Agatha Stays - A Trip to Bath

There is no place quite like Bath. If you are looking for a relaxed city escape, full of historic beauty and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, then quintessentially British Bath is the place for you. I have journeyed to the Somerset city many times and keep being drawn back. Is it the lush greenery, Georgian architecture or thermal baths that I find so alluring? One cannot mention the city without also gesturing its greatness to Jane Austen, Bath’s most famous resident. Set in the valley of the River Avon, Bath is just over an hour from London by train, it’s a tranquil and serene destination for those wanting a weekend retreat or escaping the monotony of everyday life. 

We chose to walk the 20 minutes to The Queensbury Hotel, it was a sunny day after all. Past the cathedral and through the cobbled lanes, we found ourselves down a quiet residential street. The Queensbury is located in a Georgian Townhouse. With trademark high ceilings, sash windows and Bath stone, the hotel ticked all the boxes for breathtaking Georgian architecture. 

Taking advantage of our early arrival, we headed straight out, in search of breakfast on the go. Wandering through The Circus, a stunning example of Bath’s architecture, formed by three curved terraces of Georgian townhouses arranged in a perfect circle. The next place on our list was The Royal Crescent, a row of 30 townhouses in a sweeping crest with views of manicured lawns and parkland. The best way to explore the unfamiliar is to get lost in it. We wandered the incredible parks, forgetful of our city escape, before losing ourselves in the narrow historic streets. Buskers sang the theme tune to our wonders as we navigated Bath's offerings of independent shops, restaurants and bars.

Often taking a laid back approach, the only activity we booked was a visit to Thermea Bath Spa. The sun was shining with a slight chill in the air. Much like the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago, we joined our ancestors bathing in naturally warm and mineral-rich waters. Our version of modern day events included bathing suits, white robes and slippers. We journeyed via a lift to the rooftop pool and where panoramic views took us to another time. Within our 2 hour allotted time, we visited the multi-sensory wellness suite but spent the majority of our time on the roof, basking in the warm water and admiring the church spires, rolling hills, plentiful chimneys and gothic cathedral towers.

Back to the hotel after our afternoon escapades, we were welcomed to our room via a tour of the bar and restaurant. The grand, wide staircases of The Queensbury reminded me of the moving stairs of Hogwarts. The Queensbury has soul to it, with credit to its independent status. The hotel offers luxury with unique and charming rooms. A building steeped in history, trademarked by the creaky floor boards. The room was spacious, not just in the square footage but the height too. The sun poured in through 3 large sash windows. Taking in the room with the soundtrack of classical music, I noted that a radio playing strictly classical fm was a touch I would consider adding to my own home. The interior was nothing short of quirky. The mesmerising print wallpaper, filled with hot air balloons was balanced with navy walls and soft furnishings. We enjoyed the room with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine as we relaxed into the armchairs, looking out the windows into the courtyard and iconic honey coloured bath stone rooftops. The interiors complimented the building's character and with ample storage, we felt the luxury of space.

For this trip, we enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant. Upon our next visit we plan to dine in The Queensbury’s Michelin Star restaurant, The Oak. If it’s anything like their breakfast, we know we are in for a treat. Glad that my dietary requirements were catered for, we devoured homemade crumpets, a full english, fresh orange juice and coffee. We left The Queensbury with one regret, one night simply wasn’t enough.