Bath is one of my absolutely favourite places to visit in England.
If you’ve never been before, you are bound to fall in love.
Located in the England’s county of Somerset, Bath is famous for and named after its Roman built baths.
But the baths are not all it is known for.
Bath is also home to the famous Jane Austen centre.
And even holds the secrets of the ton, Bridgerton that is!
The Netflix drama films heavily in the area. See if you can spot some of the locations on your meanders through the city.
It’s also a super walkable place to visit and incredibly easy to get to by train or by coach if you’re choosing to visit as a stop a bus day trip from London.
I’ve visited at all times of the year and have yet to find a time where it isn’t the loveliest spot.
With so much to do and see, it’s hard to narrow down where exactly you need to go…
So l’ve put together the ultimate list of magical things to do in Bath, England that you won’t want to miss on your next visit to this beautiful city.
25 Magical Things to Do in Bath
Visit the Roman Spas at sunset
First on my list! You must add The Roman Baths to the top of your sightseeing list.
It’s what the city is named after and known for after all. For those who don’t know, the Roman Baths are a thermae, which were large imperial bath complexes that were facilities for bathing.
It’s quite an incredible structure and soaked (sorry for the puns!) in history.
I’d recommend going either first thing in the morning or at sunset. You’ll be treated to absolutely incredible views and it’s so much fun exploring.
Please note: These baths are not currently in use today! This is a museum!
But if you want to take a dip, check out the Thermae Bath Spa (more details below). It is the only day spa in the UK where you can bathe in natural thermal waters. Plus they have an amazing rooftop pool with beautiful views overlooking the city.
Afternoon tea at the Pump Room
Don’t miss out on a delicious savoury and sweet afternoon tea in The Pump Room. Situated right next to the Roman Baths, you’ll find The Pump Room.
Even Jane Austen herself was a visitor at the Pump Room.
The Pump Rooms were THE place to be during the Regency period to see and be seen. The Pump Room even features in Jane Austen’s novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.
I’d suggest a later afternoon booking around 4pm as it tends to be the quietest time to visit.
There are slots at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm.
You can book and check out all of their dining options here!
The Pump Rooms additionally have breakfast and dinner booking options if you don’t fancy afternoon tea but would like to stop in.
PS. Don’t miss a chance to drink from the spa water itself! Considered to be vastly beneficial for your health and well being, the spa water is actually available to drink within The Pump Room! It contains 43 minerals. I haven’t a clue what the minerals were, but we tried it!
The Jane Austen Centre
The centre is a museum to Jane Austen as well as her family, sharing information about Jane’s life, her family and the Regency time period that they lived in.
They have a quill writing room where you can try your hand at writing your own novel, Regency costumes to try on (so fun!) and they even have afternoon tea at the very top of the building.
PS. All of the workers here are dressed in Regency attire and play a few of the characters from the novels who you can interact with – they really are such good fun! I’d really recommend dressing up in something fun to go as well, they will love it there!
PPS. I also have a HUGE blog post dedicated to The Ultimate Jane Austen Road Trip Around England for literary fans! Would 10/10 recommend giving it a go when visiting the UK!
The Jane Austen Festival every September
Did you know that there is a Jane Austen festival every September in Bath?
This is totally one of the coolest experiences Jane Austen fans or literary fans in general can take part in!
Throughout the week there are activities, parades, talks and shows on to celebrate the beloved English author.
I’d really recommend at least attending the Royal Promenade, where literary fans dress up and walk through the streets of Bath as if on a casual stroll back in the 1700s! It’s pretty incredible to see in person!
Wake up early and swim on the rooftop at Thermae Bath Spa
Come with me for a dip in the ancient Bath springs!
This is the ONLY place in the country where you can experience anything like this.
Bath is named and known for their Roman baths. So it’s incredible to visit the Thermal Bath Spa which incorporates the old Bath rituals in a safe, modern and hygienic way.
The water contains over 42 minerals and does in fact come from the three Bath springs – the King’s Spring, the Cross Bath and the Hetling Spring.
Once it reaches the surface, the spring waters are on average 45 ºC /113 ºF. This is a bit TOO hot so the waters then cool down to around 34 ºC/93 ºF, which is perfect.
My favourite part is dipping in the water but you can also venture through their steam rooms, saunas, ice room and even a very celestial constellation room. Treatments are also available to book!
No. 1 Royal Crescent
Get an idea of what homes looked like in Bath during the Regency period.
No. 1 Royal Crescent is a must-visit museum and former home along the famous Royal Crescent street in Bath.
It is decorated and furnished as it would have been during 1776-1796. The rooms feature historic furniture, pictures and objects that form the museum collection.
They currently have an Immersive Jane Austen Tour on to celebrate Jane Austen 250!
We really loved exploring the house and going on this tour, I thought it was exceptionally well done. The interaction takes you from room to room exploring No. 1 Crescent with a Jane Austen twist.
And the information about the home was very realistic and informative about the time period. It’s a really neat experience!
Shop at the Guildhall Market
Right next to the Pulteney Bridge, you’ll find the Guildhall Market.
Wander through the Guildhall Market to pick up a few things you might not have known you’ve been missing!
They also have plenty of treats to munch on! And a really unique selection of shops, I personally love the secondhand bookstore!
Royal Victoria Park
This is THE spot to hang out during the summertime.
Opened in 1830, the Royal Victoria Park is a beautiful garden in the centre of the city. Views of both Bath Abbey and the Pulteney Bridge!
The perfect place to take a book for the afternoon and enjoy some sun or shade beneath a tree.
And the perfect spot for those attending the Jane Austen festival to congregate!
Watch the sunset at the Royal Crescent
On that note, I’d also recommend a little visit to The Royal Crescent gardens (well, not really gardens, more like general green space).
The Royal Crescent is a row of 30 terraced houses that were built in a crescent shape on top of a hill in the city of Bath.
It’s a super famous landmark that you absolutely need to visit and it’s especially beautiful at sunset!
Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein
Did you know that the official birthplace of Frankenstein is in Bath, England?!
Now, I bet you didn’t have “Escape Rooms” on your must explore itinerary when visiting the regal city of Bath… but you’ll find that Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein is BOTH a museum and escape rooms!
This is a super cool way to explore and learn more about author Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein while living in Bath in 1816.
Visit the origins of the world’s most famous monster and experience The House of Frankenstein’s award-winning, multi-sensory Museum & Escape Rooms.
Bursting with unusual artefacts, emotive soundtracks, bespoke smells and effects, it also features rooms dedicated to Popular Culture, an intimate screening room showing the first ever Frankenstein film from 1910, a jaw-dropping 8ft animated Creature, two themed Escape Rooms and, for the braver visitor, a creepy walkthrough experience in the basement.
Go into Bath Abbey – it’s free to go in
It’s absolutely worth a visit into Bath Abbey as the entrance is free (though donations are encouraged).
You can also book one of their Tower Tour which is a 212 step climb to the top of Bath Abbey’s Tower, tickets are £18 per person.
Wander over to Holburne Museum – ps they filmed Bridgerton here!
It’s Lady Danbury’s home in Bridgerton and can you imagine having a home quite like this one?
Well in real life, it’s actually the Holbourne Museum.
It was the first public art gallery in the city. The museum also houses plenty of temporary exhibitions, musical performances, workshops and more.
There’s even a bookshop and a café that opens spilling out onto the Sydney Gardens.
Visit the iconic Pulteney Bridge and go on a scenic river walk
Need I say more?
Bath is such a walkable city, a walk around the city is the perfect way to see it all.
Alexandra Park
This 11-acre park, opened in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII, is situated at the top of Beechen Cliff providing magnificent panoramic views.
Where to stay overnight in Bath
Stay at the affordable and fun Hotel Indigo Bath
If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay in the city, I highly recommend Hotel Indigo Bath.
It’s super central and is the perfect spot to base yourself during your time in the city. Just a few minutes walk from the city centre, you’ll find the beautiful golden stone Georgian Terrace building.
We stayed in a spacious King Premium Room but they also have their newly opened Luxury Vault rooms to choose from as well, the perfect spot for either keeping cool during the warmer months or alternatively, even snuggling up in the winter time.
PS don’t miss out on breakfast, it’s a serious feast! And the food was delicious.
During our stay the staff were also wonderfully accommodating to each and every guest that came through.
Don’t forget on beautiful sunny days, you can also sit outside enjoying a rosé or two at their restaurant, Elder.
Book a luxury stay at No. 1 Royal Crescent Hotel
If you want to feel like royalty, this is the place you need to stay. It’s incredibly elegant and beautiful.
The hotel is a bit of a splurge, but I think it’s worth it for the incredible experience and the opulence of it all!
Also, I’d really recommend their Jane Austen inspired afternoon tea also… truly one can never have too much afternoon tea!
Where to eat and drink in Bath:
Sally Lunn’s for Bath Buns
Did you know that Sally Lunn’s has been in existence since 1680?! That’s a lot of years of Bath buns!
Sally Lunn, originally Solange Luyon, was a Huguenot refugee who fled France at a time when the Catholic church punished those who were protestants. She found a safe home in Bath, England. And upon the move, anglicised her name to Sally Lunn.
Missing France and working at a bakery, she brought this bun to Bath. The buns are a bit like brioche roll and Sally Lunn’s were eaten hot, split open and covered with melted butter – yum!
Lunch at The Provenist
We stumbled upon The Provenist for lunch one afternoon and truly so happy that we did.
Sadly they weren’t serving from their menu at that time but we got big helpings of their homemade fresh salads and organic lemonades.
So so good!
Pop in for cake and tea at The Bath Bun
Or grab a table outside in the courtyard, it’s so scenic!
Order tacos and Tequila at Dos Dedos
So far this might be one of my new-found BEST Mexican food spots in the United Kingdom… it’s hard to find really good ones!
Get a few tacos for the table and nachos, of course. And naturally, margaritas!
If they have frozen ones on offer, definitely give it a try, we loved them!
Speakeasy Cocktail vibes at The Hideout Bar
The Hideout is one of our favourite bars to visit in Bath! It’s a cosy little place tucked downstairs along North Parade Passage, across from Sally Lunn’s.
Pop in for a cocktail or two. Joe is a big fan of their Old Fashioned. I’m boring and get a cool glass of white wine, but they have loads of different cocktails to choose from.
The staff are super friendly and it’s absolutely a place we go to every time we’re in the city.
A tasting menu at Montagu’s Mews
It’s more of a fancy kind of restaurant, wonderful for a romantic date night or if you’re quite a food connoisseur.
I’d recommend trying their tasting menu to indulge and enjoy over a few hours of time.
And don’t miss Afternoon Tea at Montagu’s Mews too!
A bit of a little bonus for you is Jane Austen inspired Afternoon Tea at Montagu’s Mews.
We were staying right above the kitchens with a fancy balcony set up, so I asked to have it as room service but it’s seriously one not to be missed, this was SO good!!
Sushi and sashimi at Robun
If you’re looking for the ideal dinner spot, I have to say booking a table at Robun is an excellent decision.
We tried a little bit of everything on the menu and you simply cannot go wrong.
I’d love to go back to indulge more in their sushi selection. It was so good!
The Pig in Bath
It’s a short drive outside of the city, but this is a lovely place to visit or stay for an evening.
I booked my mom’s birthday dinner here and it was absolutely LOVELY. I’d definitely recommend popping out here for lunch, dinner or simply a coffee and a cake just to take it all in.
A few Bath gems just outside the city….
Feel line you’re stepping in a Bridgerton scene at Prior Park Landscape Garden
Oh my gosh! Stunning doesn’t even begin to describe Prior Park Landscape Garden! This is a truly stunning 18th-century landscape garden in Bath with incredible views across the city.
A National Trust Property, you will need to pay entry in order to visit, but I think it’s well worth it to get these incredible views.
It also has one of only FOUR Palladian bridges of this design in the world!!
Created in the 18th century by Ralph Allen, with advice from ‘Capability’ Brown and the poet Alexander Pope, you can’t miss this beautiful bridge.
Also, according to the Visit Bath website, the historic dams at Prior Park have recently undergone a major restoration, with the lakes refilled, individual paths reinstated, and a small cascade, a long-lost original features brought back to life!
Drive 15 minutes out of the city to explore Iford Manor Gardens
This is a bit of a bonus activity!
If you’re driving to Bath, I highly recommend visiting Iford Manor Gardens.
Based on Italian gardens, this estate is a feast for your eyes.
There are flowers and greenery absolutely everywhere. I can’t recommend this enough.
Tickets are £7.50 per adult for entry.
American Museum & Gardens
Did you know that there is actually an American Museum located in Bath?
Funny enough I’ve accidentally driven by this before but have yet to have gone in.
However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you about it!
The Museum’s home is a Grade I listed Georgian estate with a stunning prairie-style garden designed by Oehme, van Sweden, an arboretum and sweeping parkland.
The museum features American arts and heritage, and experience a special exhibition in the Gallery, as well as a seasonal programme of exciting events.
The Museum cares for over 12,000 objects, including collections of quilts, folk art and maps, which are recognised as some of the most significant in Europe.
