12 Best Things To Do In Bath, Somerset

Discover the city that spans the divide between Georgian aristocracy and contemporary lifestyle. Bath in Somerset, England has designer boutiques, historic museums and some of the best Roman remains in Britain.

Bath remains one of the most beautiful British destinations, just as it was in the 18th century when the aristocracy were drawn to its natural springs.

Blessed with a combination of Roman remnants and the grace of Georgian architecture, Bath is a fascinating and romantic city in the UK where you can easily conjure up life as it was in Bridgerton.

It’s such a remarkable place, the whole city has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Making it an essential stop on any England itinerary.

Our guide to Bath covers all the top highlights, tips on where to eat and recommendations for staying over. If you’re visiting for one day, read our Bath Day trip guide.

MAP / THINGS TO DO IN BATH, UK

Our map below contains all the attractions in Bath we have listed in this guide. To help you get your bearings as you explore, download our map to take on your phone with you.

1. ROMAN BATHS

A Roman temple was first built on the site of the Roman Baths around the year 70 BCE, on top of a natural spring which still flows to this day.

This world-famous attraction is probably the main reason you’re visiting Bath England, and it doesn’t disappoint.

The highlight is the Great Bath, a massive pool filled with hot spa water. Surrounded by niches where Romans would mingle, it’s the centrepiece of the site.

You can also see the Sacred Spring where naturally hot water has risen for thousands of years, and the Roman Temple where worshippers gathered to pray to goddess Sulis Minerva.

The museum also contains archaeological finds from Roman and pre-roman Britain.

Roman Bath Tickets – Book your tickets online in advance, or join a walking tour that includes entrance to the baths.

2. BATH ABBEY

Bath Abbey is an ostentatious gothic structure built between the 12th and 16th centuries using stone from the region, giving it an unmistakable golden Bath colour.

From most areas of the city, the 161-foot tower dominates the skyline. Just admiring it from the outside is a wonderful thing to do in Bath, but there are a few reasons that make it worth stepping inside.

Firstly, the fan-vaulted ceiling which was restored between 1864 and 1874 and extraordinary. Secondly, the towering stained-glass windows which make up 80% of the interior wall space are some of the most impressive in the country.

You can also see war memorials and monuments to several notable locals in the form of wall and floor plaques

Bath Abbey Tickets – Entry is £7.50 for adults and tickets can be purchased on arrival. The audio guide is an additional £3.50.

3. PULTENEY BRIDGE

The Pulteney Bridge is a photogenic icon spanning the River Avon.

The charming stone structure is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across its full span on both sides.

If that fact wasn’t enough to impress, the handsome Georgian architecture certainly will.

The bridge was used in the Les Misérables movie when Russel Crowe’s character, Javert, takes his own life by jumping into the river.

4. THE ROYAL CRESCENT

The Royal Crescent is a majestic sweep of residences and possibly the most admired Georgian architecture in England.

Although it has been renovated over the years, the stone facade and elegant columns remain from the original 18th-century construction.

Many notable figures of Bath society have called this most prestigious address home and it has been used in many TV and film productions, most recently, Bridgerton.

While in the area, don’t miss the No.1 Royal Crescent, a museum which is furnished as it would have been in the 18th century.

The large park out the front is the perfect location to admire this incredible architecture from unless you want to treat yourself to a stay in the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.

5. BATH CIRCUS & ASSEMBLY ROOMS

The Bath Circus is another circular formation of Georgian townhouses made up of three curved segments, close to the Royal Crescent.

Architect, John Wood was fascinated with the Druids who built many prehistoric stone circles. Influences you can see at the Bath Circus include masonic symbols such as serpents and acorns built into the façade.

The Assembly Rooms, in the Bath Circus, were designed as a high society hang-out in the 18^th century for music and dancing.

Stroll through the Tea Room, Ball Room, Card Room and Great Octagon to the small formal garden in the centre.

Visiting Bath Assembly Rooms – Temporary exhibitions are often held in the Assembly Rooms. Check what’s on and book a timed-entry ticket on the National Trust website.

6. MR B’S EMPORIUM OF READING DELIGHTS

Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights is a whimsical bookstore in the heart of Bath. Name the best independent bookshop in the UK, this magical space is a delight to stroll around.

You’ll find books on every subject you can think of packed into the labyrinth of rooms in the old house.

Although it’s become very popular over the years, the staff are always friendly and helpful, offering advice to help you find the perfect book.

Mr B’s is an excellent place to go if you are looking for a gift. They have several different subscription and voucher services, including a Reading Spa where you get to have a chat about your reading style over coffee and cake before being presented with a tower of books to consider.

7. THERMAE SPA

Enjoy Britain’s only natural thermal spa just as the Celts and Romans did 2,000 years ago – but a bit plusher.

Come for a spa treatment, or just book a 2-hour session at Thermae Spa which gives you access to the mineral bath and the open-air rooftop pool.

Soaking in the naturally heated pool as the sun fades is one of the best things to do in Bath.

Thermae Spa – The spa is open from 9 am to 9 pm. Check all these services on thermaebathspa.com

8. ROYAL VICTORIA PARK

Victoria Park is a sprawling green parkland just a short stroll from the city centre.

Set across 57 acres, the park includes the Bath Botanical Gardens which has plenty of interesting aspects to explore including the replica of a Roman Temple, a rock garden and pool, and beautiful walkways which follow babbling brooks and stone bridges.

There’s also a romantic Victorian Bandstand, and plenty to keep the kids entertained including crazy golf and a children’s play area.

Don’t miss the Great Dell Arial Walkway in the north of the park.

Access to the park – Royal Victoria Park is free to enter and open 24 hours a day.

9. JANE AUSTEN CENTRE

The Jane Austen Centre is an interactive and immersive experience that focuses on the life and times of Jane Austen.

Located in a Georgian townhouse, the tour starts with a short welcome after which you’re free to roam around at your leisure.

It’s an entertaining step back in time where you can dress up in period costumes, try Regency food and have a very traditional Afternoon Tea.

In addition to the museum, they also organise walking tours around Bath highlighting aspects of her life in the city.

10. TRY A BATH BUN

The Bath Bun is a milk-based sweet bun with crushed sugar on top. It’s not something you see in other parts of England, so if you’re visiting from abroad, trying them is something you have to do in Bath.

The best places to try them are Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House or the Bath Bun Tea Shoppe.

11. VICTORIA ART GALLERY

The Victoria Art Gallery opened in 1900 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It’s housed in a beautiful Grade II listed building, packed with over 1,500 treasures from British painters.

The permanent collection is free to enter and includes works from the 15^th to the 20^th centuries by famous artists such as Thomas Gainsborough and Thomas Baker.

Temporary exhibitions are always interesting and it’s well worth seeing what’s on during your trip to Bath. Stay up to date and book tickets on victoriagal.org.uk.

12. CRUISE THE RIVER AVON

Admiring the city’s majestic architecture from the River Avon is a wonderful thing to do in Bath.

Hop aboard a traditional 1960s river cruiser and sail down the river as you listen to a commentary on the historic sites of Bath as you float by.

Tours point out many interesting landmarks along the river that you can only properly appreciate from the boat including the entrance to the Avon Canal which links London and Bristol by water and the historic Halfpenny Bridge.

Book your River Avon cruise – This well-rated River Avon Cruise includes two glasses of Prosecco or gin tasting.

WHERE TO STAY IN BATH?

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Bath, we have a few recommendations below.

As an alternative, you could stay in the Cotswolds which is a great way to explore the city while enjoying some of the best of the English countryside.

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FREE BATH WALKING TOUR

Bath is a very straightforward city to navigate for visitors, however, a free walking tour is a great way to get your bearings.

The City of Bath run free walking tours every day focusing on the main central attractions plus the Royal Crescent and the Circus.

Tours last 2 hours and you meet the guides at the entrance to the Roman Baths. They will be standing beside a sign saying “Free Walking Tours Start Here.” There is no need to book in advance. Tour start at the following times:

• Sunday to Friday – 10:30 am and 2 pm.
• Saturday – 10:30 am

There is an additional tour at 6 pm on Tuesday & Sunday between May 1 and August 31.

If you need more flexibility on your start time, or you’d like to join a smaller group, this well-rated walking tour lasts 90 minutes with a professional guide.

WHERE TO EAT IN BATH?

Bath is a great food destination in England. With restaurants still reigning over large chains, you can find some great options for eating out.

Some of our favourites are:

• Circus Restaurant is a cosy, classy establishment with an excellent seasonal menu.
• The Scallop Shell has sensational fish and chips, and plenty more simply prepared options.
• Noya’s Kitchen started life as a Vietnamese supper club which proved so successful it’s now a restaurant.

WHERE TO GRAB A DRINK IN BATH?

It’s not just the thermal waters that run freely in Bath, there are plenty of great places to grab a drink.

• Bath Gin Bar, part of the Bath Gin Distillery has an inspiring list of gin-based cocktails we could easily work our way through.
• Opium Bar is a richly decorated, late-night hangout that hits the quirky/vintage stylings just right.
• Set in an old bakery, Walcot House is a lively restaurant and bar with live music. Choose between swing and jazz in one room or disco, soul and R&B in another.
• Finally, for a more old-school evening, the Star Inn is a traditional pub with no music and no fancy food (according to them).

HOW TO GET TO BATH?

With great transport links, Bath is an excellent day trip from London and many other parts of the country.

BY TRAIN

The easiest way to get to Bath is by train with direct services from many parts of the country.

Bath Spa Train Station has direct lines from Bristol (11 minutes), Reading (55 minutes), Oxford (1 hour), Cardiff (1 hour), London (1 hour, 15 minutes).

The train station is located just a 5-minute walk from the centre of town. Check train times here.

BY CAR

Bath is located in South West England on the edge of the Cotswolds and 40 minutes’ drive from Bristol and around 2 hours, 40 minutes drive from London.

If you’re driving to Bath, the best place to park is at the Podium Car Park or Southgate Shopping Car Park.

Both are a very short walk to the centre. However, to avoid driving into the centre of town, there are three Park & Ride services located around the outskirts of the city.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BATH?

The best time to visit Bath is from June to the end of September when the weather will be pleasant, and the city will look beautiful.

However, the peak tourist season is also July and August when things will be busy, so book ahead if you plan to visit over this time.

From March to May the weather is starting to pick up from the winter cold but tourism is still relatively slow. So this is a great time to visit Bath and snap up a bargain.

FESTIVALS IN BATH

You may also want to time your visit to Bath to coincide with one of the many annual festivals held in the city.

• In summer the Bath Festival celebrates the best in music and books from around the world.
• It coincides with the Bath Fringe Festival which includes a mixed bag of stand-up comedy, cabaret, physical theatre, circus and folk music. 
• In September the Jane Austen Festival is a homage to Bath’s most famous literary export.
• In October, the Great Bath Feast will see you eating your way through the city’s culinary creations.

DAY TRIPS FROM BATH

If you decide to extend your Bath day trip to include an overnight stay, there’s a host of excellent day trips from Bath that allow you to take advantage of this wonderful part of England.

CASTLE COMBE & THE COTSWOLDS

With green forested hills in the background, quaint cottages in the foreground, and a babbling brook in between, it takes little imagination to see why Castle Combe and the Cotswolds is a great day trip from Bath. More information is in our guide to the best Cotswolds weekends.

LACOCK

Lacock is a small village owned and managed by the National Trust. Half-timber, half-stone cottages line wonky laneways that fill the village with charm and character.

It’s one of the coolest places in the Cotswolds.

STONEHENGE

Stonehenge is around 1 hour from Bath by car. Unfortunately, there aren’t great public transport options between Bath and Stonehenge, but Scarper Tours has a direct tour from Bath.

AVEBURY

The huge stone circles at Avebury are another great marvel of prehistoric Britain. See them and the quaint village they surround in just under 1 hour from Bath by car. If you don’t have a car, Rabbies organise an Averby and Lacock Tour from Bath.

WELLS & CHEDDAR GORGE

Visit the home of cheddar cheese and the limestone gorge where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton was found. Cheddar Gorge is around 50 minutes from Bath by car. Again, the public transport options are not great, but Bath Insider organises day trips to Cheddar Gorge.

MORE DAY TRIPS

• Pick from one of our 20 curated day trips from London.
• See the achievable highlights on our 1-day Cambridge itinerary.
• Enjoy a medieval weekend break with our Rye day trip.
• Hit the beach on a relaxing day out in Brighton.
• Explore the rich history on our Canterbury day trip from London.
• Scoff the freshest oysters with our Whitstable day trip.
• Enjoy the regal side of life with our Bath day trip itinerary.
• Pick from one of our 10 Cotswolds day trip ideas.
• Hike the white cliffs on our Seven Sisters day trip.