The 10 best places to propose in Bath
wedding proposals in bath, surprise engagements bath
Why Bath Is the Perfect Place for a Surprise Wedding Proposal
Bath is one of the most romantic cities in the UK, making it the ideal backdrop for a surprise proposal. Its rich history, elegant Georgian architecture, and breath-taking views create a magical setting for one of life’s most important moments. Since 2020, I’ve had the privilege of capturing countless surprise proposals in and around Bath, helping one half of the couple plan the big moment, and preserving the raw emotion and joy of that unforgettable “yes” moment. In this blog post I will share my secrets to planning a successful wedding proposal, all you need to know about the best places to propose in Bath and what else you can do while visiting beautiful Bath.
What you learn in this blog post
⭐️ How to plan a surprise wedding proposal with my help
⭐️ How a surprise proposal Photoshoot works
⭐️ The 10 best locations to propose in Bath
⭐️ Suggestions for what to do after your proposal
⭐️ A list of amazing places to visit during your stay in Bath
⭐️ A list of great places to stay when you visit Bath
How to plan a surprise wedding proposal (with my help)
Set a date
Once you have an idea of when you want to come to Bath to propose, you need to do is get in touch with and share your date with me so I can check my availability. For key dates such as bankholidays or special dates, I get booked up months in advance.
Download my information brochure here.
Choose a location
There are many beautiful locations in Bath which are perfect for a surprise proposal. Some of them are more public/private than others, some require pre-booking or paying a license fee while others are completely free of charge.
Create a timeline.
In order for your partner not to get wind of your plans, your proposal needs to be integrated into the agenda for the day. Often late morning post-breakfast proposals work the best and can be masked as ‘we are going sightseeing or shopping’. Similarly early evening pre-dinner proposals are great as you can tell your partner that you are going for pre-dinner drinks somewhere, when in fact you propose on your way to your dinner location. However, later afternoon proposals are not possible in winter due to the lack of daylight.
About the weather
During the summer months, the weather is typically dry here in the South-West and some of the locations listed provide shelter. However, we will stay in close touch in the week running up to the proposal and discuss a potential plan B option should the weather not be as good as planned.
My approach
As a documentary photographer, I focus on capturing the genuine emotion of a surprise proposal — the anticipation, the joy, and the immediate reaction. My discreet and relaxed approach ensures that the moment feels natural and authentic, allowing you to focus entirely on each other.
How a surprise proposal photoshoot works
In the run up to the secret proposal, we will have discussed and set a date, a location and a timeline (see above).
One day before the proposal
One day before the proposal, you will receive an automated email from me with a few last minute reminders such as to make contact with me on WhatsApp (so you can share your location with me if required) and what not to forget during your proposal.
The proposal
I will arrive at the chosen location before you two will. I will either hide or most likely just blend in and pretend to be another visitor. I will keep a close eye on you both and once I see the signal that we discussed before the day, I will be ready to capture your proposal. I will so this from a bit of a distance in order to give you two privacy. Once the proposal is over, I will wait for you to point me out to your partner before I approach and introduce myself.
After the proposal
After the proposal, we will spend 30-40 minutes on creating some beautiful couple portraits in and around the location.
The same day
I will send you 5 sneak peek pictures of your proposal on the same day so you can use them to announce the good news!
One week after
Latest one week after the proposal, you will receive all your finished photographs, sent to you via a secure and password protected online gallery. You can download all high resolution images from this gallery and also share the link with family members or friends.
The 10 best locations to propose in Bath
1. Roman Baths – The Roman Baths offers a breathtakingly romantic and historic setting, with stunning architecture, torchlit ambiance, and exclusive access for an unforgettable proposal.
2. Parade Gardens & The colonnades – The Colonnades in Parade Gardens is a great place to propose because it offers stunning views of the River Avon and Pulteney Bridge in a romantic, tucked-away setting.
3. Botanical Gardens – The Temple of Minerva, tucked away in the Botanical Gardens, is a hidden gem that adds a magical and private touch to the moment.
4. & 5. Alexandra Park and Solsbury Hill – If you’re looking for a dramatic backdrop, Alexandra Park and Solsbury Hill provide panoramic views over the city — the perfect spot for a sunset proposal.
6. At the top of Bath Abbey tower – The climb to Bath Abbey Tower rewards you with spectacular city views, adding a sense of adventure and grandeur to the occasion. You can hire private tower proposal tours.
7. Sham Castle – For a more whimsical feel, Sham Castle offers a unique and slightly fairy-tale-like setting. Its quiet location and historic charm make it ideal for a private and intimate proposal.
8. The Royal Crescent (or the Royal Crescent Hotel) – The iconic Royal Crescent provides a classic and timeless setting, especially at sunset when the golden light reflects off the honey-coloured stone. The nearby Royal Crescent Hotel not only has a beautiful pergola in their walled garden, perfect for proposals, it also offers a beautiful an intimate and luxurious atmosphere for a post-proposal celebration such as afternoon tea.
9. The Holburne Museum – If you are you a fan of the Bridgerton series and love the beautiful home of Lady Danbury, then the Holburne museum is the perfect place for you.
10. Prior Park Landscape Gardens and the Palladian Bridge – With its Palladian bridge and landscaped gardens, adds a romantic and timeless touch to any proposal. Please note that Prior Park belongs to the National Trust which means you’ll need to reach out to them in advance to book and pay fees for your photo shoot or event.
Suggestions for what to do after your proposal
Once you have proposed and we have had fun during our couple portrait session, it is time to celebrate! Here are a few suggestions of what you can do.
Have afternoon tea at the Royal Crescent Hotel or Sweet Little Things
Drink cocktails at the Ivy in Bath
Visit the Thermae Bath Spa
Book a boat tour on the river Avon
Have a romantic dinner in one of Bath’s best restaurants
A list of amazing places to visit during your stay in Bath
If you are coming to visit Bath for a long weekend, here is a list of places that are worth a visit:
Visit No 1 Royal Crescent and take a step back in time
Visit the 2000 years old Roman Baths
Visit Bath Abbey and potentially book onto a tower tour if you are not scared of heights
The Holburne Museum, famously features in the Bridgerton series, has many great exhibitions on
The American Museum & gardens offer spectacular views
A list of great places to stay when you visit Bath
Whether you are planning a proposal or a romantic getaway, here is a list of amazing places where you can stay:
The Royal Crescent Hotel offer a very luxurious and high end experience
The Bath Priory with a Michelin star restaurant
No 15 Guest House boutique hotel
Indigo Hotel has fun and colourful interiors
Eight in Bath is a small boutique townhouse hotel