Bath is without a doubt one of the prettiest cities in England. England is full of quaint towns and villages that will make your heart stop, but if you want a big(ish) city full of shops and restaurants and museums, it doesn’t get much prettier than Bath.
As a Jane Austen super-fan, I had to visit Bath, where she lived for a while and where many of her novels are set. The city has recently gained additional popularity as the filming location for the show Bridgerton. I actually have to laugh when I watch that show because the story is supposed to be set in London, but they film at many of Bath’s most famous landmarks. (Although if we’re judging that show based on historical accuracy, there are a lot more problems than just how much Bath doesn’t look like London. But hey, it’s still fun.)
I’ve now visited Bath twice, each time for a long weekend, which is just enough time to explore the city itself. However, if you are wanting to explore this part of England in depth, Bath also makes a great home base for exploring the south-west of England.
The best thing to do in Bath (in my opinion) is to wander the lovely streets at leisure, but there are a few things you definitely don’t want to miss. So here’s my quick guide to the top things to see and do in Bath, England.
The Roman Baths
The attraction that gives the city its name, the Roman Baths date all the way back to, you guessed it, Roman times. The baths are some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Britain, but the history doesn’t stop there. The building was used and expanded throughout the last few centuries, and the current structure surrounding the baths was built in the nineteenth century. If you are a history enthusiast like me, this site definitely cannot be missed.
Afternoon Tea
Many visitors to England are excited to have afternoon tea, and Bath is a great place to indulge in this experience. I recommend booking a table for afternoon tea at the Pump Room right next to the Roman Baths. This restaurant features in two of Jane Austen’s novels, and the writer herself ate there. The afternoon tea itself is very nice, with all the savories, scones, and sweets you’d expect, with the addition of a string quartet to complete the ambience.
Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge is an eighteenth-century bridge and a famous photo location in Bath overlooking the River Avon. The bridge is also famous because shops and restaurants line both sides of the bridge. I enjoyed a nice cream tea at the Pulteney Bridge coffee shop, but this tiny café can get really busy, so you have to get lucky with your timing to get a table.
The Holburne Museum
The Holburne Museum is a lovely and historic art gallery not far from downtown Bath. The museum itself and the surrounding gardens are well worth the entrance fee. For Bridgerton fans, this is also the filming location for the exterior of Lady Danbury’s home.
The Royal Crescent
Bath has several beautiful crescent buildings, but the Royal Crescent is the most impressive of them all. It was built in the 1700’s and is a prime example of Georgian architecture. One of the houses now contains a small museum, but I haven’t been inside myself.
Shop Till You Drop
The shopping in Bath is top notch. I don’t usually do a lot of shopping when I travel, but the window displays in Bath are sure to lure you inside. Even if you aren’t interested in buying anything, it’s fun to wander around the city center and take a peek in all the cute shops.
The Jane Austen Centre
As a mega Jane Austen fan, I had to stop at the Jane Austen Centre while in Bath. Now, I’ll be honest, this small museum is probably only worth the stop if you love Jane Austen as much as I do. It’s interesting, but there’s not really a ton to see. If you do visit the Centre, make sure to also stop in the tearoom on the second floor for Austen themed treats.
Prior Park
Prior Park is a lovely spot just a little outside the city center. The house that sits at the top of the hill was built during the 1700’s, and the garden was designed by Alexander Pope. More recently, this garden and the beautiful Palladian Bridge are a common sight in Bridgerton. The park is really pretty, but the hill is quite a bit steeper than I anticipated based on the pictures, so if you visit, be ready to do a bit of climbing.
The Bath Skyline Trail
If, like me, you love hiking, I cannot recommend the Bath Skyline Trail highly enough! The trail is mostly easy, with sections of forest, open fields, and beautiful views of Bath below. If you are starting to get tired of the crowds in the city center, this trail is literally a breath of fresh air!
Day Trips from Bath
If you are wanting to explore more of the south of England, Bath makes an excellent home base for day trips to the surrounding areas. I’ve used a company called Mad Max a few times over the years to take day trips from Bath to Stonehenge and to the Cotswolds, and can highly recommend the company. Or if you’d rather explore on your own, Bath is extremely close to Bristol and not far from Oxford. To see the Cotswolds, you’d really need your own vehicle if you don’t want to do a tour, but should not be missed if you are staying in the area.
Bath is a popular destination for tourists to the UK, and it is easy to see why. I highly recommend including Bath on your England itinerary and taking the time to explore everything this beautiful city has to offer.
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