Festivals in Bath

Bath has become known as a festival city, with a year-round programme of special events which should guarantee something for everyone. Visiting one of the festivals while staying at a bed and breakfast in Bath city centre offers the chance to meet up with other like-minded people. You are also bound to broaden your knowledge of a pet subject, whether it is Jane Austen or opera.

Dukes is the ideal place to stay during short breaks in Bath while enjoying one of the city's festivals. All our 17 rooms have individual features such as high ceilings and sash windows, and each is named after a Duke for a unique touch. We offer our visitors a combination of Georgian elegance and modern home comforts, and we cater for families, including young children.

Here are details of some of the wide range of popular festivals staged over the year, which you can enjoy during your bed and breakfast stay in Bath city centre.

Bed and Breakfast in Bath City Centre – click here for more information.

Bath Literature Festival – February to March. Many famous authors have taken part in this annual festival since it was launched in 1995, including JK Rowling, Sir Terry Pratchett, Kazuo Ishiguro, Margaret Atwood, and a host of others. Events include workshops for young people and poetry readings in pubs, as well as readings in many of the city's historic buildings, so there is bound to be something to appeal to everyone.

Bath in Fashion – April. With a fashion museum and designer boutiques, Bath is known as a stylish city. Catwalk shows, workshops and exhibitions are all part of its festival each April, which is one of Britain's best-known fashion spectaculars. The 2013 event included a centenary exhibition showcasing the work of great fashion photographer Norman Parkinson, with more than 150 businesses contributing to the festival. If you are a fashionista, this is the perfect time to stay at a bed and breakfast in Bath city centre.

Bath International Music Festival – May to June. The festival was established in 1948, and runs over 12 days, including major orchestral concerts, world music, jazz, folk, and many other kinds of music. It begins with a party featuring 2,000 musicians and performers from the area. Bath Fringe Festival is also staged from May to June, with a wide variety of events including visual arts installations, multi-media, music and street theatre.

Bath Folk Festival – August. Folk music fans planning short breaks in Bath could well be tempted to visit during this annual event. Bath Folk Festival only started a few years ago, but is building its reputation and attracting top names. Morris dancing, skiffle, bluegrass and harp music are among the varied mix of entertainment at the festival, which features both established and rising artists.

Jane Austen Festival – September. This popular annual festival celebrates one of the world's best-loved authors, who was Bath's most famous resident. Highlights include a Regency costumed promenade through the city centre, with 18th-century soldiers firing muskets. There is also a masked ball, offering fans of Austen period dramas a chance to wear the fashions of the era themselves. Stars of the TV dramas also often take part, and festival-goers can choose from a long list of concerts, etiquette lessons, workshops and minibus tours.

Bath Festival of Children's Literature – September to October. Each year, Bath stages Britain's largest festival dedicated to children's books, with more than 80 separate events putting a host of top authors and artists in the spotlight. There are always many famous names on the bill, from poet Michael Rosen to bestselling author Charlie Higson, while children's parties and storytimes are all part of the fun.

Great Bath Feast – October. There's a lot more to the city's cuisine than Bath buns, and the Great Bath Feast gives a chance to taste a wide range of gourmet delights. Chefs stage all kinds of demonstrations during the festival, and Raymond Blanc, Prue Leith and Mary Berry of 'The Great British Bake Off' fame are among the top names you might spot on the bill. Georgian feasts add a touch of history, and you can also sample wines, ciders and beers from the area.

Bath Mozartfest – November. This annual celebration of the great composer was founded more than 20 years ago. Over the nine days of the festival, many top musicians, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, stage a selection of works by both Mozart and his contemporaries. Historic venues like Bath Abbey and the Assembly Rooms are the perfect settings for the festival, which closes with a grand supper.

If you are planning a visit to any of these festivals, Dukes bed and breakfast in Bath city centre is the ideal place to use as your base. Our central location means you are within easy walking distance of most attractions, and can easily come and go during a festival. We have a choice of rooms ideal for either families or couples, and serve superb breakfasts. Also, if you tell us a little in advance, we can serve afternoon tea, pre-dinner drinks or a late-night cheeseboard when you get back from a concert or show.

Short Breaks in Bath – get in touch to book your stay.