Fall in love with Bath… again and again and again

Fall in love with Bath… again and again and again

2013-01-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Couples who are looking for somewhere extra special to spend some quality time together will find romantic experiences in abundance in Bath.  Already featuring in a nationwide Romantic Heritage Cities campaign by national tourist board VisitEngland, The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath boasts a winning combination of beautiful Georgian architecture, stunning scenery, luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants, earning it the reputation as one of the world’s most romantic destinations.

Meeting Mr Darcy

2013 marks 200 years since the first publication of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the enduring love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy that still captivates audiences to this day. For a whole generation,  the image of Colin Firth diving manfully into the lake in the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice created a new fascination with life and love in the Georgian era and a renewed passion for the work of Jane Austen.  Loved-up couples can follow in this famous author’s footsteps in historic Bath where Jane’s own life was so entwined.  Experienced guides take you to the places where Jane lived, walked, visited and shopped; the houses where she lived and the settings for the novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion can all still be seen within a mile radius of the Jane Austen Centre.

Location, location, location

Bath has its fair share of locations that make it an ideal and very special place to propose.  Take your princess up a tower to the beautifully restored Beckford’s Tower and enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside; propose on the 18th Century Palladian Bridge at Prior Park Landscape Gardens; book a private tour to the very top of the church tower at Bath Abbey where arrangements can be made for a bottle of Champagne and chocolates to be waiting for the happy couple; or pop the question over afternoon tea at the Pump Room while being serenaded by the Pump Room Trio.

Romance and history on every corner

The city is a manageable and walkable city, ideal for couples to amble hand in hand through its secret alleyways. Visit the iconic Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Circus, or visit the famous Roman Baths. For something different venture out to the countryside around Bath, which is waiting to be explored with welcoming country pubs and traditional afternoon tea rooms as well as fabulous country house hotels like Ston Easton Park or Homewood Park Hotel.  A warm and welcome awaits at Woolley Grange near to Bradford-upon-Avon where the children are taken care of, making it possible to re-ignite passion that often has to be suppressed with all the demands of a young family.

Keep warm in Britain’s only thermal waters

The Thermae Bath Spa is popular for couples who want to enjoy some relaxation time together.  For ultimate indulgence, hire the Cross Bath at Thermae Bath Spa – an intimate open-air thermal bath in a stand-alone building from the main complex that can be reserved for two people to bathe in the warm spa waters all alone!  Or purchase the Spas Ancient and Modern package for £63.50 and enjoy entry to the ancient Roman Baths, a two hour session at the Thermae Bath Spa and a Champagne afternoon tea or lunch in the elegant Pump Room.  Vouchers can be purchased from www.visitbath.co.uk/shop or pop into the Visitor Information Centre in Abbey Churchyard.

Dinner pour deux

Bath has a vibrant restaurant scene with a huge choice of eateries from Indian to Italian and Mediterranean to Moroccan. There is something for everyone, including a wealth of inviting restaurants perfect for an intimate candlelit meal for two.  For a special occasion, where better than the Dower House at the 5 star Royal Crescent Hotel, the picturesque setting of the Lime Lounge in Margaret’s Buildings, or for a traditional Bath favourite, the popular Green Park Brasserie.  For somewhere to eat followed by a leisurely stroll in the country there are plenty of cosy country pubs nearby to choose from including The Northey Arms in Box and The Wheelwrights Arms in Monkton Combe, all within an easy drive of the city centre.

At the end of the day……
With three quarters of the hotels in Bath offering four poster beds, there is no shortage of romantic accommodation in and around the city, and with prior arrangement, many will lay on extras such as flowers, chocolates or champagne in the room on arrival for that special occasion.  The Georgian Stables at Smallcombe House offers romantic and quirky accommodation with a double bedroom, a chic lounge in the former tack room and a state of the art shower room. This delightful suite is accessed via a horse ramp and charming cobbled yard, which is for the exclusive use of guests.  For a country retreat, the appropriately named Kissing Gate Cottage exudes romance, providing an idyllic setting for a special break.  The charming cottage is tucked away on a quiet country lane and has open log fires – perfect for snuggling up together on a cold evening.

If you want to experience the romance of Bath for yourself; Bath Tourism is offering you and your loved one the chance to win a romantic break for two in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath. Simply enter your details on http://visitbath.co.uk/lovebath/competition  for your chance to win.

For advice on where to stay including booking accommodation online, what to do, where to eat out and the best places in Bath to propose go to http://visitbath.co.uk/lovebath/ or contact the Visitor Information Centre for a personal and helpful service on 0906 7112000.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For further information or images to illustrate this information, please contact Audra McSherry at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 322434or email: audra_mcsherry@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 InternationalAirport 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, directtrain 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.