Bath is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most picturesque cities, and also one that is very much steeped in history, having been founded in around 60 AD by the Romans.
Bath is the only place in Britain that has natural hot springs (all the other springs produce much cooler water.) At around a 2hr drive, and only a 2.5hr train ride from London Bath is an ideal city to visit on a day trip (or if you are wanting to really take your time & have a relaxing weekend you might think about staying overnight instead.)
How to Get to Bath
I don’t usually go in for bus tours as I like to have the flexibility to do what I want at the pace that suits me but we actually did do Bath & Stonehenge on a day long bus tour from London and we really enjoyed it. Considering we don’t own a car & don’t often drive in London it was nice to just sit back, relax and enjoy the drive through the city and out into the English countryside.
Hiring a car for the day or catching the Great Western Railways train from Paddington Station are other totally viable options if you’re looking to visit Bath. Train tickets can be bought up to 3 months in advance and can be as low as £24 return if bought ahead of time. NB: Stonehenge on the other hand is not accessible by train as it’s in the middle of the countryside so if you’re looking to go there too you’ll be needing to either book a bus tour or rent a car.
Things to See & Do in Bath
You can visit the Roman Baths to this very day- entry costs from £15 to £20 per person depending on the time & day of your visit. There is an audio guide tour of the complex available but for me the best part was just getting to see the different pools & facilities the Romans built, and marvel at how old (and intact) it all is. NB: The Roman Baths are still fed by the natural hot springs but it’s not possible to bathe in the water as it still flows through the original lead pipes.
Never fear if you’re looking for some proper R&R however – there is also a modern day spa complex in Bath called Thermae Bath Spa. It uses the same therapeutic water from the hot springs (minus the lead of course) and there is even a rooftop pool where you can enjoy views over the city. Entry to the ‘New Royal Bath’ will set you back a bit though, prices start at £36 per person for a 2 hour spa session including a towel, robe & slippers.
Bath is also renowned for its quirky Georgian architecture, which is often fashioned from the honey coloured bath limestone that can be found in the surrounding area. There is a couple of Georgian era designs in the city that are not to be missed:
The (King’s) Circus – ‘the Circus’ is made up of 3 sections of curved town houses which form a circle around a large roundabout with three entrances, it has been inhabited by many a famous person in its time. Along with adjoining roads the Circus forms a key shape when viewed from the air.
Bath is also a really great destination for food lovers – there are many small artisan vendors in the city including my favourite – Fudge Kitchen, who make the most delicious slabs of fudge in a huge array of flavours.. in my experience once purchased they don’t last long!
For lunch check out The Green Rocket, café who do tasty plant-based dishes that will satisfy even the confessed Omnivores among us.
And if that’s not enough to fill your day in Bath with there’s also plenty of shopping to be done, check out some of the small independent boutiques & gift shops in particular for items you won’t find in the big chain stores.
Travelling elsewhere in the UK or Ireland?