[Travel] Day trip to Bath - very much recommended.

[Stat Brother]

Christ I wish I could rename this thread:-

'Meet up before the West Ham game - Is central Bath ok for everybody?'

 

[BN9 BHA]

I used to spend a fair amount of time there. I had my foot broken by angry chavs and was threatened with a gun in the public bogs but I still like Bath. The Bell is a good place to get a pint.

Are you a drug dealer?

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

Nobody has mentioned the ghost tour yet (if they still do it) if you stay the night or leave late it is well worth doing.
Edit, yes they do. Ghost walks of Bath, tour of the ghostly happenings of Georgian Bath.

 

[Return of the Rev]

Have stayed in Bradford on Avon which matches bath in many ways, it's a short train journey but cycling along the river is a great way to visit Bath. A day trip seems a little to quick for the area.First trip to Bath was rovers v bha not a great experience tbh.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Tis the wife's favourite Big Day Out, (it is a lot nearer for us, than you Brighton-based folk). There's not really much to DO tbh, so I'm surprised that kids would be that on board. But yes, if you enjoy strolling about, looking at pretty buildings and pretty people, or sitting in the sun drinking coffee or beer, then it is a lovely spot.

(Of course we have Winchester on our doorstep, where we can do all those same things every Sunday morning!)

 

[cheshunt seagull]

We had a weekend there in early January and it was really nice and not crowded. A good time to go.

 

[Brightonfan1983]

The Raven.

It used to be Hatchetts. Now that was a proper pub. Many still hurt because of the change��

Ha yes!

What was the change? From Hatchetts? Is it a tourist pub now (and did I fall for that...)?

 

[Stat Brother]

As we're not going to let this thread fade away, I have one other recommendation even though everybody reading this thread is doing so while living in Bath.

As time was ticking by I was left thinking 'oh well I guess it'll be a McDonald's tea before getting back on the train'.

Thankfully on our way back down I saw and we went into Schwartz Bros burgers.

Absolute filth.

When we settled down to eat I thought I'd need a pelican bib.
I'm amazed I didn't wear most of it.

 

[Bozza]

Tis the wife's favourite Big Day Out, (it is a lot nearer for us, than you Brighton-based folk). There's not really much to DO tbh, so I'm surprised that kids would be that on board. But yes, if you enjoy strolling about, looking at pretty buildings and pretty people, or sitting in the sun drinking coffee or beer, then it is a lovely spot.

(Of course we have Winchester on our doorstep, where we can do all those same things every Sunday morning!)

Brighton is a mere 3 miles further from you than Bath, but a quicker drive according to Google Maps.

Google Maps clearly has a lot to learn about the utter shitfest that is the A27 it seems.

I've just noticed we're away to Bristol Rovers in the League Cup and it coincides with the boy being away on a Cub camp for a week, which strikes me as a good opportunity to spend a few days in and around Bristol and Bath. I've not been back for at least a year or two.

 

[Giraffe]

Have spent a lot of time there in recent years.

A few tips - if you drive parking at the cricket club is cheap and fairly central.

If you visit the Royal Crescent. go in the Royal Crescent Hotel and out the back there is a nice garden where you can get tea and cake at a very reasonable price. It's like a tardis, looks tiny but is very big once inside.

 

[Stat Brother]

"Can we get closer to the houses?"
"We can pretend to live there"

"Nobody is going to mistake us for residents of Royal Crescent".

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/bath/royal-crescent/

 

[brakespear]

I'd never been before but can thoroughly recommend Bath as a day trip by train.
Booking a week in advance with a F & F Railcard got the tickets down to just £43

The Stats have just started the return journey, having arrived at 11:30.

Lovely city, very clean and picturesque, even before taking in very good tours around the Roman baths and Abbey as well as going up to the Royal Crescent.

I'm very pleased to have had a change of mind and headed west instead of up to that there London town.

Was seriously considering this before the holidays but didn't do it as I thought the time there and back on the train might make it not worth while for a day but may reconsider now. Have wanted to go there for a long time now.

 

[Stat Brother]

Was seriously considering this before the holidays but didn't do it as I thought the time there and back on the train might make it not worth while for a day but may reconsider now. Have wanted to go there for a long time now.

Ha you're now the odd one out here on NSC - you Bathophobe

From here in the better half of Sussex we had (give or take) an even split to the day.
3 hours to, 6 hours there, 3 hours back.

Train tickets for me and the kids were originally £84, but using Trainline with a Family and Friends pass the price came down to £43.

We even had reserve seating on the way out.


All of Bath is in front of you the moment you walk out of the station, so no time lost there.

The Roman Spa and Abbey are 5 minutes walk through the shops.
Royal Crescent about 10 -15 minutes walk away at t'other end of the town.

 

[Jimmy Come Lately]

We've been to Bath a few times for Mrs JCL to go shopping at Duo Boots. It's probably my favourite UK city for a weekend break.

Not one for the kids, but a good way to see most of the centre and learn about Bath's architecture and history is to do one of the free walking tours run by the mayor's office.

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Lots of middle class white people, not unexpected with the prices down there, all good rugger types .went down for the day done a park and ride , decent day out
regards
DR

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Brighton is a mere 3 miles further from you than Bath, but a quicker drive according to Google Maps.

Google Maps clearly has a lot to learn about the utter shitfest that is the A27 it seems.

I'd expect to do Brighton a fair bit quicker tbh. Unusual for that drive down to take more than 1.5 hours, and Bath in anything under 2 is a result. The A36 isn't the greatest road in the world, either.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

Just found out we are going to Bath over the weekend to meet up with the wife's sister for her birthday, weather permitting she is going on a balloon ride over Bath on Saturday.

 

[Normal Rob]

Ha yes!

What was the change? From Hatchetts? Is it a tourist pub now (and did I fall for that...)?

I think this, the opening lines from a review of the Raven, answers both of your questions...

Formerly a sticky-carpeted hangout for the city’s punks and goths, this buzzy old boozer is now one of central Bath’s must-visit alehouses and a popular pit stop for shoppers and tourists.

 

[Seecider]

Lived in Bath for over 30 years. Great place to live. All too easy to take it for granted. If you get tired of Bath drive round the east side of Bristol, you'll soon realise how lucky you are. Bit full of egg chasers, but Bath City (Twerton Park) have started this season well. Check out The Old Green Tree if you are in the city centre, The Star in The Paragon for an unspoilt boozer, or The Ram in Widcombe if you are staying at TravelLodge Waterside. Eating places come and go, but if you are up near the Royal Crescent, or The Circus "Woods" is worth a visit.

If you are driving, watch out for bus "gates" in the city centre.

 

[Justice]

I have family there who say it’s shitehouse.