An alternative guide to exploring Bath

We’re all familiar with Bath’s landmarks such as the Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent and the Jane Austen Centre. Once you’ve explored these cultural staples, you’ll soon find that Bath has an amazing variety of independent cafes and shops that will become your new go-to spots. I’ve put together a list of my favourites.

Shopping

Walcot Street is widely considered to be the oldest commercial street in Bath and boasts a range of independent traders. Located at opposite ends of the street, The Yellow Shop and Jack and Danny’s are both packed full of vintage fashion, perfect for when you want to refresh your wardrobe. The Walcot Antique and Flea Market takes place every Saturday and the wide variety of stalls mean it’s a great place to find a hidden gem!

For literature lovers like myself, Bath has some great options. Mr B’s Emporium has been named the UK's best independent bookshop twice since it opened and even has a reading nook on the top floor, where you can get stuck in to your new purchases. 

Located behind Bath Abbey, Topping and Company resides in a Georgian building formerly known as the Friends Meeting House. It features a gallery, multiple floors filled with books and offers free tea and coffee to its customers!

Where to eat

No matter where you are in the city centre, you’re never far from a great independent coffee shop in Bath. There’s far too many for me to list them all but some of my personal favourites are Picnic Coffee, The Columbian Company, Society Café and Mjölk Café. 

If you’re looking for a way to pass a few hours, I highly recommend checking out Thirsty Meeples. They have an extensive library of board games to choose from and the friendly staff are always on hand to recommend something new. Not to mention they serve delicious food and drink for you to enjoy while you game.

For tasty food on the go, you can’t get much better than Chaiwalla. They serve delicious and affordable Indian street food and always have a queue outside, which is how you know it’s good. 

When it comes to dinner, I always recommend trying Bath Pizza Co. Located inside Green Park Station, their heated terrace area is the perfect place to catch up with friends over a drink and delicious freshly made pizza. They also have a large selection of vegan and gluten free options so there is something for everyone. Their sister business, Green Park Brasserie, offers seasonal, local dishes and has live jazz, funk and swing music four nights a week.

Culture

There’s always something to see or do in Bath and it’s home to many festivals and cultural events throughout the year.

If you’re a movie fan, why not see what’s on at The Little Theatre? The cinema was built in the 1930s and despite refurbishments has retained the charm and welcoming warmth it’s always had. 

For a more luxurious film watching experience, Tivoli Cinema allows you to choose delicious food and drink and have it delivered to your seat. The large sofa seats ensure that you watch the latest blockbusters in style.

More interested in music and comedy? Komedia is Bath’s leading live entertainment venue and is inspired by European cabaret theatre, allowing you to tuck into a meal whilst watching the show.

I hope this guide helps you explore more of this gorgeous city and find a new favourite place to visit!