24 Hours in Bath | Bath at Christmas

Last week, I got to experience Christmas in Bath.

I was invited by Visit Bath for this trip and whilst Bath is wonderful all year round, the addition of Christmas against all that Bath stone glory is really very magical. Wooden chalets are set up in the centre, around The Pump Room and Roman Baths and some of the surrounding streets. Selling a vast array of Christmas treats from Mince Pies, to fudge to handmade gifts.

Not only that, there are so many independent shops you are spoilt for choice for being kinder to the environment by shopping local, buying handmade and finding unique gifts for even the trickiest of family members.

I managed to pack in an incredible amount in just 24 hours, without feeling rushed or stretched…

Firstly, Christmas or not you have to visit the Roman Baths! Even in the rain you can’t fail to be in awe of this historical site.

The lovely thing about Bath is how walkable it is, from the Baths, I headed to view the famous Pulteney Bridge, one of only four in the world that has shops, full span on both sides, this beautiful Georgian bridge opened in 1770.

I then had a few hours free before meeting for our first group activity, so I headed to the shops!

Pulteney Bridge Flowers… just look at those beautiful colourful wreaths!

The Bertinet Bakery, the window is currently filled with Christmas Puddings whilst the counter and shelves are lined with pastries, breads and savouries. Opened in 2007 by chef and baker Richard Bertinet, this Bath institution runs baking and cookery classes and Richard has also written 5 books; the latest of which CRUMB was published in February this year.

Bertinet Bakery, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

Graham & Green is looking BEAUTIFUL! I pretty much covet everything on display from the peacock feather wreathes, to the quirky dining details.

Graham & Greene, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

Graham & Green, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

Always Sunday, I just happened to venture in on opening day but it had the feeling that it has been there forever, filled with unique gifts, I particularly loved the replica Bath houses in the window which are what made me stop and go inside. Loved the ceramic travel mugs by Libby Ballard too

Always Sunday, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

I really wish Wild had been open, look at that Unicorn!

At 2pm I met up with Emma from Visit Bath and fellow photographers and bloggers at the Bath Aqua Glass we watched in awe as the glass blowers made Christmas baubles, and then we each got a turn to try. You pick your overall bauble colour and shards of that coloured glass are melted and then blown into a sphere before the tail is attached. The baubles have to be put into a temperature controlled storage for about 12 hours to set, so you can pick your bauble up the next day or have it sent to you. I can’t wait to see mine!

Bath Aqua Glass, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

Next we checked into our home for the evening; the Grade II listed Broad Street Townhouse, you check in via the quirky and cute coffee shop, which also doubles up as the breakfast room for guests, or you can do what I did and have a breakfast hamper delivered to your room! The hotel is just 6 months old, staff were attentive and welcoming and my room was lovely. Compact but with everything you could hope for and my bathroom was gorgeous. After a day of walking around with a heavy camera, in the rain, the shower was just the right temperature, I always seem to spend 10 minutes veering from scolding to freezing in hotel showers before I find the right temperature. Despite being in a busy area, it was quiet, and I slept really well. I absolutely loved the breakfast hamper, it’s such a delightful touch.

Broadstreet Townhouse, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa even if you can’t make Afternoon Tea, you need to visit and walk The Royal Crescent, a sweeping crescent of 30 Grade I Listed terrace houses that overlook the Royal Victoria Park. But if you can, you should have afternoon tea at The Royal Crescent Hotel, tea is served in the Dower House in the impressive gardens that you wouldn’t think were situated behind the houses.

The Royal Crescent, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

To work off all the cake, we headed to the Bath Christmas Market! This was preview night and it was one of the nicest Christmas Markets I’ve visited. A real range of offerings from the 150 or so chalets; from edible gifts of fudge, cider, grown up marshmallows and mince pies to gift ideas that included illustrations, handmade decorations, ornaments, stationery, felted hangings plus food to keeping you going; crepes, churros and ye olde hog roast! If you want to get all your Christmas shopping done in one place, head to Bath!

Bath Christmas Market, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

No 15 Great Pulteney Street. We had dinner reservations booked but before going to the dining room we had a tour of this hotel which is filled with surprises and curious collections. I absolutely adored it. In the entrance hall there is a magnificent chandelier that is made of lost earrings. When the hotel was being designed they asked locals to donate an earring where the other had been lost. Each one has a story and belongs to someone in the area, isn’t that a marvelous thing to do? In hallways, on walls, within table tops there are collections of watches, coloured bottles, kaleidoscopes, perfume bottles, ceramics, instruments and so much more. We viewed one of the bedrooms and a doll house, houses the coffee machine. The attention to detail is incredible.

Dinner was lovely, it is really nice being with a group of fellow photographers and bloggers who get the whole food and photos thing. We all photograph each others, no one minds you moving their stuff and everyone is ever so helpful in getting the shot. I had the hake and chorizo cassoulet but there is a Christmas dinner on offer with Turkey and all the trimmings (Image below!).

No15 Great Pulteney St, Bath, Visit Bath, Somerset

The following morning we had an early appointment at Thermae Bath Spa which has this incredible open air roof top pool, with beautiful views of Bath, plus we had a stunning sunrise! The spa facilities and treatments on offer sounded wonderful, unfortunately I had to get to London otherwise I would have stayed a little longer.

therma spa bath, Bath, visit Bath, somerset

One of my favourite stops was to Landrace Bakery, I managed to squeeze this in between the Thermae Spa and having to check out at 10am. And I also really needed a GOOD coffee!! Which Landrace totally provided and with Oat Milk too (as I don’t drink milk)

We met owner Andrew who was making brioche buns, and he then patiently let us take 342 photos of his plaited cinnamon breakfast buns. Andrew is amiable, passionate and as just mentioned very patient as I/we probably over stayed our welcome but I have to say these are some of my favourite photos from the trip and I left Bath with a country loaf, oat milk latte and on a high from meeting with someone who had created something from hard work, talent and passion. In fact everyone I met and chatted too was open, friendly and delightful. Bath really is full of friendly folk.