Christmas Events Insights by our Events Manager, Beth
People often ask me when Christmas planning starts at the Pump Room. The truth is, it never really ends.
As soon as we’ve packed away the decorations after New Year’s Eve, I’m already setting dates and planning for the following season. Then follows menu planning, booking entertainment, photoshoots, and countless behind-the-scenes details that all come together in December.
And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Christmas is my favourite time of year, not least because we’re lucky enough to host celebrations at one of the country’s most unique venues. The Pump Room is Bath’s original purpose-built party venue, sitting at the very heart of the city’s story. Standing above the Roman Baths, you can’t help but think about the thousands of celebrations that have taken place here over the centuries. From Roman rituals and Georgian balls to modern Christmas parties, people have gathered here to mark special moments for generations. Sometimes it feels as though the party spirit is built into the stones themselves!
At Christmas, the venue becomes even more magical. As darkness falls, the gas torches flicker around the Baths and reflect across the water below. Inside, the glow of the magnificent chandelier fills the room with warmth. Add Christmas trees and fairy lights, and it’s genuinely breathtaking.
Of course, hosting events in a historic venue comes with its challenges. Making sure nobody gets too merry and ends up actually in the Baths is high on the priority list!
Many people think Bath is busiest in summer, but for me, the city truly comes alive at Christmas. The market transforms the centre into something straight out of a storybook. We run our own chalets, with visitors queuing down the High Street for favourites like our famous mac and cheese.
Alongside the market, we have our Champagne bar overlooking the Baths, serving mulled wine and hot chocolate. Then there’s our Christmas Afternoon Tea menu, private events and ticketed festive parties throughout December. It certainly keeps us on our toes, with every day bringing something different.
My favourite part is the build-up. This month, we dressed the Pump Room for our Christmas photoshoot, and the reactions from guests were priceless. When November arrives, it brings with it literally hundreds of fairy lights, the Christmas market, the huge Abbey Christmas tree and an excitement that’s impossible to ignore.
What makes me proudest, though, is my team. Christmas in hospitality is demanding, but they work incredibly hard to create special moments for every guest. We’re fortunate enough to sell out every year, and the season ends with our New Year’s Eve Ball, an event I’ve developed over the years and still host personally. Seeing familiar faces return is hugely rewarding, and some guests have even formed lasting friendships after meeting at our events.
Those months of planning and hard work are all made worthwhile, when you see everything come to life. You know you’ve helped create memories and experiences that guests will carry with them long after the decorations have come down.
