REBALANCE BATH – Bath’s festival of wellbeing – is making a poignant return in 2024 following its hugely successful inaugural event last year.
Having been named the UK’s No.1 spa city, the Bath Business Improvement District (BID) has worked tirelessly to provide an exciting, invigorating and uplifting programme of events. From fragrance profiling events to tree identification walks, the festival’s schedule has something for everyone.
Having recently visited the wellness capital, we’re here to give you a rundown on the unmissable events taking place.
To start, it comes as no surprise that The Roman Baths are a perfect place to soak up the history and culture of the city. Multiple events will take place at the cultural epicentre including silent discos and laughter yoga – a new form of practice led by The Vitality Studio.
Focusing on forms of exercise that sustain and entertain, The Roman Baths and their 2,000 years of history provide the ideal backdrop for the festival’s activities.
The Roman Baths
Moreover, if you want to relax and unwind whilst admiring Bath’s warm mineral-rich waters, Thermae Bath Spa is the place to visit. The Romans believed that the hot springs found deep beneath Bath have divine healing powers, and it’s difficult to disagree with them.
Upon entering Thermae Bath Spa, I immediately felt more at ease. Intersecting heritage and expertise with contemporary design, the spa’s elegant aesthetic embodies luxury tranquillity.
Thermae Bath Spa
Thermae’s baths are all delightful, but the open-air Rooftop Pool is particularly inviting. Visitors can explore the spa’s various amenities before working their way to the top floor to enjoy sparkling city views. One can also reach new heights by visiting the spa’s Celestial Relaxation Room.
Described as a ‘serene, dream-like environment’, the Celestial Relaxation Room takes visitors on an interstellar journey. The room is filled with soft, twinkling lights to mirror the undulating glow of stars across our night sky.
Influenced by the work of William Herschel and Caroline Herschel – Bath-based astronomers who discovered the planet Uranus – the Celestial Relaxation Room is yet another way Thermae Bath Spa pays homage to the city’s roots.
Thermae Bath Spa
Similarly, for those hoping to look after mind, body and spirit, The Soul Spa lies just a stone’s throw away from Thermae Bath Spa. Since opening in 2019, this spa has been introducing innovative, trailblazing treatments – such as their sound baths.
During a sound bath, one enjoys the melodic sounds of crystal singing bowls and slowly enters a deep, meditative space. As I enjoyed a sound bath, I felt time drift away along with any busy thoughts of the outside world. To celebrate the festival, the sound bath experience will be half-price throughout ReBalance Bath’s duration and will take place four times a day, seven days a week.
VR Dream Odyssey
The Soul Spa is also offering a VR meditative experience titled Dream Odyssey. Equipped with an Oculus VR headset, guests can choose between a selection of digital landscapes and goals before starting the virtual experience.
VR Dream Odyssey
As an additional treat – after having enjoyed a few relaxing treatments or workshops – look no further than Henry’s. The independent dining location utilises locally-sourced ingredients to craft some of the most precious dishes in the city.
Recognised in the Michelin guide and located on the beautiful Saville Row, the restaurant’s celeriac and apple soup makes for an exquisite midday entree. For those visiting later in the evening, five-course and seven-course menus provide harmonious and intricate gastronomic offerings. Maintaining an emphasis on supporting the city’s independent, local businesses, Henry’s is the perfect place to grab a bite.
Bath
With such an impressive selection of enchanting activities on offer, it’s evident that the festival will entice visitors, old and new, to the streets of Bath.
by Sophie Richardson
The festival will run from 25th January to the 18th of February with over 190 events taking place across the city. For more information and to book events, please visit Bath BID’s Welcome to Bath website.