It's Not All Jane Austen And Romans in Bath

Undoubtedly, Bath is one of the UK's major tourist attractions for both national and international visitors. Often combined on a whistle-stop tour including The Cotswolds, Shakespeare's Stratford and Stonehenge, Bath is famous for Romans, Regency architecture and the ubiquitous Jane Austen.

Bath residents know there is much more to the city than its tourist attractions. Sometimes, however, we can forget what is right on our doorstep and fail to be impressed by our surroundings. On the other hand, sometimes it is good to see Bath through the eyes of a tourist and enjoy the sheer delights on offer. So rather than feeling jaded by the well-beaten trail, why not take a look at some of the other attractions on offer this year?

Victoria Art Gallery

The Victoria Art Gallery always has something interesting on offer and has a changing events program. The Gallery is in the city centre and is open from 10.30 am – 5 pm daily. As well as permanent displays of art, visiting and curated exhibitions are happening throughout the year. The museum also has a program of talks, including Art on Mondays and children's activities during the school holidays.

Anyone who is a fan of Bendor Grosvenor's Lost Masterpieces on BBC might fancy themselves as a bit of an art sleuth. The show always has the art historian delving behind the scenes of Britain's museums in search of forgotten paintings. You can organise a trip with the museum's curators to explore the wonders of Bath's permanent collection, which are held in store. Tours are free and take place from 12 – 12.45 on set days. You do need to book in advance but are unlikely to run into hordes of tourists.

Whimsical Wonderland

If you fancy something slightly more whimsical, Bath has its very own Wonderland for you to adventure in. Are you more Alice or Cheshire Cat? Have you ever felt you are chasing The White Rabbit or running away from The Queen of Hearts? One of Bath's townhouses has been transformed into an Alice in Wonderland-themed venue. Guests can rent the seven double-bedroomed house through Booking.com. They get to enjoy the large dining room ready for a Mad Hatter's Tea Party. It feels as though you are in an enchanted garden with floral kitchen cabinets and murals. The house has all kinds of Alice paraphernalia, including a White Rabbit statue together with a pocket watch.

While staying in the house, lose yourself in Lewis Carrol's book or stream one of the many film versions. Perhaps you could buy yourself an Alice in Wonderland pack of cards to pass the time. Alternatively, there are several Alice-themed board and interactive games to play. There is even a White Rabbit Megaways slot for those who fancy a flutter in Wonderland. The game can be found at most online casino sites and is one of the slots with highest RTP in the UK.

Award-Winning Parade Gardens

If you fancy doing nothing or doing something, it is hard to find somewhere lovelier than Parade Gardens to do it in. Lying alongside the River Avon, you get spectacular views of Pulteney Bridge and Pulteney Weir. The summer floral bedding displays have won numerous Britain in Bloom awards.

The gardens won a Gold award in 2013, and they also won the RHS Edible Britain award. The entry included a 100-foot vegetable border and a 3D sculpture of children's TV characters 'The Herbs'.

On a spring or summer day, bring your picnic and recreate your own Mad Hatters tea party. You can enjoy concerts at the bandstand. As well as collonades and circular pathways, the park has statues and sculptures for visitors to enjoy. There is also Monk's Mill to visit, which is the historic remains of a medieval mill that predates Bath Abbey. You can also enjoy the more recent King Edward VII memorial or just sit on one of the many benches and enjoy the gentle vibe. The park charges a modest £1.25 entry fee.