Of all the cities we visited in England, Bath was by far our favorite. We fell in love with its gorgeous Georgian architecture and charming streets. It’s a beautiful city with history around every corner — what more can you ask for? To make the most of your trip to Bath, here are 18 of the best things to see and do in Bath England.
You definitely need multiple days in Bath to properly experience and appreciate it. There’s too much you’ll miss if you make Bath just a day trip from London. Spend two to three days in Bath and soak in all its splendor. You won’t regret it.
1. Take a Free Walking Tour with the Mayor’s Guides
There are a lot of walking tours you can pay for in Bath, but what’s better than free?
The Mayor of Bath’s Corps of Honorary Guides lead FREE walking tours daily. I joined one on my first day in Bath and it was a great introduction to the city. The walks are about two hours long and the guides take you around, sharing stories of the history of Bath.
See my Guide to the Best Free Walking Tour in Bath, England for more details.
2. Have Afternoon Tea at The Pump Room
One of the first things you should do after booking your lodgings in Bath is to book your table for afternoon tea at The Pump Room. It’s a truly exquisite experience — from the food to the live music. Everything is wonderful.
The Pump Room is so named because of the hot springs’ water pumped into the building (there’s a fountain where you can drink it). Jane Austen once frequented The Pump Room as did a few characters in her novels (particularly those in Northanger Abbey). It’s been a fashionable meeting place for centuries, so definitely treat yourself here while you’re in Bath.
Another great thing is that they cater to most dietary restrictions (be sure to note them when you make your reservation). They offered me vegetarian options and my mom diabetic-friendly options. The staff was so friendly and accommodating! It was an incredible afternoon tea, one I’ll remember and treasure forever.
3. Explore the Roman Baths
Next to the Pump Room is the Roman Baths, which is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Bath — for good reason.
Back in early AD, during the reign of the Roman Empire, the Romans discovered the hot springs water in Bath and built a huge spa and shrine in honor of it. They were convinced that the water in Bath had healing powers. By the fifth century, the spa/shrine had been neglected and eventually flooded and buried. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the Roman structures were discovered again and then opened for public viewing.
What’s surprising is how big the Roman Baths are. You’ll definitely need at least two hours to properly explore it. On the outside, it doesn’t seem that imposing. But the Roman Baths are underground, an ancient archaeological discovery. You’ll be guided down and around all of the sites that have been excavated and preserved.
There are a lot of signs and multimedia features that explain what it would have looked like hundreds of years ago, making the museum an immersive experience.
At the end of the museum, you’ll get to taste the (treated) spa mineral water. It is warm with a salty flavor.
Can the water really heal people? Well, the water that comes up is actually 10,000 years old, going on quite the journey within Earth to get here; and it has tons of minerals that are supposed to be good for you. Bath is named after these famous hot springs that have been enjoyed and consumed for centuries. Whether they heal or not is up for debate.
4. Take to Bath’s Waters
You can’t bathe at the Roman Baths, unfortunately. But if you’d like to try soaking in the famous mineral water, you can book one of two spots in Bath to access the thermal water.
- Thermae Bath Spa has a rooftop pool and several other spa pools to enjoy. You can book a two-hour session or other spa service.
- The other way to take to Bath’s waters is to book a room at Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel. They have a Bath House Spa Village that is complimentary for guests and offers a more private experience.
5. Have Lunch at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House has been a staple in Bath since the early 1900s, but its history goes back much further. This restaurant is in the house where Sally Lunn lived in the 1700s. It’s actually the oldest house in Bath, having been built in the 1400s.
The Eating House is, thus, part restaurant, part museum. Go for the delicious food, but stay for the history. Look around after your meal and visit the old bakery and gift shop.
Wait, who is Sally Lunn? She is the baker who concocted the first Bath Bun back in the 1700s (more on these buns below).
War of the Buns
Bath is home to a sweet treat called a Bath Bun. A Bath Bun is a sweet bread which, to me, tasted similar to Hawaiian sweet bread. The texture was a bit firmer, and it was buttered, warm, and delicious.
There’s currently a debate about who makes the better Bath Bun — Sally Lunn or The Bath Bun tea room (which is a few doors down and across the street from Sally Lunn’s).
We tried both and thought Sally Lunn’s was 5x better. No question. Go ahead and try a Bath Bun at both places to see for yourself which is better.
6. View the Royal Crescent
The Georgian architecture in Bath is so beautiful, and the Royal Crescent is a fine example of this.
It’s a very photogenic spot — so much so it’s been captured in numerous period films, including Northanger Abbey and The Duchess.
The Royal Crescent is also home to the Featheringtons’ fictitious home in Bridgerton.
There’s also a lovely green park across the street, and you can even stay at the Royal Crescent if you so choose, just book a room at the Royal Crescent Hotel.
7. Tour the No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum
Your visit to the Royal Crescent isn’t complete until you visit the No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum. Take a tour of a restored and preserved Georgian apartment.
This museum wowed me with all of its beautiful furnishings and its multimedia aspects. As you go from room to room, you’ll hear timed audio conversations of a family living in the house. It might sound odd, but the audio brought the house to life and made it feel like you were back in the early 1800s.
I really loved this museum and definitely recommend it to all visitors of Bath to get a sense of life in Georgian times.
8. Step inside the Bath Assembly Rooms
The Bath Assembly Rooms were the heart of Bath social life in the 1800s — hundreds of balls and events have been hosted here since. They’ve been a filming location for movies and TV shows. It’s just a few ballrooms, but I was so interested to see it.
On the first day of our trip to Bath, we passed by the Assembly Rooms during the free walking tour, but we didn’t get to look inside. So we returned the next day while exploring Bath in order to peek inside. It was a quick stop, but I was glad to see what the Assembly Rooms looked like for myself.
Recently, the National Trust has taken over management of the Bath Assembly Rooms and are working to create a new visitor experience to be fully unveiled in 2026. Until then, the rooms will be periodically opened to the public, but more information can be found at the link above.
9. Visit the Circus
You’ll visit the Circus on the free walking tour, where the mayor’s guides are sure to tell you its fascinating history. The Circus is a circular row of townhouses in Bath built by the architects named John Wood, the elder and younger, a father-son duo.
It is said that the architects studied Stonehenge and designed the Circus with the same diameter as a tribute to the Druid history in Bath. On the rooftops you’ll find acorns, an interesting detail on the structure, which some say is a nod to a Druid myth where acorns healed just like Bath’s waters are believed to heal.
In the center of the Circus is a beautiful tree and green space. It’s a gorgeous area, so it’s no wonder that some celebrities have made a home in the Circus, such as Nicholas Cage.
10. Browse the Bookstores
Bath is full of charming bookstores and it’s a day in itself just to browse all of them. A few highlights are Topping & Co Booksellers of Bath inside the Friends Meeting House and George Bayntun bookstore, which features used books, early editions, and collectibles.
11. Shop at Milsom Street
I first heard of Milsom Street from Jane Austen’s novels. Some of her characters shopped here while in Bath, so as an Austen fan, it was nice to walk the same path and browse the shops. There are a lot of cafes and boutiques on this street, perfect for souvenir shopping when you have some free time.
12. Visit Bath Abbey and Take a Tower Tour
Bath Abbey is a beautiful gothic cathedral in the center of Bath. It has a 1,300-year old history and is open for tours every day except Sunday. You can even climb the 212 steps to the top of the tower for panoramic views of Bath. For more information on booking a tour, head into the welcome desk or visit the Bath Abbey website.
Unfortunately for us, graduation ceremonies were in full swing at the Abbey on the days we visited Bath so we weren’t able to go inside Bath Abbey. Maybe next time!
13. Hike the Bath Skyline Trail or Visit Alexandra Park
If you want to get a bit out of the city and into nature, the Bath Skyline Trail is a great way to do so. You’ll be treated to skyline views and green meadows. Learn more about the trail here. Additionally, Alexandra Park is not too far from the city centre and offers some great viewing areas to see Bath.
14. Visit the Holburne Museum and Sydney Gardens
The Holburne Museum has both art and artifacts on display and is famously Lady Danbury’s house in the Bridgerton series (well, the outside at least). After touring the museum, you can walk around Sydney Gardens which are just behind the Holburne.
15. Walk along Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops along both sides of it. It’s a beautiful bridge, and you can sit at a cafe nearby to admire it as you eat.
16. Visit the Jane Austen Centre or Attend the Jane Austen Festival
The Jane Austen Centre in Bath is a quirky museum devoted to all things Jane Austen. You book a timed ticket and then are told to head upstairs to wait. When it’s your group’s time, an actor, in character, will lead you into a small room with rows of chairs and give a short talk about Jane Austen’s life. Our presenter was none other than Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Fancy that.
After the presentation, you’ll be guided downstairs to tour the museum. The museum is small, there are a few exhibits and a film, so it won’t take you long to walk through it. At the end, you’ll have an opportunity to take a picture with Jane Austen herself (a wax figure) as well as Mr. Darcy. They provide Regency costumes if you’d like to dress the part for your photo.
The gift shop has a lot of cute Austen things, it’s nice to look around. This museum wasn’t my favorite Austen spot in the UK. If you already know and love Jane Austen, you probably won’t learn anything new here. That being said, I’m still glad I checked it out.
Additionally, every year the Centre hosts a Jane Austen Festival (September) and Summer Ball (June), which sound so fun. Look into it if you’ll be in town during those months.
17. Cruise Down River Avon
The Pulteney Cruisers boat tour is, quite frankly, a tourist trap that I don’t recommend. The boat doesn’t go far on the River Avon and there’s nothing to see, mostly just bushes and walls. If you’d like views of Bath, head up to Bath Skyline or Alexandra Park.
But I still add it to the list in case you’re looking to fill time and just want to relax on a boat for an hour. We did see some pretty dragonflies, so it wasn’t a complete wash. To board the boat, meet near Pulteney Bridge. No booking is required, just show up and go.
18. Take a Half-Day Trip to Stonehenge
Stonehenge is so close to Bath, it made more sense for us to visit from Bath than from London. We went with Scarper Tours on a morning tour, leaving Bath at 9:30 a.m. and returning by 1 p.m. It was a perfect half-day trip that left us with plenty of time to continue exploring Bath in the afternoon.
I’d really recommend Scarper Tours because it was a small group (in a small, comfortable van) and our tour guide was very friendly and informative. He got us to the stones before the crowds and made the whole process so convenient.
Map of Things to See and Do in Bath
Logistics: How to Get to Bath and Where to Stay
Getting from London to Bath via Train
You can take a train from London to Bath. You should arrive in a little over an hour, an easy distance.
Purchase your train tickets from Trainline.com or the Trainline app. If you’ll be doing a lot of train travel in the UK this year, consider getting a railcard for a 30% discount.
Where to Store Your Luggage
You can store your luggage in a couple places nearby the train station. Funnily enough, we left ours with a barber — he had a sign out front offering luggage storage. I don’t remember exactly how much it cost but it wasn’t more than £10 per bag. We just had to pick it up before he closed at 5:30 p.m.
If you’re staying at a hotel, you can usually store your luggage at the hotel for no additional cost.
Where to Stay in Bath
Hotel: Bath has many hotels in the city center that are very convenient for you to explore Bath.
If you’re looking to splurge on your trip to Bath England, consider the Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa, which is the only hotel inside the famous and historic Royal Crescent.
If you’re wanting to take to Bath’s famous mineral waters, there’s no better hotel than the Gainsborough Bath Spa. Here, guests are able to bathe in an exclusive mineral pool, an experience you really can’t beat.
Airbnb: You can also stay at an Airbnb while in Bath, such as the apartment where Jane Austen lived in the early 1800s. We rented an Airbnb (not Jane Austen’s home, though). Ours was a little outside of the city center so we had to take a bus to get to/from our lodgings. Although the distance wasn’t convenient, the place itself was a very spacious two-bedroom townhouse that we enjoyed.
Getting Around Bath
You won’t need a car to get around Bath as the city is very walkable.
You can also take the bus to get around Bath. You can find the full listing of bus routes on the First Bus website. Or you can simply find a bus route via Apple Maps or Google Maps, like I did. To purchase tickets, you can use the First Bus app or get them from the driver when you board. Remember to tell the driver which stop you will be getting off so they can charge you the correct price. Contactless cards are accepted.
You can also take taxis, which will be waiting in front of the train station, or use the Uber app.
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to England
Guide to the Best Free Walking Tour in Bath, England
Weekend in Bath England Itinerary: What to Do in Bath UK for 2 Days
All About the Half-Day Stonehenge from Bath Tour
Oxford Day Trip: What to Do in Oxford for a Day
Day Trip to the Cotswolds from Oxford or London
Day Trip to Chatsworth House (Pride and Prejudice’s Pemberley)