Bath is one of England’s most stunning and historically significant cities, set in the rolling hills of Somerset where the River Avon carves through a natural valley. Founded by the Romans as Aquae Sulis around 60 AD, Bath is the only place in England with naturally occurring hot spring water — and that fact has shaped everything about the city, from its ancient Roman Baths to its elegant Georgian crescents. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Bath rewards visitors with world-class museums, beautiful parks, outstanding restaurants, and one of the most architecturally cohesive city centres anywhere in England.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a full week, this guide covers the 50 best places to visit in Bath, UK — from iconic landmarks to hidden gems, day trips, and the best places to eat and drink.
Explore more nearby destinations on Bee Bulletin: Bristol, Oxford, and Winchester.
Quick Facts: Bath at a Glance
- Location: Somerset, south-west England — 115 miles west of London, 13 miles from Bristol
- Getting there: 90 min from London Paddington by Great Western Railway; served by A4 and M4 motorway
- Best time to visit: April–October for outdoor attractions; year-round for museums and the Christmas market
- Top 5 highlights: The Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, Bath Abbey, Thermae Bath Spa, Prior Park
- Annual events: Bath Festival (May), Bath Christmas Market (November/December), Bath Half Marathon (March)
Table of Contents
- The Roman Baths
- Bath Abbey
- No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum
- Thermae Bath Spa
- Prior Park Landscape Garden
- The Circus
- Pulteney Bridge and Weir
- Jane Austen Centre
- Fashion Museum Bath
- Holburne Museum
- Museum of Bath at Work
- Herschel Museum of Astronomy
- Bath Skyline Walk (National Trust)
- Royal Victoria Park
- Sydney Gardens
- Parade Gardens
- American Museum and Gardens
- Beckford’s Tower
- Claverton Manor
- The Assembly Rooms
- Bath Postal Museum
- Museum of Bath Stone
- Cleveland Pools Lido
- Bath Artisan Market
- Bath Guildhall Market
- Milsom Street Shopping
- Sham Castle
- Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
- Stonehenge (Day Trip)
- Lacock Abbey and Village
- Longleat Safari & Adventure Park
- Stourhead Gardens
- Wells Cathedral and City
- Cheddar Gorge and Caves
- Bradford-on-Avon
- Bath on Ice (Seasonal)
- Theatre Royal Bath
- Thermae Rooftop Pool Experience
- Bath Christmas Market
- The Makery Craft Centre
- Bath Festival
- Museum of East Asian Art
- Bath Spa Railway Station
- Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House
- The Circus Restaurant
- Menu Gordon Jones
- The Bath Priory Restaurant
- Sub 13 Bar and Kitchen
- The Fine Cheese Co.
- Bath Ales Pub Trail
Historic Landmarks & Must-See Attractions
#1. The Roman Baths
About: The Roman Baths are one of the finest examples of Roman engineering in the world and the most visited heritage site in Bath. Built around the only naturally hot spring in Britain, the complex was a sacred space and social gathering place for the Romans from around 60 AD. The spring still produces 1.17 million litres of hot water daily at a temperature of 46°C. The museum surrounding the baths contains thousands of artefacts — coins, curse tablets, jewellery — thrown into the sacred spring as offerings to the goddess Sulis Minerva.
Why visit: Walking beside the Great Bath — with its steaming, mineral-rich waters reflecting the colonnades above — is one of England’s most atmospheric experiences. The audio tour (narrated in part by Bill Bryson) is genuinely excellent. Visit in the evening for the Thermae evening experience when the baths are lit by torchlight.
Timings: Daily 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 1 hour before closing; extended hours in summer)
Entry: Adults from £22 (book online in advance for best price)
Website: romanbaths.co.uk
#2. Bath Abbey
About: Bath Abbey is one of England’s last great medieval churches, built in the late 15th and early 16th centuries on the site of a much older Saxon monastery. Its West Front features a distinctive carved stone ladder, depicting angels ascending to heaven — a reference to a dream had by Bishop Oliver King that prompted the abbey’s rebuilding. The abbey’s vaulted ceiling and towering windows make it one of the most light-filled medieval interiors in England.
Why visit: The abbey sits right at the heart of Bath and is impossible to miss, but well worth entering. The Footprint Project has recently revealed and restored the medieval floor beneath the nave — a major conservation achievement. Visitors can climb the tower for panoramic views over the city. Regular choral services and concerts make this a living church as well as a heritage attraction.
Timings: Monday–Saturday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm; Sunday 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Entry: Suggested donation of £4 for adults; tower tours extra
Website: bathabbey.org
#3. No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum
About: The Royal Crescent is arguably Bath’s most iconic architectural achievement — a sweeping arc of 30 Grade I listed Georgian townhouses designed by John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774. No. 1 Royal Crescent has been meticulously restored and opened as a museum, giving visitors a window into 18th-century Georgian domestic life. Each room is furnished and decorated as it would have appeared in the late 1700s.
Why visit: A fascinating step back into Bath’s Regency-era social world. The museum brings to life the lives of both the wealthy residents and their servants, with excellent interpretation and regular special exhibitions. The building itself — at the end of one of England’s greatest Georgian vistas — is worth seeing even from the outside.
Timings: Tuesday–Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
Entry: Adults £15
Website: no1royalcrescent.org.uk
#4. Thermae Bath Spa
About: Thermae Bath Spa is the only place in Britain where you can bathe in naturally warm, mineral-rich spring water. Opened in 2006, it occupies both a striking modern building and the historic Cross Bath, combining ancient spring waters with contemporary spa facilities. The water temperature is maintained at 33–35°C.
Why visit: The rooftop open-air pool with views over Bath’s skyline and abbey is genuinely spectacular and one of Bath’s most memorable experiences. Perfect for an evening visit when the city lights reflect in the water. Thermal bathing sessions start from 2 hours, with a range of spa treatments also available.
Timings: Daily 9:00 am – 9:30 pm (last entry 7:00 pm)
Entry: 2-hour session from £40 (book well in advance — very popular)
Website: thermaebathspa.com
#5. Prior Park Landscape Garden
About: Prior Park is an 18th-century landscape garden created by entrepreneur Ralph Allen with help from poet Alexander Pope and landscape designer Capability Brown. Owned by the National Trust, it sits in a sweeping valley just south of Bath city centre and offers one of the most dramatic views of the entire city. Its centrepiece is a magnificent Palladian bridge — one of only four such bridges in the world.
Why visit: The panoramic views back over Bath from the garden are extraordinary — arguably the finest viewpoint in the city. The Palladian Bridge is one of Bath’s most photographed landmarks. Note that there is no car park at Prior Park, and visitors are encouraged to walk from the city centre (about 20 minutes uphill).
Timings: Open daily; hours vary seasonally — check website
Entry: National Trust standard rates (free for NT members)
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Georgian Architecture & Gardens
#6. The Circus
About: The Circus is one of Bath’s most extraordinary architectural achievements — a circular arrangement of 33 townhouses designed by John Wood the Elder, begun in 1754 and completed after his death by his son. The three curved terraces form a perfect circle, with each façade decorated with Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns stacked on successive floors.
Why visit: Standing at the centre of The Circus, looking up at the curving facades, is a genuinely awe-inspiring moment. Three great roads radiate out from it like spokes of a wheel. Gainsborough, Clive of India, and David Livingstone all lived here. Best viewed in autumn when the central plane trees turn golden.
Timings: Outdoor, open 24 hours
Entry: Free
#7. Pulteney Bridge and Weir
About: Pulteney Bridge, built in 1774 to a design by Robert Adam, is one of only four bridges in the world with shops built across its full span on both sides. It crosses the River Avon in the centre of Bath and connects the old city to the Pulteney Estate. Immediately downstream, the horseshoe-shaped Pulteney Weir creates one of Bath’s most photographed views.
Why visit: The view from the weir — especially from the riverside terrace of a nearby café — is a quintessential Bath experience. Boat trips depart from just below the weir, and the bridge itself is a pleasure to walk across, lined with small independent shops and cafés.
Timings: Open 24 hours (outdoor)
Entry: Free
#8. Bath Skyline Walk (National Trust)
About: The Bath Skyline is a 6-mile circular walking route managed by the National Trust, circling the hills above Bath through ancient woodland, flower-rich meadows, and past Iron Age hill forts and Roman remains. The walk offers consistently outstanding views over the city and surrounding countryside.
Why visit: The best way to appreciate Bath’s stunning setting in its river valley. The views from the hillside above Bathwick are superb. The route passes through some of the most wildlife-rich grassland in the region, with cowslips, orchids, and skylarks in season. Walkers can start at several points around the route.
Timings: Open at all times
Entry: Free
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
#9. Royal Victoria Park
About: Royal Victoria Park was opened in 1830 by the 11-year-old Princess Victoria — the first public park to bear her name. It stretches across 57 acres at the foot of the Royal Crescent and includes a beautiful botanical garden, a bandstand, a golf course, a children’s play area, and open lawns ideal for picnicking.
Why visit: The perfect spot to sit with a coffee and admire the Royal Crescent from below. The botanical gardens contain over 5,000 plant species and are particularly lovely in spring and summer. Free outdoor events including concerts and festivals are held here throughout the year.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry: Free
#10. Sydney Gardens
About: Sydney Gardens is Bath’s oldest public park, opened in 1795 as pleasure gardens. Jane Austen lived nearby in Sydney Place and wrote warmly of walking in the gardens. The Kennet and Avon Canal passes through the park in a series of elegant stone bridges, making it a unique and picturesque green space.
Why visit: A peaceful and beautiful escape from the busier parts of the city, with strong Austen associations. The canal boats and tow path add an unexpected industrial heritage element. The park connects to the Holburne Museum at one end — making a natural combined visit.
Timings: Open daily
Entry: Free
#11. Parade Gardens
About: Parade Gardens is a beautifully maintained formal garden on the banks of the River Avon in the heart of Bath. Established in the 18th century, it features immaculate flower beds, ornamental trees, a bandstand, and direct views across to Pulteney Weir and the river beyond.
Why visit: One of the loveliest spots in Bath for a quiet sit-down with a coffee. The riverside setting, beautifully kept flowerbeds, and regular live music from the bandstand make it a genuine pleasure whatever the season. A small entry charge helps fund the garden’s upkeep.
Timings: Daily 10:00 am – dusk (seasonal variations)
Entry: Adults from £1.50
Website: visitbath.co.uk
Museums & Cultural Attractions
#12. Jane Austen Centre
About: Bath is inextricably linked with Jane Austen, who lived in the city from 1801 to 1806 and set two of her novels — Northanger Abbey and Persuasion — here. The Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street explores her life in Bath, the Georgian society she observed with such sharp wit, and the lasting influence of her work. A waxwork of Austen based on the most recently identified portrait greets visitors at the entrance.
Why visit: Essential for any Austen fan, but genuinely interesting for anyone curious about Georgian Bath and the society it created. The Regency Tea Room offers an excellent afternoon tea experience. The centre also runs guided Austen walks around the city.
Timings: Daily 9:45 am – 5:30 pm (extended in summer)
Entry: Adults from £14
Website: janeausten.co.uk
#13. Fashion Museum Bath
About: The Fashion Museum holds one of the world’s finest collections of historical and contemporary dress, spanning four centuries of fashion history. Founded in 1963 by Doris Langley Moore, it originally occupied the Assembly Rooms but has recently relocated to a purpose-built new home in Milsom Place, opening in 2025.
Why visit: The collection is extraordinary — from 17th-century court dress to contemporary catwalk pieces. The new premises allow far more of the 100,000-piece collection to be displayed. Dress of the Year, chosen annually since 1963, provides a fascinating record of fashion’s evolution.
Timings: Check website for current opening hours
Entry: Adults from £12 (check current pricing at website)
Website: fashionmuseum.co.uk
#14. Holburne Museum
About: The Holburne Museum is Bath’s oldest art museum, established in 1882 and housed in a stunning late 18th-century building at the end of Great Pulteney Street. The collection was founded on the bequest of Sir William Holburne and includes Old Master paintings, silverware, ceramics, and miniatures, alongside 20th and 21st-century works.
Why visit: The building itself — framed by the length of Great Pulteney Street in one of Bath’s greatest Georgian vistas — is as impressive as the collection inside. The William Beckford room is particularly notable. The museum café and garden are both excellent.
Timings: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Entry: Free for permanent collection; charge for major exhibitions
Website: holburne.org
#15. Museum of Bath at Work
About: The Museum of Bath at Work tells the story of Bath’s industrial and commercial history — an often-overlooked side of a city famous for its Georgian elegance. The centrepiece is a complete and genuine Victorian cabinet-making business, preserved almost exactly as it was left when the owner retired in 1983.
Why visit: A wonderfully atmospheric and unusual museum that offers a completely different perspective on Bath. The Victorian workshop is genuinely fascinating — cluttered, functional, and utterly authentic. Also covers Bath’s engineering, cheese-making, and mineral water industries.
Timings: April–October: daily 10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Entry: Adults £6
Website: bath-at-work.org.uk
#16. Herschel Museum of Astronomy
About: The Herschel Museum of Astronomy occupies the house where William Herschel lived and worked when he discovered the planet Uranus in 1781 — the first new planet to be identified since antiquity. Herschel, a German-born musician who became one of the greatest astronomers in history, also built the largest telescope of his era in the garden here.
Why visit: A small but genuinely captivating museum. The story of Herschel’s discoveries — made from this very Bath garden — is remarkable, and the house conveys the atmosphere of Georgian domestic and scientific life extremely well. Herschel’s sister Caroline, who worked alongside him and was herself a pioneering astronomer, is also celebrated.
Timings: Check herschelmuseum.org.uk for current hours
Entry: Adults £9
Website: herschelmuseum.org.uk
#17. American Museum and Gardens
About: The American Museum in Britain at Claverton Manor, just outside Bath, is the only museum in Britain dedicated to American decorative arts and folk art. Opened in 1961, it occupies a beautiful neo-classical manor house in extensive grounds, with rooms furnished to represent American domestic interiors from the 17th to early 20th centuries.
Why visit: A genuinely unexpected and impressive collection that ranges from Native American artefacts to Shaker furniture, New England quilts, and a copy of George Washington’s garden at Mount Vernon. The views from the terrace over the Limpley Stoke Valley are spectacular.
Timings: Check americanmuseum.org for seasonal hours
Entry: Adults from £18
Website: americanmuseum.org
#18. The Assembly Rooms
About: The Assembly Rooms were built by John Wood the Younger and opened in 1771 as the social hub of Georgian Bath — the place where the fashionable elite gathered to dance, gamble, and socialise. Jane Austen attended balls here and described the experience in her novels. The building suffered bomb damage in World War II but has been beautifully restored.
Why visit: The grandeur of the Ballroom and Tea Room — with their magnificent chandeliers and proportions — is genuinely impressive, and free to visit as an architectural attraction. The Fashion Museum is housed in the basement (now relocating — see entry #13).
Timings: Open daily; check nationaltrust.org.uk for current hours
Entry: Free to enter (National Trust)
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
#19. Beckford’s Tower
About: Beckford’s Tower is a remarkable neo-classical tower built in 1827 by the eccentric and fabulously wealthy collector William Beckford, as a retreat and to house his extraordinary art and book collection. It stands on Lansdown Hill above Bath and commands panoramic views across the city and surrounding countryside.
Why visit: Beckford is one of the most fascinating characters in Georgian Britain — his story involves extraordinary wealth, a scandalous fall from grace, and an obsessive lifelong passion for collecting. The tower, its belvedere, and the eccentric mausoleum in the adjacent cemetery make for a genuinely memorable visit.
Timings: Check beckfordstower.org.uk for seasonal opening
Entry: Adults £6
Website: beckfordstower.org.uk
#20. Museum of Bath Stone
About: Bath’s distinctive warm golden colour comes entirely from the local oolitic limestone — Bath Stone — quarried from the surrounding hills for millennia. The Museum of Bath Stone explores the geology, history, and quarrying of this extraordinary building material in a fascinating underground setting.
Why visit: A short but genuinely illuminating visit that transforms how you see Bath’s buildings. Understanding the geology behind the city’s appearance adds a fascinating layer to any exploration of the Georgian streetscapes.
Timings: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (check for seasonal variations)
Entry: Free
Website: museumofbathstone.org
Day Trips from Bath
#21. Stonehenge
About: Stonehenge, the world’s most famous prehistoric monument, stands on Salisbury Plain approximately 35 miles from Bath. Built in stages between around 3000 BC and 1500 BC, its precise purpose remains debated by archaeologists, but its astronomical alignments and the scale of its construction continue to astonish visitors.
Why visit: An unmissable day trip from Bath. The English Heritage visitor centre is excellent, and even at a distance the stones are profoundly impressive. Book in advance for the popular Stone Circle Access experience (early morning or evening visits inside the circle).
Timings: Daily; hours vary seasonally — book in advance
Entry: Adults from £24 (book online)
Website: english-heritage.org.uk
#22. Lacock Abbey and Village
About: Lacock, 12 miles from Bath, is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in England — owned almost entirely by the National Trust. The 13th-century Lacock Abbey, where photography pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot created some of the world’s first photographic images, stands at its heart. The village has appeared in dozens of films and TV productions, including the BBC’s Pride & Prejudice.
Why visit: Walking Lacock’s stone-flagged streets, with their timber-framed houses and complete absence of modern intrusions, is a uniquely English experience. The abbey cloisters are atmospheric and beautiful. The Fox Talbot Museum of Photography is a fascinating addition.
Timings: Seasonal; check nationaltrust.org.uk
Entry: National Trust rates (free for NT members)
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
#23. Longleat Safari & Adventure Park
About: Longleat, 23 miles from Bath in Wiltshire, is Britain’s first safari park outside Africa and one of England’s most popular family attractions. The 900-acre estate includes the magnificent Elizabethan Longleat House, the Safari Park (with lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, and much more), and a range of additional attractions including a railway, hedge maze, and Adventure Castle.
Why visit: An outstanding family day out with genuine variety. Driving through the lion enclosure remains one of England’s most thrilling animal experiences. The house itself is historically remarkable, with lavishly decorated rooms and one of the finest private libraries in Britain.
Timings: Seasonal; check longleat.co.uk
Entry: Day passes from £40 (book online in advance)
Website: longleat.co.uk
#24. Stourhead Gardens
About: Stourhead, 30 miles from Bath in Wiltshire, is one of England’s most celebrated landscape gardens — created in the 1740s by banker Henry Hoare around a central lake, with temples, grottos, and bridges arranged to create a series of picturesque views inspired by the paintings of Claude Lorrain. Now in National Trust care.
Why visit: Stourhead is at its most spectacular in spring (rhododendrons and azaleas) and autumn (extraordinary colour). The walk around the lake, moving from viewpoint to viewpoint, is one of England’s great garden experiences. The adjacent village of Stourton and the gothic King Alfred’s Tower add further interest.
Timings: Year-round; check nationaltrust.org.uk
Entry: National Trust rates (free for NT members)
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
#25. Wells Cathedral and City
About: Wells, 20 miles from Bath, is England’s smallest city and home to one of the country’s finest medieval cathedrals. Wells Cathedral, begun in the 12th century, is celebrated for its extraordinary West Front — adorned with over 300 medieval sculptures — and its magnificent scissor arches inside the nave, built in 1338 to prevent the central tower from sinking.
Why visit: Wells is a wonderful half-day excursion from Bath — the cathedral and its precinct, the medieval Bishop’s Palace with its moat, and the charming market town surrounding them make for a very rewarding visit. The scissor arches inside the cathedral are among the most visually striking features in any English church.
Timings: Cathedral open daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Entry: Suggested donation; Bishop’s Palace charged
Website: wellscathedral.org.uk
#26. Cheddar Gorge and Caves
About: Cheddar Gorge, 23 miles from Bath in the Mendip Hills, is England’s largest gorge and one of its most spectacular natural landscapes. The cliffs rise up to 138 metres above the road and shelter Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton (Cheddar Man, c.7150 BC). The limestone caves beneath contain extraordinary stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Why visit: The combination of dramatic scenery, prehistoric caves, excellent visitor facilities, and the famous Cheddar cheese connection makes this one of the best all-round day trips from Bath. Gough’s Cave and Cox’s Cave are both well worth exploring.
Timings: Daily; check cheddargorge.co.uk
Entry: Adults from £22
Website: cheddargorge.co.uk
#27. Bradford-on-Avon
About: Bradford-on-Avon is a beautifully preserved small town on the River Avon, just 8 miles from Bath, with a remarkable collection of historic buildings spanning many centuries. The Saxon Church of St Laurence (c. 700 AD) is one of the best-preserved Saxon churches in England, and the medieval tithe barn at Barton Farm is one of the finest in the country.
Why visit: A wonderful and often-overlooked excursion from Bath. The town’s steep stone-terraced streets, handsome bridge, independent shops, and riverside pubs make it a very pleasant place to spend a few hours. Easy to reach by train from Bath (10 minutes).
Timings: Town open always; specific attractions have their own hours
Entry: Free to explore
Shopping, Markets & Leisure
#28. Bath Artisan Market
About: The Bath Artisan Market takes place in the Guildhall Market and surrounding streets, bringing together independent makers, craftspeople, and food producers. Stalls feature handmade jewellery, ceramics, textiles, artisan food, vintage clothing, and much more.
Why visit: A lively and well-curated market that perfectly complements Bath’s independent retail scene. The atmosphere is friendly and unhurried — a genuine community event rather than a tourist trap. Check bathartisanmarket.com for dates.
Timings: Various dates throughout the year — check website
Entry: Free
Website: bathartisanmarket.com
#29. Bath Guildhall Market
About: Bath Guildhall Market is one of the oldest indoor markets in the country, operating in the heart of the city since 1774. The current market hall dates to the Victorian era and offers a range of independent traders selling fresh food, antiques, clothing, flowers, and local specialities.
Why visit: A charming, authentic market experience that feels genuinely rooted in the city’s daily life. Far less touristy than many market options, and a great place to find local food products, vintage items, and affordable lunch options.
Timings: Monday–Saturday 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Entry: Free
Website: bathguildhallmarket.co.uk
#30. Milsom Street Shopping
About: Milsom Street is Bath’s premier shopping address — an elegant Georgian street lined with independent retailers, boutiques, and the city’s best bookshops. It connects the upper and lower parts of the city and has been a fashionable shopping destination since the 1760s.
Why visit: For independent retail therapy in an architecturally magnificent setting. Milsom Street is also home to several excellent cafés and the Milsom Place development, which adds a modern retail courtyard to the mix.
Timings: Shops typically open Monday–Saturday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Entry: Free
#31. Cleveland Pools Lido
About: Cleveland Pools is Britain’s oldest surviving public outdoor swimming pool, originally opened in 1815 and recently restored after a major community-led campaign. Located on the banks of the Avon near Bathwick, the lido is a beautiful Georgian crescent of changing rooms surrounding the open-air pool, fed by the river.
Why visit: A genuinely special place — bathing in this Georgian pool, surrounded by the sounds of the river and birds, is one of Bath’s most unusual and memorable experiences. Open during the summer months only. Book in advance as sessions sell out quickly.
Timings: Summer only — check clevelandpools.org.uk
Entry: Adults from £10
Website: clevelandpools.org.uk
Entertainment & Events
#32. Theatre Royal Bath
About: Theatre Royal Bath is one of England’s oldest and most beautiful theatres, opened in 1805. The main auditorium seats around 900 and is an outstanding example of Regency theatre architecture. The theatre presents a full programme of drama, comedy, opera, and dance, often including major touring productions before or after West End runs.
Why visit: For an evening at the theatre in one of the most beautiful theatre buildings in Britain. The programme is consistently strong, ranging from Shakespeare to new writing. Pre-show or post-show drinks in the atmospheric bar add to the experience.
Timings: Performance times vary — check website
Entry: Tickets from £15
Website: theatreroyal.org.uk
#33. Bath Christmas Market
About: Bath Christmas Market is one of the best in Britain, regularly voted among the top European Christmas markets. Held in late November and early December, over 180 wooden chalets fill the area around Bath Abbey and the surrounding streets, selling gifts, crafts, food, and seasonal produce.
Why visit: The combination of the market’s warm, festive atmosphere with Bath’s stunning Georgian backdrop — lit up in winter — is genuinely magical. The market runs for approximately three weeks and draws visitors from across the UK and internationally. Book accommodation well in advance.
Timings: Late November – mid December (check bathchristmasmarket.co.uk for exact dates)
Entry: Free
Website: bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
#34. Bath Festival
About: The Bath Festival is one of England’s most celebrated arts festivals, held annually in May. Originally focused on music, it now encompasses literature, ideas, and performance across venues throughout the city. Major international artists, authors, and thinkers appear alongside emerging talent.
Why visit: Bath Festival is a highlight of the cultural calendar and transforms the city for its two-week run. Venues range from the Abbey to outdoor stages, and the festival atmosphere permeates the whole city. Book well in advance for headline events.
Timings: May annually — check bathfestivals.org.uk
Entry: Varies by event
Website: bathfestivals.org.uk
#35. Bath on Ice (Seasonal)
About: Bath on Ice is the city’s winter ice skating rink, set up annually in front of Bath Abbey — one of the most dramatic and picturesque rink settings in England. The rink is accompanied by glow golf, a bar, and seasonal food and drink.
Why visit: Ice skating in front of the floodlit abbey in midwinter is a genuinely special experience. Popular with families, couples, and groups. Sessions must be booked in advance.
Timings: November–January — check bathonice.com for dates
Entry: From £12 per session
Website: bathonice.com
#36. The Makery Craft Centre
About: The Makery is Bath’s leading craft workshop space, offering classes and workshops in sewing, embroidery, weaving, and other textile crafts. Founded in 2009, it has a small but well-stocked shop and runs sessions for all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced crafters.
Why visit: A lovely alternative activity in Bath — creating something with your hands in a welcoming, sociable environment. Workshop sessions make an excellent addition to a Bath weekend, particularly on a rainy afternoon.
Timings: Check themakery.co.uk for workshop schedule
Entry: Workshops from £35
Website: themakery.co.uk
#37. Museum of East Asian Art
About: The Museum of East Asian Art in Bath holds one of the finest collections of East and South-East Asian ceramics and art outside London, covering China, Japan, Korea, and South-East Asia from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. The collection includes jade, bronze, lacquerwork, and paintings.
Why visit: A beautifully presented and surprisingly deep collection that rewards careful attention. The wooden carvings and ceramic collections are particularly outstanding. Free for under-16s.
Timings: Check meaa.org.uk for current hours
Entry: Adults £7
Website: meaa.org.uk
#38. Bath Postal Museum
About: The Bath Postal Museum traces the history of the postal service from ancient times to the present day, with a particular focus on Bath’s pivotal role in the development of the modern postal system — it was from Bath in 1784 that the first mail coach journey in history departed.
Why visit: A compact but charming museum that tells an unexpectedly fascinating story. The reproduction mail coach and the displays about the development of the penny post are highlights. Good for children as well as adults.
Timings: Tuesday–Saturday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Entry: Adults £5
Website: bathpostalmuseum.org.uk
#39. Sham Castle
About: Sham Castle is a Gothic folly on the hillside above Bath, built in 1762 for Ralph Allen — Bath’s great 18th-century entrepreneur — purely for decorative effect. It is a flat stone façade designed to be seen from Allen’s town house below, giving the impression of a medieval castle on the ridge.
Why visit: A short uphill walk from the city rewards you with both the charming folly itself and outstanding views over Bath. The walk through the golf course to reach it is pleasant, and the folly is freely accessible. Best visited in late afternoon light.
Timings: Open at all times
Entry: Free
Restaurants, Dining & Nightlife
#40. Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House
About: Sally Lunn’s occupies the oldest house in Bath, dating to 1482, and is famous for the Sally Lunn Bun — a large, light, brioche-like bun that has been made here since the late 17th century. The restaurant below and museum in the cellar (which reveals the original kitchen) make it one of Bath’s most distinctive food experiences.
Why visit: Whether for breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea, Sally Lunn’s offers a genuinely historic and enjoyable eating experience. The Sally Lunn Bun served with clotted cream and jam is a Bath institution. Book ahead for weekend visits.
Timings: Daily 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (check sallylunns.co.uk for current hours)
Entry: Museum free; restaurant meals from £10
Website: sallylunns.co.uk
#41. The Circus Restaurant
About: The Circus Restaurant on Brock Street — between the Circus and the Royal Crescent — is one of Bath’s most acclaimed restaurants, celebrated for its innovative seasonal British menu and warm, intimate atmosphere. It has held multiple awards and is consistently rated among the best restaurants in the city.
Why visit: Outstanding cooking in a setting that perfectly complements Bath’s character — elegant without being stuffy, and genuinely focused on local and seasonal produce. Booking several weeks in advance is recommended.
Website: thecircusrestaurant.co.uk
#42. Menu Gordon Jones
About: Menu Gordon Jones is one of Bath’s most talked-about dining experiences — a tiny, no-choice tasting menu restaurant where chef-owner Gordon Jones creates a surprise multi-course menu daily based on whatever is best from his suppliers. The restaurant seats fewer than 30 people and has attracted national critical acclaim.
Why visit: For food lovers, this is Bath’s most exciting culinary destination. The surprise element, the creativity of the cooking, and the intimate atmosphere create an experience unlike any conventional restaurant. Book months in advance — it sells out very quickly.
Website: menugordonjones.co.uk
#43. The Bath Priory Restaurant
About: The Bath Priory is Bath’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, set in a beautiful Gothic Victorian manor house with gardens on the edge of the city. Head Chef Michael Nizzero leads a team producing refined, ingredient-led modern British cuisine of the highest order.
Why visit: For the ultimate special occasion dinner in Bath. The combination of outstanding food, beautiful setting, exceptional service, and the option of staying in the hotel makes The Bath Priory genuinely world-class. Booking well in advance is essential.
Website: thebathpriory.co.uk
#44. Sub 13 Bar and Kitchen
About: Sub 13 is one of Bath’s most popular cocktail bars and casual dining spots, located in a stylish basement space in the city centre. Known for its creative cocktails, relaxed atmosphere, and reliable modern food menu, it attracts a mix of locals and visitors throughout the week.
Why visit: For a lively evening drink or a relaxed pre- or post-theatre meal. The cocktail list is inventive, the food is good value, and the atmosphere is genuinely buzzing. Particularly popular on weekends.
Website: sub13bath.co.uk
#45. The Fine Cheese Co.
About: The Fine Cheese Co. on Walcot Street is one of Britain’s most celebrated independent cheese shops and has been a Bath institution for over 30 years. It stocks an exceptional range of British and international cheeses alongside biscuits, chutneys, and accessories, and the staff knowledge is outstanding.
Why visit: A destination cheese shop in the truest sense. Whether you’re building a picnic, choosing a gift, or simply want expert guidance on British farmhouse cheese, this is one of the finest cheese shops in England.
Website: finecheese.co.uk
#46. Bath Ales Pub Trail
About: Bath has an excellent independent pub scene, anchored by Bath Ales — a well-regarded local brewery producing award-winning ales. The city centre has a good concentration of quality pubs, from the traditional Salamander on John Street to the riverside Star Inn in Walcot, one of the oldest pubs in Bath.
Why visit: Exploring Bath’s pub scene on foot is a genuinely pleasant way to spend an evening, with many pubs occupying historic buildings and offering a warm, local atmosphere alongside good food and drink. The Star Inn, in particular, is one of England’s most authentic and unspoilt historic pubs.
Website: bathales.com
#47. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
About: The BRLSI, founded in 1824 and housed in an elegant Georgian building on Queen Square, is one of Bath’s oldest learned societies. It holds a library of around 60,000 books and hosts a busy programme of lectures, exhibitions, and events open to the public.
Why visit: A hidden gem for those interested in ideas, science, and history. The lecture programme is broad and often stimulating, and the building itself is beautiful. Non-members are welcome at most events for a small charge.
Website: brlsi.org
#48. Bath Spa Railway Station
About: Bath Spa Station, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1840, is a Grade II listed building and one of the finest railway stations in England. Its Tudor-style stone façade and elegant proportions make it an architectural attraction in its own right, not merely a transport hub.
Why visit: Even if you’re not catching a train, the station’s exterior is worth admiring — particularly the beautifully proportioned station building. It also marks the start and end of the famous Two Tunnels cycling route through the Limpley Stoke Valley.
Timings: Open during rail service hours
Entry: Free
#49. Claverton Manor
About: Claverton Manor, a handsome Greek Revival house built in 1820 by Sir Jeffry Wyatville, stands on a ridge above the Avon valley just east of Bath. Winston Churchill made one of his earliest public speeches in the garden here in 1897. The manor is best known today as the home of the American Museum in Britain (see entry #17).
Why visit: The house and its setting are beautiful, and the combination of the American Museum collection with the stunning grounds makes this an excellent half-day trip from the city centre.
Website: americanmuseum.org
#50. Victoria Art Gallery
About: The Victoria Art Gallery on Bridge Street is Bath’s main public art gallery, housing a permanent collection of European paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts spanning the 15th to the 21st centuries. The gallery also hosts a busy programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Why visit: Free to visit and often overlooked in favour of better-known attractions, the Victoria Art Gallery is a genuine pleasure — particularly the 18th and 19th-century Bath portraits and the fine decorative arts collection. A great wet-weather option in the heart of the city.
Timings: Tuesday–Saturday 10:30 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Entry: Free (charge for major temporary exhibitions)
Website: victoriagal.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions About Bath, UK
What is Bath most famous for?
Bath is most famous for its Roman Baths — the only naturally hot springs in Britain — and its extraordinarily well-preserved Georgian architecture, including the Royal Crescent, the Circus, and Pulteney Bridge. It is also celebrated for its Jane Austen connections and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Is Bath worth visiting for a day trip?
Absolutely — Bath is one of England’s best day trip destinations from London (90 minutes by train) or Bristol (13 miles). A single day covers the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge, and lunch at one of the city’s excellent cafés or restaurants.
How many days do you need in Bath?
Two full days is ideal — one for the major landmarks (Roman Baths, Abbey, Royal Crescent, Prior Park) and one for the museums, day trips (Lacock, Bradford-on-Avon, or Stonehenge), and leisurely meals. A weekend stay is highly recommended.
When is the best time to visit Bath?
Bath is wonderful year-round. Spring (April–May) brings gardens into bloom; summer is the busiest period with long days and outdoor events; autumn offers beautiful colours and the Bath Festival; and winter is magical — especially during the Christmas Market in late November and December.
How do I get from London to Bath?
The fastest and most convenient option is the Great Western Railway service from London Paddington to Bath Spa — the fastest trains take 87 minutes. By car, Bath is 115 miles from London via the M4 motorway (approximately 2 hours depending on traffic).
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