10 Best Things to Do in Bath

The Roman Baths were once a site of a religious spa where Roman Britain people came to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva and bathe in the natural thermal springs. Today you can explore the baths complex, walk on the original Roman pavements, and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva.

Other ancient artifacts excavated from around the site are on display, including a large collection of coins. The use of costumed actors, videos, and 3D models bring the past to life and make it enjoyable for the whole family. An audio guide is provided as you enter, but you need to bring your own headphones.

Thermae Bath Spa is a chic haven where you can relax in the hot pools and enjoy a few sessions in the steam rooms. There are several baths within the spa, but the best spot is in the open-air rooftop pool.

The Romans were the first to discover the mineral-rich waters under Bath, and bathing in them is still popular thousands of years later. The warm water is revitalizing in any weather. Thermae Bath Spa gets particularly busy on weekends, so aim for a weekday, if possible.

Pulteney Bridge is a unique, scenic spot in Bath, built in the 1700s. The shops and cafés built on both sides of the bridge are so charming and picturesque that most people don’t realize they are crossing a bridge.

The river runs through a weir next to the bridge, which creates a cascading effect. It’s easy to find in the city center, just behind Guildhall Market and the Central Library. If you’re travelling with someone special, come and see this romantic bridge at night when it’s lit up.

The majestic Bath Abbey is one of England’s finest medieval churches which took 120 years to build. The years of labor of love show in the level of fine details, both inside and out. Look out for the ladder of angels on the abbey’s west front and the beautiful stained-glass windows.

The fan-style vaulting in this Gothic-Style building covers the ceiling and is incredibly detailed. Bath Abbey is next door to the Roman Baths, in the center of a charming, pedestrianized square.

For fans of antiques and vintage curios, Bartlett Street Antiques Center is a fascinating and unique haven. In this collection of antiques shops, you’ll find jewelry, homeware, art, maps, and postcards from bygone eras. If you’re looking for something unique to take home as a souvenir, chances are you’ll find it here.

The shop owners are generally friendly and don’t push hard for a sale, which makes browsing enjoyable. Prices are fair, but don’t come expecting a bargain. Though deals can be reached on some pieces but be ready to haggle your heart out.

Head to the charming Queen’s Square to see some fine examples of the honey-colored Georgian buildings Bath is famous for. All of the buildings which make up this stately square are Grade I listed. Stroll along the Queen’s Square as you admire the restrained yet handsome architectural style.

In the center of the square there’s a small park with mature plane and ash trees, a perfect spot to rest your feet. The park’s central feature is a tall obelisk dedicated to Queen Caroline, wife of George II, for whom the square is named.

The Jane Austen Centre offers an interesting look at the life of one of Britain’s literary greats. This small museum is dedicated to the life of one of the county’s wittiest and most successful writers, Jane Austin. She wrote 6 novels, some of them in Bath, which focused on the upper classes of 18th century England. She wrote with cutting irony and a sharp eye for the foibles of her time.

At this fun museum, you’ll learn about the customs, fashions, and food common in Jane Austin’s Bath, and you can even dress up in period costumes if you fancy. The museum is just off Queen’s Square.

Prior Park Landscape Garden provides couples with a romantic escape from the hustle and bustle of Bath, just a short distance to the city center. Designed by famous poet Alexander Pope and legendary landscape architect Capability Brown, these 18th-century gardens are set in a sweeping valley above Bath city.

You can relish the stunning views, with sunset a particularly romantic time to visit. This is especially true during the warmest days of summer, when the gardens teem with all manner of plants and animals.

The Theatre Royal Bath combines theatrical classics with new plays that struggle to get shown at bigger theatres. Depending on the night, you might be able to choose from Shakespeare or an off-Broadway visiting performance; that’s the great thing about having 3 stages.

At this plush red and gold Georgian playhouse you can take a backstage tour to get a peek behind the curtains. Popular shows at the Theatre Royal have included musicals like Blood brothers to classics like the theatrical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, Great Expectations.

Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum welcomes you to take in the slow pace of life in the genteel city of Bath. Enjoying some cakes and tea served in bone China cups is the perfect way to spend a couple of hours here. Sally Lunn’s teahouse is one of many tearooms in Bath, but we prefer this spot down a narrow alleyway close to Bath Abbey.

Not only is it reported to be the oldest house in Bath (built in 1482), but this is where the famous fluffy buns known as Sally Lunn buns were first baked. This sweet, brioche-style bread goes great with a cup of tea.