Bathwick: A top-rated neighbourhood with a tourism tax
Lifestyle magazine Muddy Stilettoes ranks the area a top British place to live, but residents cite privacy loss and high costs for small spaces.
By Anthony Shevchenko ·
Bathwick in Bath is visually striking, yet residents argue that living there carries a hidden cost in the form of constant tourist traffic. A recent ranking by Muddy Stilettoes placed the neighbourhood among the best places to live in Britain, a designation that highlights its aesthetic appeal but overlooks the daily friction of its popularity.
The magazine describes Bathwick as a quietly residential area featuring elegant Georgian terraces, including the iconic Great Pulteney Street. It notes the presence of green spaces and a community feel, adding that the city centre is only a short walk away across the River Avon. The publication specifically mentions Pulteney Bridge, one of only four bridges in the world lined with shops, as a key feature of the area.
Local residents, however, distinguish between a location that is pleasant to visit and one that is practical for daily living. One resident noted that Bath often has an air of Disneyland, with visitors treating landmarks like the Pump Rooms and Pulteney Street as attractions. While the resident enjoys seeing tourists, they contrast this experience with their own home in suburban Bath, where they can find peace and quiet away from the crowds.
For those living in Bathwick, there is no such refuge. The resident described the area as the centre of a tourism vortex, with peak season occurring year-round. Those living on Pulteney Street report that people photograph their houses daily. The resident advised keeping curtains closed to prevent tour groups from seeing inside, such as watching a resident eat ice cream on a sofa.
Noise is another factor to consider. Bathwick includes Bath Recreation Ground, which hosts the city's rugby stadium. Match nights can be loud, prompting residents to hope for good soundproofing in their homes. Beyond the noise, the resident questioned the value for money offered by the neighbourhood, acknowledging that Muddy Stilettoes admits the area is expensive.
The magazine states the average property price in Bathwick is £672,409. However, this figure likely represents an apartment rather than a house. Many homes in the area are segmented Georgian townhouses, some of which lack even a communal garden. At the time of the article, a 377 square foot apartment in the neighbourhood was listed at £200,000 and comprised only three rooms.
Detached houses in the area average just under £1,000,000. The resident suggested that for those who are not millionaires, living in Bathwick could feel cramped and claustrophobic. They also argued that because Bath is a small city, other areas offer comparable access to the centre without the same drawbacks. A resident in Twerton can walk to Bathwick in 45 minutes or take a bus for 30 minutes, while someone in Larkhall can walk in half an hour or ride for 15 minutes.
The resident concluded that sacrificing privacy, money, and space to live in a neighbourhood one can easily visit on foot is a difficult trade-off. While they agreed that Bathwick has charms, they suggested that aspiring residents might consider other suburbs when looking for property.
