Pulteney Bridge and its horseshoe weir, stands as one of Bath’s most iconic sites for locals and visitors alike. Built by Robert Adam in 1769, Pulteney Bridge is one of only a few of its kind in the world, as it incorporates shops and cafes either side of the road-through. Originally built as a toll bridge, it was only given the green light on the condition that it water could flow across it from the surrounding hills in order to service the townhouses of Bath.

Stroll on the bridge and you’ll find a range of independent boutiques, as well as quaint coffee houses, offering views down river. The area is equally as beguiling as night falls, with the city lights reflected in the darkened waters. There are also a number of restaurants offering continental cuisine close-by, with a selection of intimate bars to choose from for a relaxed evening.

Below the sandstone arches, lies the weir, where regular boat trips depart upstream towards Bathampton. It is also here, below street level, that you will find Parade Gardens on the banks of the River Avon. It provides a luscious green haven in the summer months, where locals and visitors alike abide for a spot of sun-bathing behind the shrubberies.

Located just off Grand Parade in the centre of town, Parade Gardens are arguable Bath’s most popular pleasure grounds, with direct views of Pulteney Bridge and the weir from the colonnade. You can also enjoy a light lunch from the café, or bring your picnic to enjoy on the lawns, with concerts and children’s entertainment held around the bandstand during the busier months.