Bath is easily one of our favourite cities in the UK. With the combination of stunning Georgian architecture, steep history, and plenty of fabulous restaurants, its easy to see why the city of Bath is so popular amongst travellers. so we had to make a travel guide!
Bath isn’t a hard sell. If you are looking for a beautiful vibrant city other than London, definitely put this place on your list.
Getting to Bath is also relatively straight forward. It is about a 2.5-hour car ride or a 1.5-hour train ride from the centre of London. On the flip side, if you have already planned a holiday to the Cotswolds, or countryside, Bath is just a stone throw away.
Best Things To Do
Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is one of the most recognizable buildings in Bath and had to be included in the bath travel guide. This crescent-shaped stretch of private residences is a sight to behold. Overlooking a beautiful park, visitors can admire the buildings from a distance or even have an inside look at No 1. A visit to the Royal Crescent No 1 provides visitors with an inside look at what life was like for the wealthy living in 18th century Bath. The interior is decorated the way it would have been years ago.
Roman Baths
You simply cannot visit Bath without making a trip to the infamous Roman Baths, again this another must in the bath travel guide. These baths are well-preserved thermae in the centre of Bath. With so much history, the site itself was constructed between 60-70CE. Be sure to book your tickets ahead of time as this is one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions.
Therme Bath Spa
Although it was closed during our visit due to the pandemic, we heard phenomenal things about the Therme Bath Spa. Britain’s only thermal spa you can book time slots to enjoy the pools and even rooftop bath. The Therme Bath is best visited in the early morning, or late evening on weekdays to have the place less crowded!
Walking Tour
The best thing you can do to get a feel for Bath is to simply walk around. We suggest you take a few hours out of your day to walk around the centre of town and enjoy the sights. There will definitely be something that catches your eye.
Shopping
Bath is a spectacular place to walk around and enjoy some shopping. There is a wide variety of both department stores and small boutiques. It has everything one could ask for if you are looking for some shopping!
Bath Boat Tour
Bath is surrounded by stunning waterways, making it the perfect place to hop on a boat to sightsee. There are a number of boat hire companies, or tours you can look into. If you are near the Pulteney Bridge, check out Pulteney Cruisers, they depart regularly from the bridge and make for a wonderful afternoon activity.
Pulteney Bridge
Located in the centre of Bath, the Pulteney Bridge is a sight to behold. Built-in 1769, this bridge crossed the River Avon with a massive horseshoe-shaped weir below. There is a very famous coffee shop right along the bridge called the Bridge Coffee Shop. If you are lucky you can get a fantastic seat by the window with a view of the river and weir below.
Alexandra Park View Point
If you are looking for a wonderful place to take a walk, or have an afternoon picnic, check out Alexandra Park. It is most notably popular for its sweeping aerial views of Bath city center below. From the top of the park, you are able to admire the stunning architecture and 306 degree views of Bath below.
Beercraft
If you are a beer lover, be sure you stop into Beercraft. We visited this hipster joint the first time we went to Bath and we were happy to see it still there years later. The beer selection at Beercraft is phenomenal. You can walk in and purchase cans, or bottles for takeaway, or you can sit inside and enjoy a nice cold one in the afternoon. One really cool feature about Beercraft, is that if you choose to dine in, you can select a warm can off the shelf, and they will immediately cool it for you with a special machine!
Topping & Company Booksellers
Who else loves the smell of old bookshops? We do! This is the cutest spot to stop by if you are a book lover. With a stunning interior of book stacks and even a little cafe, you can hop into this shop to pick up a book and enjoy a cup of tea while you’re at it!
Jane Austen Center
This is a quaint museum that pays homage to the famous English writer Jane Austen. If you are a fan of her novels, definitely check it out. They do a beautiful job of highlighting her life and showcasing her accomplishments. Being Bath’s most famous resident, she is definitely the most famous person on the bath travel guide!
Bath Travel Guide
Places to Eat in Bath
Bath Noodle Bar
Finally, the day has come where we craved some authentic Asian noodles! This is hands down the best noodle bar we have found thus far in England. With a very wide selection of noodle types and bases, this joint is a MUST if you are craving noodles. From Pho to ramen, even udon, this family-run restaurant has it all!
Claytons Kitchen
Claytons is the place you want to go if you are in the mood for some exquisite cooking. Seasonal British fine dining at it’s best, they use locally sourced ingredients and the food is spectacular.
Comptoir + Cuisine
If you are a wine and cheese lover like us, you have to try Comptoir + Cuisine. Some of the most beautiful charcuterie boards, little bites, and even baked camembert cheese! This French styled bistro has a lot to offer and a very nice champagne bar as well!
Hudson’s
If you are in the mood for steak, check out the very popular, Hudson’s. Although a little on the pricier side, this is a great place for special occasions and a wonderful steak!
Noya’s Kitchen
Arguably the best Vietnamese food outside of Vietnam? Can we say that? Well, it’s pretty delicious. If you are craving Vietnamese cuisine, definitely book a table at Noya’s Kitchen. It has had many press features, so make sure you make a reservation ahead of time!
Corkage
Corkage is a super cute wine bar in the middle of Bath. The menu consists of a rotating selection of small plates, perfect to pick at whilst you enjoy tasting some wines. It is really cute inside, and we definitely recommend you stop in!
Afternoon Tea at Bar 15 at No.15 Great Pulteney Hotel:
If you are interested in having a classically stunning English tea, definitely book a table at the No.15 Great Pulteney’s Bar. We had the absolute pleasure of being invited to try their afternoon tea and we did not leave disappointed.
First off, the interior of the hotel itself is a sight to behold! They partnered with some of the UK’s finest interior designers to create an elegant, yet joyful space that almost feels like a work of art. Notably, the tables in the tea room, had a number of beautiful trinkets layered beneath to create an illusion of grandeur.
The tea itself was extremely polished. Both the food and the service did not disappoint. The tea is beautifully served on a three-tier stand, which hangs from a brand of a bronze, tree-like carrier placed on the floor beside the table. Our finger sandwiches, scones and cakes were elevated over the table and it was spectacular. It made us feel as though we were transported into Alice and Wonderlands magical tea party.
This was one unforgettable afternoon tea experience, and we definitely suggest you try it should you have the time
The Scallop Shell
Incredible seafood! The Scallop Shell has some of the best fish n chips and seafood selection in town. We ate here for lunch one afternoon and really enjoyed it! If you are a fan of oysters, definitely try them at the Scallop Shell.
Rosairos
A really solid spot to enjoy a late breakfast or brunch. The menu is really great and the staff are very friendly here! We had a late breakfast and George was thrilled with his full English!
Hondo Sushi
We never can turn down sushi! Hondo was a really nice sushi spot in Bath. We ordered takeout here one evening and brought it with us to the park. The sushi is fresh and we really enjoyed our meal!
Mrs. Potts Chocolate House
If you are a chocolate lover, and specifically a brownie addict, you have you try Mrs. Potts Chocolate House! The most incredible brownies and hot chocolate!
Bath Travel Guide
Places to Stay
No.15 Great Pulteney
Although we did not have the opportunity to stay here this time around, the hotel was truly a sight to behold when we visited for our tea! This polished space was named Hotel of the Year in 2018’s Bath, Bristol and Somerset Tourism Awards and it is easy to see why. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed even though we were not hotel guests. As a personal preference, we tend to prefer boutique hotels as they have a greater sense of character.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa
If you are looking to treat yourself to a fabulous 5-star stay, book yourself a room at The Gainsborough Bath Spa. It has won a number of accolades and has one of the most stunning spas we have ever seen.
Bath Spa Hotel
Another beautiful 5-star hotel, the Bath Spa Hotel offers guests a bit of luxury.
Abbey Hotel Bath
The Abbey Hotel in Bath is another wonderful boutique hotel most notably known for its location. It is located directly in the centre of Bath making it the ideal accommodation for those looking to be in the heart of the action.
The Roseate Villa: Inside 2 beautifully converted Victorian houses, this hotel provides guests with comfy clean rooms!
This has been our Bath travel guide, for more guides and itineraries like this click here.
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