Hotel Group of the Year
Leisure - Relaxing Bath
The Roman Baths
The Romans certainly knew how to relax after a hard day ruling the world. They built a magnificent temple and bathing complex around Britain's only hot spring. Piping hot water still flows from there today. This is at the heart of Bath's world heritage site and you can taste the history, literally.
Visitors to Bath shouldn't miss the chance to walk in Roman footsteps or bathe in the glory of their architecture. The medicinal and health benefits of taking the waters are world renowned and that includes tasting them. The admission price includes free personal guides in eight languages as well as a children's audio tour. American travel writer Bill Bryson's take on Bath is also available. Complete your day with lunch or tea at the 18th century Pump Room above the Temple.
Distance from resort: 1 mile (approx 10 mins' drive) Opening hours: Daily except 25th & 26th December.
The Roman Baths opening hours are: Jan - Feb 9.30 - 16.30, exit 17.30; Mar - June 9.00 - 17.00, exit 18.00, July - Aug 9.00 - 21.00, exit 22.00, Sept - Oct 9.00 - 17.00, exit 18.00, Nov - Dec 9.30 - 16.30, exit 17.30.Further information: www.romanbaths.co.uk Tel: 01225 477785 For a more contemporary take on spas, visit the fabulous roof-top Minerva Bath at the Thermae Bath Spa. Contact the Roman Baths (above) for a special offer two hour session at the Thermae Bath Spa that includes entry to the Roman Baths and a three course lunch in the Pump Room.
Distance from resort: 1 mile (less than 10 mins' drive) Opening hours: Daily except 24th & 26th December and New Year's Day.
9am - 10pm (last entry 7.30pm)Further information: www.thermaebathspa.com Tel: 0844 888 0844
Shopping in Bath
Shopping in Bath is the ultimate in retail therapy. Bath has a fabulous selection of small independent shops and stylish boutiques, alongside familiar big name stores. The city centre is compact so that you can walk along grand Georgian streets or venture down picturesque passageways. Spend a little time exploring a diverse and unique city.
Bath is split into six main shopping areas - The Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, Central, Milsom Quarter, The Upper Town and the Artisan Quarter - all packed with tempting 'shopper-tunities'.
The Abbey
The Abbey boasts a delightful mix of jewellery, arts and crafts and tempting confectionery shops as well as fashion and children shops.
Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge encompasses High Street, Bridge Street and Grand Parade. Here you can browse fashion, sports and jewellery shops as well as the Guildhall Market with 30 stalls of produce and gifts.
Central
Currently undergoing an extensive redevelopment, with the first phases opening in 2009, this is home to all of your favourite high street brands.
Milsom Quarter
Head to Milsom Quarter and treat yourself to some designer chic. Milsom place is home to a sophisticated collection of shops selling designer fashions, accessories, shoes, home wares, beautiful flowers and scrumptious chocolates.
The Upper Town
Margaret's Buildings is a charming pedestrianised lane, tucked away between the Royal Crescent and the Circus. Here you will find a great mixture of irresistible boutiques and galleries. Look out for beautiful handmade bags by the renowned Bath designer Liz Cox.
The Artisan Quarter
You will find a vibrant selection of independent craft and curio shops here. From reclaimed antiques and furniture to clothes, pottery and bicycles, Walcot Street is a real creative melting pot where you can't help being inspired.
Distance from resort: Various locations all within easy driving or walking distance Opening hours: Open all year round (except December 25th and January 1st) Further information: http://visitbath.co.uk/site/shopping
World Heritage
Beautiful Bath's second golden age was a triumph of columns and arches, sweeping streets and grand facades. No visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site designated Bath is complete without a tour of the Royal Crescent or the Circus. Corinthian or Ionic, Bath's architecture is iconic.
No.1 Royal Crescent
This is the jewel in the crown of Bath's golden Georgian age. Number 1 was the first house in Royal Crescent, John Wood's masterpiece of Palladian design. Marvel at the richly restored furniture and paintings before descending to the sights and sounds of a bustling Georgian kitchen. Each room is an exquisite example of regency interior design. This is a wonderfully vital picture of 18th Century Bath life.
Distance from resort: 2 miles (less than 15 mins' drive) Opening hours: 16th February - 25th October 2008 Tue-Sun 10.30am-5pm
26th October - 30th November, 6-7th December, 13th-14th December2008 10.30am - 4pm. Closed Mondays. Last admission 30 mins' before closing.Further information: www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk email no1museum@bptrust.org.uk Tel: 01225 428126 Bath Abbey
Magnificent Bath Abbey stands at the heart of the city of Bath. During the past twelve and a half centuries, three different churches have occupied this site, the first in the year 757. The latest was completed in 1611. This is a place of worship but visitors are welcome and Tower Tours are available Monday to Saturday.
Distance from resort: 2 miles (less than 15 mins' drive) Opening hours: April 1st - October 31st : Mon to Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 1pm - 2.30pm and 4.30 - 5.30pm
November 1st - March 31st: Mon to Sat 9am - 4.30pm, Sunday as above
Abbey Shop: Mon to Sat 10am - 5.30pm (4.30pm winter); Vaults Museum: Mon to Sat 10am - 3.30pm all year.Further information: www.bathabbey.org email office@bathabbey.org Tel: 01225 422462
Museums and Galleries
Bath's rich history is celebrated in a wide range of cultural and social attractions. You can take in art and fashion, astronomy and Americana, postal history and glass production. Museums abound in this compact city, including two dedicated to ladies for whom lunch was no doubt important!
Jane Austen and Sally Lunn
Jane Austen and Sally Lunn are synonymous with Bath. One wrote about its social airs and graces and is avidly consumed by readers around the world, the other is sweet and delicate and devoured with equal gusto! The Jane Austen Centre and Regency Tearoom is a snapshot of the Regency Bath which inspired Austen to write novels such as Persuasion. Knowledgeable guides, walking tours and real leaf tea help bring Austen's Bath to life.
Distance from resort: 2 miles (less than 10 mins' drive) Opening hours: November to February 11am - 4.30pm; March to June and September to October 10am - 5.30pm; July and August 10am - 7.30pm Further information: www.janeausten.co.uk email Jackie@janeausten.co.uk Tel: 01225 443 000 Sally Lunn's Refreshment House and Museum celebrates all that Bath's favourite bun has to offer in the city's oldest house. Built in 1482 it is said to sit on the site of a Roman restaurant. This is a living museum, which has preserved Sally Lunn's kitchen from the 1680's. The restaurant is a Bath institution and you can choose from an abundant and intriguingly themed menu.
Distance from resort: 2 miles (less than 10 mins' drive) Opening hours: Open every day except Christmas from 10am (Sundays 11am onwards). Historic evening dinner from 5pm. Further information: www.sallylunns.co.uk email able@sallylunns.co.uk Tel: 01225 461634
Sporting activities
Bath is home to a cup-winning rugby team and a stunning racecourse. You can also play golf at a number of top courses and watch county cricket. If you fancy a flutter there are twenty flat race meetings at Landsdown Hill with a variety of weekday, weekend and evening fixtures. But if the sport of kings is not your choice, take a trip to the Rec for the rugby.
Rugby
Just try not to get too carried away by the atmosphere and great sport on offer at the Rec. A visit to Bath Rugby Club's picturesque and world famous ground is an event in itself. Witness world class players in full flow accompanied by the roar of a convivial crowd. A trip to Bath Rugby Club will soon have you converted to this most gentlemanly of contact sports.
Bath Rugby Club
Distance from resort: 2 miles (10 mins' drive) Opening hours: Bath Rugby Club plays in the Guinness Premiership and the European Heineken Cup. The club plays on average two home fixtures per month on between Wed-Sun. Further information: www.bathrugby.com/rugby/fixtures_results.php Tel: 01225 469230 Racing
Bath Racecourse
Distance from resort: 10 miles (20 mins' drive) Opening hours: January 1st - December 31st (excluding Christmas) Further information: www.bath-racecourse.co.uk email infor@bath-racecourse.co.uk Tel: 01225 424609 Golf
Bath is surrounded by quality golf courses, many little more than a four wood away from the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel. Ring the respective courses for details before setting out for a round. All of the courses included in this list are open all year round.
- Cumberwell Park, Greater Bath 01225 863322
Cumberwell Park provides the perfect setting for golf, a special occasion or a corporate event. The 36-hole course is now recognised as one of the finest courses in the southwest.
- The Park Hotel Golf Course, South Gloucestershire 0117 9371783
The Park is the perfect setting for two outstanding golf courses and is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
- Bath Approach Golf Course, Greater Bath 01225 331162
- Mendip Golf Club, Greater Bath 01749 840570
- Lansdown Golf Club, Greater Bath 01225 422138
- Kingsdown Golf Club, Greater Bath 01225 743472
- Entry Hill Golf Club, Greater Bath 01225 834248
- Bath Golf Club, Greater Bath 01225 463834
Entertainment
Bath boasts top quality drama and cinema with a wide selection to cater for all tastes. Festivals and events keep Bath buzzing all year, but Bath's three theatres and two cinemas provide a programme of events too. Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats!
The main theatre in Bath is the Theatre Royal which offers an eclectic mix of drama, opera, comedy, dance and Sunday concerts. It houses the cutting edge Ustinov Theatre which stages more avant garde productions. The Egg Theatre showcases family friendly works. Alternatively, take your seat at the independent Little Theatre Cinema or catch a blockbuster at the Bath Odeon.
The Theatre Royal, Ustinov and Egg Theatres
Distance from resort: Within 2 Miles (10 mins' drive) Opening hours: January 2nd to December 31st Further information: www.theatreroyal.org.uk Tel: 01225 448844
Nightlife
Bath has a thriving nightlife with a wide mix of contemporary and modern bars. Sip sophisticated cocktails or rub shoulders with the city's many students. You can party late into the night or just raise a glass and relax in good company.
Moles Club is renowned as the best live venue in Bath. It has played host to many famous bands in its 20 year history. Most notable recent acts have been The Killers, Snow Patrol, Editors and Damian Rice. Moles Club caters for many musical genres, including Jazz and the Blues so you can be guaranteed live music to suit most tastes. Next door is the Porter, another live music venue also nationally acclaimed as a comedy venue. The club is also home to Bath's only veggie pub.
Distance from resort: 1 Mile (10 mins' drive) Opening hours: Seven days a week, 9pm - 2am (or later); The Porter: 11am - 11pm Further information: www.moles.co.uk email info@moles.co.uk Tel: 01225 404445
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