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Visit Bath’s guide to what’s on and what’s new for 2026
2025 has been a phenomenal year for Bath, with the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, the Michelin Guide naming Bath one of the top 10 destinations in the world for food, and Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards revealing Bath as the ‘Best UK City’ for 2025.
Bath and the surrounding area will continue to flourish in 2026 with new openings making it a vibrant city for residents and visitors, and a prime destination to visit, study, live and work.
Exhibitions and anniversaries
Next year the city will celebrate 20 years of the Thermae Bath Spa. Poster Power! A colourful exhibition showcasing an exceptional range of 19th and 20th century British posters will run from January – May at The Victoria Art Gallery and The Holburne Museum presents Zandra Rhodes – A Life in Print, a vibrant celebration of one of Britain’s most influential fashion designers also from January – May. Post impressionist Printmakers from Manet to Picasso will follow at The Holburne until September, and Christmas in Bath 2026 will kick off with the opening of The World of the Snowman at Victoria Art Gallery - a celebration of Raymond Briggs’ world-famous picture book first published in 1978. No.1 Royal Crescent presents Handle with Care: Cornelia Parker & Historic Glass an exhibition that will look through the eyes of one of Britain’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, Cornelia Parker, at the historic glass and found objects that inspire her work and artistic process.
Food news
The Pump Room Restaurantwill launch a series of new afternoon teas. From an Art Deco Agatha Christie ‘Seven Dials’ theme to a Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein theme for Halloween, the teas will take inspiration from Bath’s literary connections. Somerset based pizza restaurant Pizzarova will open a restaurant in the city in the new year and Bath Cider Festival brought to the city by Lilly’s Cider, will take place at Bath Pavillion on the 13 and 14 February.
New accommodation
Providence Hotels will complete the transformation of their hotel on North Parade in the city centre with its iconic Grade I listed Georgian façade. The Francis Hotel’s Spa, opening in the spring, will feature a unique hot bubble and mud ritual room. Outside of the city centre Corsham House by the Beckford Group, in the market town of Corsham will open in February as a wine-led townhouse brasserie with a terrace and with rooms. The Newt in Somerset expands beyond the estate with the opening of Yarlington Lodge - a restored Grade II Georgian country manor offering up to 16 bedrooms across three exclusive-use properties, complete with private spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and tennis court.
Shopping news
Jolly’swill open its doors once again in the spring after a major refurbishment by department store group Morleys and M&S will relocate around the corner to the old Debenham’s store in SouthGate shopping centre.
On our screens in 2026
Season 4 of Bridgertonfeaturing Bath will land on Netflix at the end of January along with The Seven Dials Mystery, an Agatha Christie adaption starring Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman. Bath Guildhall will feature in a British indie film called Mother’s Pride coming to cinema screens in the spring.
Festivals, events and productions
ReBalance Bath kicks off the year with headliner Joe Wicks followed by Bath Restaurant Week, Curious Minds, Queer Bath, Bath Comedy Festival, The Jane Austen Festival, Film Bath, Movies at the Museums and Bath Christmas Market in November/December.
As part of Bath Music Festival American classical pianist Richard Goode presents a selection of Beethoven’s greatest works, while Bath Abbey will be the setting for an immersive, theatrical performance by British choral ensemble Gesualdo Six as they celebrate the 400th anniversary of composer William Byrd.
The Roman Baths will present a year-long programme of events celebrating Roman festivals and late evening openings will be back for summer.
The Theatre Royal will present 2:22 A Ghost Story and the (sold out) production of Prima Facie starring Jodie Comer. Strictly Jane Austen Tourslaunch a new twilight tour - Jane Austen & Bath’s Gothic History.
For further information and press trip enquiries contact emma.frayling@visitwest.co.uk
About Visit West: The VisitEngland accredited official Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. It supports the visitor economy of the region which is worth £2.7billion and supports 43,000 jobs. Visit West operates the Meet Bristol & Bath Convention Bureau and the Visit Bath and Visit Bristol consumer websites. https://www.visitwest.co.uk/
