to enjoy the exciting activities that bustling cities have to offer while taking in the flourishing greenery of the countryside. Known for housing Georgian architecture, ancient Roman baths, and novelist Jane Austen, Bath will allow you to immerse yourself in history. Bath offers tourists the chance to combine adventure with wellness.
In order to experience everything that Bath has to offer, you should stay in the city centre. Accommodations in the heart of the city will allow you to have walking-distance access to all of the popular attractions, including Bath Abbey, the Assembly Rooms, the Royal Pump Room, No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum, the Jane Austen Centre, Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum, and more. With great boutiques, brilliantly curated museums, and fantastic dining options to suit various dietary needs, the heart of Bath has everything you want and more. Find accommodations in the city centre and embrace the historic city.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Bath, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you are interested in where to stay in Bath, you may also be interested in where to stay in Bristol, where to stay in Brighton, where to stay in York and where to stay in London.
City Centre, the best area to stay in Bath
Best for—
Urban Stay / Museums / Nightlife
Solo travellers, couples, and families can enjoy a stay in the heart of Bath. Bath’s city centre has something for everyone: independent shops, museums, parks, restaurants, pubs, and more. History buffs, shopaholics, and foodies will love the accommodations found in the city centre. Although you would assume that city centres are typically overcrowded, the heart of Bath is just the opposite.
The elegant Georgian and Neoclassical Palladian buildings are evenly spread out, making the area more spacious and easier to explore. The main attractions are in close proximity to one another, so you don’t need to worry about transportation. You can visit the city’s boutiques, have afternoon tea at the famous Royal Pump Room, and explore the 2,000-year-old Roman Baths all in one afternoon.
There are numerous hotels to choose from. Ranging from affordable to luxury, these old townhouses and modern mansions will provide you with a comfortable stay.
Other areas to stay in Bath
Walcot
Best for—
Couples / Shopping / Live Entertainment
Northeast of the city centre, Walcot is the place for shoppers and artists to stay. Known as Bath’s Artisan Quarter, you can purchase unique craft goods or have a drink at one of the cocktail bars. At the flea market organized on the weekends, you can find vintage vinyl records and pre-owned books.
You can make your way to the Rossiters of Bath, an independent department store, to purchase exclusively British goods such as furniture and home decor and then venture to Didi Cupcakes for a sweet treat. You can also visit the Bath Canoe Club to rent gear or go canoeing or kayaking with a group on the River Avon. To hear live music and have a bite to eat, visit The Bell Inn, a free house and pub owned and operated by the community.
Nearby accommodations range from modern hotel chains to chic repurposed villas and Georgian buildings.
Camden
Best for—
Families / Historical Sites / Parks
Camden is the perfect place for nature lovers and travellers seeking a lush countryside getaway. A historic neighbourhood, the green sanctuary is located in the northern hills of the city. Camden houses the famous historical site, Camden Crescent, which is made up of 22 houses built by John Eveleigh in 1788.
The homes were famously mentioned in Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion. Comprised of charming Georgian and Victorian homes, Camden Crescent lies adjacent to Hedgemead Park. The Victorian hillside park is perfect for outdoorsy tourists, as it offers incredible views of the city and the River Avon. You can walk through the park or you can set up a picnic and just enjoy the scenery. You can also visit Town +House by Always Sunday, a 200-year-old family and pet-friendly gastropub and cocktail bar with live music.
Local hotels include reasonably priced boutique lodges and town houses with spacious rooms and fine dining.
Larkhall
Best for—
Pub Hopping / Thrift Shopping / Theatre
If you’re a free spirit, Larkhall is the place for you. The bohemian residential suburb northeast of the city centre is known for its quirky bookshops, eclectic stores, and restaurants (cuisine options including Thai, French, and Chinese).
The suburb also draws music lovers as it has beautiful views of Solsbury Hill, an Iron Age hill fort made famous by Peter Gabriel’s 1977 hit of the same name. You can hear live music or see fringe theatre at The Rondo Theatre. For a delicious meal, you can go to The Rose and Crown, an affordable Victorian gastropub right in the centre of the village. The restaurant’s expansive menu can suit various dietary needs (including vegan and vegetarian), and they are known for their Sunday roast and large selection of wines, ales, and ciders.
Local hotels include apartment-style period homes that have been refurbished to provide you with a luxurious stay.
Weston
Best for—
History Buffs / Budget-Friendly / Wellness
With its rich medieval history, Weston is the perfect place for travellers with a love for history to venture to. The suburb is separated from the city centre by Royal Victoria Park. A calm residential neighbourhood filled with Georgian houses, Weston is a quiet oasis on the outskirts of the city.
You can watch a cricket match at the Lansdown Cricket Club, one of the oldest clubs in England. You can also have a spa day complete with a two-course lunch, champagne, and various spa treatments at The Bath Priory, a hotel that has the only spa sponsored by L’Occitane in the UK. You can also make your way to The Old Crown, a 300-year-old pub in the heart of Weston that has a beer garden, an expansive menu, trivia, and open mic nights.
Nearby hotels include historic estates converted into modern havens with a variety of amenities.
Bear Flat
Best for—
Fine Dining / The Outdoors / City Views
Bear Flat, located south of the city centre is the top destination for foodies in Bath. High Street is known for its numerous independent cafes, pubs, and restaurants. If you want to treat your taste buds to a night in paradise, you can visit Menu Gordon Jones.
With a renowned tasting menu, Menu Gordon Jones offers visitors a dining experience unlike any other, with dishes that blend English, Indian, and Asian flavours together. The restaurant treats visitors to an evening tasting local goods, as its dishes are entirely comprised of British local produce. If you want to find a place to relax before or after your meal, you can take visit Alexandra Park. Opened in 1902, the 11-acre 20th-century park is located on the top of Beechen Cliff and offers unparalleled panoramic views of the city.
Local accommodations include old country houses converted into modern hotels with amenities to suit your travel needs.
Staying in a country house out of the city
Bailbrook House Hotel
Situated just 5.5 km (17 minutes by car) from central Bath, Bailbrook House is a beautiful mansion house that stands in 20 acres of land that commands panoramic views towards the city and of the Avon Valley.
The hotel has elegant guest rooms, family rooms and suites. There are also classic and executive bedrooms located in the adjacent Bailbrook Court.
In the basement of the hotel, Cloisters, offers fine dining. There are three spacious lounges for relaxing moments. The conservatory bar serves traditional English teas and there is free Wi-Fi available throughout. There is free parking.
Best Western Limpley Stoke Hotel
In a tranquil and romantic setting, overlooking the Avon Valley, this hotel lies just seven kilometres from the centre of Bath (14 minutes by car).
Best Western Limpley Stoke Hotel is a traditional 18th century Georgian country house and is the ideal choice for a short break. The comfortable guest bedrooms are individually designed and have good facilities including Wi-Fi- plus a wonderful view of the valley.
This relaxing hotel has roaring log fires in the colder months and good dining options, ranging from tasty bar snacks to beautifully presented à la carte dishes - all made with locally sourced produce wherever possible. There is free parking.
Homewood Hotel and Spa
Enjoy award-winning cuisine and total relaxation in luxurious surroundings in this stunning Georgian house that nestles in gardens and parkland just nine kilometres (a 16-minute drive) from the centre of Bath.
This hotel oozes character with wooden floors, huge oil paintings and log fires. The hotel restaurant is well known in the city for its excellent modern English cuisine.
Guests are pampered in The Spa, which stands in its own gardens, which are surrounded by the original wall. The Spa has a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool as well as a heated outdoor pool with great views. Free parking is available.
Our recommended hotels in Bath
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in BathNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
