Bath

Bath Travel Guide

• About Bath

A honey-coloured gem set in the leafy south-west of England; Bath is one of the UK’s most idyllic cities. The centre is characterised by sweeping crescents and twisting streets glimmering with golden stone, and calls to mind scenes of 19th-century high society as described by Jane Austen in two of her novels. There’s also plenty of greenery and a gentle bucolic pace thanks to the city’s position amidst soft English countryside. Bath is famed for its thermal springs, around which the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex, which gave the city its name. The site still flows with natural hot water, while today’s ready supply of top-end boutiques and fine dining compliment the 21st-century thermal bath and spa facilities, pushing the city’s appeal to an all-time high. Bath has the further distinction of being the UK’s only entire city with UNESCO World Heritage status. Around 5,000 buildings are listed for their architectural merit, with the Royal Crescent, the Circus, the Pump Room, the Assembly Rooms and Pulteney Bridge particularly exceptional Georgian masterpieces. Today, any addition to Bath’s pristine brickwork has to slot in seamlessly and be built in the distinctive Bath Stone. Beyond the city confines, gently undulating hills offer endless rambles, and not a few picture-postcard villages. Bath is within easy reach of some of the Cotswolds’ most appealing offerings, such as the pale 17th-century limestone buildings of the historic wool town of Painswick. As to be expected of any university town, Bath’s pubs fill up swiftly at night, while its culinary circuit is increasingly diverse. Dinner options range from affordable brasserie meals to exquisite contemporary dishes served on crisp white tablecloths. For a real treat try the Michelin-starred restaurant at The Bath Priory. Literary and artistic residents make for a rich cultural scene, and Bath’s calendar is peppered with noteworthy festivals, such as Bath Literature Festival and Bath International Music Festival. As for a certain English novelist, she remains one of the city’s most revered figures – her life and work are celebrated every autumn at Bath’s city-wide18th-century extravaganza, the Jane Austen Festival.

• Bath History

As the legend goes, Bath was founded in 500BC (or possibly much earlier) by Prince Bladud, who cured himself of leprosy in the hot springs and established the city to celebrate the miraculous waters. Whether or not the tale is true, the thermal springs have been prized for their health-promoting qualities for many centuries. The Romans built a temple to the goddess Minerva and ornate baths here around AD50 and the so-called Aquae Sulis developed into an important recreational town. The Saxons took over Bath in the 6th century and erected an important monastery by the site of the magnificent Bath Abbey, which was rebuilt in the 12th century. Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries saw Bath’s abbey demolished in 1539, and reconstructed again in the 16th century. By the 17th century, Bath was a quiet market town. Its unique springs were still the main attraction, but after Queen Anne visited in 1692, 1702 and 1703, their popularity grew enormously. The following century, it gained a penchant for the high life, with a boom in well-bred and genteel visitors. There was also a surge in impressive architecture, all built in the honey-coloured Bath stone, a distinct type of limestone. Famous Bath landmark Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1773, and The Royal Crescent was built between 1767 and 1774. The Grand Pump Room was also built in the late 18th century – a communal place for socialising and sampling the waters. Celebrated English novelist Jane Austen visited Bath around this time, and she went on to live there between 1801 and 1806. During WWII, Bath was spared German bombing raids until 1942. After a change in tactics, some 20,000 Bath buildings were destroyed and hundreds of lives lost. In the latter part of the 20th century, coinciding with the restoration of the Roman Baths, the city has boomed as a tourist attraction with over a million visitors a year.

• Did you know?

The first monarch to rule over a united England, King Edgar, was crowned in Bath monastery 973. Bath resident, William Herschel, discovered Uranus in 1781. Designed by the Scottish architect Robert Adam, Pulteney Bridge was inspired by Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

• Weather in Bath

In the summer sunshine, Bath excels: cafés bustle, street artists and buskers entertain, parks bloom, all manner of boats ply the twinkling river, and the city’s trademark golden brickwork glows even more brightly. September is a busy time with the Jane Austen Festival taking over the city. The build-up to Christmas is also a particularly magical time in Bath: the city has one of the largest proportion of independent shops and boutiques in the country (perfect for unique gifts), and its festive markets are delightful day’s browsing.

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Things to see in Bath

Attractions

• The Roman Baths

The Roman Baths are the historical heart of Bath, tapping the hot springs that had prompted the Celts to create a shrine on the site of the future city over 2,000 years ago. The Romans, in turn, erected a significant temple and bathing complex that is one of the best-preserved Roman sites north of the Alps. July and August evenings offer a unique time to visit, when the complex is illuminated by torchlight. Address: Abbey Church Yard, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 477 785 Opening times: Daily 09:30-17:00. Website: www.romanbaths.co.uk Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Thermae Bath Spa

When Thermae Bath Spa opened its doors in August 2006, it had been 28 years since the last person had bathed in Bath’s natural thermal waters. This modern spa and bathing complex offers several pools, including an open-air pool on the roof). It prides itself on being a municipal spa and the prices are reasonable. Address: The Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath Street. Telephone: +44 1225 331 234 Opening times: Daily 09:00-21:30. Website: www.thermaebathspa.com  Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Bath Abbey

The magnificent Abbey Church is the dominant edifice in Bath’s city centre. The construction of the abbey that stands today began in 1499, although its history can be traced back to the 7th Century. Visitors who brave the steep climb to the dome are rewarded with views of Bath and the surrounding countryside. Address: Kingston Buildings, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 422 462 Opening times: Daily 09:30-17:30. Website: www.bathabbey.org Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Royal Crescent

The zenith of Palladian architecture in Bath, the stately arc of the Royal Crescent was built to the designs of John Wood the Younger between 1767 and 1774. Recently completed, No. 1 Royal Crescent has been transformed into a furnished replica of how an 18th-century residence might have appeared on this illustrious address. Address: Royal Crescent, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 428 126 Opening times: Daily 11:00-17:30. Website: www.no1royalcrescent.org.uk Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: No UNESCO: Yes

• The Jane Austen Centre

The Jane Austen Centre is a permanent exhibition devoted to Jane Austen and her relationship with Bath. The centre explores how her 1801-1806 residency affected her life and writing. Go the full Elizabeth Bennett and pay £10.50 to dress up and have your hair done Regency style. Book in advance. Address: Queens Square, 40 Gay Street, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 443 000 Opening times: Daily 09:00-17:30. Website: www.janeausten.co.uk Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Fashion Museum

Explore fashion throughout the last 400 years at this charming museum housed within the Assembly Rooms. Displays of colourful costumes demonstrate historical and contemporary fashions, showing us what garments our ancestors considered the ‘in thing’, and how trends have evolved and endured through the ages. Address: Bennett Street, Assembly Rooms, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 477 789 Opening times: Daily 10:30-16:00. Website: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

• Prior Park Landscape Garden

A 10-minute walk from the city centre, this elegant sloping garden was created in the 18th century and designed by the poet Alexander Pope and Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Set in a sweeping valley with superb views of the city, the garden features a Palladian bridge (complete with 18th-century graffiti), lakes and a gothic temple, among other romantic features. Address: Ralph Allen Drive, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 833 977 Opening times: Daily 10:00-17:00. Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• The Museum of Bath Architecture

Suitably housed in the architecturally striking Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, this small but perfectly formed museum offers an insight into how Bath transformed into one of the architectural wonders of modern Britain. Video presentations enlighten on the techniques that shaped Georgian Bath, while the scale model of the city is worth the entry fee alone. Address: The Vineyards, Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 333 895 Opening times: Turs-Fri 10:00-16:00. Website: www.museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: Yes

Tourist Offices

• Bath Tourist Information Centre

Address: Abbey Church Yard, Abbey Chambers, Bath, BA1 1LY. Telephone: +44 906 711 2000 Opening times: Daily 09:30-17:30. Website: www.visitbath.co.uk  Located plum in the city’s main tourist vortex, this is a convenient one-stop-shop for maps, information on sites, and assistance from friendly staff.

Tourist passes

Pick up a Bath Visitor Card and enjoy three weeks of discounts across town – from meals and cocktails to city attractions. The card is available from the tourist information centre or online ( Website: www.visitbath.co.uk )

Things to do in Bath

• A lot of hot air

Balloons floating steadily over the Bath are a regular sight. It’s easy to see why: the undulating Cotswold countryside is the sort of view that makes even the most cynical of souls misty-eyed. Try Bath Balloons Telephone: +44 1225 466 888 Website: www.bathballoons.co.uk  for rides over the Cotswolds, the Mendip Hills and the Kennet and Avon Canal.

• Catch a classical concert at Theatre Royal

The Theatre Royal Telephone: +044 1225 448 844 Website: www.theatreroyal.org.uk   built in 1805, is one of the oldest working theatres in the UK. It stages everything from original productions to Shakespeare, children’s shows and West End hits like Avenue Q.

• Check out the bizarre side of Bath

The words ‘bizarre’ and ‘Bath’ are probably not the most obvious bedfellows, but from March through October, the; Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk ( Website: www.bizarrebath.co.uk )  leads its participants through the Spa town’s more irreverent attractions. It’s 90 minutes long and starts at a pub, so you can get a few drinks downbeforehand if you like.

• Rowing on the River Avon 

The River Avon stretches for 75 miles (121km) from Gloucestershire down to Avonmouth, near Bristol. It’s been said by some that drifting down at your own pace on a gorgeous July day is one of life’s truest pleasures. Find out for yourself by hiring a canoe, kayak or punt from Bath Boating Telephone: +44 1225 312 900 Website: www.bathboating.co.uk   for anything from an hour to a day, or take a riverboat tour.

• See the skyline from the hills

Bath is surrounded by light green hills and bottle-green trees. This six-mile walk circumvents the top of the city while taking you to the 18th-century Sham Castle and the Iron Age fort on Solsbury Hill. Bath’s tourist office has more information; Telephone: +44 1225 322442 Website: www.visitbath.co.uk

Bath tours and excursions

Bath tours

• Bus tours

Bath Bus Company operates the City Sightseeing Tour, a hop-on, hop-off tour that takes in the main sights and attractions of the city, including the sweeping Royal Crescent and the famous Roman Baths. The bus tour lasts 45 minutes, and sightseers can either opt for recorded commentary (available in 10 languages) or a live guide. Telephone: +44 1225 330 444 Website: www.bathbuscompany.com Walking tours The Mayor’s Guides’ free walking tours offer a general historical and architectural introduction to the city. Lasting around two hours, they depart daily from the ‘Free walking tours here’ board in the Abbey Church yard. MP3 walking tours are available from the Bath Tourist Information Centre or online at Tourist Tracks Website: www.tourist-tracks.com Jane Austen Walking Tours start from outside KC Change in the Abbey Churchyard and allow visitors to dress up in Austenian costume and promenade around Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 443 000 Website: www.bathguides.org.uk 

Bath excursions

• Cotswolds

Gentle hillsides (Wolds), cosy cottages and picture-perfect towns with twisted streets built from the local honey-coloured limestone characterise this bucolic paradise. The area stretches out to the northeast of Bath and offers what for many is the quintessentially English rural landscape, with picturesque villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold. If you’ve got a car, the best way to take it all in is to drive the Romantic Road. Telephone: +44 1242 264 118 Website: www.the-cotswolds.org 

• Stonehenge

Located only 57km (35 miles) from Bath, off the A344 road in Amesbury, Wiltshire, Stonehenge is undoubtedly the world’s most famous megalithic stone monument. Nobody knows for certain what its purpose was: some have suggested that it was a temple made for the worship of ancient earth deities, others have speculated that it was a sacred site for the burial of the dead from the societies of long ago. In any case, it is one of Britain’s great national icons, a UNESCO site and well worth a visit. Telephone: +44 370 333 1181 Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Shopping in Bath

Bath boasts more independently owned shops per head of population than most other cities in the UK. The high proportion of small, family-run shops means that the shopping experience in Bath is different from that offered by towns where big chains are dominant. It is the sheer variety and quality of shopping on offer that acts as a magnet to this historic town.

• Key areas

Walcot Street has been the artisans’ centre of Bath since Roman days; it is here that a true Bath jewel can be found, in the shape of hand-blown glass experts the Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass, 105-107 Walcot Street. The Fine Cheese Co, 29-31 Walcot Street, is dairy heaven – and their huge stock of delicious handmade cheeses is accompanied by a fine range of fruits, pickles and chocolates. Bath’s Artisan Quarter also extends to London Street, with colourful offerings including Indian textiles shop Zeitgeist. You can watch fresh chocolates being hand-crafted in The House of Minerva chocolate shop, 14 Cheap Street, and be sure to try their divine hot chocolate. Also on Cheap Street, December 25th is a quirky year-round Christmas shop with sidelines in Easter and Valentine’s Day goods. For established names in close proximity, head to Milsom Place: you’ll find top-end shops such as Cath Kidston and Ted Baker here, and the accompanying bars and restaurants such as Jamie’s Italian aren’t half bad either. Pulteney Bridge is only one of two bridges in Europe that are lined with shops (Ponte Vecchio in Florence being its more famous cousin). Find a scattering of small specialist shops and a good variety of restaurants serving Italian, Thai, Indian and French cuisine in nearby streets.

• Markets

Bath Flea Market takes place on Walcot Street every Saturday, while Bath Farmers Market is held on the same day at Green Park Station. The producers themselves sell a wide variety of local produce, all from within 65km (40 miles) of Bath. The Guildhall Market, found on the east side of the High Street, is one of Bath’s oldest shopping areas, and is very much alive today with an eclectic range of wares, from local cheeses to fancy dress. During the festive season, Bath Christmas Market (late November to mid-December) between Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths is a glittering haven of stalls packed with interesting treats and presents.

• Shopping centres

Of course, the high-street chains are present in Bath as well, particularly around Stall Street, Union Street and Milsom Street.

• Opening hours

The majority of Bath’s shops are open seven days a week, all year round, and opening hours are typically 09:00 till at least 17:30 – some shops are open until much later. On Sundays, shop opening hours in Bath are typically shorter than during the week, but nearly all shops open for some part of the day.

• Tax information

Non-EU residents can reclaim the VAT (Value Added Tax) on purchases from stores operating the VAT Retail Export Scheme; tourist shops are usually part of this, but you should check before making your purchases. You must present the receipt and a completed VAT form to a customs officer when leaving the EU. See ( Website: www.global-blue.com ) or ( Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk ) for further information.

Restaurants in Bath

Bath’s restaurant scene is competitive and fast changing. As such, the cream rises to the top and those establishments that survive are usually good value and reliable. London trends mingle with West Country influences, and all tastes are catered for. The Bath restaurants below have been grouped into four different pricing categories: Expensive (over £40) Moderate (£25 to £40) Cheap (up to £25) These prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service. A service charge of 12.5% will be added to your bill in most restaurants. If service is not included, 10% tipping is customary.

Expensive

• The Bath Priory 

Cuisine: Haute cuisine The Bath Priory Restaurant boasts Bath’s only Michelin star and offers a menu of traditional English dishes with continental influences and seasonal ingredients, many of which are taken from the hotel’s 1.5 hectares (4 acres) of award-winning gardens. A classy and elegant restaurant with superb service and great food. Address: Weston Road, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 331 922 Website: www.thebathpriory.co.uk

• The Dower House

Cuisine: Haute cuisine The large windows of The Dower House look out over the tranquil greenery of The Royal Crescent Hotel’s grounds where visitors dine alfresco in the summer. Dishes are contemporary in presentation, with small portions packing a flavourful punch. Highlights include the mackerel ceviche starter, and a main of chunky pork belly topped with sticks of crackling. Friendly sommeliers helps you match from an extensive wine list. Address: The Royal Crescent Hotel, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 823 333 Website: www.dowerhousehotel.co.uk

• Hudson Steakhouse

Cuisine: Steak house Steakhouse in a converted Victorian pub with open fires and park views, plus downstairs cocktails. the gentrification of which has left Bath with one of its best fine dining restaurants hthe creative menu is reasonably priced and the ambiance relaxed. Address: 14 London St, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 332 323 Website: www.hudsonsteakhouse.co.uk

Moderate

• Vellore Restaurant

Cuisine: British Once the magnificent ballroom of the original house, the award-winning Vellore is now an elegant dining room, which also has a canopied outdoor terrace.Simple, fresh, quality dishes are the order of the day at chilled-out chain. Our chefs have put together a stunning à la carte menu using the very best seasonal ingredients – a creative fusion of traditional and modern English cooking. You’ll be well looked after by our friendly waiting staff who’ll help you select a wine from our impressive list to perfectly complement your food. Address: 22 Sydney Rd, Bathwick, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 444 424 Website: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

• The Circus Restaurant

Cuisine: European Soft-lit restaurant and cafe with neutral tones in Georgian building serving seasonal British food. With its bright façade and central location on Brock Street, Circus is a popular and busy eatery offering authentic European cuisine at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is lively and enjoyable. Address: 34 Brock St, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 466 020 Website: www.thecircusrestaurant.co.uk

• The Chequers

Cuisine: British Tucked away on one of Bath’s most picturesque streets, this lovely little gastropub is a short stroll from the Circus. Offering locally-sourced produce crafted into expertly flavoured dishes, anticipate contemporary touches such as blowtorched mackerel with beetroot and apple served up alongside hearty mains like the haunch of venison with garlic dauphinoise and blackberries. Address: 50 Rivers Street, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 428 924 Website: www.chequersbath.net

Cheap

• OAK Restaurant

Cuisine: Small plates Modern vegetarian dishes made with seasonal ingredients, served in one of Bath’s oldest buildings. OAK continues in her gourmet vegetarian fusion footsteps. The ingredients are organic and locally sourced as far as possible and the dishes, such as the carrot and cashew pâté or poached rhubarb with thyme meringue, are innovative and tasty. Address: 2 N Parade, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 446 059 Website: www.oakrestaurant.co.uk

• Eastern Eye

Cuisine: Indian Eastern Eye is Bath’s best Indian restaurant. The Georgian interior and domed ceiling make for a magnificent dining room, the service is excellent and the food exemplifies Indian cuisine at its most exquisite. Address: 8A Quiet Street, Bath. Telephone: +44 1626 331 155 Website: www.easterneye-na.co.uk

• Tortilla Bath

Cuisine: Mexican Our dishes are made from scratch using fresh quality ingredients. You get to pick what goes inside. There are millions of ways to burrito The Tortilla Bath restaurant arm of the annual BBQ and music festival, offers Bathonian carnivores a rough-around-the-edges southern-style BBQ experience. Custom sauces and freshly smoked meat combine in a laid back, elbow-to-elbow atmosphere. Address: 2 Cheap St, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 431 672 Website: www.tortilla.co.uk

Bath Nightlife

For a relatively small city centre, Bath’s nightlife and cultural offerings are surprisingly rich and diverse, with a wide variety of venues for drama, music, dance and performance. Venues such as Komedia put on a whole range of events, from big names in comedy to up-and-coming bands.

• Bath Box Office

Address: 1A Forum Buildings, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 463 362 Website: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk And there is a good place to source tickets for cultural events across the city. You can also find a comprehensive listing of events online at   Website: www.visitbath.co.uk

Bars in Bath

• Circo

Ever tried a Smartini (a take on the classic Martini that tastes like alcoholic Smarties)? Or hankered for a cocktail with the sweet zing of a lemon cheesecake? Well, your search is over. Amid flickering candles, soft pendulum lighting and sumptuous velvet Chesterfields, Circo’s bartenders mix a delicious assortment of alcoholic indulgences, from familiar classics to the quirky and colourful. Address: The Halycon, 2-3 South Parade, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 465 905 Website: www.circobar.co.uk

• Hall & Woodhouse

Offering a resplendent ale-stocked copper bar, restaurant, and roof terrace over four floors (the venue used to be an auction house), the lively and relaxed Hall & Woodhouse tries to be all things to all people – and actually manages it. Come for tea and a wedge of Victoria sponge cake or pair the superb cheeseburger with a malty pint of Fursty Ferret. Address: 1 Old King Street, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 469 259 Website: www.hall-woodhousebath.co.uk

• The Garrick’s Head

Real ales and draught Somerset ciders fill the glasses of The Garrick’s Head’s loyal locals, while in the next door Theatre Royal actors great and small tread the boards – usually popping in for a pint afterwards to unwind. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and a first-rate seasonal menu makes for a perfect pre-show dinner. Sunday lunch is also top notch. Address: 7-8, St John’s Pl, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 318 368 Website: www.garricksheadpub.com

Clubs in Bath

• Labyrinth Bar & Nightclub

Labyrinth has, over many years, established itself as a pillar of Bath’s nightlife. With themed events running straight through Monday to Sunday, offering everything from dubstep and electro, to indie, rock, punk and cheese, it remains a magnet for the city. Address: 8-9 North Parade, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 965 813 Website:www.labyrinthbath.com

• Sub 13

Stylish cellar bar, with intimate spaces and a courtyard, serving cocktails, champagnes and spirits. Address: 4 Edgar Buildings, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 466 667 Website: www.sub13.net

Live music in Bath

• Komedia

Among the Komedia’s fantastic array of cultural offerings is an eclectic mix of musical talent. Think singer songwriters, folk luminaries and world musicians, plus some first rate cover bands. The venue also hosts popular club nights within its cavernous dance space such as regular Saturday mainstay Motorcity which offers a playlist of funky Motown, soul and disco. Address: 22-23 Westgate Street, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 489 070 Website: www.komedia.co.uk

• The Bell

This converted 18th-century coaching house errs alluringly on the bohemian, and is a much-loved atmospheric live music venue that pulls in a regular local crowd. The Bell puts on live music three times a week, ranging from jazz to folk to funk, and aspiring talent strut their stuff at Thursday’s open mic nights. All music is free, including weekend DJ nights. Address: 103 Walcot Street, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 460 426 Website: www.thebellinnbath.co.uk 

• The Raven

Family-run pub serving real ales, and local pies at big wooden tables inside 2 Georgian townhouses. The Raven located in (7 Bladud Buildings)- has been picking up in popularity and reputation. Offering two stages for a varied programme of music that includes grime, indie and dance, is challenging strongly for the city’s live crown. Address:  7 Queen St, Bath. Telephone: +44 1225 425 045 Website: www.theravenofbath.co.uk

Bath Food And Drink

Food In Bath

• Bath Buns

Sweet dough covered in sugar nibs and currants, with a whole sugar cube baked into the bottom.

• Bath Oliver Biscuits

A Bath Oliver is a hard, dry biscuit or cracker made from flour, butter, yeast and milk; often eaten with cheese.

• Bath Chaps

The Chap is the lower half of a pig’s cheek and the word is thought to come from “chop” which in the sixteenth century meant the jaws & cheeks of an animal.

• Sally Lunn’s Buns

There is no truly useful common English word to describe a Sally Lunn Bun as it is part bun, part bread, part cake… A large and generous but very very light bun.

• Bath Soft Cheese

Award-winning cheese made by hand at Park Farm, Kelston near Bath with milk from our own cows. The best luxury cheese board.

Drink In Bath

• Flavored Sparkling Water or Seltzer

For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option but still crave something lively, explore exciting seltzer flavors like guava mint or tangerine blackberry.

• Bourbon

Bourbon is also just a good liquor for rumination.

• Wine

In fact, research shows 72% of people who enjoy bathtime refreshments pick alcohol as an option. But it seems our bath vino habits may not be so good for us. Ultimately, it’s all to do with how dehydrating alcohol is and how hot and steamy it gets in the bathroom.

• Vivino

According to Vivino, a typical red wine bath or vinotherapy treatment is made by mixing warm water, red vine leaf extract, and grape marc together and then soaking or swimming in it.