Things to Do in Bath

One of the most popular cities in the UK, Bath is overflowing with rich history and picturesque scenery. Bath is a hotspot for tourism, attracting almost four million visitors annually. The city is not only a great place for tourists. With two universities and countless things to do, Bath is also a great place for students.

Population

Bath is the largest city in Somerset, England. As of the most recent figures, Bath has a population of 108,329. There are two universities in Bath, The University of Bath and Bath Spa University. With two universities within the city, offering a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, Bath has a buzzing student scene. The city also has a high number of families and tourists as it continues to rank as one of the safest UK cities.

Accomodation

Regardless of which university you are studying at, there are plenty of accommodation options for you to choose from. Whether you’d prefer to reside in the city centre or close to campus, there is an option within the city to fit any preference.

For students at The University of Bath, there are ten accommodation options on campus, three of which include eat and drink credit. This means that as part of your accommodation you will be given credit to spend on food and drink outlets on campus. The ten accommodation types are:

• Brendon Court (eat and drink credit included)
• Eastwood Green
• Eastwood Terrace
• Marlborough Court and Solsbury Court
• Norwood House
• Osborne House
• Polden Court (eat and drink credit included)
• The Quads (eat and drink credit included)
• Westwood
• Woodland Court

Alternatively, if you’d like to live off campus, The University of Bath offers the following student accommodation located in the heart of the city. These are:

• Carpenter House
• Green Park House
• John Wood Building
• John Wood Court

With most of the accommodation options you are able to pick from seven different room types, including en-suite or standard rooms. Additional preferences the university adhere too include, same-sex, quiet or alcohol-free accomodation.

If you’re studying at Bath Spa University, there are also a variety of accommodation types available to you. These accommodations are either on campus or in the city centre. You can also choose from a selection of room types, including studios or en-suite rooms. You can choose from the following halls of residences:

• Bankside House
• Newton Park
• Twerton Mill
• Waterside Court and Charlton Court

Living Cost

According to recent data, Bath is slightly less affordable than other cities in the UK. On average, Bathonians will lose 52 per cent of their salary to rent each month. The only city to top Bath is Brighton and Cove. If you’re a student at the University of Bath, you could be spending up to £250 a week on self-catered accommodation. If you decide to live off campus in a house share, you could be spending over £700 per month on rent alone.

Outside of rent, Bath remains an expensive city for students. For student essentials, including a gym membership, midweek club entry and a takeaway pizza, Bath students were forking out on average £130 according to UNiDAYS.

Transport

Bath is located 15 minutes away from Bristol and around 90 minutes from London by train. The city has two major train stations both offering train links to locations such as Cardiff and Portsmouth. These are Bath Spa Train Station located in the city centre and Oldfield Park Train Station which is just outside the city but within walking distance.

The easiest way to get around Bath is by bike or foot. Everywhere is easily walkable and there are plenty of cycling routes in the city. Walking or cycling your way around Bath is not only a great way to take in the charming city, it will also save you some money.

Alternatively, you can make your way around the city by bus. Bath has numerous bus services running regular services within Bath and to destinations further afield. The buses in the city are operated by First Buses.

If you’re wanting to go further afield, the closest Airport to Bath is Bristol International Airport. By car, the journey is approximately three quarters of an hour. From here you can catch a flight to destinations across Europe and the rest of the world.

Nightlife

For a relatively small city, Bath has a lot of nightlife options. Whether you fancy a quick drink with a friend or a lively night out, Bath has a venue to suit.

Many pubs in Bath will run events such as quizzes or live music nights mid-week. For students, there are also student club nights throughout the week. These will offer cheap entry and drinks. Keep an eye out for events on campus too. The Student Union at The University of Bath in particular has many events throughout the week.

The city may lack in multiple nightclubs, yet what it does offer is cosy pubs and quirky cocktail bars. However, if you’d prefer a rowdier night out, make your way to Bristol - only 15 minutes away by train.

Shopping

Bath's shopping scene has something for everyone. From quaint independent stores, to big brands, you’re bound to find whatever you are looking for in the city's shopping streets.

As well as many independent and high street stores, Bath also has regular markets dotted around the city. Visit Bath’s Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning for local cheeses, organic fruit and vegetables and plenty more. Discover pre-loved items at the Bath Vintage and Antiques Market which runs on the last Saturday of every month at Green Park Station. Or, if you’re looking for a bargain, spend a Saturday at the flea market in Bath’s Artisan Quarter and find all sorts from crockery to trinkets.

For everyday essentials, Bath has plenty of supermarkets to choose from. There are many smaller supermarkets, including Tesco’s Express’ dotted around the city. For larger shops, the city has a wide selection of large supermarkets including, a Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Lidl.

Local Sport

Bath is a city brimming with opportunities to get involved in sports and activities. From cycling to hot air ballooning, the city offers it all. You can find all the sporting activities Bath has to offer at Visit Bath.

In terms of sport, Bath is a city renowned for its rugby. The city's rugby union club, Bath Rugby, is one of the oldest in the world and currently competes in England’s top division, Premiership Rugby.

For Football, the city's main team is Bath City FC. Currently the team competes in the National League South. Bath was also home to Team Bath FC who were affiliated with the University of Bath. The club was formed in 1999 and allowed players to combine football with higher education. However in 2009 the club was dissolved.

Things to do

When planning a day out in Bath, you won’t need to search for long to find something to do. There are plenty of things to do in Bath. Whether it’s visiting Baths must see attractions, or discovering cool things to do in Bath, you’re bound to have a full packed day in the city.

If you’re looking to soak up some history, the Roman Baths is a must see in Bath. The baths are one of Baths top attractions, dating back to AD43. This top thing to do in Bath is an insight into how former settlers of the city liked to unwind. Alongside the baths, you can walk on original Roman pavements and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva.

For something more lively, sip cocktails at one of Bath's chic bars or dig into some pub grub at one of the many traditional pubs. In the evening, discover the best of Bath's entertainment scene and choose from live music, comedy or theatre.

If you're looking for fun activities in Bath, the city doesn’t fall short. Take in the city's best landmarks, including Bath Abbey, by doing a treasure hunt. You’ll be cracking puzzles, riddles and codes whilst you explore. Or, take to the River Avon and take in the sights on a Bath stand up paddle tour. Well-behaved dogs are also allowed.

Job Prospects

If you’re looking for a job to fit alongside your studies, then Bath is a great place to look. Recents statistics showed that 43 percent of employee jobs are part-time, which is 10 percent higher than the national average. The city is home to a massive shopping complex, SouthGate, which offers a wide variety of part-time roles. Also, Bath’s tourism scene provides around 14,000 jobs. So, if you’re looking for some extra cash whilst studying, there's plenty of employment options to choose from.

Health, education and business services within the city provide the most jobs - approximately 30,000. Moreover, in creative, digital and IT related fields, employment levels are above average. Some of the top employers within the city are: The University of Bath, National Health Services, Ministry of Defence and the North East Somerset Council.