--- title: What are the Best Areas in Bath for a Holiday Let description: Compare the best areas in Bath for Airbnb investment, from the City Centre to Lansdown, with guest types, nightly rates, parking and transport. image: http://www.passthekeys.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/bath.jpg --- - [Services](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/services/?hsLang=en) - [Pricing](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/pricing/?hsLang=en) - [Sign In](https://portal.passthekeys.co.uk) - [Calculate your income](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/?hsLang=en#register) [![](http://www.passthekeys.com/hubfs/ptk-logo-website.svg)](https://www.passthekeys.com/?hsLang=en) - [Services](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/services?hsLang=en) - [Pricing](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/pricing?hsLang=en) - [Sign In](https://portal.passthekeys.co.uk) - [Calculate your Income](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/?hsLang=en#register) # What are the Best Areas in Bath for a Holiday Let Bath is one of the UK's strongest short-let markets, but where your property sits in the city shapes who books it, what you can charge and how easy it is to run. Our Airbnb management in Bath team works with hosts across the city, and in our... by Amber Howells | Pass the Keys Bath | 19 Oct 2026 Bath is one of the UK's strongest short-let markets, but where your property sits in the city shapes who books it, what you can charge and how easy it is to run. Our [Airbnb management in Bath](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/south-west/bath-airbnb-management/?hsLang=en) team works with hosts across the city, and in our experience, the best areas in Bath for a holiday let each suit a different kind of guest and investor. **The quick answer:** - **City Centre:** the highest nightly rates and strongest year-round demand, but tight parking and the most planning scrutiny - **Bathwick:** Georgian character close to the centre, popular with couples and weekend breaks - **Widcombe:** a village feel near Bath Spa station, ideal for walkers, train travellers and longer stays - **Oldfield Park:** lower buy-in prices and value-focused families, contractors and university visitors - **Lansdown:** larger premium homes suited to families, groups and longer stays, with better parking Below, we look at each area in more detail, including guest type, nightly rates, parking and transport. ## Bath City Centre The City Centre, around Bath Abbey, the Roman Baths, Milsom Street and SouthGate, is the most in-demand area for short stays. Guests can walk to almost everything, which is exactly what most visitors to Bath want. - **Guest type:** couples on city breaks, international tourists, friends' weekends and celebrations, Christmas Market visitors and business travellers - **Nightly rates:** premium. Central apartments command some of the highest rates in Bath and hold good midweek occupancy thanks to year-round tourism. - **Parking:** very limited. Most central properties have no parking, so point guests to the Park & Ride sites or public car parks in your house guide. - **Transport:** excellent. Bath Spa station and the bus station are within walking distance, with direct trains to London Paddington and Bristol. **What to watch:** the City Centre has the highest concentration of short lets and listed buildings. Council papers have flagged central wards as high risk for short-let saturation, so check your planning position carefully before you buy. Our guide on [whether Bath will require planning permission for Airbnbs](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/blog/will-bath-require-planning-permission-for-airbnbs-in-2025?hsLang=en) covers this in more detail. ## Bathwick Just across Pulteney Bridge, Bathwick is home to Great Pulteney Street, Sydney Gardens, the Holburne Museum and the Kennet and Avon Canal. It offers the Georgian setting guests love, with fewer crowds than the centre. - **Guest type:** couples, weekend breakers, families and rugby fans heading to the Recreation Ground - **Nightly rates:** premium to mid-range. Well-presented period properties perform consistently all year, especially for weekends and short breaks. - **Parking:** mostly on-street within residents' permit zones. Properties with off-street parking are rare and worth highlighting in your listing. - **Transport:** the centre is a short, flat walk over the bridge, Bath Spa station is around 15 minutes on foot, and buses to the University of Bath run through the area. **Why investors like it:** Bathwick is less saturated than the City Centre but still close enough to the sights to command strong rates. Rugby match days and spring and summer weekends are particularly busy. ## Widcombe South of the river, Widcombe feels like a village within the city. It has its own independent shops, pubs and cafés on Widcombe Parade, the canal locks on its doorstep and Prior Park Landscape Garden on the hill above. - **Guest type:** walkers exploring the Bath Skyline, returning visitors, people arriving by train and guests on longer stays - **Nightly rates:** mid-range. Widcombe trades a slightly lower rate than the centre for steady occupancy and loyal, repeat guests. - **Parking:** limited on-street parking, and some streets are steep. Be clear in your listing about where guests can park. - **Transport:** one of the best-connected areas in Bath, with Bath Spa station a few minutes' walk away via the footbridge and the centre around 10 minutes on foot. **Why investors like it:** good reviews matter here, as many guests return year after year. A well-equipped home suited to longer stays can perform strongly through the quieter months too. ## Oldfield Park In south-west Bath, Oldfield Park is a residential area of Victorian terraces centred on the shops and cafés of Moorland Road. It's popular with students and young families, and property prices are generally lower than in the more central areas. - **Guest type:** value-focused families, contractors and business travellers, parents visiting students and guests on longer stays - **Nightly rates:** value. Rates are lower than in the centre, but lower buy-in prices can still make the overall returns attractive. - **Parking:** usually easier than central Bath, though some streets are in permit zones, so check before you buy. - **Transport:** Oldfield Park station has trains to Bath Spa and Bristol, and the centre is around 20 minutes' walk or a short bus ride. **Why investors like it:** Oldfield Park suits hosts who want steady, practical demand rather than premium rates. Dynamic pricing and professional presentation make the biggest difference here, helping your listing stand out on price-sensitive searches. ## Lansdown and the northern slopes Rising north from the Royal Crescent and the Circus, Lansdown is known for larger Georgian and Victorian homes, quiet streets and views across the city. Further up the hill sit Beckford's Tower and Bath Racecourse. - **Guest type:** families, multi-generational groups, special-occasion stays and guests on longer breaks - **Nightly rates:** premium. Larger homes command high nightly rates and perform best with longer stays, which also cut down on changeovers. - **Parking:** generally the best of the five areas, with more homes offering driveways or off-street parking, which is a real selling point in Bath. - **Transport:** the lower slopes are a walk from the centre, but the hill is steep, so many guests drive or use buses. The Lansdown Park & Ride serves the area. **Why investors like it:** fewer short lets compete for large-group bookings, so a well-positioned family home can stand out. Be upfront about the hill in your listing so guests know what to expect. ## What to check before you invest in a Bath holiday let Whichever area you choose, a few checks will save you problems later: - **Planning position:** Bath & North East Somerset Council is paying closer attention to short lets, so confirm whether your property can be used as a holiday let. Our guide to [how Bath hosts are adapting to 2026 regulations](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/blog/how-bath-hosts-are-adapting-to-2026-regulations-and-still-earning-more?hsLang=en)explains what's changing. - **Listed status and conservation areas:** much of Bath is protected, which affects what you can alter for guests. - **Parking and access:** parking is one of the first things guests ask about in Bath, and hills or steps can put some guests off. - **Layout and size:** match the property to the guests your area attracts, such as couples in the centre or larger groups in Lansdown. - **Running costs:** factor in cleaning, linen, maintenance, insurance and [holiday let management fees](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/host-resources/income-pricing-revenue-strategy/how-much-do-holiday-let-management-companies-charge-understanding-management-fees-and-commission/?hsLang=en) when working out returns. For a wider checklist, read [what hosts should know before renting out their property in Bath](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/blog/what-should-hosts-know-before-renting-out-their-property-in-bath?hsLang=en). ## Get the most from your Bath holiday let The right area is only part of the picture. How your property is priced, listed and looked after makes just as much difference. Pass the Keys Bath handles dynamic pricing, [listing management](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/listing-management/?hsLang=en) across more than 20 platforms, guest communication, cleaning and maintenance, wherever your property is in the city. Thinking about buying in Bath, or want to know what your current property could earn? [Get in touch with our team](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/contact-us/?hsLang=en) for a free rental income estimate. ## FAQs ### **What are the best areas in Bath for Airbnb investment?** The City Centre, Bathwick, Widcombe, Oldfield Park and Lansdown are the strongest areas for short lets in Bath. The City Centre and Bathwick achieve the highest nightly rates, Widcombe and Oldfield Park offer steady demand at a lower buy-in price, and Lansdown suits larger premium homes. ### **Which area of Bath has the highest nightly rates for holiday lets?** The City Centre usually commands the highest nightly rates, followed by Bathwick and Lansdown. Large homes in Lansdown can also earn high rates per stay thanks to group bookings. ### **Where in Bath is best for holiday let parking?** Lansdown generally offers the best parking, with more driveways and off-street spaces. Parking in the City Centre and Bathwick is limited, so properties there with parking stand out to guests. ### **Is Oldfield Park good for a holiday let?** Yes, for hosts who want lower buy-in prices and steady demand. Oldfield Park attracts families, contractors and university visitors, and has its own railway station. ### **Do I need planning permission for a holiday let in Bath?** I t depends on how the property is used. A home used only as a short let may need planning permission, and listed buildings need consent for many alterations. Check with Bath & North East Somerset Council before you buy or convert. #### Read a previous blog post 7 Airbnb Management Bottlenecks UK Landlords Face in 2026 #### Read the next blog post How to Choose the Best Short-Let Management Company in Bath (2026 Guide) ## Get started today or speak to a host advisor Book a call with our host advisors today and have all of your questions answered [Calculate your Income](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/?hsLang=en#register) [Book a call](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/?hsLang=en#contact-us) [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/passthekeys.com) ### General [Host](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/host/?hsLang=en) [Book](https://book.passthekeys.com/) [Franchise](https://franchise.passthekeys.com/) [Privacy Policy](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/privacy-policy/?hsLang=en) [Host Resources](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/host-resources/?hsLang=en) ### Company [About Us](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/about-us/?hsLang=en) [Careers](https://www.passthekeys.com/en/careers/?hsLang=en) [![Pass The Keys](http://www.passthekeys.com/hubfs/ptk-logo-website-white.svg)](https://www.passthekeys.com?hsLang=en) Pass the Keys Limited is an independent third party and is not affiliated or endorsed by Airbnb or its affiliates, in any way. 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