Wellbeing in Bath – four ways to unwind body and mind in the city

16 March 2020

If you’re feeling frazzled by hectic everyday life, it’s time to take a break. And what better place to unwind than in Bath? It is the original spa town, after all. 

Here’s our guide to health and wellbeing in Bath, from soaking your cares away in the spa to enjoying an invigorating walk in the beautiful Somerset countryside. 

  1. A day at the spa

As Bath is built on natural hot springs, it’s been famous as a spa town ever since Roman times. While you can’t go for a dip in the historic Roman Baths, you do have your pick of other fabulous spas throughout the city. 

These include the Thermae Bath Spa, located in the heart of the city and right next to our Hot Bath apartment. This spa, with its rooftop heated pool offering views of the city skyline, draws water from three of Bath’s geothermal springs. 

Some of our other favourite spas in Bath include:

  • The Garden Spa by L’Occitane at the Bath Priory Hotel 
  • The Spa & Bath House at The Royal Crescent Hotel
  • Spa Village Bath at The Gainsborough Bath Spa. 
  1. Yoga sessions

Yoga is great for strengthening your body and improving your balance and flexibility, but it’s also the perfect way to relax. Focusing on mastering the poses can clear your mind, helping to reduce stress.

Bath is big on yoga, with a choice of studios and classes running across the city. These include:

  • Bath Yoga Studio on James Street West
  • Yoga Bodhi on Bartlett Street
  • Bright Blue Yoga on Locksbrook Road
  • The Hive Yoga Studio at The Foundry, Beehive Yard. 

Many classes are flexible, so you can simply drop in during your visit to Bath. 

There are also special events to look out for, including Mass Yoga at The Assembly Rooms on 5th March and The Foundations of Yoga in the Botanical Gardens in Royal Victoria Park. 

For the latter, you can stay at our tranquil Greenbanks House property and be right next to Royal Victoria Park. This peaceful, beautiful home sleeps 11 people, so you could even set up your own mini yoga retreat. 

  1. Meditation and mindfulness

If you want to lower stress and focus your mind, swing by a mindfulness or meditation class in Bath. There are lots to choose from, including:

  • Floating Gong Meditation at Yama Yoga Hub
  • The Truth Behind Meditation at The Gainsborough Bath Spa
  • Introduction to Meditation & Buddhism at the Museum of Bath at Work.

If you’ll be in Bath for longer, you can also enrol on a longer mindfulness courses or one-to-one sessions with an experienced practitioner. 

  1. Feel-good walks outside of the city

Bath is right next to the Cotswolds, an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means that just outside the city centre, there are rolling hills and acres of gorgeous green countryside to enjoy. 

Walking in nature is one of the most relaxing things to do in Bath, and there are many beautiful walks to try:

  • Cotswold Way – with panoramic views over Bath, Bristol and the Severn Estuary
  • Kennet and Avon Canal – follow the canal along the Avon Valley, returning to Bath through the Two Tunnels Greenway
  • Bristol and Bath Railway Path – head west along the river until you reach this path, which joins with the River Avon Trail to offer a gentle riverside walk. 

Bath Skyline Walk – see the city from new heights, along with ancient woodlands, meadows and hidden valleys.