Bath may be landlocked but the city’s latest attraction means residents and tourists can play beach games and sip summer cocktails beneath palm trees.
Bath on the Beach – complete with beach volleyball, table tennis and yoga among other games plus a bar, Caribbean and Mexican food and lots of sand – opened last weekend in Victoria Park.
The public attraction is the brainchild of the team behind the successful Bath on Ice skating rink, which has proved a Christmas period hit with skaters for the past five years on the same site.
City beaches in locations miles from the nearest coast have become popular across the world since the first Paris-Plage opened on the right bank of the Seine in 2002 to cheer up Parisians who had to stay in the city during August.
They have now become a regular summer feature of many cities, with London boasting several following the success of its first one alongside the Thames on the South Bank. Bristol too staged one next to its Floating Harbour.
While Bath’s beach is away from the River Avon, visitors can still enjoy a seaside atmosphere – there is even the chance to relax in a hammock beneath the palm trees while parties can book one of its beach cabanas and party tables.
Bath on Ice director Simon Smith said: “We wanted to offer Bath something a little different this summer and we felt that a Caribbean beach venue would be the perfect way for people to relax with friends, stay active outdoors, play games and have fun.
“Our favourite part of Bath on Ice is bringing together families and friends for a fun time, and we’re looking to recreate this in an exotic Summer setting.”
Bath on the Beach is open every day until September from 10am to 9.30pm. It follows the opening earlier this month of the city’s first beach bar at the four-star County Hotel Bath on Pulteney Road. Inspired by beaches around the world it features bright Balinese parasols, barbecue food choices and cocktails.
