LIVING IN BATH
Bath is one of the most desirable places to live in the UK. The reasons why are many and varied; they include the city’s Roman heritage, Georgian architecture, great schools, stellar shopping and close links to London.
“I’m thinking of buying the beautiful city of Bath. But don’t worry, I probably won’t change a thing :)”
– Ricky Gervais
PROPERTY IN BATH
Bath is one of the most desirable places to live in the UK. The reasons why are many and varied; they include the city’s Roman heritage, Georgian architecture, great schools, stellar shopping and close links to London.
Bath is blessed with some of the most impressive Georgian terraces, crescents and streets anywhere in the UK.
Classic Georgian and Regency townhouses are much sought after and can be located at some of the city’s most enviable locations, such as The Royal Crescent, The Circus, Lansdown Crescent, Cavendish Crescent and the eternally elegant Great Pulteney Street. While Widcombe, Bathwick Hill and Claverton offer (albeit rarely) hill-top mansions overlooking the city.
Family homes can be found in areas such as Weston, Larkhall and Combe Down and offer those relocating to Bath a great choice, while still being in close proximity to the city centre.
For village locations close to Bath, look at Freshford, Wellow, Combe Hay, Priston, Limpley Stoke and Monkton Farleigh. While the surrounding countryside offers every kind of rural property you could wish for, in numerous delightful market-town and village locations.
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
Bathonians possess a jam-packed social calendar as there is always something happening in the city. This is thanks to its vibrant cultural scene, where food, fashion, sport and the arts all feature heavily.
Quality of life is not an abstract concept to residents, but just one of the many benefits of living in such a unique and stunning city, as Bath offers a lifestyle to rival any of the UK’s big cities.
A packed calendar of events takes in major festivals dedicated to literature, film, comedy, music and even, the first lady of Bath, Jane Austen. But that’s not all. There are also major events celebrating fashion (Bath In Fashion) and also food (The Great Bath Feast). Brimming with history, the Theatre Royal Bath is one of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in Britain.
Bath is also a place of relaxation and retail therapy. The relaxation takes the form of its trademark spas (the Thermae Bath Spa is a must visit), where pampering yourself is obligatory. While retail therapy is prescribed by the generous number of shops, where major labels rub shoulders with wonderfully creative independents.
If all that shopping has made you peckish, fear not. Bath’s food and drink scene is thriving with an amazing array of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants for all palettes, purses and persuasions.
FAMILIES & EDUCATION
Bath is well served for education with many leading independent schools to be found in the city. It is also family-friendly and a fantastic location for children to grow up in.
Bath is a fantastic place for families. Offering great education opportunities, many family friendly attractions and a safe, inspiring environment for children to grow up in.
Quality schooling is one of Bath’s great attractions, and the reason why many parents relocate to the city from London and elsewhere in the UK. Prior Park College, King Edward’s School, Kingswood School, the Royal High School and Monkton Combe School are leading independents. Bath also offers some of the finest state education in the country at both primary and secondary level.
The city is family friendly and offers many attractions that can be enjoyed by the kids and adults alike. The Roman Baths, for instance, is a place for the whole family to enjoy. In the city centre the award-winning theatre for children, the Egg, stages performances throughout the year. While a day out at Longleat Safari Park, with its array of exotic wild animals, is always a winner.
Bath is also blessed with an impressive number of parks and outdoor spaces. Notably Victoria Park, Henrietta Park and Alexandra Park – the latter with its magnificent panoramic views of the city.
VILLAGES & COUNTRY
The surrounding countryside is picture postcard pretty and supports an active rural scene. There are numerous market towns and villages with the close environs of Bath, all possessing attractive properties.
Beautiful countryside and any number of charming villages and towns surround Bath. Attractive counties such as Somerset, Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire are all in its immediate orbit.
The Mendip Hills and the Somerset levels offer a magical blend of history and legend. Overshadowed by its awesome Tor, Glastonbury is the Mendip district’s most famous town. While Wells, England’s smallest city, is dominated by its magnificent cathedral.
To the east of Bath is the rolling rural landscape of Wiltshire with its chalk horses and picture-postcard villages. Bradford on Avon is packed with specialist shops, art galleries and any number of desirable properties. Other Wiltshire villages of note include Corsham, Box and Castle Combe.
The county of Gloucestershire reaches from the north suburbs of Bristol and the Severn Vale to the far reaches of the Cotswold Hills, encompassing the Forest of Dean, Cheltenham and Gloucester.
TRAVEL
Mainline services from Bath Spa station reach London Paddington in 90 minutes. Exeter and Birmingham are within easy reach. While numerous destinations in the UK and abroad are served by nearby Bristol Airport.
Bath has excellent transport links with mainline train service to London Paddington every 15 minutes and taking less than 90 minutes to reach central London. Bristol International Airport is a short drive away from the city centre and has flights to many European cities and holiday destinations.
The motorway network to the north of the city is also excellent with easy access to the M5 heading both south to Exeter and north to Birmingham and beyond. Junction 18 of the nearby M4 heads east towards London and west into Wales.
Bristol Temple Meads is just 15 minutes away by train. It is a major hub for travel to all other parts of the country. A number of services to Bath Spa will change at Bristol Temple Meads including services from northern England, Scotland, Devon and Cornwall.
Bath is very compact and once you are in the city getting around is fairly straightforward. Indeed, from the city centre everything is easily accessible and you may decide to walk everywhere. There are also three regular Park & Ride services, which operate seven days a week.