Bradford on Avon is made from the same stuff as Bath. Meaning both that it’s made from the same sandy grey limestone, and that a lot of what you can see in the town today was built during the Georgian period. It’s just much smaller. Not all of our picks for the best places to stay in Bradford on Avon are in the centre of town, though, because Bradford on Avon has some really beautiful country inns and country house hotels nearby. The other thing about the best hotels in Bradford on Avon is that they’re a lot more affordable than some of our recommendations for Bath (which is just a short drive away)!

Pretty much everything in Bradford on Avon is in walking distance, from its magnificent medieval Tithe Barn, which has the largest stone roof in the country, to its medieval maze of a centre with a good collection of independent shops and restaurants.

Don’t forget to see the iconic Town Bridge too; it's very similar to Bath's Pulteney Bridge, with parts of it dating back to the 14th century. And the town also boasts one of England’s few surviving Saxon churches.

Bradford on Avon also has a picturesque canal lined with pubs, restaurants and charmingly chintzy tea rooms, and if you start strolling along the canal you can discover the old cloth mills, and on to the Avon Valley. You might even consider hiring some bikes, or canoes, from the Towpath Trail Hire Centre to explore even further.

As you can imagine, the best places to stay in Bradford on Avon get very busy during the peak summer months. So either book well ahead or plan your visit for Spring or Autumn when the crowds have dissipated and you'll have more room to explore!

The Best Places to Stay in Bradford on Avon

For a boutique hotel

• Timbrell's Yard had been stylishly converted from a Grade II listed building on the backs of the River Avon, right in the heart of Bradford on Avon. This is a chic, elegant place to stay, with just 17 individually decorated rooms and suites, in muted tones that make the most of the building’s original features, and a restaurant that serves hearty pub meals. You’re only 15 minutes from Bath, so this is a fantastically affordable option if you’re looking for a romantic spot to see a bit of the surrounding area.

For a country escape

• Just outside of town, Widbrook Grange is a small country house hotel, with a boutique feel and incredible views of the surrounding countryside. There are just 19 rooms and suites, individually decorated with an eclectic collection of antiques and art. And there’s an indoor pool and a really excellent restaurant with a great collection of gins. Again, you’re very close to Bath.
• If you’re looking for something even smaller and more homely try Great Ashley Farm, which is a farmhouse surrounded by picturesque fields with just two simply dressed, but extremely comfortable rooms. The location is excellent, close to Bath and the Cotswolds, and a number of National Trust properties.

For families

• Woolley Grange is a luxurious family retreat converted from an elegant Jacobean mansion, surrounded by extensive gardens. There are only 26 rooms and suites, so it’s a good size, and it’s really well set up for families, with great babysitting facilities, lots to do onsite, and an Ofsted-registered playroom. There’s also a pool and spa, and an excellent restaurant.

Prefer an apartment or cottage?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel information

• Bradford on Avon is between two and two and a half hours from London by train, or just 12 minutes from Bath by train. If you’re looking for the closest airport it’s Bristol’s Bristol Airport, but London’s airports are a close second, depending where you’re travelling from.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• Bradford on Avon is busier in the summer, because it’s so close to popular Bath, and the Cotswolds, but this part of the UK is beautiful in the winter too, and in the spring. The weather is fairly inconsistent, but if you’re looking for mainly pleasant conditions then it’s probably best to plan your visit for summer, or the months on either side of it.

Still not sure where to stay in Bradford on Avon?

• Expand your search to include the best places to stay in Bath
• Or you could consider including the best places to stay in the Cotswolds
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.