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This weekend, Meditation Rocks founder Lucy Stone tookover the reins of the Bath official Tourist board, the Visit Bath Instagram page. Over the three days, Lucy visited some of best places to find calm, peace and quiet in Bath, to round off Mental Health Awareness Week and Month.
By Lucy Stone
I have been lucky enough to live in Bath with my son, and now puppy Barney for the past 12 years. As well as the incredible world-famous architecture and landmarks in the centre, I have also fallen in love with the lush green countryside, which is only a stone's throw from the City walls. I grew up on Exmoor in West Somerset, so for me, being in nature is incredibly important for my mental health and wellbeing. As well as running and walking with my dog, Barney I love to go wild swimming and paddle boarding with friends. I occasionally ride my bike with my son, but at 42 years old, I am still a bit rubbish at changing gears.
So where did I choose as my favourite spots in Bath and the surrounding area? The trouble is I could have taken over Visit Bath's account for for a year and I still wouldn't have had enough time to take you to all the calm places so I had to be selective. As well as my own top picks, I also asked Visit Bath's and my own followers for some tips and this is what we picked. To see where we visited, check out the story highlight on their instagram page here.
In the city centre itself, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the shops, bars and restaurants you can find little oasis of calm. My favourite places are in and around Bath Abbey, if it is not too busy, St James' Memorial Gardens, and of course all of the major parks Henrietta, Alexandra Park, Parade Gardens, Royal Victoria Park (in particular the Botanical Gardens) and Sydney Gardens which provide welcome green spaces.
Because of the unique shape of the city, a little like a basin or bowl (or Bath!) the centre of the city is seemingly in a valley surrounded by hillsides. If you head out of the City centre on any of the hills and turn around you will often be afforded the most wonderful vista where you can take a moment to appreciate. The Bath Skyline walk (and bus ride) is a great way to experience this and offers frequent moments for meditation or reflection along the way. I particularly love Bathwick meadows and Southcombe Vale, but also heading to Bath City Farm for a night time view of the City is also pretty special.
Along the top of the "basin" there are much woodland to explore and escape the hustle and bustle of the city, my favourite spots are Rainbow woods, around Prior Park and Culverhay. A few miles out of Bath and you can really seem like you are a million miles away from a City. Brown's Folly near Bathampton and Southstoke Millenium Point offer two amazing viewpoints for you to enjoy the countryside and gain some headspace.
A few other spots I love to visit for some calm time are Kelston Roundhill, often via Bath racecourse on Lansdown Hill, The Hare & Hounds pub near here offers the best view of any pub or restaurant I know.
The rivers and canal network in and around Bath also offer tranquility, but action when you want it. The thriving riverboat community, especially around the Dundas aqueduct (part of the Kennet and Avon Canal) is the perfect spot to watch the world go by, but you could also try kayaking, paddle boarding or take a dip if you felt like it (safely of course). I love to go wild swimming and paddle boarding here, where herons and kingfishers are there to keep you company.
I would love you to comment below with your favourite spots to find calm, peace and quiet in and around Bath.
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