Recognised as a Michelin Key Hotel for the second consecutive year and recipient of rapturous reviews in glossy travel magazines like Condé Nast, The Yard makes a compelling case for being Bath’s best hotel.
Formerly the Kings Arms, an 18th-century coaching inn that served as the main route between Bristol and Bath, the building provides a genuine sense of place that many larger modern hotels simply can’t replicate.
Today’s incarnation manages to honour its heritage whilst delivering a thoroughly modern stay. In a city that’s adept at balancing aesthetic grandeur with a surprisingly forward-thinking hospitality scene, that’s exactly what you want from your hotel stay.
Location
The Yard sits on Monmouth Place, just along from Monmouth Street – a stretch of road between expansive Victoria Park, the city’s largest green space, and the city centre’s Kingsmead Square.
The location is genuinely superb – you’re close enough to everything that matters, yet far enough from the tourist throngs to feel like you’ve discovered something special. The Royal Crescent is minutes away on foot while Bath’s main attractions, including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and the elegant Georgian crescents are all within an easy ten-minute stroll.
You can wander to the Thermae Bath Spa for an afternoon soak, browse the independent shops along Milsom Street, or explore the charming backstreets without ever needing transport beyond your two feet. In summer, Victoria Park is worth exploring properly – pack a picnic from one of Bath’s delis (the sandwiches from Green Street Butchers are superb) and spend a lazy afternoon on the grass.
It should be noted that if you do intend to drive, parking (which is just across the street) remains limited but bookable in advance. Charlotte Street Parking sits about five minutes away on foot if the hotel’s spaces are full. It’s worth noting too that most bedrooms face the street, which can mean a touch of noise during the summer months with windows open.
Gentle warnings dispensed with, perhaps the best thing about the hotel’s location is that The Yard sits conveniently opposite The Scallop Shell, our favourite restaurant in Bath.
Read: The best restaurants in Bath
The Vibe
Calm, relaxed, with a real sense of escape, despite the fact you’re on the peripheries of Bath city centre.
The Yard gets it right in a way that’s surprisingly hard to pull off. It’s quietly confident and everything feels thoughtfully designed rather than styled to within an inch of its life. Lewis & Wood fabrics and flamboyant, floral wallcoverings from Gloucestershire add personality to each room, whilst brass lanterns in the courtyard cast intimate shadows come evening. You’ll want to spend time here beyond just sleeping – in the courtyard with a coffee, or settling in for a stiff evening drink before heading out to dinner.
The listed building exudes a refined chicness. Owners Esther Newman and Ed Haskins, who left careers in PR and property in London to realise their vision here, have ensured character remains at the heart of everything. You can tell they’ve stayed in their fair share of hotels. Everything from the lighting to the furniture and thoughtful little touches – from the umbrellas available to borrow to those impossibly fluffy towels everyone raves about – has been carefully considered. Even the mini-bar feels personal, stocked with Cotswold Brew Co beers alongside locally sourced provisions.
The Rooms
The hotel’s fifteen bedrooms surround a central courtyard, the undisputed focal point of the property. Hence the name, and all that. Spread across four floors with no lift, no two rooms share the same design, with restored historic features giving each its own personality. High sash windows frame Bath’s rooftops, whilst large stone fireplaces anchor several rooms with period gravitas.
The homey, Georgian aesthetics are handled beautifully, with muted, soothing colour palettes that fit Bath’s architectural heritage succinctly without slipping into pastiche, punctuated by the occasional bold botanical print. The warm cosy colours in each room undoubtedly contribute to a good nights sleep.
There are five bedroom categories ranging from Cosy King to Deluxe King. If you’re sensitive to street noise, Room 3 is worth requesting – it’s the only Cosy King facing the quieter courtyard. Several of the rooms have air conditioning – helpful in the summer months if you want to keep cool while keeping any noise out too.
Room 15, tucked away at the top of the hotel, offers a sense of seclusion. Meanwhile, Room 8 deserves special mention for its private roof terrace, perfect for a morning coffee or an evening glass of wine under a clear Bath sky. Speaking of baths (gotta stop doing that,) all the deluxe rooms come with a freestanding tub.
Some rooms feature striking toile or floral wallpapers, others showcase pastel-painted wood panelling, whilst several retain their original fireplaces with period mantels. You’ll find floral-forward fabrics from local designers in one room, black and white gingham cushions adding a country touch in another. Statement lighting varies too, from elegant glass chandeliers to brass wall sconces. It all adds up to a sense of individuality, a welcome contrast to a clutch of identikit chain hotels just down the road.
Rooms have all the modern hotel must-haves, including gorgeous waterfall showers, Netflix, a fully stocked mini-bar with drinks and snacks, and even complimentary fresh milk delivered in glass bottles from a local farm. Each room also features a Roberts Radio (perfect for a gentle wake-up) and a Nespresso machine, with staff happy to bring additional pods on request.
The rainfall showers are gorgeous (despite Bath’s hard water) and Bramley organic toiletries, made in the British countryside using only natural ingredients, feel perfectly suited to this Somerset hotel.
If you’re particularly smitten with those Bramley products, you’ll be pleased to hear they’ve just this month opened a store in nearby Milsom Place.
Breakfast
With no restaurant, The Yard operates more as a bed-and-breakfast-type inn, focusing instead on what it does brilliantly: providing excellent drinks and a memorable first meal of the day.
For an extra £8, each morning at 8am sharp you can enjoy The Yard’s signature breakfast hamper. It arrives outside your room, hanging on the doorknob so as not to disturb your slumber. The beautiful wicker hamper contains all sorts of goodies – just-baked croissants from Hobbs House Bakery, freshly squeezed orange juice, a Kilner jar layered with yoghurt, granola and fruit compote, plus jam. It’s a picnic-style breakfast that sets you up for the day, making a leisurely start to your morning feel essential rather than indulgent.
Should you prefer a more substantial breakfast, upgrade to the continental grazing option served in the cafe, which spills onto the lovely courtyard furnished with curved Wendell pieces (arguably the new bistro furniture of our time).
For a proper cooked breakfast, the nearest option is Sydney’s, which serves from 8am to 11am. Whilst their Full English holds its own, it’s the crisp fried bubble and squeak with Mr Banable’s gammon and a fried egg that really delivers. If you’re staying for another night, then go for a hearty and historic breakfast at Sally Lunn’s. The French toast, which sees a Sally Lunn bun dipped in cinnamon eggs and topped with dry cured smoked bacon, will set you up for a day of sightseeing.
Read: Must-try dishes in Bath
The Courtyard & Cocktails
Come late afternoon, The Yard is all about the aperitivo. The courtyard catches the light just right during these golden hours, transforming into an appealing spot for drinks. What’s particularly nice is that it’s open to passers-by as well as guests, creating a neighbourhood feel that many hotel bars lack – though the wine bar closes to visitors at 10pm, so if you’re staying, you’ve got the place to yourselves for evening nightcaps.
The seasonal cocktail menu leans decidedly British, befitting a Somerset hotel in its prime. Try the Spiced Crumble, which combines vodka, rhubarb, lemon, apple and cinnamon in a dexterous way, each ingredient discernible. Paired with the soft English cheeseboard featuring Bath Soft and Wyfe of Bath, it makes for a rather lovely evening.
There really isn’t a bad time to visit Bath, though The Yard is at its most cosy in winter, offering the ideal escape from the madness of the Christmas Market. Sit here and sip mulled wine whilst eating a mince pie or two to really get into the spirit.
The wine list remains short but thoughtfully curated: three whites, three reds, three bottles of fizz and a rosé. With the most affordable white starting at £26, it’s remarkably good value, in this city, in this economy. Friday evenings bring the popular ‘Fizz’ nights, where you can get two glasses of Gremillet Brut Champagne for the price of one (£13.50 per glass ordinarily).
For a nightcap, may we suggest having a hot chocolate here, which comes from Clifton Coffee in Bristol. Come winter, why not spike it with a shot of bourbon and enjoy it in front of the hotel’s roaring fire? There’s something incredibly relaxing about this hotel. It’s cosy and elegant, small but perfectly formed.
The Bottom Line
One final thought: we can’t help feeling the hotel has missed a trick not installing a freestanding bath in the courtyard. Having a bath in the yard, at The Yard, in Bath? This thing writes itself. That said, Room 8 does have that freestanding tub overlooking the city’s picture-perfect rooftops – that will have to do, we guess.
Rooms start at around £120 per night.
Website: theyardinbath.co.uk
Address: 1 Monmouth Pl, Bath BA1 2AT
