An elegant city full of traditional heritage, Bath has always been recognised for its outstanding natural beauty and living potential. The Romans were the first to engineer wider living around Bath, helping to connect many early settlements via their incredibly advanced road system. Many of the villages listed in this article are either direct offshoots of this or, sprung up over time as a result of the construction of one of the landscape's most dominant features, The Avon Canal.
Amid its gorgeous limestone properties and Regency period architecture, it is no secret that finding homes in Bath is highly competitive – but the same applies to the myriad of tiny villages and charming towns in the surrounding area. Indeed, there are few parts of the world one might venture to where there are so many exceptionally beautiful places to live within a ten-mile radius of a major city. With stunning period homes, charming communities, and idyllic surroundings, all the entries on this list are incredible places to call home.
Bathampton
Just three miles away from the city, Bathampton’s charming canal-side community offers a very different pace of living from the busy streets of Bath. Many homes in the village are fashioned out of the signature limestone that is widely used throughout the area, the popularity of which has proved timeless in enhancing the appeal of homes throughout the area. For the locals, living in Bathampton is all about the quiet, peaceful setting amongst the gentle waters of the River Avon and enjoying long walks in the surrounding meadows or taking to the river for leisure.
The village is quite spread out with a local population of around 1,800 residents. Residences closer to the centre tend to favour the classic regency-style cottages and townhouses, but outside of the village, it is possible to find beautiful thatched cottages, converted barns, and farmhouses. Properties by both the river and canal are highly desirable to live in. With a train service running through the heart of the village, commuters are just a step away from the heart of Bath, offering a convenient link to the city for those wanting a more tranquil life by the water.
Norton St.Phillip
At the centre of Norton St.Phillip is The George Inn – believed to be England’s oldest pub with roots dating back to the 14th century – which played a significant role during the ill-fated Monmouth Rebellion. St Philip’s homes are a reflection of the village’s rich history, with many listed properties featuring oak beams, thatched roofs, and of course, the signature Bath Limestone.
Today, Norton St. Philip is known for its friendly village community and beautiful countryside surroundings, offering excellent walks and opportunities to live closer to nature. Only 8 miles outside of Bath, residents can enjoy the balance of rural living with the convenience of a short drive into the city, making it an ideal place to live for those who wish to have the best of both worlds.
Bradford On Avon
Bradford on Avon is one of the most beautiful communities to live in England. The eponymous river runs through the centre of the town, splitting it in two and creating a delightful riverside community nestled between rolling hills. Away from the charming cobbled streets and medieval buildings, there is a wide variety of properties to live in, from converted water-mill residences, to Georgian townhouses and riverside cottages.
The town’s excellent rail links connect it to Bath in under 15 minutes, with trains going directly to London’s Paddington station, making Bradford On Avon incredibly accessible for all travel needs. Surrounded by rolling hills and waterways, it offers an idyllic alternative to living within the city, but unlike some of the smaller villages on this list, Bradford On Avon has all the amenities of a full-scale town to make living in this magnificent part of the country a fulfilling experience.
Corsham
Corsham is a historic market town around eight miles northeast of Bath, filled with character and enveloped by many beautiful buildings constructed from signature golden Bathstone. A picturesque high street that's brimming with heritage, and a wide mix of properties, including elegant Georgian townhouses, characterful cottages, and historic buildings make Corsham a quintessentially English hidden gem.
Much of the area’s stunning building work owes a lot to Corsham, whose quarries produced the brilliant stone which contributed to the growth of Bath’s iconic building style, such as can be found at Corsham Court, a grand stately home and centrepiece for the town with its lush gardens and art collection. With excellent schools, easy access to Bath via the A4, and its stunning countryside setting, Corsham appeals to families, professionals, and retirees looking for a mix of history, culture, and country living.
Box
Just five miles to the east of Bath, Box is a thriving village with scenic surroundings, historic engineering and architecture, and glamorous country living. The village sits on the edge of the Cotswolds, providing gorgeous views of the countryside and easy access to this outstanding area of natural beauty. Properties in Box range from cosy cottages and historic terraces to grand manor houses, catering to buyers of all inclinations when it comes to investing in this wonderful part of Somerset.
Box’s history is steeped in its famous stone quarries, which supplied much of the Bath stone used in local architecture, as well as The Box Tunnel, designed by England’s most famous civil engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Residents enjoy a strong local community with amenities and the village’s proximity to Bath makes it particularly attractive to both commuters and families looking to have easy access to the city for work or education.
Bathwick
This very desirable neighbourhood, located just across the River Avon from central Bath, offers easy access to the city cut with the tranquillityy of the scenic hills that the village is enclosed within. Filled with elegant Georgian townhouses, apartments, and period homes, other notable features of Bathwick include the delightful, Sydney Gardens, a historic park that connects the town to the Kennet and Avon Canal, offering residents the opportunity to explore the surrounding area on foot for miles and miles of beautiful pathways.
With the city centre just a short stroll away, Bathwick is an excellent village with convenient access to Bath and all the benefits of a more secluded community. An ever-popular choice among families and working professionals, competition for properties in this area is high, and unsurprising considering Bathwick is one of the most sought-after living areas outside the city.
All of the entries on this list share common ground between stunning period housing, beautiful local surroundings, and easy access to Bath. The similarities, however, do nothing to lessen either the value or quality of property in this area, as it remains one of the most favoured in the country thanks to the high quality of life that comes with living in these exceptional communities.
