Secret Things To Do In Bath #unexpectedbath
8th Nov 2022
Before you read this, check that no one can read this over your shoulder, these are some of the best secret things to do in bath…
The city of Bath is a world heritage site. The Royal Crescent is an iconic and major British tourist attraction alongside The Roman Baths, the UK’s only natural hot spring and the site of extensive Roman ruins. Jane Austen lived here. Charles Dickens lived here, and Mary Shelley wrote her novel Frankenstein whilst a visitor to Bath.
Whilst visiting these attractions rarely tires the mind or the eye this doesn’t represent the entire Bath offering and our research tells us that some visitors to the city prepare by researching and googling ‘secret Bath’, well, we’ve done the work for you. Not the googling because we are locals and have made it our job to know what’s secret across the city.
So, here’s our whistle stop tour to secret Bath. But make sure you don’t tell anyone else! So here’s out list of the very best secret things to do in Bath:
Whilst the official Skyline has the National Trust’s seal of approval, the opposite side to Bath the view from Southdown is just as magnificent, taking in the Royal Crescent, Bath City Football Ground and where you’ll find Bath City Farm, an under the radar but brilliant family activity. Equally we’d encourage you to explore Roundhill, Smallcombe and the Holloway. And if you love a hill (you’re in the right place!) climb Solsbury Hill and listen to Peter Gabriel’s lyrics. Okay okay, so the song isn’t a secret, but the walk is less well trod and makes for another fantastic alternative view of Bath.
Back to the centre of the city, and talking of crescents, there is, would you believe it, more than just the royal one. Yes, that’s right the Royal Crescent has several sisters across the city and all worth a view; Lansdown, Camden, Widcombe, Cavendish, Somerset Place, The Circus and Norfolk. All have enviable qualities, most have incredible views. Can you see them all? Can you pick a favourite?
Back to The Circus, and if you stand in the centre of John Wood The Elders’ mightily impressive circle of townhouses and clap, there is a strong echo. Quirky we know, but you are sure to be passing through anyway….and may we suggest only trying this during office hours…
If trains and railways interest you then the view from Alexandra Park of Bath Spa station is both brilliant and fascinating and you are viewing it almost directly overhead so much so it look’s like a model railway. If you like a theme then its worth investigating the old underground railway line that lies beneath Green Park station too, now defunct but inhabited by stalls, eateries and traders and wonderful markets at the weekends.
Our advice in any city would be to ‘look up’ so here’s a handful of things to spot as you wander these cobbled streets. Look for the painted man at the window on corner of Argyle Street/Grove Street (no it’s not Banksy but near as could be!). Spot the owl above the doorway in to Sally Lunn’s and potter along London Road spotting ghost signs.
We’d thoroughly recommend London Road to you in any event with an increasingly popular vegan restaurant, independent pubs with a curated craft beer listings, and some chic boutique homeware shops.
We’ve some museum recommendations for you too that oft go under the radar in @bathatwork and @MuseumBathArch (Building of Bath Museum) both under rated both fascinating and themselves tucked away in corners of the city that require investigation. And whilst we are sending you out and about with just a handful of clues to tracking down secret Bath we challenge you to find famed architect Ralph Allen’s Townhouse. And did you know that it was the very same man that made early reforms to the postal system (Bath being the very first place a penny black stamp was used!), and from his postal profits had Prior Park built. There’s a postal museum too if you want to learn more.
Chai Wallah, Bath’s ’best restaurant’ is in fact a street food shop front and works like a take away, but don’t be fooled, you’ll be back for more!
And if you’ve successfully been sleuth enough to enjoy all our secret Bath suggestions you’ll deserve a drink. Underneath Pulteney Bridge there’s a secret vaulted and uber cool bar with a secret door (and a secret party room) called Opium. If you can find it…
Sssshhhh