Bath Travel Guide

Other Things to See and Do in Bath

1. Take a free walking tour

One of the first things I do in a new destination is to take a free walking tour. It’s the best budget-friendly way to see the main sights and connect with a local guide who can answer all your questions. Footprints Tours hosts two-hour tours that can show you all the highlights. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

Additionally, you can go with the Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides. Their free tours are a complimentary service offered by the city led by knowledgeable locals. Tours are hosted twice daily (once on Saturdays) and last two hours. There’s no need to book in advance, just show up at the Roman Baths meeting point (look for the Free Walking Tours sign).

2. Visit the Victoria Art Gallery

This public museum boasts a collection of over 15,000 British paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts dating back over 600 years. Highlights include landscape and portrait oil paintings by Thomas Gainsborough, an 18th-century English Romantic artist who lived in Bath. The upper gallery has quirky decorative art, including over 400 delicate Georgian drinking glasses and a huge collection of pottery dogs. Admission is 7 GBP.

3. Enjoy the Jane Austen Centre

Bath has a permanent collection of Jane Austen memorabilia as Austen lived in Bath for most of her life and used the city as a setting in many of her novels. Visit the Centre to join talks, activities, and see contemporary exhibits on her life and works. Guides in period dress wandering the center complete the atmosphere and you can extend your visit by enjoying an afternoon tea at the center’s Regency Tea Room. Die-hard Jane Austen fans may want to attend the annual Jane Austen Festival, which takes place in September of each year. Admission costs 13.25 GBP.

4. Shop on Walcot Street

Known as the “Artisan Quarter,” Walcot Street is Bath’s hipster district, the equivalent to London’s Camden Town. Bath’s oldest commercial street, today Walcot is lined with unique shops, including artisanal cheese shops, independent cafes, and vintage antique stores. On the weekends, there’s an open-air market where you can browse funky and bohemian souvenirs.

5. Study astronomy at Herschel Museum of Astronomy

If you’re interested in the history and science of astronomy, this is an awesome museum. William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus in 1781 in the garden of the preserved townhouse in which the museum is housed. Exhibitions include what was once the world’s most powerful telescope, Herschel’s travel diary, pocket globes, and other astronomical instruments. You can also wander the Georgian garden in which Herschel made his discovery. Admission is 9.50-11.50 GBP depending on the season.

6. Experience the world of fashion

Founded in the 1960s, the Fashion Museum contains over 30,000 pieces of clothing items and accessories that date back to the 18th century. The collection was started by Doris Langley Moore, a designer, collector, writer, and scholar who lived in England and was an early female fashion historian. The main collection, A History of Fashion in 100 Objects, includes many costume pieces throughout history (such as a pair of decorated gloves from the time of Shakespeare). The Dress of The Year is an annual exhibition that changes each year to showcase contemporary fashion highlights from the previous year. Note: the museum is temporarily closed while it moves locations.

7. Learn about Bath’s working history

The Museum of Bath at Work takes a unique look at the working history of the city to the present day. The museum recreates the workshops of several types of local businesses throughout history, all on display in a former eighteenth-century indoor tennis court. Opened in 1978, the original collection at the museum started with the remnants from a mineral water bottle business based in Bath. If you’re interested in social history or the rise of industrialization, this place is worth a visit. Admission is 10 GBP. The museum is closed in December and January.

8. Enjoy Bath’s iconic Georgian architecture

Bath is generally regarded as one of the prettiest English towns, thanks to its 18th-century Georgian-era architecture. In fact, the entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only such city in the UK. Be sure to walk down Great Pulteney Street, a long thoroughfare with expansive Georgian buildings on either side. Another spot to take in the Georgian architecture is at the Royal Crescent, a sweeping arc of Georgian townhouses.

9. Shop in a bustling open-air market

Green Park Station was a former railway station that has found new life as one of Bath’s most unique shopping attractions. The open-air market has numerous independent shops, restaurants, and cafés. Visit on specific days of the week for special markets: a farmer’s market on Saturday mornings (9am-1:30pm), a general market on Saturdays (10am-4pm), and an antique market on the last Sunday of every month.

10.Walk the Bath Skyline

For panoramic views of the city, stroll the Bath Skyline path, a tranquil and mostly flat path that leaves straight from the city center. There are 6-mile (10-kilometer) and 3-mile (5-kilometer) loops, with a breakdown of each route on the National Trust website. Plenty of benches dot the path should you need to take a break.

11. Relax at Thermae Bath Spa

This is the only city in the UK where you can bathe in natural thermal waters. This award-winning spa is a four-story day spa with various thermal baths, as well as a rooftop pool offering incredible views over the city. A two-hour spa session costs 40-45 GBP. This is a very popular thing to do in Bath, so if you’d like to partake, book in advance.

12. Visit Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein

In 1816, Mary Shelley wrote the world’s first sci-fi novel: Frankenstein. This interactive museum takes you into her dark world through four rooms housed in a Grade 2 building (a building of such special interest that is protected and preserved). There’s information about her life, an 8-foot recreation of Frankenstein, and a bunch of unusual artifacts and vintage memorabilia. Tickets cost 15.50 GBP. They also have an escape room which costs 64 GBP for two people (price includes house entry).

 

For more information on other cities in England, check out these guides:

Bath Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a dorm with 4-8 beds costs 20-25 GBP per night, while a 10-12-bed dorm costs 15-20 GBP. A private double room with a shared bathroom costs 55-75 GBP. Free Wi-Fi is standard though most hostels do not have self-catering facilities. Prices are only a little higher in peak season.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available outside the city center in nearby Somerset. A basic plot for a small tent costs from 10 GBP per night.

Budget hotel prices – A budget hotel room starts at 80 GBP per night in the low season but in peak season it’s more like 120 GBP per night. Bath isn’t exactly a budget destination, so don’t expect a lot of great deals. On the plus side, many budget hotels include free breakfast.

There are lots of Airbnb options in Bath. A private room costs 60-75 GBP per night while an entire home/apartment averages 100-120 GBP per night. Expect to pay considerably more in summer and if you don’t book early.

Food – While British cuisine has evolved in leaps and bounds due to immigration (and colonialism), it’s still very much a meat and potatoes country. Fish and chips remain a popular staple for both lunch and dinner while roasted and stewed meats, sausages, meat pies, and the quintessential Yorkshire pudding are all common options as well. Curry (and other Indian dishes, such as tikka masala), are super popular too. A local specialty to try are Bath buns, a sweet roll topped with crushed sugar and raisins.

You can eat cheap in Bath if you stick to basic pub meals and cheap take-out like falafel, sandwiches, and fish and chips, as they cost as little as 6-10 GBP. There are also many Indian and Thai restaurants offering mains from 8 GBP.

For a meal at an inexpensive restaurant, expect to pay 14-20 GBP. A pint of beer costs 5 GBP while a glass of wine costs around 7 GBP. Restaurants here are very expensive, so expect to spend about 35 GBP or more for a nice sit-down meal with appetizers and a drink.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 6.50 GBP for a combo meal while pizza costs 8-12 GBP. A latte or cappuccino is around 3 GBP while bottled water costs about 1.20 GBP.

If you plan to cook your own food, a week’s worth of groceries costs 40-60 GBP. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, veggies, and some meat.

Backpacking Bath Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Bath, expect to spend about 60 GBP per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, taking public transit and walking everywhere, cooking your own meals, limiting your drinking, and doing mostly free activities like enjoying the parks and taking a free walking tour. If you plan on drinking, add 5-10 GBP to your daily budget.

A mid-range budget of about 160 GBP covers staying in a private Airbnb room or private hostel room, eating out for most of your meals, taking the occasional taxi, having a couple of drinks, and doing more paid activities such as visiting the baths and touring the abbey.

On a “luxury” budget of 285 GBP or more per day, you can stay in a budget hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, rent a car or take more taxis, and do as many tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Bath Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Bath isn’t a budget-friendly destination, which is why many travelers choose to visit on a day trip. However, there are quite a few ways to enjoy the city without spending too much. Here are some tips to help you save money during your visit:

1. Visit the parks and gardens – There are a handful of large parks and gardens throughout Bath. Pack a picnic, bring a book, and spend an afternoon relaxing.
2. Eat at the pubs – Bath has some delicious but expensive restaurants, so eat cheaper meals at the pubs and taverns where you can experience the local flavor. If you’re on a tight budget, skip the pubs and cook for yourself. It saves you a ton!
3. Walk everywhere – Bath isn’t a big city, so you can save yourself a few pounds by walking everywhere.
4. Take a free walking tour – If you want to get a better feel for the city, be sure to take a free walking tour. They last a couple of hours and are a great way to learn about the city’s history on a budget. Footprints Tours and Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides both run daily tours. Just make sure to tip at the end!
5. Check out Visit Bath – There’s no official tourist pass for Bath like many other cities have but Visit Bath has a selection of discounts available on its website including for selected tours and restaurants.
6. Stay with a local – If you’re on a budget, use Couchsurfing to stay with a local. It’s an easy and enjoyable way to cut costs while connecting to the local scene and getting insider tips.
7. Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Bath

Bath has several hostels that are fun, affordable, and social. Here are my suggested places to stay in Bath:

• Bath YMCA
• Bath Backpackers
• YHA Bath
• St Christopher’s Inn

How to Get Around Bath

Public transportation – If you’re staying within the city limits, it’s best to walk or take the bus to get around. A single ticket is 2.20 GBP on the bus (2 GBP if bought using the First Pass mticket app) and a day pass costs 5.60 GBP (on the bus or in the app).

The bus covers all the main sights, however, since the city is so small, you can easily walk everywhere to save money.

Bicycle – A single-day rental costs 20-30 GBP for a regular bike and 45 GBP for an e-bike. You can rent bikes from Green Park Bike Station, Bath Narrowboats, or Julian House Bike Workshop (Bath Narrowboats is by far the cheapest at 20 GBP for the day).

Taxi – Taxis are readily available, with prices starting at 2.80 GBP and going up around 2.25 GBP per mile. Given how expensive they are, I wouldn’t take one unless absolutely necessary.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Bath and is a little cheaper than taking a taxi. However, walking and cycling are the easiest (and cheapest) ways to get around this compact city.

Car rental – You don’t need a car to explore Bath, however, it might be helpful if you want to explore the region at large. Car rentals can be found for as little as 25 GBP per day for a multi-day rental. Keep in mind driving is on the left and that most cars have a manual transmission. Drivers need to be at least 21 to rent a car as well.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars.

When to Go to Bath

Spring (late March to June) is the peak tourism season as that’s when the flowers are in bloom, though it can get pretty wet and rainy during this time. In May, during the annual Bath Festival, the city really comes to life. It’s an open-air celebration of music and literature which takes over the city for nearly two weeks. The weather is warm enough and the city is lively. It’s the best time to visit.

Summer is the warmest season but temperatures are rarely ever above 22°C (72°F). Expect many street festivals and public events in the late spring and early summer.

For fans of the city’s most famous writer and resident, the annual Jane Austen Festival takes place every September. Expect street theater, literary walking tours, and even a costumed ball. Book your accommodation early as the city fills up.

During autumn, temperatures are mild and, outside the festivals, the city is a bit quieter.

Winter lasts from December to February and tourism crowds thin out dramatically during this time. Temperatures dip below freezing and prices are slightly lower. The Bath Christmas Market starts at the end of November and sees the streets of Bath’s city center filled with seasonal decorations, Christmas lights, and many local makers and designers selling artisan gifts and typical Christmas market foods.

How to Stay Safe in Bath

Bath is a safe destination and the risk of violent crime here is low. That said, petty crime such as pickpocketing or theft can occur so keep your valuables out of sight just to be safe. Pickpockets tend to work in teams, so stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Always keep your valuables secure and out of sight when at the bar or in crowded areas and you should be fine.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

Scams here are rare, however, you can read about common travel scams to avoid if you want to learn more.

If you experience an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you: