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Why we love Bath

A wellness retreat for the Romans and elegant Georgian architecture around every corner – Bath is the city that has it all. But look beyond its UNESCO World Heritage status and discover a destination bursting with cultural and gastronomic delights, from live music and comedy to captivating tours and experiences.

From a paddle down the River Avon, to touring the Bridgerton filming locations made famous by Netflix’s smash hit series – you won’t be short of finding adventure. Bust out your best moves at the world’s largest greenfield music and arts festival, Glastonbury, or discover life through the eyes of a literary favourite at the annual Jane Austen festival. From shopping and exploring the Roman baths, to taking a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa and captivating walking tours , this is one place not to be missed.

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A regal Bridgerton tour

Behind the scenes of Bridgerton

Listening to a soundtrack from the show, discover the houses of Lady Danbury and the Featheringtons, and the real-life ​​’Modiste’ – Madame Delacroix’s dress shop – and much more. 

Wayne Farrell Photography (www.waynefarrell.co.uk)

Band playing drums and singing at Bath Carnival

Bath Carnival

Creativity bursts into the city in July with Bath Carnival . Feel the rhythm of the city come alive with samba drumming, carnival dancers and let the DJ take the celebrations into dusk.

Paul Blackmore/Bath Fringe

A dog and a performer in a mouse costume as part of Bath Fringe Festival

Bath Fringe Festival

From comedy and cabaret to workshops and walks: anything is possible at this eclectic arts festival! Every summer, the Fringe presents entertainment for all the family – with dancing, exhibitions, film screenings, live music and more.

VisitBritain/Andrew Welsher

The Royal Crescent, Bath

Aerial view of crescent-shaped building surrounded by grass

A regal tour of Bath

Live out all your lavish fantasies on a Bridgerton tour – wander through Bath’s streets for picturesque sightseeing and discover the Bridgerton filming locations from the hit series, including the Royal Crescent and the Holburne.

High angle close up of tea and buns on a table

Discover diverse flavours

Fill your tummy with foodie delights on a city tour with a bite to it! Say hi to the locals as you pass through Bath’s streets tucking into culinary artisans, sweet locally baked buns and seasonal produce.

Things to do in Bath

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Thermae Bath Spa

Britain’s only natural thermal spa, located in the historic city of Bath, offers the ultimate in relaxation.

Women swimming in a swimming pool at a spa

Roman Baths

Tour the original Roman Baths and discover fascinating archaeological finds from pre-Roman and Roman Britain.

Colin Hawkins

ROMAN BATHS BATH

No. 1 Royal Crescent

Explore fashionable life in 18th century Georgian Bath at this restored town-house museum, which had a starring role in Bridgerton.

Aerial view of crescent-shaped building surrounded by grass

The Jane Austen Centre

Fans of the author won’t want to miss this museum chronicling Jane Austen’s life and times, plus Regency tearoom.

People dressed up as characters from the Jane Austen books

Bath Skyline Walk

Head out on this circular National Trust trail, which affords spectacular views of the historic city of Bath.

Chris North

Thermae Bath Spa

This former monastery is one of Bath’s most magnificent monuments, with amazing views from its tower.

Woman walking down the aisle of a church

Pulteney Bridge

Dating back to 1796, this Georgian marvel is a highlight of city tours and boat trips.

VisitBritain/Simon Winnall

Bath, England

Couple strolling beside a canal in the evening

Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House

Dating back to the 1400s, this restaurant, museum and shop specialises in traditional British cuisine.

Waitress holding tray with tea and cake standing

Brit Movies Bridgerton Tour

History meets Hollywood on this filming locations walking tour, packed with behind-the-scenes gossip.

A regal Bridgerton tour

Bailey Balloons

Soar up, up and away over Bath and the Somerset countryside, on a hot air balloon adventure.

Destination Bristol

Jo Bailey for Visit West

Stonehenge and Avebury

Spy the wolrd-famous mysterious prehistoric monument that continues to puzzle us all.

VisitBritain/Stephen Spraggon

Large stone pillars arranged in circle on grass. Sunset

The Green Rocket

This friendly veggie and vegan restaurant has won multiple awards for its plant-based menu.

A plate of food being served at Green Rocket in Bath

The Elder Restaurant

From farm to fork, this bistro takes seasonal and sustainable dining to a whole new level.

A group of people being waited on at a table in The Elder, Bath

Upper City Bath

Look out for locally-made fashions, artisan beauty products, art studios and more.

nicksmithphotography.com/VisitBath

Groups of people walking down a street in Bath's Upper City

Central Bath Shopping

Big-name fashion, designer and homeware stores rub shoulders with small independents and quirky boutiques.

A group of women entering a shop in Bath

Walcot Artisan Quarter

From classic vinyl to royal-themed ceramics and second-hand books – you’ll find it all right here.

Rows of shops on Walcot Street in Bath

Bath Boating Station

Explore the River Avon in a rowing boat, punt, canoe or motorboat from this historic rental spot.

Rows of kayaks lined up on the shore at Bath Boating Station

Little Solsbury Hill

Surrounded by glorious countryside, this panoramic peak was the location of an Iron Age hill fort.

National Trust Images/Dawn Bigg

A volunteer conservation group at Solsbury Hill, Bath Skyline

Bath Botanical Gardens

This beautiful park has been a haven for picnics, walks and wildlife watching since 1840.

Beata Cosgrove Photography/VisitWest

Autumn at Bath Botanical Gardens - Temple of Minerva Wedding Venue

Great bands, cheap drinks and an amazing atmosphere: this underground venue hosts gigs and club nights galore.

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A DJ performing on stage in front of a crowd at Moles Nightclub in Bath

Entertainment for all the family – with dancing, exhibitions, film screenings, live music and more.

A dog and a performer in a mouse costume as part of Bath Fringe Festival

The Bath Festival

Books and music take centre stage – with author talks, live concerts, novel signings and more.

Nick Spratling/The Bath Festival

A talk on stage at The Bath Festival

Bath Assembly Rooms

With glittering chandeliers and soaring architecture, this is a fabulous location for events and concerts.

National Trust Images/Anna Kilc

The Jane Austen festival at Bath Assembly Rooms, Bath

Jane Austen Trail in Sydney Gardens

Follow in the great author’s footsteps, and discover the places that inspired Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

A barge sailing down a canal in Bath

Gravel Walk - Persuasion

One of Jane Austen’s settings, this beautiful back-street also features in the Netflix series of Persuasion.

A daytime view of Gravel Walk in Bath

Plate Restaurant and Terrace

Whether for long lazy lunches, afternoon tea, or traditional Sunday roasts with all the trimmings.

An interior view of Plate Restaurant in Bath

Savouring Bath

From street food tours and small-batch distilleries, to trips packed with ice cream, cheese and comfort food.

Cups of tea and Japanese gyoza being served at a restaurant in Bath

The Pump Room Restaurant

Breakfast, brunch and afternoon tea are accompanied by live piano music, and beautiful Georgian architecture.

Mark Weeks/Searcys

The Pump Room Restaurant in Bath being prepared for opening

Bizarre Bath

Enjoy the lighter side of Bath on this comedy-packed walking tour, with street theatre and stunts galore.

A performer standing on a speaker speaking to a crowd as part of Bizarre Bath

Victoria Falls Adventure Golf

This mini-golf course offers 18 challenging holes to play, all in a beautiful garden setting.

A series of mini golf holes as part of Victoria Falls Adventure Golf Course

Original Wild

Book paddleboarding and kayaking tours of Bath, plus raft building, code-breaking, climbing and abseiling.

Two people paddleboarding down a river in the centre of Bath

West Country Water Park

With paddleboarding, windsurfing and wild swimming, this outdoor activity centre has adventures for all ages.

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West Country Water Park

This Michelin-recommended restaurant celebrates all-things fresh, sustainable and plant-based.

Pete Helme Photography/Oak Restaurant

Oak restaurant

Oak Restaurant, Bath, Somerset

Once a super-cinema, now a live events venue, catch some of the biggest names in comedy, live music, dance and more.

A band performing on stage at the Forum in Bath

Bath Narrowboats

A narrowboat break on the Kennet and Avon Canal is the ideal way to connect with nature.

Bath Narrowboats, Kennett and Avon Canal

Bath Adventures

With gin-tasting cruises and silent discos, these city sightseeing tours are anything but ordinary!

Bath Adventures, Christmas Market

Featured things to do

Jo Bailey for Visit West

Bailey Ballons

Soar up, up and away over the city of Bath and the Somerset countryside, on a hot air balloon adventure. This award-winning company takes off from Royal Victoria Park in Bath and offers VIP flights from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, too.

Andrew Allcock

Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury

Step into a world of world class music, stand-up comedy, circus performers and eclectic film at Glastonbury Festival - this is one creatively cultural experience not to be missed by the party-goers.

Blond woman wearing hat and jeans sitting on bridge

Skyline perspectives

Wander up to Solsbury Hill and the other heights above Bath for skyline views over the bustling city and beyond, mixing nature with autumnal colours and beautiful fresh perspectives.

People visiting Christmas Market traders in wooden chalet huts in Bath

Bath at Christmas

From an amble through its traditional Christmas market to a steamy twilight swim at the city’s rooftop pool – winter is a magical time in Bath with glistening lights and plenty of festive fayre.

Places to stay in Bath

Central bath.

Bath’s centre is where you’ll find most of the incredible historical and cultural gems. Bath City, the oldest part is blessed with handsome Georgian architecture and atmosphere to enjoy getting lost, and here boasts the only place in Britain where you can bathe in natural thermal hot springs.

From cosy pubs to trendy bars, a smattering of decent night life to places to wine and dine. North of the city centre is worth discovering for an alternative with boutique shops and speciality sports.

Victoria Park

This area features perhaps Bath’s most famous street, the truly awesome horseshoed shaped, Royal Crescent (built in the 1700s). Its close enough to the centre, and offers luxury and an poetic atmosphere.

Explore nearby

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Lit up hot air balloons and fireworks in the night sky

Lush rolling pastures, pretty stone villages and rambling rivers - the Cotswolds has it all.

Cotswolds, England

Pärchen, das sich im Garten in der Nähe eines Springbrunnens umarmt

Step into a land of castles, world-renowned rugby and a whole host of myths and legends.

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

A gay couple enjoying the shopping facilities at Castle Arcade in Cardiff, Wales

Just an hour by train from London and you’re in the city of dreaming spires.

VisitBritain/Jess Barfield

Two boys playing on a path in front of a palace

Small but mighty, Exeter is a city with seriously cool credentials.

Exeter City Council

A view down a shopping street in Exeter's Castle Quarter

Getting to Bath

Well connected by air, train, coach and bus to destinations across the UK,  getting to and around Bath is easy. Bath is located in South West England and Bristol International Airport is the closest airport, just 19 miles (30 kilometres) away. The A4 Air Decker bus service is direct to Bath from the airport, taking around 45 minuets.

From London, there is a high-speed train with Great Western Rail  from London Paddington to Bath Spa train station taking around 80 minutes.

There is a coach service from London Heathrow to Bath with National Express taking just over two hours.

Getting around

Bath's public bus service is well connected throughout the city and beyond, First West Bus is the largest operator. Or try a sightseeing hop on, hop off city sightseeing bus tour .

A compact city, Bath is great to explore by foot , with a good selection of free maps and guides , plus countryside walks, too.

With 14 self-service hire stations around the city, traffic-free cycle routes and the Bristol to Bath Cycle Path, the scenic city of Bath is brilliant when  explored by bike .

Want to know more?

Planning on visiting Bath? Get the latest information on Attractions, Events, Accommodation, Shopping & Eating Out.

36 Hours in Bath, England

By Susanne Masters Updated June 15, 2023

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A birds-eye view over rooftops in a city. In the foreground is a church building made of sand-colored stone with arched windows and Gothic spires.

Hot water mingles with 2,000 years of history in Bath, the spa town in southwest England. Named for its ancient, thermal-spring-fed Roman pools, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the beautiful backdrop to Jane Austen films and the Netflix series “Bridgerton.” But the town is not resting on its past. Impressive restaurants like the Elder , which opened during the pandemic, add finesse to regional British fare, while a new museum dedicated to Mary Shelley, who wrote most of “Frankenstein” while a teenager in Bath, celebrates the city’s literary side in good, spooky fun. While centuries’ worth of visitors have flocked to Bath for a steaming soak, the sweeping Georgian architecture and rolling, lush countryside also attract active travelers to enjoy the area on foot, bicycle or even a kayak.

Recommendations

  • The Roman Baths , a preserved ancient spa complex and museum, offers immersion in the city’s history, even if visitors cannot soak in its famous hot water.
  • No 1. Royal Crescent , a museum in a restored townhouse, recreates the interior of a wealthy Georgian family home.
  • Thermae Bath Spa offers a contemporary way to enjoy the city’s hot water.
  • Oak is a mostly vegan restaurant that grows some of the produce that ends up on diners’ plates.
  • Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein offers visitors creepy, experiential ways to explore the “Frankenstein” author’s life and legacy.
  • Herschel Museum of Astronomy is the house where William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in 1781 while living with his sibling and fellow astronomer Caroline Herschel.
  • Bath Aqua Glass lets you blow a glass bauble for a personalized souvenir.
  • Royal Victoria Park and Hedgemead Park bookend an architectural walk through the city.
  • Original Wild , a local outdoor adventure company, will take you on a paddle-powered tour of the city.
  • No. 15 by GuestHouse , a hotel occupying three Georgian townhouses, serves afternoon tea with style.
  • Corkage is a wine bar and restaurant with an inviting terrace.
  • The Green Bird Cafe is a pit stop for coffee and snacks.
  • The Bell Inn is an independent pub that serves real ale and has live music.
  • The Fine Cheese Co. sells cheeses made by small producers who use traditional methods.
  • The Elder serves British fare, with emphasis on local produce and game, amid elegant wood-paneled décor.
  • Bathwick Pharmacy stocks modern pharmacy products in a shop whose interior dates to 1826.
  • The Antique Map Shop sells maps of the British Isles, Europe and the Americas, most over a century old.
  • Independent Spirit of Bath sells locally produced drinks alongside international favorites.
  • Dangleberg is the place to get spicy or fermented condiments.
  • The Yellow Shop is a nostalgic haven for vintage and new clothing.
  • Bath is a walkable city. But if your feet get tired, the Bathrider all-day ticket covers most buses in the city center for 5.60 pounds, or about $7. Parking is limited in the city center, although foreign-issued disability parking permits are accepted for visitors with mobility issues.
  • The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is a peaceful aerie and a stunning example of Bath’s Georgian architecture. Rooms start at £319.
  • Eight , in two townhouses in the city center, has 20 rooms, each with its own spirit. Rooms start at £130.
  • Cheap and cheerful, the YMCA Bath hostel is off Walcot Street, the creative heart of the city. Rates start at £22 for a bed in a dorm, with a variety of private rooms available.

A top-down view of a glass-topped table laden with afternoon tea: cream, scones, sandwiches and petit fours. Beneath the table's glass surface is an arrangement of beads and knick-knacks.

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Bath - A Tale of Three Cities

Visit Bath, historic, beautiful and vibrant. The World Heritage city of Bath uniquely represents two thousand years of history in which visitors can immerse themselves either in thoughts and dreams or physically in the natural spring waters. Bath city combines three periods of history, Roman, Georgian and the modern exciting visitor destination of today that reflects its community in the county of Somerset.   The Roman Baths  is one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe and consists of the remarkably preserved remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world.   The city’s unique thermal springs rise in the site and the Baths still flow with natural hot water at 46 degrees centigrade. The modern Thermae Bath Spa is the only natural thermal spa in which visitors can bathe, the rooftop pool giving panoramic views of the beautiful city and glimpses into the Somerset countryside.   In between these two ends of Bath’s history sits a remarkable evolution of history and architecture. Bath Abbey has evolved over centuries and is a place of calm and exploration adjacent to the bustle and excitement of Bath’s shopping streets, restaurants , public houses, theatres and performance venues. In addition to worship, recitals and performances contribute to Bath’s status as a centre of culture and a year-round centre for entertainment.   It is perhaps Georgian architecture that steals the show at street level. The world-famous Royal Crescent breathes Regency life, as does the pristine circular Circus. Bath’s Museums and galleries help to capture the lives of those that were here before us. The Jane Austen Centre  illustrates the famous author’s links with Bath.   A journey across the River Avon by way of the exquisite Pulteney Bridge and formal Great Pulteney Street that brings echos of Bridgerton leads to the Holburne Museum . Historical and contemporary art is displayed in this landmark building. The Victoria Art Gallery adds another 1,500 artworks to Bath’s array of culture and the Fashion Museum  is home to one of the world's leading collections of historic and fashionable dress.   Bath is very much a living city, full of chatter and activity from its community and visitors. Somerset is famous for its food and drink, whether cheeses and dairy produce or vegetables and fruit giving rise to cider.   Sport also has a strong following, both locally and further afield. Bath Rugby and Cricket Clubs have their grounds within yards of all the city’s main attractions and the racecourse at Lansdown offers flat racing in addition to other experiences and performances.

Bath has a Lot to offer...

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18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bath

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Widely considered one of England's most attractive cities , Bath is famous for the archeological attraction from which it takes its name: its 2,000-year-old Roman baths.

Nestled in the Avon Valley between the Cotswolds and the Mendip Hills in the beautiful county of Somerset , Bath is also well known for its perfectly preserved honey-colored Georgian houses .

River Avon in Bath

Today, some 500 of the city's buildings are considered of historical or architectural importance. Bath was granted World Heritage Site status in 1987, one of only a handful of such locations in the UK.

In addition to enjoying the city's spectacular architecture, parks, and gardens, popular things to do include exploring Bath's many museums, entertainment venues, and tourist attractions. And don't worry about getting lost. Handy maps and signage are located in most public areas and major intersections, making the job of finding your favorite points of interest that much easier.

Bath is well known for its many festivals and events, including the Bath Christmas Market , held mid-November to mid-December. Also noteworthy is the Bath International Music Festival , held over two weeks each May.

Learn more about what to see, as well as popular sightseeing opportunities and tours, with our list of the top things to do in Bath, England.

1. Visit the Historic Roman Baths

2. explore bath's georgian roots in royal crescent, 3. take a tour of bath abbey, 4. pulteney bridge, 5. get pampered at thermae bath spa, 6. take a peek inside the cross bath, 7. get your art fix (and more) at the holburne museum, 8. get dressed up at the fashion museum bath, 9. sally lunn's historic eating house, 10. herschel museum of astronomy, 11. the jane austen centre, 12. mary shelley's house of frankenstein, 13. see a show at theatre royal, 14. the museum of east asian art, 15. take a trip to the american museum and gardens, 16. explore the victoria art gallery, 17. the bath festival, 18. prior park landscape garden, where to stay in bath for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions in bath, bath - climate chart.

View of Bath's historic Roman Baths

While the ancient Romans are credited for having established Bath's ancient hot springs as a place of relaxation and rejuvenation, legend has it their healing powers were discovered some 500 years earlier by a British king.

But it was the Romans who left their mark, building the city's famous Roman Baths and Temple of Sulis Minerva in 75 BCE around the largest of the city's three hot springs. It's not difficult to see the attraction: the water contains 43 different minerals, gushes from a depth of nearly 10,000 feet at a rate of 275,000 gallons a day, and is a constant 46.5 degrees Celsius.

Voted Britain's most romantic buildings, the award-winning Roman Baths and Temple are among the finest examples of Roman architecture remaining in England and attract more than 1.3 million visitors each year. Many of the artifacts found during various archeological digs, including altar stones and exquisite mosaics, are on display in the museum or around the Great Bath itself.

Roman Baths

While regular free guided tours are available, those wanting to go at their own pace can pick up an excellent audioguide with their tickets. A version of this handy guide is also available for children, who are encouraged to engage with staff dressed in authentic period costumes. Tickets for the Roman Baths are timed and need to be booked in advance.

Feeling peckish after all that sightseeing? Book a table at the elegant Pump Room Restaurant in a setting that has been serving great meals and afternoon teas for over 200 years. Past guests have included no less than Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Live music and samples of fresh spring water are included.

If you're looking to combine the Roman Baths with a tour of other city attractions, consider joining a fun two-hour Bath city walking tour . Highlights of these morning or afternoon tours include the best parts of the baths, including the hot springs, the Great Bath, the pump rooms, and the changing rooms, plus a walk to Royal Crescent and Bath Abbey.

Address: Abbey Churchyard, Bath, England

Official site: www.romanbaths.co.uk

Bath's Royal Crescent

Exploring Bath's perfectly preserved Georgian architecture is probably the second best excuse to visit this beautiful city. A great place to start your adventure is the Museum of Bath Architecture . This unique facility located in a former private chapel perfectly demonstrates how classical design influenced the city's buildings. It's also home to the incredibly detailed Bath Model , a magnificent 1:500 scale architectural model of the historic city center.

Next, walk to the northwest section of the city, where most of the best architectural examples are found. Check out Queen Square and Gay Street, with their beautifully symmetrical façades dating from the early 18th century. Next, head to the Royal Circus , a perfect circle of three-story homes with different classical orders (column types) on each level.

Finally, there's Royal Crescent . This monumental semicircular sweep of residential townhouses is famous for its breathtakingly uniform, palace-like façade. While most homes on the crescent remain privately owned, No.1 Royal Crescent is open to the public and provides a rare glimpse into what life was like for the wealthy, along with their not-so-wealthy servants, in the 1770s.

A variety of guided tours, educational events, and themed itineraries are available.

Address: 1 Royal Crescent, Bath, England

Official site: http://no1royalcrescent.org.uk/

Bath Abbey

The Gothic cathedral of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, traditionally referred to as the Bath Abbey, was founded in 1499. According to legend, it was built after Bishop Oliver King experienced a vivid dream of angels climbing up and down ladders to and from heaven. He also heard a voice declaring: "The crown should plant an olive tree and the king restore the church."

Interpreted as a sign to rebuild the church, the site of which had been used by Christians as a place of worship since 757 CE, the dream was intricately immortalized in stone on the building's west side. A good time to visit for those with flexible itineraries is during one of the frequent music concerts or public lectures (check the abbey's website for dates and details).

There's also a guided tower tour program, which takes in the bell chamber, clock face, and roof. From here, you'll get a superb view over the city and the neighboring Roman Baths. However, it's a 212-step climb, but a rest area is available halfway up. For a truly memorable experience, an after-dark private tower visit is also available for couples.

While admission to the abbey itself is free, there is a charge to climb the tower. For those wanting a keepsake from their visit, be sure to check out the on-site gift shop.

Address: 11a York Street, Bath, England

Official site: www.bathabbey.org

Pulteney Bridge

One of the most recognizable pieces of architecture in Bath, Pulteney Bridge is one of only a handful of bridges with buildings atop them that still exists. Completed in 1774 to connect central Bath to undeveloped land on the opposite side of the River Avon, it's considered one of the most iconic such bridges in the world, and even played a starring role in the film version of Les Misérables ).

Three arches support a variety of quaint little shops and restaurants, and the bridge opens onto Great Pulteney Street with its beautiful Georgian-era homes . The bridge also acts as the departure point for a variety of fun river excursions.

Address: Bridge Street, Bath, England

Thermae Bath Spa

If you'd like to enjoy the same bathing experience as the ancient Romans who built the original baths here, you're in luck. A dip in the waters of Thermae Bath Spa, located across the street from the Roman Baths, is a unique opportunity to experience the same thermal waters that have drawn people as far back as the Celts to the area for thousands of years.

The facility itself is a pleasing architectural blend of a new modern glass-faced structure built in 2006 and original Georgian-era buildings. The main bathing area, the New Royal Bath , consists of a stunning open-air rooftop swimming pool plus an indoor pool, two thermal baths, two steam rooms, as well as an ice chamber. Also worth checking out are the original 18th-century "hot bath" and the delightful garden-side wellness suite.

A number of spa treatments are available, including water massages and hot stone therapies. A fun thing for couples to do is to book one of the romantic twilight packages, including dinner (there's an on-site restaurant), a spa treatment, and a rooftop pool session at sunset.

Address: The Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath Street, Bath, England

Official site: www.thermaebathspa.com

Cross Bath

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Thermae Bath Spa, and operated by the same company, is the Cross Bath . This historic spa facility provides a unique opportunity to take a dip in the city's ancient waters.

A highlight of a visit to this fully-renovated 18th-century building includes having access to the original open-air thermal bath. Adding to the fun is the fact that only 10 guests are permitted at a time.

For a truly memorable experience, your 1.5-hour experience can be booked for private sessions, too – a great option for couples and small groups of friends. As with the Thermae Bath Spa, robes and towels are included with your visit. When not in use, a new glass door allows curious passersby to take a peek into the facility.

Address: 9, 10 Hot Bath Street, Bath, England

Official site: www.thermaebathspa.com/spa-sessions-cross-bath/

Holburne Museum

The mainstay of the Holburne Museum's excellent collection of art includes paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Stubbs. There's also a large collection of 18th-century silver, Wedgwood porcelain, Renaissance bronzes, and early period furniture.

Housed in the former Sydney Hotel, the museum now includes a garden café overlooking lovely Sydney Gardens , famous as Britain's only surviving 18th-century pleasure gardens.

A variety of events and educational programs are held frequently, including classical music performances and lectures. If you time it right, a fun thing to do is participate in the museum's "late night" programs, which allows you to explore its many exhibits after hours. A café and shop are located on the premises.

Address: Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick, Bath, England

Official site: www.holburne.org

Fashion Museum Bath

After taking in Bath's splendid architecture, you'll no doubt want to learn a little more about the styles and fashions that would have adorned the residents of the city's many exquisite homes. Housed in the architecturally stunning Assembly Rooms , the Fashion Museum contains a world-class collection of contemporary and historical clothing, including 150 dressed figures and more than 30,000 original items dating from the late 16th century to the present day.

Established in 1963, the museum's displays cover a variety of themes such as men's and women's wear, day and evening dress, as well as modern alternative fashion.

Highlights include a unique "dress of the year" wardrobe of dresses from the best-known dressmakers and designers, which have been collected since the museum's opening, with one new example being added each year. Examples can be seen from such leading brands as Mary Quant, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren.

For kids who enjoy dressing up, a fun thing to do is to try on some of the reproduction garments made available for visitors. The museum also has a good café, as well as a gift shop. Informative audioguides are included with the price of admission.

Address: Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath, England

Official site: www.fashionmuseum.co.uk/

Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House

Dating from 1482 and rebuilt in 1622, this living museum and historic eating house is famous for its delicious Sally Lunn's Buns, made from secret traditional recipes. Actor Nicolas Cage is reportedly a fan of their cinnamon butter topping. And he's right: they're delicious.

Also try the homemade lemon curd with clotted cream bun. So popular are they, you'll more than likely find yourself lining up with people from across the globe, and versions of the bun are popular in places like Williamsburg, Virginia, and New Zealand.

Just steps from Bath Abbey, the cellar museum demonstrates how the site has been used to refresh weary travelers since Roman times. Highlights include the original kitchen, an old oven dating from 1140, along with the only visible remains of medieval Bath.

The museum also features a fascinating display portraying how parts of the old city were raised an entire story to save it from flooding, and, of course, to allow posh Georgians a better place to promenade.

The best times to visit and avoid the crowds are around 10am or late afternoon near dinnertime; tables can be reserved for the latter. Alternatively, grab a bun or two as a takeaway.

Address: 4 North Parade Passage, Bath, England

Official site: www.sallylunns.co.uk

Herschel Museum of Astronomy

Housed in a beautifully restored Georgian townhouse, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy contains numerous artifacts related to the acclaimed musician and astronomer, William Herschel.

Notable things to do at the museum include viewing original pieces of music and numerous instruments, as well as many references to his greatest achievement, the discovery of the planet Uranus in 1781. This groundbreaking feat was made using a telescope Herschel designed and constructed himself in this very building.

Self-guided audio tours are available, with many replicas of Herschel's equipment being available for visitors to handle and experience. A variety of fun educational programs are also available in the museum and its workshop. An authentic Georgian-era garden is also available to explore.

Another itinerary-worthy attraction is the Museum of Bath at Work . Showcasing 2,000 years of Bath's commercial development, the museum's highlights include a reconstruction of a Victorian engineering and mineral water business that ran unchanged through to the 1960s, a stone quarry and crane, as well as a fully functioning cabinet maker's workshop.

Of interest to philatelists is the Bath Postal Museum , a fun diversion with displays of related materials and numerous antique postboxes.

Address: 19 New King Street, Bath, England

Official site: https://herschelmuseum.org.uk

The Jane Austen Centre

Fans of English literature, and Georgian-era literature in particular, will want to make sure a visit to the Jane Austen Centre on historic Gay Street is included in their Bath travel itinerary. Austen famously vacationed in Bath before living here full-time from 1801 to 1806, a city that, at the time, was a gathering place for the country's upper classes, drawn by its famous baths, rural setting, and vibrant social scene.

Highlights of a visit include touring the well-preserved former townhome with a period-costumed guide (guided tours of other city landmarks are also available), and enjoying a wide variety of displays and materials relating to the author's time in Bath. There's even a waxwork of the author, constructed over a two-year period with guidance from forensic scientists to ensure it resembles Austen (of whom no realistic images exist) as closely as possible.

Another worthwhile place to visit is the center's tearoom, where you can enjoy an authentic high tea experience. There and there's also a well-stocked shop carrying the author's works and other souvenirs.

If traveling to Bath in the autumn, try to time your visit to coincide with the annual Jane Austen Festival . Held each September, this 10-day celebration culminates in a parade, which draws thousands of visitors and fans, most dressed in authentic period costumes. There's also a much-anticipated Masked Ball, something Austen herself would no doubt have enjoyed.

Address: 40 Gay Street, Bath, England

Official site: www.janeausten.co.uk

Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein

Located just a few steps up from The Jane Austen Centre is one of Bath's newest places to visit: Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein. Opened in 2021, this one-of-a-kind attraction is an interesting mix of museum and immersive fun.

In addition to the informative displays outlining Shelley's sometimes tumultuous relationships and at times tragic life, it also offers a fascinating look at how her famous story sparked a virtual industry of monster-related literature and, ultimately, cinema.

As you make your way, you'll see, and in some cases have a chance to play with, a variety of interactive devices that help drive the story along until, eventually, you find yourself face-to-face with the monster Frankenstein just as Shelley wrote him.

You'll then have a chance to sit in an authentic silent-era movie house to watch cinematic incarnations of the famous monster. Afterwards, try your hand at the monster-themed escape room and, if you dare, enter the building's basement for a spooky walk-through experience. A gift shop selling related souvenirs is also on-site.

Address: 37 Gay Street, Bath

Official site: www.houseoffrankenstein.com

Theatre Royal

Opened in 1805 and host to some of the biggest stars of live theater ever since, the spectacular Theatre Royal was completely renovated in 2010. Today, it's considered one of the finest examples of surviving Georgian-era architecture in England.

In addition to the opportunity to enjoy first-rate theatrical and musical performances, a visit will expose you to the building's stunningly decorated interior. Highlights include the ornate plasterwork, plush seating, and large chandelier in the 900-seat auditorium, notable for its three separate galleries. It's also rumored to be haunted, its most famous ghost being the perfumed Grey Lady.

In addition to its ever-changing roster of visiting and locally produced performances, a number of annual events are also held here, including the popular Shakespeare Unplugged Festival. Theatre Royal also houses a second stage, the Ustinov Studio . This studio theater opened in 1997 and offers an eclectic mix of theater, dance, music, and comedy.

Theatre Royal is also home to a dedicated children's theater. The Egg opened in 2005 and hosts numerous kid-focused productions, educational programs and workshops, as well as the fun Family Theatre Festival. In addition to The Egg's café, two restaurants serve both lunch and dinner.

Address: Saw Close, Bath, England

Official site: www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Museum of East Asian Art

Be sure to add the Museum of East Asian Art (MEAA) to your list of Bath attractions to explore. Housed in another of the city's gorgeous old Georgian townhomes, this fascinating museum opened in 1993 and contains many fine collections of carvings made from jade and bamboo.

There are also many bronze sculptures and ceramics from across East and Southeast Asia, including Korea, Japan, and China, in the collection. Some of the 2,000-plus items you'll enjoy seeing in this one-of-a-kind museum date back more than 7,000 years.

In addition to its permanent displays, the museum hosts a variety of interesting visiting exhibits throughout the year, as well as educational programs and events, ensuring a return visit is worthwhile. The museum shop is well worth visiting, too, and stocks a sizable range of Asian-inspired products.

Address: 12 Bennett Street, Bath, England

Official site: https://meaa.org.uk

American Museum and Gardens

Set amid 120 acres of stunning Somerset countryside just three miles outside of Bath, the American Museum and Gardens is home to a superb collection of antiquities from colonial times right up to the Civil War years. Set in a majestic 19th-century manor house, this fascinating museum was founded by a couple of antique collectors to house their vast collection of American decorative arts, and is the only museum of its kind to be located outside the US.

Highlights include authentic American-styled rooms and furnishings representing various regions and periods from the country's history, along with original quilts, maps, textiles, and folk art. Exhibits dealing with contemporary events are also held and are rotated annually.

Be sure to also allow time to explore the museum's magnificent gardens and grounds. A particularly fun thing to do is to wander the replica of George Washington's Mount Vernon garden. There is also an arboretum to explore, as well as a pleasant trail that takes you past a wide variety of trees native to the US.

The museum's recent addition is the New American Garden, which includes an impressive rose collection along with shrubs and perennials. Time your visit right, and you can participate in a variety of living history programs, including reenactments of battles and events from America's rich history. There's also an on-site gift shop selling a range of related souvenirs.

Location: Claverton Manor, Claverton Down, Claverton, Bath, England

Official site: http://americanmuseum.org/

Victoria Art Gallery

Since throwing open its doors to the public for the first time in 1900, the world-class Victoria Art Gallery has remained one of Bath's most-visited museums. Named after Queen Victoria, who that same year celebrated her diamond jubilee, the museum contains superb collections of works by the likes of such well-respected artists as Gainsborough, Turner, and Sickert.

Additional exhibitions may feature items from the gallery's impressive collections of pottery, porcelain, glass, and watches, and are rotated frequently. As well as being of interest to adult visitors, there are also plenty of fun things for kids to do here, including popular activities such as crafts and drawing.

Of special interest for art fans are the Art Store Tours. These fun behind-the-scenes tours offer a look at areas and artworks not normally available to the public. Be sure to also pick up your handy guide (a charge applies) from the museum shop.

Official site: www.victoriagal.org.uk

The Bath Festival

Picking up where the old Bath International Music Festival, established in 1948, left off, the 17-day-long Bath Festival is an exciting multi-arts event that continues to draw huge crowds of festival-goers to the city each May. Music, of course, continues to play a large role in the festival, with everything from jazz to classical to folk and international music being included.

A must-attend highlight is the Party in the City event. This exciting evening of music is free to enjoy, with upwards of 2,000 performers in attendance from various music genres playing at multiple venues across Bath. There's also a strong literary component, which includes everything from poetry to contemporary fiction.

For those traveling with kids, consider a visit in the autumn for the Bath Children's Literature Festival , billed as the largest such festival in Europe. Highlights include author readings; illustration workshops; and plenty of family-friendly fun activities, including arts, crafts, and games.

Address: 9-10 Bath Street, Bath, England

Official site: https://bathfestivals.org.uk

Palladian Bridge, Prior Park Landscape Garden

Just two miles southeast of Bath is one of the most picturesque rural settings to be found anywhere in England: Prior Park Landscape Garden. Built between 1735 and 1750, Prior Park itself was the creation of renowned architect John Wood, whose design is considered to be one of the best examples of the Palladian-style mansions so popular during the period.

But it's the beautiful gardens, designed by poet Alexander Pope and famed garden architect Capability Brown, that so define this National Trust property, and which make it a must for any Somerset itinerary.

A focus of any visit should be exploring the magnificent and extremely photogenic Palladian bridge, one of only four such bridges still standing worldwide. Other features of note include a picturesque Gothic temple, a grotto, and a good-sized serpentine lake.

In fact, so pleasing an experience is wandering this property that you'll certainly want to take your time. This is especially true if you combine it with a walk along the Bath Skyline pathway , which can be joined close by.

Also worth doing is taking one of the park's first-rate free guided tours. These 90-minute walking tours include wildlife and fungi excursions, a head gardener option, as well as seasonal explorations. Autumn is a good time to visit for the colors and the smaller crowds.

And if all that walking makes you thirsty, pay a visit to the fun "tea shed" for a hot beverage.

Address: Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, England

Official site: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park-landscape-garden

Thanks to its status as one of the most visited small cities in England, Bath offers no end of choices when it comes to finding top-rated accommodations close to the city's attractions, most of which are located in the heart of this ancient city. Here are some highly rated and conveniently located hotels we recommend that are close to the Roman Baths and the city's other top cultural attractions.

Luxury Hotels :

  • A favorite for those seeking a high-end experience is The Gainsborough Bath Spa , a sumptuously decorated heritage hotel that offers thermal pools, turndown service, and a delightful afternoon tea – all just steps away from the Roman Baths.
  • Situated on Bath's most famous street, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa offers guests a truly luxury experience in an authentic Georgian-era building, all just a few minutes' walk away from top attractions such as Bath Abbey. A full English breakfast is provided.
  • A luxurious stay can also be enjoyed at the intimate boutique-style hotel No.15 Great Pulteney , located a short stroll from historic Pulteney Bridge.

Mid-Range Hotels :

  • A comfortable stay can be had at The Roseate Villa , a charming, mid-range boutique hotel boasting welcoming staff and an amazing English breakfast, and which is located on a quiet road close to the city's top points of interest.
  • Also worth considering are Pulteney House , a delightful bed-and-breakfast close to Bath Abbey, which offers a free breakfast and parking (a real plus), and SACO Bath , a great choice for those traveling with kids, as it offers larger one- and two-bedroom suites, and is located on St. James Parade just a short walk away from the top things to see and do in Bath.

Budget Hotels :

  • For those seeking a centrally located place to stay, the Dukes Bath , a boutique guesthouse located in a beautiful old Georgian townhome, is an elegant yet affordable option worth considering. Breakfast is included.
  • Also worthy of a look is Premier Inn Bath City Centre Hotel , a pleasant budget hotel that's conveniently located and offers modern décor and comfortable beds.
  • Finally, be sure to check out Harington's Hotel , a charming 300-year-old property situated on a quiet, old cobbled street, which provides easy access to the city's top attractions.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

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Easy Day Trips : A great excursion from Bath is to make the 40-minute drive northwest to the larger and equally interesting city of Bristol . The country's oldest harbor is found here and is the place from which John Cabot began his epic voyage to the New World in the late 15th century. A visit should also include Bristol Cathedral, SS Great Britain, the world's first-ever iron-hulled passenger ship, and the historic city center.

Another port city to visit is Southampton, located a 90-minute drive southeast of Bath. Here, you'll want to explore the still intact medieval walls and historic homes, as well as the city's maritime connections along the Titanic Trail.

The tourist attractions of Salisbury are an hour's drive in the same direction. This historic city is famous for its magnificent cathedral and its many well-preserved historic buildings.

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Easy Day Trips (Part Two) : The lovely city of Winchester is a popular spot to visit from Bath, just 90 minutes east by car. You'll of course want to visit Winchester Cathedral, as well as nearby Highclere Castle, forever immortalized as the ancestral home of the fictional Crawley family of Downton Abbey fame.

Just a little farther beyond Winchester is Portsmouth , home port of the Royal Naval Museum and HMS Victory , perhaps the country's most famous warship.

Another important naval town is Plymouth , a two-hour drive southwest and worth a visit for its fortifications and the Mayflower Museum, which commemorates the journey of the Pilgrims to North America.

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Wales Watching : Thanks to its location, it's easy to cross the Bristol Channel and explore all the highlights of Wales from Bath (it's just over 30 minutes' drive away). Make your first stop Cardiff , a popular destination for the majestic Cardiff Castle and the reconstructed Cardiff Bay area. From here, you're only a few miles from one of the most beautiful parts of South Wales : Brecon Beacons National Park.

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Places to visit in Bath (+ things to do, map & travel tips)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: July 22, 2023

Places to visit in Bath England

Are you going on a trip to the beautiful English city of Bath? With so many things to see in Bath it is easy to get overwhelmed by the possibilities. If you want to know the best places to visit in Bath we have you covered! Below you will find our guide to help plan your ultimate trip.

Bath, one of Britain’s oldest cities, has been a center for wellness and pleasure since the days of the Roman Empire. Its naturally warm and mineral-rich waters attracted those who sought its curative powers and potential for rejuvenation.

Consequently, Bath became a destination for the wealthy elite who could afford such indulgences. The architecture and culture reflect this prosperous past and today visitors to the UK would be amiss to leave Bath off of their travel itinerary.

Fans of Georgian architecture will be in awe. The town’s honey-coloured townhouses and buildings are next to none. You’ll feel as if you’ve slipped into a Jane Austen novel as you stroll throughout Bath, admiring upwards of 5,000 historic buildings.

Many, like the Royal Crescent and the Circus , were considered revolutionary architectural achievements of their time. For those who enjoy a little shopping, Bath’s charming streets are lined with delightful boutiques and independently owned shops.

Whether you’re looking for the latest fashion or for souvenirs, you’ll be able to find just the thing in Bath. You’ll also be able to choose from a wide variety of restaurants and cafés, many of which feature locally grown produce and artisan ingredients. If you have any time left, there are many noteworthy museums and galleries to explore as well.

There are so many things to see in Bath, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the possibilities. To help you plan your trip, here is a list of the best things to do in Bath , along with a few honourable mentions and hidden gems.

We recommend taking the hop-on hop-off bus in Bath to see all the sights or taking a walking tour with a guide who can tell you all about the history of this beautiful city.

Georgian architecture in the city of Bath in England

Roman Baths

Royal crescent (and no.1 royal crescent), assembly rooms and fashion museum.

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Thermae Bath Spa

Pulteney bridge, parade gardens, jane austen centre, milsom street, american museum, victoria art gallery, bath tourist attractions map, when is the best time of year to visit bath, how can i travel to bath from london, where are the best places to stay in bath, what tours can i take in bath to discover the city, how can i get around bath.

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Top places to visit in Bath

If you’re making a list of the top Bath tourist attractions, the Roman Baths would unquestionably be number one. Startlingly well preserved, they were constructed in 70 A.D. as a bathing and socializing complex that utilized the area’s natural thermal springs.

Amongst the ruins, you can see the heated changing rooms, plunge pools and the complicated system of pipes that brought the hot mineral-rich waters up through the ground.

There is also an interactive museum with many exhibits that bring the history around you to life. You can even sample the mineral water while you are there, just like the Romans and Celts did so long ago.

Also, be sure to take a moment and admire the lovely view of the Abbey which is just across the way.

If you’re looking for things to do in Bath at night, check to see if they are offering their tours by torchlight. Creep around the 2000-year-old pavements after dark using only the light of torches as your guide. It’s a way to experience the Roman Baths unlike any other.

For a daytime visit, however, check online for opening times and prices. A word of advice — try to go early in order to avoid the crowds.

Roman Baths in Bath

Right across from the Roman Baths is the Bath Abbey. One of the top Bath attractions, it is the parish church of the Church of England and stands proudly on the town’s highest hill.

It was founded in the 7th century and has a long and colourful history, having been built and rebuilt several times and finally restored in 1860. Its gorgeous multi-story stained glass windows and high ceilings are truly breathtaking.

To best understand the history of the church, take a guided tour — preferably one that includes a trip up to the tower. It’s only 212 steps to the top and on the way, you’ll pass the bell ringing chamber and be behind the clock face.

When you arrive at the top, you’ll be treated to magnificent views of the town and the Somerset countryside beyond.

Tours usually take less than an hour. Entrance to the Bath Abbey is free but a donation of £5 per person is highly encouraged.

An image of Bath Abbey which is one of the most popular places to do in Bath

Ever wanted to see how the other half lived in 18th century Britain? Then the Royal Crescent should absolutely occupy the number one spot on your “Bath places to visit” list.

The Royal Crescent is made up of 30 identical Georgian townhouses designed specifically for the aristocracy. It is one of the most impressive achievements in 18th-century architecture.

Their fronts are amazingly symmetrical as they gently curve around a vast and neatly manicured lawn. The backs of the structures are more varied, with differing details and roof heights.

Venture into No.1 Royal Crescent, the first townhouse built that today serves as a museum. It has been authentically decorated top to bottom just as it would have been back in the 1700s.

In addition to the luxury accommodations of the residents, visitors will have a chance to see the scullery and servants’ quarters that are below the stairs. The juxtaposition of both the upstairs and downstairs lives is something to behold and provides for a better understanding of what life was truly like for the people that called these places home.

Viewing the Royal Crescent in Bath is one of the best things to do in Bath England

For the fashion-minded looking for activities to do in Bath, a visit to the Assembly Rooms and the Fashion Museum is a must.

First, explore the Assembly Rooms with their lovely chandeliers, stone carving and mirrors.

Then, enter the museum and you’ll find an extensive collection of mostly British-oriented historic and contemporary clothing, from the pastel, flowing gowns of the Georgian era to radical new works from today’s most sought after designers. See 160 examples of period fashion from the last 400 years, including gloves, shoes, scarves, jewellery and all of the fashionable accoutrements.

Feel like dressing up yourself? Kids and adults will enjoy trying on a variety of corsets, dresses, hats and bonnets. Once thoroughly outfitted, you can even have your picture taken in front of a backdrop of the Royal Crescent.

Plan to spend at least two hours exploring the museum.

The Assembly Rooms in Bath England

Sally Lunn’s

A visit to the world-famous Sally Lunn’s Eating House is one of the mandatory things to do in Bath. It’s located in the town’s centre in one of Bath’s oldest homes, built in 1482. Sally Lunn, a Huguenot refugee, lived there in 1680.

The one skill she brought with her from France was the gift of bread baking. It wasn’t long before her bread caused a sensation and became what is known today as the Bath bun, a lighter-than-air brioche-style bread.

It is a large, sharable loaf that is ideal for either savoury or sweet accompaniments. The menu at Sally Lunn’s centres around the Bath bun but they also have a variety of historical and contemporary offerings.

Sally Lunn’s original kitchen dates back to 1622, and visitors should make time to visit the tiny kitchen museum on the premises to learn about the restaurant’s fascinating history.

Sally Lunn’s is open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. If you dine there, admission to the museum is free.

Sally Lunn's in Bath England

Right next to the Roman Baths, you’ll find the Pump Rooms , one of the most opulent establishments in Bath. Since the 17th century, drinking the waters directly from the spring has been considered medically advantageous.

An elaborate building was erected on the spot so that the Georgian elite could partake in comfort. Over the years, other buildings were added to accommodate the ever-increasing popularity.

Today, visitors to the complex will walk under glittering chandeliers to sample elegantly presented daytime refreshments.

The Pump Room Restaurant is renowned for its sumptuous afternoon tea, which will tempt guests with teas, coffee or even champagne and a spread of delicate finger sandwiches, little cakes and dainty pastry like none other.

Don’t forget to sample the locally famous Bath bun! It’s all presented by Searcy’s, renowned British caterers.

Sign for the Pump Rooms in Bath a popular attraction in Bath England

How about taking a dip into history? As Britain’s only natural thermal spa, the Thermae Bath Spa combines five historic buildings with the contemporary New Royal Bath. Get ready for luxury. Slip into a robe and slippers and choose from a variety of spa treatments.

If you’re looking for romantic things to do in Bath, why not schedule a couple’s spa session? It doesn’t get much more relaxing and intimate than that. If you’d rather, you can just bask by their rooftop pool and soak in the amazing 360-degree views of the city.

If you get a little peckish after all of that indulgence, stop in at the Springs Café Restaurant which serves light snacks and a variety of cold and hot drinks.

The Thermae Bath Spa is open throughout the week. It is best to pre-book any spa treatments, so go online and secure any reservations before your arrival.

Thermae Bath Spa in Bath England

If you’re looking to do a little Bath sightseeing, be sure not to miss the Pulteney Bridge, one of the most famous landmarks in Bath. It was designed in 1769 by Robert Adam as a way to span the River Avon and give the residents of Bath a connection to the other side.

Pulteney Bridge was named after Frances Pulteney, the wife of a prominent citizen and landowner William Johnstone Pulteney. The amazing thing about this bridge is that it is one of the few in the world that has built-in shops lining both sides.

Because of the bridge’s unique attributes as well as its pediments, pilasters and domes, it is one of the most photographed spots in Bath. To get the best photo of the bridge, make sure to visit the Parade Gardens, which has the best view.

Pulteney Bridge in Bath os one of the most popular places to visit in Bath England

If you’re ready for some nature time in the midst of your Bath vacation, visit the Parade Gardens, a pleasant two-and-a-half-acre park right in the heart of Bath. It was created in 1933 on the site of the 18th-century pleasure gardens.

The Parade Gardens overlook the River Avon and also offer lovely views of the Pulteney Bridge. The location is so picturesque, it’s no wonder that many local couples have chosen its grounds to be the setting for their wedding.

For those gardeners or garden appreciators, make sure to see the bedding displays that include both traditional and sculptural bedding. Take a walk along the river and then stop at the charming café for a well-deserved treat.

The Parade Gardens are open from the week before Easter until the end of September. Before you go, it is best to check online as the hours may change depending on the weather.

Keep in mind, there is a small fee to enter the Parade Gardens.

Parade Gardens in England

Attention architecture fans! A short walk from Bath’s city centre, next to the Royal Crescent, is the Circus — a perfectly arranged ring of historic Georgian townhouses.

In 1754, these Palladian-style houses were designed by John Wood the Elder as part of his grand plan to make Bath a centre of classical architecture. Sadly, because of his untimely death, the Circus had to be finished by his son, John Wood the Younger.

One famous former resident of the Circus was portrait and landscape painter, Thomas Gainsborough, who lived there for 16 years as a tenant in 1759.

If you’re looking for free things to do in Bath, visiting the Circus should be very high on your list.

For the best view, take a walk to the small park in its centre and take it all in. There will be towering, leafy trees overhead while you contemplate the marvellous historic past of Bath.

The Circus in Bath is a magnificent example of Georgian architecture for which the city is famous and one of the best places to visit in Bath England

No trip to Bath would be complete without paying homage to one of the city’s most famous former residents, Jane Austen. The Jane Austen Centre is a museum set in a Georgian townhouse that celebrates her time living in Bath as well as the influence the city had upon her works.

This family-friendly museum seeks to create an immersive and interactive experience for visitors to really experience what Jane Austen’s world must have been like.

You can dress up like a Regency lady or gentleman with top hats and bonnets.

Visitors will learn about the complicated rules of polite society while getting a better understanding of the culture.

After you’ve had your fill exploring the museum, stop in at the Regency Tea Rooms upstairs for a delightful spot of tea.

Click here to buy tickets for the Jane Austen Centre

Outside the Jane Austen Centre

If shopping is on your agenda, one of the best places to visit in Bath is historic Milsom Street. Built in 1762 by Thomas Lightholder, the buildings were originally three-level townhouses, most of which have mansard roofs and Corinthian columns.

Today, they are occupied by an assortment of eclectic shops, on-trend restaurants, offices and banks.

If you’re looking for the latest fashion or just something unusual to take home as a souvenir, Milsom Street is a great place to start.

View over the city of Bath

What is an American Museum doing in Bath? In the late 1950s, the founders, Dr Dallas Pratt and John Judkyn wanted to promote Anglo-American understanding and celebrate American decorative arts.

In 1961, the only American museum outside of the United States was opened. Their collection of paintings, furniture, textiles and household luxuries is well worth visiting.

In 1900 the Victoria Art Gallery was opened in Bath in honour of Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.

Though the ground floor was originally used as a public library, today the entire facility is dedicated to its role as a public art museum. It boasts a collection of over 1,500 artistic treasures, including sculpture, paintings and decorative arts.

Of particular interest is an exhibition that features British oil paintings from the 17th century to the modern-day.

Do you want a ready-made itinerary for your visit to Bath? Click here for the perfect one day Bath itinerary.

Travel tips and your questions answered about visiting Bath

You can find more travel tips and common questions asked by visitors to Bath in my Bath Travel Guide.

Of course, you can visit Bath any time of year and have a delightful stay but if you travel at the beginning of May, you’ll be treated to bright green lawns, blooming fruit trees and hedgerows just beginning to blossom.

There will also be longer daylight hours, which makes it possible to pack in even more activities. Schools in the UK let out in late July so travelling before that may help to avoid the crowds. In order to fully appreciate Bath, plan to stay at least two nights or even for a long weekend.

Read more about in my guide to visiting the UK across the seasons.

There are numerous possibilities if you wish to travel from the capital to Bath on public transport including by train or coach.

There are also numerous tours available from London to Bath which usually incorporate other areas of interest in the region such as the Cotswolds, Stonehenge or Oxford.

Read more in my complete guide to travelling to Bath from London

There are numerous accommodation options in Bath to suit all travel tastes, styles and budgets including:

  • Best – The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa
  • Mid-range – Dukes
  • Budget – Brooks Guesthouse

Find more options in my guide to the best places to stay in Bath

If you prefer a walking tour with a guide (I always find I learn so much more) rather than explore the city independently there are a number of recommended walking tours you could join.

  • Private Walking Tour with a Blue Badge Tourist Guide – 1.5-hour private tour for your group (up to 6 people)
  • Unconventional History of Bath Walking Tour – A fun, interactive, and unconventional 2-hour walking tour through the city’s storied history.
  • Ghost Walking Tour – Explore the dark side of Bath on this private walking tour. Hear the ghost stories that haunt this unique city.

> Click here for more private and group tours available in Bath

Bath is a hilly city so I recommend comfortable walking shoes. Take an umbrella – rain showers are common at any time of year in the UK.

Bath is a walkable city but there is a hop-on and hop-off bus available if you prefer.

Click here for more information about the hop-on-hop-off bus service in Bath.

View over the rooftops of Bath

Final thoughts

Read more about visiting Bath in my Bath Travel Guide which contains links to all my articles about the city plus more tips and tricks to make the most of your visit.

If you are looking for other places to explore in this region of England my guide to visiting the South West is a great place to start. You can also find information about exploring the nearby Cotswolds in my Cotswold Travel Guide !

If you have specific questions about a destination in England why not join my UK and London Travel Planning Group on Facebook where you can chat with others planning their trip.

Looking for more inspiration for your travels in England? Check out my England Travel Planning Guide which has loads of ideas, tips and resources to plan your itinerary.

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Best restaurants, best shopping, best time to visit, how to get there, how to get around.

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If you’re one of the millions of people who couldn’t get enough of Netflix’s hit Bridgerton , you’ve already had a glimpse of the Georgian architecture and glamour of Bath. Located in Somerset, a region directly west of London, Bath is recognizable for a variety of features, including its buildings made of the golden-hued Bath stone (or oolitic limestone), cobblestone streets, and natural hot springs that inspired the city’s name. 

Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the only city in the United Kingdom with that distinction — Bath was founded by the Romans in the first century A.D. and developed into one of the most fashionable places to live in the 18th century. The famed author Jane Austen even called it home for a few years. Given its uniquely preserved history and structural significance, Bath is a popular filming location; besides its role in Bridgerton , it also makes appearances in the 2022 version of "Persuasion" starring Dakota Johnson, "Les Misérables" (2012), and "Vanity Fair" (2004), among other productions. As Gerry Paddock, concierge at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa notes, the city’s “fabulous architecture, river and canals, and an abundance of tranquil parkland” create a completely original — and photogenic — place to visit. 

Even with the fanfare surrounding Bath and its reputation as a cultural hub, there are still aspects of the destination that feel inherently magical and undiscovered. “Bath is a treasure and wears its Georgian and early Victorian history well,” says Andrew Lowkes, founder and owner of Landrace . “But don’t forget it’s a living, modern metropolis. It’s home to a progressive community of real people trying to do real things and effect real, meaningful change. Have a pint with the locals at The Bell on Walcot Street. Drop into Atelier Ellis and talk color, art, [and] beauty.” He encourages travelers to “seek the road less traveled and make up your own history” while exploring what the city has to offer.

Fair warning, though, this is the type of place that sticks in your mind, gently urging you to experience (or return to) its landscape and infrastructure. Its pull is so strong, in fact, that I decided to call Bath my home for a few months in 2021 — nearly a decade after my first visit. If you’re prepared to fall in love with one of the most exquisite cities in England, read on to discover our guide to Bath. 

Top 5 Can’t Miss

  • Book one of the beautifully designed rooms at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a five-star property located in Bath’s most iconic example of Georgian architecture. 
  • Start your morning with a sausage roll and one of the famous cardamom buns from Landrace bakery. 
  • Complete the Bath Skyline walk, a six-mile circular path that provides an elevated perspective of the city. 
  • Pop in and out of Bath’s many independent bookstores, making sure to visit Mr B's Emporium, Topping & Company Booksellers, Persephone Books, and Bath Old Books. 
  • Plan your visit in the spring or fall to experience the best weather and a less congested city.

Courtesy of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Best Hotels & Resorts

The royal crescent hotel & spa.

If you’re hoping for an only-in-Bath experience, there’s one hotel to book: The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa . Housed inside the visually impressive landmark, notable for its Georgian stone facade and crescent shape, the hotel overlooks a sweeping green lawn — and it feels right out of Bridgerton , albeit with all modern amenities. The 45-key property manages to achieve the near-impossible hospitality feat: Its five-star features — including a spa, indoor swimming pool, steam room, and on-site restaurant, Montagu's Mews — coexist alongside a decidedly boutique, home-like atmosphere. With complimentary tea delivered to your room — or enjoyed in front of the fireplace or outside in the garden — you’ll want to leave time in your travel schedule to simply sit and savor the allure of the property’s enviable location and elegant decor. 

The Yard in Bath

“I always recommend The Yard in Bath ,” says Lowkes. “It’s over the road from The Scallop Shell… The best chippy tea in town followed by an early night? What’s not to love?” The 14 guest rooms surround a quiet courtyard, but the breakfast might be the star of the show. Each morning, guests receive a basket filled with croissants, granola, yogurt, fruit, and juice; alternatively, there’s a daily continental breakfast for an additional fee. 

The Bath Priory

The Bath Priory is the epitome of a countryside escape, even though it’s just a short walk down Weston Road from the city center. Once a private residence, the stately building has since expanded to welcome guests to its 33 guest rooms, spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, gardens, and restaurant. Even if you’re not staying on property, you can still book the quintessential afternoon tea ; the tower of finger sandwiches, scones topped with jam and clotted cream, and bite-size cakes is even more enjoyable when sitting outside on the terrace. 

Meet the Expert

  • Gerry Paddock is the concierge at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a 45-room property in Bath.
  • Andrew Lowkes is founder and owner of Landrace, an artisanal bakery in the city known for its freshly baked goods.

Take a self-guided walking tour of the main tourist attractions.

Unlike London, Bath is a city where you can manage to see most of the main highlights in just one day. While several of the following attractions may be crowded — particularly if you’re visiting over a weekend — they’re still worth checking off your list. I’d recommend starting by Pulteney Bridge, a Palladian-style masterpiece and classic Bath photo op, and popping into Pulteney Bridge Coffee for tea and a sweet treat. Then, make your way to the magnificent Bath Abbey before heading to the Bath Assembly Rooms , where you can get a taste of what societal events were like during the Georgian era. Architecture will be top of mind as you walk to the Circus — three curved segments of townhouses designed by architect John Wood, the Elder — and the Royal Crescent , a row of 30 Georgian terraced houses designed by John Wood, the Younger. Complete the loop by visiting the Roman Baths ; just make sure to book a timed ticket beforehand. Paddock describes the historic attraction as “an immersive experience” and a “marvelous walk through Roman history.”

Discover the city from a different viewpoint via the Bath Skyline walk. 

On day two of your trip, you’ll want to get outside of the city center. The Bath Skyline walk is the perfect way to do so, as the circular route loops through the countryside and provides panoramic views of the city's limestone buildings in the distance. If you don’t want to walk the full six miles, Lowkes recommends at least walking up Bathwick Hill and into Bathwick Meadows — especially right before golden hour. “Find a picnic spot. Open a bottle of something expensive for absolutely no reason, and take in the city’s panorama as the evening draws in,” he says. “The smell of the meadow in summer, the feel of the soft grasses, the taste of the wine, and the sounds of the city below will make you fall in love with Bath.”

Spend a day exploring Bath’s museums.

Given Bath’s dedication to preserving history, it should come as no surprise the city is filled with top-rated museums. Bridgerton fans will recognize The Holburne Museum as Lady Danbury’s house, but the real building houses a variety of permanent and rotating art exhibitions and programming. Paddock calls it “one of Bath’s best hidden gems.” No. 1 Royal Crescent is an immersive museum experience, with visitors getting the opportunity to walk through a restored townhouse, decorated as it would have been in the late 18th century. The American Museum & Gardens , located just outside the center of Bath, might be an unexpected addition to the itinerary, but its collection of American folk art, quilts, textiles, and furniture is extensive — and fascinating to view from a different geographical perspective. Finally, bibliophiles will want to leave some time to stop by the Jane Austen Centre to learn about the writer’s life, family, and legacy. 

Hop on a boat tour down the River Avon.

When you’re tired of walking, a boat tour along the River Avon awaits. Pulteney Cruisers offers a quick out-and-back ride — just one hour in total — that goes under the Pulteney Bridge and into the Avon Valley. Look out for wildlife as your captain details various points of interest and historical facts. No need to book tickets in advance; you’ll pay the £12 fee when you board the boat at Pulteney Weir.

Lydia Mansel/Travel + Leisure

Landrace and Upstairs at Landrace 

No trip to Bath is complete without grabbing a freshly baked cardamom bun (or cinnamon, if you prefer), sausage roll, and loaf of sourdough bread from Landrace . The artisanal bakery on Walcot Street is small in size but impressive in nature; while you wait for your warm drink, peruse the expertly curated shelves of dry goods, olive oils, cheeses, and more. If you go up the bakery’s spiral staircase, you’ll enter Upstairs at Landrace , a cozy space to enjoy your bun and coffee or have lunch and dinner. The seasonal British dishes are posted on the restaurant’s chalkboard, and reservations are recommended. 

The Beckford Bottle Shop & Bistro

When the weather cooperates, The Beckford Bottle Shop & Bistro 's outdoor tables are full of patrons trying a bottle of something new — or a wine they return to again and again. The inside, with its Chesterfield sofas and window seats, is just as appealing when it’s a bit gloomier outside. The bottle and bistro adjoin, so you can either take a bottle to go or stay for small plates, snacks, a charcuterie board, and dessert. The entire operation is a perfect example of what makes Bath so special; it’s charming without being cloying, and stylish while still feeling welcoming. 

Clayton’s Kitchen

“I’m a huge supporter of family-owned restaurants, as they have so much passion for what they do and always use fresh, local produce,” says Paddock. Clayton’s Kitchen falls into that category, with chef and owner Robert Clayton helming the menu, which the restaurant describes as “British and Mediterranean with a twist.” Paddock adds, “When you dine there, the whole experience feels like you're being treated as one of the family.” 

The Scallop Shell

When dining at The Scallop Shell , Lowkes says you can expect “a diverse crowd, a nice mix of locals and tourists… and so much soul.” Fish and chips is the restaurant’s specialty, and there’s a clear focus on both nostalgia and sustainability; the fish comes from small artisan day boats, and the potatoes are grown on family farms. 

Hare & Hounds

The walk to Hare & Hounds isn’t easy; you’ll head straight uphill for about a mile from the city center. The view and food at the final destination, though, are worth the effort. Opt to dine on the outdoor patio overlooking the countryside, or fill up with traditional pub food inside, where the fireplace will keep you warm. If you’re looking for a Sunday roast and a pint to wash it all down, this is the place to go. 

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Topping & Company Booksellers

Bath locals and visitors have their pick of bookstores in the city, but both Paddock and Lowkes recommend Topping & Company . “It’s a one-off quirky experience, a must for passionate book lovers,” says Paddock, who notes its new location is inside a “stunning old Quaker meeting house.” Lowkes also shares that travelers should “try and attend a cookbook launch ” when in town: “Rakesh will be pouring wine. There’ll be food. It’s a whole vibe.”

As you stroll between the Circus and the Royal Crescent, there’s a good chance Beau Nash antique store will catch your eye. “They have some fabulous pieces in store,” says Paddock. The collection includes everything from antique silver drinkware to 19th-century mirrors, lamps, and tea kettles. 

Newton Farm Shop

You’ll need to venture out of the main part of Bath if you want to discover one of Lowkes’ top choices. “It’s outside of the city, but the Newton Farm Shop ([in] Newton St Loe) is one of my favorite places to buy ingredients for a Sunday roast,” says Lowkes. “Their little cafe menu is full of heart, and their well-stocked butcher’s counter is always staffed by helpful folk and stacked with quality farm-reared meats.”

Bartlett Street Antiques Centre

If you’re searching for an interesting, unexpected souvenir, check out Bartlett Street Antiques Centre . Various dealers have their selections of antique jewelry, homeware, art, and decorative items on display throughout the building, and finding a piece that speaks to you is akin to a treasure hunt. 

serts/Getty Images

Paddock recommends visiting Bath in the spring or fall, “purely because there are [fewer] tourists milling about, and most children are at school.” Plus, he says, the weather will be “pleasant for wandering around and sightseeing.” Summertime is Bath’s peak season, so try to avoid July, August, and early September if you want to see the city without as many crowds. Winter is technically off-season, so it’s a good time to take advantage of lower hotel rates — although some of the shops and museums may be closed for a few weeks. 

Getting from London to Bath is quick and easy. Download the Trainline app and book a ticket from London Paddington to Bath Spa. Depending on the stops along the route, the journey will take anywhere from 1.5 to two hours. Try to grab a window seat, as you’ll be able to glimpse various pastoral scenes — cows, cottages, and green pastures — along the way. Once you arrive in Bath, you can either walk to your destination or call an Uber; taxis are also readily available at the train station. 

Bath is best explored by foot, although its hills and cobblestones aren’t for the faint of heart. Be sure to bring your best walking shoes and familiarize yourself with the city’s layout and points of interest prior to arrival. If you plan on venturing out of the city center and into the smaller towns and villages surrounding Bath, you’ll want to rent a car; you can either pick up a rental in Bath or take an Uber to nearby Bristol. In my experience, the latter option can be more cost-effective, depending on the length of your trip.

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ENGLAND , EUROPE , UNITED KINGDOM · May 19, 2020 Last Updated on March 13, 2024

ULTIMATE CITY GUIDE TO BATH, ENGLAND

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Bath has been firmly stamped in the minds of the British public, and nowadays across the globe, as being one of the most important cities marking Britain’s cultural identity. Visitors to Bath can experience quintessential British culture, face Britain’s history head-on, and delight in a wonderful culinary scene, in addition to relaxing in the famous thermal baths that give the city its name.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about visiting the magical town of Bath, England!

History Of Bath

“I really believe I shall always be talking of Bath” – Jane Austen in her novel Northanger Abbey.

Austen couldn’t have been more accurate! Indeed, ever since Bladud, legendary king of the Britons supposedly cured his pigs of leprosy in a hot spring and subsequently founded this city in 863BCE, people have travelled from all over to relax and recuperate in the waters.

From the Romans to the Georgian elite, Bath became the place to see and be seen. Elite society, of whom Austen mingled, waltzed nights away at The Assembly Rooms, paraded The Pump Room in search of eligible husbands while strolling in pleasure gardens like The Sydney Gardens.

Bath is rich in historical facts like these, and they seem more like wild fantasies than attainable reality. However, to this day millions of travellers desire such wild pleasures.

The timeless beauty of the honey-hued Georgian architecture, romantic cobblestone streets to the survival of the Roman Baths, the Assembly Rooms, and much more means that these images of the past are accessible. 

Best Time Of Year To Visit Bath  

From a local’s perspective, the best time to visit Bath is  between September and October .

The summer months are often inundated with thousands of tourists and a plethora of large tourist busses. The streets are full, there are queues into top sites running for miles and it is almost impossible to relax.

If you head over in September, the weather is still mild, streets are deserted (better chance of capturing that Instagram photo), it is easier to gain quick access into all the best places, and eating out is a breeze.

How To Get Around Bath

The most convenient way to reach Bath is by train , especially if you’re coming from down south from places like Cornwall or London . This way you’ll get a direct train journey for affordable prices or catch a National Express coach that travels into Bath every day.

If, however, you’re driving to Bath there are several car parks around the city, all of which are affordable and easy to get to.

When in the city, walking is the most convenient form of transport, as busses and cars cannot drive up the highstreets and everything is within walking distance. However, if you’re coming into town from one of the many hills in Bath, there are local busses that run every 20-minutes into the city centre.

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Top Things To Do In Bath

1) bath abbey.

Proudly located in the centre of Bath city is Bath Abbey .

Steeped in history with staggering architecture, the church imposingly dominates the scene and hypnotises thousands of people to visit daily. To enter is free, although they do welcome donations (usually £2) and the Tower Tours cost a small fee and only run between 10 am-4 pm.

Climbing the 212 steps up to the top of the tower is a must as it offers a visit to the bell chamber, the chance to sit behind the clock face and to witness unrivalled rooftop views of the city.

Inside the Abbey, one can see extraordinary examples of Norman Perpendicular Gothic architecture and architectural evidence dating back to the Anglo-Saxon.

The Abbey is still a place of worship and therefore might be closed for service. If this is the case, check the door times or Abbey’s website for when it will reopen.

2) The Roman Baths 

Quite possibly the ‘it’ attraction in Bath, the Roman Baths shouldn’t be missed.

As one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world, you’ll find an interactive museum filled with artifacts and videos of Romans as well as archaeological excavations of the original baths. With a pinch of imagination, you’ll be transported back in time and will experience Roman life for yourself.

Tickets start from £14 but with them, you get an audio guide, an optional guided tour and the opportunity to try the natural spa water.

3) The Pump Room

To enjoy Bath like an 18 th century English Lady, you’ll need to head to the Pump Room to try their wonderfully delicious afternoon tea. Its opulent interior design speaks volumes of the aristocracy who once socialised here.

If you’re a fan of Jane Austen, then you’ll be delighted to know this was the building she, and other elite members of society, met, enjoyed lavish entertainments and gathered to drink the therapeutic waters.

4) The Assembly Room & The Fashion Museum

The Assembly Rooms was another centre of Georgian social life. The two-tiered chandeliers and stunning pillared balconies provide a glimpse into the place where many attended grand balls and sought eligible husbands.

On the lower ground of the Assembly Room is the Fashion Museum and it holds a display of contemporary and historic dress, tracing Bath’s history through objects and clothing.

Open every day of the week, tickets start at £8.55 for adults and £6.53 for children.

5) The Crescent & The Circus

If you’re looking for a little bit of celebrity head to the Crescent and the Circus .

These are probably the most iconic landmarks in Bath and are a row of terraced houses laid out in a crescent shape. Its exterior has remained unchanged since it was built in the 1700s and has been home to many celebrities, including Nicolas Cage and Johnny Depp!

If you’re looking for a little history, you can visit No1 Royal Crescent . Now a museum, it has been remodelled to resemble a Georgian Town House and the interior gives a sense of how the wealthy lived.

6) Milsom Street & Pulteney Bridge

Bath city has some of the quaintest and quirkiest independent shops in the United Kingdom. Head to Milsom Street for some of the more expensive shops while Pulteney Bridge has more unique shops lined on both sides.

This is significant because it is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops on it, with one of the others being in Florence. Bath has everything from designer outlets, craft shops to unique bookshops. A perfect location for a little retail therapy.

7) The Holburne Museum Sydney Gardens  

While in Bath it is imperative you visit The Holburne Museum . It was originally a Georgian villa-style hotel, but now houses a collection of 17 th -18 th century paintings.

From Thomas Hoare to Sir William Holburne, The Holburne Museum is your gateway into British art. It’s free to enter but they again welcome donations.

Right behind the museum is Sydney Gardens . Here you can walk around a garden paradise, take in the lovely river and see where the elite once went for entertainment, public breakfasts, orchestras and fireworks.

8) Prior Park

Prior Park is one of Bath’s best-kept secrets. Hidden among many houses, this 18 th -century landscape garden is bewitching.

Situated slightly on a hill, Prior Park Garden offers exceptional views of rolling hills, winding woodlands and Bath’s Georgian rooftops.

Here, you’ll see an exquisite Palladian Bridge and a grand mansion that is set against an idyllic pastoral landscape. It was originally designed by Ralph Allen in 1734 to show off his wealth and the famous Bath Stone; the golden-hued stone that now builds every house in Bath.

9) Thermae Bath Spa

The healing waters in Bath have been famous for centuries. While it is no longer possible to bathe in the Roman Bath’s healing waters, the Thermae Bath Spa offers similar relaxing ways to improve your health.

For a reasonable price, you can enjoy the rooftop thermal pool, panoramic city views or unwind in their wellness suite, featuring steam rooms, a relaxation room and an ice chamber. You can also enjoy dinner in your robe in the Spa’s on site restaurant for a unique experience.

Day Trips From Bath

While there is so much to see and experience in Bath city centre, it is really worthwhile heading out to the surrounding areas and explore the true English countryside.  

Under 40 miles away from Bath, Stonehenge is one of, if not the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. It should not be missed during your visit to Bath.

The stone circle at Stonehenge has a history reaching back 4,500 years and is a spellbinding piece of architecture. Here, you’ll also see Neolithic Houses and discover the tools and objects of everyday Neolithic life.

To get to Stonehenge, you can take the train or bus from Bath Spa train station to Salisbury, but you will need to take a bus from Salisbury to Stonehenge. You can also buy admission tickets in advance.

The easiest way to get to Stonehenge is to drive from Bath directly to Stonehenge or hop on a bus tour guide .

Stratford Upon Avon

Just a few hours by train or car is the birthplace of the legend William Shakespeare. No mention of England, or the United Kingdom, would be complete without some reference to Shakespeare.

He is considered the best British writer of all time and has given us sonnets, plays to read, performances to watch and films to devour. Without him, Britain wouldn’t be in Britain. That being said, a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon will be time well spent.

Start your day at Shakespeare’s Birthplace , a beautifully restored 16 th -century half-timbered house. Continuing on the journey of Shakespeare’s life, head to Shakespeare’s New Place ; his home in retirement.

Here, you’ll find statues from his well-known plays, such as Hamlet pondering life with his skull. Then head to the Church of Holy Trinity where you can visit Shakespeare’s grave.

While at Stratford make sure to check out Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (this is the former home of Shakespeare’s wife), Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

If you’re lucky enough you might get to see one of the best productions of Shakespeare’s plays at the Royal Shakespeare Company and if not, check out their exquisite shop and café.

Getting to Bristol is the easiest day trip from Bath. Head over to Bath Spa Train Station, get on a train to Bristol Temple Meads and you’ll be in the city centre in under 20 minutes.

Being a university city, Bristol is a vibrant and electrifying place to visit. For things of historical importance head to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery (entry is free), and here you’ll find geology, Eastern art, Bristol’s history, natural history and famous, as well as modern, paintings.

For more art, you can go on a Banksy street art walking tour with a guide around the city. 

Bristol Cathedral should definitely be on your list. Founded in 1140 and consecrated in 1148, it was originally St. Augustine’s Abbey but later became the seat of The Bishop of Bristol.

For more historical sites head to Brunel’s SS Great Britain Ship, Cabot Tower, Tyntesfield (a serious must) or for something more modern, Bristol Zoo or one of the many quirky book shops.

For other day trips, be sure to read our full article on 10 Places To Not Miss In Southwest England !

Salisbury & Salisbury Cathedral

Much like Bristol, Salisbury is really easy to get to by car, bus and train. Besides shopping and eating in one of the many renowned restaurants there is so much to see and do in Salisbury.

The obvious choice would be to visit Salisbury Cathedral . Considered to be one of the leading examples of Early English architecture, the cathedral is exquisite and awe-inspiring in itself, but it is also home to the four original copies of the Magna Carta and the oldest working clock in the world.

Right next to Salisbury Cathedral is Mompesson House; an 18 th -century house which was originally home to Sir Thomas Mompesson, MP for Salisbury. The Salisbury Museum and Arundells (former home to Prime Minister, Edward Heath from 1985 to 2005) are also great to visit.

Where To Stay In Bath

Bath’s city centre is littered with quaint B&B’s, quirky hostels and elegantly preserved manor hotels.

Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel

Set in sweeping and beautiful gardens of which include fountains, ponds and a terrace, the Macdonald Hotel offers guests celebrity treatment with world-class service and an award-winning restaurant. The spa features a swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, and a fitness centre.

It is a 10-minute walk from Bath Abbey (city centre) which means the hotel makes for the perfect city-country experience. Spending your day surrounded by nature and tranquillity, then spending your night under the neon lights of Bath’s energetic nightlife.

BOOK YOUR STAY

Lansdown Park Hotel

The hotel itself is a magnificently preserved Georgian mansion and was designed in collaboration with the Country Living Magazine.

With the country lifestyle in play, everything was designed with comfort in mind and all the 55 rooms have comfy sofas and cosy beds. The restaurant overlooks the garden and serves fresh local produce in the à la carte breakfast menu and the classic dinner dishes while the bar is open all day and has an extensive drinks menu.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

If the Bath hotel scene had to be known for anything, it would be its Royal Crescent .

While slightly more expensive, guests can stay in one of the Crescent’s elegant houses.A 5-star hotel, with a history that spans more than 250 years, staying here is certainly a luxurious experience.

With a fully equipped gym, a truly relaxing spa and a secluded landscaped garden, the hotel offers guests the closest thing to time travel. The bedrooms are decorated in an 18 th -century style while modern comforts, such as WIFI and TV, make you feel even more pampered.

Anabelle’s Guest House

For the best B&B in the city, head Anabelle’s Guest House .

Located near the Roman Baths, the B&B is a quick walk to the Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and The Circus. The rooms are clean and kitted out with a wardrobe, TV and free toiletries. If you’d like a continental breakfast it is an additional £4 per person.

YHA Bath Hostel

For those backpackers or travellers on a budget, YHA Hostel is perfect for you.

The building itself is a visually striking Italian-style mansion with private gardens, laundry facilities and a restaurant. Each morning there is an option for a hearty breakfast and in the evenings a home-cooked meal.

Guests also have the option of using the large shared kitchen facilities. There is a TV lounge overlooking the garden with comfortable sofas while the bar serves a variety of drinks and the WIFI is available in public areas.

Where To Eat In Bath

Bath’s fame and close association with the British elite has given rise to an exquisite array of cuisine. From local delicacies to exotic Asian dishes, visitors experience not only a taste of history but are transported around the globe, with a promise of returning home.

Some local dishes to look out for are Bath Buns (sweet dough covered in sugar and currants), Bath Oliver Biscuits (which compliment cheese perfectly), Bath Chaps (pork tongue wrapped in pork cheek, marinated in brine and herbs, then rolled in breadcrumbs), and the Bath Soft Cheese.

Sally Lunn’s Eating House

This eating house has its roots deep in history. According to legend, Sally Lynn, a Huguenot refugee arrived in Bath in 1680. Here she worked in a bakery and produced the now-famous Sally Lunn Bun; a light, brioche-style bun.

Not only does this restaurant serve this local favourite but the building itself is one of the oldest houses in Bath, featuring a kitchen museum in the basement that shows the original kitchen used by Sally Lunn.

Open for Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, the menus serve local and authentic dishes. Perfect for a quintessentially English experience.

For an exotic flavour head to Koh Thai restaurant. Not known to many tourists, but a popular choice among locals, Koh’s is a place where the irresistibly rich flavours of Thailand are brought to the tiny streets of Bath.

Located on Broad Street and open Monday-Sunday, the menu includes mouth-watering curries, seafood platters, well-known delicacies such as Chicken Satays and Spring Rolls to unique desserts and fiery cocktails.

Regency Tea Room

For those of you searching for a little history or a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience, the Regency Team Rooms is perfect.

Located on the top floor of The Jane Austen Centre, the tea rooms have a lovely period atmosphere where the staff are decked out in regency fashion while the menu serves cakes, sandwiches, scones and toasties named after Austen’s characters.

Especially popular are the ‘Tea with Mr Darcy’, ‘Lady’s Afternoon Tea’ and ‘Crawford’s crumpets’.

Hall and Woodhouse

If you’re looking for a restaurant that allows four-legged furry friends, then Hall and Woodhouse is your place.

Built-in the 1960s and originally designed as an auction house, this restaurant has a stunning bar with alcohol bottles vibrantly on display. The rustic, brown décor and open space make for a charming and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for a quick lunch, celebratory dinner, or just a few drinks.

The normal, vegetarian and vegan menus also make this the ideal inclusive dining experience.

Evening Hangouts and Bars

There are a number of places to explore during the evening if you’re looking for somewhere to hang out or a bar to enjoy the night away.

Among the best places to go to is The Hideout , with its wood interior and walls decked out with whiskey, cocktails, draught beers and a range of spirits.

Speaking of cocktails, Sub 13 is Bath’s premier cocktail bar with leather booths – perfect for a girls night out – while the Opium Bar has a vintage feel and speakeasy décor.

Bath Wrap Up

With so much history, culture and culinary delights, Bath is an intoxicating, exciting and unique city to visit. There is an abundance of quintessential English experiences to be had, a plethora of hangouts to enjoy a drink and several day trips to the most famous landmarks in the United Kingdom.

We hope that this article has helped inspire you to visit Bath, England. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.

Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

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Read More About England

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Bath Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 31, 2023

the historic bridge in Bath, England surrounded by trees on a bright summer day

Thanks to the area’s hot springs, Bath has been attracting visitors for thousands of years. The Romans started visiting around 70 CE, laying the groundwork for the baths that they continually used and expanded upon until the 5th century.

The city became popular as a spa town during the Georgian era (1714-1830), leading to a proliferation of beautiful Georgian architecture that characterizes the city today.

Though it’s known as a luxury vacation spot, there are many free things to do in Bath that make it worth spending a day or two visiting if you’re on a budget. With stunning architecture, a beautiful cathedral, historic baths, and the home of famous 18th- and 19th-century writer Jane Austen, Bath has plenty to keep you entertained during your visit.

This travel guide to Bath can help you have fun, save money, and make the most of your visit!

Table of Contents

  • Things to See and Do
  • Typical Costs
  • Suggested Budget
  • Money-Saving Tips
  • Where to Stay
  • How to Get Around
  • How to Stay Safe
  • Best Places to Book Your Trip
  • Related Blogs on Bath

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Bath

The historic Roman baths in Bath, England

1. Learn about the Roman Baths

The Baths were one of the great religious spas of the ancient world. The Romans used the area as a retreat and worshiped the goddess Sulis Minerva here, as she was seen as a life-giving and nourishing deity. The natural thermal springs that supplied the baths actually still flow with hot water today. You can visit the ruins of the old bathhouses, walk on original Roman pavements (sidewalks), see thousands of archaeological finds from pre-Roman and Roman Britain, marvel at Roman construction and engineering, and listen to a great audio tour by author Bill Bryson. Admission is 17.50-28 GBP depending on the season and day of the week.

2. Stroll around Royal Victoria Park

Bath’s largest park dates to 1830. Spanning almost 60 acres, it was opened by Queen Victoria (then just an 11-year-old princess). Originally an arboretum, it is designed like traditional English gardens (e.g. lots of roses and lavender), making it a very scenic spot to wander. Bath’s iconic Royal Crescent of terraced homes overlooks the park, so it’s the perfect spot for a picnic with a view. You can also play tennis here and there’s an 18-hole mini golf course. For the horticulturalists among you, you can also visit the Botanical Gardens. From November to January, there’s also an ice rink set up here.

3. Explore Bath Abbey

Built in 1499, this medieval church is famous for its unique Gothic architecture (it’s shaped as a cruciform and its ceiling uses fan vaulting). The church is well-preserved and you can tour the tower to learn more about its history, which stretches back over 1,300 years and includes three different churches and the coronation of King Edgar in 973 CE. Admission is by donation and tours cost 8-10 GBP.

4. Experience history at No. 1 Royal Crescent

This collection of homes was completed in 1774 and is an excellent example of Georgian architecture. While the exteriors of the homes are admirable, you can also tour the interior of a townhouse museum to see what domestic life was like in the 18th century (it has been decorated and furnished as it might have been during the period 1776-1796). Admission is 11 GBP in off-peak season and 13 GBP in peak season. Pre-booking your tickets is recommended.

5. Admire Pulteney Bridge

Designed in 1769 by Robert Adam, Pulteney Bridge is one of the most beautiful and romantic bridges in England. It’s a postcard-perfect spot for views of the town and the Avon River. Designed in a Palladian style with pediments, pilasters, and tiny leaded domes at either end, there are shops and restaurants that line both sides of the bridge. Pulteney Cruises runs boat trips from here. There’s no need to book and tickets cost 11 GBP.

Other Things to See and Do in Bath

1. take a free walking tour.

One of the first things I do in a new destination is to take a free walking tour. It’s the best budget-friendly way to see the main sights and connect with a local guide who can answer all your questions. Footprints Tours hosts two-hour tours that can show you all the highlights. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

Additionally, you can go with the Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides . Their free tours are a complimentary service offered by the city led by knowledgeable locals. Tours are hosted twice daily (once on Saturdays) and last two hours. There’s no need to book in advance, just show up at the Roman Baths meeting point (look for the Free Walking Tours sign).

2. Visit the Victoria Art Gallery

This public museum boasts a collection of over 15,000 British paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts dating back over 600 years. Highlights include landscape and portrait oil paintings by Thomas Gainsborough, an 18th-century English Romantic artist who lived in Bath. The upper gallery has quirky decorative art, including over 400 delicate Georgian drinking glasses and a huge collection of pottery dogs. Admission is 7 GBP.

3. Enjoy the Jane Austen Centre

Bath has a permanent collection of Jane Austen memorabilia as Austen lived in Bath for most of her life and used the city as a setting in many of her novels. Visit the Centre to join talks, activities, and see contemporary exhibits on her life and works. Guides in period dress wandering the center complete the atmosphere and you can extend your visit by enjoying an afternoon tea at the center’s Regency Tea Room. Die-hard Jane Austen fans may want to attend the annual Jane Austen Festival, which takes place in September of each year. Admission costs 13.25 GBP.

4. Shop on Walcot Street

Known as the “Artisan Quarter,” Walcot Street is Bath’s hipster district, the equivalent to London’s Camden Town. Bath’s oldest commercial street, today Walcot is lined with unique shops, including artisanal cheese shops, independent cafes, and vintage antique stores. On the weekends, there’s an open-air market where you can browse funky and bohemian souvenirs.

5. Study astronomy at Herschel Museum of Astronomy

If you’re interested in the history and science of astronomy, this is an awesome museum. William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in 1781 in the garden of the preserved townhouse in which the museum is housed. Exhibitions include what was once the world’s most powerful telescope, Herschel’s travel diary, pocket globes, and other astronomical instruments. You can also wander the Georgian garden in which Herschel made his discovery. Admission is 9.50-11.50 GBP depending on the season.

6. Experience the world of fashion

Founded in the 1960s, the Fashion Museum contains over 30,000 pieces of clothing items and accessories that date back to the 18th century. The collection was started by Doris Langley Moore, a designer, collector, writer, and scholar who lived in England and was an early female fashion historian. The main collection, A History of Fashion in 100 Objects , includes many costume pieces throughout history (such as a pair of decorated gloves from the time of Shakespeare). The Dress of The Year is an annual exhibition that changes each year to showcase contemporary fashion highlights from the previous year. Note: the museum is temporarily closed while it moves locations.

7. Learn about Bath’s working history

The Museum of Bath at Work takes a unique look at the working history of the city to the present day. The museum recreates the workshops of several types of local businesses throughout history, all on display in a former eighteenth-century indoor tennis court. Opened in 1978, the original collection at the museum started with the remnants from a mineral water bottle business based in Bath. If you’re interested in social history or the rise of industrialization, this place is worth a visit. Admission is 10 GBP. The museum is closed in December and January.

8. Enjoy Bath’s iconic Georgian architecture

Bath is generally regarded as one of the prettiest English towns, thanks to its 18th-century Georgian-era architecture. In fact, the entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only such city in the UK. Be sure to walk down Great Pulteney Street, a long thoroughfare with expansive Georgian buildings on either side. Another spot to take in the Georgian architecture is at the Royal Crescent, a sweeping arc of Georgian townhouses.

9. Shop in a bustling open-air market

Green Park Station was a former railway station that has found new life as one of Bath’s most unique shopping attractions. The open-air market has numerous independent shops, restaurants, and cafés. Visit on specific days of the week for special markets: a farmer’s market on Saturday mornings (9am-1:30pm), a general market on Saturdays (10am-4pm), and an antique market on the last Sunday of every month.

10.Walk the Bath Skyline

For panoramic views of the city, stroll the Bath Skyline path, a tranquil and mostly flat path that leaves straight from the city center. There are 6-mile (10-kilometer) and 3-mile (5-kilometer) loops, with a breakdown of each route on the National Trust website. Plenty of benches dot the path should you need to take a break.

11. Relax at Thermae Bath Spa

This is the only city in the UK where you can bathe in natural thermal waters. This award-winning spa is a four-story day spa with various thermal baths, as well as a rooftop pool offering incredible views over the city. A two-hour spa session costs 40-45 GBP. This is a very popular thing to do in Bath, so if you’d like to partake, book in advance.

12. Visit Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein

In 1816, Mary Shelley wrote the world’s first sci-fi novel: Frankenstein. This interactive museum takes you into her dark world through four rooms housed in a Grade 2 building (a building of such special interest that is protected and preserved). There’s information about her life, an 8-foot recreation of Frankenstein, and a bunch of unusual artifacts and vintage memorabilia. Tickets cost 15.50 GBP. They also have an escape room which costs 64 GBP for two people (price includes house entry).

For more information on other cities in England, check out these guides:

  • Brighton Travel Guide
  • Bristol Travel Guide
  • Cambridge Travel Guide
  • Liverpool Travel Guide
  • London Travel Guide
  • Manchester Travel Guide
  • Oxford Travel Guide

Bath Travel Costs

The expansive Royal Crescent, a crescent-shaped row of Georgian townhouses with a park in front in Bath, England

Hostel prices – A bed in a dorm with 4-8 beds costs 20-25 GBP per night, while a 10-12-bed dorm costs 15-20 GBP. A private double room with a shared bathroom costs 55-75 GBP. Free Wi-Fi is standard though most hostels do not have self-catering facilities. Prices are only a little higher in peak season.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available outside the city center in nearby Somerset. A basic plot for a small tent costs from 10 GBP per night.

Budget hotel prices – A budget hotel room starts at 80 GBP per night in the low season but in peak season it’s more like 120 GBP per night. Bath isn’t exactly a budget destination, so don’t expect a lot of great deals. On the plus side, many budget hotels include free breakfast.

There are lots of Airbnb options in Bath. A private room costs 60-75 GBP per night while an entire home/apartment averages 100-120 GBP per night. Expect to pay considerably more in summer and if you don’t book early.

Food – While British cuisine has evolved in leaps and bounds due to immigration (and colonialism), it’s still very much a meat and potatoes country. Fish and chips remain a popular staple for both lunch and dinner while roasted and stewed meats, sausages, meat pies, and the quintessential Yorkshire pudding are all common options as well. Curry (and other Indian dishes, such as tikka masala), are super popular too. A local specialty to try are Bath buns, a sweet roll topped with crushed sugar and raisins.

You can eat cheap in Bath if you stick to basic pub meals and cheap take-out like falafel, sandwiches, and fish and chips, as they cost as little as 6-10 GBP. There are also many Indian and Thai restaurants offering mains from 8 GBP.

For a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, expect to pay 14-20 GBP. A pint of beer costs 5 GBP while a glass of wine costs around 7 GBP. Restaurants here are very expensive, so expect to spend about 35 GBP or more for a nice sit-down meal with appetizers and a drink.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 6.50 GBP for a combo meal while pizza costs 8-12 GBP. A latte or cappuccino is around 3 GBP while bottled water costs about 1.20 GBP.

If you plan to cook your own food, a week’s worth of groceries costs 40-60 GBP. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, veggies, and some meat.

Backpacking Bath Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Bath, expect to spend about 60 GBP per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, taking public transit and walking everywhere, cooking your own meals, limiting your drinking, and doing mostly free activities like enjoying the parks and taking a free walking tour. If you plan on drinking, add 5-10 GBP to your daily budget.

A mid-range budget of about 160 GBP covers staying in a private Airbnb room or private hostel room, eating out for most of your meals, taking the occasional taxi, having a couple of drinks, and doing more paid activities such as visiting the baths and touring the abbey.

On a “luxury” budget of 285 GBP or more per day, you can stay in a budget hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, rent a car or take more taxis, and do as many tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in GBP.

Bath Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Bath isn’t a budget-friendly destination, which is why many travelers choose to visit on a day trip. However, there are quite a few ways to enjoy the city without spending too much. Here are some tips to help you save money during your visit:

  • Visit the parks and gardens – There are a handful of large parks and gardens throughout Bath. Pack a picnic, bring a book, and spend an afternoon relaxing.
  • Eat at the pubs – Bath has some delicious but expensive restaurants, so eat cheaper meals at the pubs and taverns where you can experience the local flavor. If you’re on a tight budget, skip the pubs and cook for yourself. It saves you a ton!
  • Walk everywhere – Bath isn’t a big city, so you can save yourself a few pounds by walking everywhere.
  • Take a free walking tour – If you want to get a better feel for the city, be sure to take a free walking tour. They last a couple of hours and are a great way to learn about the city’s history on a budget. Footprints Tours and Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides both run daily tours. Just make sure to tip at the end!
  • Check out Visit Bath – There’s no official tourist pass for Bath like many other cities have but Visit Bath has a selection of discounts available on its website including for selected tours and restaurants.
  • Stay with a local – If you’re on a budget, use Couchsurfing to stay with a local. It’s an easy and enjoyable way to cut costs while connecting to the local scene and getting insider tips.
  • Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Bath

Bath has several hostels that are fun, affordable, and social. Here are my suggested places to stay in Bath:

  • Bath Backpackers
  • St Christopher’s Inn

How to Get Around Bath

View over a park and townhouses in the background in Bath, England

Public transportation – If you’re staying within the city limits, it’s best to walk or take the bus to get around. A single ticket is 2.20 GBP on the bus (2 GBP if bought using the First Pass mticket app) and a day pass costs 5.60 GBP (on the bus or in the app).

The bus covers all the main sights, however, since the city is so small, you can easily walk everywhere to save money.

Bicycle – A single-day rental costs 20-30 GBP for a regular bike and 45 GBP for an e-bike. You can rent bikes from Green Park Bike Station, Bath Narrowboats, or Julian House Bike Workshop (Bath Narrowboats is by far the cheapest at 20 GBP for the day).

Taxi – Taxis are readily available, with prices starting at 2.80 GBP and going up around 2.25 GBP per mile. Given how expensive they are, I wouldn’t take one unless absolutely necessary.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Bath and is a little cheaper than taking a taxi. However, walking and cycling are the easiest (and cheapest) ways to get around this compact city.

Car rental – You don’t need a car to explore Bath, however, it might be helpful if you want to explore the region at large. Car rentals can be found for as little as 25 GBP per day for a multi-day rental. Keep in mind driving is on the left and that most cars have a manual transmission. Drivers need to be at least 21 to rent a car as well.

When to Go to Bath

Spring (late March to June) is the peak tourism season as that’s when the flowers are in bloom, though it can get pretty wet and rainy during this time. In May, during the annual Bath Festival, the city really comes to life. It’s an open-air celebration of music and literature which takes over the city for nearly two weeks. The weather is warm enough and the city is lively. It’s the best time to visit.

Summer is the warmest season but temperatures are rarely ever above 22°C (72°F). Expect many street festivals and public events in the late spring and early summer.

For fans of the city’s most famous writer and resident, the annual Jane Austen Festival takes place every September. Expect street theater, literary walking tours, and even a costumed ball. Book your accommodation early as the city fills up.

During autumn, temperatures are mild and, outside the festivals, the city is a bit quieter.

Winter lasts from December to February and tourism crowds thin out dramatically during this time. Temperatures dip below freezing and prices are slightly lower. The Bath Christmas Market starts at the end of November and sees the streets of Bath’s city center filled with seasonal decorations, Christmas lights, and many local makers and designers selling artisan gifts and typical Christmas market foods.

How to Stay Safe in Bath

Bath is a safe destination and the risk of violent crime here is low. That said, petty crime such as pickpocketing or theft can occur so keep your valuables out of sight just to be safe. Pickpockets tend to work in teams, so stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Always keep your valuables secure and out of sight when at the bar or in crowded areas and you should be fine.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

Scams here are rare, however, you can read about common travel scams to avoid if you want to learn more.

If you experience an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Bath Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

  • Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
  • Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
  • Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
  • HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
  • Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
  • The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
  • Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
  • FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
  • SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
  • LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
  • Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
  • Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
  • BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Bath Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling England and continue planning your trip:

The 14 Best Things to Do in Bristol

The 14 Best Things to Do in Bristol

Where to Stay in London: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in London: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 8 Best Hostels in London

The 8 Best Hostels in London

How to Spend a Week in London

How to Spend a Week in London

The 9 Best Walking Tour Companies in London

The 9 Best Walking Tour Companies in London

70+ Free Things to Do in London

70+ Free Things to Do in London

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  • Where To Stay
  • Transportation
  • Booking Resources
  • Related Blogs

The best time to visit Bath for spas, festivals and crowd-free sights

Belinda Dixon

Nov 19, 2021 • 4 min read

The Roman Baths, Bath, Somerset, England

It's always a good time to see the stunning Roman Baths © joe daniel price / Getty Images

Bewitching Bath makes for one of Britain’s best urban breaks. This city’s gorgeous Georgian buildings gleam, richly deserving their UNESCO World Heritage status and tempting the Bridgerton location scouts . Add rare Roman baths, a vibrant cultural scene, fine restaurants, superb shopping and an utterly indulgent geothermal spa, and you have an elegant city with an array of reasons to visit year-round.

Summer brings better weather to Bath, it also pushes hotel bills up and draws bigger crowds. Prices and visitor numbers also spike around Christmas and Easter – and at weekends. Late-summer, with its wealth of festivals, and spring and autumn, with fewer visitors and lower room rates, are the best times to visit Bath.

High season: June to September

Best time for sunshine in bath.

Bath is a compact city best explored on foot – the key attractions are all within easy walking distance. So summer’s dryer weather and temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius, make it the best season to stroll the streets drinking in all that extraordinary architecture. The downside is this is also peak visitor season – expect your hotel to cost more and longer lines at some sights. 

September brings a calendar packed with everything from fringe festivals to events for foodies, hikers and literature fans.

Low season: November to February

Best time to soak in the spas.

Christmas sees Bath bedecked in twinkling lights; artisans showcase their creations, including at the famous Christmas markets; and festive food abounds. Sights and attractions remain open and the weather isn’t terrible –  with averages of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, it's relatively uncommon to have serious snow in Bath, but you may get lucky. The big draw is a night-time dip at Thermae Bath Spa in its geothermally-heated, open-air, roof-top pool, as the steam rises through your views of those festive lights.

Shoulder season: March to May & October 

Best time for exploring bath without a crowd.

Mild weather, spring flowers in parks and seasonal leaf displays – spring and autumn are arguably the best seasons to visit Bath. The big sights are minus their summer crowds so you get to see the Roman Baths , the Royal Crescent and the Circus without having to sidestep someone else’s selfie. The city’s more relaxed too – either gearing up to or recovering from the summer rush – so you get a more authentic, calmer vibe.

People at a mulled wine stall at the Bath Christmas Market

New Year celebrations bring revellers out in force. The January sales begin. Accommodation prices drop and restaurants offer deals to temp customers in. The Bath Rugby season hots up.

Key Events: Gallagher Premiership, European Rugby Champions Cup

A quiet time for tourism is punctuated by Valentine’s Day – expect über-romantic menus, spiking hotel prices and heart-smothered goods in stores. 

Key Events: Bath Bach Fest

Spring flowers show in city parks, some sights and attractions start extending opening hours. Pulteney Cruisers boat trips resume.

Key Events: Bath Half Marathon

The Easter holidays bring a mini-visitor boom. Prepare to laugh your socks off as hoards of comedians arrive for the annual comedy festival.

Key Events: Bath Comedy Festival

As temperatures edge higher, vintage boat hire at the Bath Boating Station re-opens. The city’s biggest cultural celebrations ensure a festival feel takes hold.

Key Events: Bath Festival

A springtime view of the beautiful Royal Cresecent in Bath, Somerset.

Visitor numbers edge up, as do hotel rates. When school summer holidays start (from the third week) things get busier still.

Key Events: Bath Fringe Festival

Alfresco cafes set up shop. Those summer holidays are now in earnest – if you want to visit now, book well ahead. There are no big events, which makes it a great time for enjoying the sights.

Accommodation prices peak, as do visitors, but some sights stay open extra late. When it gets hot, the locals lounge in Sydney Gardens .

Key Events: Bath Bike

Schools go back (usually around the end of the first week), accommodation prices begin to dip – a little. Festivals bring everyone from foodies and hikers to Jane Austen fans to town.

Key Events: Great Bath Feast, Jane Austen Festival , Bathscape Walking Festival , Children’s Literature Festival (starts)

Steam rising off the hot mineral water in the Great Bath, part of the Roman Baths in Bath

Likely to be cooler, wetter – and definitely quieter – autumn sees Bath look to cultural pursuits – making it a prime time to enjoy an art exhibition or cinema event.

Key Events: FilmBath Festival, Bath Society of Artists Annual Exhibition

Fireworks light up the skies around the 5th. Autumnal leaf displays light up the city’s trees. Hotel prices are at their most reasonable. Classical music takes centre stage.

Key Events: Bath Mozart Fest

Christmas lights illuminate the streets, pubs and restaurants welcome you in. Bath Abbey offers 20-minute services, packed with carols. 

Key Events: Shoppers Carols , Bath Christmas Market, New Year’s Eve celebrations

You might also like:  Soak up Bath with these wonderful things to see and do Swoon over the filming locations for Netflix's new series Bridgerton Jane Austen's England: a traveller's guide to finding Mr Darcy  

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On the Luce travel blog

A weekend in Bath: 2-day Bath itinerary

Posted on Last updated: October 19, 2023

How to spend a weekend in Bath: Discover the best things to see, do, eat and drink in Bath in a two-day itinerary featuring this historic city’s Georgian architecture, thermal spas and literary links.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

A weekend in Bath: A 2-day Bath itinerary

With its famous golden-stone Georgian terraces, steaming spa waters, afternoon teas and Jane Austen links, you can’t say Bath isn’t on the UK tourist trail. Its quintessentially English charms pull in visitors from around the world and it has so many historic buildings that the entire city centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But although you might have to dodge a few tour groups, it’s more than worth it to explore one of England’s most beautiful historic cities. So here’s my two-day Bath itinerary to help you plan the perfect weekend in Bath, with what to see, where to eat, drink and stay.

How to spend a weekend in Bath

Statue at the Roman Baths in Bath, England

Friday evening

Check into your accommodation then start your weekend in Bath with a pre-dinner drink at the Canary Gin Bar on Queen Street. The bar is run by the Bath Distillery, who brought distilling back to the city after a 250-year absence. They’ve created a menu of ‘Gin’ Austen cocktails using their small-batch gins, as well as serving 230 other gins.

Then head to Green Park Brasserie & Bar on Green Park Road for dinner – a steakhouse and jazz bar located inside a former 1870s railway station booking hall. It’s a relaxed place, serving produce sourced from the adjacent Bath Farmers’ Market in dishes like steak, cider-glazed ribs and wood-fired pizza. There’s also live music on Saturday nights.

Cocktails at The Bath Distillery's Canary Bar

Saturday morning

For an insight into Bath’s history, start the day with a walking tour with the Mayor of Bath’s Corps of Honorary Guides . These two-hour tours are led by knowledgeable local guides who share their love of the city on a relaxed stroll through some of its highlights. Tours are free (with no need to tip) and leave from the courtyard by the Roman Baths at 10.30am.

Or you can take your own tour of Bath’s honey-stone highlights. Start at the Royal Crescent, one of Bath’s most famous landmarks. This curved terrace of Georgian townhouses arcs around a perfectly manicured lawn. The Royal Crescent was built in the 1770s and its buildings haven’t changed much since then, at least on the outside.

The Royal Crescent on a weekend in Bath

Most are private residences – when they’re not being used by film crews for period dramas like Bridgerton . But Number 1 Royal Crescent has been converted into a museum. 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.

The Royal Crescent is one of many buildings made from the distinctive golden Bath Stone. Quarried out from the hills around the city, it’s a type of limestone that was first used by the Romans and later for churches, bridges and houses around Bath.

Another impressive Bath address is The Circus, with three sections of curved buildings forming a circle. And it’s just a few minutes walk from there to the Bath Assembly Rooms . These were the hub of the 18th-century social scene, with elegant rooms for tea drinking, cards and dancing. Today they’re open to the public when not in use for events.

Number 1 Royal Crescent and the Parade Gardens in Bath

Follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen, who attended balls at the Assembly Rooms when she lived in Bath in the early 1800s and featured them in her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion . You’ll also find the Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street a few minutes’ walk away, which tells the story of her life in Bath (and has lots of dressing up opportunities).

Then stop for lunch at Sally Lunns , the oldest house in Bath. It’s home to a Bath classic – the ‘Sally Lunn bun’. This kind of brioche is spread with butter or cream, made to a recipe allegedly brought to the country by a 17th-century French emigrant.

Sally Lunn's Eating House, home to the Sally Lunn bun

Saturday afternoon

After lunch, cross the Abbey Church Yard to Bath Abbey. The current abbey was built in 1499 but there’s been a church on the same site since the 8th century. Admire the west front, with carved stone angels climbing Jacob’s Ladder to heaven, then head inside to see the cathedral’s impressive fan-vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows.

Or take a guided tower tour and climb 212 spiral steps to the abbey roof for panoramic views over Bath and down to the Roman Baths below you. Tours take 45–60 minutes and also give you a behind-the-scenes view of the ceilings and bell tower.

The exterior of Bath Abbey

Then head to Pulteney Bridge, passing the Parade Gardens, which was a popular spot for a promenade in Jane Austen’s day. The bridge was built in the 18th century for William Pulteney to connect Bath to the other side of the River Avon to help drive up land prices. He wanted his bridge to be eye-catching and elegant and certainly managed it.

Pulteney Bridge is one of only four bridges in the world with shops built into both sides, like Florence’s Ponte Vecchio – Les Misérables fans might also recognise it as the spot Javert jumped from in the 2012 film. Today it’s home to independent shops and cafés.

For a good view of Pulteney Bridge, take an open-top boat trip along the River Avon. The tour starts at Pulteney Weir below the bridge and takes around an hour (though trips don’t run if the river level is too high). You travel under Pulteney Bridge and out into the countryside as far as the pretty little village of Bathampton before returning to Bath.

Boat trip along the River Avon in Bath

Before dinner, call into Le Vignoble , an independent wine merchant and bar on Milson Street. Their wine selection changes every month, with 64 different wines to taste including small producers and unusual varieties, so it’s a good place to try something new.

Then head back towards the Royal Crescent for dinner at The Circus , an award-winning family-run restaurant in a Georgian building which serves modern European food using local and seasonal ingredients, like Wiltshire lamb, Devon scallops and Cornish fish.

The Circus restaurant in Bath

Sunday morning

Start your Sunday with a late breakfast at the Green Bird Café near the Royal Crescent. It has won awards for Bath’s best breakfast, with tasty French toast with maple syrup and bacon, scrambled egg and chorizo hash or you can ‘build your own breakfast’.

Then go back in time at the Roman Baths , built on the site of Britain’s only natural hot springs which gave Bath its name. In 70 BC, the Romans built a bathing complex around the steaming waters, with hot and cold pools, steam rooms and an elaborate temple dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva – giving the town its Roman name Aquae Sulis.

The Great Bath at the Roman Baths in Bath, Somerset

Over a million litres of water heated to 46°C still flows into the baths every day, but don’t be tempted to take a dip. If the bright green colour doesn’t put you off, tales of bacteria and radioactive lead pipes might. Instead take a tour of the baths which includes the Sacred Spring of Sulis Minerva, the original foundations and open-air Great Bath.

There’s also a museum of Roman artefacts like statues and carvings, as well as some of the 17,000 Roman coins which were thrown into the spring, and prayers or curses written on lead tablets which visitors threw in to ask for the goddess’ help.

Inside the Roman Baths, one of the top things to do in Bath

Sunday afternoon

Then compare the Roman spa experience with the modern version at the Thermae Bath Spa . This huge spa building has taken historic buildings and transformed them with a modern glass and steel extension. There are two separate spa areas – the main New Royal Bath and the smaller circular Cross Bath, which you can hire for small groups.

The New Royal Bath is spread over three floors, with spring waters flowing into the ground floor Minerva thermal baths. There are circular glass steam rooms, a sauna and spa treatment rooms above, where you can book a relaxing massage, facial or body wrap.

The rooftop pool at the Thermae Bath Spa

But the Thermae Spa’s star attraction is the rooftop pool, where you can soak in mineral-rich steaming water with spectacular views across Bath’s skyline. Entry to the spa costs £43 for a two-hour session at weekends, and includes towel, robe and flip flop hire.

Then finish your weekend in Bath with afternoon tea at a city institution – the Pump Room . Located next to the Roman Baths, the Pump Room was built in 1776 for visitors coming to take the waters and, like the Assembly Rooms, it was at the heart of the city’s social scene for the fashionable 18th-century set, including Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

Entrance to the Pump Room in Bath

Indulge in a traditional Champagne afternoon tea (with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available) with sandwiches, scones and cakes served in opulent splendour under the chandeliers and accompanied by music from the Pump Room Trio.

And while you’re there, don’t forget to taste the spa waters from the King’s Fountain (free to Pump Room customers). With 43 different minerals it is reputed to be the cure for all sorts of ills, though lukewarm water with a metallic tang is definitely an acquired taste.

Balloon ride over Bath, England

Map of things to do in Bath

Map of things to do on a weekend in Bath

The details

How to get to bath.

Bath Spa train station is around 1 hour 20 minutes by direct train * from London, and there are frequent rail services from around the UK to nearby Bristol Temple Meads station, where you can catch the train on to Bath, which only takes 12 minutes.

If you’re driving, Bath is 13 miles from Bristol or 115 miles (around 2.5 hours’ drive) from London. Overnight parking is available in the city centre at Charlotte Street (BA1 2NE), Avon Street (BA1 1UF) and Manvers Street (BA1 1JQ) car parks.

The covered Pulteney Bridge in Bath

Bath’s roads are narrow and can get very busy, so if you want to avoid driving in the city you can use the Park and Rides on the edge of the city at Lansdown, Newbridge and Odd Down. Parking is free, you just pay for the bus in and out of the city.

The nearest airport is in Bristol, which is around 45 minutes’ drive from Bath. You can also catch the Bristol Airport Flyer bus from the airport to Bristol Temple Meads train station (25 minutes) and then catch the train from there on to Bath (12 minutes).

Getting around Bath

The centre of Bath is fairly compact with the main attractions all within walking distance – though beware that it’s pretty hilly so you will get a bit of a workout.

The Roman Baths

Where to stay in Bath

At the Royal Crescent Hotel *, two 18th-century Georgian townhouses have been merged together to create a five-star hotel and spa. It’s full of original features with period artworks, classical statues and chandeliers. There’s a luxurious spa with indoor pool, a restaurant, bar and an acre of landscaped gardens tucked away behind the hotel.

The Hotel Indigo * is another Georgian property, which stretches along the length of South Parade. Inside it mixes historic features with lots of quirky, colourful prints, fabrics and curios. The 166 rooms are more restfully designed, and range from stylish standard rooms to big two-room suites, and there’s also a restaurant and terrace bar.

Or if you’re on the budget, one of the city’s best deals is Bath University’s student residences . There’s a mix of double, twin and single rooms with en-suites in buildings ranging from Georgian terraces to modern residences. Availability is mainly in the Easter and summer holidays, with rooms available to book two–three months in advance.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Bath?*

Exterior of The Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath's Royal Crescent

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How to spend a weekend in Bath: Discover the best things to see, do, eat and drink in the Bath in a two-day itinerary featuring this historic city’s Georgian architecture, thermal spas and literary links | Weekend in Bath | Things to do in Bath England | Bath itinerary | Bath weekend break

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Deborah Kukal

Sunday 4th of February 2024

This has been the most helpful article I've read in preperation for our time in Bath - and I've read a lot! :) Thank you for the excellent ideas for both activities and resturants.

Lucy Dodsworth

Wednesday 14th of February 2024

Thanks so much, hope you enjyo Bath!

Lynn Oliver

Monday 7th of September 2020

Thank you for this reminder of my wife and my weekend in Bath. We stayed at a lovely B&B a few hundred feet from the Abbey, Baths and shoppes... Three Abbey Green. Bath has a plethora of lovely B&Bs that are decidedly not 5-Star, but great. Also, the free guided walks are wonderful and the buskers in the plaza in front of the Baths and Abbey were a hoot. I pull out the photos of the unicyclist for a smile. Thanks for the reminder. I'd love to go back someday... another world from Florida where we live.

Monday 28th of September 2020

Bath is such a lovely place – so much history! Glad to bring back some good memories.

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The 12 best restaurants and cafés in Bath

B ath has undergone something of a foodie transformation over the past decade or so. There’s a good selection of gastropubs, the independent café scene is thriving, vegetarian and vegan eateries are increasingly winning locals over, as are international street food stalls, small-plate restaurants and supper clubs. 

For more Bath inspiration, see our guide to the city and its best  hotels , bars and nightlife ,  pubs ,  things to do  and places for afternoon tea .

Beckford Canteen

Creative, modern British food with nostalgic roots is the name of the game at this delightful restaurant. Occupying a former Georgian greenhouse, it is a lovely light-filled space, with full-length windows on to a pedestrian lane. The short menu delivers a succession of winning surprises. You can kick off with creative snacks such as a smoked eel crumpet. A rich chestnut soup comes with a cruffin, a cross between a croissant and muffin. The moreish confit potatoes are a must to accompany the beautifully presented mains. A chocolate mousse is served with malt ice-cream and Jerusalem artichoke crisps. There’s an interesting wine list – the Beckford Bottle Shop (see below) is part of the same group – and service is first rate. The staff are perkiness personified and know the menu inside out. 

Contact: beckfordcanteen.com

Holding Bath’s only Michelin star, this restaurant at the bottom of the Queensberry Hotel is an unassuming, wood-panelled space. But thanks to the skill of chef Chris Cleghorn, it serves arguably the city’s most delectable food. Dining is very much geared to tasting menus, with nine dishes if you go the full hog, though you can have just four courses at most sittings if you wish. You might start with something completely original like pasta with Hungarian honey truffle or a delicate but delicious plate of Orkney scallops with pink grapefruit granita, and finish in splendid style perhaps by pairing a slab of baked chocolate and peanut malt ice cream with a glass of plum saki. There are vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free tasting menus.

Contact:  olivetreebath.co.uk

Price:  £££

Reservations:  Essential

Set within the handsome Georgian townhouses of Hotel Indigo Bath but operated independently of the hotel, The Elder spreads through small-scale, masculine dining rooms, with stuffed animals, antlers and hunting and horsey scenes hung on olive-coloured panelled walls. The cuisine is “fine dining” modern British, with venison from the company’s private estates the key speciality – you may be shown written proof of when and where the deer you're eating was shot. Though this is meat-eating heaven – to kick things off you are served a glass of bullshot tea (warm venison stock with sherry) – there are enticing vegetarian and vegan menus.

Contact: theelder.co.uk

Reservations: Essential

Clayton's Kitchen

This informal restaurant occupies the ground floor of a handsome Georgian townhouse on George Street. With buttoned banquettes and panelled or exposed stone walls, it has an attractive, pared-down Scandi look. Under the expert command of chef/patron Robert Clayton, the uncomplicated Mediterranean/modern French food is consistently excellent and changes with the season. Leave room to finish with the salted caramel chocolate mousse or a selection of interesting Somerset cheeses. There are also imaginative vegan dishes.

Contact:   claytonskitchen.com

Price:  £££

The Scallop Shell

This buzzy and casual seafood restaurant is easily the best place in Bath to have fish and chips – priced at a bargain £12.50, including a mug of tea, on weekday lunchtimes. The enticing menu offers all the varieties of fish and seafood you could want to eat, most supplied from Cornish ports, along with freshly-cut chips. Downstairs you will find an open-plan kitchen and rustic banquettes; upstairs are arty, piscatorial paintings, and the option to dine on an outdoor terrace amid fairy lights.

Contact:   thescallopshell.co.uk

Price:  ££

Reservations:  Recommended

Lucca shares its spacious premises with an upmarket homeware and clothes store called The Loft. The most desirable tables are set alongside floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto a pedestrian back lane and out on the lane itself. As one of Bath's most elegant and civilised cafés, this is a popular spot for a leisurely lunch. The Mediterranean/Italian fare comprises appetising salads, paninis and bruschetta, all beautifully presented on wooden boards. There's also an array of tempting cakes.

Contact:   cafelucca.co.uk

Price:  £

Reservations: Not possible

The small plates at this casual (but top-notch) wine bar/restaurant are consistently delicious and the service is excellent. Many of the wines are available by the glass as well as by the bottle, and diners are allowed to sample the knowledgeable staff members' recommendations before deciding. The seasonal menu features a wide range of sometimes complex dishes – from smoked mackerel paté with sourdough from top Bath baker Bertinet, to a red lentil dahl and pork belly tacos; puds might include a tarte tatin. At the rear is a large and inviting split-level outdoor eating area. 

Contact:   corkagebath.com

Price:  ££

Beckford Bottle Shop

This trendy wine shop-cum-bistro sits on quaint Saville Row, round the back of the Assembly Rooms. The food is designed to accompany the wines rather than, as usual, the other way round. On offer are delicious cheese and charcuterie boards and small plates such as confit of belly pork with fennel salsa, and Bath chaps – think modern takes on traditional British fare, with much of the produce sourced from leading local suppliers. Wines on sale in the shop can be drunk on site for a £15 corkage fee. You can dine indoors at tables or more casually seated on sofas, or out on the pedestrian lane. Beckford Canteen – see above – is the Bottle Shop’s new Bath sister.

Contact:   beckfordbottleshop.com

Reservations: Recommended, but walk-ins taken for sofa and outdoor seating

This understated backstreet restaurant is the best place to dine in Bath for authentic and superior Italian cuisine. It’s run by two Italians – head chef Alessandro Scola, at the helm in the open-plan kitchen, and restaurant manager Vito Scaduto. Reason alone to come is the home-made focaccia, served with basil-flavoured butter. Starters include burrata, a very moreish creamy mozzarella. Fishy pastas – with squid ink and crab meat, or a red mullet ragu – hit the spot, as do classic Italian puds such as zabaione. Almost all the wines are Italian, and they include lots of interesting Sicilian options.

Contact: laterra.co.uk

Reservations: Recommended

Comptoir+Cuisine

The bistro on the first floor of this French-themed homeware shop (which also has a bar downstairs) is an artfully dishevelled place, with a lovely, warm atmosphere. Run by the team behind Champagne+Fromage in London, you could come to pair bubbles with unctuous cheeses, including a range of baked camemberts and some large cheese and meat boards. Or tuck in to generous helpings of mainly French tapas, such as pork cheeks with Calvados and beef onglet with chimichurri.

Contact:   comptoirpluscuisine.com

Reservations:  Recommended

This tiny tapas bar, hidden away in a room above Paxton & Whitfield cheesemonger on John Street, serves the best Spanish food in Bath. It's run by Galicians, though the dishes hail from a variety of Spanish regions. Order the memorable Andalucian berenjenas (honeyed aubergine fritters) and pulpo a la brasa (grilled Galician octopus with paprika), and save room for churros dipped in thick chocolate. Drinks – including beers, wines, sherries, liqueurs – are all Spanish.

Contact:   oletapas.co.uk

Reservations:  Essential most evenings for a table, but you can also eat at the bar

Taylor’s Bagels

This bagel shop/deli/takeaway café just beyond the northern end of Walcot Street has established a cult following, and often has a queue outside. The big attraction is the substantial bagels, which are filled to order. Top sellers are the bacon, cream cheese and chili jam bagel for breakfast, and the Bath bagel with pulled beef brisket and mature cheddar for lunch. Also great pastries such as cinnamon rolls and salted caramel biscoff buns (which always sell out) and excellent coffee.

Contact:  taylorsbagels.com

How we choose

Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller’s taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations.

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Robert Clayton is the chef at the helm of Clayton's Kitchen, one of the best restaurants in Bath - NICKSMITHPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

The best places for afternoon tea in Bath

From scrumptious scones to history-rich settings, there's a tea to suit every occasion

The Royal Crescent, Bath

When it comes to afternoon tea in Bath, you are genuinely spoilt for choice. You can tuck into a fantastic spread – finger sandwiches, scones, dainty cakes and pastries – in comfort and style in a number of the city's high-end hotels. Or you can opt for a cuppa and a distinctive bun or slice of cake in one of Bath's many tea rooms.

For more Bath inspiration, see our guide to the city and its best  hotels , restaurants ,  bars and nightlife ,  pubs  and  things to do .

The Pump Room

This magnificent Georgian building next to the Roman Baths is the most atmospheric place in Bath for afternoon tea. Fluted columns line the grand salon, a giant crystal chandelier hangs from a lofty ceiling and a classical string trio plays in the afternoons. The afternoon tea includes savoury items such as an ale and Cheddar rarebit, as well as scones and pastries, and is served at noon, 2pm and 4pm. Though the food is good, in my opinion it doesn't quite match what's on offer at the city's top hotels. In the morning you can have tea and a slice of cake at a fraction of the cost of the full afternoon tea. 

Contact:   romanbaths.co.uk/pump-room-restaurant Price:  £££ Reservations:  Strongly recommended for the full afternoon tea, but walk-ins sometimes possible

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

If you can, come on a warm summer's day when you can have afternoon tea out on the terrace or lawns of the hotel's gorgeous garden, which is hidden away from prying eyes behind The Royal Crescent. Otherwise, you dine, in some style, in Montagu’s Mews glamorous bar or restaurant. The substantial and sophisticated tea includes finger sandwiches, home-made scones, Bath buns (with sugar cube inside) and elaborate pastries. There’s a vegetarian option. Brownie points for being offered complimentary seconds of food and drinks refills.

Contact:   royalcrescent.co.uk Price:  £££ Reservations:  Essential

The Royal Crescent hotel afternoon tea, Bath

Sally Lunn's

Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House attracts tourists in droves, but don't let that put you off. Its appeal partly rests with the fact that it's (probably) the oldest house in Bath – it dates from 1482. There's a tiny museum of sorts in the basement, and its three dining rooms are beamy, cosy and pretty spaces. But the main reason to come is to have a unique Sally Lunn bun. The giant but light brioche-type delicacy is served in a half, toasted, with a savoury or sweet topping – with melted cinnamon butter it's delicious. The bun is a meal in itself, but the home-made cakes such as the unusual Marlborough custard pie are good too. 

Contact:   sallylunns.co.uk Price:  £ Reservations:  Not possible

Sally Lunn's, Bath

The Bath Priory

Set in a residential area of Bath, The Bath Priory feels like a country-house hotel. Weather permitting, you can (and should) have tea out on the terrace overlooking the gorgeous gardens; otherwise, it is served in the art-filled drawing room, or in the more intimate bar/dining area The Pantry. The full afternoon tea is mostly a very traditional experience, with the finger sandwiches and light and fluffy plain and fruit scones – the best I sampled for this article – presented on very elegant cake stands. The only real departure from tradition is the rich and creamy French-style patisserie instead of cakes. Various loose-leaf teas are offered.

Contact:  thebathpriory.co.uk Price:  £££ Reservations:  Essential

The Regency Tea Room

This cosy tea room is tucked away on the top floor of the Jane Austen Centre. Waitresses in Regency-style dresses attend to diners caringly, and a portrait of Colin Firth as Mr Darcy surveys the scene. The full afternoon tea – Tea with Mr Darcy – covers all the necessary bases: finger sandwiches, a warm, big and light scone, and a selection of mini cakes/pastries that might include a Bakewell tart and chocolate sponge. But you don’t have to have the full works: Miss Dashwood’s Afternoon Tea is a cheaper, reduced version. Everything is locally made or sourced.

Contact:   janeausten.co.uk Price:  ££ Reservations:  Recommended

Michelle and Rob Comins are passionate about tea – they have even written a book on the subject. At their calm, minimalist tea house (bare wood tables and floorboards, maps of tea estates on white walls) they serve a large and fascinating range of single-estate teas; water is heated to a specific, optimum temperature, and instructions are given for how long to let your order brew for. In terms of food, among the homemade cakes and biscuits are Assam-infused tea bread, white chocolate cookies and blueberry scones. There’s also matcha ice cream and gyoza dumplings. Set menus let you choose a selection of items.

Contact:   cominstea.com Price:  £ Reservations:  Not necessary

The Roseate Villa

Occupying a pair of imposing Victorian mansions overlooking tranquil Henrietta Park, the refined Roseate Villa is one of Bath’s best small-scale hotels. One of its strongest suits is its afternoon teas. Pretty much everything is home-baked or home-made, including the bread for the finger sandwiches, the warm and light scones and accompanying jams, and the dainty and elaborate patisserie. There’s a selection of loose-leaf teas to choose from, and also intriguing tea cocktails. You can enjoy the spread on the lawn overlooking the park or in the dining room, made elegant by its American-style shutters. The service is impeccable. 

Contact:   roseatehotels.com/bath/theroseatevilla Price: ££ Reservations: Essential

The Ivy Bath Brasserie

Part of the upmarket Ivy chain, the Ivy Bath Brasserie looks wonderful – a glitzy combination of Georgian features (ornate stuccoed ceiling, fluted pillars) and Art Deco-inspired styling, in the form of mirror- and art-covered walls. The full afternoon tea is reasonable value by Bath's pricey standards. The warm and light fruit scones, served with ample clotted cream and jam, were a highlight, as was the truffled chicken brioche roll and the fancy desserts. Service was tip-top.

Contact: theivybathbrasserie.com Prices:  ££ Reservations:  Recommended – ask for a table at the front

The Ivy Bath Brasserie, Bath

Colonna and Small’s

Many folks have coffee for tea, and if you are one of them, then the coffee shop in Bath to head for is Colonna and Small’s. One of the owners writes books about coffee; the company Colonna has its own roastery not far from Bath. Behind the bar a blackboard outlines the filter and espresso coffees on offer, with descriptions of the varying flavours. The highly knowledgeable baristas will talk everything through, and then make your order with scientific precision. To accompany your beverage there are tempting cakes and macarons from local independents, and even tea if you so wish, from Comins (see above). Just off Queen Square, the café is a quietly sophisticated, pared-down space with lots of seating.

Contact: colonnacoffee.com

How we choose

Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller’s taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations.

The best hotels in Bath

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No.15 by GuestHouse, Bath

9 Telegraph expert rating

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The Queensberry Hotel

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Welcome to Bath - The Original Wellbeing Destination

An elegant city full of traditional heritage, contemporary culture, green spaces and a few surprises..

Built for pleasure and relaxation, beautiful Bath has been a wellbeing destination since Roman times. The waters are still a big draw today, both at the ancient Roman Baths and the thoroughly modern Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain you can bathe in.

Bath’s compact, visitor-friendly centre is overflowing with places to eat and drink, plus some of the finest independent shops in Britain, making it the ideal city break. Immerse yourself in Bath’s remarkable collection of museums and galleries, and enjoy year-round festivals, theatre, music and sport. 

Bath's stunning, honey-coloured Georgian architecture is straight from a Jane Austen novel; highlights include the iconic Royal Crescent and the majestic Circus. There’s plenty to see beyond the city, too, with beautiful Somerset countryside to explore, as well as attractions including Stonehenge, Avebury, Castle Combe, and Longleat Safari Park.

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Decide what not to miss during your 2024 Bath break with our top 24 things to do over the next 12 months. 

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To get the very best out of your visit to Bath, let us help you to think ahead and work out the details of your trip in advance. Our wealth of resources and information make getting to (and around) the city simple, fuss-free and enjoyable.

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Tom de Glanville: Bath full-back extends deal until 2026

6 hours ago 6 hours ago . From the section Rugby Union

Bath Rugby full back Tom de Glanville after one of his man of the match performances

Bath full-back Tom de Glanville has signed a contract extension to stay with the Premiership club until the end of the 2025-26 season.

De Glanville has been a regular fixture in the Bath back line this season, and has made a total of 72 appearances in Blue, Black and White.

The 24-year-old was born in the city and a product of the club's academy.

"I'm really excited about where this club is going over the next few years," De Glanville told the club website.

"It's full of amazing people throughout and I'm loving playing alongside my best mates every week."

De Glanville is unlikely to play again this season after fracturing a bone in his foot during the club's friendly win against Leinster earlier this month.

He joins Will Muir, Max Ojomoh, and Cameron Redpath as Bath's other back-line players to sign new deals.

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  1. 6 Best Things To Do In Bath From A Local's Perspective

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  2. 10 Very Best Things To Do In Bath, England

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  3. Visiting the UKs World Heritage Sites: The City of Bath

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  4. 15 Best Things to Do in Bath (Somerset, England)

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  5. 10 Very Best Things To Do In Bath, England

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  6. 11 Romantic Things to Do in Bath, UK

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  1. Bath's Official Tourism Information Site

    This privately guided tour from Bath enables you to explore two of England's most popular visitor attractions in one memorable day. 1 Jan 2024 31 Dec 2024; ... To get the very best out of your visit to Bath, let us help you to think ahead and work out the details of your trip in advance. Our wealth of resources and information make getting to ...

  2. Attractions in Bath

    There are hundreds of things to see and do in Bath. To get started, explore our Top Ten Things to Do, and our Top Ten Must-Sees, or browse Bath's varied attractions below.. Take a tour through time and explore the only city in the UK designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll travel centuries in just a few steps.Visit the impressively preserved Roman Baths, dating back to 43 AD ...

  3. Bath Attractions & Places to Visit

    Well connected by air, train, coach and bus to destinations across the UK, getting to and around Bath is easy. Bath is located in South West England and Bristol International Airport is the closest airport, just 19 miles (30 kilometres) away. The A4 Air Decker bus service is direct to Bath from the airport, taking around 45 minuets.. From London, there is a high-speed train with Great Western ...

  4. Bath travel

    Art and Culture. Discover Bath's most beautiful architecture, from the Roman Empire to Regency England. Jul 11, 2022 • 6 min read. From a Roman spa town to a fashionable Georgian metropolis, discover the story of Bath through its amazing architecture and historic buildings. Activities.

  5. 36 Hours in Bath, England: Things to Do and See

    No 1. Royal Crescent, a museum in a restored townhouse, recreates the interior of a wealthy Georgian family home. Thermae Bath Spa offers a contemporary way to enjoy the city's hot water. Oak is ...

  6. Bath Travel Guide (with Practical Tips, Itinerary + Map)

    Option 2: By train. This is my preferred way to travel to Bath and is one of our favourite train journeys to take in the UK (London to Penzance with a stopover in Bath) Bath Spa train station is a short 10-minute walk from the centre of Bath. The trip only takes 90 minutes from London Paddington.

  7. Visit Bath City

    The Roman Baths is one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe and consists of the remarkably preserved remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world. The city's unique thermal springs rise in the site and the Baths still flow with natural hot water at 46 degrees centigrade. The modern Thermae Bath Spa is the only ...

  8. 18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Bath

    Learn more about what to see, as well as popular sightseeing opportunities and tours, with our list of the top things to do in Bath, England. 5. Get Pampered at Thermae Bath Spa. 6. Take a Peek inside the Cross Bath. 7. Get Your Art Fix (and More) at the Holburne Museum. 8. Get Dressed Up at the Fashion Museum Bath.

  9. THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Bath (Updated 2024)

    See ways to experience (11) 2023. 11. The Jane Austen Centre. 2,946. Speciality Museums. The Jane Austen Centre features a permanent exhibition that tells the story of Bath's most famous resident, the author Jane Austen. It explores the effect that living in the Georgian city had on her life and writing.

  10. Gardens and outdoor attractions to visit in and around Bath

    As well as the outstanding collection of art and cultural objects inside the stately Georgian house, visit for a walk around the old Italianate-style manorial pleasure gardens and parkland. Take in a replica of George Washington's garden at Mount Vernon, a Lewis and Clark trail, and wonderful views over the Limpley Stoke Valley and River Avon ...

  11. Bath Itinerary (How to spend one day in Bath England)

    By Bus. The most economical way to get to Bath from London is by bus. Prices start at £5 one-way and it will usually take around 3 hours to get there. All you need to do is go to Victoria Coach Station in central London and board the National Express which will arrive at the Bath Spa Bus Station.

  12. Places to visit in Bath (+ things to do, map & travel tips)

    A visit to the world-famous Sally Lunn's Eating House is one of the mandatory things to do in Bath. It's located in the town's centre in one of Bath's oldest homes, built in 1482. Sally Lunn, a Huguenot refugee, lived there in 1680. The one skill she brought with her from France was the gift of bread baking.

  13. I Loved Visiting Bath, England So Much I Moved There

    Discover the city from a different viewpoint via the Bath Skyline walk. On day two of your trip, you'll want to get outside of the city center. The Bath Skyline walk is the perfect way to do so ...

  14. ULTIMATE CITY GUIDE TO BATH, ENGLAND

    Top Things To Do In Bath. 1) Bath Abbey. Proudly located in the centre of Bath city is Bath Abbey. Steeped in history with staggering architecture, the church imposingly dominates the scene and hypnotises thousands of people to visit daily.

  15. Bath Travel Guide (Updated 2024)

    Bath Travel Costs. Hostel prices - A bed in a dorm with 4-8 beds costs 20-25 GBP per night, while a 10-12-bed dorm costs 15-20 GBP. A private double room with a shared bathroom costs 55-75 GBP. Free Wi-Fi is standard though most hostels do not have self-catering facilities.

  16. Best time of the year to go to Bath

    Best time for exploring Bath without a crowd. Mild weather, spring flowers in parks and seasonal leaf displays - spring and autumn are arguably the best seasons to visit Bath. The big sights are minus their summer crowds so you get to see the Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent and the Circus without having to sidestep someone else's selfie.

  17. A weekend in Bath: 2-day Bath itinerary

    Or take a guided tower tour and climb 212 spiral steps to the abbey roof for panoramic views over Bath and down to the Roman Baths below you. Tours take 45-60 minutes and also give you a behind-the-scenes view of the ceilings and bell tower. Bath's Gothic Abbey.

  18. Visit

    The Roman Baths are in the centre of Bath in the West of England. Bath is 100 miles (160km) west of London and 10 miles (16km) east of Bristol. Find out more on parking and travel options in Bath. Find out information on accessible travel around South West England on the VisitBritain website.

  19. Roman Baths

    Plan your visit. Everything you need to know in one place. Opening times, getting here, facilities and more. Open today 9.00am-6.00pm. (last entry 5.00pm) Buy tickets. Show image info. Roman Baths and Pump Room Experience. Enjoy a delicious brunch or afternoon tea in the Pump Room followed by a visit to the Roman Baths.

  20. The 12 best restaurants and cafés in Bath

    The Scallop Shell. This buzzy and casual seafood restaurant is easily the best place in Bath to have fish and chips - priced at a bargain £12.50, including a mug of tea, on weekday lunchtimes.

  21. Bath Official Visitor Guide

    Bath Official Visitor Guide. Planning your visit to Bath? Download our free guide to Bath and the surrounding area, which features handy maps and guides, information on top attractions, activities, restaurants, bars and places to stay. You can view our Official Bath Visitor Guide 2024 below or online here. Printed copies are available in and ...

  22. The best afternoon teas in Bath

    Read our insider guide to the best cafés, tea rooms and hotels to go for afternoon tea in Bath, as recommended by Telegraph Travel. Find expert reviews, best cream tea and scones, great photos ...

  23. Bath Royal United Hospitals' maternity services retain ...

    BBC News, West of England The maternity team at Bath's Royal United Hospitals (RUH) are "delighted" to have retained an outstanding rating after a recent inspection.

  24. Bath's Official Tourism Information Site

    Planning to visit Bath? Click for the latest information on Attractions, Events, Accommodation, Shopping, and Eating Out!

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  26. Tom de Glanville: Bath full-back extends deal until 2026

    Tom de Glanville broke into Bath's first team in 2019. Bath full-back Tom de Glanville has signed a contract extension to stay with the Premiership club until the end of the 2025-26 season.

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