Bath, England: Travel Guide

When you think of the stereotypical English town, what first comes to mind? Perhaps it’s rolling green hills and winding streets lined with Georgian architecture. Bath is a shining example of both of those, and you’ll see it as soon as your train approaches the city. The whole place is effectively a large outdoor museum and is well worth visiting, whether as a standalone weekend trip or as part of a larger British adventure. 

On a summer trip to see my family in the UK in 2023 (I grew up in London but now live in Copenhagen), I spent 36 hours in Bath. My only regret was not staying longer; I honestly think that it’s England’s most beautiful city.

Nonetheless, I’m now going to share my top tips to help you prepare for a visit to this most wonderful of cities. In this Bath travel guide, we’ll cover how to get there, what you can do while there, where to stay, and a couple of food places. 

Things to Do in Bath 

While I didn’t visit the Roman Baths, you’ll still probably want to check them out when in Bath. Beyond that, though, this city has plenty of other interesting things to do. Below is a list of my favorite activities.

1. Admiring Bath From Above 

The best thing to do in Bath is, in my opinion, to simply wander in the hills surrounding the city. The area is ample for outdoor activities, including the National Trust’s Bath Skyline walk. A beginner-friendly place to enjoy Bath from a different angle is Bathwick Meadow, which is pretty close to the downtown area. 

You can also go to the area around the Bath Approach Golf Course, which is a much steeper hike and a little further out of town. The neighborhoods nearby are worth exploring while you’re here, too. 

On my second day in Bath, I went for quite an aimless long walk that provided fantastic views of the city from some of the residential areas.

2. The Circus and Royal Crescent 

The Royal Crescent is probably Bath’s most famous example of Georgian architecture. If you’ve ever been to Regent Street in London, you’ll probably notice numerous similarities in the design of the buildings. 

But while the Royal Crescent is more popular, I actually found that the Circus—which is just behind—was even more visually-appealing. 

Next to the Royal Crescent is Victoria Park, which is a nice place to hang out on a warm day. 

3. Wander Along the River Avon

The River Avon runs through several parts of Southwestern England, including Bath and Bristol. There are several locks in Bath that allow boats to pass through the river, and the waterfront area is also quite scenic. 

Many of Bath’s touristy parts are concentrated along the River Avon, so you can always use this as a guide if you ever get lost. 

Food and Drink in Bath 

1. Bertinet Bakery

Bath is full of great bakeries, but the best one that I tried when visiting was Bertinet Bakery. It’s located right in the town center and close to a flapjack shop. You can get several freshly baked goods here, including croissants and brownies. A wide range of breads are also available. 

Address: 1 New Bond St Pl, Bath, BA1 1BH

Website: https://bertinetbakery.com/

2. The Bridge Coffee

Pulteney Bridge is the most famous bridge in Bath, and The Bridge Coffee is worth checking out when you’re here. More specifically, the ice cream is *very* good. 

In addition to ice cream, you can also get scones and tea if you want to complete the full English experience. Cakes and sandwiches are also available. 

Address: 16 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY 

3. The Garrick’s Head

Besides being a pub, you can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner at The Garrick’s Head—including a number of dishes that change daily. Some of the staples are fish and chips, burgers, and salads.

I came here for lunch and really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was quite peaceful, and the staff were also friendly. You can get hot drinks from The Garrick’s Head as well, such as hot chocolate and coffee.

Address: 7-8, St John’s Pl, Bath BA1 1ET

Website: https://www.garricksheadpub.com/menus/

Where I Stayed in Bath 

When in Bath, I stayed at the Griffin Inn. An 11-minute walk from Bath Spa station, this pub also has a four-star hotel. The beds were comfortable from personal experience—and though I didn’t try the beers or food downstairs, both of them looked pretty decent. If you plan on eating here, you can book a reservation on the website. 

Address: Monmouth St, Bath BA1 2AP

Website: https://thegriffinbath.co.uk/

Getting to Bath 

Train 

The easiest way to get to Bath is by train, and the city’s main train station is Bath Spa. Great Western Railway operates multiple daily services from London Paddington, and the journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

Great Western Railway is one of the better UK train operators, and the on-board experience is quite comfortable. However, train travel in Britain is very expensive and you should book in advance to get the best deals on your ticket. 

Train tickets are usually released three months before the date of travel, and I recommend purchasing your tickets ASAP when you decide to visit Bath. You can book tickets online from The Trainline, Omio, and the Great Western Railway website. 

Direct train services are also available from nearby Bristol. The journey from Temple Meads takes between 11 and 20 minutes. 

Plane 

Bath doesn’t have an international airport, but you can fly into Bristol and continue your journey from there. Bristol Airport serves a number of European cities, including Amsterdam, Paris, and Berlin. 

From Bristol Airport, it’s a 40-minute drive if you want to rent a car. Alternatively, you can get the Airport Flyer bus to Bristol Temple Meads and change for a train to Bath. The overall journey for that will take roughly an hour. You can find out more about the Airport Flyer here. 

Bus 

You can also travel from London to Bath by bus. National Express operates regular services from London Victoria coach station, and tickets are normally less expensive than the train. However, the journey is much longer and takes around three hours. 

Things to Know Before Visiting Bath 

The Seagulls… 

If I had one complaint about Bath, it would be that the seagulls are aggressive, loud, and irritating in equal measure. I was woken up on my second day in Bath just before 5 am, so I can attest. 

Don’t feed the seagulls and try to keep your food away from them. Otherwise, you do is encourage this behavior. 

Prices 

Bath is one of the UK’s most expensive cities, with prices that aren’t too different from London. I paid around £75 per night for my hotel room, though this was in the peak summer season. Since Bath is a popular tourist destination, make sure you book your overnight stays in advance if you’re coming between June and August. 

In addition to my hotel, I spent around £17 on average for meals. Your mileage may, of course, vary. 

How Many Days Are Enough in Bath? 

Bath is quite a small city, and 36 hours is a solid amount of time if you just want to see the main tourist attractions. You can also do quite a lot if you want to visit on a day trip from London. However, I would recommend staying for 2-3 days and taking things slowly. 

UK Entry Requirements

The UK is not in the EU, nor is it in the Schengen Area. So, you’ll need to bring your passport when entering the country. 

Entry rules will differ depending on where you’re from. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can stay for up to six months without needing a visa. US and Canadian citizens can also stay for as long as six months. 

While Ireland is in the EU, you can enter the UK freely as a result of the Common Travel Agreement. Rules vary from country to country, and it’s best to check for your specific nationality via the GOV.uk Visa Checker.