Life in Bath
A village community with a city's opportunities
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Bath: the best of all worlds
As cool and creative as it is timelessly traditional, Bath is the perfect mix of old and new. With its truly independent spirit and UNESCO World Heritage setting, Bath is a unique place to live and study.
Modern developments sit alongside elegant Georgian architecture. Pop-up boutiques jostle for space alongside centuries-old pubs. We guarantee there’s no city quite like it.
Eating out in Bath
With more than 150 places to eat and drink, Bath is a food-lover's paradise. Explore the city’s treasure trove of restaurants, with something to suit everyone’s palette. Where else can you get a sandwich in a key location in a major Netflix show? (The cute Abbey Deli doubles up as La Modiste’s dress shop in Bridgerton)
There’s something for every taste here. In addition to specialist steak houses, award-winning fish and chips, and fabulous plant-based eateries, there are plenty of delicious surprises. There’s on-the-go Indian bites at popular Chaiwalla and incredible Mexican takeaways at Mission Burrito.
We love: Never tried Nepalese cuisine? Yak Yeti Yak is a popular mainstay on the Bath culinary scene. After all, university is all about trying new things.
Bath's cafe culture
When you want to grab a cup of coffee (or tea - of course!) there are plenty of cafés to choose from in Bath. The city’s coffee shops are always popular with students, both as somewhere to socialise, and as a place to work together off campus.
Dine in one of Bath’s oldest houses, Sally Lunn's, to try one of Bath's best-known delicacies, the Sally Lunn bun. Or for an indulgent treat, enjoy afternoon tea at the Regency Tea Rooms at The Jane Austen Centre. Pinkies up!
In addition to well-known chains, there are a wealth of independent coffee shops across the city. Most are staffed by highly-trained baristas who are happy to share their expertise to help you find your perfect bean. With several coffee roasters in and around Bath you might find your favourite cuppa is roasted just down the road.
We love: For something different, head to Good Day Cafe to try their pink beetroot, charcoal or green matcha lattes.
Bath's pub culture
Bath really comes alive in the evenings – so there’s no shortage of things to do. If you’re looking for a cosy drink with friends, there’s a load of traditional pubs to choose from like the heritage-listed Star Inn.
Beer fans will want to try some of the locally brewed beers - look out for Bath Ales, Electric Bear and Abbey Ales in many of the city’s pubs. Plus, take the opportunity to drink beer brewed on-site at the Bath Brewhouse. If spirits are more your jam, there’s the Bath Distillery Gin Bar plus a heap of other venues specialising in spirits and cocktails.
If you’re going ‘out out’, there are plenty of options. While Bath may not seem like a buzzy place for nightlife, that’s because many of the city’s clubs are tucked away underground! There are regular student nights across the week, including Labyrinth’s Skint Monday nights.
We love: Have a sip of history at the Saracen’s Head (Charles Dickens supposedly stayed there for a while, and it even gets a mention in the Pickwick Papers!).
South West England: A hub of opportunity
Bath is part of a fast-moving creative and technology cluster which includes gaming, app and software development, animation, marketing, TV, publishing and much more. There are plenty of exciting creative opportunities for students studying in this great city.
The best of Bath
Bath’s a phenomenal place for live theatre, music and other forms of entertainment.
As a UNESCO World Heritage city, Bath is brimming with history - both in its streets and its museums.
Bath is an inclusive, gay-friendly city with a range of event spaces and societies.
With popular rugby teams and a world-famous spa, Bath’s got the best of both worlds.
Bath is surrounded by both green hills and quiet waterways, making it easy to relax in nature.
A good night out doesn't have to be forgotten the next morning. There's plenty to do in Bath without alcohol.
Bath’s a phenomenal place for live theatre, music and other forms of entertainment.
As a UNESCO World Heritage city, Bath is brimming with history - both in its streets and its museums.
Bath is an inclusive, gay-friendly city with a range of event spaces and societies.
With popular rugby teams and a world-famous spa, Bath’s got the best of both worlds.
Bath is surrounded by both green hills and quiet waterways, making it easy to relax in nature.
A good night out doesn't have to be forgotten the next morning. There's plenty to do in Bath without alcohol.
Getting out and about in Bath
Getting around Bath
Bath is a compact city, which means it’s easy to get around. All our campuses are accessible by frequent bus services, which means students have the freedom to live wherever they want in the city.
There’s a dedicated bus route between the city centre and the Newton Park campus, with buses travelling the four-mile route every 10-15 minutes and until the early hours. There’s student discount available too.
For students based in the Locksbrook area, there’s Oldfield Park Station nearby, a smaller train station with frequent services to Bath and Bristol.
In addition to great public transport, Bath is a cycling-friendly city and, despite the odd hill or two, it’s a very pleasant city for cycling.
We love: Cycling without the effort on the city’s rentable e-bike service, Tier.
Exploring around Bath
With some of the UK’s most exciting cities an hour away, Bath offers both big city adventure and smaller-scale community vibes. For those days and nights when you want to stretch the wings and experience something new, Bristol, London and Cardiff are within easy reach.
Part of Bath’s appeal is that it really does have something for everyone. If you prefer wild camping to wild nights out, Bath’s under 100 miles from some of the country’s most remote National Parks.
Tramp across Exmoor for a dark sky star gaze or clamber up the Brecon Beacons for a stunning sunrise. Even better if you share the experience with your new friends-for-life...