A weekend in Bath, England is the minimum you should spend in this beautiful, Georgian city. And I have the perfect weekend in Bath England itinerary for you to make the most of your time in Bath UK and all it has to offer.
Why Visit Bath, England?
See Bath’s beautiful buildings. Bath is one of only two cities in the world where the whole city is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yes, the whole city of Bath is full of gorgeous, historical charm.
Visit a Roman archaeological wonder. Bath’s history goes way back to the Roman Empire which settled in Bath for several centuries. The Romans loved the natural hot springs in Bath so much they built a spa and temple over one. You can visit the remains of this temple at the Roman Baths museum or even take to the healing spa waters yourself at Thermae Bath Spa.
Walk in Jane Austen’s footsteps. Arguably, one of Bath’s most famous residents was Jane Austen, beloved writer of such books as “Pride and Prejudice.” Austen fans can visit Bath to see some historical places tied to her life and work.
Interesting Facts about Bath, England
- Bath was bombed in World War 2. The Assembly Rooms and several houses in the Circus were destroyed by Germany in 1942. They’ve since been rebuilt.
- There are several crescent-shaped buildings in Bath, though the Royal Crescent is the most famous.
- The Circus is inspired by Stonehenge and even maintains its dimensions.
- The water that comes up in Bath’s hot springs, such as in the Roman Baths, is about 10,000 years old, going on quite a journey through earth.
- Bath’s hot springs water has tons of minerals and, for centuries, people believed it had healing powers. You can taste a sample at the end of your visit to the Roman Baths museum.
- The Romans occupied Bath for about 400 years during the Roman Empire.
Day 1 of a Weekend in Bath Itinerary
Take a Walking Tour
I suggest starting with a walking tour to learn more about Bath and what there is to see.
The Mayor of Bath’s Corps of Honorary Guides lead FREE walking tours daily — at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. (except Saturdays is 10:30 a.m. only). The walks are about two hours long and the guides take you around, sharing stories of the history of Bath. It’s a great introduction to the city.
Assuming you are visiting on a weekend, a Saturday, then you’ll have your walking tour from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Head over to the meeting place in front of The Pump Room. There, you’ll find about a dozen other people waiting as well as a couple mayor’s guides with name tags — that’s how you’ll know you’re in the right spot. They’ll split you all into groups depending on how many people show up and then off you go.
See my Guide to the Best Free Walking Tour in Bath, England for more details.
Have Lunch at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House
After the walking tour, head over to Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House for a bite to eat. Even though it’s a popular restaurant, they have three dining rooms inside and will seat you fairly quickly. We didn’t have to wait at all.
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 both and see which one you like best.
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.
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!
Visit the Roman Baths
Next to the Bath Abbey is the Roman Baths, which is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Bath — for good reason. They’re open until 6 p.m. usually (double check the times), so we toured around 4 p.m., and it wasn’t as crowded as other times during the day when we passed by.
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 need to allot at least 2 hours to exploring the Roman Baths.
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.
After such a long day, get some dinner and relax back at your hotel for the night.
Day 2 of a Weekend in Bath Itinerary
Go on a Hike
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.
Either one would be a great way to spend your final morning in Bath.
View the Royal Crescent and Tour the No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum
Start the day at one of Bath’s most iconic landmarks — 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, a popular Netflix series that was filmed in Bath.
There’s also a lovely green park across the street, and you can even stay inside the Royal Crescent if you so choose, just book a room at the Royal Crescent Hotel.
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.
Shop on 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.
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.
We booked our afternoon tea for 2 p.m. and purposely didn’t eat lunch because we wanted to enjoy our tea on an empty stomach. With all of the scones, treats, and sandwiches, I’m glad we did so, as it was very filling.
The Pump Room is so named because of the hot springs’ water pumped into the building (there’s even 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.
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.
Other Things to Do in Bath
There are so many other things to fill your time while in Bath.
- Visit the Holborne Museum
- Walk through Sydney Gardens
- Find Jane Austen’s Bath apartment (it’s now an Airbnb)
- Visit the Jane Austen Centre
- Take a river cruise down the River Avon
- Take a half-day trip to Stonehenge
Depart on a late afternoon train back to London or opt to spend a few more nights in Bath (I told you it was lovely!). I hope you enjoyed your time here. I know I’d love to return someday.
Logistics: How to Get to Bath and Where to Stay
Getting from London to Bath via Train
On the first day of your weekend in Bath England, take an early morning train from London to Bath. You should arrive in a little over an hour, ideally before 10 a.m., to get a head start on the day.
I suggest purchasing 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 for a weekend.
If you’re looking to splurge on your weekend in 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Bath
Is Bath good for a day trip?
Many people visit Bath on a day trip from London, but I wouldn’t advise it. You 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.
Is Bath good for a weekend? Is 2 days in Bath enough?
Yes, I think Bath is a great weekend trip. And two days in Bath is enough time if you’re prepared to pack a lot in!
Is Bath worth visiting?
Absolutely, yes! Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in England and well worth a visit.
What is Bath England famous for?
Bath, England is most famous for its Roman spas and underground hot springs. It was also a cultural hotspot during the Regency era, a place where many wealthy families lived.
Is Bath near London?
Bath is about 115 miles from London, and it takes over 2 hours to drive the distance or about an hour and 20 minutes on the train.
Are the Roman Baths the only reason to visit Bath England or is there something else to visit as unique and historic in the city?
The Roman Baths are definitely a big draw, but there is more to see in Bath! There’s The Pump Room, the Assembly Rooms, the Circus, the Royal Crescent, plus all the historic restaurants and shops.
How many days are enough to see the Bath Stonehenge area?
I’d say you need at least three days to explore Bath properly and make a short day trip to Stonehenge. Some people can fit it all into one day if you like jam-packing your itinerary and being more fast paced.
Map of Activities for a Weekend in Bath Itinerary
I pinned all the activities mentioned in this blog post on the map below, and I’ve even color-coded the activities by day! I hope this helps you visualize why I grouped things together as I did.
Day 1: Green
Day 2: Blue
Other Posts to Help You Plan Your Trip to England
18 Things to See and Do in Bath, England
Guide to the Best Free Walking Tour in Bath, England
All About the Half-Day Stonehenge from Bath Tour
Day Trip to the Cotswolds from Oxford or London
Oxford Day Trip: What to Do in Oxford for a Day
Day Trip to Highclere Castle from London (Downton Abbey)