Welcome to the definitive guide to house sitting in Bath. This article contains all the information you need to find, secure, and enjoy an amazing house sitting experience in one of the UK’s most fantastic cities.
Hannah and I spent a month house sitting in Bath during the summer of 2023. Although we are originally from England, we have explored more of countries like Italy and The USA than our own! So when a great house sitting opportunity came up we jumped at the chance to head to England’s west coast.
There’s loads to talk about so let’s dive straight into the definitive guide to house sitting in Bath.
Why Everyone Should Visit Bath
Whether you are a fan of history and culture, are looking for an excellent nightlife scene, or something in between, Bath is the place for you. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient streets of Bath and the spas for which it is named date back to the time of the Romans. A lot of incredible architecture, monuments, and historic points of interest make it a dream city for history geeks like me.
Couple this epic display of culture with two popular universities and a huge number of international tourists means Bath has one of the best social scenes in the UK. From fine dining restaurants to cocktail bars and traditional English pubs, a night out or weekend in Bath can be a pretty special thing.
Bath is well linked with London via a reliable and generally inexpensive rail network. 3-5 trains an hour arrive from and return to the capital every day. The surrounding countryside of Bath is breathtakingly spectacular and perfect for hiking. The Avon Canal and River that encircle and cut into the city add a beautiful element to the urban scene.
House Sitting in Bath
I was surprised when writing my previous article ‘The Top Countries Looking for House Sitters‘ as to how many listings Bath had. It’s generally second only behind London for the number of house sitting opportunities always available. Let’s talk about house sitting Bath.
My Experience of House Sitting in Bath
After a couple of years traveling the world, Hannah and I decided to head home for a week in the summer of 2023. It was great to properly reconnect with friends and family after a long time away. We had always been open to exploring more of the UK if the right opportunities came our way. So, we set our Trusted Housesitters alerts to see if anything appealing came up.
The first alert we received was a month-long stay in the center of Bath taking care of one cat. It was just the sort of thing we were looking for and applied immediately. In an unusual turn of events for a house sitting gig, the host accepted us within seconds! She liked our profile and did not want a long drawn-out process. Easiest application ever!
The house was a beautiful Georgian terrace that had a balcony overlooking the entire city of Bath and the surrounding countryside. We got lucky with many uncharacteristically sunny English summer days during our stay. Subsequently, we enjoyed many afternoons with a beer watching the sunset and the hot air balloons flying over the city.
The cat, Leia, was a dream. With her own cat flap, she generally came in for a feed and a snooze during the day and then enjoyed the adjoining allotment and garden the rest of the time. It was a cat paradise, however, we were greeted with a steady supply of dead or half-dead shrews. Apparently, that meant she liked us!
House Sitting Opportunities in Bath
Bath is one of the top cities in the UK for house sitting opportunities. At the time of writing this article, 540 homes in Bath are accepting applications on Trusted Housesitters. This is an incredible amount of listings and the numbers are steadily increasing. 3 months ago when I wrote a previous article it was closer to 400.
With so many opportunities regularly available you can be sure the right sit is just waiting for your application. Let’s look at how you go about securing one of these house sits in Bath.
How to Secure a House Sit in Bath
There are a couple of great websites that I highly recommend for securing a house sit in Bath. Our go-to resource is Trusted Housesitters and you’ve already heard about how many Bath listings they currently have. THS is currently closing in on 9,000 active listings globally, I’ve been house sitting for 5 years and have never seen the number that high. It’s great news for house sitters!
It’s free to sign up for a Trusted Housesitters account with just an email address. You can then start looking at the available listings and get used to the platform. To complete an exchange you’ll need to be a paying member and the annual fee starts at just $129. You’ll also receive 25% off when you sign up using the code BEACHES25 at checkout, click here to sign up.
Read more about Trusted Housesitters and discover the benefits of each membership option in my article – ‘Everything You Need to Know About Trusted Housesitters’.
I always recommend having a secondary house sitting platform in your back pocket. Most hosts only list on one platform so the perfect sit for you may be advertised on another site. Mind My House is a great choice to consider joining also. They have a healthy number of listings and a low annual fee of just $29.
Building a Profile
Whichever house sitting platform you sign up with there will be the opportunity to build a verified and detailed profile. This is your shop window and should be filled with as much relevant information as possible.
Starting out you won’t have any reviews on the platform so utilize the option to include 3 character references. Ask 3 people who know you as a responsible person, perhaps from other exchange sites or other professional settings to write a few nice paragraphs about you.
Be open to sharing your social media links, personal websites, and LinkedIn profile. This will offer hosts a reassuring picture of who you are. Upload lots of photos too, always try and include any shots of you with pets.
Setting Alerts and Applying
If you have a date in mind for your first house sit in Bath, refine your search and start browsing the available listings. With Trusted Housesitters you can be really specific in your searches but I’d advise keeping your criteria as open as possible to ensure you are searching the greatest number of listings.
Favorite any listings you like the look of, even if they don’t match your dates. You will be alerted later on if they list again. If nothing comes up matching your dates and requirements save the search and you’ll be alerted when a match comes online.
If you see something you like the look of, apply! Write a personalized application directly through your house sitting platform and get your name in the hat. For more information about the application process read my article – ‘The Informative Step-By-Step Guide to Applying For a House Sit’.
Confirming a House Sit in Bath
If the host likes the look of your profile and application they are likely to offer you the sit. However, most hosts like to have a video call to put a face to a name and discuss the details a little further. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns before committing to the house sit.
If they accept you verbally or via text, that’s fantastic! But ensure they send you an official invite through your house sitting platform to officially confirm the house sit. This can be vital for insurance and cancellation reasons for both parties. Read more about the importance of this in Hannah’s previous blog – ‘5 Things We Wish We’d Known About House Sitting’.
What to Expect in Bath
Bath is an idyllic English city packed with interesting things to do, fun places to visit, and plenty of activities to keep even the most social butterflies occupied.
The city can be very busy as tourists flock in from all over the world. This is especially true at weekends and during school holidays and British vacation times as Bath is a popular British weekend retreat.
Expect to see lots of excellent street performers and artists selling their wares. You’ll see throngs of pedestrians shopping, drinking in the pubs and cafes, enjoying the many cultural attractions, or hiking the surrounding hills to visit the nearby quintessential English villages.
Best Bath Bars
Having secured a house sit in Bath you will have plenty of dosh left to enjoy the cool bar scene in Bath. Hannah has written extensively on Bath bars for our friends at Goats On The Road, check out – ‘The 15 Best Bars in Bath’. But here’s a couple of my top picks;
Best Bars in Bath
- The Bath Brew House. My go-to bar spot is the excellent Bath Brew House. It has an exceptional beer garden equipped with a retractable roof for year-round enjoyment, alongside its own array of homemade brews. With a blend of traditional pub aesthetics indoors and vibrant outdoor spaces, it’s one of Bath’s most buzzing hangouts.
- BrewDog. Bath’s top spot for craft beer is BrewDog, exclusively serving its own exceptional range of drinks across a growing chain of bars. Renowned for their Punk IPA, a personal favorite of mine, Brewdog offers an extensive range from hazy ales to zero-alcohol options. The Bath location is also ideally situated, has a great ambiance, and serves some excellent food.
- The Dark Horse. For an intimate evening with top-notch cocktails, look no further than The Dark Horse. It’s hailed as one of Bath’s premier cocktail bars and boasts a vintage setting with attractive rich wooden accents. The skilled bartenders craft inventive drinks so expect a delightful twist on classic cocktails in a welcoming and laid-back setting.
Best Pubs in Bath
No house sit in Bath will be complete without at least several trips to the pub. Bath is packed with a great variety of boozers, from historic settings that Charles Dickens once patronized to award-winning real ale pubs. Here’s a couple that caught my eye during our stay;
Best Bath Pubs
- The Raven. With four floors and two and a half bars, The Raven offers an authentic English pub experience. It has been a fixture in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for 15 years, earning the title CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2023. Nestled in two Georgian townhouses just off the main street, it’s the perfect spot to immerse yourself in British drinking tradition.
- Saracens Head. A must-visit among Bath’s historic pubs is the Saracens Head which dates back to 1713. It holds claim to being one of the city’s oldest establishments, even boasting Charles Dickens’ patronage. Nestled in the city center, a stone’s throw from Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, it’s the perfect spot for a post-sightseeing rest, offering a quintessential English pub experience.
- Coeur De Lion. Often hailed as Bath’s tiniest pub, the Coeur De Lion charms with its Victorian ambiance and quaint stained glass windows. Accommodating around 20 patrons inside and a few more outside in its cozy setting tucked away in a picturesque alley. Despite its size, the service is always prompt, and finding a seat is rarely a challenge.
Best Places to Eat in Bath
From excellent street food vendors to high-end dining, Bath has options to suit every taste and budget. We were spoilt for choice during our stay in Bath but here are a couple of excellent options to consider;
Best Places to Eat in Bath
- The Botanist. The Botanist Bar & Restaurant is a breathtaking venue with impeccable service. The open-plan spacious building is adorned with exquisite flowers and greenery. The restaurant spans two floors with balcony views of the lower level and has some of the best cuisine around.
- The Scallop Shell. A great spot for seafood lovers is The Scallop Shell. Offering fresh fish and chips in a cozy atmosphere with charming nautical decor. Don’t miss the mushy peas—they’re a local favorite!
- Sotto Sotto. If it’s a delightful Italian restaurant nestled in a cozy setting you’re looking for check out Sotto Sotto. With homemade pasta dishes that will transport you straight to Italy and an excellent wine list, the friendly and attentive staff make the experience even better.
Best Things to Do in Bath
There are plenty of great activities to tick off during your time house sitting in Bath. Whether you like venturing into the great outdoors or discovering interesting museums, you’ll be well placed in Bath. Here are just a couple of ideas to give you a taste:
Best Activities in Bath
- Bath Skyline Walk. For a refreshing hike and some glorious fresh air, hike the Bath Skyline Walk. It offers breathtaking views of the city and countryside. The trail length can vary depending on your fitness and time restrictions but it’s a perfect leisurely afternoon activity.
- The Roman Baths. Explore the ancient Roman Baths, where you can marvel at the exquisite architecture and learn about the city’s history. The thermal waters are a fascinating city highlight. Right next door is the stunning Bath Abbey another must-visit site.
- Thermae Bath Spa. No trip to Bath will be complete with some time spent relaxing at Thermae Bath Spa with its natural thermal waters and rooftop pool. It’s the ultimate spot to unwind and enjoy panoramic views of Bath from the heart of the city.
- The Jane Austen Centre. Visit The Jane Austen Centre to immerse yourself in the life and works of the famous author who once called the city home. Engaging exhibits and costumed guides bring her world to life!
Conclusion
Well there you have it, the definitive guide to house sitting in Bath. I hope this article has prepared you with all the information you need to find and secure an amazing house sitting experience in one of the UK’s finest cities.
Hannah and I loved our time there and it’s certainly a city we will return to again when we are back in England. We packed our days with so much fun stuff, enjoyed lots of friends and family visitors, and embraced the great social scene to the fullest.
If you have any questions about the house sitting process don’t be shy about getting in touch. Otherwise, happy house sitting in Bath!
*Owners consent given to show property and pets