Nestled in the valley of the River Avon is the historic city of Bath which is known for its elegant limestone architecture. Founded by the Romans as a thermal spa when they arrived in Britain in AD43, Bath is the only city in the UK designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city’s “beautifully preserved” historic sites and incredible buildings have landed it the title of the best “medium-sized” city in the UK, with some visitors even going so far as to say it’s one of the best sites in Europe.
The accolade was given by Which? who surveyed almost 4,000 members to determine the best city breaks in the UK for 2024. The Which? report said: “Bath was the top-rated medium-sized city, with 82 percent.
“One person described it as ‘one of the top sites in the UK, indeed Europe,’ for its architecture and historical sites. The city itself is a Unesco World Heritage Centre.
“It’s best known for its beautifully preserved Roman baths, the Georgian houses of the Royal Crescent and its literary connections, celebrated at the Jane Austen centre.
“There is even a National Trust park. Prior Park is an 18th-century landscaped garden designed by Alexander Pope and Capability Brown.”
The city’s Roman Baths are home to 2,000 years of history and are one of the most visited sites. The Roman baths were once the site of one of the great religious spas of the ancient world.
The people of Roman Britain came to the site to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva and bathe in the waters of the natural thermal springs. These very springs still flow with hot water today, and visitors can walk in the steps of the original Romans.
However, due to the quality of the water, it is not open for visitors to take a dip in the water.
“It got five stars for cultural sights and tourist attractions, four for food and drink and accommodation,” added Which?
In fact, The Yard, an 18th-century coaching inn, was rated by our Which?’s undercover hotel inspectors as one of the best hotel stays in the UK for under £200.
Though the hotel has been fully renovated it still maintains many of its original features, giving a nod to its past life. The hotel is home to 14 rooms across three floors, with the “cosy” room offering the best value for money.