My little travel guide: Bath + London {Part 1}

You know everyone has that one city that they just love, well London is mine. I don’t really know why this is, as I think a place like Paris is prettier and there are loads of other European cities that I have just fallen in love with, but London just has a certain charm to it that I love. It’s probably because I lived there for a while so got to know the city really well but just love it {although yet to go to New York and hear that it is right up my alley, so we’ll see}.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a few things about my trip; places I enjoyed visiting, some really touristy things that never get old and just general chit chat about what I loved. I am heading back in December so plan on adding to this list (or making parts 1, 2, 3 and, and, and hopefully!)

Bath

For those who don’t know, Bath is a 1:45min train trip from London Paddington on the First Great Western train service. If you book in advance you can get return tickets for 20 pounds each. You have to plan a visit here – do yourself a favour! Read more about the Roman Bath’s here.

Starting off my mini guide, these are a few firm favourites…

The Royal Crescent is a must visit in Bath. We also went to the Thermae Bath Spa for a 2 hour session which was a real treat – you get to relax in the natural  springs while over-looking the whole city – quite spectacular. We, unfortunately, couldn’t take cameras in so no pics of that, but check out the websiteif you keen.

With my sister being a Bath local we were given thorough instruction of where to ‘hang out’ and thus avoided your run of the mill Starbucks and Pret’s which was nice. Two favourites for a bite to eat were Jamie’s Italian and The Art Gallery Cafe which served out-of-this-world vegetarian flat breads. (the below is the Moroccan one which had Tzatziki, Houmous, Quinio and a salsa of herbs and tomato)

Mine was the artichoke and chevin one – mouth wateringly delish!

Jamie’s really was great – I had been before and loved it then so was keen to return. I know his Bath branch is meant to be a firm favourite and the other one’s are nothing to write home about. Everything is so well executed – from the napkins and menu’s to the wallpaper, food and service. If you go you should definitely give the mezze platter a go – amazing!

Colanna& Small’s is the real-deal when it comes to proper coffee and any coffee connoisseurs would be blown away by this place (plus do yourself a favour and order the carrot cake), just keep in mind not to ask for sugar; coffee enthusiasts do not appreciate this at all. Just loved the look and feel of this place!

The Abbey obviously has to be visited while in Bath; it really is well worth it and doesn;t have to be a legthy tour if you not interested in the structure of the organ (like me).

The Makery is just my little piece of heaven – every petershem ribbon, button, bobbin and creative add-on you could dream of. I have been searching for pretty wooden bobbins to display my ribbon for ages and got them here.

 A traditional Sweet Shoppe just because you feel like you are in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The saying ‘like a kid in a candy store’ is summed up in one of these, especially for me with my sweet tooth!

Lastly, we were lucky enough to head into the country and see a beautiful old castle as it is the Bath Rugby Training ground, but there are plenty of places out there that you can look into; even if it’s just for that split second of feeling like Mary from Downton Abbey then it’s worth it!

To be continued {London}…