Why did I come back to Bath? And why am I still here?
Bath is the kind of city that people come back to.
I was lucky enough to grow up here, but living here as an adult is a choice. It's also the choice my sister made, and many of my closest school friends. We've all left at different times, lived in London and overseas, explored the world, built careers and families—and somehow found our way back.
It's a story you hear over and over in Bath.
Everyone talks about Bath's architecture, history and culture. It’s harder to find out what it's actually like to live here.
Bath has a pace that lets you actually live, not just exist. Whether you work for a company in the area, or remote/hybrid, you can have time for yourself because meeting up with friends, building a business network, accessing professional advice, walking, doing sport, going to the theatre or out for dinner is all accessible and within easy reach.
You can walk pretty much everywhere. Having lived in many places where you can’t - in the US where there are highways between you and the supermarket, or in cities where you need transport to get out into nature - it’s something I cherish. No matter where you live in Bath, you can walk to the city, a supermarket, to school, to the train station. It is likely that hills are involved, which is a pain when you’re carrying your milk and potatoes but it means you always have a pretty view, and it’s good for your glutes!
Alexandra Park in golden hour. Perfect views over the city.
Sometimes it feels as though dogs outnumber people in Bath. Which means dog friendly cafes, parks and restaurants everywhere. It’s rarely a problem taking your dog out with you, most cafes have water bowls, dog treats and dog-friendly welcoming staff. The walks around the city are perfect for dogs, you won’t get bored, you can do a different beautiful route every day and the city has tons of green space so if you’re short on time you can always get to a dog friendly park.
One of my faves is Henrietta Park. Right in the middle of the city, it’s always calm and peaceful with a few people sitting under trees, walking their dog or doing a Tai Chi class, despite just minutes from Waitrose and the hustle and bustle of the city
Henrietta Park - some of the best cherry blossom in the city.
Bath is small. Whenever my overseas friends visit they are surprised how quickly they learn their way around. There are hidden gems everywhere in green space, foodie treats and architectural beauty and it’s easy to find your way round them all then get back onto the main path.
It feels like a community and even within the city there are hubs that feel more villagey - like Combe Down, Larkhall or Widcombe. You will bump into people you know when you walk around the city or go to the supermarket, and, people will say Hi to you. It’s shocking, I know, especially if you’ve come from London.
Last week I went for a lovely walk with one of my oldest friends from the still brilliant primary school, St Stephens. We met when we were 6 years old, our teacher was Mrs Porteous and now rocking towards our 50th year, we’re still great friends. I also had a pizza with one of my friends from Hayesfield senior school. She has lived in France, South America, London and also moved back to Bath with her family. There are so many of us in this spot. My sister and her family moved from London a few years ago, so tonight we’re all off to Solina, the fabulous Italian restaurant that has taken Bath by storm with its homemade pasta, no reservations, just show up and enjoy good food philosophy.
Bath can be a bit of a bubble. Fortunately, it's an easy bubble to leave. I used to live on an island in the Caribbean where this was not the case, at least not without deep pockets for flights or a yacht. Bath is 12 minutes from Bristol on the train, a thriving city about 3 times the size with more diversity, industry, theatres, music venues etc. London Paddington is less than 90 minutes away, I have friends and family who commute to the capital a few days a week, it’s genuinely doable.
We’ve also got Bristol airport which I can get to in 40 minutes from the South side of Bath. You can park very close to the terminal making it super convenient to get anywhere in Europe, and plans have been submitted to expand to long haul. If you love a small airport, Cardiff, Exeter and Bournemouth are all easily doable.
There is always something going on for all generations at all levels. For children, there are sports clubs at every level, performing arts schools, clubs for art, crafts, pottery and painting. The University of the 3rd age has a rich tapestry of groups and activities for anyone retired or semi-retired. My father leads the history group and my mother is an active member of Italian classes, they also do pilates, tennis, yoga and more.
Sport in Bath is seriously good! Obviously home to Bath Rugby, our crowning glory. Winners of the Premier League. Performance is high but it’s not why people come or why the waiting list for a season ticket is years. It’s the atmosphere. It is so friendly, the people around you will chat to you, everyone is in it together. The staff are friendly, they genuinely help you. There are fireworks, music, it’s an entertainment event. All with the backdrop of Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, truly iconic.
Bath Rugby at The Rec - the most iconic Rugby stadium with Bath Abbey and The Empire Hotel backdrop.
However, there is more to the sports scene than just rugby. Bath FC has far lower visitor numbers topping out at 2,000 but the atmosphere there is also electric. Football in Bath runs deep, there is depth in generations of supporters. You’ll find supporters in their 80’s who have been coming since they were young children. You’ll often find Ken Loach in the stands, he doesn’t want to sit, he joins in with everyone else. There’s something wonderfully stubborn about being a football supporter in a rugby city - very much the underdog, lower league, less funded, less glamorous, yet still has all the passion and grit. Both rugby and football have growing Women’s teams so even though they have some catching up to do, they are very much on the map and part of all development plans.
Team Bath is quietly impressive. The training village on the Uni campus is not your ordinary sports facility. It makes world class athletes, like skeleton racer, Amy Williams, swimmer Tom Dean and many more. It feels like a place where Olympic medals and opportunity is accessible to anyone.
Cricket is also a thing. Bath cricket club and Lansdown cricket club both have excellent standards and a lovely social atmosphere. I will be watching World Cup matches with my old school friends and our families at Lansdown cricket club.
Bath punches well above its weight on schools. State schools like Widcombe Juniors with Outstanding OFSTED ratings or Newbridge primary with its strong performance data. The private sector has much choice with King Edward's being named Independent Secondary School of the Year for the South West in the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power Guide. Other private schools like Prior Park College and Monkton Combe take significant numbers of boarders from overseas. I have friends in the Caribbean who coincidentally send their children to one of Bath’s private boarding schools because they are so well renowned internationally.
I went to Hayesfield School, a girls-only school. I came away with straight A’s at GCSE but more importantly, great life long friends. My friends that are here for me now are the same ones that sat with me in the big hall every lunchtime, listening to Blur and Oasis, laughing our heads off and generally thinking we were very cool whilst secretly still watching Neighbours and Home & Away.
My three children have been in a number of state and private schools over the years. They are each very different and I am so lucky to have been able to choose a school that has suited each of them. They all have great friends that I am sure will be lifelong and they’ll be meeting up as adults, wherever they are in the world.
Ultimately I came back to Bath because my family are here and I wanted to be close to them. Since moving back, I had a stint overseas for 6 months but returned again. I love the concept of relocating and the opportunities that you never know exist until you try, and I often have itchy feet. However, I will always come home to Bath.
There is an undeniable pull to the city. People leave, often for years, but they love coming back - me, my sister and my school friends are testimony to this. It’s small but it’s got depth and beauty.
You don’t feel stuck if you live in Bath. You feel lucky.
