The longer I’ve called the UK home, the more I’ve realized that my friends are not hopping across the pond just to visit me but to get the full British experience. And when I say British experience, I mean clichés and all. So, when my friend from New York stopped by on her way to a destination wedding in Portugal, I knew that to make this trip special, and to lean into all things quintessentially British. I had to brainstorm for all of a minute before deciding on a UK weekend break to Bath, a city that proudly wears the badge of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let the Bath rental searches commence.
I was looking for something rich in history, true to the Georgian architecture that Bath is best known for, while still conveniently located within the city. I scoured the internet before finally finding Through the Ages on Plum Guide’s website. The photos revealed a stunner of a Georgian flat—spacious, airy and a mere 15-minute walk to the Roman Baths. I wasted no time in booking it for a weekend in September.
We arrived on a sunny, brisk Friday morning, ready to live out our Bridgerton dreams. We parked at the Charlotte Street Parking lot (seven minutes away) before walking through the leafy streets of Bath to our beautiful weekend home. We easily accessed the third-floor flat, discovering how much of a gem this homestay is. High ceilings and tall sash windows let light flow throughout the space—this created a true sense of openness and movement within the apartment.
The interiors lean into that 18th-century glamour, and while it might seem dated, this decor was exactly what we wanted out of this holiday. Glamorous, old-timey design—think beaded fringe lamps, Fabergé-style eggs, cast-iron fireplaces—I’m sure you get the idea. I love discovering the objects of ages past. And my favorite feature? Sweeping windows overlooking Bath’s famous Royal Crescent. We spent the afternoon listening to music, drinking wine, and watching the activity on the green in front of the Royal Crescent. I particularly loved basking in the morning sun with a cup of tea.
The space has two bedrooms, and the smaller of the two looks out onto the green, with vintage wall lights and a sumptuous bed for the perfect morning lie-in. It’s conveniently located next to the all-marble bathroom, equipped with a deep tub for an early evening soak. The primary bedroom has paneled walls, high ceilings, and massive windows overlooking a peaceful garden. A massive king-sized bed sits in the center of the room, with luxurious pillows and a perfectly soft mattress. Lucky for me, this bedroom had an en suite bathroom and boasted a beautiful fireplace. A lofted room area allowed for another bed should you need space for a kid in tow. Needless to say, it was the perfect start to our weekend. I awoke on Saturday morning with light pouring into my room and birds chirping despite the uncharacteristically cold September we experienced. If we’re being honest, my friend had to coax me out of bed around 11 a.m. (with the promise of a pastry hunt) as I’d gone and convinced myself that I was now a lady of leisure from the Georgian era.
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The rest of the weekend was spent walking through Bath, exploring the city’s history and honey-hued streets lined with independent shops and restaurants. There was even a Jane Austen Festival while we were there. The rental’s location made exploring so convenient and allowed us to thoroughly enjoy the space, as it was easy to go to and from the city center. We had a few issues with the water boiler, which the team responded promptly to. We so enjoyed staying at Through the Ages that we’re considering making this a yearly trip—and no doubt I’ll happily pander to my friends’ need to experience this side of the UK every year…but only if I get to stay here.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
