20 Best Things to do in Bath U.K.

When many of us avid travelers think of taking a trip to the UK, we tend to automatically target a visit to London. Yet, if you’ve already been to London a handful of times, you may just be thirsting for something new. And who could possibly blame you? After all, there’s nothing that’s more exciting than traveling to a new place every now and again, even if it’s within the same borders of a country. Luckily, the United Kingdom has so many more glorious cities to offer than its bustling capital. And Bath is one such alternative to the home of Big Ben that’s surely worth the visit. Have a look below where we highlight 20 of the best things to do in Bath.

A Bit About Bath, England

The beautiful city of Bath is located in the South of England and is regarded to be a World Heritage site. It’s literally an open-air museum with many beautiful sights to see. It’s perhaps most well known for its Roman Baths and thermal spas. Yet, there are so many other marvelous places to see that you’d probably want to return to the wonderful city of Bath at a later date.

Getting to Bath, UK

The city of Bath can be reached by car and train. Provided that you opt to catch a train rather than drive there, you’ll be glad to know that you can catch a train from London and Bristol.

Things to Keep in Mind when visiting Bath, England

Bath is an expensive city

It’s usually packed with tourists at the weekend. So brace yourself for lengthy queues to various sites.

Buy saver tickets if you’re interested in visiting more than one site.

20 Best Things to do In Bath

1. Visit the Roman Baths & Museum

Bath,England, is perhaps most well-known for its marvelous Roman Baths. This ancient and unique site is where Romans would lounge about day after day, relax and bathe. On entering the site with your audio guide in hand, you’ll be led into the site’s museum which houses several remnants of the ancient Roman civilization. Here you’ll be able to learn all about different things on display which are intrinsically linked to Roman culture. Once you’ve gone through a few of the museum’s rooms, you’ll be able to see the gem and site’s main attraction – the large Roman Bath. You’ll also be able to see some smaller ones too.

Roman Bath Museum Ticket Price

Adult Ticket: £16.50

Student Ticket: £14.50

Senior Ticket: £14.50

Children’s Ticket: £10.50

2.Visit Bath Abbey & Go on the Tour

Right besides the Roman Bath museum is another interesting attraction which is highly popular with tourists. This of course is the unmissable building known as Bath Abbey which you can enter free of charge. As you step inside the large Protestant church, you’ll be able to see the beautiful glass painted windows and the intricately designed ceilings above you.

Bath Abbey Tour

Provided that you have some time to spare, you should definitely opt to buy tickets to the Bath Abbey tour which is really inexpensive for what you get in return. Essentially, the guided tour of Bath Abbey will take you through the site’s history. Whilst on the tour, you’ll be able to see gorgeous views of Bath as and actually go inside the bell tower and see the churches bell.

Bath Abbey Ticket Price

Entrance to Bath Abbey: Free

Bath Abbey Tour: £7

3.Walk through the Alleys in Bath

Roaming around the city of Bath, U.K., will allow you to explore much of the city’s quaint charms. Amongst them are the World Heritage site’s narrow alleyways which lend a hand to the city’s immense beauty. Whilst walking through them, you’ll be able to discover the marvelous restaurants, pubs and small shops that will enchant you and leave you wanting to walk through more alleys found in the city.

4. Shop til you drop at Southgate

Feel like hitting the shops for some retail therapy whilst in Bath, U.K.? If so, head to Southgate one of the best places to shop in Bath, U.K. where you’ll be able to find high street shops like Urban Outfitters, Marks and Spencer’s, Laura Ashley, Lush, Kiko, Typo and many more.

Another great reason to head to South Gate is to have a look at the decorations. Whilst here you’ll be able to see repurposed vintage phone booths which are now being used to add some life and color to the place and a ceiling of colorful umbrellas. Both are totally instagrammable!

5. Relax at the Thermae Bath Spa

Up for a spot of relaxation whilst in Bath? Go for it! It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Bath. And besides that, it’s hard to say that a visit to Bath, England, is complete without a day or afternoon spent at one of the city’s thermal spas where you can lounge about and relax in comfy attire and soak in a thermal bath.

6. Take on the view of Pultney Bridge & Weir

A visit to the historic Pultney Bridge is one of the free things you can do on foot whilst in Bath, U.K. The beautiful bridge which lies right above the Avon river is a Grade 1 construction which dates back all the way to the late 1800s and was constructed in order to link the old part of Bath, U.K. with the new part. Although the bridge is not the longest one or the most important in Britain, one of the things that really stands out about it is bridge’s uniqueness as it’s lined with shops and cafes which stretch out the entire length of the bridge.

Ticket Price: Not Applicable

7. Take a Stroll Through Bath’s Royal Victoria Park & Botanic Gardens

Sick and tired of the city’s hustle and bustle? If so, take a bit of a breather by visiting the Royal Victoria Park and Botanic Gardens in Bath which is markedly one of the best things to do in Bath. The park dates back to the 1830s and was opened by Queen Victoria when she was just 11 years old which not only means that it’s not only one of Bath’s green areas, but one that’s also steeped in history too. Whilst here, you’ll be able to see colorful flowers, wooded areas with trees and perhaps if you get the opportunity to – the Botanic garden.

8. Admire the houses at the Royal Crescent

The Royal Crescent, which dates back to the mid-18th century, is a marvelous example of Georgian architecture in Bath. Whilst visiting, you’ll be able to see the row of 30 terraced houses that are all lined in a semi-circular crescent. The site of houses is listed as a Grade 1 building and was designed by John Wood, the Younger.

Ticket Price: NA

9. Walk around the Circus

If you’d like to see another fantastic example of Georgian architecture in Bath, Somerset, a walk to the Circus will be worth it. The historic circular street of large townhouses in Bath is an architectural marvel that dates back the mid-18th century. It was designed by John Wood, the Elder, and is listed as a Grade 1 building. When seen from above, you’ll be able to notice that, the street is actually circular.

Ticket Price: NA

10. Visit the Jane Austen Museum

Whether you grew up reading Jane Austen novels at school, you started reading the author’s classic novels in your later years or you haven’t even read any of her novels at all, you’ve most likely heard of the British author Jane Austen. The Jane Austen Museum, which pays tribute to the prominent literary figure and her works, is one of Bath’s top attractions and is certainly worth a visit if you’re a huge Jane Austen fan.

Jane Austen House Museum Ticket Price

Adult: £ 15

11. Have High Tea at one of the pretty cafes in Bath, England

No visit to Bath,U.K., is complete without a stop at local tea shop. Whilst there, order some high tea if you’re feeling a bit peckish. You’ll be in for a treat if you do! Other than the regular pot of tea, you’ll also be given typical English tea time snacks including sandwiches, scones, cupcakes and more.

12. Take the Free Bath Walking Tour

Come to Bath and found yourself strapped for cash? Well, fret not. Just take a free walking tour of the city of Bath. It’s not only great cause it’s free, but also because you’ll be able to get a tour from a local who knows the place well.

Ticket Price: Free

13. Take a Boat Trip on Kenneth Avon Canal

If it’s a sunny day, taking a boat trip on the Kenneth Avon Canal is a marvelous idea. You’ll be able to see Bath from a different angle and go on a relaxing boat trip rather than walking.

14. Visit the Fashion Museum in Bath, England

No fashion lovers’ trip to Bath, U.K., is complete without a trip to the Bath Fashion Museum which houses over 100,000 fashion-related objects in it. The museum was started in 1963 by a woman named Doris Langley Moore who donated her collection to the city of Bath.

15. Stop and Eat a Local Sausage Roll or Pasty

Feeling a bit peckish? Stop at one of the pastry shops in Bath and eat a sausage roll or pasty. They’re super yummy and inexpensive, plus you’ll be to sample some of Bath’s take-away food that locals and students pick up while they’re on the go.

16. Take in the Art at the Victoria Art Gallery & Holbourne Museum

If you haven’t been to an art museum in Bath yet, either go to the Bath’s first public art museum, which is known as the Holbourne Museum, or take a visit to the Victoria Art Gallery.

The Holbourne Museum

The Holbourne museum is a Grade 1 building that was named after its founder, Sir William Holbourne, and has been open since the late 19th century. It houses porcelains, bronzes, a permanent collection of artworks, temporary exhibitions and more.

The Victoria Art Gallery

The Victoria Art Gallery is a public art gallery which was opened to mark Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. Inside the Grade 2 building, you’ll be able to see over 1500 art objects and an array of oil paintings by British artists that date back all the way to the 1700s.

17. Stop and watch the buskers & street performers entertain the crowd

As you walk about the city, you’ll notice that Bath is absolutely brimming with life. Not only do tourists enjoy walking through its main but many locals alike do so too. And apart from walking around and admiring the city’s beauty, you’ll also find many buskers and street performers around entertaining the crowd which certainly lends a hand to the city’s charm. Whilst some are musicians others are pretend statues.

18. Walk around the city by night and go for a pint at the pub

Provided that you’re actually staying in Bath overnight at a hotel or B&B, exploring the city by night is definitely one of the best things to do in Bath. Simply walk around the old part of Bath and explore. Then stop for a pint at one of the local haunts in the area and perhaps have some pub food to experience eating some real British favorites including steak and ale pie, fish and chips and many more.

19. Walk the Bath Skyline

Got a few hours to spare? Take a trip out of the city center and just walk Bath’s skyline where the city’s cacophony of the loud chitter chatter of tourists and locals, the buzzing sounds of cars driving past and the screeching sounds of buses are replaced by the sweet sounds of nature.

20. Shop at Bath’s Markets

Bath’s Markets are also worth going to, if you’re up for a bit of shopping or you’re simply looking for an unusual souvenir from the place. Amongst the best markets in Bath are the Bath Guildhall Market, the Bath Saturday Antique Market and Flea Market and the Bath VA Market. Like many places around the globe, you’ll also be able to find a Christmas Market which is typically held during the month of December.

Got anything to add to our List of Things to do in Bath?

Ever visited The city of Bath,U.K. yourself and tried anything on this list? Or perhaps you’ve simply got something to add onto it yourself. Don’t be shy, leave a comment below!