In this session with video, we’ll dive into the process we use to determine:
- What we are going to see?
- Where are we going to stay?
- Where/what are we going to eat?
Days 1 – 3 of our England/Wales/Scotland Trip will have us arriving into the UK and the being whisked off to the wonder that is Bath, UK.
First up – our flight into the United Kingdom. We had some unused COVID money to burn on both Delta and American Airlines, so we were able to secure Delta One seats nonstop into Heathrow. Having flown Delta using the Delta one seat – which lies flat, with a mattress pad, along with your own little apartment feeling area… was a perfect fit for us. I’m not the smallest of guys… a first class seat is certainly large enough and is infinitely more comfortable than a economy class seat, but it does not lie flat… which does not allow this side sleeper to… sleep. Since we’re taking the overnight flight into Heathrow which gets us on the ground in mid-to-late morning, having a few hours of shut-eye will make for a more bearable day 2. 🙂
One on the ground, once we clear customs we’ll be picked up by the Celtic Horizon car service. When I priced this out compared to two train tickets from Piccadilly to Bath, it was comparable. I also did not have to drag our luggage thru Heathrow, down to the tube, out to Piccadilly, up to the train platforms, onto the train, off the train into a cab, and then to our hotel/bnb. No.. they pick you up right outside the door where you pick up your luggage after customs, take you straight to your car, and drive you the two hours to bath. The views are wonderful – the conversation is normally so, and for a first time visitor it is the only way to go. 🙂
Next Up – What should we see?
In earlier Attentive Traveler sessions, I talked about finding your patron saints and prophets… those travel writers who most align with what you are looking for, your taste for adventure or budget, etc. For us, we’ve never been Fromers or Fodors folks. For us, it is Rick Steves and the good folks at Lonely Planet. It is the right combination of understanding us Americans a little, guiding us to the stuff we don’t want to miss, but open the doors for the thrilling and unexpected as well. And if the two agree… well… that is a big bonus! 🙂
So what to see in Bath? The guide books agree on a short list of the must-do’s in the area. Here is our list:
- Pulteney Bridge
- Pump Room (for tea)
- Bath Abbey
- Royal Crescent
- The Circus
- Roman Baths
There were also other ideas that are suggested if a person has an interest in these areas:
- Victoria Art Gallery
- Fashion Museum
- American Museum and Gardens
- Thermae Bath Spa
- Canalside Walk to Bathampton
- Bizarre Bath Street Theater.
Last list of areas or sights that are a bit more specialized or good for hunting for gifts or unique themes:
- Parade Gardens
- Guildhall Market
- Pulteney Estates
- Queen Square
- Jane Austen Center
- Herschel Museum of Astronomy
I normally will use Google Maps to locate and mark the “Must See” locations. I then will cross check each location to see if they are open, their operating hours, ticket arrangements, etc. Nothing can mess up a trip faster than having a wish list place be closed on the day of your visit, or not open when you slot it into your schedule. Once that is complete, I can move onto…
Where do we sleep?
It is helpful to again refer to your patron saints for suggestions. Saint Rick (Steves) likes to put his lodging suggestions by neighborhood and then by price by neighborhood. See why the map is so helpful? Lonely Planet goes from cheapest to most expensive.
I’d always suggest you have an idea of what your budget is… and then make a list of locations that well located for your visits (nearby, near subway or bus stops, etc.) and then check out the ones that are a l i t t l e bit above your budget. I’ve been surprised many many times by the special deals one might get… it might be a discount for using the guidebook, or paying in cash, or just plain occupancy luck. For Bath, that place was The Roseate Villa. But alas… no availability.
So then it was to our main list. Saint Rick and the Lonely Planet Folks agreed on three locations, and I added a 4th due to its location and my loyalty program. 🙂 Here was our list:
- Three Abbey Green
- Queensberry
- Grays Bluff
- Abbey Hotel Bath
The first three all looked amazing, but I ultimately chose the Abbey Hotel Bath due to its location right near the Abbey (middle of everything) AND it is part of the Marriott program. The hotel is no slouch, built in 1739 and very highly reviewed. So we got that locked in for our first lodging for Day 2 and Day 3.
Finally… Where to Eat?
My wife and I enjoy eating a wide variety of places. I know… everyone says they do. For Jackie and I, we normally split our meals into two types – one that we call “eating well” and one that we call “eating pub”. Eating well are excellently reviewed restaurants – almost always not a chain. Quality, presentation, and the craft of cooking are normally what is on display here… often accompanied by a fine wine list. 🙂 We most often have our evening meal here. Eating Pub is where we catch breakfast, lunch, or snacks throughout the day. The food is often outstanding – in some cases equal to or better than their “eating-well” companions. But just as often the atmosphere could be described as “dive” or “low”… which we love! Nothing better than a good meal on a good stool with a good beverage and good conversations. Often these conversations introduce you to your new best friend or thoughtful guide… we treasure both lists.
The “eating well” list often comes with reservation requirements. At times it comes with a dress code. If dress code is required, we often skip it… we are on Vacation after all! But I’m not wearing shorts and t-shirt into them either… and never am I wearing a hat. 🙁 I don’t know what has happened in our world, but why not take the baseball/panama/stocking cap off when inside enjoying a meal? Seems to have gone the way of holding a door open for a stranger… but enough on that. We lock our eating-well reservations first if necessary and then hunt down our “eating pub” destinations near where we might be touring anyway.
Here is our “Eating-Well” list for Bath:
- The Circus
- Eight
- Clayton’s Kitchen
The Circus was on both Saint Rick and Lonely Planet list, but it was just a bit out of the way for our dinner plans. It is located by the Circus complex, which is about 10 minutes walk away from the Abbey. So we went with Eight and Clayton’s Kitchen as our choices. I have already had Clayton’s Kitchen on our last visit – outstanding! – so I can’t wait to visit it again.
Here is our “Eating-Pub” list for Bath:
- Garrick’s Head
- Crystal Palace
- The Raven
Add to it these places for a cup of coffee or perhaps something a bit stronger… 🙂
- Colonna & Smalls – Coffee
- The Star Inn
- Bell
- Marlbourogh Tavern
- The Old Green Tree
We’re having lunch at the Pump Room and Tea on Day 2… so we decided to give Garrick’s Head a try for our other lunch. You can bet we’ll stop in at least a couple of the bottom list as well.
So there you have it… and here is how our preliminary itinerary for Day 1-3 looks:
Day 1
Depart to travel to England. Overnight travel has us arriving into England early AM and ultimately into Bath a bit before noon on
Day 2
- Check into the Abbey Hotel Bath. Leave luggage until room is ready.
- Tea/lunch at the Pump Room – Noon
- Wander the Parade Gardens to see
- Pulteney Bridge
- Tour Bath Abbey. Likely not going all the way up to the roof this year…. 🙁
- Dinner – Eight Restaurant – 5:30 PM
- Wander the Abbey Courtyard area until we can’t stay awake any longer (likely early night)
Day 3
- Take Uber/Cab to the Royal Crescent
- Tour Museum in #1 Royal Crescent
- Walk down to the Cirus
- Stop along the way at the Star Inn, the Bell, or the Old Green Tree
- Tour the Roman Baths – tickets set for 3 PM
- Dinner – Clayton’s Kitchen – 6 PM
- perhaps take in the Bizarre Bath Street Theater after dinner.
Hope you found this helpful. Next up – Prep for Day 4 – picking up our rental car and heading to the villages ofAvebury, Glastonbury and Wells.