Back to Bath & The Somerset Avon

The Kennard

From $135/night • Score: 4.8★ (1840 reviews)

Exterior 1Exterior 2Interior 1Interior 2Surroundings

First Impressions & Architecture

Stepping onto Henrietta Street in the crisp Somerset air, one is immediately struck by the sheer, unhurried symmetry of Bath’s golden-age Georgian planning. Constructed in 1794, during the absolute zenith of the city’s architectural and social expansion under the vision of Thomas Baldwin and Sir Richard Harcourt Johnstone, The Kennard stands as a textbook triumph of Neoclassical domestic design. Built from the region’s famed honey-colored Bath Stone—a porous, warm limestone quarried from nearby Combe Down—the property’s facade radiates an understated grandeur that feels both deeply rooted in history and remarkably intimate.

Unlike the larger, grander crescents designed for transient high-society galas, this grand townhouse was conceived as a refined residence, and that domestic soul remains entirely intact. Approaching the front door, guests cross a traditional stone flagellum, greeted by a classic fanlight window that bathes the entrance hall in soft, natural light. Upon crossing the threshold, the modern world falls away. The air carries a subtle, nostalgic perfume of beeswax polish, aged timber, and fresh garden blooms. The interior architecture retains its original sweeping grand staircase—a soaring spiral of cantilevered timber and wrought iron that draws the eye upward past tall, elegant sash windows framing views of Bathwick’s quiet streets.

Intricate plaster ceiling roses, deep skirtings, and original cast-iron fireplaces are preserved with painstaking affection. Rather than feeling like a sterile museum piece, The Kennard balances its listed status with an inviting warmth. The lobby and ground-floor drawing rooms are lined with antique portraiture, carefully curated literature, and plush upholstery that beckons travelers to drop their luggage and sink into a slower, more dignified epoch of British hospitality.

The Room Experience

With just twelve bespoke guestrooms spread across four meticulously preserved floors, overnighting at The Kennard feels far more akin to staying at the private townhouse of a well-to-do 18th-century relative than checking into a contemporary boutique hotel. Each room is individually named and styled, celebrating the property’s heritage while offering distinct spatial layouts driven by the original architectural bones of the building.

Ascending the winding central staircase reveals accommodation options ranging from cozy upper-garret spaces—once the quarters of house staff, now atmospheric retreats boasting vaulted ceilings and chimney-pot views—to sprawling First Floor Superior rooms that served as the original piano nobile. In these premier rooms, towering sash windows stretch almost from floor to ceiling, dressed in heavy, opulent drapes that mute the morning sunlight until you are ready to greet the day. High ceilings amplify the sense of airiness, while original period fireplaces serve as dramatic focal points for the room layout.

The interior design strikes a thoughtful harmony between historic charm and modern comfort. Expect tailored Toile de Jouy or muted floral wall coverings paired with richly hued velvet accents, antique mahogany wardrobes, and hand-carved bedframes fitted with deeply cushioned mattresses, crisp Egyptian cotton linens, and feather duvets. Subtle modern touches—such as discreetly positioned flat-screen televisions, digital radios, and fast, seamless Wi-Fi—are integrated without clashing against the period decor.

The en-suite bathrooms are modern, immaculate sanctuaries. Many feature deep-soaking bathtubs or spacious walk-in rainfall showers, finished with metro tiling, polished chrome fixtures, and high-end British toiletries that infuse the space with scents of lavender, rosemary, and bergamot. Fluffy, oversized bath sheets and heated towel rails ensure that even chilly Somerset mornings are met with comforting luxury. Every detail, from the selection of artisan teas and homemade shortbread on the hospitality tray to the quiet hush that falls over the house at twilight, underscores a deep commitment to rest and privacy.

Signature Amenities & Atmosphere

While The Kennard eschews the cavernous, impersonal facilities of modern resort hotels—you will find no underground subterranean spa or glass-walled gymnasium here—its signature amenities are rooted in authenticity, peacefulness, and period storytelling. The standout jewels of the property are its serene communal spaces, which foster a uniquely tranquil atmosphere rarely found in city-center accommodations.

At the rear of the townhouse lies a secluded, walled Georgian herb garden—a hidden sun-trap that serves as a private oasis for guests. Designed in accordance with traditional late-18th-century garden layouts, the space is bordered by historic stone walls entwined with climbing roses, wisteria, and clematis. Parterre box hedging frames beds of fragrant lavender, mint, rosemary, and thyme. On warm spring and summer afternoons, this sun-dappled courtyard is the ultimate setting to read a chapter of Jane Austen, sip a chilled glass of crisp English sparkling wine, or simply listen to the distant, gentle murmur of the River Avon flowing over the weir.

Indoors, the guest lounge serves as the social heart of the house. Furnished with deep wingback armchairs, Persian rugs over exposed timber floorboards, and a carefully curated library of local Somerset guidebooks, history volumes, and classic literature, it invites lingering conversation. The atmosphere throughout the property is defined by a gentle, unpretentious elegance. The staff operate with a style of hospitality that is attentive yet entirely unobtrusive, offering personal recommendations for secret city walking routes, local antique dealers, or off-the-beaten-path countryside pubs with genuine local pride.

Food, Drink & Local Nightlife

Dining at The Kennard focuses heavily on doing one thing exceptionally well: the quintessential morning meal. Breakfast is served in the bright, light-filled lower ground dining room, where stone flagstones and cozy alcoves create an atmospheric setting to begin the day. The property takes immense pride in its hyper-local culinary ethos, sourcing ingredients directly from Somerset’s rich agricultural hinterland.

The morning offer begins with a cold buffet featuring fresh juices, house-made granola, organic yogurts, stewed fruits, and pastries fresh from local Bath bakeries. The cooked menu is made to order, highlighted by the Traditional English Breakfast: free-range eggs cooked to preference, thick-cut dry-cured Somerset bacon, prime local pork sausages, field mushrooms, grilled vine tomatoes, and authentic Stornoway black pudding. Lighter alternatives include creamy scrambled eggs topped with Scottish smoked salmon served on toasted artisan sourdough, or poached eggs drizzled with homemade hollandaise. The coffee is rich and freshly brewed, while the tea selection showcases fine loose-leaf blends served in elegant china.

Local Culinary Exploration

While The Kennard does not serve lunch or dinner, its prime location on Henrietta Street places guests within a short two-minute level stroll of Bath’s most celebrated epicurean destinations:

Who This Stay Is For

The Kennard is a tailored sanctuary for discerning travelers who value character, history, and sense of place over cookie-cutter modern luxury. It is ideal for:

Practical Travel Notes

Location & Accessibility: Located on Henrietta Street in the Bathwick neighborhood, just east of the River Avon. The terrain between the hotel and the city center is completely flat and level via Pulteney Bridge, making it ideal for walking.

Arrival & Transport: Bath Spa Railway Station is a 12-to-15 minute walk or a quick 5-minute taxi ride away, offering direct, high-speed rail links to London Paddington (approx. 80 minutes). For guests arriving by car, pre-booked street parking permits can often be arranged through the hotel for a daily fee.

Property Considerations: As a Grade II listed 1794 townhouse, the property does not feature an elevator (lift). Guestrooms are distributed across four floors accessed via stairs; guests with mobility limitations should request ground or lower-level rooms when booking.