News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

For the third year, Bath Business Improvement District (BID) will be running Summer Sundays, inviting local families into the city centre with free family-friendly outdoor activities and events. It will run every Sunday throughout July and August.

“Our Summer Sundays programme is designed to encourage local families and visitors to make the most of Bath as a vibrant city for all,” explains Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID. “Bath is wonderful in the summer, with its historic streets and green spaces, and we have added a bit of extra fun and colour for families to enjoy.”

Enjoy the return of some favourites

Following previous years when visitors enjoyed the free balloon artist and face painting, this time there will be extra music and performances from the Natural Theatre Company. What’s more, there will be craft activities on Space Sunday provided by the Herschel Museum and Bath Astronomers. Plus there’s craft activities with Bath Festival and The Garden Theatre Festival on the agenda!

B&NES Council has supported the programme using their ‘Love our High Streets’ funding, and it is wonderful to be able to bring the city streets to life in the summer holidays. All the activities are free to join in.

Each Sunday will have a different programme, so you can come every week if you would like to!

Discover brand new activities

  • The brand new ‘How much is that Doggie in the Window’ trail launches on 1 July. This fun competition will be hosted in shop windows throughout the city centre. The public is invited to follow the trail and find all 25 hand-felted dogs in the shop windows.

    Competition entrants will have to say which dog breed is featured in which shop window. With 25 little dogs to find, it may take a few visits, but entrants have until 31 August to submit their forms. The winning entries will be collected, and a random entry from all the completed correct forms will win a Bath Gift Card worth £100, which can be spent in almost 200 different shops in the city centre.

    Entrants will also be invited to bid for their favourite felted dogs. Winning bids will be collected, and all the money will go to Bath Cats and Dogs Home at the end of the Summer.

    Laura Taylor, Community and Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, said, “We are so grateful to Bath BID for supporting us with their new Dog Trail activity as part of their Summer Sundays’ event programme. Bath businesses have always been fantastic supporters of Bath Cats and Dogs Home, and we look forward to continuing to work with many of them over the year ahead.

    “The funds raised by the Dog Trail will go directly to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming our vulnerable rescue cats and dogs at the Home.”
  • The first-ever Bath Safari Choir, featuring a guided walk with song stops, will be launched on 30 July. Guests will follow the Horizons Choir of Bath on a specially devised walk. Each time the choir stops to sing, two of Bath BID’s welcome ambassadors, Jeff and Bryan, will share some historical facts.

The programme is still building, so please check before you come via the Bath BID’s Welcome to Bath website

Find out more at welcometobath.co.uk/summer-sundays