Our editor recently spent a few days in Bath to preview the ReBalance Festival of Wellness, a three-week celebration of feel-good activities inspired by wellness. After a successful inaugural event in 2023, the festival returned in 2024 continuing to shine a spotlight on Bath as the UK’s No.1 Spa and Wellness Destination.
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Somerset, Bath beckons visitors with its timeless beauty, rich traditional history, culture and green spaces. Renowned for its ancient Roman baths and Georgian architecture, this picturesque city offers a sanctuary for wellness enthusiasts throughout the seasons.
At the heart of Bath lies its famed thermal springs, which have been revered for their healing properties for centuries. Visitors can immerse themselves in the warm, mineral-rich waters at the Thermae Bath Spa, where modern facilities seamlessly blend with ancient traditions to provide a rejuvenating experience for body and soul.
Beyond the thermal baths, the city boasts a wealth of holistic retreats combined with tranquil surroundings and a serene atmosphere to provide the perfect backdrop for self-discovery and relaxation.
The Trip
We can help you explore the best places to visit with our guide, recommended hotels and favourite spaces to visit the city.
If travelling from London Paddington Station the trip is a short one and a half hours into Bath Spa Station on the Great Western Railway (GWR) , which makes it an easy and convenient mini break. GWR is offering a long weekender for a return ticket out from London Paddington for £79, travelling any time on either Friday or Saturday and returning at any time on a Monday.
Day 1
First stop was a 45-minute light Yoga and Meditation taster session with expert teacher Bex Bridgford from Yoga and Wild Wellness at the House of St. Johns, Queens Square, for ReBalance Bath Festival.
Yoga and Wild Wellness was established by co-owners Bex and Lana and they draw from their experience and knowledge within Yoga, Movement, Physiology and Alternative Holistic Therapies with the mission to empower individuals’ connection to themselves.
Bex also did several events during the festival, including an urban retreat, and the Aquasana at the Thermae Spa. Aquasana class harnesses the healing properties of the waters, leaving you feeling cleansed, rejuvenated and grounded. during the festival.
A short walk up Queens Road, led to lunch at Montagu Mews Restaurant, nestled beautifully in its gardens of the exquisitely decorated Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. This award-winning, five-star and independent boutique Hotel is set in an acre of stunning gardens offering a tranquil escape in the heart of the city.
From the moment you step into the grand lobby, you are enveloped in an atmosphere of elegance and refinement, setting you up for an unforgettable experience. Stunning décor, lavish furnishings, charm, with timeless and captivating modern luxury exceptional service and well-presented dishes.
After lunch we spent the afternoon discovering The Soul Spa’s Virtual Reality Dream Odyssey Relaxation Experience. This game changing meditation tool offers an oasis of calm wherein you tap into your inner world of peace and healing, allowing you to immerse yourself in alternate realities through a digital guided experience. Well worth booking a session.
After the rejuvenating experience at The Soul Spa, we headed to The Roseate Villa Bath for Afternoon Tea. Offering the best English Afternoon Tea in Bath, the villa also hosted us for the night. A quintessential English tea tradition with a few touches of modernity, Afternoon Tea at the Villa is a magical experience with delightfully delicious selections of teas including Lady Whistledown, the Jane Austen Blend, and homemade treats.
The villa is hidden at the end of Henrietta Street, a quiet corner, overlooking Henrietta Park, a 7-acre park opened to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.
A fascinating detail is that the property is merged from 2 converted Victorian houses and is filled with character and detail. The Villa has 21 rooms, starting at £250, with exclusive features, elegant interiors and bespoke luxury to make your stay unforgettable. Guests can enjoy a fine selection of tea and homemade cakes in the garden, breakfast exactly the way you like it and a relaxing nightcap from the Henrietta Bar.
It is known for its ambiance, attentive and impeccable service and tranquil accommodations, the villa is one of the best places to stay in Bath. The award-winning team at The Roseate Villa Bath, not forgetting the resident dog Muttley, offer great attention to detail and a genuine connection that made our experience a memorable one.
The Roseate Villa is a dog friendly hotel and the team will ensure that everyone can enjoy their stay with their dogs without imposing on other guests. Guests are requested to notify the hotel prior to their arrival.
Day 2
The morning was spent exploring the Award-winning Thermae Bath Spa, using naturally warm, mineral rich waters from the Kings Spring, the Hetling Spring and the Cross Spring and offering its visitors a genuinely unique experience throughout the year.
The building also houses Roman and Georgian Inspired Steam Rooms, an invigorating Ice Chamber and a Celestial Relaxation Room. Simply breathtaking, you can enjoy a roof-top views of Bath whilst swimming in the steamy waters, or soak up in the Minerva Bath.
Dough Pizza a family-run restaurant with pizza made on site by specialist artisans from Puglia, Italy. Their bases are rustic, simple and made with authentic Italian style. An ideal stop after the thermal spa.
We ended the festival preview at the Bath Holistic Massage, a quaint sanctuary situated in the very heart of Bath providing holistic massage treatments, including pregnancy and deep tissue massage to help ease aches and pains, reflexology and more.
In addition to its wellness offerings, Bath’s rich cultural heritage provides ample opportunities for exploration and inspiration. Visitors can stroll through the city’s charming streets, marvel at its architectural marvels, and immerse themselves in its vibrant arts scene, dress up at the Jane Austin Museum, or find a moment to be still at the Bath Abbey, all while basking in the city’s timeless appreal.
The ReBalance Festival of Wellness returns to Bath on 30 Jan 2025 – 23 Feb 2025.
