The Bath Priory

Nestled within four acres of mature award-winning gardens and spacious terraces, The Bath Priory is part of the AA Hotel Group of the Year 2017-18 and 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 to the city centre. Welcoming guests as if to a private home, The Bath Priory is where much of proprietors Andrew and Christina Brownsword’s private art collection adorns the walls.

To help you truly unwind, our Garden Spa by L’OCCITANE offers massages and a selection of luxurious treatments by French skincare brand L’OCCITANE.

Built in 1835 as a private residence, on land once owned by The Priory of Bath Abbey, The Bath Priory with its architecturally gothic characteristics is discreetly situated on a tree-lined residential road on the west side of the city of Bath.

The house was a private home until the 1960s when it was converted into the dormitory wing for The Park School.

In 1969 the house was bought and converted into a seven bedroom hotel. The following 25 years saw The Bath Priory prosper as a hotel and in September 1994 it was the first hotel purchased by the Brownsword family.

ROOMS & SUITES
Every room is named after a flower and each is unique – Heather and Lilac offer “Romeo and Juliet” balconies overlooking the clipped gardens while others, such as Carnation and Bluebell, boast four poster beds – a popular choice for romantic weekends.

Naturally, all come with crisp white linen, plumped up pillows and Vispring beds to guarantee that perfect night’s slumber.

MASTER CRESCENT SUITES
The sumptuous Master Crescent suites are situated in the neighbouring building and all offer garden views. ‘Cavendish’ features a calming, muted palette whilst ‘The Royal’s double room includes a decadent roll top bath. The spacious living rooms are individually designed with pure relaxation in mind.

Fresh flowers, fruit, Bottlegreen sparkling presses and mineral water greet you in your room. L’Occitane skin care and bath lotions along with slippers and fluffy robes and a Vispring bed complete your stay. Each room benefits from complimentary Wi-Fi access.

JUNIOR SUITES
Situated in the main house, the romantic four poster suite ‘Carnation’ offers glorious garden views, a spacious marble bathroom with separate bath and shower and elegant dressing room; perfect for a luxurious, romantic break.

The ‘Widcombe’ and ‘Lansdown’ suites in the neighbouring building known as Lindens offer garden views and are perfectly situated for added privacy. Both offer spacious living rooms with sophisticated styling; ‘Lansdown’ pays homage to the city of Bath and boasts its own balcony.

Fresh flowers, fruit, Bottlegreen sparkling presses and mineral water greet you in your room. L’Occitane skin care and bath lotions along with slippers and fluffy robes and a Vispring bed complete your stay. Each room benefits from complimentary Wi-Fi access.

DELUXE ROOMS
Our spacious Deluxe Rooms with courtyard views combine traditional luxury with elegant styling and each room comes with a king size bed. Homemade biscuits and mineral water greet you in your room. L’Occitane skin care and bath lotions along with slippers and fluffy robes and a Vispring bed complete your stay.

CLASSIC ROOMS
For style and comfort, stay in one of our Classic Rooms offering delightful courtyard views of the grounds and luxurious en-suite bathrooms with a separate bath and shower.

Homemade biscuits and mineral water greet you in your room. L’Occitane skin care and bath lotions along with slippers and fluffy robes and a Vispring bed complete your stay.

DINING & DRINKING
At the heart of the hotel is the celebrated 3 AA Rosette restaurant, an intimate dining area with magnificent views across the hotel’s beautiful gardens.

The restaurant offers a memorable culinary experience with a focus on fresh local produce, flavour and balance to create exciting, modern British cuisine. Alongside the fine dining restaurant, The Pantry adopts a much simpler, casual dining experience spilling out onto the Terrace Bar in warmer months.

RESTAURANT

At the heart of the hotel is our celebrated 3 AA Rosette restaurant, with magnificent views across the hotel’s award-winning gardens.

Our menu offers a memorable culinary journey with a focus on fresh local produce, flavour and balance to create exciting, modern French dishes epitomising the best seasonal dining.

Complemented by an exemplary wine cellar and exceptional insight from our Head Sommelier we ensure every detail of your dining experience is perfectly paired.

THE PANTRY & TERRACE
Escape the hustle and bustle of Bath’s city centre for a cosy, casual dining experience with a warm, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Our all new vibrant and informal menu serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and supper is packed with seasonal, light and exciting dishes.

The terrace at The Bath Priory is a very special spot for alfresco dining and drinking, backed in early summer by the scented wisteria clad walls of the hotel and overlooking four acres of beautiful gardens.

The perfect spot for a glass of Champagne or any other choice of tipple, everyone is welcome, whether to eat or simply enjoy a drink, with the terrace open from 8am until late.

AFTERNOON TEA
Treat yourself to a full afternoon tea including a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, delicious homemade cakes and warm scones served with clotted cream and homemade preserve.

A vast selection of teas and coffees are also available. For a little more indulgence, enjoy a fine glass of Champagne with your full afternoon tea.

AFTERNOON TEA HAMPER
Enjoy a famous Bath Priory afternoon tea wherever you wish. Featuring all of the treats expected, even served with your choice of tea or coffee, kept warm all day in a hot flask. Find a spot within the grounds, in the lounges (if the weather’s not on your side), take to your bedroom or with you for a day trip.

PRIVATE DINING

The Bath Priory has an award-winning 3 AA Rosette restaurant renowned for its food and service. Both the hotel’s main restaurant and private dining rooms have a typical country house hotel character and atmosphere – an ideal venue for that special, private dining occasion.

Up to 72 guests may be seated at round tables in the interconnecting private dining rooms, The Terrace, The Orangery and The Pavilion.

These rooms all face south and are perfectly placed to take in the stunning view of the four acres of beautiful gardens. When reserved individually, these dining rooms offer a wonderfully intimate atmosphere and are ideal for seating up to 24 guests.

THE PAVILION
The largest of these rooms, The Pavilion, has its own balcony, with direct access onto the garden terrace.

THE ORANGERY
A part of the main restaurant, The Orangery can we closed off to accommodate up to 27 guests.

THE TERRACE
Adjoining The Orangery as part of the main restaurant, The Terrace can be closed off to accommodate up to 27 guests.

THE EXECUTIVE CHEF JAUCA CATALIN
Jauca Catalin was appointed Executive Head Chef at The Bath Priory in spring 2020.

Joining the hotel from his previous position as Executive Head Chef at Andrew Brownsword Hotels’ sister hotel, ABode Canterbury, Jauca has returned to The Bath Priory’s kitchens where he started his career with the company, over 10 years earlier.

Born in Bucharest, Jauca took his first steps on his restaurant career following a ten-year footballing career during which he played for a successful Romanian team, before injury stopped him playing.

Taking his father’s advice to enrol into a cookery school, he found a passion for cooking and on graduating, took up his first position at a 4-star hotel in Bucharest.

Moving to the UK and taking up a role as a Demi Chef de Partie at The Bath Priory, where he trained under the supervision of the Two-Michelin star chef Michael Caines, Jauca later left the Priory from a Junior Sous Chef position to become Sous Chef for the opening launch team at ABode Chester, before taking up his first Executive Head Chef role at ABode Canterbury in 2014.

In September 2018, Jauca’s talents were rewarded when he was awarded 3AA Rosettes, becoming the first Executive Head Chef to achieve this at an ABode restaurant.

Known for his exceptional discipline and drive, he is passionate about expressing his creativity through inventive and seasonal dishes, a love for Asian cuisine also delivers inventive twists.

Delicious and popular plates from Jauca include signature dishes such as ‘Fresh white crab meat, lime confit, mooli and peanut chilli caramel’.

Starting at The Bath Priory during its period of closure during April 2020, Jauca has taken time to develop new menus, which he looks forward to launching once the hotel re-opens later this year.

LOUNGES
The walls of the Library and Drawing Room are adorned with the Brownsword family’s collection of 20th century art which welcomes guests into their home from home, inviting them to relax and unwind and embrace a more leisurely pace of life.

THE GARDEN SPA

From the moment you enter The Garden Spa by L’Occitane, fragrances transport you to Provence; the escape begins with scent. Prior to your treatment, you are greeted with a “Welcome Ritual”, a foot bath performed with our soothing formula.

Every gesture, every ingredient, 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 then takes you on a true olfactory journey, sequenced at every step by comforting or energising aromas. The voyage of the senses continues through gestures, sensorial textures, relaxing music and the herbal teas inspired by Provencal traditions.

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. Explore our on-site L’Occitane shop for beauty advice and products.

INDOOR POOL, SAUNA & AROMA STEAM ROOM
Situated within The Garden Spa and open throughout the day and evening.

L’OCCITANE SHOP
If you need beauty advice or would like to try our L’Occitane products, our trained spa staff would be very happy to welcome you to explore our on-site shop.

SPA TREATMENTS
Our fabulous Garden Spa boasts four tranquil treatment rooms, including a dual treatment suite overlooking the gardens, an indoor pool, heated outdoor pool, aroma steam room and sauna.

SHEA NOURISHING SCRUB & WRAP

This formula has been developed exclusively for L’Occitane spas and is recommended for dry skin, delicious textures eliminate dead cells, leaving skin perfectly prepared for the wrap, which is ideal repairing care for very dry, sun-damaged or overworked skin.

While the entire body soaks up the active ingredients that nourish (shea butter and grape seed oil), moisturise (honey extracts) and soften (Kaolin), a scalp massage will promote a feeling of pure relaxation and wellbeing.

RELAX, RESET & RESTORE SPA RETREAT
Available Wednesday – Friday & Sunday
Escape to The Garden Spa by L’Occitane for a day dedicated to relaxation; enjoy a treatment of your choice followed by a tempting two-course lunch in The Pantry and then simply while away the remainder of your day by the pool, in the pool-side sauna or steam pod.

YOGA
Borrow a yoga mat and find a tranquil spot in our gardens or make use of your room. We also have a printed yoga guide to give a helping hand, simply pick one up from from reception.

GARDENS

The gardens are an integral feature of The Bath Priory, covering four acres, including a kitchen garden, meadow and lawns with plenty of private nooks for relaxing. Lovingly tended by Jane Moore (a Chelsea Flower Show Silver Medal winner), every season is a celebration of colour.

JANE MOORE
Jane Moore joined as Head Gardener in March 2003, bringing her trademark passion, enthusiasm and experience to the hotel’s four acres of walled gardens. Jane has received many accolades including a Chelsea Flower Show medal in 2003 and the British Garden Writers’ Guild ‘Journalist of the Year’ in 2007.

Jane is well respected in the horticultural world as an innovative gardener with a broad knowledge of plants and gardens throughout the country.

When she is not at The Bath Priory, Jane tends her own garden and allotment, writes regularly for BBC Gardeners’ World magazine, The Times and The Guardian. Jane also researches and presents television programmes and is a regular panellist at gardening events.

WEDDING

Welcoming guests as if to a private home, The Bath Priory is an elegant venue for your perfect wedding. Sublime cuisine and the finest wines blend with luxurious guest rooms and a breath-taking setting.

From intimate dinner celebrations, to lavish banquet-style wedding breakfasts, The Bath Priory offers everything you need for a stylish wedding. At The Bath Priory, we promise you a unique celebration.

Choose from our exclusive use package or a day wedding celebration and tailor it to suit your requirements. Your dedicated events coordinator will guide you through the entire process.

MEETINGS & OCCASIONS

At The Bath Priory we promise you a unique experience for your meeting or special event. Sublime cuisine and the finest wines blend with luxurious guest rooms and a breath-taking setting. From intimate meetings to lavish private banqueting, The Bath Priory offers everything you need.

Choose from our delegate packages or private dining options, or tailor a bespoke event. Your dedicated events coordinator will be on hand to create a seamless experience for you, from the initial enquiry to the day itself and everything in between.

Choose from three wonderfully intimate events spaces, the Pavilion, the Orangery and the Terrace. Each offers stunning views across the gardens, and the largest room, the Pavilion, boasts a private balcony with access to the terrace.

Alternatively, book all three rooms to create one beautifully spacious room flooded with natural light, perfect for any private dinner.

Surrounded by breathtaking gardens and just a stone’s throw from the UNESCO World Heritage city centre, with a capacity for up to 72 guests, The Bath Priory offers both the perfect meeting space and a unique, sophisticated venue for private dining.

THINGS TO DO IN BATH

Steeped in Roman history, the city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Roman Baths, Pump Rooms and Theatre Royal are noteworthy highlights alongside the city’s architectural merits including the Royal Crescent and The Circus.

Depending on the time of year, the city is also blessed with a thriving cultural scene including the Great Bath Feast, Literary festivals for adults and children, the Bath Mozartfest and the Jane Austen Festival, paying homage to Bath’s most famous resident.

Horse riding, golf and polo facilities are also available within a 15 minute drive from the hotel and guests can explore Bath by canal boat, open-top bus or on foot, or head out of the city for a trip to Stonehenge, Longleat Safari Park or nearby Lacock Abbey.

MUSEUMS

With Bath featuring in the Doomsday book, it is no surprise that the city proudly pays homage to its roots. With 20 museums in and around Bath, there is something for everyone.

Jane Austen Centre – The Jane Austen Centre is dedicated to celebrating Bath’s most famous resident. The Centre offers a snapshot of what it would be like to live in the Regency times – the fashion, food, society – everything that would have inspired Austen’s timeless novels.
www.janeausten.co.uk

No.1 Royal Crescent – Creating a wonderfully vital picture of life in Georgian Bath. Built between 1767 – 1774, the Royal Crescent is justly considered one of the finest achievements of 18th century urban architecture and represents the highest point of Palladian architecture in Bath. No.1 was the first house to be built in the Crescent and originally provided luxury accommodation for the aristocratic visitors who came to take the waters and enjoy the social season.

Holburne Museum – This Grade 1 listed building was originally designed and constructed as a hotel, but is now home to a collection of fine and decorative art.

American Museum – Situated within 120 acres of wonderful grounds and stunning scenery, the American Museum in Britain is home to the finest collection of Americana outside of the United States. The interactive American Heritage Exhibition precedes a series of attractive period rooms dating from colonial times until the eve of the Civil War.

Fashion Museum – A must-see for every fashionista, the Fashion Museum is one of the world’s top 10 museums of fashionable dress. You’ll see everything from historic Georgian gowns to cutting-edge fashions by some of today’s leading designers.

SIGHTSEEING

As one of the most visited cities in the country, Bath is full of spectacular architecture, including one of the only two bridges in the world with shops built into it (pictured left).

Bath Abbey – Magnificent stained glass windows, columns of honey-gold stone and some of the finest fan vaulting in the world, create an extraordinary experience of light and space. Christian worship has taken place on this site for over 1,200 years and the Abbey remains very much a living church today with services taking place throughout the entire week.

The Royal Crescent – One of Bath’s most iconic landmarks, was built between 1767 and 1775. This impressive landmark forms a sweeping crescent of 30 Grade I Listed terrace houses, and is without doubt one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the UK.

The Roman Baths – Bath was founded upon natural hot springs with the steaming water playing a key role throughout its history. Lying in the heart of the city the Roman Baths were constructed around 70 AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex. It is now one of the best preserved Roman remains in the world.

The Circus – Originally known as The King’s Circus, this remarkable sight consists of three curved segments of Grade I listed townhouses, arranged in a circular shape. The striking attraction was designed by John Wood the Elder, an architect also responsible for the nearby Queen Square.

Pulteney Bridge & Wier – Pulteney Bridge, together with the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, is one of the world’s most beautiful bridges. Like the Ponte Vecchio it is one of a handful of historic bridges in the world with shops built into it (pictured is the view from the river, left).

LOCAL VILLAGES

Even though Bath has so much to offer, it also sits on the edge of the Cotswolds so venturing out and exploring the area is perfect if you would like to see the quintessentially English countryside and quaint villages full of charming shops, scenery and a wealth of history to get lost in.

Lacock – Known for being the setting of Harry Potter, Lacock Abbey and village is quintessentially English also home to the first photographic film. The National Trust Abbey and museum can be explored and there are also some great pubs and eateries to experience after taking in some history.

Castle Combe – Voted one of the prettiest villages in England. Home to Castle Combe racing circuit and back drop to movies including Dr Doolittle and Steven Spielberg’s War Horse.

Frome – Voted one of the best places to live in Britain. Frome has a wealth of independent, artisan shops as well as frequent and very popular markets.

Corsham – A civil parish town with a beautiful stately home, Corsham Court to explore.

Bradford-on-Avon – Set perfectly in the Avon Valley, it is a rare combination of river, canal and architecture of true character. The Romans, Saxons, Normans, Georgians and Victorians have all left their mark – each creating a chapter in Bradford on Avon’s remarkable story.

FAMILIES

With activities for all ages, guaranteed to keep you entertained from meeting the animals at Bath City Farm to going back in time at the Avon Valley Railway.

Royal Victoria Park – Royal Victoria Park was opened in 1830 by Queen Victoria herself, when she was aged 11. Just a short walk from The Bath Priory, this beautiful 57 acre site is a favourite for locals and visitors alike.

Wellow Trekking Centre – Horse Riding and Trekking Centre for adults and children of all ages, from beginners to experienced riders, with a large selection of rides deep into the heart of the countryside.

Bath City Farm – Family friendly city farm with loads of animals to meet and plenty to see and do. Play space for toddlers, seasonal kiosk, Nature Trail, an outdoor performance space, plus a Farm Shop.

Avon Valley Adventure Wildlife Park – An adventure and wildlife park focussing on British breeds and wildlife. With indoor and outdoor play areas, animal handling sessions, pony grooming, animal feeding, interaction and education talks and walks throughout the day.

Avon Valley Railway – This attraction takes young and old back to the trains of yesteryear. Your train will be pulled by a restored steam engine and you can enjoy food and drink in a restored carriage. Not forgetting special trips aboard Thomas the Tank Engine and Santa Steam Specials during the year.

WALKING

Surrounded by beautiful countryside and stately homes, Bath offers some of the most picturesque walks over the country. Whether it is to explore the city itself or enjoy the Bath skyline along six miles of national trust land.

Bath Skyline Walk – Explore the Bath Skyline, famed for its wild flowers and elevated views. Along six miles of way-marked footpaths you will discover hidden valleys, rich in limestone, flowers and tranquil beech woodlands, interspersed with extensive views over Bath and out towards the Blackdown Hills.

Prior Park Gardens – Beautiful and intimate 18th century landscape garden created by Bath entrepreneur Ralph Allen. Sweeping valley with magnificent views over the city of Bath. Walk across the famous Palladian Bridge, one of four in the world. Explore the woodland paths.

Dyrham Park – An historic herd of fallow deer roams freely in the 270 acres (110 hectares) of ancient parkland, full of magnificent trees and breath-taking view of the 17th century country house.

Westonbirt Arboretum – A remarkable place for people to enjoy and learn about trees. 15,000 specimens from all over the globe offer the perfect setting to explore.

Sulis Guides – Providing high quality, blue bade guides for a tailor-made tour to see the sights of Bath by foot.

Website: www.thebathpriory.co.uk

Rooms: 33

Price: from 246 EUR per night