Bath is without doubt one of the most charming cities in England and is famed for its Roman baths (thus the identify). There are plenty of great issues to do in Bath from visiting the traditional baths themselves to exploring the numerous fascinating museums devoted to literary figures from Jane Austin to Mary Shelley.
This is one in every of my favourite cities in England and a few years in the past I even cycled to Bath from London over three days. The metropolis is positioned in southwest England not removed from the Cotswolds and Stonehenge so makes an amazing base for exploring this lovely nook of the nation.
Other locations to go to in Bath embody the UNESCO-listed Royal Crescent of Georgian homes and neoclassical and Baroque structure within the metropolis heart. The spectacular gothic Bath Abbey is one other of the highest vacationer sights in addition to the attractive Royal Victoria Park.
Best Things To Do in Bath
Below, you’ll discover a complete listing of the very best issues to do in Bath. You’ll discover a combination of historic, scenic, and enjoyable actions and sights so there actually is one thing for everybody.
1. Guided City Walking Tour and Roman Baths
Visiting the Roman baths is without doubt one of the prime issues to do in Bath and this marvel of historical engineering is a must-see. One of the very best methods to expertise the town and the well-known baths is to take a guided strolling tour. You’ll find out about Rome’s affect on Britain and see the most important vacationer sights on supply in Bath.
I really like exploring these unbelievable Roman Baths tour – they haven’t modified in over 2,000 years! It’s straightforward to see how life in Rome Britain was so superior, and it all the time amazes me that the know-how of this age was misplaced for thus lengthy in the course of the darkish ages.
Marvel on the spectacular structure across the spring water swimming pools, discover the baths museum, or seize a chunk to eat on the pump room restaurant. Open each day from 9 am to five pm.
Address: Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LZ.
2. Visit Bath Abbey
The Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul (aka Bath Abbey) was constructed between 1499 and 1611 as a former Benedictine Monastery. It’s among the finest examples of gothic structure in southwest England and is without doubt one of the prime issues to see in Bath.
See the magnificent stained glass home windows and marvel at this large feat of medieval engineering. There’s an onsite reward store and entrance to the Abbey prices £6.50 per particular person. The Abbey is open each day from 10 am to five:30 pm and it’s doable to attend companies on a Sunday.
Address: Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul, Bath, BA1 1L.
3. River Avon Cruise with Prosecco
What higher method to expertise the town than on the attractive River Avon with a few glasses of prosecco? Enjoy a 50-minute cruise taking within the prime metropolis sights from Pulteney Bridge to Bath Abbey and extra. There’s additionally the choice to get pleasure from a gin-tasting session whereas cruising the guts of the world.
The cruise takes place on board a Sixties cruiser and contains two glasses of prosecco within the worth. The journey could be taken at any time of yr because the boat features a coal fireplace for colder days and a retractable roof for when the solar comes out (sure, it does really come out typically in England!).
Meeting level: Avon Street Carpark, Bath Quays Waterside, BA1 1UF.
4. Relax on the Thermae Bath Spa
Although you’ll be able to’t, sadly, take a dip within the precise Roman baths, it’s actually doable to get pleasure from the identical therapeutic waters that the Romans did 2,000 years in the past. The Thermea Bath spa is positioned within the coronary heart of the town and actually is without doubt one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Bath.
With a rooftop spa and pool providing completely breathtaking views of the traditional metropolis, that is one in every of my favourite issues to do to chill out after a day’s sightseeing or hike alongside the Avon Canal. There’s a wellness heart and totally different spa packages to select from, together with therapies and swim classes.
Visit the web site to guide tickets.
Address: The Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath Street, Bath, BA1 1SJ.
5. Take a Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour
Although they get a little bit of a nasty rep as being considerably cheesy, hop-on, hop-off buses are a good way to become familiar with a brand new metropolis, study slightly of the historical past, and orientate your self for additional exploration in a while, (and it appears I’m not the one one who thinks so).
This metropolis sightseeing tour takes in all the most important locations to see in Bath from the River Avon and Pulteney Bridge to Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Abbey Cemetery. There are two routes, one with 16 stops and the opposite with 21, providing a very nice likelihood to discover correctly as tickets are legitimate for twenty-four hours. Reserve your spot for the sightseeing bus tour right here.
6. Pulteney Bridge
Georgian Pulteney Bridge is without doubt one of the most iconic tub sights. The stone arch bridge was accomplished in 1774 and crosses the River Avon within the heart of city. Like the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the bridge homes retailers and market stalls and is without doubt one of the most photographed locations within the metropolis.
The Bridge is a Grade I listed constructing named after Frances Pulteney, the spouse of a Scottish MP (Member of Parliament). There are unbelievable views of the bridge and weir beneath from the riverside and that is one in every of my most well-liked locations within the metropolis for a stroll.
Address: Pulteney Bridge, Bridge Street, Bath, BA2 4AT.
7. Visit the Jane Austen Centre
Fans of Jane Austen ought to positively head to the Jane Austen Centre to study in regards to the well-known author’s time within the metropolis and the way it impressed her writings. Take a journey by way of Regency Bath with costumed tour guides and even dress up your self. You’ll get to style meals from the period, try to write down with a quill and ink pen, and get a selfie with an Austen waxwork.
You can get pleasure from excessive tea, selfmade muffins, or a cream tea within the Regency Tea Room after your go to. Each yr the middle holds the Jane Austen Festival (eighth to seventeenth September) which is the most important of its variety on the earth. Tickets for the middle could be booked on-line. Open each day from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
Address: 40 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT.
8. Stroll Royal Victoria Park
Bath’s Victorian park is a brief stroll from the town heart and is the proper place for a picnic, a stroll, or some rest on a sunny, summer time’s day. The park was opened in 1830 by Princess Victoria and covers a whopping 57 acres. There’s an aerial walkway, a botanic backyard, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and extra.
Spending a day at Victoria Park is without doubt one of the prime free issues to do in Bath and is a superb place to unwind and watch the world go by. Pick up provides from one of many delis on the town for a picnic in lovely environment. This is actually one in every of my favourite locations in Bath to take a break from the town.
Address: Marlborough Lane, Bath, BA1 2NQ.
9. Visit Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein
Continuing the literary theme, Bath can be dwelling to the House of Frankenstein, impressed by its writer Mary Shelley, spouse of one in every of my favourite poets, Percy Bysshe Shelley. This immersive and spooky museum stretches over 4 flooring and incorporates interactive reveals charting the lifetime of Shelley and her well-known monster.
Watch out for the 8-foot (244cm) Frankenstein, strive the escape room, and marvel on the reveals by way of a collection of smells and sounds. If you’re on the lookout for enjoyable issues to do in Bath, a visit to Shelley’s House of Frankenstein is a should.
The museum is open each day from 11 am to 4 pm, and you’ll guide your ticket at this time.
Address: 37 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT.
10. Take a Bath Ghost Tour
A enjoyable method to sightsee in Bath is to take a guided ghost tour and study slightly one thing in regards to the darkish historical past of the town. You’ll hear tales of homicide, ghosts, witches, and poltergeists on this ghoulishly ghastly tour. Visit haunted places the place criminals had been hanged and witches tortured, in the event you dare.
This is certainly among the finest issues to do in Bath at night time and after your tour, you’ll be able to try one of many many nice pubs or bars within the metropolis heart (I like to recommend the Raven which is about inside an previous Georgian townhouse).
You’ll get to see most of the metropolis’s prime sights together with Bath Abbey, Queens Square, the Theatre Royal, and Victoria Park on this two-hour stroll across the metropolis. Click right here to guide your ticket, and in the event you’re on the lookout for extra spooky enjoyable, try these wonderful Jack the Ripper excursions in London.
11. Herschel Museum of Astrology
Stargazers will love the Heschel Museum of Astrology which is devoted to the esteemed astronomers of the Herschel household from Bath. It was from this very constructing that William Herschel found Uranus, (queue dangerous style joke), by way of a selfmade telescope in 1781.
There are many fascinating reveals to discover from previous globes to telescopes, planetaria, diaries, a music room, and the home and gardens themselves, that are completely preserved. You may decide up some fascinating strolling maps of Bath detailing factors of curiosity associated to the Herschels.
The museum is open each day from 10 am to five pm (closed between 1 pm and a pair of pm on weekends) and entry prices £12 for adults. Children beneath 18 are free. This is one in every of my favourite museums within the metropolis and among the finest issues to do in Bath for households and other people of all ages with inquisitive minds.
Address: 19 New King Street, Bath, BA1 2BL.
12. See the Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is a powerful row of 30 terraced homes stretching in a big semi-circle and is without doubt one of the greatest examples of Georgian structure within the metropolis. Visiting this spectacular Grade I listed constructing is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do round Bath and is a superb place to get some pictures of the structure typical of the town.
There’s a big inexperienced widespread in entrance of the crescent that gives sensible views of the homes and metropolis. Here, you’ll discover the grand five-star Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, and in the event you can afford the £500+ an evening rooms, then that is the place for some critical pampering and stress-free.
Address: Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LX.
13. Go Hiking Along the Kennet and Avon Canal
One of the very best issues to do close to Bath is to hike or bike alongside the previous railway line that follows the Kennet and Avon Canal. I cycled right here on my method to Bristol from London and it actually is without doubt one of the most lovely elements of the nation. The Canal is 87 miles (140km) lengthy, has 104 locks, and hyperlinks London with the Bristol Channel.
The canal was accomplished in 1810 and was restored within the Sixties, with an improve in 1990 when Queen Elizabeth II formally reopened the canal. It’s now one of the crucial well-liked locations within the west nation for walkers and people desirous to galavant on the river.
The canal passes by way of Wiltshire and elements of the Cotswolds and presents gorgeous views of the encompassing countryside. If you need to get out into nature and expertise the very best of the British countryside, that is the proper place to do it. It’s additionally doable to canoe on the canal which is a superb exercise for households.
14. Visit Nearby Stonehenge
Stonehenge is simply 33 miles (54 km) from one in every of England’s most well-known landmarks, Stonehenge. Witness the spectacle of those neolithic monoliths that scientists are nonetheless unable to elucidate. Each stone is round 13 ft excessive, 7 ft huge, and weighs a whopping 25 tons.
I’ve visited Stonehenge on many events on my method to Cornwall, and among the finest occasions to go to is on the summer time solstice when the solar aligns with the stones. It’s not that straightforward to get to Stonehenge by public transport from Bath so driving is greatest. Alternatively, there are many excursions from London that embody each Bath and Stonehenge.
Address: Salisbury, SP4 7DE.
15. Take a Day Trip to the Gorgeous Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to close to Bath to essentially get a really feel for rural England. With attractive villages stuffed with thatched cottages and colourful gardens that give method to rolling countryside, the Cotswolds are dwelling to a number of the prettiest villages in England.
I’ve buddies that dwell within the Cotswold city of Stroud which is completely located to discover the gorgeous Gloucestershire countryside. The close by village of Slad is the place one in every of my favourite writers, Laurie Lee is buried and is dwelling to a wonderful pub known as The Woolpack Inn which is effectively value a go to.
This full-day tour of the area from Bath contains a number of the prime locations to go to within the Cotswolds together with charming Bourton-on-the-Water, Castle Combe, Lower Slaughter, and extra. Learn extra and guide right here.
Quick Travel Itineraries For Bath
If you’re nonetheless caught on what to see in Bath, you’ll discover some itineraries beneath that can assist you plan your journey and get probably the most out of your keep. Whether you intend to go to for the day, or for longer, these itineraries embody the highest sights and a few wonderful close by day journeys too.
1 Day in Bath Itinerary
With simply someday in Bath be certain that to see the Roman baths, Pulteney Bridge, the traditional Abbey, and the spectacular Royal Crescent. The greatest method to benefit from your time is to take the Roman Baths strolling tour which incorporates visits to those prime sights in Bath.
2-3 Days in Bath Itinerary
Follow the above itinerary in your first day and on the second day absorb one or two of the town’s wonderful museums. Literature followers can discover the Jane Austin or Mary Shelley museums or select to marvel on the Herschel House Museum and find out about our photo voltaic system and the way one of many newest planets within the photo voltaic system was first found.
1 Week in Bath Itinerary
With per week in Bath comply with the above itineraries in your first two days and embody visits to Royal Victoria Park, a stroll alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal, and think about pampering your self with a spa day or a rooftop swim on the Thermae Bath Spa.
Take a ship journey on the Avon and spend extra time exploring the traditional metropolis streets that date again over 2,000 years. With Bath as a base, you may get out and discover the picture-postcard Cotswolds and take a day journey to mighty Stonehenge.
Where to Stay in Bath
Bath is a comparatively small metropolis (it’s extra the scale of a city) and all the most important sights are inside strolling distance of one another. These are a couple of of the very best neighborhoods in Bath for vacationers:
City Center – Best for Couples
The metropolis heart is the very best place in Bath for first-time guests as all the most important sights such because the Roman baths, spas, museums, retailers, and eating places are all inside straightforward strolling distance.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa and Luxury Hotel is a superb place to remain in the event you’re seeking to be pampered (and one of many nice issues to do in Bath for {couples}).
Bear Flat – Best for First-Time Visitors
Bear Flat is a nice suburb near the middle of Bath and never removed from Bath Spa station. Nearby Springfield Park presents unbelievable views of the town and there are many bars and eating places inside strolling distance.
Devonshire House is a four-star lodge in Bear Flat only a 20-minute stroll from the town heart. The en-suite rooms include a TV, DVD participant, and tea and coffee-making amenities.
Camden – Best for Families
Just like its namesake in London, the Camden neighborhood of Bath is without doubt one of the hippest locations within the metropolis. It’s positioned on a big hill and presents gorgeous views of the Bath skyline and close by countryside. There are plenty of enjoyable actions obtainable close by from kayaking to mini golf and climbing, and it’s lower than a mile from city.
Seventeen the Town House is a four-bedroom home in Camden excellent for households. The condo options 4 bedrooms and two bogs, free WiFi, and even a tennis court docket.
Best Restaurants in Bath
The metropolis of Bath is a wonderful vacation spot for foodies due to its wonderful eating places and pubs that use the freshest native produce. Don’t miss these nice locations to eat in Bath:
1. Raphael Restaurant and Wine Bar: This trendy brasserie with picket flooring and comfortable lighting is without doubt one of the top-rated eating places in Bath and someplace I’ve eaten on many events. The menu focuses on up to date British delicacies using influences from around the globe. The Teriyaki-glazed cod with sesame-crushed potatoes is certainly a winner, they usually serve a imply Sunday roast too.
2. The Scallop Shell: This unpretentious seafood restaurant is the proper place for a household meal at an affordable worth. From British classics corresponding to fish and chips to Cornish Lemon Sole and Cawsand Bay crab salad to smoked salmon, Porthilly oysters, and Moroccan spiced chickpeas, there’s one thing right here to swimsuit all tastes.
3. Henry’s Restaurant: Local chef Henry Scott guarantees “modern dining in humble, rustic settings” and he actually delivers on this. The menu at Henry’s makes use of the big selection of native produce from the west nation, and solely the freshest components are used. There are 5 and seven-course tasting menus obtainable from £65 and it’s an amazing place to pattern a number of the greatest British delicacies.
4. The Pulteney Arms: This conventional British pub within the coronary heart of Bath is one in every of my favourite pubs within the metropolis due to its rustic appeal, wonderful number of ales, and attractive menu. From dressed Cornish crab to burgers, fish and chips, and a spread of selfmade pies, this is without doubt one of the greatest locations for meal and some beers in Bath.
5. Sotto Sotto: Italian is one in every of my favourite cuisines and Sotto Sotto serves up a number of the greatest Mediterranean dishes outdoors of Puglia. The restaurant is only a few steps from the Roman baths and presents superb eating in gorgeous environment. Expect high-quality Italian dishes from pasta and risotto to seafood and a few severely tasty desserts (be sure to strive the tiramisu!).
Getting To Bath
Bath is well reachable from Europe and the remainder of the UK. Bristol International Airport is beneath 20 miles (32 km) away from the town and has flights to cities round Europe. There are two direct trains from London Paddington each hour to Bath and the journey time is simply 80 minutes. Prices are round £50 ($60) if booked prematurely.
For these wanting to save cash, there are hourly coaches from London Victoria coach station to Bath from as little as £17.50 ($21), with a journey time between three and 4 hours. If you’ve got your personal transport, it’s a three-hour drive from London to Bath alongside the M4.
Bath is a small metropolis so that you don’t want transport as soon as there until you intend on exploring additional afield. All the principle sights within the metropolis could be reached on foot, and taxis and Uber can be utilized to get to locations away from the middle.
Things To Do in Bath: FAQs
Here are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Bath:
Bath is greatest identified for the Roman baths that date again over 2,000 years. The metropolis is the house of many springs and spa resorts utilizing the identical waters the Romand did all these years in the past.
Bath makes for a wonderful vacation spot at any time of yr, however to make sure you get the very best out of your go to, spring by way of fall is the perfect time as you’ll be able to expertise the attractive parks and dine open air.
Bath is certainly value visiting due to its attractive Georgian, baroque, and neoclassical structure, the scenic River Avon and canal, and a few prime museums devoted to literary figures corresponding to Jane Austin and Mary Shelley.
Four days is an effective period of time to spend in Bath to see all the highest sights and get out into the attractive countryside close by. If you need to discover the remainder of the Cotswolds then per week is best.
Bath is without doubt one of the most secure cities within the UK and is the most secure main city in Somerset. Visitors don’t have to fret about violent crime however take the standard precautions when touring corresponding to conserving valuables protected.
Visiting the Roman baths or taking a spa day are two of the preferred issues to do in Bath. Exploring the close by parks, countryside rivers, and the canal are additionally well-liked excursions from Bath.
Bath is inland and doesn’t have any seashores, nevertheless, there are many waterborne actions like kayaking on the River Avon or canal, or taking a ship journey across the city.
Bath is within the west nation which is known for cream teas, seafood, and recent farm meals. Cider is without doubt one of the most well-known native tipples from Bath and Somerset and is one thing I like to recommend making an attempt. Honey’s Cider is without doubt one of the hottest manufacturers and you’ll find this at pubs throughout the town.
In Closing
Now you realize what to do in Bath, one of the crucial picturesque cities in England. With so many great issues to see in Bath from the Roman baths to Pulteney Bridge, the Abbey, and the Kennet and Avon Canal this actually is a superb vacation spot and one in every of my favourite cities within the nation.
With some wonderful museums, plenty of parkland and huge open areas, and a few prime sights inside straightforward attain of the town, Bath ought to positively be on the listing of each traveler to England. I actually can’t wait to get again for my subsequent go to.