Absorb the atmosphere and character of Bath England on these fascinating Bath walks

The best way to really appreciate the city of Bath England is to go on one of the guided Bath walks or just wander around its streets and crescents.

On foot you can see the detail of the buildings, look down into lush basement gardens and get a feel of what the city was like before the car ruled the road.

Guided Walks

An excellent introduction is to go on the free (FREE!) Bath walks conducted by the Mayor’s Corps of Honorary Guides, a rather pompous name for a bunch of people so proud of their city’s heritage that they spend their free time taking visitors round it. Walks start daily from the Abbey Churchyard. The last time I did one, the walk lasted more than 2 hours and the guide was a fount of fascinating information of the kind the history books don’t tell you. The flea-ridden wigs is one little gem that stays with me to this day!

Bizarre Bath walks are a brilliant way to spend an evening for visitors and Bath residents alike. Noel Britten’s surprising and irreverent take on the life and architecture of the city of Bath is a refreshing change from all that history and you will ache from laughing. Noel Britten has been busking in Bath for years and his Bizarre Bath walks take place every evening throughout the spring and summer from outside The Huntsman pub in Terrace Walk.

Walk It Yourself

During the time I lived here I devised some Bath walks of my own, taking in many of its famous buildings and some less well-known places off the beaten track.

You will find that there are many intriguing alleyways and side streets which you will want to explore on each walk depending on how much time and energy are available! I have simply provided an easy-to-follow circular route for my Bath walks listing the main points of interest.

For more detailed information on the architecture and way of life of past Bath residents and visitors, see my recommended book list.

I usually start this walk at the eastern end of the Royal Crescent, where Number One is open to the public, furnished in the style of the day, and walk along the crescent to the other end. In the summer many of the basement gardens are in full bloom.

At the end turn right up Marlborough Buildings. I have heard it said that this grand terrace was built to form a windbreak for the Royal Crescent, but this may be apocryphal. Many of these houses have had alterations over time, especially towards the top of the hill.

Cross straight over the junction and proceed up Cavendish Road with the golf course on your left. You pass Cavendish Lodge, only built 10 years ago after considerable controversy about an acceptable design for the site. At the top is Cavendish Crescent, a mini-crescent.

Turn right at the crossroads and go up the steps on the left – these lead to Somerset Place which has housed the art department of Bath Spa University College and was put on the market last year in its entirety! It has now been bought by a local developer who will convert it into high quality flats and houses.

Follow the road into Lansdown Crescent, flanked by its neighbours Lansdown Place West and East. You can still see the ornate metal holders for the flares used to light the way. There is a magnificent view over western Bath, particularly when the sun is setting, and an unusual sight in the centre of a city – sheep peacefully grazing!

Pass Lansdown Place East and you emerge onto Lansdown Road. Turn right and walk down the hill, passing the Lansdown Grove Hotel over the road and Ballance Street flats further down on the right.

Cross over the road at some point and turn left at the junction into Camden Crescent. You can see from the pediment where the centre of the crescent was intended to be – a landslide destroyed the houses at the eastern end while they were being built!

After the crescent, continue along Camden Road. On the left you get tantalising glimpses of Georgian terraced houses reached by steps through their front gardens and screened by trees. The terraced houses on your right have colourful front doors.

Continue past the junction with Gay’s Hill (in case you’re wondering, Gay has been a surname around here for hundreds of years!) and along Belgrave Terrace. On the left is a pretty terrace of pastel-painted houses.

Turn right and follow the length of Belgrave Crescent, a later and more modest version of the crescent theme, now constantly lined with parked cars.

At the end you come out into Gay’s Hill - go down the hill and turn right into Upper Hedgemead Road. You will emerge back at the far end of Camden Crescent, once again on Lansdown Road.

Walk down the hill, where there are some interesting antique and interiors shops, and cross the road in order to turn right into Bennett Street. Here the Assembly Rooms, housing the Museum of Costume, are on your left.

Bennett Street leads you to the Circus, with its huge central plane trees. The frieze running round all the buildings depicts many emblems of the arts and sciences.

Taking the Brock Street exit from the Circus will lead you back to Number One, the Royal Crescent, where you started, passing Margaret’s Buildings with its pretty independent shops and restaurants.

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