Recreation Ground
Recreation Ground
4.5
9:15 AM - 5:15 PM
Monday
9:15 AM - 5:15 PM
Tuesday
9:15 AM - 5:15 PM
Wednesday
9:15 AM - 5:15 PM
Thursday
9:15 AM - 5:15 PM
Friday
9:15 AM - 5:15 PM
About
Established in 1865, Bath Rugby is one of the oldest and most prestigious rugby clubs in the world. The Recreation Ground, or 'Rec' is one of the most idyllic rugby grounds in the country. It nestles next to the River Avon, under the shadow of both the Bath Abbey and Great Pulteney Street, a Georgian masterpiece.
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4.5
78 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
28
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
2
James
Devon, UK55 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
This is probably our fault for booking these seats, however, it must be said that our view of the pitch was extremely obstructed by pillars. However, I will add that it is extremely stupid to even have obstructed seating and that these seats were extremely cramped. However, Bath's fans were great with us (London Irish), the ground itself was surrounded by beauty despite being in the city centre (testament to Bath, I suppose), and everything was pretty well priced. Would recommend to those wise enough to check where they sit.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elize
Bristol, UK15 contributions
Feb 2023 • Business
We booked a gold package table for the rugby, unfortunately 2 of our party of 4 got covid. I called them to try and cancel and they said it’s not refundable. I asked if we could move the booking to another day and they refused. I was left with the option of attending with covid or loosing £1000.
Although the CMA does say that they “encourage businesses to treat customers fairly in instances where people can't take up something they've bought and paid for” there isn’t a law in place and this particular company clearly has no regard for their paying customers when they could of easily re booked our table.
Think twice before handing over your money to them.
Although the CMA does say that they “encourage businesses to treat customers fairly in instances where people can't take up something they've bought and paid for” there isn’t a law in place and this particular company clearly has no regard for their paying customers when they could of easily re booked our table.
Think twice before handing over your money to them.
Written 23 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
COVB
ROMSEY54 contributions
Nov 2012 • Friends
By far the best location of any Premiership Rugby Ground. Just compare with Wasps (Industrial Estate), Worcester (the back of beyond by the Motorway). I could go on.
Wonderful setting, by the Weir, right in the centre of such a beautiful City. Superb pubs and restaurants just a few minutes walk away.
But the ground itself is very poor; temporary stands & those that are permanent need replacing. The ground is of similar standard to a non-league football ground and unfit for Premiership Rugby. The location is perfect; the ground needs demolishing and rebuilding. If / when it is rebuilt it will surely get 100% rating
Wonderful setting, by the Weir, right in the centre of such a beautiful City. Superb pubs and restaurants just a few minutes walk away.
But the ground itself is very poor; temporary stands & those that are permanent need replacing. The ground is of similar standard to a non-league football ground and unfit for Premiership Rugby. The location is perfect; the ground needs demolishing and rebuilding. If / when it is rebuilt it will surely get 100% rating
Written 11 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve_of_N21
London, UK3,377 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
As a Saracens supporter, my usual stroll from the Watford Town centre pubs on a match day is the not very magical trek along Vicarage Road through the old run down housing stock section of West Watford with its plentiful fried chicken and betting shops.
So for a more atmospheric experience, when the fixture lists come out, one of the first things I look for is when is the away fixture at Bath? And this year it was a right result with it being on the last Saturday before Christmas. So the invites went out to our West Country Bath supporting colleagues and a date was set.
On paper, the fact that the home of Bath rugby is still a council owned recreation ground with two of the stands being temporary structures with no roofs, doesn’t sound so promising.
But that is to overlook the absolutely fantastic setting, alongside the Avon, a strong armed stones throw from the City centre pubs, the view of bath from the said temporary stands and the atmosphere generated by the closeness to the pitch and the stomping of the Bath supporters on the temporary stands when their team is attacking (fortunately something that was not in much evidence for our latest visit).
And there cannot be a better walk to a ground than the stroll along the Grand Parade, across Pulteney Bridge, down the narrow steps to the River and along the bank of the Avon into the ground.
A fine weather day is obviously preferred if you are seated in the exposed Novia Stand, but on a foul day like last Saturday when you are guaranteed a soaking, then The Rec under floodlights with the lights of Bath twinkling beyond is still a magical sporting venue, especially if you can head back to the pubs of Bath after a 22-0 away win.
So for a more atmospheric experience, when the fixture lists come out, one of the first things I look for is when is the away fixture at Bath? And this year it was a right result with it being on the last Saturday before Christmas. So the invites went out to our West Country Bath supporting colleagues and a date was set.
On paper, the fact that the home of Bath rugby is still a council owned recreation ground with two of the stands being temporary structures with no roofs, doesn’t sound so promising.
But that is to overlook the absolutely fantastic setting, alongside the Avon, a strong armed stones throw from the City centre pubs, the view of bath from the said temporary stands and the atmosphere generated by the closeness to the pitch and the stomping of the Bath supporters on the temporary stands when their team is attacking (fortunately something that was not in much evidence for our latest visit).
And there cannot be a better walk to a ground than the stroll along the Grand Parade, across Pulteney Bridge, down the narrow steps to the River and along the bank of the Avon into the ground.
A fine weather day is obviously preferred if you are seated in the exposed Novia Stand, but on a foul day like last Saturday when you are guaranteed a soaking, then The Rec under floodlights with the lights of Bath twinkling beyond is still a magical sporting venue, especially if you can head back to the pubs of Bath after a 22-0 away win.
Written 30 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham R
Droitwich, UK20 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
how on earth Premiership Rugby can allow this ground to stage Premiership & on occassions European Rugby matches here is bewildering. whilst the ground enjoys a picturesque location; the facilities at the stadium are abysmal : there is no protection in the stands from the elements; the seating is extremely cramped (and at an absurdly high price £45 / £95 per seat. The toilets are disgusting (temporary buildings built with 4x 2 timbers and plasterboards; so flexible that the walls move when the taps in the sinks are activated. The ground and facilities wouldnt be acceptable in non-league football and there are much better facilities at rugby grounds in the National League (eg. Stourbridge. one visit to this ground is enough and I will certainly never venture near the place again: an extremely disappointing and expensive visit
Written 20 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BristolDawn1
Bristol, UK798 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
We always have a brilliant time here. The fans are always very friendly. We came on the train. Easy ground to find. Lots of food options in and around bath. One of the best venues for Rugby..
Written 24 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet Victoria P
Welling10 contributions
Nov 2012
I went to watch Bath play Rugby had a great day easy ground to find. Set in beautiful surroundings in a very historical city
Written 28 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hectichells
Godalming, UK11 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
Thought the location of this ground is fantastic. Really close to town & to the river. 2 pint plastic cups for beer & lager seemed to be very popular with the fans & facilities were good even in the clearly temporary Novia stand! View from that stand was great too. Chatting to a few locals after the game though, it's clear they feel the ground is tired & in need of a cash injection to bring the facilities in line with the success of the team. Quins were beaten but these two Londoners still had a great time, in a friendly sporting atmosphere!
Written 28 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward B
47 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
Cracking atmosphere and a proper rugby ground. Definitely a unique ground and experience and and worth planning your trip to Bath around this.
Worth coming into Bath a couple of hours before a game to soak up the atmosphere - it takes over the town and it is (aside from one or two idiots as usual) very friendly and good natured.
You can queue a long time for a beer so get here early if you want to drink, and if you are part of a big group who want to drink a fair amount, make sure you book tickets on the end of a row so you can nip out.
Always book well in advance.
Beware a lot of it is uncovered so it may be cold and/or wet!
Worth coming into Bath a couple of hours before a game to soak up the atmosphere - it takes over the town and it is (aside from one or two idiots as usual) very friendly and good natured.
You can queue a long time for a beer so get here early if you want to drink, and if you are part of a big group who want to drink a fair amount, make sure you book tickets on the end of a row so you can nip out.
Always book well in advance.
Beware a lot of it is uncovered so it may be cold and/or wet!
Written 13 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WillThornton
Sydney, Australia21 contributions
Nov 2017
5 mins walk from the main street, very tight ground so you're right on top of the action. Great city for a break
Written 22 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where is best place to park
Written 15 December 2017
Is parking available at the recreation ground?
Written 21 September 2017
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