We are delighted to announce the winners of the Easter at Bath Photo Competition 2026. Students had the chance to win a £100 Bath Gift Card by submitting a photo and a short commentary under two themed categories.
The response this year was exceptional, with entries beautifully capturing both the natural charm of Bath and the meaningful connections that shape student life.
This year’s theme for University of Bath students were:
- Natural Bath: open to all students, capture how nature shapes your experience of Bath, from scenic views to green spaces and local wildlife.
- Nurturing Bath: open to international students, celebrate the everyday acts of care and connection that help you feel supported and included.
Meet the winners from the University of Bath
The winners were announced by the Deputy Mayor of Bath at our joint exhibition with Bath Spa University and Norland College on Wednesday 29 April at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute. The winning photographs, along with a selection of finalist entries, were displayed at a special exhibition bringing students together across institutions to connect, engage, and celebrate creativity.
Natural Bath
Winner: Where the city breathes by Manu Vardhan (MBA)
Commentary: Bath is often defined by its stone architecture, but it is also the natural elements - the mist from the river and the ancient trees - that truly define its mood. In this moment, the city’s heritage is softened by a heavy fog, creating a literal bridge between the built environment and the natural world. The warm streetlamps and vibrant greenery piercing through the haze represent those quiet, everyday encounters with nature that make the city feel alive. It captures a fleeting ethereal side of Bath that transforms a routine walk into something extraordinary.
Nurturing Bath
Winner: Sonder by Sheng Xuan Wong (UG, Mech Eng)
Commentary: The realisation that every person carries a life as complex and vivid as your own. Overlooking Bath at sunset, two students sit side by side, held in a quiet pause above a city where countless lives move in their own quiet rhythms. In this stillness, connection feels both tender and part of something greater. It reflects how, as students, we find belonging not only in each other, but in recognising that we are all part of a wider, shared human experience.
Congratulations to the winners and finalists, and thanks to all students who took part. The photographs captured thoughtful and creative reflections on life in Bath, highlighting both its natural beauty and the strength of its community.
We are grateful to the Bath Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society for sponsoring this competition.