Visiting Bath in England in December
As the city sparkles with glittering lights, delightful aromas of sweet roasted chestnuts fill the air and cheerful choirs sing carols by candlelight, soak up the smells and sounds of Christmas in Bath.
With its glorious honey-hued Georgian architecture and famous Christmas markets, the genteel city of Bath is a top pick for a festive break. The aromas of mulled wine and sizzling sausages waft among scores of stalls that spring up around the abbey and Roman baths, peddling artisan cheeses and chocolates, handcrafts and high-class hooch to locals and visitors alike.
We’ve put together a festive list of things to do in Bath to help you plan your adventure here in December.
Southgate's Christmas Village
Southgate is a shopping centre in Bath, Somerset, England, and is home to myriads of shops and restaurants.
Grab a golden snowflake and get cosy with a hot chocolate or mulled wine at the Christmas-themed bar. Plus, don’t miss your chance to post a Christmas card with the mischievous elves and see Santa with his toy soldiers.
This is a busy and buzzing place over Christmas with many things to do and buy or simply watch it all passing by.
Bath Christmas Market
Once you made the official entry into the city from the main gate, it’s time to explore what’s behind the front door.
From caramelised nuts and mulled wine to hog roast and bratwurst, Bath Christmas Market brings plenty of foodie treats to feast on as you stroll the city’s sparkling masterpiece. Nearly 90 percent of stallholders here are from Bath and the surrounding areas, so you can support local traders while picking high-quality handmade produce you can only find in Bath.
Eat, drink and stock up on family gifts and once you feel ready, get your skates on at Bath on Ice or have a few rounds of Glow in the Dark Mini Golf. There’s also a Christmas Tree Carol Trail, festive shows at the theatre and carols at Bath Abbey.
Thermae Bath Spa
Bath in December isn’t all about festivities. There is plenty else to do and explore. The city is packed with museums and galleries, plus the steaming hot-spring waters of Thermae Bath Spa – soak in the rooftop pool while gazing down the lights of the market below. This is an award-winning natural spa where you can now bathe in Britain’s only naturally warm, mineral-rich waters as the Celts and Romans did over 2,000 years ago.
Both day and night, you can relax in the indoor Minerva Bath and open-air rooftop pool, and refresh your senses in the Wellness Suite, choosing from over 40 spa treatments and packages. This is an ultimate Christmas getaway in Bath!
Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent, one of Bath’s most iconic landmarks, was built between 1767 and 1775 and designed by John Wood the Younger. This impressive landmark is arranged around a perfect lawn overlooking Royal Victoria Park and forms a sweeping crescent of 30 Grade I Listed terrace houses. It is without doubt one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the UK.
Royal Crescent is ultimately a semi-circular terrace of 30 uniform Georgian townhouses. Some of the Royal Crescent’s notable former residents are William Wilberforce, who stayed at no. 2 and was one of the leading English abolitionists, and the writer Christopher Anstey who lived at no. 4 for 35 years up to his death in 1805.