19 things to do in Bath for Couples in 2023
Bath is on the top of many lists covering the best cities in the UK, and it isn’t short of things to do for couples. With so much choice, we decided to bring together a distinctive guide to the top 19 things to do in Bath for couples.
Henry went to the University of Bath, and we went on a couples trip to Bath in September 2021 (below), so we have the knowledge to provide the best spots you should check out. So keep reading to avoid disappointment in the city and discover the best things to do in Bath for couples.
Robyn caught red handed after eating our snacks for later on the Royal Crescent, Bath
Why visit Bath?
Bath is a city in the South West of England. It is known for its Roman-era hot springs, Roman and Medieval architecture, and as a fashionable tourist destination with many 18th-century buildings.
Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in England and even featured as No1 on our top 10 romantic cities in the UK. The city has been famous since Roman times and is still popular today. Bath has many historic buildings, beautiful parks and gardens, and great restaurants to offer.
If we still haven’t convinced you, here are 5 reasons that you should visit Bath:
It’s historical, with a streak of modern, which makes it an excellent place for couples looking for things to do
Bath has some of the best hotels in the UK (as we’ll cover below)
You won’t run out of excellent restaurants that don’t break the bank
Bath is an incredibly safe city - you’ll never have a problem walking across the centre at night (unlike many cities in the UK)
It’s a city without the rat race - Bath is a city, but you don’t feel the hectic, crazy rush that you get with many of the cities in the UK
What is the Best Time of Year To Visit Bath?
As with many cities in the UK, you’re likely to get rain, meaning it’s best to plan your trip in summer to ensure you can enjoy the sights and parks in the sun.
Given Bath is so popular, you’re likely to get stuck in busy crowds in summer. So it may be best to visit during the quieter Spring and Autumn months to get the whole experience.
All in all, we would recommend going to Bath around Christmas time, this is because the city has one of the best Christmas markets in the UK. Yes, these markets are overpriced, but compared to the other Christmas markets in the country, this one has an authentic romantic feeling that is an ideal thing to do in Bath for couples.
The 19 best things to do in Bath for Couples
Below we have added the 19 best things to do in Bath for couples based on our experience of enjoying the city.
To make things easier, we have split them into the following categories: hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions and thrills, making it easy to find things to do in the Bath with your boyfriend or girlfriend.
If we have missed anything off the list, or you would like to be featured, then feel free to reach out to the Couples Things To Do Team.
Also, feel free to check the things to do in Bath page on TripAdvisor, which has many things we haven’t included in this guide!
Couples hotels in Bath
A couples weekend isn’t complete without a stunning hotel to go with it; below, we have included the three best hotels in Bath for couples.
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
The Royal Crescent Hotel isn’t cheap, but it’s by far the best hotel in Bath for couples. We have been lucky to stay there once, and Henry has stayed there twice more with his family. All these visits have been fantastic, with the experience matching the price tag.
The Royal Crescent Hotel is the most impressive luxury hotel in the World Heritage City of Bath. It occupies the two central buildings of the famous Royal Cresent, encompassing all that is now expected by today’s discerning business and leisure travellers.
Looking for the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa? Find it in the middle of the Royal Crescent.
If you’re looking for the hotel, look for an eclectically styled building combining Georgian elegance with 21st-century luxury in the heart of the Royal Crescent.
Beyond its awe-inspiring facade lies a hotel renowned for its charm, elegance, and superb service plus the unexpected beauty of the beautiful one-acre garden. Sitting in these gardens surrounded by historic buildings is an experience that cannot be missed.
This hotel is more than just a magnificent collection of buildings and beautiful gardens. It offers the opportunity to experience living like royalty back in the 1700s when Bath was at its peak.
Even if you’re not staying there, they still offer breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner for all residents and non-residents. So be sure to book to at least get a taste.
Indigo Hotel, Bath
Do you want the luxury and feeling of being at home without paying the price tag? Hotel Indigo has very much the same feel as The Royal Crescent, without being too expensive.
It’s still not cheap, but that’s because of the boutique and city centre offering it provides that makes it an excellent thing to do in Bath for couples.
Apex Hotel Bath, TripAdvisor
Bath’s boutique Hotel Indigo is situated in a historic Georgian Terrace. Its stunning honey-coloured exterior will take your breath away, and its beautiful surroundings offer a serene escape. You’ll be right in the centre of Bath, but the hotel itself is tucked away on South Parade, so you’ll be surrounded by peace and quiet while in one of their 166 hotel rooms.
Apex Hotel Bath
Apex Hotel in Bath is probably the best value-for-money hotel you’ll get in the city. Henry has stayed there and gone for university events and has never been disappointed.
Not only is the hotel great for business, but it is also perfect for pleasure. It’s situated on the corner of James Street West, close to all attractions. As the biggest conference and events space in town, it has spacious and sumptuous bedrooms with free Wi-Fi - perfect for a couples trip.
On top of your room, you also get access to the leisure facilities, including a heated pool, gym and a short walk to Bath Spa Train Station and some of the best restaurants in Bath, which we’ll cover below!
Most Romantic Restaurants in Bath
It has been a challenge and led to many heated discussions, but we have brought together a list of the best 7 restaurants in Bath for couples looking for things to do in Bath - these could also be considered the most romantic restaurants in Bath.
As you will already know, we have a knack for hunting some of the best restaurants in different cities/towns, including Swansea, London and Ludlow.
Menu Gordon Jones
Rated as the number 1 restaurant in Bath on TripAdvisor and featured on the Michelin Guide, this tiny restaurant has a friendly, creative atmosphere. A vast open kitchen means you can watch the owner-chef as he makes complex and diverse dishes too.
The menu changes daily, so you can be sure you’re always going to get the freshest ingredients spiced up with creative flare. We love this restaurant as a treat and will certainly be going back the next time we’re looking for things to do in Bath for couples.
Clayton’s Kitchen
During our weekend visit to Bath for Henry’s birthday in September 2021, we stopped by Clayton’s kitchen and had one of the best meals we’d had in ages!
Rated as the 34th best restaurant in Bath on TripAdvisor, we believe this place needs to climb up the rankings, as it is a perennial favourite for locals and travelling foodies
Robert Clayton, who has been the restaurant Chef Patron since its inception in 2012, creates dishes that showcase fresh and high-quality ingredients. He is inspired by the Mediterranean and modern French cuisine. Robert ensures that every dish is perfect so you can enjoy your meal to the fullest.
As you can see, when we went, we paired our meal with a delightful bottle of wine carefully selected for us by one of the waiters.
Corkage
An award-winning independent wine restaurant in Bath, which offers creatively cooked, locally sourced small plates and daily specials. On top of this, they offer a broad range of exquisite wines from around the world.
What more could you want from a restaurant? We’re not going to try and sell you on Corkage any more than that…
The Hare and Hounds
If you’ve read any of our previous food posts, you will know we absolutely love Sunday lunch and are always looking for the best spots in every city.
The Hare and Hounds is hands down the best Sunday lunch in Bath - be sure to check it out if you’re looking for things to do in Bath for couples, as it doesn’t disappoint.
Some of the reviews on this spot point at the high prices being hard to take - which we do agree with, it is an expensive lunch. If you’re looking for a cheaper Sunday lunch, we recommend checking out The Malborough Tavern (below), Hall and Woodhouse or The Moorfields.
The Marlborough Tavern
Situated just off The Royal Crescent, The Malborough Tavern is one of the best Sunday lunches you will try, and it’s in a fantastic location for fitting into your day. Offering:
Mumbai red lentil Dahl with toasted sourdough, toasted coconut, charred lime & coriander
Roasted pork belly & crackling with seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding & red wine gravy
Cauliflower cheese / Maple glazed pigs in blankets / Pork, sage & apricot stuffing / Truffle & parmesan fries
Chocolate brownie with chocolate crumb & salted caramel ice-cream
Literally, what more could you want from a Sunday lunch spot? When we visited here, we walked all the way up from the weir in the city’s centre, which took no longer than 10 minutes.
Henry’s
Of course, we couldn’t cover the best restaurants to visit in Bath for couples without covering Henry’s.
Also featured in the Michelin Guide, Henry’s has a laid-back bistro feel with fantastic food to match. It’s in a pedestrianized part of Bath and, for the most part, has an appealing interior. The owner, Henry (good name tbf 👀), is passionate about his work, and it really shows in everything from the food to the service.
Robyn even went for the vegetarian option when we went here, which didn’t leave her disappointed; we will certainly be returning!
If you can't get into Henry's, check out the Olive Tree, which is just as good but not as busy!
Cultural attractions for couples in Bath
Now you’ve booked your hotel and restaurants to eat at, it’s time to find things to do in Bath for couples that cover all the city's culture.
Below we have added 7 things to do to take in the cultural side of the city. If you’re looking for additional things to do outside of this, check out our TripAdvisor link below, which can give you something to do in every city, not just Bath!
Visit the Roman Baths
Explore the complete history of Bath. From the days of the Romans to everyday life in Bath, the exhibits and reconstructions give you a glimpse into the world 500 years ago and what made it so unique back then.
The Baths are so good that they make it on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. We’re not usually a big fan of going to museums etc., as they’re a bit too slow-paced for us, but the Roman Baths are 100% worth a visit, even though it is a bit expensive.
We recommend putting your hand in the water when you get to the Bath itself - it’s pretty astonishing how warm the water gets, given it’s all from underground springs.
Prior Park Landscape
The Prior Park Landscape Garden is a must-do if you’re looking for things to do in Bath for couples. Located just south of the World Heritage Site of Bath, it was beautifully designed by Alexander Pope and Capability Brown in the 18th century.
The landscape is now owned and maintained by the National Trust - if you have a car (and a dog!), then taking a short drive to see this spot is highly recommended. If you don't have a car, we recommend visiting the Royal Victoria Park, which is in the centre of Bath and can be seen on most walking tours.
Fun fact: The bridge at this spot is one of only four Palladian bridges of this design in the world!
Thermae Bath Spa
While you can’t divebomb into the Roman Baths nowadays, you can still bathe in warm water while enjoying the city's history by going to the Thermae Bath Spa.
This one-of-a-kind complex brings what you would typically expect with a spa in an ancient city into the twenty-first century. The Thermae Spa offers lovely treatments, relaxation spaces and a spectacular rooftop pool offering 360-degree views of the city.
Climb Bath Abbey’s Tower
The Bath Abbey Tower Tour gives an interesting insight into the things you don’t get to see from street level. When you visit this iconic landmark, you will ascend 212 steps to the top, which presents you with breathtaking views over the city and surrounding hills - where The University of Bath is located.
When you climb up the tower, you will go past the ringing chamber to the bell chamber, which gives an interesting insight into how the inside of a church/abbey actually works.
Watch the sunset over the city at Alexandra Park
Henry first found this park when he went there after graduating with his university friends (below) and took Robyn there when they visited the city in 2021.
Walking up the hill to this spot is a pain, but when you get there, stay for the sunset as it’s an absolute delight to watch.
To get up the hill, you need to walk up Jacob’s Ladder - a long steep flight of steps which starts all the way down at Bath Spa railway station and pass throughBeechen Cliff to reach the top of the park.
Enjoy festivals
There’s always something to do in Bath, from comedy and carnival to food and drink, music and literature. There are plenty of events happening throughout the year.
The Bath Festival is the city’s flagship festival, a multi-arts celebration of all things music and literature. With over 120 events spread over ten days, the line-up features rock, classical and world music - with the fantastic Finale Weekend top of the list.
As mentioned above, you can add a little spice to your holiday shopping at the Bath Christmas Market. Laid out around Bath’s city centre, you’ll find a wonderland of pretty wooden stalls packed with one-of-a-kind festive gifts and tasty seasonal treats.
Visit Pulteney Bridge and Weir
Pulteney Bridge is a bridge over the River Avon in Bath and was completed in 1774. It connected the city with the land of the Pulteney family, which it wished to develop, and was designed in an unusual style by Robert Adam.
Just under the stunning bridge is Pulteney Weir, a picturesque horseshoe weir that was first built in the 1600s to prevent flooding in the town of Bath.
As the locals know, the River Avon, which passes through Bath, is dangerous to anyone who attempts to battle it, so the weir was well needed in this city.
Things to do in Bath for couples looking for a thrill
Watch Bath Rugby play
Even if you’re not into rugby, we recommend booking tickets to watch Bath Rugby play. Located right in the centre, The Reck (home of Bath Rugby) is a fantastic stadium. What makes it even better is that at the final whistle, the friendly fans take over the city, making the atmosphere even better.
The Rec, Bath Rugby
You’ll never have any problems watching rugby games - the people are amiable, and you’re bound to see some excellent skills on the pitch! This is also a must-do if you're looking for things to do in the Bath with your boyfriend (hint hint Robyn).
The Dark Horse
An underground cocktail den with a seasonal menu focussing on fresh & local ingredients - you’re not going to get an experience like at The Dark Horse anywhere else.
The Dark Horse was voted in the top 4 best new cocktail bars in the world by Tales Of The Cocktail 2016 and top 3 in the UK by Imbibe Magazine 2017.
Bingo Lingo
If you haven’t gone to Bingo Lingo, be sure to check whether you can go when you’re looking for things to do in Bath for couples.
Bingo Lingo is often located in Komedia, Bath, which is a great venue, and you can be sure that Bingo Lingo will lead to lots of booze and great memories.
Conclusion: 19 Best things to do for Couples in Bath
Bath is a great place to visit with your loved one. It is the perfect spot for couples to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
After reading this blog, you’ll never be short of things to do in Bath for couples and things to do in the Bath with your boyfriend. These activities, restaurants and hotels will make your time together memorable, fun, and romantic.
We’ll be returning to Bath very soon, so let us know if you find anything we’ve missed! With Robyn’s family soon moving, we’ll also be exploring the historic city of Oxford, which is often likened to Bath.
