After months of speculation and excitement, brand new restaurant and bar The Botanist Bath has finally opened its doors to eager guests in the heart of Bath city centre.

The Botanist, which already has acclaimed venues in many other UK cities including Manchester, Leeds, York, Chester and Coventry, has finally arrived in Bath. The owners couldn’t have chosen a better venue for their four-storey restaurant, as they’ve breathed new life in fabulous style into the former Octagon Chapel on Milsom Street.

This historic building has now been transformed into a botanical paradise, complete with vibrant green ferns, authentic ironwork, gleaming wood floors and warm lighting. Those who visited the launch party on 25th March raved about the open, spacious and luxurious feel of this enormous dining space spread across numerous floors.

By far the standout feature is the octagon-shaped bar, which mirrors the impressive roof and opens to a full height space with galleries on each floor. It’s been exquisitely finished by The Botanist Bath team, who seem to have paid a great deal of respect to this unusual and significant building.

The Octagon – dating back to 1767

History and architecture buffs will love visiting the new Botanist restaurant in Bath, and not just for the cocktails. This Grade II listed building has a long history in the city, having been designed as a private chapel by Timothy Lightholder and becoming quite a fashionable church in its time. In fact, distinguished people including Jane Austen herself were believed to be regular visitors – they would even reserve themselves a pew at the same time as booking accommodation in Bath.

Since then, the magnificent Octagon has been a famous antique shop, a rations dispensary, an air raid warden’s building and a photographic gallery.

In transforming the Octagon into the new Botanist restaurant in Bath, the new owners carried out painstaking work with local heritage experts. They aimed to preserve and celebrate this Bath landmark, shelling out for specialist paints and craftspeople as part of the refurbishment.

Planning a visit?

As the Botanist Bath opening party has only just taken place, it’s likely that it will be very popular for the next few weeks and months. Understandably, everyone’s keen to check out Bath’s newest and most glamorous venue.

If you can manage to nab a table, you can expect botanical cocktails, an incredible gin menu and extensive wine and craft beer lists. The Botanist Bath serves up delicious freshly prepared food from its grill, deli and rotisserie, from Tandoori Battered Cod to its famous Hanging Kebabs. It’s open for lunch and dinner, offers a fabulous Sunday roast and you can also share small plates with friends over drinks.

For the easiest access to the hottest new spot in Bath, stay at our Haystack, Queen’s View or Gay Street House properties. These popular Bath Holiday Rentals properties are in the heart of the city, just a couple of minutes’ walk away from Milsom Street and the new Botanist Bath.