Well it certainly feels like Autumn has arrived and I for one am rather grateful. It’s not that I don’t like the summer but Autumn brings its own special treats and it’s lovely to relax into socks and slipper life again. Chasing the sun has always been a little tedious and frustrating for me – trying to find that little corner where the sun shines and finding five minutes to actually sit in it is quite stressful! And people say ‘we didn’t have much of a summer’ when really I think we are all just too busy to notice it.

Bath is uniquely beautiful in the sunshine. The sunlight on the Bath stone brings a special glow that reminds me of Italy, Tuscany, Florence and that is one of the many stunning things about the summer here. Bath fills up to the brim with visitors from all over the world and there is a special hum that still manages to feel intimate. And it does feel that it’s all over very quickly.

In Autumn, the visitors still come and the hum is still there but it is quietly calm. A different atmosphere that feels relaxing and slower. I much prefer it. All around Bath there is a beautifully green halo of countryside that protects this little bowl of Georgian majesty. Pretty much anywhere you are in Bath; hotel, holiday let, guest house, whether you are sightseeing, shopping, walking – just look into the distance and you will see the beautiful countryside that surrounds us. Watching its changing colours is a sight for sore summered-out eyes.

As a holiday let company, like the hotels in Bath, we are busy all year round and the changing of the seasons brings different aspects to our guests’ stays. I remember trying to negotiate the sights in Barcelona in 42 degrees, tired and crotchety, walking miles around Park Guell searching for the famous lizard that was at the entrance after-all… and an ongoing quest to find water. Another time, Venice, when it was too hot to do much at all and the queues everywhere were so long (I’m not good at queues) so we gave up. The hotel owner said ‘come here in November you mad English people!’ And actually October and November is their busy time for all the reasons mentioned.

Autumn really is the best time for seeing Bath. We don’t have a beach (although we have just about everything but) so we don’t need the sun. Welcome Autumn! We are very fond of you.