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Need a sprinkling of Christmas spirit to get you ready for the big day? Here is our accessible guide to spending Christmas in Bath where you can enjoy the festivities of the popular markets and get some last minute day trips in too!
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Bath is a lovely Georgian city located in the South West of England. It is close to Bristol, not far from Cardiff and gives you easy access to the top attractions of Somerset and Wiltshire, plus its only around 2 hours from London, making it easy to reach wherever you are in the country.
Every year, Bath gets an injection of Christmas spirit with the annual market, which brings people from all over Europe to the city. If you want to join them this Christmas season, here’s everything you need to know about festivities in Bath.
The Bath Christmas Market runs from 23rd November through to Sunday 10th December. It consists of a series of pop up chalets with sustainability at its heart, plus the Bath on Ice event – which is also wheelchair accessible.
Accessibility at the Christmas Market
You can find a host of accessibility information, including a map highlighting where you can find the facilities you might need on their website here.
There are accessible toilets located at various points across the market, including two Changing Places facilities, which can be found at Bath Leisure Centre and at Southgate Vaults. Visitors can hire a wheelchair or mobility scooter from Assured Mobility for use while at the market and there is a quiet room available for use at Bath Central Library, which is close to the market stalls.
Getting to Bath for the market
Bath is conveniently located and is easy to reach from various points across the UK.
Travelling by train – Bath’s train station is serviced by mainline trains with a regular service from London. Bristol Temple Meads station is just 15 minutes away by train and the station is just a short walk from the market stalls. Disabled rail cards and companion cards are accepted on the majority of UK services.
Travelling by coach – National coach companies provide services to and from Bath over the Christmas period. Coaches board and disembark at Bath bus station on Dorchester street in the city centre and many companies offer disabled travel passes and reservations for travellers with access needs.
Travelling by car - Bath can be accessed from the M4 and has excellent links via the M5. There are several car parks near the market, including Charlotte Street, Manvers Street, the Podium, Southgate and Avon Street. There is also parking at Bath Cricket Club. You can find designated Blue Badge parking across the city.
There are three Park and Ride services that run 7 days a week and take just 10 minutes to get into the city. You can find these services at Odd Down, Newbridge and Lansdown and accept concession passes.
Travelling by bus
People who live locally are encouraged to get the bus in to the Christmas Market. The bus depot can be found next to the train station at Dorchester Street and there are buses linking major towns and villages around Bath, as well as into Bristol and further afield.
You can find further details and a map of the accessible parking here.
While you’re visiting the Christmas Market, here are some suggestions for an accessible day out in and around Bath.
In the city centre, there is the famous Roman Baths – where you can uncover Bath’s Roman history. The baths are around 90% accessible to wheelchair users and there are BSL and fully descriptive audio tours available to guests too. As the site can get very busy and in places is narrow, the team are also on hand to help visitors with sensory conditions, autism and even claustrophobia. The site is also a member of the local Dementia Action Alliance group and provides dementia friendly sessions. You can learn more here.
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For something more relaxing, you could spend a few hours at the Thermae Bath Spa’s Cross Bath. It’s a good way of enjoying the same warm, healing waters of the Roman Baths. The spa is wheelchair accessible throughout most of the site and there are accessible changing rooms, showers and toilets. The pools also have assisted access or hoists, allowing for everyone to enjoy the warm waters. You can learn more here.
Another great option for a family friendly day out while enjoying the Christmas Market is the American Museum and Gardens. During December, they are hosting their own Winter Wonderland where you can enjoy some seasonal food and Christmas themed workshops. The museum has a Tramper, thanks to Countryside Mobility, so you can easily enjoy the outside spaces. There are also silent spaces and noise cancelling headphones available for guests with autism or other sensory conditions. You can learn more here.
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Elsewhere in Somerset you can find Clark's Village, which is located in Street. It's a great place for Christmas shopping and this year there will also be an ice rink for guests to use, with special SEND sessions. It's also wheelchair friendly - so everyone can enjoy a day out on the ice after getting all your gifts.
A little further out of the city, you’ll find Longleat Safari Park. Though based in Wiltshire, rather than Somerset, Longleat is just a stone’s throw from Bath and provides a wonderful day out, whatever the season. The park offers a queue assist scheme, as well as having accessible toilets and changing spaces. Depending on where you are in the park, there are a variety of facilities for guests, so make sure to check their website for more information.
While you’re out towards Longleat, visit the National Trust’s Stourhead. The site is beautiful and often has a host of Christmas themed activities to keep you entertained. Make sure to pick up an accessible route map on arrival to see the best routes around the grounds. There are also shuttles and wheelchairs available to hire, should you need them. Learn more here.
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Moving over the border into Gloucestershire, is another beautiful outside space, Westonbirt Arboretum. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre for a few hours, this is the perfect respite. The Arboretum has a Changing Places facility, among other accessibility features.
Bristol and North Somerset are also close to Bath, and we would always recommend a trip there too, just to enjoy how different the two cities are. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is a great option for a day trip and are located on the outskirts of Bristol, not too far from Bath. As a regular winner of Accessibility Awards, you’ll find that all guests are well catered for. There is a Changing Places toilet, hearing loops, mobility aids available and quiet spaces to enjoy. Find out more here.
You could also take a cheeky trip to the coast while you’re in the area. The Grand Pier at Weston – super – Mare. The pier are committed to helping neurodiverse visitors, as well as welcoming service dogs and carers to join you during your visit. Find out more here.
Want to find places to stay and more options for planning your visit to Bath Christmas Market? Click here.
Related
We want to be open and accessible to all visitors to ensure that everyone can enjoy our heritage site and museum. We hope the following information will help you plan your visit to the Roman Baths.
A dropped curb edge gives access on ground level, with double main doors and a level stone floor. There is an accessible unisex toilet/shower area which is also an accessible changing area. The doorway is 78cm (30ins) wide. There is also a separate toilet, two changing cubicles, showers and lockers to store clothes and personal belongings. The outdoor pool is 1.35m (53ins) deep, with assisted access chair (max weight 136kg - 21 stone). The water temperature is approximately 33.5 degrees Celsius (92.3 degrees Fahrenheit). The area around the sculpture is 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit). There is a chair hoist to assist entry to the pool (maximum weight 136kg – 21 stone).
We are constantly striving to be a fully accessible and inclusive destination for all visitors. We have worked with a number of other organisations, partners and friends to ensure our team members have the understanding and knowledge they need to ensure they provide the very best welcome. We have made, and continually strive to improve our spaces so that they’re as accessible as they can be.
While Longleat has differing terrains and inclines, the majority of our grounds and attractions are very accessible. Manual wheelchairs can be reserved in advance of your visit, and mobility scooters are available to hire both in advance and on the day.
Accessible toilets in Spread Eagle courtyard. Mountain trike wheelchairs are available to hire. A Baronmead Stairmate Major stairclimber is available, enabling wheelchair users to access the house.
There are mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs available, a shuttle bus to take you to certain points of the arboretum, group visits are available and we have a Changing Places Facility available for those who need it.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is proud to be an accessible attraction. Facilities include multiple accessible toilets, Changing Places facility, accessible play equipment, hearing loops and more. Please visit the website before your visit for up-to-date information and to view the Access guide.
This iconic and remarkable attraction sets the standard for inclusivity. With an array of accessible features, it ensures everyone can enjoy the fun-filled experiences it has to offer.
Some of our services include quiet spaces and shopping hours, as well as sensory aids, mobility assistance and disabled access throughout the centre. Our free shopmobility service provides electric scooters and wheelchairs during your visit. All stores are on ground level, and Clarks Village has wide pathways, so every guest can enjoy the environment and gain access to the stores and gardens.
