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April 25, 2025 UK by train

Scotland by Train Itinerary

Having gone to University in Scotland, and travelled back every few years, I've travelled Scotland by train many times. This is the Scotland itinerary (by train) that I give my friends going there for the first time!

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Edinburgh

Start your journey in Edinburgh. It's one of UK's most historic cities and one of my favorite in Europe. Plus it has an international airport and is a direct train from London so it's easy to get to!

Visit

Edinburgh Castle (it's in the city centre): These days I don't find the Royal Mile worth visiting in itself- too many tourist traps- but you will see it as you walk to the castle. I prefer Victoria Street with its independent shops instead.
Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill: it's not every day you find an extinct volcano a short walk from the center of the city (Arthur's Seat) but, if you need an easier hike, Calton Hill also has great views.
Old Town: my favorite part is Victoria Street with its colourful houses. Pretty steep though!
New Town: Stockbridge is one of my favorite parts of Edinburgh
Holyrood Palace
Day Trips: St Andrews, Crail/ Anstruther from Waverley station off Princes Street.

I haven't included the Scottish islands on this trip since we're travelling by train but you can take a small bus tour to eilean donan castle, the Isle of Sky, loch lomond & the trossachs national park etc from Edinburgh (or Glasgow, which is our last stop on this journey.)

Tip: if Arthur's seat is too much for you, you can go to Calton Hill instead. It's not quite as steep.

Getting there

Fly into Edinburgh Airport. Some airlines will need you to break the journey in London but a few international airlines go direct.

Inverness

From Edinburgh, take the train to Inverness, the gateway to the Scottish highlands, this is a sleepy little city but I very much enjoyed it.

Visit

historic Culloden battlefield
a whisky distillery
Glencoe

Fort William

Next, we'll head to Fort William. This is a great place for outdoor activities but do note that it rains A LOT. (The town is quite sleepy.)

Things to Do

iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct: Take the famous Jacobite steam train you see in the Harry Potter films
visit Mallaig: from here you can take a ferry to Knoydart, the last British wilderness but the ferry won't operate when the winds are too strong
loch linnhe (sea loch)
loch shiel (freshwater loch): for Harry Potter fans, the village of glenfinnan (on the shores of Loch Shiel) was featured in the films.
if you only have time for 1 national park, visit cairngorms national park, UK's largest national park.
Ben nevis distillery: this is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries and located at the foot of Ben Nevis so a good time saver is to combine the 2.

Glasgow

Take the west highland line (from either Fort William or Mallaig) to Glasgow. This train journey has some of the best views!

Glasgow isn't my favorite Scottish city but it has its far share of shops so this is a good place to pick up souvenirs and for some retail therapy.

We're ending the journey here as you can fly out of Glasgow Airport.

I've planned the journey this way so that you can see these 2 major Scottish cities. (However, you can also return to Edinburgh if that's where you're flying out of.)

Any questions about this Scottish train itinerary? let me know in the comments!

April 24, 2025 London Train Trips

Direct Train Trips from London to Scotland

Some of my favorite train trips from London are to Scotland: here is a collection of the best direct train trips from London to Scotland. (I did University in Scotland so lived there for 4 years and have since travelled back many times so I can offer unique local insights but from the perspective of a tourist!)

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Alternatively, if you want an itinerary for traveling around Scotland by train, click here instead.

Edinburgh

First on the list is obviously the amazing, picturesque city of Edinburgh.

The Scottish Capital is 1 of my favorite Christmas market cities in the United Kingdom. (I studied just outside Edinburgh for 4 years and also worked in the city a few years back.) You have everything from food markets and cute cafes to fine dining restaurants.

However, I must admit I wasn't always so enthralled with the city: I was actually a bit bored on my first visit (over 20 years ago) because it was SO COLD we didn't want to leave our hotel so make sure you pack your layers! (With global warming, it's no longer so cold these days but consider yourself warned. The wind in Scotland is so bad, it's blown my Mom's contacts out of her eye before!)

If you're a first time visitor to Scotland, I highly recommend using Edinburgh as a starting point for exploring the country.

Getting There

You can take High-speed trains from London Kings Cross station to Edinburgh Waverley Station (The train station is inside the Edinburgh city center and a direct train journey from London.)

Alternatively, take the Avanti West Coast train from London Euston Station (from 4h 40minute- some are direct journeys but most include a change at London King's Cross so I usually just go from Kings Cross.)

Note: there are 2 main stations in Edinburgh: Waverley and Haymarket. Waverley is slightly more central.

Things to See

Edinburgh Castle

Arthur's Seat or Carlton Hill: both have great views of the city but Calton's Hill is an easier hike

Explore the Old Town: I particularly like the colourful shops on Victoria Street.

From Edinburgh, you can also take small tours to places such as the Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan castle etc)

Note: you might want to allocate an extra day or two for a day trip to a fishing village or 2 within easy reach of Edinburgh, such as Anstruther and Crail. (For golf lovers or fans of the Royal family, visit St. Andrews (where I studied.))

Inverness

This is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and Ben Nevis. It was both my and my Mom's favorite Scottish holiday. (Not that we don't like Edinburgh but we've been so many times it feels more like home than a holiday!)

Things to See

Loch Ness

Macbeth's Castle

Culloden

Glencoe

Fort William

Note: this is the wettest spot in the UK. When my Mom and I Spent 2 weeks there, we were rained in most days so BRING A RAINCOAT AND WATERPROOF SHOES! (Always a good idea for Scotland)

Things to Do

The town itself isn't particularly exciting but there's lots to do in the area.

The train journey from fort william to Mallaig follows a very scenic route.

The Harry Potter train aka the Jacobite train along the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Glasgow

Last on my list is Glasgow: it has always been touted as the Scottish city to visit if you like shopping. However, it's not 1 of my favorite parts of Scotland though it has its fans. (For shopping, London is better anyway.)

Tips

1. Get your train tickets in advance to save money

2. If you're doing quite a few train trips, a Railcard is great value.

3. You can take the Caledonian sleeper train for overnight train travel from London to Scotland (Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Fort William, Glasgow, and Inverness.)

November 12, 2024 UK Country Hotels

Boys Hall Review (NOT sponsored)

Restaurant with rooms, or country hotel, Boys Hall gets a lot of things right! Under 2 hours from London Bridge (direct train), I've stayed there twice (paying for my own stays.) Read on to see what I liked- and what I didn't about it.

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One of my favorite things to do in England is to visit country hotels and inns such as The Pig at Bridge and Boys Hall.

I first visited Boys Hall in January 24 and it was so beautiful, I brought my Mom back to stay again in October 24. However, it wasn't a perfect stay so read on to see who would enjoy it and who wouldn't.

Lobby lounge of Boys Hall. — This is what you see when you first step into Boys Hall. To my right there's a roaring fire- so cosy in winter!

This is a BEAUTIFUL place to stay- there are 2 comfortable lounges. Perhaps because it's so new, the sofas are nice to sit on (unlike at The Pig at Bridge- the sofas there definitely need some re-upholstering!)

There are 2 lounges- the one next to the reception (shown above) and a 2nd, larger one in between the reception and the bar. In the 2nd room, you'll find magazines and board games.

Carrot cake at Boys Hall. — I was welcomed with carrot cake during my first stay.

Hot chocolate at Boys Hall. Unlike The Pig, where you get complimentary cake and coffee every afternoon, based on my last 2 stays at Boys Hall, you only get coffee and cake on Day 1 of your stay at Boys Hall. However, I was drawing outside (in January) and the staff kindly offered me a complimentary cup of hot chocolate.

You're welcomed with a cup of tea and cake (there's a choice of 2 types of cake) and it feels like you're visiting a posh friend, not just staying in a hotel.

Rooms

Both stays, I was in the Knatchbull. (The rooms all have different prices and I felt Knatchbull was the perfect balance of comfort and price.)

The rooms are amazingly decorated, SO stylish and comfortable with modern bathrooms. (They're the reason I returned twice actually.) It's actually more comfortable than The Pig at Bridge, another country hotel I stayed at and really enjoyed, and definitely more luxurious than the New Flying Horse in Wye.

Initially, I was a bit concerned as it was over the kitchens/ restaurant and the site does have a warning about the room's situation. However, it was perfectly comfortable. Having said that, I was there in January and October (i.e. cold months)- I wouldn't choose this room if I was staying in the summer!

When you walk into the room, the radio is on and you're greeted by the calming sounds of classical music. There is water waiting for you on the dresser (along with the customary tea and coffee making facilities.)

It was my first time trying a Hypnos bed and they were comfy enough that I started looking into getting one for my Dad. (I use a Vispring myself but the Hypnos was so comfy- you feel like you're sinking into a cloud- I wondered if I should switch!)

View from Knatchbull room in Boys Hall. — The rooms has a window seat which makes a great reading nook. Waking up to this view is just so peaceful.

As with period properties, all rooms have their own quirks. Some of the other rooms are near the bar (i.e. noisy) etc

Gardens

Boys Hall also has a beautiful garden, much prettier than that of the Pig at Bridge.

When the flowers are out, you're encouraged to snip some flowers for your room- this is just one of the examples of how Boys Hall makes you feel like you're staying with a friend and not in an impersonal hotel.

Food

The restaurant is beautiful and comfortable. I love the soaring ceilings and view of the kitchen gardens.

Unfortunately, the food... isn't great. I wonder if it is a cultural thing, since apparently a lot of their income comes from the restaurant (and they're always busy.) However I didn't enjoy the food. (Neither did my Mom.)

A starter for dinner at Boys Hall restaurant. — My starter when I had dinner at Boys Hall.

Dinner main dish at Boys Hall restaurant. — The main dish I had for dinner at Boys Hall.

It wasn't terrible (I mean, I did return to the hotel twice!) but... it felt quite pretentious and lacking in execution. (A lot of very fussy flavors on the same plate but they don't go well together!) I was quite shocked to see that it is mentioned in the Michelin Guide.

Prawns for dinner at Boys Hall. — Second night's dinner at Boys Hall- I chose "safe" dishes which I usually am happy with wherever I eat, but they weren't great at Boys Hall.

In fact, the food is one of the reasons we are not sure we would return for a 3rd time. (Without a car, you're kind of trapped in the hotel and have to dine in it.)

Oh an English lady we met there described the Caesar salad as "grotesque" so.. might not have just been us who weren't impressed with the food.)

The service is terrific though! So friendly and nice (although they did bill me wrongly for a bottle of sparkling water which I didn't order. (My neighbour did- I didn't want to make the waitress' life difficult so I just paid for it.)

They do, however, do very good sandwiches. That's the only thing I would order again from the restaurant.

Breakfast toast at Boys Hall. — Breakfast during my first stay. For the second stay, it had changed to a buffet table instead of table service.

The breakfast is also not bad: it was good on the first visit, and still good (but less so) on the second.

Location

Outside Boys Hall in Ashford. — What you see from the gate of Boys Hall.

The location of Boys Hall isn't the best. It's quite ugly- a basic commuter village feel- so you won't be inspired to go for a walk outside of the hotel. (And, at least in 2024, the gardens aren't large enough for you to get much of a walk.)

They were, however, doing some construction when I visited so hopefully the Gardens will be expanded.

Basically, there's nowhere (nice) you can go without a car (from the hotel.) I would stay here again if I was driving. However, as a weekend train trip from London, a 3rd time would be too much.

Conclusion

Al fresco seating outside the Boys Hall main door.

Conclusion

I've pretty much been raving over Boys Hall so why did I say I may not return for a 3rd stay? Besides the bad food, it's also because the standard of the stay has fallen quite a bit.

For example, whilst the rooms were still spotless clean on my 2nd stay, the housekeeping took a very long time to finish the rooms. During my 1st stay, it only took them about 2-3 hours.

On my 2nd stay, it was more like 5-6 hours. Whilst I understand these things take time, it can be quite inconvenient if you've booked a country hotel escape to relax and can't go back to your room. (The lounge is comfortable but it is also very busy so not always very peaceful.)

We probably aren't the only ones who felt that way as the English lady we met (who, like myself, was there for her 2nd stay) also said she would not return.

Getting There by Train

First sight of Boys Hall walking from the car park. — This is what you see when you walk up to Boys Hall from the car park- note that there is no real path so it can be a bit difficult to wheel luggage over to the main door.

It's a direct train from London to Ashford International.

From there, you'll need to take a taxi to the hotel which will cost between £7-£10. (I wouldn't walk it even though it's only 30 minutes, because the walk isn't very nice, and sometimes there's no pavement.)

Note: Ashford International is next to Ashford Designer Outlet so you could grab a bite there before heading to Boys Hall. I would actually recommend that as the food at Boys Hall isn't great.

Any questions about staying at Boys Hall in Kent? Let me know in the comments!

November 11, 2024 UK Country Hotels

The Pig at Bridge Review 2025 (Unsponsored)

Under 2 hours from London Bridge, The Pig at Bridge is a great weekend stay. Check out my (unsponsored) review of this UK country hotel!

The lounge at the Pig at Bridge in Canterbury.

I'm always on the look out for country hotels within easy reach of London and The Pig at Bridge is definitely 1 of the easiest to get to.

A bridge on the grounds of The Pig hotel at Bridge. — A bridge on the grounds of The Pig hotel at Bridge: we cross it when walking to the restaurant from our room.

It's a direct train to Canterbury from London Bridge (or St. Pancras) then a taxi or straight bus to Bridge/ The Pig. (When I was there, taking an Uber was about £3 cheaper than taking a taxi from the taxi stand.) (This is compared to other hotels, such as The Pig at New Forest or Boys Hall in Ashford, which are an easy train ride from London but which you need to cab to from the train station.)

Rooms

Bedroom at the Pig at Bridge. — Bedroom at the Pig at Bridge which opened up directly to a view of the country fields.

The room was so comfortable and there was even turn down service! The lady/ gentleman thoughtfully left a small light on so when you return, it's not to total darkness.

Entrance to a bedroom at The Pig at Canterbury. — Entrance to my bedroom at The Pig at Canterbury.

I must say one thing that made my stay at The Pig at Canterbury so special was that it was like a little hut- when you open the bedroom door, you don't see the inside of the house but you walk straight out onto country fields. (Of course this also means that if it rains, you'll get drenched walking in and out of your room but it was wort it to me. Plus there are always umbrellas around the place.)

Reading a book on the terrace of The Pig at Bridge. — Reading a book (from the room) on the terrace of my room at The Pig at Bridge.

There's also a small patio with lounge chairs outside the room which is a wonderful place to sit, relax, and read with a cup of coffee or tea. (The hotel also thoughtfully provides a selection of books and magazines to entertain you.)

I also liked how my room had a bath and shower. (It looks quaint but everything worked very well and there was a ton of space.)

The toiletries were great- for example, the moisturiser was very nourishing.

Things to Do

The kitchen gardens at the Pig at Bridge.

The grounds at The pig aren't huge (but they're larger than Boys Hall though with less flowers.) Part of it is a green field and part is the kitchen garden, shown above. I really enjoyed the tour of the kitchen garden- despite the fact that it was only my Mom & I, the tour still went ahead.

The restaurant terrace at the Pig at Bridge. We were there in September and it was already a bit too chilly to sit outside.

Part of the grounds at the Pig at Bridge.

A pig sculpture at The Pig country hotel in Canterbury.

There's also a town (walking distance) which you can explore (More on this below.)

The hotel also has a spa for those who don't want to leave.

Food

Dinner at the Pig at Bridge restaurant. — Dinner at the Pig at Bridge restaurant: doesn't look like much but tastes excellent.

One of my favorite things about the Pig at Bridge is the great food- SO MUCH better than the food at Boys Hall. I also love the local food ethos (a lot of the food comes from the hotel's kitchen garden, which you can take a (free) guided tour of.)

Restaurant at The Pig at Bridge. — Homemade pickles in the restaurant at The Pig at Bridge.

Complimentary daily coffee and cake at the Pig at Canterbury.

There is complimentary daily coffee and cake in the lounge in the afternoon. (The bakes on offer change every day.)

Daily bake selection at The Pig at Bridge in England. — The daily bakes are displayed near the reception for you to choose from.

The only things I felt needed improving were:

the furniture was badly in need of reupholstering (not very comfortable to sit on these sofas, unlike the ones at Boys Hall)
the place was very busy so sitting in the lounge at the Pig doesn't feel as intimate or relaxing as it does at Boys Hall. For example, at Boys Hall, my Mom made friends with another guest, but I don't think this would be possible at The Pig.

Location

River in the town of Canterbury. — River in Canterbury where people go punting.

Another thing I love is that there's a small (actually tiny) town right outside the hotel. (You're also within easy reach of Canterbury- where you train in to- so you could also take the bus in if you're bored of the country.)

Don't expect many shops in the town of Bridge but there's a Londis convenience store and pharmacy for emergencies. (I needed some hay fever medicine and the pharmacist was very good.)

There's also a Michelin-starred restaurant which offers a very good value for money lunch set: about £35 for a 3-course meal. (So good, we ate there twice! Would be happy to return.) With the food at The Pig being excellent too, you're really spoilt for choice!

November 7, 2024 Cooking Classes in London

Cooking & Baking Classes in London

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Jamie Oliver Cooking School

Jamie Oliver Cooker School sign above flowers.

Good for a fun night with a friend or partner. (You make the dish in pairs.)
Not for people who want a serious, intensive cooking class.

La Cucina Caldesi

Good for people who want an enjoyable serious cooking class.

Pasta Making at Petersham

Chocolate Making in Shoreditch

Le Cordon Bleu

I took 2 cooking classes here. (But have not made any of the recipes!)

A more serious class, but you have to be OK with a lot of condescension from the teachers. For example, you will be asked "Do you know what a Michelin-star restaurant is?" in a VERY snooty tone.

Nonetheless, I would go back as the teachers have the experience to back up their arrogance.

Leiths Cooking

Did 2 courses here.

Meant to be a serious class too, but MUCH more fun than Le Cordon Bleu. (Still Instagram friends with some of the students on my course 6 years ago.) To be honest, the Leith's instructor wasn't quite as experienced as the one at Le Cordon Bleu. (E.g. She overcooked our chicken thighs, which should be quite hard to overcook!)

Bread Ahead

Has the widest range of baking classes
Has several locations in London, but Borough Market is the original. ( I recommend the Chelsea location as it's a smaller class than Borough Market- 4 people versus 12!)
You get drinks and bakes at the beginning and in the middle of class.

I've taken 10 classes here. Used to be VERY, very good but seems to have somewhat lost its soul after expanding. (Still good fun though.)

For example, I had to email several times for the recipes after one course. Finally got the recipes a month or so after the class- but they weren't the recipes we made in the course!? It took more emails and another 2 weeks to get the right recipes (which was honestly more stress than I needed.)

The recipes are OK- I like that they're simple enough to be made at home but, honestly, don't all taste great. (The dough balls, for example, don't taste as good as the ones at Pizza Express. I think they need to be smaller and made with more garlic.

Based on the Japanese bread class, I'd also say that the non-English bakes aren't the most authentic. (Similarly, the melon pan bread we made here wasn't the best either- I have a MUCH better recipe from a class in Singapore that I took.)

Also, the toilets aren't the cleanest... Made me a bit hesitant to eat at Borough Market to be honest!

E5

Great sense of community and very detailed recipe notes. Plus, I LOVE how the sourdough class starts at 11 am!

For the sourdough class, you make 4 breads:

1 loaf of rye bread (SO easy)
4 sourdough bagels (Used to be 6)
sourdough ciabatta
1 country loaf (taken home to bake- ideally you need a pot with lid, as well as a scorer)

You're given a tote bag (nice, because the breads are quite heavy for a paper bag), your scraper, and 10% off items in the shop. (The sourdough ends when the cafe closes though, so I suggest going earlier if you want to get stuff.)

Lunch is provided- beans and pasta followed by sweet bakes (nice.) You are also given bread and drinks when you arrive.

2 teachers, 10 students, nice and friendly and knowledgeable.

Besides sourdough baking classes, they also do fermentation and pierogi etc.

Dusty Knuckle

Another wonderful baking class. I took 2 classes here and, 6 years later, am still in contact with one!

June 14, 2024 Uncategorized

Train Day Trips from London Paddington

There are SO many train day trips from London that you can do! After living in London for 7 years I've realized that because London is a HUGE city, if you live in, say, Blackheath, taking a train out of London Paddington will involve much more travel time than if you live in Notting Hill! Hence, I've decided to organize the day trips you can take out of London based on which London station the train leaves from.

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London is great, but sometimes you just want to get out of the city! I've done so many day and weekend trips out of London, I've become the go-to resource for all my friends on car-free destinations that are within easy reach of the capital!

Direct Train Journeys

The locations below can be reached via direct train from London. (There are also routes which involve changing trains, so make sure you book one that is direct if you want to minimize the travel time!)

Bath

Take the train from London Paddington directly to Bath Spa. (1h 14 min)

Things to Do

Roman Baths
Bath Skyline Walk
Jane Austen tour of the city

The City of Bath is not only gorgeous, it's also a World Heritage Site with so much to do. The Roman Baths were constructed over 2000 years ago thanks to the city's natural thermal springs.

Jane Austen lived here for a time, and you can retrace her footsteps through the city.

Bristol Temple Meads

Take the direct train to Bristol Temple Meads (1h 28 min.)

Things to Do

Bristol Art Museum
Bristol Cathedral
Clifton

Oxford

Take the direct train to Oxford.

Things to Do

Pitt Rivers Museum
Bodleian Library

Bradford-on-Avon

Take a direct train to Bradford-on-Avon.

Situated on the banks fo the River Avon is the picturesque town of Bradford-on-Avon. There are several well-preserved buildings dating to the 17th century, such as the Jacobean Hall (great example of English Renaissance architecture) and Tithe Barn.

The Bridge Tea Rooms are so cute, you often see them on social media.

Note that there isn't a central nexus for this town, so the shops and restaurants are fairly scattered. (You have to cross the road to get to some of the restaurants.)

The town is particularly lovely in December, when everything is lit up by Christmas lights!

Windsor

Take a direct train to Windsor & Eton Central

Although it's home to Windsor castle (the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world), Windsor isn't one of my favorite day trips from London. It's simply too crowded with tourists to be enjoyable!

If you are a huge Royal fan though, then don't miss the tour of the royal residence, where you can also see paintings by famous artists such as Holbein, Van Dyck and Rubens.

Changing Trains/ Bus

The following destinations require you to either change trains, or to transfer onto a Bus.

If traveling on the weekend, note that there are often route works that may cause inconvenience to your journey!

Bleinheim Palace

Getting there: Take a GWR train to Oxford, then the S3 bus towards Woodstock, which will stop at the palace’s gates. Ask the bus driver to identify the appropriate stop.

Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987, the Palace has a history of 300 years and beautiful gardens with a lake, created by the famous landscape gardener, Capability Brown.

Most famous resident: Winston Churchill was born there in 1874.

Bruton

Take the train to Castle Cary then change for a train to Bruton. (1hr 36 minutes, though some routes are a bit slower.)

A very picturesque town with cute cafes and shops.

Stonehenge

Take the train to Salisbury, where you can get a bus to the site.

One of Europe's best known stone circles whose origins remain a mystery to today, Stonehenge dates back to 2500BC and is a World Heritage Site (including Avebury.)

There's a Museum nearby to tell you more about how the iconic structure was built.

Tip: Stonehenge can be colder than the cities, so bring an extra layer!

Any questions about the best London day trips by train? Let me know in the comments!

April 13, 2024 Uncategorized

Best restaurants in Bath

If you've read Jane Austen's book, you'll be intimately acquainted with the city of Bath in the U.K. It's a gorgeous place a direct train from London with lots of great places to eat at. Here's my list of the best restaurants in Bath city centre, all of which we've dined at on own our penny. (i.e. they're unsponsored reviews!)

Clayton’s Kitchen

Address: 15A George St

This lovely little restaurant is elevated slightly above the main road and is one of the best restaurants I visited in Bath.

The service was very attentive and the food delicious- we enjoyed our time here so much so that we made a note to come back again (even though there are so many places we still want to visit in Bath!) Even though we sat outside- we were the only table sitting along our stretch- we never felt neglected by the waitress, who was very warm and friendly.

We enjoyed the starters (salmon and), the mains (chicken and fish), the house wines ( worchester culver and rose) and the affogato dessert!

The Scallop Shell

Address: 22 Monmouth Pl, Batg BA1 2 AY

We were looking for a last-minute lunch place on Saturday, and managed to find a table upstairs, on the terrace. (No lift, you'll have to climb the stairs.) The staff were very helpful.

We had the Megrim Sole Fillet with chips, mushy peas and aioli and an English Heritage Tomato Salad with feta, pickled red onions, gem lettuce & muscatel dressing. The salad was very fresh but the sole a little bland (though fresh.) If the fish had been grilled on both sides, it would have tasted better. Next time, we must try the famous fish and chips instead!

Corkage Chapel Row

Address: Chapel Row,Bath BA 1, 1RN.

We passed this restaurant many times not realising that it has a charming and cosy ambience, with a very romantic lovely terrace. The ox cheek was great but the courgette salad a little bland. We finished with cheese cake.

Ole Tapas

Address: First Floor, 1St John St.,Bath, BA1, 2JL

This Spanish restaurant is a great choice if you want a change from English cuisine. It serves tapas style small dishes.

We had: Pantumacc, Setas a la Planeha, Gambia’s Pil Pil, Pulpo a la Brase, Polo Asada, and a Pan Extra. The octupus was very well presented and the bread super crunchy- I could have had two servings!

The service was quick but the music was too loud for us. (It's not really a good place for conversation.)

Ponte Vecchio

Address: Springs Garden Road, Bathwick, Bath BA2 6PW

This restaurant is a bit hard to find. You have to navigate down narrow steps down to this restaurant situated near the Pulteney weir by the river.

It has an upstairs dining area with terrace. The food was great- we had the fresh mussels for The Cozze Marinar, the Spaghetti lo scoglio and Caprese served with fresh tomatoes and slices of mozzarella.

The waitress, a student at the local Bath University, was also chatty and friendly.

The Marlborough Tavern Bath

Address: 35 Marlborough Buildings, Bath BA12LY

This gastropub is located a little out of the centre of Bath, uphill from the Royal Crescent, but is well worth a detour. It ties with Clayton's Kitchen as our favorite place to eat in Bath.

In fact, we ate here twice during our trip!

The Fish and Chips, the steak burger and salad were sumptuous. The chips were meticulously cut and fried crisply. We enjoyed the food and the cosy and comfortable ambience very much.

They also have a very value-for-money lunch set!

Raphael Restaurant

Address: Gascoyne House, Upper Borough House, Bath BA1 1RN

We were very excited to dine at Raphael as it's famous in Bath. Sadly, we were quite disappointed by our experience.

The food was hit-and-miss: my mom had a delicious hake with boneless chicken wings and peas. However, my skate wasn't the tastiest. We also ordered a salad bowl of kale and chips to share. (Chips were much too salty.)

The service was also a little lacklustre- we didn't feel as welcome here as we did at Clayton's Kitchen. In addition, the tables were placed very near to each other. You have to enter your seat sideways for fear of topping over the placed setting of bottle of wine and glasses.

For the same price that I paid at Raphael, I had ordered more dishes at Clayton’s Kitchen : a starter, 2 mains, a salad 2 glasses of wine and a dessert!

La Terra

Address: 2 John St, Bath BA12JL

We had the set lunch- I enjoyed it but my Mom felt that the fish was not hot enough. (It's because she eats slowly!)

As such, she felt that it was a bit pricy for the food and ambience, but I enjoyed it! The waiter was very friendly!

Places With Live Music

Bandook

Address: 3-7 Milson St, Bath BA1 1 BZ

We chanced upon this Insia restaurant on one of our walks along Milson Place, and were seduced in by the "live jazz" notice.

The place reminded me of Dishoom in London. The Kale Pakora Chaat, Chicken Curry, Jackfruit Biryani, prawns were all scrumptious. The staff were also very friendly.

Alas, the music started quite a bit later than advertised, so we were almost done with our meal by the time they had begun! The restuarant is divided into sections and, depending on where you sit, the music may be too soft (or loud.)

April 13, 2024 Uncategorized

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