Kensington Mums reviews
Bath is so magical this Christmas as the city’s picturesque Georgian streets twinkle with decorations, choirs sing carols by candlelight and the aroma of roasted chestnuts fills the air. There are many ways you can embrace the spirit of Christmas in Bath: get all your shopping wrapped up at Bath Christmas Market which celebrates its 20th year, go for a spin on the outdoor rink at Bath on Ice, or catch a lively performance of Aladdin at Theatre Royal Bath.
Family Staycation in Bath
We stayed in the Boutique 4 start City Centre Hotel: Abbey Hotel Bath, which was perfectly located just behind Bath Christmas Market. The rooms are spacious for families to rest weary feet after a busy day of shopping. Do check out their snow-topped Apr̬s Ski Bar outside which is open till late during the festive season and serves the best mulled wine, cocktails and authentic Alpine appetisers. Where To Stay in Bath РVisit Bath
10 things to do in Bath this festive holiday
- Shop and browse around the award-winning Bath Christmas Market which returns for 18 days of festive cheer. Soak up the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas as you browse over 150 chalets of handmade Christmas decorations, bespoke jewellery, artisan food and drink, toys, accessories, and gifts for pets. Many of the chalets at Bath Christmas Market are local makers and designers you won’t find on the high street.
- Various entertainers from community choirs to brass bands will fill the streets with music and festive joy during Bath Christmas Market, local school children will be singing their favourite Christmas songs.
Bath Christmas Market - Visit Bath Abbey and check out Shoppers’ Carols.
- Wander off the beaten track along the many cobbled side streets to explore independent shops such as Honey Willow Jewellery, Always Sunday Townhouse (an emporium of homeware and gifts), The Silver Shop of Bath, The San Francisco Fudge Company and Topping & Company booksellers. Look out for Miss Mistletoe welcoming visitors at Milsom Place – a hidden oasis of boutique shopping and restaurants away from the bustling festive crowds. Or, head outside of the city centre to Newton Farm Shop for a special evening of shopping.Â
- Discover and Explore The Roman Bath, great for a family day out with mesmerising views with over 2,000 years of history are waiting for you.
- Visit The American Museum & Gardens by day or by night. At night they present their Enchanted Garden of Light trail through the spectacular grounds of the museum at Claverton Down where you will be transported into a magical after-dark adventure with light displays which will emblazon the entire house, gardens and woodland in glorious colour. By day, make sure you check out the views from the garden and visit the American Dinosaur Explorers.
- Take a break from shopping with a visit to Bath on Ice in Royal Victoria Park. Go for a skate on the outdoor rink or play a few rounds of Glow in the Dark Mini Golf.
- If you’re feeling creative, try a Christmas candle pouring workshop with a complimentary glass of mulled wine at PaddyWax Candle Bar, festive bauble blowing at Bath Aqua Glass.
- 12 Tales of a Georgian Christmas returns to No. 1 Royal Crescent – step inside this beautiful museum and see all the rooms dressed-up for the festive season. Enjoy all the celebrations a family of the time would experience through storytelling and poems as part of the house’s immersive experience.
- The Jane Austin Centre offers you a snapshot of life during Regency times and explores how living in this magnificent city affected Jane Austen and her writing.
If you a planning a later visit to Bath, do check out the new festival of well-being in the UK’s No 1 spa city from 7-27th February 2023.
Eat, Drink and be Merry!
On our first night we ate at the Abbey Hotel Kitchen which serves an eclectic mix of healthy and delicious dishes for those in search of good quality, affordable food in a relaxed and stylish environment. For breakfast, it was an a la carte menu. The Hotel also offers a private dining experience as well as an afternoon tea.
Don’t forget to check out their Après Ski Bar. While in Bath, we also wanted to try different cuisines and we absolutely loved Coconut Tree, a Sri Lanka restaurant with an authentic affordable menu delivering delicious dishes and fantastic flavours combined with fun Cocktails and a relaxed island vibe.
Bath has so much to offer, and we love to eat! At Green Park Brasserie, set within the distinctive setting of the old railway station at Green Park in the centre of the city, you will find Bath Pizza Company and an independent casual-dining restaurant serving local produce and cocktails. Look out for live jazz nights and Christmas party menus.
Stop by The Bird, Bath where the snowy woodland sprigs strewn with fairy lights, flickering candelabra and draped Bavarian rugs at the Alpine Lodge and Bar tucked behind the hotel are guaranteed to put you in a festive mood.
For elegant evening dining, book a festive candle-lit dinner at the Pump Room Restaurant, or for a classic Bath foodie experience, treat yourself to a Christmas afternoon tea at Roseate Villa Bath, Sweet Little Things, The Ivy Bath Brasserie or The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.
If you are planning a visit, a staycation or a longer stay check out visitbath.co.uk/Christmas
