But it's not perfect. It's beauty brings millions of visitors each year, with the associated traffic — both in terms of cars on the roads and people on the pavements — which that entails.
So rather than living in the city itself, having a lovely country house a few miles away is the ideal compromise — and all at far less than you'd pay for a townhouse in one of Bath's famous crescents.
Marksbury — £1.4 million
Church Farm's history stretches back almost 350 years, and it wears its character on its sleeve while still being a comfortable, cosy family home with five bedrooms, a sun room and a courtyard among its charms.
The house and its several outbuildings are set in 7.5 acres of land on the edge of a village seven miles from the city of Bath. Marksbury is a fine place to live with a primary school, Co-op and a vibrant local community.
For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details about this property.
Clandown — £1.25 million
This grade II-listed former vicarage is a huge house spread over three floors that's irresistibly pretty from the moment you spy the original stone porch and doorway with greenery growing above and around it.
There are eight bedrooms and over 5,700sq ft of space in the three-storey building, enough to give everyone in the family enough space — but if you still need an escape, the renowned Babington House members club is just four miles away.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details about this property.
Nettlebridge — £895,000
Gales Court is a deceptively-young house built in the Georgian style, set in a secluded spot a few miles off the road between Wells and Frome.
It's all laid out on a single storey, with three bedrooms, a sitting room and conservatory from which to look out of truly splendid gardens that include a lake and woodland.
For sale with Roderick Thomas. See more pictures and details about this property.
Neston — £2.75 million
The barn converted into a games room, the superb poolhouse, the all-weather manege and the tennis court will grab the attention at this gorgeous country home near Corsham, east of Bath and south of Chippenham.
Yet beyond the leisure facilities, the rest of Pond Close Farm is equally special, a 17th century house in classic Cotswolds style.
The whole place has had a huge amount of time, love and money spent on refurbishment, making this six-bedroom family home a truly special place.
For sale with Crisp Cowley. See more pictures and details about this property.
Woolverton — £1.95 million
If you're after a lifestyle business, or just want plenty of space, then this sprawling country house half-way between Bath and Froome could be just the ticket, with 12 bedrooms and over 10,000 sq ft of space.
It's currently used as a hotel, but this Gothic revival property dating to the 1860s has permission in place for conversion as a family home full of character, with wooden floors and panelling, stone mullion windows and beautiful fireplaces.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details about this property.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: Luke Sheppard
A townhouse for sale that's the very archetype of the Georgian home in Bath
A beautifully-preserved Georgian home in one of Bath's most unspoilt residential squares has come to the market. Penny Churchill reports.
Credit: Andy Fletcher Photography
Bath unwrapped: Where to stay, what to do and what to eat in one of Britain's most iconic and historic cities
Emily Anderson explores the best of Bath, from the iconic Roman baths to it's eccentric comedy walking tours.
Bathtub in the bedroom: Should you try it at home?
Arabella Youens examines the growing trend for baths in bedrooms.
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Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expectThe four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
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Sign of the times: In the age of the selfie, what’s happening to the humble autograph?When Ringo Starr announced that he was no longer going to sign anything, he kickstarted a celebrity movement that coincided with the advent of the camera phone and selfie. Rob Crossan asks whether, in today’s world, the selfie holds more clout than an autograph?
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Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
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About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealedNew research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
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A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of EnglandCome for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
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A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
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Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
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380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
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A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
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A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
