It has plenty of options for dining out
(Image: Thermae Bath Spa)
A city near Bristol has been recognised as a top spot for eating out.
Bath, a 40-minute drive from Bristol, has long been a tourism hotspot, known for its beautiful historic streets, Georgian architecture and Roman heritage.
However, it’s now also making a name for itself as a foodie hotspot, according to a recent study. A new ranking by student accommodation provider Canvas assessed cities across the country based on key gastronomic criteria.
These factors included the total number of restaurants, the percentage rated four stars or above, the quantity of fine dining establishments, ‘cheap eats’, and the average cost of a meal for two. Data was also indexed per 1,000 residents to ensure fairness between large and small cities.
Bath came out on top with a total of 451 restaurants, equating to 48 per 1,000 inhabitants. An impressive 63.6% of these establishments boast a rating of four stars or higher.
The city also prides itself on having 16 fine dining restaurants and 56 budget-friendly options, making it an ideal choice for any type of evening out. The average price of dinner for two stands at £70, reports Somerset Live.
Newcastle secured the second spot with over 1,000 restaurants and a broad selection of affordable eats, while York clinched third place with a similar percentage of highly rated venues as Bath. The remaining top 10 consisted of Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Cambridge, Southampton and Glasgow.
However, Bath offers far more than just food. It stands among Britain’s most historically important cities and remains the only city in the country to have UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.
Tourists can explore the Roman Baths, visit the Jane Austen Centre, or stroll through famous landmarks such as the Royal Crescent and The Circus.
Abbey Gardens in Bath(Image: Getty)
Visit Bath suggests travellers use it as a perfect base for exploring nearby destinations like Castle Combe, Lacock, or even Stonehenge.
And if you’re looking for something more peaceful, you can experience the same natural thermal springs that have drawn people to the city for thousands of years.
Through the centuries, visitors believed, and many still believe, that the hot mineral-rich waters held “ancient healing powers”.
The Bath Medical Museum describes how people arrived to be sprayed, immersed, or simply to inhale the vapour in the hope of treating conditions such as gout, paralysis, rickets and rheumatism.
This tradition dates back to ancient times, with early tales of Prince Bladud, a leprosy sufferer allegedly cured after bathing in the springs.
Even the Romans made use of the city’s waters as early as 50AD, though mainly for enjoyment rather than treatment.
By the 18th century, the waters were widely believed to ease countless conditions, particularly those affecting the muscles, skin and joints. Some studies even showed that taking a dip in the water helped to remove lead from the body, a common problem at the time.
Although today’s hydrotherapy is more about heat and movement than minerals, Bath-goers can still enjoy a spa day at places like Thermae Bath Spa or the Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel, which make use of the city’s natural thermal springs.