Last Updated on August 28, 2024
Entering Bath, England felt as though I was stepping back in time to the 18th century. I half expected to see women rounding the corner in elegant full skirts and hats of silk and lace carrying parasols.
The gorgeous Georgian architecture glowed in the sun, golden hues embedded in the columns and pediments. The Eight hotel, situated in the center of town, provided me with the ideal location to settle in, and only a mere stone’s throw from the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and River Avon.
Eight is a boutique independent inn occupying two historic three-story stone townhouses around the corner from one other. After strolling just a few minutes from the Bath train station, I turned down the narrow North Parade Passage and noticed a small hanging sign from the middle of the street with two vertical gold balls. Entering between two large curved storefront windows, I passed through a small dining area and was greeted by the hotel’s host.
Rooms of the Inn
The inn contains 20 elegant and classically styled rooms divided between two townhomes. The host led me down the street into the Abbey Green, a small square with an enormous tree in the center. We entered the oxford blue main door and climbed up the wide carpeted stairway with white railings and periwinkle walls.
Though my room décor was simple, it provided everything I needed for my stay. A light, wide-planked oak floor set off the darker wood furniture. The comfortable queen-sized bed was topped with fluffy pillows and a flat-screen TV hung from the far wall. A narrow desk just inside the doorway held a tea kettle, Krups machine and water bottles, and another stand across the room contained a tray with mugs, tea, coffee and cookies.
A small window seat was situated beneath the white wooden shutters and when I opened the windows, I could look down onto a cobblestone alleyway or across the low roof to the other half of the hotel. The restaurant in that area could be noisy at times, but the windows masked out the sound when closed.
The modern bathroom sported sea green subway tiles around the walls and in the shower with a more decorative floor pattern. The chrome fixtures provided an even more historically authentic feel to these more modern bath conveniences.
On my first morning, I headed to the dining area for a typical English breakfast. I enjoyed the scrambled eggs, stewed tomato and mushrooms, steamed spinach, and toast and jam along with a small fruit bowl. And, of course, it was accompanied by a lovely pot of tea.
Each half of the dining area could hold about 12 diners. One room was bathed in pale blue and the other in light green with roses on the wallpaper. Another area was covered in wallpaper resembling bookshelves and hid a secret door leading to the ladies restroom.
Down the hallway and around a winding staircase, a private lounge offered a sanctuary for guests. A wall-to-ceiling stone fireplace anchored each end of the room. In one half, an emerald banquette lined the wall with small bistro tables and chairs. On the other end, a peacock blue couch and armchairs rested alongside two caramel leather chairs. A fully equipped bar offered drinks on the honor system. I grabbed an Irish Cream one evening and read my book, luxuriating in the swanky room I enjoyed all to myself.
The location of the Eight inn completely immersed me in the historic atmosphere of Bath. As a long-time fan of Jane Austen and Roman history, as well as a more recent Bridgerton enthusiast, I found many interesting places to explore within a short walk of the boutique hotel.
What to Do in Bath
Walking Tours
Whether on a guided tour or wandering around the city on your own, you can discover many sites where Jane Austen lived or scenes based on her novels. The Bridgerton series also used many locations around Bath for filming. On my first afternoon, I took a guided walking tour passing by many filming sites. This was also a great way to learn about the history and architecture of the area. I booked my tour through TripAdvisor though the Visit Bath website also offers options.
I saw some of the Jane Austen landmarks during my tour and sought out others on my own after visiting the Jane Austen Centre. Her family’s longest place of residence was at 4 Sydney Place, across from the Sydney Garden. The family also lived at 25 Gay Street, a few doors down from the Centre. The Assembly Rooms and Pump Room enjoyed their heyday during her time here and Austen featured them in her novels.
Green Spaces
Alongside the River Avon, the Parade Gardens offer a place to see a concert, stroll among the lovely flowers and view the Pulteney Bridge. If you cross this bridge or the North Parade Bridge, you’ll be on a path that runs next to the river with views of the town and the Pulteney Weir, a curved waterfall.
An extensive lawn sloping down from the Royal Crescent provides a scenic place for a picnic. This curved structure, built in the 1770s consists of 30 terrace homes built in the Georgian style with two-story-tall columns. This has been a prestigious address in Bath since they were built, and Bridgerton uses it as a backdrop in many of its scenes.
The Austen girls strolled the Sydney Gardens, and it’s no wonder why. Broad paths spread out from behind the Holburne Museum and many people relaxed and played in the park the day I visited. At the far side, a secluded path led along the Kennet and Avon canal. I followed the water past colorful houseboats tied to the banks.
Spreading over 57 acres at the northwest edge of town, Royal Victoria Park includes a miniature golf course, playground and picturesque botanical garden. I enjoyed walking among enormous old trees and a few stone monuments and gates.
Historic Sights
Just down the street from the Eight inn, the flying buttresses of the Bath Abbey soar over the heart of town. A monastery that started in 757 A.D. went through many rebuilds and renovations leading to a church with a stunning interior and a stone ceiling that resembles lace and vast yet intricate stained-glass windows. The walls and floor of the church are lined with 1500 memorials, beginning in the 1700s. There is a charge to enter the abbey, but it’s well worth the cost.
Across the square lies the reason for the founding of the first settlement, the Roman Baths. A museum explains the history of the baths and showcases artifacts found during the renovation of the site. I paid for the guided tour to learn about the extensive pools and exercise rooms that the Romans used. During the 1800s, the city restored the buildings, and today it’s easy to see where the original Roman stonework ended, and the Georgian additions began.
The Jane Austen Centre occupies a townhome on Gay Street from one of Jane’s residences while she lived in Bath with her mother and sister. The experience starts with a guide in period garb enthusiastically sharing what is known about the Austen family tree and Jane’s life. He then led us to the museum that explored her novels, movies based on published works, and life in Bath during the time she was writing. Having read all her books and watched the films, I enjoyed seeing scripts, costumes and photos from the sets.
No. 1 Royal Crescent was pointed out on my Bridgerton walking tour as the façade used for the Featherington home. On the self-guided tour of the townhouse, I felt as if I was peeping in on a family going about their daily life in the late 18th century.
Afternoon Tea
When visiting England, one must partake in afternoon tea and Bath offers some wonderful options, though reservations should be made ahead of time.
The Regency Tea Room on the second floor of the Jane Austen Centre offers Tea with Mr. Darcy and other character options.
At the Pump Room, you can have tea in the same place as its 18th-century patrons. It is located right in the heart of Bath, next to the Abbey and Roman Baths. They also serve brunch and dinner at the venue.
I opted for a relaxing spa day at the Royal Crescent Hotel which concluded with a lovely afternoon tea. You can enjoy this iconic service in their beautiful garden which I highly recommend.
Whether strolling the lanes taking in the views or learning about history at the many attractions in Bath, staying at the Eight puts you in the center of it all.
