Bath is fast-becoming a popular place to visit for expectant couples

2013-04-26— /travelprnews.com/ — The ‘babymoon’ is quickly growing in popularity with more couples deciding to take one final break before the arrival of their baby.  With a city centre that is compact and walkable, an abundance of comfortable and luxurious accommodation, delicious places to eat out, unique shops and spa treatments for Mums-to-be, it is no wonder that Bath is fast-becoming a popular place to visit for expectant couples.

Here are five steps to the perfect Babymoon in Bath…

1. Choose comfy accommodation
A comfortable bed is a must, as is a good hearty breakfast to start the day.  Villa Magdala, situated just a short, level walk into the city centre, offers 20 stylishly refurbished bedrooms with heavenly Hypnos beds, all king or super-king size, feather light goose down duvets and crisp cotton bed linen.  Set in an impressive Victorian townhouse, this boutique B&B serves delicious breakfasts all freshly cooked to order using a range of quality, locally-sourced ingredients.  Prices start at £120 per night including breakfast.

For couples who want to splash out, the Bath Priory offers a very special stay.  This luxurious hotel has a country house feel yet is only a short distance from Bath’s city centre.  Set in four acres of award-winning gardens, the hotel grows much of its own herbs and vegetables for its Michelin starred restaurant. It has an outdoor pool in the gardens and an indoor pool in the Garden Spa.  Rooms start at £210 including breakfast.

Bath has a huge variety of accommodation to suit every taste from boutique B&Bs to city centre guest houses, trendy self-catering apartments and luxurious hotels.  Accommodation searches can be made and online bookings secured at: www.visitbath.co.uk.

2. Enjoy Bath’s delicious food and drink 
As a city renowned for hospitality, Bath’s streets are lined with wonderful award winning restaurants, tearooms, coffee shops and welcoming cosy pubs.  Unlike other cities, Bath has a good number of independent restaurants serving cuisine from around the world.  The city even holds an annual event to celebrate its love of food.  The Great Bath Feast takes place in October and features celebrity chefs, street food, specialist producers, celebrity book signings and wine tasting in glamorous venues.

Popular restaurants include The Circus Cafe and Restaurant serving seasonal, locally sourced, freshly-cooked food with a British bias and with menus that change every month.  At the opposite end of town, Demuths – the city’s only vegetarian restaurant – serves a variety of innovative dishes from around the world.

Alcohol may be off the menu but that doesn’t mean cocktails are!  At Sub 13 on George Street, non-alcoholic drinks can be enjoyed in the stylish vaults bar or in the secluded garden.  Cherrylacious is a creamy cocktail made with black cherry, chocolate, milk and almond.  Or for something refreshing choose Moneypenny, a mixture of raspberry, passionfruit, pressed apple juice and orange – delicious on a sunny day.

3. Explore the sights at leisure
Bath is the only entire city in the UK that is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and has a wealth of history and heritage to explore.  The Roman Baths is always a good place to start, giving a fantastic introduction to the city and its unique spa history.  Another major attraction is Bath’s unique architecture – the Royal Crescent, Circus and Pulteney Bridge are all highlights not to be missed.  For tired Mums-to-be, the City Sightseeing Bus Tour is a fantastic way to reach all the sights and the hop on, hop off option gives couples an opportunity to take a closer look at locations of interest at their leisure.

4. Make the most of the city’s unique shops
Before all shopping becomes purely baby focused, head to Bath’s abundance of special shops and boutiques for a wardrobe treat. Around Milsom Street you’ll find lots of lovely boutiques, like Mee, full of hard-to-find labels, beautiful lingerie and accessories.  For stylish pregnancy clothes, Jo Jo Maman Bebe on Cheap Street has a good selection.  There are also lots of shops stocked with toys, clothes, and baby equipment such as The Golden Cot where you’ll find everything from prams to changing mats, clothes and nursery furniture.

5. Relax with special Mum-to-be treatments
A treatment is a fantastic way to relax and ease pregnancy tiredness and thanks to Bath’s spa culture, there is an abundance to choose from including many that are suitable for pregnant women.  Champneys on New Bond Street has a choice of five treatments especially for expecting Mums including Champneys Beautiful Bump.  This special package includes a foot soak, back massage, body mask and a foot, leg and scalp massage and costs just £60.  At the five star Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, day visitors can use the luxurious spa and take advantage of the long list of treatments.  A three and a half hour mother-to-be package is the ultimate way to unwind.  And if Daddy-to-be is feeling left out, book one of the special body or facial treatments just for men.

For more information on visiting Bath see the official website www.visitbath.co.uk or contact the Visitor Information Centre for expert advice on 0906 7112000.

–           ENDS   –

Notes to Editors:
For further information or images to illustrate this information, please contact Lucy Ryder at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 322434 or email: lucy_ryder@bathtourism.co.uk

Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath’s destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation’s top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath’s official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk.  For more information about the services that Bath Tourism Plus offers to meetings, conference and incentive travel businesses, see www.bathconference.co.uk.

Travel to Bath
Bath is easy to access from all over the UK and the world.  Bristol International Airport is just 15 miles from Bath and operates flights from the USA, as well as most major European and UK airports.  An express bus service to Bristol Temple Meads train station operates throughout the day, and Bath is just a 20 minute train journey from there. See: www.bristolairport.co.uk .  High speed, direct train services operated by First Great Western link Bath Spa train station to London and its major airports.  Bath Spa train station is well situated, just 5 minutes level walk into the city centre’s main shopping and tourist areas.  See: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk .  Bath is easy to access by car, from junction 18 of the M4 motorway which links Bath to Bristol, London and South Wales.  There are 3243 pubic car parking spaces in Bath with the main long stay car parks at Charlotte Street and Avon Street.  There are three Park & Ride services on the outskirts of the city which operate fast, frequent services into the city centre, offering a hassle free, cost effective way of reaching the city centre.  There is also a Park & Ride service that operates on Saturdays only from the University of Bath.

###