17 Best Things To Do In Bath, England – Ultimate Travel Guide

Last Updated on March 1, 2026 by Shiraz

Planning a trip to England? If so, you must add Bath to your itinerary! Check out this post for the best things to do in Bath, England.

If you’re looking to fall in love with one of England’s most beautiful cities, a trip to Bath should be at the very top of your list. Steeped in Roman history, Bath is a destination that blends architecture, culture, and a relaxed pace of life. Whether you’re planning a short escape or a longer stay, you’ll quickly discover that there’s no shortage of unforgettable things to do in Bath, England.

This historic city may be compact, but it packs in an impressive variety of experiences. From world-famous landmarks like the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey to scenic strolls through Georgian streets and hidden corners along the River Avon. A weekend here is perfect for first-time visitors, though with so many Bath tourist attractions and charming neighborhoods to explore, you may find yourself wanting to stay longer.

In this ultimate travel guide, I’ll walk you through the 17 best things to do in Bath, UK, covering must-see highlights, lesser-known gems, and practical tips to help you plan the perfect visit. You’ll find inspiration for sightseeing in the city centre, including recommendations suited to history lovers, photographers, and relaxed explorers alike.

I personally waited way too long to visit this incredible city, so I hope to convince you to add it to your England itinerary, even if you only have one day to spare! In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about visiting Bath, and the best things to do here (including photo tips!). 

From iconic sights to memorable experiences, this guide is designed to help you uncover the very best of Bath. Get ready to explore one of England’s most beautiful cities and see exactly why it remains one of the top places to visit in the country.

This post is all about the best things to do in Bath, England.

FAQs about visiting Bath, England

Is 3 nights in Bath too much?

Three nights in Bath is not too much at all, especially if you want to explore beyond the main highlights. This amount of time allows you to enjoy the best things to do in Bath at a relaxed pace, from visiting the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey to wandering the city centre and discovering local cafés. With three nights, you can also fit short day trips near Bath, making it ideal for a well-rounded Bath itinerary. My top recommendations for easy day trips would be Iford Manor, Bradford-on-Avon, and Wells!

Was Bridgerton filmed in Bath?

Yes, Bridgerton was filmed extensively in Bath, and many of the city’s most famous landmarks double as Regency-era London in the series. Locations such as the Royal Crescent, Holburne Museum, and Bath Street are instantly recognizable to fans and are now popular Bath tourist attractions. Exploring these filming spots is one of the most fun and memorable things to do in Bath, UK, especially for TV and period-drama lovers. Whether you visit specific filming locations during your visit or not, the whole city feels like the set of Bridgerton, which was one of my favorite things about Bath.

What are some unique things to do in Bath?

Beyond the main sights, Bath offers plenty of unique experiences. You can bathe in naturally warm thermal waters at Thermae Rooftop Spa, explore the atmospheric Bath Skyline Walk, or take a guided ghost tour after dark. Hopefully, you will find plenty of unique things to do in Bath in my recommendations below!

What is Bath known for?

Bath is best known for its remarkably preserved Roman Baths, stunning Georgian architecture, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also famous for its natural hot springs, literary connections to Jane Austen, and elegant landmarks like the Royal Crescent. Combined with its walkable layout and rich history, these highlights make Bath one of the most popular places to visit in England.

How to get to Bath from London

Public Transport:

Getting to Bath using public transportation from London is super easy. Due to this, I would personally recommend the following route when looking to visit Bath. There are direct trains running between London Paddington and Bath Spa every half an hour. The journey is direct and takes around an hour and fifteen minutes. One thing to note is that train tickets in England are quite expensive, so I highly recommend booking your journey as far in advance as possible. This is because train ticket prices can vary from around €30 to €80. It’s super easy to book your train ticket online, and I have never had any issues showing tickets from third-party vendors like Omio and Rail Europe. 

Once in Bath, the city is incredibly walkable, and I walked to all of the locations in the list below! 

Guided Tour:

If you want a completely hassle-free journey that also combines other iconic locations in the area, then I recommend taking a guided tour. There are many combinations of destinations that are offered as day trips from London that you can choose from. While it means that you will spend less time at each spot, it’s a great way to get a taste of England beyond London if you don’t have much time. If you choose to take a guided tour, you will likely not have time to check out all of the spots in the list below, but you can definitely still see some of them, depending on how much free time you have. My favorite part of taking guided tours is how knowledgeable the guides are, so you will definitely be able to learn a lot of history on your trip! 

Below you can find a few options for the best guided tours to Bath. I have chosen a few different ones, all with incredible location combinations, so that you can pick the mix you find most interesting!

Day trip vs. Weekend in Bath: how long should you stay?

Whether Bath is best as a day trip or a weekend trip really comes down to the type of experience you’re looking for. Thanks to its compact layout, it’s entirely possible to see several of the top Bath tourist attractions, such as the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and the Royal Crescent, in just one day. For travelers short on time or visiting from London, a Bath day trip can still deliver a memorable introduction to the city’s highlights.

That said, a weekend trip to Bath offers a far more relaxed and rewarding experience. With two or three days, you can slow the pace, explore beyond the city centre, and fully enjoy some of the best things to do in Bath, UK, without rushing from sight to sight. A longer stay allows time for lingering café stops, scenic walks in Prior Park, spa visits, and discovering quieter neighborhoods that often get missed on a tight itinerary.

A weekend also opens the door to wonderful day trips near Bath, making it ideal for travelers who enjoy mixing city sightseeing with countryside escapes. For easy day trips from Bath, I would recommend the historic city of Wells, home to England’s smallest cathedral city, wander the beautiful spring gardens of Iford Manor, or explore the charming town of Bradford-on-Avon. These nearby destinations add lots of variety to your trip while keeping Bath as a comfortable base.

Overall, Bath works beautifully as both a day trip and a weekend getaway, but if you’re craving a slower, more immersive travel experience, a weekend stay is where the city truly shines.

Where to stay in Bath

Since Bath is a very walkable city, I highly recommend staying in the city center. The Bath Spa train station is also conveniently located in the center. By staying in this area, it will be super convenient to get around and allow you to walk everywhere, which is what I always prefer! Below is a quick overview of my top recommendations for stays in Bath. 

Best time to visit Bath, England

The best time to visit Bath depends on what kind of trip you’re planning, as each season offers a slightly different experience.

Spring (March to May) is one of the most popular times to visit, with mild weather, blooming gardens, and ideal conditions for sightseeing. It’s a fantastic season for exploring the city centre, enjoying outdoor attractions, and walking between many of the top things to do in Bath without the peak summer crowds.

Summer (June to August) brings the warmest temperatures and the liveliest atmosphere. This is when Bath hosts festivals, outdoor events, and bustling terraces, making it a great time for travelers who enjoy energy and long daylight hours. However, summer is also the busiest season, so popular Bath tourist attractions can be more crowded, and accommodation prices tend to be higher.

Autumn (September to November) is a lovely shoulder season, offering fewer crowds and cooler temperatures while still being perfect for sightseeing. The changing colors add charm to the city’s Georgian streets and surrounding countryside, making it an excellent time for relaxed exploration and nearby day trips near Bath. 

Winter (December to February) is the quietest time to visit and ideal for travelers seeking a slower pace. Festive Christmas markets, cozy pubs, and steamy spa visits create a magical atmosphere, and you’ll find fewer visitors at many attractions. While the weather is colder, winter can be one of the most peaceful times to experience Bath.

Pro Tip: If you are a Jane Austen fan, then definitely plan a trip in September when the annual Jane Austen Festival is held! This annual 10-day event is a celebration of Jane Austen featuring a Regency costume promenade, dances, and lots of other activities. You can check out more about the festival here.

17 best things to do in Bath, England

Before getting into the full list, I wanted to mention that I have also added all of the spots to a map, which you can find below. Feel free to use this map during your visit to help with navigation to all of the best places! The interactive map will have slightly more spots, as I have also added my favorite photo spots to help you get the best angles and photos during your trip! 

1. Thermae Bath Spa

The city of Bath got its name from the Roman Baths built over 2,000 years ago. Hopefully, unsurprisingly, you can therefore find the most incredible spa in Bath. Not only this, but the Thermae Bath Spa is also the only natural thermal spa in all of the UK! 

While you cannot try the water at the Roman Baths, you can experience them just across the road at this luxurious and stunning spa facility. The spa uses hot mineral-rich waters from King’s Spring, Helting Spring, and Cross Spring, meaning that you can quite literally soak in the history of Bath (pun intended).

The Thermae Bath Spa has several facilities, including the open-air rooftop pool (my personal favorite spot), the Minerva Bath, and a multi-sensory wellness suite. Definitely plan to spend lots of time at the open-air rooftop pool because what can be better than enjoying the warm water with direct views of the Bath Abbey?!

How to visit Thermae Bath Spa

Typical opening hours for the Thermae Bath Spa are 9:00 to 21:30, but it can vary seasonally and around holiday periods. Make sure to check their opening times again before visiting here. Entrance fees are a little on the pricy side, with tickets costing £44 for a 2-hour session from Monday to Friday. During the weekend, a session costs £49, so definitely plan to do this during the week! A visit includes a 2-hour session with entrance to all facilities, a towel, a robe, and lockers. You can book your tickets here. 

A few things that are important to note are that first of all, this is an adults-only spa, so the minimum age is 16 years old. Photos are not allowed in any of the facilities to respect people’s privacy (the photos below were taken during a media visit). This is a very popular attraction in Bath, so I highly recommend booking your timeslot in advance (although there are also sometimes some walk-in tickets in the morning). Lastly, there is also the Cross Bath, which is located across the street for a private/small group experience that can be booked separately. It costs £40 per person for a 1.5-hour session. 

Overall, I highly recommend visiting as the experience is SO unique and worth it! Only a few of the activities on this list require entry tickets (they are all worth it, I promise), so this is worthy of the splurge.

Pro Tip: Bath Street (facing the Cross Bath) is another famous Bridgeton filming location.

2. Pulteney Bridge

One of the most iconic sights in Bath is definitely Pulteney Bridge, located on the River Avon. The most famous sight here is the Pulteney Weir that creates a cascading appearance. While the Pulteney Weir is a stunning sight in itself, what I love most about Pulteney Bridge is the reflection in the water. If you visit in the early morning hours, you will be able to see a perfect reflection of the stunning Georgian architecture reflected in the river. For this view, I personally prefer the other side of the bridge, by the Beazer Garden Maze. Check out my photos below to see why 🥹. 

Make sure to check out both sides of the bridge while visiting. Although the back side (navigate to Waitrose & Partners) is less visited, it’s a super interesting contrast to the front side of the bridge. PS. you can find all of my top photo spots around Pulteney Bridge in the embedded map above!

3. North Parade Passage

Welcome to the most beautiful street in Bath – North Parade Passage. Ok, in a city like Bath, it’s almost impossible to declare which street is the prettiest, but North Parade Passage is definitely one of them! Standing just before Sally Lunn (looking towards Abbey Green) will provide you with one of the most iconic and beautiful views in Bath. There isn’t a whole lot to do here if you aren’t planning to visit all the shops and restaurants here. Therefore, I recommend visiting this street before 10 AM, before the shops open. This street gets very crowded (due to its beauty) as well as its convenient location, so it’s a great photo spot to prioritize in the morning!

4. Abbey Green

Just at the end of North Parade Passage, you will find a charming square called Abbey Green. In case there are any Bridgerton fans reading this, I hope that you already know that Bath has been used to film lots of scenes. At Abbey Green, you can find two of these locations. The first is the Abbey Deli, which is the store that is used as the Modiste in the show! The second spot is the arch located just after Cafe Pastel, which has also been used in some scenes. Beyond Bridgeton filming locations, the Bath Bun makes for a cosy afternoon tea spot, or just a coffee and a scone if that’s what you prefer. 

For Bridgerton fans who would love to explore all of the filming locations the show used in Bath, then I highly recommend booking a Bridgerton walking tour! 

5. Bath Abbey 

You honestly can’t visit Bath without seeing Bath Abbey. This impressive building towers over the city, and you can spot it from lots of locations in the city. The exterior is absolutely incredible, and some of the best views of the Abbey can be found from York Street, Kingston Parade, the Roman Baths, and the Abbey Churchyard. If you would like to visit the interior part of the Abbey, then you have a few options. Attending the daily services is typically free. However, if you would like to explore the Abbey, then you will need to purchase a ticket.

Prices for adults cost £9, for students £7.5 and for children £5. Personally, I didn’t end up visiting the interior as I preferred to buy entrance tickets for other Cathedrals during my trip. There are also several guided tours you can join if you are interested, including climbing the Tower. Once again, I would recommend skipping this tour and heading to Alexandra Park instead for the best skyline view (more on that later!). For more information on opening times and ticket prices, click here. 

6. Roman Baths

Another top attraction in Bath is the Roman Baths. As I mentioned above, the Roman Baths were built 2,000 years ago, so it’s the best spot to learn more about the history of Bath. It was once the site of one of the great religious spas of the ancient world. The people of Roman Britain would come to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva and bathe in the waters of the natural thermal springs. While you can no longer bathe here, the thermal springs still flow with hot water today. 

Today, the Roman Baths have turned into a complex where visitors can walk on the original Roman pavements and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. It is the most popular attraction in Bath and for good reason. While I don’t always like to visit museums on my trips, I really think you need to add the Roman Baths to your itinerary. 

How to visit the Roman Baths

Considering the popularity of the Roman Baths, I recommend visiting either when they open at 9 AM or towards closing time at around 4:45 PM. While 4:45 PM is the last admission time slot, the Baths close at 6 PM. I would personally recommend around 2 hours to have enough time to stop by the information points and listen to the audio guide that is included. Admission to the Roman Baths is £23.5 for adults on weekdays (£26.5 on weekends) and £16.5 for children between 6-18 (£19.5 on weekends). Students and Seniors can get a discount of one pound off regular admission prices.

PS. These prices are all for online tickets, as buying them directly at the Roman Baths will cost an additional £2. For more information regarding opening hours and prices, click here. 

If you would like a photo of the Roman Baths without any people, I highly recommend taking the first morning slot and heading straight to the Bath. It is located towards the end of the tour, but if there aren’t many people yet, you should be able to go back to the start after getting your photos. 

7. York Street

Just a one-minute walk from the Roman Baths, you will find a street called York Street. While all of the streets in Bath are incredibly picturesque, there are still a few that outshine the others. York Street is one of those, in my opinion, as it features a unique arch connecting the two sides of the street. For any photographers (or anyone else tbh) that would like a unique photo, I highly recommend stopping by York Street. Standing just before the arch, you can capture a unique and stunning composition of Bath Abbey and the arch together. You can check out the photo below for the exact composition. 

8. Broad Street

Another one of my favorite streets in Bath (I know I have a lot 🙈) is Broad Street. While I am mainly recommending it as a photo spot (I promise it’s stunning!), it’s also conveniently on the way to some of the other iconic spots in Bath, which I will recommend below. 

From the top of Broad Street, just after the Sepoy Club Restaurant, you can get an amazing photo of both St. Michael’s Church and Bath Abbey. For the best composition, a zoom lens will be ideal – the one on your iPhone will be perfect as well.

PS. If you want to ensure that you have a clean shot, then head here early in the morning; otherwise, it might take a while to have a mostly empty street. 

9. The Circus

Once at the top of Broad Street, continue walking for around 10 minutes to reach The Circus. This is a historic architectural landmark in the city center, with residential buildings built in a circle. While it’s a popular spot to see in the city, it’s most impressive from above. It is very likely that all of the photos you have seen from here are drone photos, so the Circus is not worth more than a short visit in my opinion. That being said, the residential buildings here are stunning. If you have a drone, you can attempt to fly it here for the best angle, but make sure to check out the rules beforehand. Personally, I chose not to risk it, but I have seen others flying drones in this area. 

10. The Royal Crescent

From The Circus, you can follow Brock Street for a few minutes to arrive at one of the most iconic sights in Bath. The Royal Crescent is a half-moon-shaped street once again featuring a row of beautiful residential buildings. While it is beautiful in its own right, it is also the filming location of many shows, especially Bridgerton. The street features widely in scenes of the ton, and the No. 1 Royal Crescent building is famous for being the Featherington House in Bridgerton. 

Once again, the main attraction here is the street itself. However, there is also the Royal Crescent Park here, which I highly recommend stopping by. If you have a picnic blanket, make sure to bring it, as this is the ultimate reading and hangout spot on a sunny afternoon. You can also consider getting some takeout from one of the food spots nearby and having a little picnic. 

11. Marlborough Buildings

While at the Royal Crescent Park, make sure admire the Marlborough Buildings located across the park. While they may not be anything special, I found the formation of the identical townhouses to make for a very unique photo. If you’re not a picnic person, you can also head to the top of the Marlborough Buildings street to the Marlborough Tavern. This pub is beloved by locals with amazing food and a cozy atmosphere. 

12. Prior Park

Prior Park is one of my favorite spots in Bath. This picturesque park is the ideal green space in the city, offering a mix of serenity and incredible architecture. It is located on the outskirts of the city, but it is well worth a visit. If you’re up for a longer walk, then I highly recommend making your way there on foot to get to know the city. Personally, I chose to walk here from Pulteney Bridge, enjoying views along the River Avon. The walk takes around 40 minutes and includes a bit of elevation towards the entrance of Prior Park. 

Alternatively, you can also take a bus to get to Prior Park. From Dorchester Street, located by Bath Spa Station, you can take bus number 2 toward the city center for around 10 minutes, getting off at Prior Park Gardens. Since the gardens are paid, there is one main entrance. You can find the exact entrance location here. Entrance to the park costs £12 for adults and £6 for children between 5 and 17 years old. While the entrance fee is quite steep for a park, I do think it’s well worth it. 

Prior Park was one of my favorite spots that I visited in Bath. From the city skyline to the Palladium Bridge, it has to be one of the prettiest parks in England. Personally, I would recommend planning to spend 2 hours here, especially since it costs quite a bit to enter. Enjoying the Palladium Bridge and photographing it from all angles is definitely the highlight here. But if the weather is good, then I recommend bringing a good book and enjoying the quiet. 

13. Alexandra Park

Alexandra Park is one of the best things to do in Bath that most tourists miss. While it requires a steep walk up, the park offers the best views over Bath by far! While places like Bath Abbey will require extra admission fees to climb up the towers, visiting Alexandra Park is completely free. In addition, I would argue that Bath Abbey is one of the best parts of the Bath skyline, so climbing up the Abbey makes no sense in my opinion. 

It takes just about 20 minutes to walk up to Alexandra Park from Bath Spa Station. While short, it does require climbing a lot of stairs – you have been warned 😅. If you want to avoid the climb, you can technically take a bus here instead. From Bath Spa Station, you have several bus options that you can take to Bear Flat. Then you only have to walk 8 minutes to get to the park, without the elevation gain.

It will honestly take the same amount of time whether you walk or take the bus, so I recommend walking to save the money if you can. This way, you can also appreciate the views as you climb up as an additional little bonus. While Alexandra Park is small, if you want the perfect Bath viewpoint, then navigate to the lookout spot here. 

Pro Tip: I recommend coming here for Golden Hour for the perfect soft glowy light over the magnificent city of Bath. Once again, a zoom lens is going to be your best friend here! 

14. Pulteney Bridge Coffee Shop

I am not a big foodie on my travels, so cafes and restaurants rarely make it into my recommendations. I usually like to save the money for any attractions I would like to see instead. However, I do also think this is a natural byproduct of being a student without huge lenience in my budget 🙈. Somehow, I have managed to convince myself that a few cafes are still cheaper than eating out, although coffee and pastry bills do add up quickly 😅. Perhaps one day I will be including lots more food recommendations in my guides. 

Long story short, I hope my little backstory is enough to convince you that if I have added a cafe recommendation, then it really is worth it! Pulteney Bridge Coffee Shop is located on Pulteney Bridge and is a super charming little cafe. The cafe looks out to the Weir and Avon River, which is probably the best cafe view you can find in Bath. In addition, the coffee and cakes here are incredible, and they even have several vegan options! Seating here is scarce, so I would highly recommend arriving when they open (8:30 weekdays, 9 on Saturdays, and 9:30 on Sundays) to secure the best spot in the house!

15. Union Passage

As I near the end of my list, I had to add just one last cute street! Union Passage is a narrow street in the city center, near Bath Abbey. To be completely honest, what caught my attention the most were the cute decorations in the form of colorful flags. Beyond the decorations, the street is super lively and has a great vibe, lined with stores and restaurants. You can also find two other narrow passages here, namely Northumberland Place and The Corridor, so I would generally recommend strolling through these passages and seeing what you find! 

16. Topping & Company

I love an aesthetic bookstore, and Topping & Company is exactly that! As someone who only reads in English, finding good books can sometimes be difficult in my home country (Denmark). Therefore, during my trip to England, I loved taking full advantage of fully English bookstores. If you are like me and always open to finding a new good read, then make sure to stop by Topping & Company while in Bath. 

17. Iford Manor Gardens

While this is technically not in Bath, I promise it’s worth it. Located just outside Bath, Iford Manor is a stunning estate boasting one of the prettiest spring gardens in England! While it’s only open seasonally, if you happen to visit in the spring, then you must go here! The garden is open from the beginning of April to the end of September. It is only open on Wednesdays through Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00.

Personally, I would highly recommend visiting in April and May as this is when most of the flowers are in bloom. You can easily take a half-day trip here from Bath with public transport. From Bath Spa, take the train to Freshford (10-minute journey), then walk along the trail to Iford Manor. The walk takes around 30 minutes through beautiful countryside views! Tickets cost £12 per adult, and it is highly recommended that you book them online in advance to guarantee entry. The gardens are fairly big, so I would recommend planning around 2 hours here. You can also consider booking a table at their restaurant for lunch. Here, booking in advance is a must! 

That concludes my guide for the best things to do in Bath, England. This is truly one of my favorite cities in England, and I hope that you end up loving it as much as I did! 

This post was all about the 17 best things to do in Bath, England – ultimate travel guide.