Bath BID is giving a festive boost to the city centre by bringing iconic streets and building to life in the run up to Christmas with a series of rainbow illuminations.
Photo courtesy of Bath BID
The lighting has been funded by the Bath BID and designed and produced by Fineline Lighting and Visit Bath.
Until the end of December, colourful illuminations can be seen in Abbey Green, Kingston Parade, Kingsmead Square, Old Bond Street, Northumberland Place, Stall Street and Walcot Street.
Bath Abbey has also been highlighted, with colour-changing floodlighting and projections helping to ensure the iconic building can be seen from all seven hills around the city.
Photo courtesy of Bath BID
The former Royal Mineral Water Hospital (RNHRD) building in Upper Borough Walls, which was home to the first national hospital in 1738, has been lit up in blue to celebrate the NHS.
Bath Abbey will also turn blue in support of the NHS on some dates in December.
The full Christmas Light Trail will take visitors from St Swithin’s Church to the north of the city, via popular locations including Abbey Churchyard and SouthGate Bath, to Buro Happold’s giant advent calendar to the south of the city centre.
The trail offers the opportunity for people to explore hidden parts of the city, as well as seeing some of Bath’s attractions in a new light.
Details of all of the Christmas Light Trail installations, along with an interactive map showing their locations, are available on the new Welcome to Bath website.
Allison Herbert, Bath BID’s Chief Executive, said: “We are all in need of a bit of cheer this year, so we are delighted to be adding some light to these dark days.
“We are committed to ensuring Bath looks magical, even with government restrictions in place. For those heading into the city centre for Christmas shopping, the Christmas Light Trail offers a great way to enjoy a magical shopping spree later in the day, while the city is quieter.
“We hope that on people’s socially distanced visits to the city, seeing the city’s illuminations will offer some hope in the lead up to Christmas.”
Mick Heath, Head of Events at Visit Bath, added: “We are very excited to be working with the Bath BID on the Christmas Light Trail, which is a wonderful opportunity for everybody to celebrate this special time of the year safely.
“At a time when we would normally be opening Bath Christmas Market, the illuminations remind us that even during this difficult period of separation for so many, we can achieve so much together.
“The project has enthused a real spirit of collaboration from the various organisations across the city who have facilitated access and granted permission to use their historic buildings – a real team effort.”
Rob Sangwell, Managing Director of Fineline Lighting, said: “Fineline are very pleased to be able to help Bath BID and Visit Bath illuminate the city centre this Christmas.
“The buildings in Bath are such a fantastic canvas to work with, and we jumped at the opportunity to get involved.
“We hope that people enjoy the installations, and that the splash of colour we have brought to the city will provide some cheer during the festive period.”
The Christmas Light Trail is just one of the events and activities taking place in the city over the Christmas period.
Every day between 3rd and 24th December, Father Christmas will be visiting a different business around Bath with his festive post box.
Much like an advent calendar, the Bath BID will be revealing details of where Father Christmas is stationed each day, and visitors are invited to give him a wave and post their Christmas wishes through his socially distanced post box.
You can find out more about what’s on in Bath this Christmas via welcometobath.co.uk.
