Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sausages (mild savory pork sausage with smoked ham, spinach, and Dijon mustard)
to the more radical Somerset Scrumpy (pork with scrumpy, strong apple cider).
Entertainment & Nightlife
As befits one of Britain's oldest cities, there are plenty of characterful pubs in Bath,
and nightlife tends to revolve around them (for nightclubs, Bristol is much better).
Look for beers by
Abbey Ales,
Bath's only microbrewery. You'll find them among nine
cask ales served at the
Bell,
103 Walcot St. (
&
01225/460426;
www.walcotstreet.
com), which also features live music ranging from jazz and country to reggae and
blues on Monday and Wednesday nights and Sunday.
The Raven of Bath,
6-7
Queen St. (
&
01225/425045;
www.theravenofbath.co.uk), also offers a range of
excellent ales and wines, but is best known for its tasty pies.
Vegetarians and students love the
Porter,
15 George St. (
&
01225/424104;
www.
theporter.co.uk), a grungier option specializing in vegetarian food and live music, open-
mic nights, ambient DJs, and comedy. Next door is the
Moles Club
(
&
01225/404445;
www.moles.co.uk), Bath's premier dance club and live music venue.
Where to Stay
VERY EXPENSIVE
Bath Priory
Bath's most historic and luxurious hotel stands on .81 hectares
(2
1
⁄
2
acres) of award-winning gardens with manicured lawns and flower beds. The
rooms are furnished with lavish antiques; our favorites are Heather and Lilac, on the
top floor, with wonderful balconies overlooking the gardens (all rooms are named
after flowers or shrubs). Rooms range from medium in size to spacious deluxe units,
the latter with views, sitting areas, and generous dressing areas. Each has a lovely
antique bed (two have four-posters).
Weston Rd., Bath, Somerset BA1 2XT. www.thebathpriory.co.uk.
&
01225/331922.
Fax 01225/448276.
27 units. £195-£400 double. Rates include breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Amenities:
Restau-
rant; bar; babysitting; exercise room; 2 pools (1 heated indoor, 1 outdoor); room service; spa.
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (free).
Royal Crescent Hotel
Rates at this venerable hotel reflect the stunning loca-
tion, in the center of the famed Royal Crescent. Guest rooms, including the Jane
Austen Suite (a converted coach house), are luxuriously furnished with four-poster
beds and marble tubs. Generally quite spacious, the bedrooms are also decked out
with thick wool carpeting, silk wall coverings, and antiques. Each room is individually
designed and offers such comforts as bottled mineral water and fruit plates.
16 Royal Crescent, Bath, Somerset BA1 2LS. www.royalcrescent.co.uk.
&
01225/823333.
Fax 01225/
339401. 45 units. £195-£445 double; £440-£920 suite. Rates include English breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V.
Parking £5.
Amenities:
Restaurant (Dower House, p. 340); bar; babysitting; exercise room; indoor
heated pool; room service; sauna.
In room:
TV/DVD, hair dryer, minibar (in some), Wi-Fi (free).
EXPENSIVE
Apsley House Hotel
This charming hotel, only about a mile west of the
center of Bath, is one of the best deals in the city. It dates from 1830 and was built
for the Duke of Wellington (you can stay in his room). Style and comfort are the
keynotes here, and all the relatively spacious bedrooms are invitingly appointed with
plush beds (some four-posters), country-house chintzes, antiques, and oil paintings.
141 Newbridge Hill, Bath, Somerset BA1 3PT. www.apsley-house.co.uk.
&
01225/336966.
Fax 01225/
425462. 12 units. £70-£200 double. Rates include English breakfast. AE, MC, V. Free parking. Take the
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