Bath Travel Guide Things to Do, Eat & Stay in Bath, England

Bath Travel Guide – Everything You Need for Visiting Bath, England

There’s something about Bath that stops you in your tracks. Honey-coloured Georgian buildings glow in the light, cobbled streets wind past historic landmarks, and everywhere you look feels like a film set. It’s no surprise this elegant city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect Bath getaway.

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How to Get to Bath

Getting to Bath is easy, making it ideal for a weekend break or day trip.

By Train

Arrive Spa Railway Station, right in the city centre.

From London Paddington: ~1 hour 20 mins

From Bristol: ~11 mins

From Manchester: ~3.5 hours (with a change)

Click here for the National Rail Website for up to date information.

By Plane

Fly into Bristol Airport, then take a bus or taxi (around 1 hour).. Click here for Bristol Airport Website.

By Bus

Coaches from London Victoria Coach Station take around 3 hours with National Express.Click here for the National Express Website.

By Car

Bath is accessible via the M4 (from London and South Wales), connecting to the M5 for the South West.

Top Things to Do in Bath

The Roman Baths

A visit to The Roman Baths is essential. Built around 70 AD, this remarkably preserved site sits above natural hot springs still flowing today. You can’t take a dip, but you can soak up centuries of history.

Click here for our page all about the Roman Baths.

Bath Abbey

Dominating the skyline, Bath Abbey is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Look up for the intricate vaulted ceiling and don’t miss the famous “ladders of angels” on the façade.

Click here to read all about visiting Bath Abbey.

Pulteney Bridge

Pulteney Bridge is one of only a handful of bridges in the world lined with shops across its full span. From the outside, it’s one of Bath’s most photographed spots.

Royal Crescent & The Circus

Step into Georgian elegance at Royal Crescent and The Circus
No. 1 Royal Crescent to see how high society lived in the 18th century. Fans of Bridgerton will find it all very familiar.

See Bath Without the Sore Feet

Hop aboard for an easy way to explore: City Tour – historic highlights and Skyline Tour – views over Bath and beyond

Perfect if you want to cover more ground without the legwork.

Click here to read our review.

Literary Bath

Jane Austen’s Bath

Fans of Jane Austen shouldn’t miss the Jane Austen Centre. It’s a little theatrical, but full of insight into her life in Bath.

Stroll through Sydney Gardens

Visit Bath Assembly Rooms

Wander Great Pulteney Street

Shop along Milsom Street

Mary Shelley’s Gothic Bath

Mary Shelley lived in Bath between 1816–1817, where she wrote Frankenstein.

Visit Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein to explore: Her life and time in Bath, The origins of Frankenstein and find out a darker, gothic side of the city

Where to Stay in Bath

the griffin inn pub bath — The Griffin Inn Bath

The Griffin Inn An historic looking hostelry a short walk from Bath Spa Railway Station. Click here to read our review.

Hotel Indigo Bath – boutique charm near Parade Gardens

Where to Eat and Drink in Bath

Bath is packed with places to eat, from cosy cafés to fine dining.

The Bath Bun Tea Shoppe. You can’t visit without trying a Bath Bun, Jane Austen was known to indulge. You’ll find The Bath Bun Tea Shoppe at 2A Abbey Green. What is a Bath Bun? A Bath Bun is a sweet roll made from a milk-based yeast dough with crushed sugar sprinkled on top after baking.

Sally Lunn’s Time to try a different type of bun in what is said to be the oldest house in Bath. This bun is savoury and bigger than the other bath bun. The shop in the basement sells buns in boxes to take away, or stay for dinner and have a trencher – which is a large bun which was used as a plate to hold food. Click here to read our review.