Bath is a lovely historic English town, and there are so many things to do there! Dating from Roman times, the spa town was founded to leverage the area’s natural hot springs. After the Romans left, the town declined but experienced a renaissance in the 18th century and was transformed with Georgian architecture that you still see today. The city attracted those in high society and features prominently in Jane Austen novels. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
No matter if you are just on a day trip from London or spending a few days there, you will enjoy all the wonderful things Bath has to offer.
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Roman Baths
The most famous attraction in Bath is the Roman Baths. These remarkable ruins are more than 2,000 years old and are a great way to see how the Romans lived. The site features the remains of an actual Roman bathhouse and has interpretive exhibits on how bathing and social rituals in Roman times.
The centerpiece of the attraction is the Great Bath. This great pool of green water is surrounded by pillars and Victorian-era statues of Roman Emperors and British governors. Inside the building, you will learn information about the people who lived in the area in Roman times. There are also many sculptures and antiquities exhibited throughout, including a cache of Roman coins found in Bath in 2007.
The water feeding the bath comes from the Sacred Spring. 240,000 gallons of mineral-rich 115° water rise daily as it has done for thousands of years. Marvel at the Romans’ engineering prowess as you view the plumbing and draining systems that are still in place today. There are also exhibits in the sauna and changing room ruins that show how the Romans used the steamy water to heat the rooms. The exhibit is enhanced with the sounds and projections of Romans using the spaces.
You may also see costumed interpreters on site. If you ask them to take a selfie with you, they may just ask you to explain exactly what that is!
Thermae Bath Spa
After touring the Roman Baths, experience a modern version at Thermae Bath Spa. This spa uses the exact same waters that fed the ancient Roman Baths. These waters feed all four of the baths featured at Thermae as well as the rooftop pool.
Those 16 and older can enjoy the New Royal Bath. It offers a 2-hour spa session and includes a towel and robe for about $50. During your visit, you can enjoy the Minerva Bath, a large curving thermal pool and whirlpool. There’s also a fabulous rooftop pool that offers fabulous views of the city. Inside the Wellness Suite you will find several steam rooms, infrared room, ice chamber, relaxation room, and special showers complete with lighting, fragrance and music.
You can book massages, facials, hot stone therapy and more at the spa. And there’s a cafe on site in case you get hungry. The baths and spa open at 9 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. daily. It’s a great place to refresh before or relax after a day of touring!
Jane Austen Centre
Jane Austen enthusiasts will enjoy visiting all of the sites associated with the author as well as the Jane Austen Centre. The center is located in one of the many Georgian buildings in the center of Bath. Costumed guides lead you through the center, telling you about life in Bath during the early 19th century.
Learn about how Bath inspired Austen’s work and featured prominently in many of her books. Try on Regency-era clothing and accessories, and learn to write with a quill pen and bottle of ink. And meet the wax version of Jane Austen herself! Before or after your visit, you can enjoy afternoon tea at the Regency Tea Room.
Bath Abbey
The gorgeous Bath Abbey features intricate Gothic architecture and stands prominently in the main square. A monastery for nuns was on this exact site as early as 675 AD. A new cathedral was completed on the site in 1156. It fell into ruins in the 16th century during King Henry VIII’s reign, but was repaired by the early 17th century. Since then, it has undergone periodic restoration and preservation.
You can enjoy the cathedral from outside, but you might as well pay the small admission fee to see the awe-inspiring vaulted ceiling, beautiful stained glass windows, and the many memorials and tombs located inside the church. Visits can last 15 minutes to an hour. You can also book a guided tour of the abbey that includes a visit to the bell tower and featuring great views of the city.
If you really don’t have much time to spare, go into the Abbey’s gift shop. From there you can get a glimpse of what the abbey looks like inside. Just be sure to purchase a souvenir to support the maintenance of this phenomenal structure!
Royal Crescent & The Circus
Visit the Royal Crescent and the Circus to get a great feel for Georgian architecture. The Royal Crescent is a semicircular row of terraced houses while the Circus is a circular arrangement of townhouses. Both were built in the 18th century and are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Step back into time as you view this archictural wonder of Goergian-era town planning. It’s a great place to take photographs that capture the symmetry of the buildings. The gardens in the area provide a great place for strolls and relaxation.
You can see inside one of these houses at the One Royal Crescent museum. It features decorations and furnishings from the late 18th century and gives you an idea of what life might have been like for residents.
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House is located in Bath’s oldest surviving house. The current structure dates to 1482 but archeological excavations in the cellar have found artifacts dating back to Roman times. Today it is a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
Inside the house you will find a kitchen museum located in the original bakery of a French Huguenot refugee named Solange Luyon who came to Bath in 1680. She shortened her name to Sally Lunn and began baking a brioche bun that became known as the Bath Bunn. The museum showcases the original bakery and tells you what it was like to bake breads and pastries in the late 17ths century. There’s a small admission fee unless you also dine there.
And dine there you should! The all-day menu features both sweet and savory variations of Bath Bunns as well as soups, desserts, teas, coffees, and wine. There’s also an extremely reasonably priced two course high tea and several cream teas to enjoy.
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