A Bridgerton-inspired Bath guide: How to enjoy a slice of regency life

As summer begins to heat up, our TV schedule is about to do the same with the return of Netflix’s wonderfully debauched depiction of Regency life in the much-anticipated third series of Bridgerton. This time back in the ton, the story focuses on the (so far) unrequited love interest between Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and the third ‘perfectly handsome’ Bridgerton son, Colin (Luke Newton), as Lady Whistledown herself puts it.

Netflix is keeping keen viewers on their toes by drip feeding the series in two parts, between May and June. Though, if you’ve read Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn, which the streaming giant’s period drama third series is based on, you’ll already know what’s coming – just be sure not to share any spoilers for the rest of us.

The series is mostly set in London, but it is Bath that forms much of the set for Bridgerton, thanks to its elegant honey-coloured limestone buildings and regal Palladian architecture that’s protected by World Unesco Heritage status. It was the city for high society to be seen in, and to see (read, gossip), to ‘take the waters’ of Bath’s natural hot springs, and to promenade about town and parks. And as so little has changed since the early 19th century, there’s plenty to see and do that the aristocratic Georgians would have visited themselves – and it’s easy to visit the real life spots used in filming too.

So, dear gentle reader, if you’re feeling hot under the collar at just the thought of the new series and need more of a Bridgerton fix, this is where to stay, eat and what to do in the city for a slice of Regency life that’s fit for a Bridgerton.

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What to do

The Royal Crescent

First on the agenda should be perfecting the art of promenading along the crescent imagining you’re part of the ton. The crescent-shaped row of 30 golden-hued stone townhouses has always been one of the city’s signature landmarks, and best addresses, since it was built in 1774 following the vision of architect John Wood the Younger.

So of course it features heavily in the show, not only in the opening credits, but throughout the series – whether it’s in carriages on the way to the ball or…