With so much to do and see in the UK, you truly are spoilt for choice! Just a 90-minute train ride away from London, Bath is the perfect destination for families, couples, friends and even a solo adventure, making it one of the most popular day trips from London.
The city of Bath has so many historic buildings that the entire city center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bath is a very walkable city and most of the main attractions are within walking distance. With numerous cafes, bars and shops, lovely parks and the River Avon to enjoy, there is something for everyone.
Given all the Roman influence, Bath gives such a different vibe and feel from London! If you are short of time and have only one city to explore beyond London, I highly recommend visiting the city of Bath.
Any Bridgerton fans here? Well, a big portion of the outdoor shots as well as a few interior scenes were filmed in Bath. You know the Modiste shop that girls flock to get their dresses made in Bridgerton? Well, it is shot in a deli in Bath 😊 The exterior of one of the houses in the iconic Royal Crescent is used as the home of the Featherington family. Have I convinced you to visit? Then continue reading to make the most of your time in Bath.
If you do have flexibility in your schedule, I would suggest you visit Bath on a weekday vs. weekend. Given its proximity to London city, it is a popular day trip destination for international visitors visiting UK. And if you visit on a weekend, expect a lot of locals too! If you are looking for a detailed guide on London, click here.
We also ended up visiting Cotswolds, Brighton, Windsor and Canterbury on day trips. Click on the individual links to read more.
Best Way to Get to Bath
Car is the most stress-free way of reaching Bath. But a car ride from London takes longer (2.5 hours) and you also have to deal with the hassle of finding a parking spot.
Whereas a train from London’s Paddington station will get you to Bath in just 90 minutes. If you book in advance, you can find a return ticket for just £20-25.
If you want to completely take the stress out of organizing a visit, then you can join one of the group tours via Getyourguide or Viator.
How Many Days to Spend
While most people spend just half a day in this town, I would recommend spending at least a night. That way, you get to experience the beauty of the city once the daytrippers have left. The town practically gets empty after 6-6.30 pm. And with longer daylight in spring/ summer months, you get to marvel at the sights without pushing through the crowd.
If you are planning to visit Cotswolds on a day trip, then you can set up base in Bath vs. London. For those who don’t know or haven’t heard about Cotswolds district in UK, then here you go – Cotswolds is a beautiful region full of rolling hills and quaint little villages that look straight out of a postcard. Most of the towns in Cotswolds are just one hour away from Bath, while some are just 20-30 minutes train/ car ride away. Whereas, some of these towns are almost a two-hour drive from London. You can also find several guided/ private tours from Bath, which are slightly cheaper compared to when you do a day trip from London. Lastly, it is no surprise that accommodation in Bath is on the cheaper side compared to London. So, depending on what you plan to see and do while in Bath, you can plan the number of days of stay.
We ended up staying 2 N and explored Cotswolds on a day trip (click here for a detailed article on the Cotswolds region). We felt that it gave us ample opportunity to explore the town of Bath at our pace!
We also had plans to visit another town, Bradford-upon-Avon, located just 15 minutes away by train, but to cancel it due to some train ticket snafu. But if you are staying for longer, then you can certainly check it out.
Where to Stay
Since I was travelling with family, I was on the look out for a spacious room. While browsing through options, I stumbled upon Hiding Space Westgate Apartments, located just steps away from Roman Bath. It worked out perfect for us since the room was HUGE and had all the amenities we needed for a comfortable stay. Highly recommend if you are planning to stay overnight in Bath.
Things to Do/ Places to Visit
Roman Baths
A visit Britain’s only natural hot springs is a must when you visit this town. In 70 BC, Romans built a bathing complex around the steaming waters, with hot and cold pools, steam rooms and a temple dedicated to the goddess, Sulis Minerva, giving the town its Roman name, Aquae Sulis.
In order to get an entry to the Roman Bath, you need to purchase a ticket. Ticket prices are in the range of £24 – £27 per person depending on the day of your visit. The good thing is that each ticket comes with a free audio guide. You can either buy your tickets in advance or on the day of your visit at the ticketing counter. Pick a slot first thing in the morning or after 4.30 pm, since that is when the day trippers start to go back to London.
A visit to the Roman Bath will give a chance to immerse yourself in history and see how this city’s former residents lived all those years ago. In addition to the large Roman bath, you will find ruins and ancient artefacts hidden underground. There are interactive exhibits and CGI reconstructions which bring this ancient site back to life.
After the bath of course, my favorite part was the terrace which overlooks the bath and is lined with statues of Roman emperors.
Over a million liters of water heated to 46°C still flows into the baths every day, but don’t be tempted to take a dip. Because of the quality of water, swimming is prohibited. But did you know drinking this mineral-rich water is said to be a healthy remedy for numerous ailments. And a fun fact, you can try the pump water for yourself towards the end of the tour. PS – I gave it a try and have to say it tasted a bit weird ☹
Once you are done, you can check out the Georgian Pump Room. It has been the social heart of Bath for more than two centuries and some of its previous patrons were Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
Thermae Bath Spa
You can’t take a dip at the Roman Baths, but did you know you can still enjoy the same natural hot spring water at Therme Bath Spa. This unique place offers lovely treatments, relaxation spaces and a spectacular rooftop pool offering 360-degree views of the city.
If you are looking for a pampering session, then book yourself in for a soak in the natural thermal springs in Bath. While the temperature is naturally over 40 degrees, the water is cooled to the optimum bathing temperature of 34°C.
Entry to the spa costs £41-£47 for a two-hour session and includes towel, robe and flip flop hire.
Bath Abbey
Abbey is right next door to the Roman Baths. Given its grandeur, it is an impossible structure to miss! Founded in the 7th Century, Bath Abbey is one of the highest buildings in Bath and well worth a visit when you are in this city.
The architecture is amazing and once you step in, don’t forget to admire the stained glass art ! An entry to the Abbey costs £7.5 per person. You can even climb the tower, around 212 steps, to get a bird’s eye view of the city.
Pulteney Bridge
Completed around 250-years-ago, Pulteney Bridge is located right in the center of Bath.
Similar to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Pulteney Bridge houses a number of shops and cafes along the bridge itself. During the day, you can take a seat in one of the cafes/ restaurants which provide a lovely view. And there are some cute shops to browse through as well.
Also, you can get down the steps and admire the beauty of the place by strolling around the riverbank. The weir, a low barrier, was first built in the 1600s to prevent flooding in the town of Bath. It was completely rebuilt in the early 1970s. Highly recommend a stroll in the morning or late evening during sunset.
You can even hop on a boat and enjoy a little boat ride here. Check out Bath City Boat Trips or Pulteney Cruisers. You can listen to the history of the city, while taking in views of Pulteney Bridge and the Weir.
Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is a row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent in the city of Bath, England. The unique arch shape of the buildings is what makes this place truly impressive. It was designed by the architect John Wood and built between 1767 and 1774. Although some changes have been made to the interiors over the years, the Georgian stone facade remains very much the same as it was when first built.
While most are private residences, No.1 has been converted to a museum and is open to the public. Inside you can go back to the 18th century and see how wealthy Georgians lived, complete with authentic furniture, décor and fascinating details of their everyday lives.
Stroll around the streets
Even though Bath is quite a small city, there are plenty of cute alleys and charming little streets here. Here are some of my favorite streets in Bath.
North Parade Passage, is a narrow street and is home to the oldest house in Bath , which is also the home of Sally Lunn Bun!
Abbey Green is right at the bottom of North Parade Passage and has so many gorgeous corners and facades that it has to be on this list. Stop by The Abbey Deli (formerly Pickled Greens) which you might recognize from the popular Netflix series, Bridgerton, as ‘The Modiste’. Other facades to look out here are The Bath Bun and Bath Retro Store.
Abbey Churchyard is the street that leads up the Abbey and provides the most incredible view! On the left, as you look at Bath Abbey are shops and cafes whilst on the right is the entrance to the Roman Baths and to the Famous Pump Rooms.
Margaret’s Buildings is yet another lovely street with wonderful shops to explore and cafes to enjoy.
Also, simply wander around without GoogleMaps and I am sure you will find plenty of pretty corners like me 🙂
Sally Lunn’s Historic House
This place dates back to 1482, and is the place to try Bath’s famous buns. Legend has it that a girl called Solange Luyo, fled France in the 1600s. As her name was difficult to say, she became known as Sally Lunn. Her brioche style buns were popular and thus, Sally Lunn’s Historic House was invented! You can have them sweet (with cinnamon butter, lemon curd or chocolate) or savoury (with toppings such as bacon, salmon, cheese, mushrooms and more!) If you visit during lunchtime, be prepared to wait – this place is on everybody’s list!
Shopping
Green Street should be on your list if you want to go shopping. There are also a number of market places and stalls in Bath, which sell lots of goodies!
And also stop by the Guildhall Market, an indoor market which is perfect on a rainy or cold day. Take a little stroll, find some local goodies and enjoy the city.
Afternoon Tea
With plenty of small quaint cafes, I recommend you try afternoon tea in the town of Bath vs London. The atmosphere is much more relaxed, and you are sure to get more value for your buck.
Since I had tried an elaborate afternoon tea with my cousins prior to coming here, I skipped it here.
Jane Austen
Jane Austen, the British author, was living in Bath from 1801 to 1806. This city served as an inspiration for some of her novels.
If you are a big Jane Austen fan, then visit the Jane Austen Centre. Here you will find costumed characters and exhibits telling the story of her time living in Bath and the impact it had on her work. You can even dress up in Regency clothes and enjoy some sweet treats and snacks in their tea room. Did you know that there is a Jane Austen Festival held every year in Bath?
Other Neighboring Towns to Visit
If you are in Bath for more than a day, then you can certainly check out some of the cute neighboring towns:
- Bristol
- Bradford-upon-Avon
- Chippenham / Castle Combe
Most of these are just 15 minute train / bus ride from Bath. For Castle Combe, you will need to take a bus/ taxi from Chippenham train station, and it will give you a taste of what Cotswold District looks like!
Cafes and Restaurants
Sweet Little Things for all things sweet and instagrammable 😊 The interiors are straight out of Pinterest and has the cutest little corners. The ceiling is covered in pink and white roses and the chairs are plush pink velvet. They even do an elaborate afternoon tea if you are interested.
Head over to Cornish Bakery for the yummiest baked treats! I picked up a cherry almond croissant and the filling was just delicious.
For your breakfast fix or a late morning meal, head over to The Whole Bagel. They do amazing bagel sandwiches and work as the perfect morning fuel for a long day of exploring.
If you are looking for a luxurious dining experience, then you must check out the Pump Room. Located next to the Roman Baths, it was built in 1776. It was at the heart of the city’s social scene for the fashionable 18th-century set, including Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
For big meals, we ended up eating Mexican bowl at Tortilla, Indian food at Indian Temptation and falafels at Eat a Pitta.
* All prices are as of April 2024