Location
Bath is an exquisite Georgian city situated in the South-West of England. With its fine architectural treasures and a rich diversity of museums, galleries, gardens and attractions, Bath has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
It is a busy, successful university town with a thriving and vibrant community which has much to offer to students both socially and academically. There is a year-round variety of festival, theatre and musical events.
Bath is a modern city with some of the best quality independent shops, and over 150 restaurants and cafés. There are plenty of sporting and cultural activities available locally to balance the pressures of study, and the River Avon which flows through the city provides excellent walking, boating, fishing and cycling opportunities. Bath is located only one and half hours from London by train and is well served by road and rail networks.
Bath Academy occupies an attractive Georgian building in the centre of the city of Bath. It is close to restaurants, banks and the shops which are only a few minutes’ walk away.
The city reference library is also close to the college and students can study quietly there in their own time. Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in England and it is the perfect place to study. It is dynamic, safe and secure and offers a wide range of cultural, recreational and entertainment facilities. It is a compact city and is easy to explore on foot with many international restaurants, excellent shopping centres set against a backdrop of historical sites, and architecturally interesting buildings.
Travel Directions
By Rail or Coach
Rail services run direct to Bath Spa station from London Paddington and London Waterloo and take up to 2 hours. If you are coming from Bristol Airport then you will need to take a train from Bristol Parkway to Bristol Temple Meads, then change and get on a train to Bath Spa. The entire journey takes about 40 minutes. Full timetables and other information are available at www.nationalrail.co.uk. Should you wish to book tickets in advance then this can be done online at www.thetrainline.co.uk.
Coach services run from London Victoria and are cheaper than trains, but take much longer – approx 3hrs 45 minutes for direct services and up to 5 hours if a change in Swindon is required. Full timetables and fares are available at www.nationalexpress.co.uk. Coaches stop at Bath Bus Station which is just opposite the Railway Station – so if you are walking, cross over the road to the train station (signed) and follow the directions below.
Should you have heavy luggage we recommend you take a taxi from the taxi rank outside the station. If you wish to walk then come out of the station and turn left. Follow the road down until you reach a set of double-traffic lights. Cross over both roads and walk along the left hand side of the road, behind McDonalds. When you reach a roundabout, continue straight ahead (second exit) and follow the road all the way along until you see a music shop, MVC, in front of you. Walk to the right of MVC and continue straight up, past the Theatre Royal on your left, and you will emerge in Queens Square. Walk up to the top right-hand corner of the square, cross the road at the lights, and you are right outside Bath Academy
By Road
Allow approximately 2 ½ hours to travel by road from London (or Heathrow Airport) to Bath; 3 ½ hours from Gatwick Airport.
Follow M4 to Junction 18. At the roundabout, take the first left following signs to A46 Bath. Drive down the hill and follow signs to A4 Bath; at the roundabout take the third exit signed A4 London Road West, towards Bath.
Continue straight ahead following signs to City Centre. When you reach The Paragon (a street with high pavements on both sides, with higher ones on your right), bear left and go straight ahead at the traffic lights. Follow the road along until you reach a ninety-degree left hand turning (junction of George Street and Gay Street). Turn immediately right (Queen’s Parade Place) and the College car park – with spaces strictly reserved and available only by appointment – is immediately on your left. Pay-and-display parking is available in Charlotte Place, 300 metres along Queen’s Parade Place.
To reach the front of the Academy, at the ninety-degree left turn continue straight down the hill. The college is to your right at the first set of lights.
