Flying Scots Girl

Bath is one of those cities that’s brimming with photographic opportunity because of its long and varied history which has influenced its architecture and intriguing buildings. I’ve been lucky enough to visit on three separate occasions, two of which I stayed overnight and of course early morning walks are the best way to enjoy this magical city. If a trip to Bath is on your travel plans then make sure to read through my guide and find the most Insta worthy places in the city. Plus I’ve popped them all on a map (scroll to the bottom!) to help you find them all for yourself.

Top Tip – Booking Activities & Tours

My favourite app for booking tours, adventures and plenty of fun is Get Your Guide. There are so many epic memories that you can choose to make from food tours to entry tickets, laidback wine tasting to adrenaline filled adventures. Make sure you use my discount code CATTHOMSON5 for 5% off your first booking when you download the app as a new user 👇

Get Your Guide App

1. Bath Abbey

Bath is full of landmark locations but the most spectacular must be Bath Abbey as it rises up above the city to its full 49m height. The front facade is well known and a super popular spot on Bath Instagram but come early in the morning or on a quiet evening for a peaceful shot. Most of my photos are early morning but Bath was surprisingly quiet on a bank holiday Monday evening and I really like the blue hour light of the shot on the left.

2. St Ann’s Place

Walk along New King Street and you’ll find St Ann’s Place. It’s a cute teeny street with a perfect lamp post at the end and pretty houses on either side and the soft stone make it a great spot either to photograph as itself or to walk along.

Top Tip – Data Roaming
If you’re visiting England from overseas then getting online with an eSIM from Holafly is such a game changer. No swapping SIMs. No complicated data roaming. Lots of choice. If your phone is compatible, just download the eSIM and get going!

Holafly

3. Pulteney Bridge from Grand Parade

Pulteney Bridge extends across the River Avon, joining two sides of Bath together. The Bridge is famous for the shops that are built into the bridge which is unlike (nearly) any other bridge in the world! You’ll see plenty of shots of Pulteney Bridge on Instagram but it’s particularly stunning in the evening or the morning as the sun’s light catches the brick and lights it up in golden tones.

4. On Pulteney Bridge

Make sure you walk along the bridge and take a look at the shops and cafes that have their businesses suspended over the River Avon – it’s amazing to see! This also makes a lovely capture and if you have time venture into one of the cafes on the bridge to enjoy a coffee or tea with a view 👀

5. The Royal Crescent

The Royal Crescent is the most famous street in Bath and sweeps above Royal Victoria Park with fantastic views. Every house on the Crescent is Grade I listed and its one of the most impressive examples of Georgian architecture in the UK. This makes it perfect for filming period dramas and plenty have seen the Royal Crescent featured in them including The Duchess and Persuasion.

As you walk along it, notice how high the kerb is next to the cobbled street…this was so that horse and carriage occupants could be delivered to the right door without stepping down into the street. You’ll also recognise Royal Crescent from Bridgerton, the hit Netflix series which has many scenes set in Bath as it was used as Regency London. The exterior of No 1 Royal Crescent was used as the exterior of the Featherington’s house!

6. North Parade Passage

Bath’s city centre has lots of narrow streets and alleys to explore but my favourite (and Instagram’s favourite!) is North Parade Passage near to the Abbey. This charming historic passage way has beautiful lamps and bunting down it as well as some lovely pubs, cafes and restaurants.

7. Sally Lunn’s

Sally Lunn’s is the most famous spot on the Passage and is home to the delicious Sally Lunn bun (it’s a sweet bun similar to brioche). This is the oldest house in Bath and has a beautiful blue facade that contrasts nicely with the golden honey stone that’s common throughout Bath. Make sure to try one for yourself – it would be rude not to 😉

8. North Parade Passage Buildings

As you leave Sally Lunn’s there’s a paved passage directly ahead of you which is called North Parade Buildings. This is another beautiful shot to capture.

9. The Huntsman Pub

Make your way up North Parade Passage towards the river and you’ll find The Huntsman pub at 1 Terrace Walk. This is such a beautiful building and I love the way in the shot above that the brightly coloured pink and orange flowers just match the creamy yellow paintwork. I imagine that in summer this would be a great spot to sit outside with a beer or a cocktail and soak up the Bath atmosphere.

10. Abbey Green – Bath Retro Store

From The Huntsman head backwards to find Abbey Green. This is a spot just down from the Abbey where buildings surround a little green with a massive tree. It’s a peaceful spot with some of the most photographed shop facades in the city. I’ve broken Abbey Green down into three specific locations which are all gorgeous facades. First is the Bath Retro Store with its flower boxes, window display and typography.

11. Abbey Green – The Abbey Deli

Next up is The Abbey Deli which has probably become the most famous corner of Abbey Green. This is because it was used as The Modiste in the first two seasons of Bridgerton. The bay windows are rather charming.

12. Abbey Green – The Bath Sweet Shop

Last but not least I’m including The Bath Sweet Shop on my selection of spots around Abbey Green. You can perhaps spy the building in the back of a Bridgerton shot from series one when Eloise & Penelope are buying ribbons at the market which is filmed around Abbey Green. The building makes a cute capture 📷

13. The Roman Baths

When the Romans invaded Britain a small settlement was built up in the area that is now Bath between 60 and 70 AD because of the thermal waters in the area. A temple was built on the springs and the warm water was used for public bathing.

The Roman Baths are absolutely a spot to visit in the city because of the incredible detail and feat of engineering and architecture that went into designing and creating them! The more you think that these were built by the Romans nearly two thousand years ago the more impressive they become! Both the inside and outside of the Baths make a great photo opportunity.

Top Tip – Booking Activities & Tours

My favourite app for booking tours, adventures and plenty of fun is Get Your Guide. There are so many epic memories that you can choose to make from food tours to entry tickets, laidback wine tasting to adrenaline filled adventures. Make sure you use my discount code CATTHOMSON5 for 5% off your first booking when you download the app as a new user 👇

Get Your Guide App

14. The Cross Baths

The Cross Bath is an outdoor spa at the end of Bath Street which looks absolutely beautiful and was rebuilt in the 1780s. If you can’t get access to the Bath itself then make do with a photo of the outside in the typical colours of the city – golden honey hued bricks and moody purple grey cobble stones!

15. Bath Street

Bath Street is a magnificent street in the heart of Bath city centre. It’s flanked by buildings with long columns and makes an impressive focal point to a standout Instagram photo. If you hadn’t already guessed why it’s called Bath Street, it’s because it has Baths along it 😉 Bath Street is also used in Bridgerton and it’s where the Duke is seen first arriving into The Ton.

16. The Fudge Factory

It’s not so much the Fudge Factory that makes this Insta shot it’s more the view behind the sign. There’s something about the composition of this shot with the sign on the left, the hanging baskets on the right and the fabulous details of the mighty Abbey making up the background. As well as the front of Bath Abbey (shown in 1.) there are plenty of great angles to capture of Bath Abbey.

17. Topping & Co Bookshop

Topping & Co is a beautiful bookshop in Bath which is worth stopping into. Not just to photograph but also to have a browse and potentially find your next read! The exterior is perfect with the powder blue bookshop sign and doors leading to an inviting and warm interior. Inside, books are everywhere and just waiting to be discovered.

18. Sweet Little Things

I saw Sweet Little Things on someone’s Insta stories and knew I was going to have to get there for brunch! It has the most amazing interior and whilst both the upstairs and downstairs are decorated it’s the downstairs that stands out. The ceiling is covered in pink and white roses and the chairs are plush pink velvet. I was disappointed not to sit downstairs BUT there was nobody down there so I could get a photo without looking a bit daft 🤪 Not only is the decor super Instagrammable but so is the food which honestly tastes just as good as it looks! The pancakes were so fluffy and toppings very generous – there is A LOT of Nutella on there 🤤

19. Queen Square Townhouse

Second to last on the list is the absolutely wonderful townhouse located at Queen Square. This beauty is covered in Virginia Creeper (I think) which just makes such a dramatic shot. In the autumn it turns to vibrant shades of red and orange as the seasons change which you can see in the right hand photo.

20. Bailbrook House Hotel

Finally, I’m finishing with a location that’s an Insta worthy place to stay and to indulge in a bit of luxury if you’re staying overnight in Bath. It was a dream to have a PR stay at Bailbrook House Hotel on my last trip to Bath and my room was a dream. Complete with a four poster bed, roll top bath and dreamy views of the city it was an excellent addition to my IG grid. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay then I can’t recommend Bailbrook House enough 😍

Cat x

For more inspiration in and around Bath check out my other guides for the area: