How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Bath, England

Forbes

2 days ago

N estled in the rolling hills of Somerset, Bath is a glorious English city that seduces with its honeyed townhouses, stately colonnaded crescents, swish spas, and timeless Roman relics. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city owes much of its acclaim to the legendary Roman Baths—still bubbling with mineral-rich waters today that have enchanted visitors for centuries. Beyond these ancient springs, you can wander along the lazily curving Royal Crescent, catch a play at the opulent Theatre Royal, or toast Jane Austen's 250th anniversary with an Austen-themed afternoon tea beneath the glittering chandeliers of the elegant Pump Room Restaurant .
Or, simply amble through charming cobbled streets overflowing with independent cafés, treasure-filled antique shops, and glowing bakeries that perfume the air with warm, buttery pastries. Whether you're melting into the rooftop thermal pool at Thermae Bath Spa or gazing at a blazing sunset sinking behind the spires of Bath Abbey— Moët in hand—you'll be utterly spellbound by the city's golden glow.
The beautiful exteriors of Bloomfield House. Bloomfield House
Just a mile south of Bath's city centre, Bloomfield House is a gorgeous Georgian mansion that marries Regency elegance with suave modern comforts. Originally built in the 1790s, it once served as the residence of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bath—and today stands as a Grade II-listed golden palace offering Bridgerton-style stays for hedonists and high-flyers—complete with a private chef and discreetly attentive housekeepers. Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Bakewell By Lewis Nunn
Swipe your keycard and glide down a sweeping drive (EV charger in tow) as you meet Bloomfield's majestic limestone facade. Step through lion-handled French doors into a glowing reception hall lit by a champagne globe chandelier. Ahead of you, lies a mammoth kitchen-diner—dressed with a long banquette table, quirky pop art (one piece of Queen Elizabeth II ), and glass-boxed cabinets brimming with honesty-bar spirits and crystal champagne flutes—perfect for a celebratory welcome toast.
Kitchen-diner at Bloomfield House. Bloomfield House
Mornings beckon bean-to-cup cappuccinos and lazy continental breakfasts laid out by your private chef: think buttery croissants, velvety Greek yoghurt, rustic granolas, and fresh fruit platters.
Meanwhile, a grand Georgian staircase leads to nine individually styled bedrooms—light-filled and elegant—sleeping up to 23 guests; with seven en-suites and a snug kids' chamber with six bunk beds. Expect stylish features like sumptuous wingback beds, soft-toed wool carpets, and oak-panelled wardrobes. While marble bathrooms dazzle with brass finishes, rainfall showers, and luminous vanity mirrors: and some rooms boast four-poster beds and freestanding bathtubs perched atop platforms fit for royalty.
Bedroom at Bloomfield House. Bloomfield House
Spend sunny afternoons sinking into your bubbling hot tub as you sip salt-laced margaritas or bask in Bath's golden glow, surrounded by ornate landscaped gardens—anchored by a towering Holm Oak. Then, fire up the BBQ while the little ones play Jenga in the Garden Room . Inside, however, you can relax in one of two plush living rooms—think Turkish rugs, five-tier chandeliers, grand oil paintings, and Art Deco sofas—perfect for curling up for a cozy night watching Pride and Prejudice as you grab a tipple from the honesty bar (think gin, vodka, and Jack Daniel's). Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Guernsey By Lewis Nunn
For something a little more extravagant, book a private at-home wine tasting with award-winning Minerva Wine—proprietors of the 2-hectare, 10,000-vine Corston Vineyard Estate in Bath. Inspired by a Newcastle University study, you'll sample fine wines while listening to classical music, varying in moods, to explore how it alters flavour perception—prepare to be awestruck.
Comfy lounge at Bloomfield House. Bloomfield House
Final flourish? Indulge in a three-course dinner, lovingly prepared by your private chef—think smoked mackerel, followed by tender Welsh lamb or silky crab linguine. Finish with a divine Eton mess—bursting with ripe strawberries and clouds of whipped cream. Then, swirl down a sweeping staircase into your cozy cinema room, crunchy popcorn in hand, ready to lose yourself in Gladiator on your epic 4K 120' screen surrounded by 13 thunderous speakers—no words needed.
Pure, hedonistic bliss. Best Things To Do In Bath The Roman Baths
Built around 70 AD atop natural hot springs, the Roman Baths stand among the world's most astonishingly preserved ancient bathing complexes—once the heart of Roman Britain's social and religious life, known as Aquae Sulis. Over 1.1 million litres of geothermally heated water still flow daily into the baths at a steamy 46°C—and while swimming is no longer allowed—you can explore the mystic Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, and the Great Bath itself; with an immersive audio guide. Don't miss its adjoining museum—a trove of archaeological treasures unearthed on-site, from eerie inscribed curse tablets to the majestic gilt bronze head of Sulis Minerva —goddess of healing to whom the Roman Baths are dedicated (tickets from $37 per person). Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Cirencester By Lewis Nunn Thermae Bath Spa
Open-air rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa. Thermae Bath Spa
For those craving a contemporary soak, slip into Thermae Bath Spa —offering a rare chance to bathe in Britain's only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters—just as Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago. Begin in the Minerva Bath , where swirling whirlpools meet a lazy river. Then rise to the rooftop pool—its steamy shimmer offering panoramic views of Bath's golden skyline. Finale? Retreat to the Wellness Suite —housing Roman and Georgian steam rooms, an Ice Chamber, Infrared Sauna, and the celestial-themed Relaxation Room —inspired by astronomer, William Herschel. Or, for an exclusive dip, book the Cross Bath —a Grade I-listed Georgian gem fed by sacred springs once steeped in royal fertility legends (a two-hour session from $55 per person). The Holburne Museum
Exteriors of Holburne Museum. Holburne Museum
Framed by the leafy Sydney Gardens, the Holburne Museum is Bath's oldest public gallery, housed in a Grade I-listed Georgian building—once the Sydney Hotel —now home to the eclectic collection of Sir William Holburne, a 19th-century naval officer and art collector. Inside, you'll discover a rich tapestry of fine art, from Renaissance bronzes and exquisite Chinese porcelain to masterpieces by Gainsborough and Zoffany. The museum's grand ballroom still glitters with silver and china ready for a Georgian banquet—while more recently, Holburne has stepped into the limelight as Lady Danbury's residence in Bridgerton —drawing a steady stream of Netflix pilgrims (tickets from $17 per person). Read More: Forbes How To Spend A Weekend At Burghley House By Lewis Nunn Bath Abbey
Exteriors of Bath Abbey. Bath Abbey
With its origins tracing back to 675 AD, Bath Abbey is one of England's crowning jewels of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Its current structure was commissioned by Bishop Oliver King , who—according to legend—dreamt of angels climbing golden ladders to heaven: now immortalized on the Abbey's West Front . Over centuries, the abbey has evolved through phases of monastic life, Norman might, and Tudor grandeur—surviving destruction under Henry VIII's Dissolution and later revived by Queen Elizabeth I. Step inside and marvel at its fan-vaulted ceilings, ornate stained glass, and 52 windows flooding the sacred space with light—earning it the nickname 'Lantern of the West' (tickets from $10 per person). Best Restaurants In Bath The Olive Tree
Beneath the Georgian elegance of Russell Street, The Olive Tree is Bath's Michelin-starred secret—equal parts culinary theatre and quiet sophistication. It whispers luxury, never screams, serving seven-course tasting menus that read like edible sonnets. Begin with Isle of Skye langoustine—smoky and citrus-kissed, dancing with jalapeño. Fallow deer follows, earthy and dramatic, tangled with Cheltenham beetroot and Kampot pepper. Vegetarians? Prepare to be serenaded with black onion seed gnocchi and BBQ cauliflower, laced with Perigord truffle. Desserts are a dream: think Tahitian vanilla crème chiboust with jasmine tea or lush islands chocolate adorned with 50-year-old balsamic. Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Plymouth By Lewis Nunn Corkage Bath
Courtyard of Corkage Bath. Corkage Bath
Hidden away on charming Chapel Row, Corkage Bath is a wine lover's fever dream—half candlelit hideaway, half small plate playground. It hums with clinking glasses and aromatic swirls: silky Scout & Sage gin-cured salmon, red lentil dahl with coconut yoghurt, and smoky beef shin croquettes crisped to perfection. For serious indulgence, the hanger steak shines—rosy and rich with mushroom purée, crispy cabbage, smoky bacon, and velvety jus. Plant-based dishes hold their own, too—from caramelised courgette in cashew-miso velvet to salt-baked celeriac with burnt apple and black truffle. The wine list? Wildly worldly—from zippy Grüner Veltliner to inky South African Cinsault. How To Get There
Travelers in London can hop on a 75-minute direct train service from London Paddington to Bath Spa with Great Western Railway . To book your escape at Bloomfield House, visit bloomfieldhouse.co.uk. For more Bath inspiration, head to visitbath.co.uk. Read More: Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Bakewell By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Guernsey By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Cirencester By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend A Weekend At Burghley House By Lewis Nunn Forbes How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Plymouth By Lewis Nunn