Guidebook for Combe Down
Food Scene
It's just round the corner - a five minute or less walk either way round the block in either direction. A meeting place for villagers and folk from elsewhere in Bath or further afield as well. Great for a luxurious bought breakfast, wholesome inventive salads and indulgent cakes, and the coffee is fab.
19 locals recommend
The Darling Deli
The AvenueIt's just round the corner - a five minute or less walk either way round the block in either direction. A meeting place for villagers and folk from elsewhere in Bath or further afield as well. Great for a luxurious bought breakfast, wholesome inventive salads and indulgent cakes, and the coffee is fab.
There's a lovely atmosphere in this attractive and welcoming pub/restaurant. The food is excellent but pricey - Michelin Star standard, though, it has to be said. It's fine to pop in just for a coffee though, and dogs are welcome.
The garden area hidden behind the building is reminiscent of rural France, with flowers growing out of olive oil cans. It is beautifully landscaped. You'd never imagine you'd find a treat like this when you walk in off the bustling High
Street, where the pub is on the junction of four roads.
It's a little piece of paradise on a sunny day. Highly recommended.
58 locals recommend
The White Hart
Widcombe HillThere's a lovely atmosphere in this attractive and welcoming pub/restaurant. The food is excellent but pricey - Michelin Star standard, though, it has to be said. It's fine to pop in just for a coffee though, and dogs are welcome.
The garden area hidden behind the building is reminiscent of rural France, with flowers growing out of olive oil cans. It is beautifully landscaped. You'd never imagine you'd find a treat like this when you walk in off the bustling High
Street, where the pub is on the junction of four roads.
It's a little piece of paradise on a sunny day. Highly recommended.
Drinks & Nightlife
Bar and restaurant. Distinctive eclectic decor and comfy, lounge-style seating. Outdoor seating can be accessed down the lane to the left hand side of the pub. A home-from-home atmosphere which reminds me of the function of a great pub: to be a 'public house' and gathering place for the community. Cheaper to buy a bottle of the very nice house wine than 4 individual glasses. Dogs are welcomed. Can be very quiet and peaceful for a good catch up and chat, but sometimes gets pretty busy later in the evening. There's usually somewhere free to sit, though.
7 locals recommend
The Forester & Flower
172 Bradford RdBar and restaurant. Distinctive eclectic decor and comfy, lounge-style seating. Outdoor seating can be accessed down the lane to the left hand side of the pub. A home-from-home atmosphere which reminds me of the function of a great pub: to be a 'public house' and gathering place for the community. Cheaper to buy a bottle of the very nice house wine than 4 individual glasses. Dogs are welcomed. Can be very quiet and peaceful for a good catch up and chat, but sometimes gets pretty busy later in the evening. There's usually somewhere free to sit, though.
Parks & Nature
This National Trust property is one of the most stunning places to visit in the wider area, and yet it's lesser known - locally we think of it as a bit of a hidden jewel (especially as there's only disabled parking there and it's almost a mile up Ralph Allen Drive).
It has one of the only two Palladian Bridges in Europe - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park-landscape-garden/features/the-palladian-bridge-at-prior-park - and is tucked away behind the trees so you wouldn't know it was there if you drove up the hill. The bus from town can take you there, or from Combe Down it's just a few minutes walk downhill. There's a tea caravan and seating area down by the bottom lake too.
133 locals recommend
Prior Park Landscape Gardens (NT)
Ralph Allen DriveThis National Trust property is one of the most stunning places to visit in the wider area, and yet it's lesser known - locally we think of it as a bit of a hidden jewel (especially as there's only disabled parking there and it's almost a mile up Ralph Allen Drive).
It has one of the only two Palladian Bridges in Europe - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park-landscape-garden/features/the-palladian-bridge-at-prior-park - and is tucked away behind the trees so you wouldn't know it was there if you drove up the hill. The bus from town can take you there, or from Combe Down it's just a few minutes walk downhill. There's a tea caravan and seating area down by the bottom lake too.
Sightseeing
No. 1 Royal Crescent
1 Royal CresEssentials
Free parking. Everything you need - just five minutes' drive away when the traffic is flowing normally (4-6pm ish tends to be busier). Open until 10 or 4 on a Sunday. Nice cafe - great value breakfasts: e.g. Porridge with banana and blueberries only £1.30! Evening shopping after about 8 pm is really leisurely.
41 locals recommend
Sainsbury's
Rowden LaneFree parking. Everything you need - just five minutes' drive away when the traffic is flowing normally (4-6pm ish tends to be busier). Open until 10 or 4 on a Sunday. Nice cafe - great value breakfasts: e.g. Porridge with banana and blueberries only £1.30! Evening shopping after about 8 pm is really leisurely.
Arts & Culture
The Theatre Royal in Bath, England, was built in 1805. A Grade II* listed building, it has been described by the Theatres Trust as "One of the most important surviving examples of Georgian theatre architecture". Wikipedia
Amazing chandelier! If you show up at the Box Office, or even telephone in, at 12 noon exactly, Standby tickets are kept aside for sale each day at - I believe - only £7.50 each currently. These are for seats up in 'The Gods' or at the sides in, I think, the Dress Circle. These are worth getting, and if the play's not a sell out or people don't turn up you can move into a better, more central seat.
For those on a budget, jugs of water are always available in the bar.
113 locals recommend
Theatre Royal Bath
Saw CloseThe Theatre Royal in Bath, England, was built in 1805. A Grade II* listed building, it has been described by the Theatres Trust as "One of the most important surviving examples of Georgian theatre architecture". Wikipedia
Amazing chandelier! If you show up at the Box Office, or even telephone in, at 12 noon exactly, Standby tickets are kept aside for sale each day at - I believe - only £7.50 each currently. These are for seats up in 'The Gods' or at the sides in, I think, the Dress Circle. These are worth getting, and if the play's not a sell out or people don't turn up you can move into a better, more central seat.
For those on a budget, jugs of water are always available in the bar.