Bath

I spend a lot of my time in Bath, UK and it is one of my favourite places in the UK. The city is small and scenic, ideal for someone who wants to live in a city but doesn't like the idea of a city as big and scary as London or Bristol and wants to still be slightly submerged in the countryside. Other than its glorious architecture there is much to see and do in Bath so I thought I should share with you some of my favourites.

1- Visit Victoria Park. Victoria Park is the largest park in Bath consisting of 57 acres of open space, it connects the residential area of Bath to the city centre and some of its most popular tourist spots. It has several picnic tables dotted around as well as a few barbecue hotspots making it a great place to hang out with your friends, the park also contains many secluded areas perfect for a quiet spot of reading or outdoor studying on the grass accompanied by the view of the city or the spectacular view of The Royal Crescent (see number 2). Or if your like me, an amateur photographer then you'll appreciate the botanical gardens situated at one end of the park full of plants and beautiful flowers. An area worth taking a stroll through all year round, in the winter when everything's icy as well as in the summer when it transforms into a home for all sorts of creatures, birds, squirrels, rabbits, all of which are very friendly and if your lucky shall join you sitting on a park bench. The Botanical gardens is slightly secluded but a popular place to visit especially in the summer by a whole range of people however it still stands as one of my favourite places to study outside.

2- The Royal Crescent. The Crescent was the first crescent shaped road in the whole of Bath to be built, it connects to Victoria Park and with its fabulous architecture forming luxury homes (for those who can afford it) it is a magnificent view. There is a small museum at one end of the road so that you can see what the interiors of these buildings use to look like, a popular destination for tourists but defiantly worth a visit.

3- The Circus. A perfectly circular road, again home to many with a small circle of grass in the middle, the road does not get busy and so this is another spot that can be enjoyed with a picnic; that is if you don't mind being in hundreds of tourists photographs as they pass through regularly on tour buses. It is thought of, by many that it is where the famous scene from Oliver was filmed however this is simply a myth even though it looks very similar. Between The Circus and The Crescent there are a couple of expensive independent stores and restaurants for those who enjoy a small about of bimbling*. 

4- Bath City and Shopping. Bath is a brilliant place to shop, everything from your main high street stores such as Next, Primark and NewLook to your smaller independent stores located in all the backstreets of the city as well as the odd high-end store such as Ted Baker. Not only can you visit the shops but if you feel like a quick break then take a trip The Pump Rooms and experience the luxury of an afternoon tea. Or something slightly cheaper but just as wonderful, pop in to The Bath Bun tearooms and try a local (or tourist) favourite that of a Bath Bun. 

5- Parade Gardens and The Wier. This particular area of Bath is one of the more beautiful areas...you do have to pay £1.50 to enter the gardens however it is free entry for various events and certain days throughout the year. The gardens over look the canal and you have perfect view of the wier making it a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by. 100 yards up the canal you will find the wier, there are a number of independent shops positioned along the wier as well as a quaint tiny cafe overlooking the canal and the wier itself. When visiting this part of Bath you may recognise it from a particular movie; Les Miserables (2012) as a last minute decision decided to use Bath Wier as the location for (spoiler alert) Javert to commit suicide at the end of the movie.

6- Bath Abbey. A free attraction and a chance to see the beautiful architecture that is Bath Abbey. With a number of events throughout the year, as well as church services; it is always worth taking any opportunity to see the Abbey in full swing as the host to a performing choir. (http://www.bathabbey.org/whats-on/calendar?t=5)

7-The Canal. A lovely place to go for either a long walk up to Bristol or just a short afternoon stroll through the city giving you the opportunity to see a different side of Bath.