The beautiful UNESCO world heritage Spa City of Bath has been a place of healing for over two thousand years. Bath’s reputation as a spa town dates back to ancient Roman times which makes it perfect for a healthy break.
There are hot, mineral springs under the city and the water has been used to form warm pools. These have been believed to have healing and purifying qualities, which meant that bathing wasn’t just to clean yourself. People went there to seek cures for illnesses. The old spa is called Roman Baths and today it serves as a museum.
Whether you are there for a weekend away or you live in Bath – the wellbeing scene there is thriving so be sure to experience a yoga or pilates class with one of these top rated teachers.
Yoga Studios & Classes
The Soul Spa
Tucked down a Georgian alleyway in the Spa Quarter of Bath is The Soul Spa, a space dedicated to mental relaxation, emotional fitness and calming your nervous system.
The Soul Spa holds regular 20-minute live online meditation and mental relaxation sessions throughout the day, with timetabled classes led by wonderful teachers for full mental and physical relaxation. Meditation classes are varied so you can find the style that suits you best. Memberships are £12 per month for unlimited access to all classes.
Besides meditation, there is a range of mind-body therapies on offer, including acupuncture, Reiki, Shiatsu, many different massage modalities, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, energy healing and mediumship, to name but a few.
Throughout the year the spa runs numerous workshops and courses, helping you to find the right mindset and emotional stability, no matter what path your life is currently taking.
Amongst other things you can find support for fertility, hypnobirthing, anxiety, chronic pain, stress, living with cancer and weight loss. Courses run at various times of the year, so please check their website or contact The Soul Spa if you have a particular interest.
Register for a free class here.
Address & contact:
The Soul Spa
2 Hetling Court
BA1 1SH
Email: [email protected]
Wildflower Yoga
Chelsea is a 200hr qualified Healthcare Yoga Teacher. She undertook her training in Dharamsala which is in the beautiful Himalayan mountains of India.
Unlike other courses, her training focused on different ailments and how the tools of yoga can be used as a complementary therapy to help people re-balance, heal and grow.
After practising yoga for more than 5 years, and it helping with her own chronic illnesses, Chelsea began to think about how sedentary lifestyles can lead to poor health and how those who were in hospital and bed bound, or with limited access to physical activity, could find themselves on a long road to recovery. This inspired her to try and share the benefits she had found in yoga, to help people on their journey.
During lockdown, Chelsea created a fully online “Virtual Yoga Studio”, a beautifully supportive community of people from all walks of life, with various ailments and injuries. It has become a place that we can call home, learn together and grow together, through these difficult times.
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07982 718123
Katie J Yoga
Katie discovered the gift of yoga six years ago when living abroad in Sydney. Yoga helped transform both her physical and mental health, she now helps others gain the same benefits.
Katie encourages every student to take their own journey on the mat, find space to breathe and allow the mind & body to connect. By being present during practice we can listen to our true self, move without judgement and take a moment to pause in our busy lives.
Katie ensures students feel safe and informed in class, noting alignment cues and the target area of the stretch. Always reminding students to listen to their body and not their ego. She teaches mixed ability hatha and yin yoga, focusing on both the physical and mental benefits of practice.
Join Katie on the mat either in person or online. In person classes are held at the following places and times in Bath:
Tuesday, 18:15 – 19:15: Kingswood Sport Pavilion, Lansdown Road, BA1 9BH
Thursday, 18:15 – 19:15: Manor Farm, Upton Cheyney, Bitton, BS30 6NQ
All Covid protocols followed. Please note: Timetable subject to change, for current classes click here.
Alternatively join online for a variety of Zoom classes throughout the week. Visit www.katiejyoga.com and click ‘Book Here’ for full timetable.
Katie J Yoga On-Demand Platform is a library of pre-recorded yoga classes, like to try 3 classes for FREE? Visit this link!
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07525 174584
Bright Blue Yoga
Bright Blue Yoga offers classes from a variety of venues in Bath, including some outdoor classes, as well as online from the home ‘studio‘ of teacher Georgie Bassford.
Georgie loves to teach inspirational classes which encourage her students to look within to discover how their body feels as it moves in different ways – and also as it rests and let’s go. She keeps inspired through ongoing training with amazing UK and international teachers and shares her love of exploring the body in a fun and creative way, using modern functional anatomy approaches to keep our practice safe and practical too.
Georgie likes to offer classes at different times of the day and with a different focus, so some of her classes are all about deeply and slowly stretching the body (she is a trained Yin Yoga teacher), others more dynamic, all about moving rhythmically to shift tensions from the day and feel physically and mentally more free.
She also specialises in working with pregnant and postnatal women, with a focus on birth preparation and restoring the health and well-being of the core and pelvic floor after birth.
You can attend Georgie’s classes either online (live or recorded) or in person throughout the week. She’s delighted to have been able to re-open up some of her in-person classes, and also teaches outside in all seasons! You can book a class with her here.
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07940 704850
Pilates studios & classes
The Osteopathy & Pilates Studio
The Osteopathy & Pilates Studio offers a range of Pilates mat and equipment (reformer and tower) classes, individual sessions, osteopathy, physiotherapy and massage therapy. Their highly qualified staff use state-of-the-art equipment, allowing them to offer an outstanding Pilates and physical therapy experience in a fun environment.
Pilates classes are categorised at different skill levels so you’ll be sure to find a class that suits your requirements. Classes are kept small, ensuring you get personal attention from their teachers as they guide you through your session.
Mat classes will also be live-streamed so that all clients have a choice of attending in-house or at home – no one misses out.
Address & contact:
The Osteopathy & Pilates Studio
1 & 2 Broad Street Place
BA1 5LH
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (01225) 335757
Bath Pilates Academy
Bath Pilates Academy can help you achieve a complete sense of physical and mental wellbeing through Pilates and relaxation practices that will transform your mind and body.
You will experience highly individual teaching from your teacher and founding director Margo, and a personal commitment to transforming stress into relief, stiffness into flexibility and tension into relaxation resulting in a healthier, happier and more flexible self.
Margo is passionate about helping people feel better through Pilates, movement and relaxation practice. She believes that changing one person’s wellbeing can have a positive impact on an entire community.
Margo’s Pilates experience began 20 years ago when she was working in marketing for a global hotel company. Travelling around the world, lugging heavy bags and sitting for hours on end, she suffered from various aches and pains, back and neck problems.
Private classes are available on a 121 basis. If you would like to combine lessons with friends then Margo can host classes of up to 5 so you can share time with friends enjoying the benefits of Pilates. All classes are fun, interactive and relaxing and suitable for all levels..
Address & contact:
The Hub
Mulberry Park
Mulberry Way
Combe Down
BA2 5BU
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07939994757
Healthy Places to Eat
The Green Rocket
The Green Rocket is a multi-award winning vegetarian cafe & restaurant providing provide tasty vegetarian food and great coffee in an informal setting. They are a proudly independent establishment ran by enthusiasts who have a real passion for fresh and vibrant food.
They have an extensive menu offering lunch, evening supper, light bites, sweet treats and breakfast and a range of organic drinks, as well as a wide selection of vegan and gluten free options. They also offer a takeaway service, perfect for a picnic in Parade Gardens close by. Their aim is to support local independent businesses and to produce everything in-house using seasonal produce.
The location is situated on the corner of North Parade and Pierrepont Street in the heart of Bath and has views of the Bath Abbey and Parade Gardens within walking distance.
The café provides a relaxed and welcoming environment where families, friends and couples can meet up. Indoor and outdoor seating is available with great views of the city and a perfect place to watch people stroll by.
They are open for breakfast, coffee, lunch and afternoon tea, from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4.30pm on Sundays. They are also open in the evenings from Wednesday until Saturday from 6pm to 9.30pm when we offer a different evening menu along with a wine and beer list.
Address & contact:
1 Pierrepont St
Bath
BA1 1NY
Tel: +44 1225 420084
Email: [email protected]
Cascara
Cascara is a cosy independent vegan cafe in the centre of Bath, offering a vegan menu, speciality coffee, hand made smoothies, juices and a selection of treats.
Its menu is packed with delicious items such as their incredibly popular blueberry-filled croissants and a selection of freshly baked goods.
If you’re heading there for a bite to eat be sure to try the Kimchi and Cheeze toastie, smokey beans with freshly toasted bread or their trio of dips served with a selection of bread that’s perfect for sharing with friends.
Address & contact:
3 Upper Borough Walls
Bath
BA1
Tel: +44 7415 127774
Email: [email protected]
Oak Restaurant
A vegetarian and vegan intimate, split-level restaurant set within one of Bath’s oldest buildings and historic locations. Modern and fresh dishes are full of colour and show a great understanding of flavours along with wines that are carefully chosen to match the food.
Also offers cookery classes, supper clubs, event catering and weddings.
Address & contact:
2 North Parade Passage
Bath
BA1 1NX
Tel: 01225 446059
Email: [email protected]
Roots and Shoots Cafe
You can now get incredible vegan food and drinks as soon as you step off the train into Bath – because Roots and Shoots has just is just a stone’s throw from the station.
Or if you’re upset about leaving, you can at least make the journey a joyous one by grabbing a fresh coffee and a some delicious homemade vegan food to take on the train with you. One of their ‘facon’ butties or a selection of vegan pastries will set you up for the day perfectly, or if you’re in town (it’s also very close to the Southgate shopping area of Bath) then have an incredible lunch – salad boxes, vegan man ‘n’ cheese, wraps, soups and stews have all tastes covered, or if you’re feeling indecisive go for a ‘taster box’ so you get to try a bit of everything!
Address & contact:
10 Brunel Square
Bath
BA1 1SX
Where to Stay and Spa
Bath’s spa culture, far from being limited to the city centre’s hot springs, is enhanced by many magnificent spa hotels, from design-led Georgian townhouses perfect for city breaks, to stately country houses ideal for rural retreats.
Check into one of the spa hotels for a few days of pampering and leave Bath feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Offering top facilities, they’re ideal for indulgent breaks and luxurious time away from the stresses of everyday life.
Spend the day in the city centre to experience the UK’s first and only L’Occitane spa or unwind in the mineral rich waters of one of the UK’s only thermal water spa hotels. Or escape to the country to find spas with hydrotherapy pools and wellbeing houses offering yoga and pilates classes for a holistic spa break (source Visit Bath).
Combe Grove Hotel
Nestled into the hillside above the Limpley Stoke Valley, Combe Grove is home to a Manor House and leisure club, set in 64 acres of mature woodland. A destination with wellness at its heart. A place where guests can eat, sleep and retreat amongst nature.
Whilst here you can take advantage of the hilltop fresh air and sleep with the windows open so that you can listen to birdsong. Guests can choose to play tennis, practice their swing on the driving range or join in a range of dynamic fitness classes including Les Mills’ BODYPUMP and BODYATTACK, Spin on our new Life Fitness IC5 bikes, or you may choose a more relaxing yoga or Pilates session in the studio or workout at your leisure in the gym.
Why not follow a class with a swim in the Nordic-inspired indoor swimming pool, or even a dip in the heated outdoor swimming pool during summer, enjoy use of the sauna and steam room.
Combe Grove’s Wellness Treatments are inspired by the elemental wisdom of the land their holistic approach to wellbeing draws on both ancient healing wisdom and the best of modern science.
In most of their treatments, they use pure, organic products from the South West of England with selected medicinal herbs and aromas to support the therapeutic benefit of treatments. Choose from one of our organic essential oil-infused blends, to tailor the treatment to your personal needs.
Yoga retreats are hosted throughout the year – check the website for upcoming events.
The range of wellness facilities offered ensures you will find an activity that you enjoy, but if the gym or exercise classes are not for you, take to your feet, walk through the trees, feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, breathe deeply and then tell us how you feel. Find the connection with nature, re-energise and create your own happy high. Read reviews.
The Bath Priory
Nestled within four acres of mature award-winning gardens and spacious terraces, The Bath Priory sets itself apart as a peaceful haven in a bustling city. The Georgian house of honey-coloured Bath stone enjoys a tranquil location just a short walk through Royal Victoria Park to Bath’s city centre.
The award-winning spa has a selection of luxurious treatments, an indoor pool, pool-side sauna, elliptical steam pod and shower. From the moment you enter The Garden Spa by L’OCCITANE, fragrances transport you to Provence; the escape begins with scent.
Just as Provence is the land of beauty, The Garden Spa by L’Occitane is a sanctuary of tranquillity to refresh your senses and retrieve peacefulness and inner balance.
Prior to your treatment, you will be greeted with a Welcome Ritual, a soothing foot bath. Every gesture, every ingredient, and every ritual is drawn from a page of the L’Occitane grand herbarium, a resource of hundreds of essential oils and natural ingredients. Your experience will take you on a true olfactory journey, sequenced at every step by comforting or energising aromas. Read reviews,
Bath Spa Hotel
Set in beautiful gardens, Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel features a spa and award-winning restaurant. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Bath Abbey.
The bedrooms have private bathrooms with free toiletries and bathrobes. With luxury marble and mahogany decor, rooms have satellite TV and tea/coffee facilities. Many have scenic garden views.
With fountains, ponds and a terrace, Bath Spa Macdonald Hotel also has a spa, which features a swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, candlelit treatment rooms and fitness centre.
The Vellore Restaurant is set in the former ballroom of the grand property, and serves an innovative British menu and world wine list. The Alfresco Restaurant and Terrace offers fruity cocktails and wonderful views.
Just 10 minutes’ walk from Bath centre, Macdonald Hotel Bath Spa is surrounded by the beautiful Somerset countryside. Bath’s Roman Thermae Spa is a 15-minute walk away. Read reviews.
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