If you live in Bristol and love great food in spectacular surroundings, you’re in luck. You don’t have to travel far to get to one of the world’s top foodie destinations.
The Michelin Guide, which lists the very best places to eat across the world, has revealed its list of the 10 most exciting places for foodies across the globe. And among them is the historic Georgian city of Bath, which is just 12 minutes from Bristol by train.
Bath – the only UK entry in the list – boasts no fewer than 13 restaurants in the Michelin Guide, including The Olive Tree, the city’s sole Michelin Star venue.
Vegetarian restaurant Oak, Japanese venue Robun, and Beckford Bottle Shop are also named in the guide, along with Henry’s, Upstairs at Landrace, Montagu’s Mews in the spectacular surroundings of the Royal Crescent, Menu Gordon Jones, Bath Priory, wilks, and The Chequers.
Bath is no slouch when it comes to historic and cultural attractions either, with the Roman Baths, the world-famous Pulteney Bridge, and Bath Abbey just a few of the places to visit. Author Jane Austen even called the place home between 1801 and 1806 – and the city is preparing the mark the 250th anniversary of her birth this year.
“The picturesque UNESCO heritage spa town of Bath, known as England’s prettiest town for its Roman-built baths and Georgian architecture, is set to host several costumed balls in honour of English writer Jane Austen, who called the quaint town home in 1801-06,” the Michelin Guide said. “Regarded as the greatest romance novelist, Austen wrote timeless classics like Pride and Prejudice, selling over 20 million copies worldwide.
“Inspired by the elegance of the era, the balls promise to transport guests to a world reminiscent of Bridgerton , the popular Netflix series that was filmed here. The city’s restaurants are also noteworthy, thanks to chefs and farmers putting the Somerset region’s produce in the limelight, like at OAK, where the chefs plate up plant-led food prepared with ingredients plucked right from the owners’ garden.”
The full Michelin Guide list
Europe
- Vienna, Austria
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Bath, England
The Americas
- Austin, Texas
- Miami, Florida
- Mexico City, Mexico
Asia
- Bangkok, Kohn Samui and Phuket, Thailand
- Osaka, Japan
- Fujin, China
- Da Nang, Vietnam
How do I get to Bath?
By road
Bath is located around 12 miles from Bristol, via the A4. A journey takes between 50 minutes and an hour. The city operates a Clean Air Zone to battle congestion, and has three Park and Ride services available.
Coach services to Bath run from most major towns and cities across the UK.
By train
Journeys between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa railway station take just 12 minutes. A trip to or from London Paddington takes 80 minutes.
By air
Bristol Airport is closest to Bath, at 19 miles away. An Air Decker bus service runs between the airport and Bath, taking around one hour to reach the city.
A regular coach service also runs from Heathrow Airport, which is 100 miles east of Bath, with a journey time of between two and three hours.
Travellers landing at Gatwick Airport, which is 140 miles east of Bath, can take a train from the airport to Reading railway station, and then a connecting service to Bath.