A Weekend Away in Bath Without the Bambinos

As all you parents will know, it’s rare to get ‘couple time’ when kids come along, and the last time Peter and I got a night away together was way back in June. A whole season ago then! Wow!

Excitingly however, to celebrate Esso’s Synergy Fuels launch, the husband and I packed our bags (OK I packed, he never gets it right when it comes to packing and yes I do need ALL of my wardrobe for one night away)!- and zoomed off to beautiful Bath, a city we’ve always loved, and have a historical connection with.

Road trip time-

 

…We actually moved from London to Bristol when my first child, Oliver, was 6 months old and share so many happy memories, both there, and in the neighbouring city of Bath.

Bath was also a city we once visited on a romantic break pre-kids touring the stunningly beautiful Roman Baths before making our way to mystical Stonehenge.

I actually discovered some of the photos in my Facebook Albums (remember those?) from that time, and added a few here for posterity!

Two words: so young!

Stonehenge!

But back to this recent weekend away…A cultural haven steeped in history, Bath always takes our breath away-it’s a magical city with something for everyone from theatre to shopping and of course spa days at the Roman Baths!

A self-proclaimed fashionista, I love the city’s eclectic mix of luxe and high street stores along with quirky indie boutiques.

The city is simply bursting with character and similarly to Oxford and Cambridge, has the most tranquil of atmospheres. You feel all worries dissolve as you see the sign for ‘Bath’.

The spotless, wide streets and cobbled roads also make it a joy to stroll around and you’d be hard pushed to find somewhere more romantic in the UK in my opinion.

And when it comes to romantic hotels, we picked wisely.

…Arriving on Saturday, we checked into Georgian boutique hotel, the Queensberry Hotel which consists of 5 properties in one, in an eccentrically wonderful layout.

Thanks to valet parking on arrival, we didn’t have to worry about parking the car ( a must in Bath) and were immediately impressed by the sumptuous but warm decor, and the attentive service of the staff.

Nothing was too much trouble.

We were suitably impressed from the off.

…The best was yet to come though, as we were shown to the most impressive suite in the hotel-what a beauty!

4 poster bed, check.

Dual matching showers and sinks, check.

The most perfect bath in Bath (!) check!

Chaise longue in the ensuite bathroom, check (I mean, hello, how amazing?)

Stand alone bath I could have lived in, check.

Basically a room fit for Beyoncé and Jay Z. Am I right?!

And let me take a minute to praise that epic super super super Queen size bed.

That bed, my friends is now firmly on my #lifegoals list.

Forget world fame and a 5 carat diamond ring (OK I’ll just take my kids sleeping through the night)-that bed is the DREAM, I actually woke up at 9am the following morning that to it- amazing for someone previously incapable of a lie in. Peter had a whole hour more than me, in the land of nod, rising at 10am. Seriously lush!

Room service, dinner and breakfast (we literally didn’t stop for breath) at the award winning Olive Tree (so funny that my parents own several unrelated Olive Trees in Leeds), were all utterly exquisite.

Here’s a quick pre-dinner shot! Wearing this Phase Eight jewel print dress I rediscovered and the shoes I designed myself with Upper Street.

Then off to dinner we went!

As one of Bath’s longest established restaurants, the hotel’s contemporary British eatery is led by renowned Head Chef, Chris Cleghorn, the protégé of a trio of world-renowned Michelin Star chefs, (Heston Blumenthal, Michael Caines and Adam Simmonds), and his food did not disappoint.

From the most flavoursome butternut quash soup I’ve ever eaten (sorry Mum) to creamy Caesar salad, delicate halibut and a filling full English the morning after, the dishes were all made of local, seasonal produce and made our weekend a joyful culinary feast!

Food matters hugely to we, foodies and the Queensberry have certainly got it right, there.

And it wasn’t just the food that was captivating. The firework display in Bath city centre, was out of this world too!

It’s been nearly 6 years since we’ve enjoyed fireworks as two ‘scared of bangs’ babies later, has meant staying indoors and watching from the window, if we were lucky.

Our return to firework night, was nothing short of spectacular and walking hand in hand around the city afterwards, taking in the crowds as we made our way back to the hotel to get dressed for dinner, had to be one of my favourite parts of the weekend.

And not just because I got a quick gel manicure on our way too. Those salons open late people!

Seriously, it was so wonderful for Peter and I to get time to ourselves, to chat, laugh and feel a bit carefree again, just how we were when we met in our early 20’s in London.

We always seem to revert back to those early days when it’s just the two of us, and as gushy as it sounds, I really do love that man more with every day that passes.

Calm, creative, funny, handsome, I certainly lucked out when it came to husbands hey!

…The following day, I headed straight to my happy place-House of Fraser (ha) and trying out some autumnal looks, I left with a new kit of brushes, lipstick, lipliner and concealer.

Peter picked up a bottle of Chanel Mademoiselle for my birthday whiles we were there too!

Outside the store, we caught a touching memorial march for Armistice Day in remembrance of the fallen and felt privileged to have seen it.

Starving, we stumbled across an independent sushi restaurant, ‘Yen Sushi’ and made our way through the menu from sashimi to hand rolls and salads, finding ourselves the last to leave before they shut up shop!

As the day grew darker, we jumped into the car and started our long journey home, back to the bambinos.

We’d missed those little faces but felt grateful to my folks for looking after them and giving us some time to just be two again, for the weekend.

Seeing their little faces, yelping with joy at being reunited with us was the perfect end to the weekend.

Next trip, they’re coming with us!

Do check out the video we made while we were there so you can re-live our weekend with us.

Think you’ll enjoy it!

Thank you Esso for a super time in Bath.