MEET BATH’S INDIE HEROES

Tell us a bit about your business?

We took over the Bath Backpackers few months ago. This is our first adventure as owners. Our offer is simple: we have fifty bunk beds all in shared rooms, and some lovely shared spaces guests can use and meet each other. Our central location is amazing for people arriving by train or bus. We’re really proud of the feeling of home and community that people comment on here, and our ongoing project to restore the building and its furnishings certainly contributes. The amazing crew of volunteers help make sure guests have a great time, they always give them quirky and tailored recommendations.

Why Bath?

We love Bath! It’s a beautiful, friendly and enjoyable place to live, with wonderful history, architecture and countryside, and always new cultural things to discover.

Share something new and exciting that you have discovered in Bath.

The Grapes has become one of our favourites - great live music, super social and always open late. Landrace is fantastic - we love their cardamon buns, and their sustainability ethos. And the Share and Repair shop is a great new idea.

What do you do to spoil yourself?

First, breakfast at the Green Rocket over the road to fuel up a long walk. This could be through Victoria Park and over Kelston

Round Hill to the Bath Soft Cheese Cafe, or over Combe Down to the Weelwright Arms in Monkton Combe or the Packhorse in Southstoke - stopping at Dundas Aqueduct on the way back for a dip in the river when summer comes. We’d share food and drinks with guests, then head out all together to the Bell, followed by the Common Room for cocktails and a late dance, topped off by cheesy chips at Jimmy’s Van in front of Parade Gardens!

Your top indie recommendation in Bath?

We love Harvest - it’s great for refills and other well-sourced veggie products. They also have a great deli counter for lunch. Our current favourite is Chai Walla - Aris loves the falafel wraps, Kate is more of a samosa person. We’re both big readers, so Topping and Company are amazing neighbours.

Your favourite place to relax in Bath?

We love playing pool at Juno and it’s always a bit special for guests when we take them there too. Hostel life is so busy, we both have secret spots where we hide out to think and read, like the Central Library, or Parade Gardens when it’s warmer.

What are you most looking forward to in the city over the next few months?

Springtime in Bath is glorious! Lunch by the galleries of Brock Street outside the Green Bird is a regular pleasure. And we love a good cup of coffee outside Society Cafe in Kingsmead Square on a sunny afternoon.