Books & Buns in Bath

What does one do with a spare afternoon in England? Allow me to suggest BOOKS & BUNS IN BATH. While in the UK last month, Lyndon and I were able to slip away for a 4-hour stroll down Memory Lane in one of my favourite cities in the whole wide world! With a strong affection for bookstores and coffee shops (hands up who’s with me), I was intentional in planning how those 4 hours were going down. We ended up having the best time and I hereby invite you to stroll with us…

(Disclaimer: If you’ve been here a while you’ll know that I’m English, but after living the latter half of my life in Canada, I feel I’m able to suitably gush about my homeland when required.)

(Other disclaimer: It was sunny and hot. This is a miracle in and of itself in the UK and I cannot guarantee this ever happening again.)

Firstly, the city of Bath has something for everyone. It’s not just the iconic honey-coloured Georgian architecture… it’s a shopper’s paradise, history buffs nerd out ad nauseam, foodies indulge, picnickers and punters enjoy the delights of the river, bathers relax in Roman baths, and for us bookish types—it’s literary bliss!

Providing inspiration for the likes of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Mary Shelley, there are literary festivals, tours, and museums galore. (I now have a new goal to spend a decent chunk of time here and fully indulge!) And the bookstores… oh, the bookstores! So many to choose from. I decided to exercise incredible self-control and selected only two for this visit:

PERSEPHONE BOOKS

With high praise from respected book lovers, I knew I had to experience this beautifully curated, quirky, and utterly lovely bookstore. Persephone Books reprints neglected fiction and non-fiction, mostly by women writers from the mid-twentieth century. All their books are “intelligent, thought-provoking and beautifully written”, which made me want to buy one, naturally. I felt smarter merely plucking it from the shelf. A unique twist is that every book has an elegant grey jacket and a colourfully patterned endpaper, along with a matching bookmark. How adorable!

I purchased Mariana by Monica Dickens and was assured I can order more online and have them shipped to Canada! Phew.

MR.B’S (EMPORIUM OF READING DELIGHTS)

Whereas Persephone is all things calm and serene, Mr. B’s is a “bright labyrinthine space where book-related chatter and advice seems ever-present”—and I can vouch for the incredibly helpful staff who clearly have a passion for books. The children’s “The Woods Between the Words” room is fun and engaging, and there are several other nooks of books in this multi-level store, where I could have easily browsed for a whole day. Maybe even two.

I purchased 3 special hardback books and promised to stuff them in my carry-on case: a pretty Puffin edition of Charlotte’s Webb by E.B. White (one of my favourite children’s books), a delightful book of kindness called How to Be More Paddington by Michael Bond (because is there any bear as English as Paddington?) and a glorious Chiltern edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (it seemed fitting with her museum down the street.)

Also, I’m a firm believer in books pairing well with baking…

There are certain traditions that simply have to be maintained—like eating at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House when in Bath.

We popped in for a quick tea-and-bun fix and it was as spectacular as I remembered. In need of caffeine, I actually chose the “Jane Austen coffee” (of course) and enjoyed their home-made lemon curd on a bun, which is a brioche-cake-light-breadish-type-treat, while Lyndon and I reminisced on our first visit there on my 21^st birthday. So, so, so long ago… but the house has been around since 1482 so that puts things in perspective somewhat.

I hope you enjoyed my 4-hour whirlwind tour of Bath. It was also part-research for me as I’m writing the second book in my upcoming “Bite of Betrayal” Christian romantic suspense series, set in England. It seems Bath may make a brief appearance. I can’t wait to share the adventure!

I’d love to know in the comments ⬇️ if you’ve ever been to Bath or would like to go sometime, or what YOU love to do when visiting other cities.

Whatever your plans for the rest of the summer, friend, safe travels and happy reading…