A Stay at The University of Bath

The University of Bath offers unexpectedly affordable accommodation that is within easy reach of the city centre. Between June and September, the campus opens its doors to all manner of travellers with prices starting from just £36.00 per night. Guests can enjoy an optional breakfast, free Wi-Fi, on-site parking and a safe and secure location that provides insight into another aspect of the World Heritage City. 

            My room was situated in The Quads; a newly built complex complete with mood lighting, a television, en-suite and kitchen facilities in a nearby common area. As someone who has stayed in hostels and hotel rooms alike, this was by far one of the nicest overnight experiences I’ve had. The accommodation team even left treats. If nothing else, the chocolate brownie is certainly worth a trip. 

            After devouring the selection of locally sourced foods, I slept soundly on my bed of plumped pillows, the mood lighting a calming yellow as I drifted. The morning brought with it sunshine and yoga at the university’s award-winning sports facilities. Guests can make use of these during their stay – a day pass costs £10.00 whilst a weekly pass reaches £30.00. 

A morning of exercise then moved to breakfast. A selection of café’s and restaurants are open throughout the summer months and I was certainly impressed with the quality of food on offer. I enjoyed my latte in the wavering light cast through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Lime Tree dining hall. 

The University of Bath’s largest campus is two hundred acres of landscaped grounds located on Claverton Down, a sweeping rural suburb to the east of the city. The area is also home to Sham Castle, a Grade Two listed building that was constructed in 1762 by order of Ralph Allen. The folly’s purpose was to improve the view for those looking up from the city below. Sham Castle itself is exactly that; nothing more than the front façade yet towering in stone. However, picturesque scenes from the castle walls are impressive enough to warrant a visit. Just a ten-minute walk from my accommodation, the wooded path was dappled by sunlight that broke gently between the trees. An untamed slope of thorns and wildflowers fell into the horizon. 

My visit – both here and to the University of Bath – presented an experience that surpassed my ordinary expectations of the city. It was a reminder to look beyond the predictable.  

You can find out more about the Unexpected Bath campaign here.