As the only city in the UK to have World Heritage status, Bath is a charming Georgian architectural gem that’s packed full of history from its Roman origins and inspired the likes of Jane Austen. It’s the home of the Sally Lunn bun and probably had even more Google searches since its starring role in Netflix’s self proclaimed biggest series ever, Bridgerton! Take a look at these 14 prettiest streets in Bath on a visit to the charming city in Somerset.
1. North Parade Passage
This is probably my favourite street in Bath with the bowed windows jutting out into the narrow street and charming lamp posts that light it up at night! North Parade Passage is so charming to walk down and is also home to the oldest house in Bath which is also the home of the infamous Sally Lunn Bun! Today you can stop in for food at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House!
2. Royal Crescent
Royal Crescent is the most well known street in Bath and likely the most photographed. Every house on the Crescent is Grade I listed and its one of the most impressive examples of Georgian architecture in the UK. The Crescent sweeps above Royal Victoria Park with fantastic views across the city!
3. Abbey Green
Abbey Green is right at the bottom of North Parade Passage and is, as the name suggests, a small green rather than an actual street but it has so many gorgeous corners and facades that it has to be on this list. A firm favourite is The Abbey Deli (formerly Pickled Greens) which you might recognise from the recent popular Netflix series, Bridgerton, as ‘The Modiste’.
In the centre, and dominating the Green, is a gigantic plane tree which was planted in 1793. Other facades to look out for include The Bath Bun (above) and The Retro Store.
4. Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge is a must visit in Bath because it is so very unusual for a bridge to feature as one of the pretty streets you should see in a city! This beautiful piece of Georgian, Palladian architecture was completed in 1770 and has been leaving visitors in awe ever since. There are only a handful of bridges with shops along them like this in the world, in fact there’s only four of them! The others are Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the Rialto Bridge in Venice and the Krämerbrücke in Erfurt. Which have you seen?
5. St Ann’s Place
I stumbled upon St Ann’s Place whilst walking through the streets of Bath and glanced to my left along New King Street to see this honey hued gem complete with picture perfect lamp post!
6. North Parade Blds
I assume that Blds refers to Buildings but regardless it’s a beautiful wide passage way that leads onto North Parade Passage at the end. Wander down this pathway and look back for the stunning shot showing the higgledy piggledy rooftops of the street and the charming lamp posts 😍
7. Abbey Churchyard
Abbey Churchyard is the street that leads up the Abbey for the most incredible view! On the left, as you look at Bath Abbey are shops and cafes whilst on the right is the entrance to the Roman Baths and to the Famous Pump Rooms. In the Churchyard you get three of the most famous attractions in Bath all in one spot!
As you look at the Abbey, notice the ladders on either side of the building, rising up to the two towers. Can you spot the angels travelling up and down the ladders?
8. Margaret’s Buildings
Margaret’s Buildings is a flag stoned, pedestrianised passage leading between Brock Street and Catharine Place. It’s got some wonderful shops to explore and cafes to enjoy with beautiful lamp posts and ornamental stone flower basins. I stopped at Green Bird Cafe for lunch here and the food was incredible with seats both inside and out (to enjoy some people watching obvs 😉).
9. Lansdown Crescent
A few minutes walk (although very steep and sweaty minutes on a hot day 😅) up from Royal Crescent is the considerably quieter but still lovely Lansdown Crescent. Here, there are the wrought iron archways topped with dainty lamp above the pathway to each home unlike Royal Crescent and I bet these look gorgeous when in full bloom or in the grips of the deepest Autumn colours. The grass in front of this Crescent is not a park like its famous rival but instead residents look out on to grazing sheep!
10. Beauford Square
Beauford Square is a beautiful street looking down to The Griffin Inn at the end of the street. On the left is a little communal garden for the cottages that line the right hand side of the street as well as the back of the Theatre Royal!
11. Queen Street
Quirky Queen Street is a narrow cobbled street tangled amongst other streets with their honey hued buildings in the centre of Bath. At the end an arch curves across this street which has a number of pubs and bars to explore in an evening!
12. Bath Street
Bath Street is one of the most impressive streets in Bath with the cobble stones look down on by the towering columns of the buildings that flank either side. At the end closest to Bath Abbey you can see the entrance to The Assembly Rooms which were built in in the 18th century as a place for the balls that were so popular at the time and which were attended by the likes of Jane Austen & Charles Dickens! More recently they’ve featured in the Bridgerton series on Netflix as a film location for some ball scenes.
In the opposite direction is the Cross Bath which is a historic bathing pool. The city of Baths is well known for its bathes (hence the name!) and there are many of them here because of the heated spa water that bubbles up from under the ground due to the Pennyquick fault. Baths have been popular here since the Romans built a settlement called Aqueae Sulis around a temple they’d built.
13. The Paragon
Bath is known for its stunning Georgian architecture and The Paragon is an excellent example of that. In the Georgian era Bath became popular for its bathing pools and the alleged healing powers of the water that bubbles up underneath the city. This rise in popularity led to a rise in buildings and homes made from Bath stone so that residents could enjoy the baths as their own town.
As you cross from one side of The Paragon to the other you’ll notice that one side is much higher. As much of Bath grew in the Georgian period horse and carriage was a popular means of transport for the wealthy especially as they often wanted to get to and from London but even just to navigate the city! Houses would have the pavement built up in comparison to the road so that occupants could step right into their carriages. As you walk through the city see how many you notice.
14. Northumberland Place
Northumberland Place is a narrow passage that squeezes between Union Street and the High Street that if you blinked you might miss it! But wander down and you’re in for a treat as flower baskets add even more colour to this place. Look out for the Coeur de Lion pub with its deep red frontage which is the smallest pub in Bath.
Now you know the prettiest streets in Bath, make sure to check out 10 of the most Instagrammable places in the city!
Cat x
Nice post, and one that reminds me I need to add Bath to my UK hit list the next time I’m home. It all looks very charming, particularly Queen Street.
Thank you! Bath is such a pretty city! And I think become more popular after Bridgerton as well 😅