Everything to see and do in Bath, UK

Bath had been on my UK bucket list for as long as I can remember. As a history nut and a lover of architecture, it felt like the perfect place to spend a long weekend. Easily accessible by road or train from most parts of the UK, adaptable for any budget, and walkable. Here’s the lowdown on everything to see and do in Bath.

Things to do

The Roman Baths

You can’t start a list of Bath attractions with anything other than The Roman Baths. As the name suggests, the spot was occupied by the Romans as early as 60AD, when temples were built here and the naturally hot spring water used for public bathing. It was used by the Romans until the 5th century, after which the buildings fell into ruin. During the Middle Ages new baths were built on top of the old ones, and the natural spring waters used once again. Nowadays its a terrific tourist attraction. Housing not just the baths and buildings themselves but many artefacts found during excavations; including a bronze head of the Goddess Sulis Minerva, wonderfully preserved mosaic floors, and (my favourite) 130 curse tablets – written requests for the Gods to punish people – usually, it seems, for stealing cloaks or shoes while the victim was bathing.

It’s £25.50 for a weekend ticket, but does include an audioguide. I strongly recommend booking in advance here and getting here as early as possible. We had the place almost to ourselves for the first half hour, after which it got pretty busy.

Thermae Bath Spa

Once you’ve seen the historical baths, its time to get in the water! Sadly you can’t bathe in the Roman Baths but just across the street is the Thermae Spa. A luxury establishment where you can enjoy various treatments such as massages and facials, or just make use of the several pools on a 2 hour spa session (the most affordable option). Make sure you don’t miss the rooftop pool which has wonderful views over Bath, and again try to get here early or late to avoid the crowds (it makes for a much more relaxing experience.). Book here.

Bath Abbey

There has been a place of worship on this site since 675AD, and the current Abbey dates back to about 1499AD. A stunning building, some of the things to look out for are: the 891 ledgerstones (flat grave stones) that make up the floor of the Cathedral, the stain glass window that shows the crowning of King Edgar (the first King of England) on this very site in 973AD, and Jacob’s Ladder that shows angels climbing to Heaven on the front of the Abbey building. There are also Tower Tours available at a charge if you’d like to learn more about the history of this place and see the view from the top!

Pulteney Bridge

One of the most iconic images of Bath, Pulteney Bridge is a must see. One of only 4 bridges in the world which has shops build across its full span on both sides (the others being in Italy and Germany) it’s a favourite for photographers. I recommend getting different perspectives from the busy Grand Parade as well as the other side of the bridge, and then heading to Parade Gardens to admire the view from the comfort of a bench.

The Royal Crescent/The Circus

A row of 30 Terrace Houses may not sound like a tourist attraction but Bath doesn’t do anything by halves, and this example of Georgian architecture is a wonder to behold. I really recommend getting there at sunrise, and watch the houses get bathed in golden light. It’s been used in various films and tv shows, including Jane Austen’s Persuasion, and The Duchess, with Keira Knightley. Right down the street you will also find The Circus, a historic ring of townhouses from the same period. Because of the great oak tree in its centre, The Circus looks particularly lovely during the autumn months when the leaves turn golden.

Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein

All book worms should report to Gay Street, where they will find not one but two literary attractions. The first of these is The House of Frankenstein. It’s a 4 storey museum dedicated to the story of Mary Shelley and her terrifying creation. I have always loved not only the book, but Mary Shelley’s personal story – her life was filled with so much craziness and sadness that it could easily have been a book in itself. There is also a small ‘horror’ attraction in the basement, which will definitely make you scream.

Jane Austen Centre

The other attraction for literary buffs on Gay Street. We didn’t have time to visit but I’ve heard rave reviews from Austen fans. There’s an opportunity to dress up in Regency era fashion and try your hand at using a quill and ink like Miss Austen would have done.

Shop and explore

Bath is an insanely walkable city. So our favourite experience was not an attraction as such, but simply just walking around it’s historical city centre, taking in the architecture and vibe. There are wonderful boutique shops on every street, along with pubs and cafes should you need a refreshment. Our favourites are Bath Street and Milsom Street. On a beautiful day why not sit outside with a coffee and people watch?

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Sally Lunns

The oldest house in Bath (circa. 1483) and a world famous tea house, Sally Lunn’s is more of an attraction than a place to eat. We found the vegan and veggie options left a lot to be desired. But you can always just stop in for a coffee and then head downstairs to the tiny museum.

The Giggling Squid

The best meal we had in Bath. This Thai restaurant has a fancy but welcoming vibe to it which is perfect for a date or a catch up with friends. There is a separate vegan menu available too which we appreciated.

The Oven

Who doesn’t love pizza? There are several good pizza joints in town but what we liked about The Oven was the open kitchen. With chefs joking around in Italian and interacting with customers, it made for a very welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Pizzas are GIANT so split one or better yet take the leftovers home for breakfast. Cold next-day pizza is my fave.

Chai Wallah

Terrific hole in the wall serving Indian street food. You’ll spot the line before you spot the sign; which tells you how good this place is. All freshly cooked by super friendly staff. We would have definitely returned here for lunch if we’d had more time in Bath.

The Green Rocket

A popular vegan option, recommended to us by a non-vegan. The Green Rocket serves up healthy but delicious comfort dishes. You’ll find all the favourites here; from burgers to curry to gnocchi, and what we’ve heard is a tremendous breakfast selection.

Bath Brew House

Do you like beer? Well one of your first stops should be Bath Brew House. It has a huge selection of the hoppy stuff along with their own microbrewery which offers tours for beer affectionados. There’s standard pub grub served here, and a roast on Sundays, including a vegan option.

Dark Horse

Those looking for a more sophisticated experience than the local pub should seek out Dark Horse. It’s a basement cocktail bar with a dark, sultry vibe. The menu is creative and decor is interesting, so book a table to ensure you get plenty of time to savour the experience.

The Boater

A traditional pub next to Putney Bridge, with four unique bar areas and a huge beer garden. The river views are the main draw here but we also rate the craft beer selection and friendly staff.

The Common Room

We ended up at The Common Room on my birthday night out after meeting a group of Bath natives who brought us here for ‘the local experience’. It’s very popular and a bit chaotic. Expect a young, hip crowd squeezed in around the tables upstairs or the tiny dancefloor downstairs. Music was a highlight.

Yak Yeti Yak

Matt and I love Nepalese food and this is a good one. Plenty of plant based options in a funky, amiable setting. There are various dining rooms all with a slightly different vibe – we recommend the traditional experience with low tables and floor cushions.

Bath is one of my favourite places in the whole of the UK. Have you been yet? Let me know in the comments if you plan to go. Or check out some other city break posts here. x