ACES National Conference 2025: Bath - Social Delegates Programme

Thursday 25th September 2025

ACES National Conference 2025: Social Delegates Programme - "Relaxing in Bath"

Full details of the Social Delegates Programme for the 2025 ACES National Conference in Bath may be found on the ACES Website at:

https://aces.org.uk/aces-national-presidential-conference-2025-social-programme/

The Social Programme for Thursday 25th September is as follows:

Time Visit

Morning - AM

09:50 - Depart from the Abbey Hotel for the short walk to Bath's Roman Baths

10:00 - Tour of Roman Baths

11:15 - Tour of Bath Abbey

12:30 - Lunch at the Raven Pub on Queen Street

Afternoon

You have a choice!

Option 1 - Spa PM

14:30 - Visit Bath Spa – For an afternoon of being pampered, outdoor and indoor hot spas and saunas, followed by tea. Towels and bath robes are provided.

NB An absolute MUST - Please bring along your OWN swimsuit and, if you wish, flip-flops.

The Spa Booking is for approximately 2 hours and includes: Warm Spa Baths (indoor/outdoor), Sauna and Steam Rooms, with time for tea after.

17:15 - Leave Bath Spa for the short walk back to the Abbey Hotel.

Option 2 - No Spa PM

14:30 - Depart from the Abbey Hotel, to join Marcus for a one and a half hour easy-paced guided walking tour of the City, taking in Bath’s major historic sites, including the Royal Crescent and the Circus, followed by a tincture or two in a local pub.

Evening

Join the Business Delegates for any post conference formal or informal reception, then on to the Beckford Bottle Shop, 19:30 for 20:00, for the Post Conference Informal Dinner.

Please see Post Conference Meal - Evening Thursday 25th September below for more information.

Costs

All Day Tour & Spa Visits, including lunch at the Raven Pub: Cost £ 100 per person

Additional Options:

Pre Conference President's Networking Meal

Evening Wednesday 24th September 2025

Drinks Reception: 19:00 for 19:15

President's Meal: 20:00

Join the Business Delegates for the President’s Pre-Conference Meal, which will be held in Bath's world famous Grade I listed Roman Baths (built around 70AD) and the Georgian Pump Room, the President's Pre-Conference Networking Meal is an evening not to be missed!

Atendees will enjoy a Drinks Reception and Canapés in the Roman Baths, kindly sponsored by Hartnell Taylor Cook, followed by a three-course meal in the Georgian Pump Room.

Dress Code - Smart casual, but feel free to wear business attire or fully embrace black tie / cocktail dresses if you wish.

Cost - £75 per person

The Menu for the Pre-Conference President's Networking Meal is:

Please Note:

Please make your Menu Choices when you book your place(s) on Eventbrite for the President's Pre-Conference Meal (one choice per person per course).

Some foods may contain nuts & other allergens.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please provide details of these when booking your Delegate Place for the Conference, Pre Conference Presidential Networking Meal or Post Conference Meal. The ACES Team will then discuss your specific dietary requirements with you and the relevant Catering Team.

Post Conference Meal - Evening Thursday 25th September

19:30 for 20:00

Social Programme Delegates are invited to book to join Conference Delegates for an informal meal at the Beckford Bottle Shop, 5-8 Saville Row, Bath, BA1 2QP, this modern contemporary British restaurant combines the atmosphere of a wine bar and a bistro. It is located a short walk from the Conference Venue (spaces are limited to 25).

Cost - £50 per person (inclusive of wine)

Sample Food & Wine Menus from The Beckford Bottle Shop

People attending the Meal at The Beckford Bottle Shop will select their menu choices on the night.

NB Menus are subject to change.

Booking on Eventbrite

NB When making your booking on Eventbrite once you have made payment for your places for the Conference, President's Meal etc., you will then be able to provide your individual Contact?Dietary Information and Menu Choices.

Conference Accommodation & Travel Arrangements

Abbey Hotel, North Parade, Bath BA1 1LF and is a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

ACES have negotiated a competitive room rate and we have a block booking for a number of rooms for Wednesday night, 24th September and Thursday night, 25th September 2025.

This 4 Star Hotel extends to 3 interconnected 18th century Georgian townhouses, in the heart of the city, close to Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths.

Early booking is advised.

To book ‘phone 01225 461603, ask for room reservations and when put through quote “ACES”.

You should then be allocated a room at the following rates:

Standard room for single occupancy: £ 169 per night

Standard room for double occupancy: £ 184 per night

Please Note

Rates include VAT and full English breakfast

Please resist booking via on-line comparison sites – It may affect our allocation and negotiated room rates if Conference Delegates/Social Programme Attendees do not book through the Hotel.

Rooms allocated to us and not booked by Monday the 4th of 2025 will be returned to the Hotel for general letting. Late bookers will have to take a chance on availability and room charges.

Car Parking: the nearest long term car park is some 5 minutes walk from the Abbey Hotel for which there is a Daily Charge.

You may also travel to Bath by train or coach if you wish.

The Bath Spa Railway Station (BA1 1SU) is within a 15 minute walk from the Abbey Hotel.

Back-up Hotel

Try the Travelodge Bath City Centre Hotel, 6-10 Westgate Buildings, Bath BA1 1EB

To book phone: 08719 846523 or go online.

This modern budget hotel occupies a convenient central location and has all you would expect from a Travelodge hotel.

Conference Support & Sponsorship

The ACES National Conference is supported by ACES’ Corporate Members; Avison Young, Carter Jonas, Lambert Smith Hampton and the Norse Group.

ACES is grateful to it’s Corporate Members and the Pre-Conference President’s Networking Meal Drink Sponsor, Hartnell Taylor Cook, for their continuing commitment to make this National Conference possible.