If a trip to Bath is on your list, don’t just tick off the big sights and leave it there. The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent are all worth seeing, of course, but some of the city’s real charm comes from the quieter streets, independent shops, small galleries and tucked-away places.
On our recent visit, we followed a lovely walking route that links Bath’s grand Georgian architecture with some of its smaller, more characterful stops. It starts in Queen Square, takes in The Circus and Margaret’s Buildings, and finishes across Pulteney Bridge by the river. It’s easy to do in a morning or afternoon, with plenty of chances to shop, browse and pause along the way.
Queen Square
Queen Square is a lovely, quieter place to begin. It has all the elegant Georgian character you hope for in Bath, but without the same crowds as the city’s more famous architectural set pieces.
The square is surrounded by handsome honey-coloured buildings, with mature trees and a central garden that make it feel calm and spacious. It gives you an immediate sense of Bath’s Georgian beauty, but in a softer, more relaxed way than some of the grander sights.
This is also where you’ll find the Francis Hotel Bath, where we stayed. Set across a row of Georgian townhouses, it fits beautifully into the square and makes a very convenient base for exploring the city on foot. It has a lively bar (below right) and restaurant on site.
Walk up to The Circus
From Queen Square, walk up towards The Circus, one of Bath’s most impressive architectural set pieces. It is a perfect circle of Georgian townhouses, designed with wonderful symmetry and detail.
Even if you have seen photos before, it is still impressive when you arrive in the middle and see the buildings curve all the way around you. Take a few minutes here rather than rushing through. Look up at the carved details, the repeated windows and the way the pale Bath stone changes with the light.
Continue along Brock Street to Pockets
From The Circus, continue along Brock Street, the elegant Georgian street that leads towards the Royal Crescent. It is a short walk, but one of the prettiest stretches in the city, with handsome façades on either side and a real sense of moving through Bath’s architectural history.
On Brock Street, stop at Pockets, a lovely independent clothing store set inside a beautifully restored Georgian building. It has a stylish, considered edit, with clothes that feel smart and wearable rather than overly formal. The service is part of what makes it worth visiting. Paul and the team are friendly and knowledgeable, which gives the shop a very personal feel.
Stroll on to Margaret’s Buildings
Next, stroll on to Margaret’s Buildings, a pretty pedestrian street lined with independent shops and galleries. It sits close to the Royal Crescent, but feels quieter and more tucked away.
Red Rag Gallery is a good place to start if you enjoy contemporary art, with a mix of paintings and sculpture in a calm, approachable space. We came away ourselves with a lovely new painting that caught our eye in the window! Nearby, 8 Holland Street Gallery & Design Studio is well worth a look for interiors, design pieces and carefully chosen objects. Bath Old Books adds a more traditional note to the street. It is the sort of independent bookshop where you can happily lose a little time, scanning the shelves and seeing what catches your eye.
Together, these stops make Margaret’s Buildings one of the nicest parts of the route.
Take a break in a hidden garden
After Margaret’s Buildings, head towards the Royal Crescent. This is one of Bath’s most famous views, and it is absolutely worth seeing: a sweeping curve of Georgian houses overlooking the wide green lawn below (below left).
But rather than just taking a photo and moving on, slip behind the Crescent to the garden of the Royal Crescent Hotel. It is a beautiful place to pause for coffee, or for afternoon tea if you want to make more of an occasion of it. Hidden away from the crowds at the front, the garden feels calm, polished and very Bath!
Head Back into the Centre to Magalleria
From the Royal Crescent area, head back into the centre and make time for Magalleria. This brilliant little shop has an amazing selection of magazines covering all sorts of genres, from design and travel to fashion, interiors, culture and more specialist titles.
It is a great reminder of how enjoyable physical magazines, even in a digital age. If you love print, design or simply finding something different to read, this is one to add to your Bath list.
Cross Pulteney Bridge to Bath Boating Station
For a relaxed final stop, cross Pulteney Bridge and head towards Bath Boating Station. The walk across the bridge is worth doing in itself, as it is one of Bath’s most distinctive landmarks, with shops built across it and views along the river.
Bath Boating Station is a good place to finish the route with drinks by the water in an informal riverside feel. If you have an hour to spare, you can also go punting, which is a fun way to see another side of the city!
Bath is a brilliant choice for a day trip or short break: beautiful, walkable and easy to enjoy. The grand Georgian architecture gives the city its famous good looks. But this walking route adds a few more hidden gems along the way, from independent shops and galleries to quiet corners and a relaxed riverside finish. It’s a lovely way to see a slightly different side of Bath!
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