Things to do in Bath: An elegant guide to England’s Georgian Spa City

The first thing I just have to mention about Bath, is how much I loved it! As a period drama enthusiast, romanticising life, tea lover girlie this city was exactly what I had hoped it would be when I started planning this trip. I am on a mission to explore more of England, and of course Bath was at the very top of my list so I was so excited when I had the opportunity to go explore the area and things to do here. From my top restaurant recommendations that I’ve already given all my friends – to the tourist attractions that are really worth it and some that are free – this Bath guide contains all the information I wish I had before I visited!

This guide will be updated continuously as I discover and experience more of Bath and was last updated in July 2026.

Thank you to Visit Bath for having me!

Why trust this guide to Bath in England?

• Not only do I have years of experience as an avid traveler but I also have a soft spot for historic English cities and period dramas. So if you also prefer your travels with a flair for historic, luxurious and romantic experiences with appreciation for small details and excellent service – you’ve come to the right place!
• I am also a typical Type A person who does extensive research ahead of every trip so I can see as much as possible – which also means I now know which tourist attractions and things to do in Bath that are really worth the visit – and which ones you can remove from your itinerary.
• This guide was written by someone (me!) who has been living in the United Kingdom for over a decade, but who is orignally from Sweden. This means I have both an inside and outside perspective of travel destinations in the UK and can keep my opinions of my experiences balanced.

When to visit Bath

Compared to Scotland, the temperatures were lovely and it felt like Bath was at least two weeks ahead in its springtime weather. I would say that visiting at the beginning of May was the perfect time to visit the city. It didn’t feel overly busy but the weather was mild enough to go without a jacket and the surroundings were already green and lush. As a bonus the gorgeous wisteria was also blooming!

Bath is a wonderful destination throughout the year, with its elegant Georgian streets, historic attractions and cosy cafés offering something in every season. Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing with mild temperatures and fewer crowds, while summer brings the city’s liveliest atmosphere. Winter has its own charm too, especially during the festive season when Bath’s honey-coloured architecture looks particularly magical.

This is a city that really lends itself to slow travel. Appreciate the surroundings as you walk these historic streets. Take hours enjoying an afternoon tea or thermal bath and restore your wellbeing. Just like the romans did.

Peak season (June to August)

Summer is the busiest time to visit Bath, with warm weather making it perfect for exploring the city’s streets, gardens and riverside walks. Popular attractions such as the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey can get busy, while hotels tend to be at their most expensive. The city also hosts a variety of festivals and outdoor events throughout the summer, creating a lively atmosphere.

Shoulder season (March to May and September & October)

For many visitors, spring and early autumn are the best times to visit Bath. Temperatures are comfortable for walking around the compact city centre, and attractions are generally less crowded than during the summer months. The city’s parks and gardens burst into bloom in spring, while autumn brings beautiful golden colours to the surrounding countryside. You’ll often find better hotel availability and more reasonable prices during these months.

Low season (November to February)

Winter is Bath’s quietest season, making it an excellent time to enjoy the city’s museums, historic attractions and cosy pubs without the crowds. Hotel prices are often lower outside the festive period, although December is an exception as visitors flock to experience Bath’s Christmas atmosphere and seasonal events. While the weather is cooler, Bath’s historic architecture and welcoming cafés make it an enjoyable destination for a winter city break.

How to get here and get around

I flew in to Bristol Airport and got the bus into Bristol and then the train through as I way staying one night in Bristol first. The train only takes around 10 minutes so it’s a very quick and straightforward trip. I usually use Trainline for my train journeys in the UK and across Europe which worked really well for me here too. On the way back to the airport I got the direct bus to the airport from Bath’s bus station.

Bath is a very walkable city so getting around is not problem. Should you need it there are also buses running fairly frequently. The city sightseeing buses was my main form of transport during my time in the city.

• By train: Bath has a train station, making it easy to visit the city from a multitude of nearby cities and towns. It’s only 11 minutes from Bristol and just over an hour from London.
• By bus: A variety of destinations such as London has direct bus links to the city, although I would recommend looking at trains for any city to city journeys as it’s generally easier.
• By air: The nearest airport is Bristol Airport. There is a direct A4 bus through and a journey costs from £9.50 for an adult single.

Where to stay

This elegant city has a lovely variety of accommodation options, especially in old Georgian buildings that honour the rich history that the area is so known for. Live your best Bridgerton or Jane Austen life in any of these beautiful hotels!

• The Roseate Villa Bath – rooms from £180 per night and you can read my review of the hotel here
• Royal Crescent Hotel – rooms from £348 per night
• The Gainsborough Spa Hotel – rooms from £197 per night and you can read my spa review here
• Dukes Hotel – rooms from £136 per night
• The Bath Priory – rooms from £154 per night

♥ Read my full guide to the best hotels in Bath here

Where to eat & drink in Bath

This was the one thing on my list where I felt that I did not have enough time to properly explore. I had so many restaurants, cafés and wine bars written down in my notes app, but way too little time. However throughout my visit I really felt that this is one of those cities that I definitely want to return to. So whenever I come back I already have a long list of places to try – as well as my favourites which I have listed here below.

Solina

I really loved Solina. It’s located right near the Pulteney bridge and this charming pasta restaurant is such a chic spot for lunch or dinner along with a glass of wine. I tried the seafood tagliatelle and also ordered focaccia which was such a good choice as I could use the bread to soak up the rest of the sauce.

The Roseate Villa Bath

I enjoyed my dinner at The Roseate so much that I returned for lunch on my last day in the city. If they have the chicken pie on the menu it’s a strong recommendation from me! You can also order a glass of local English wine which I think really elevates your meal.

Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House

I’m going to be honest. I totally disregarded Sally Lunn’s Eating House as a tourist trap and wasn’t particularly interested in visiting. However on my last day in Bath I went in to see the free museum room downstairs and ended up buying one of their famous Sally Lunn’s Bath Buns to take home along with their cinnamon butter and some blackcurrant jam. And it was delicious. Now I’m a little sad I didn’t give it a proper try, but it’s been added to the top of my list of what I want to do on my next visit to Bath.

The Huntsman

The Huntsman is a classic British pub located behind the oldest facade in Bath. A great spot to enjoy pub classics like fish and chips or a roast if you’re visiting on a Sunday. If you want a quintessential British dessert try the Eton Mess. Or my husband’s all time favourite which is a Sticky Toffee Pudding. Also referred to in our home as an “STP”.

The Kitchen Garden Restaurant at The Pig near Bath

The Pig near Bath embraces all that the Somerset area has to offer. And this of course includes the local produce. The Somerset area is particularly well known for cheeses, cider and farm produce. This is particularly celebrated with their 25 mile menu where you can properly try a taste of the area. The menu even features the producers that the restaurant works with. The Pig near Bath also has a lovely menu for al fresco dining with wood fired pizzas directly from the garden oven. Or a tea time menu for those looking for a moment to relax with an afternoon tea. I would highly recommend visiting The Pig near Bath if you have the time as it’s a gorgeous spot with fantastic food!

Olive Tree Restaurant at The Queensberry Hotel

The Olive Tree is the only restaurant in Bath with a Michelin star. You’ll find it at The Queensberry Hotel where head chef Chris Cleghorn offers his Taste of the Season menus. The 7 course tasting menu costs from £185 per person and the chef’s selection lunch is from £55 per person. The hotel has quite a fun list of rules including “no indoors horseriding”, “Headstands, handstands, cartwheels and Arab springs are permitted in the bar only with the management’s written approval, and appropriate insurance documents” and also “please remove motorcycle helmets before attempting to drink”. The restaurant dress code is smart casual.

The Bath Townhouse – Coppa Club

I ate at dinner at The Coppa Club during my time in Bristol and was so glad to stumble upon it in Bath as well. It’s has a relaxed brasserie vibe and serves anything from breakfast and lunch bowls to dinner or Sunday roast. It is the kind of place where you can go for any occasion.

Corkage

This independent wine restaurant is a lovely spot both for a glass of wine but also lunch or dinner. The menu has a British bistro feel to it. And the focus is on local ingredients with dishes ranging from sardines or pigeon to sweetcorn fritters or cheeseboards. They also have a wine shop which is perfect for picking up a bottle or two to bring home.

The best things to see and do in Bath, England

There is so much to see and do in Bath – from the popular tourist attractions like the Roman Baths to just exploring the area on foot. I had a jam-packed itinerary for my visit so that I could report back to you with my thoughts and recommendations. And there are even some free attractions in Bath that I’ve included here.

Top 3 must not miss things to see in Bath

These are three classic sights that I would class as not to miss during your time in the city.

• Roman Baths: it is what the city is known for. So it would be a shame to visit the city and not learn more about the Roman Baths.
• Prior Park Gardens: a gorgeous garden with a lovely view toward the city centre and the famous palladian bridge.
• Pulteney Bridge: I found that the best viewpoint is in North Parade Gardens to see the water features as well as the bridge

Try a ‘Bath Bun’ from Sally Lunns

A so called ‘Bath Bun’ is a yeasted dough bun and there are many tales about its origins. But no matter where they came from, it’s a local delicacy which I found to be incredibly tasty. I bought two buns at Sally Lunns along with cinnamon butter and brought them back to enjoy with my husband. They were wonderfully soft and such a treat! At Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House you can order the Sally Lunns savoury buns off the menu. Or visit the shop downstairs to buy and take away. If you buy them in the shop you get them in a cute little box which keeps them fairly safe for going in your bag.

Visit one of the many museums

There certainly is a plethora of museums and art galleries in the city. I managed to visit 8 of them during my trip. The two that I would strongly recommend would be the No 1 Crescent and Jane Austen Centre. In particular if you enjoy the Georgian historic period and of course the works of Jane Austen.

The Roman Baths

The first thing you should know about the roman baths, is that you can’t bathe in them. To experience thermal baths in the city, you should visit The Gainsborough Hotel or the Thermae Spa. However, it is incredibly fascinating to walk through the experience at The Roman Baths as there is so much to see and learn. It’s not wonder that it is the most popular tourist attraction in Bath, with more than a million visitors every year! There is 2000 years worth of history to discover here and besides seeing the baths themselves there are also collections of remnants dating back to the pre-Roman and Roman Britain eras.

After visiting I could see why this is such a popular tourist attraction in Bath, as it really is quite rare to find a historic experience like this in England so it’s worth a spot on your list of things to do in the city.

Get your tickets for The Roman Baths here.

No 1 Royal Crescent

The No 1 Royal Crescent is another popular tourist attractions and it gives you the opportunity to see what Georgian life would’ve been like in these grand townhouses in Bath. The historic house has been decorated and furnished just as it might have been during the period 1776-1796 and as a visitor you walk through the entire building, from the social areas to the downstairs kitchen and servants areas. It really gives you the opportunity to see in person how big these houses are. And how they would’ve been divided back in the day. I particularly loved seeing the historic furniture and textiles in all the rooms. Which actually did give me some interior inspiration for my own home! At the end there is a lovely gift shop and I was very tempted to pick up quite a few souvenirs.

The Georgian era always seems quite entwined in peoples impression of England and I absolutely love this era – not just for its architecture, but fashion and etiquette as well and it’s an era that seems to have really defined Bath so that is why I class this museum as one of my top picks for things to do in the city.

If you like the Bridgerton tv series, you might also recognise the exterior of the building. It was used for the Featherington family home!

Bonus: The Georgian Gardens are located right around the corner from Bath’s No 1 Royal Crescent and are free to enter. This little townhouse garden has been recreated from an 1770 original garden. Although it’s not the grandest display, it’s a nice on to have seen. Especially if you are in the area anyways.

Jane Austen Centre

As someone who thinks about Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr Darcy on a weekly basis, there was no chance I was visiting Bath and not getting tickets for the Jane Austen centre. I find it so incredibly fascinating to learn more about what it would’ve been like for Jane to write her novels in a time that looked so different to today and also see how these novels mirror her own experiences with society and how they’ve grown to becoming so loved today. The Jane Austen Centre offers an experience where visitors get to learn more about Jane, her life and her novels. There is even a section where you can dress up in Georgian clothing and take your photos!

Upstairs there is also a tea room where you can come in for a cream tea or pastries.

I bought a Jane Austen book in the gift shop as I just loved the cover for Mansfield Park. What makes a better souvenir from Bath?

Book your tickets for the Jane Austen Centre here or book an afternoon tea in the Regency Tea Rooms.

Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein

Is this the scariest tourist attraction in Bath? I’m not going to lie, this museum gave me such chills. I was visiting on my own, and certain rooms are incredibly spooky to visit if you are wandering around by yourself. I won’t spoil it for you, but there is a particularly spooky crib in one of the corners. The museum tells the tale of Mary Shelley and her iconic character Frankenstein’s monster. She wrote the novel in Bath back in 1816 and the museum which is spread across multiple floors also showcases some of the adaptations of her work that has been produced throughout the years.

What I did like about this museum is that I could imagine that the fear I felt about going in to some of the rooms, is a similar feeling to how people would have felt when reading the novel, since it was such a gothic horror tale for its time. I could imagine that this would be a fun thing to do in Bath with friends or a partner, especially if you quite like the horror aspect of it as well as learning about one of England’s most well known authors. There is also a gift shop on the ground floor, which you can visit without doing the whole experience.

I also totally chickened out of going into the basement which has a warning sign on the door. The staff did tell me that if you do go into the basement you never know if you are in there on your own, or if something else is lurking in the dark with you…

Get your tickets for Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein here.

American Museum

Although the American Museum is located outside of the city centre, it is well worth a visit. The grounds and gardens are gorgeous and they have a lovely café. I recommend a lemonade and cookie to enjoy outdoors if the weather allows for it. The museum was created by an anglo-american partnership and opened in 1961 to the public. The ambition of the museum was to showcase decorative arts from America and dispel stereotypes of the culture. It is the only American Museum located outside of the United States.

The home to the museum is the beautiful 1820’s Claverton Manor. If I’m completely honest the house itself was the main reason I wanted to visit, as I have a soft spot for historical manors and country houses. Although I did really enjoy exploring the exhibition itself as well, especially since it’s not very common to see an American focused museum like this in Europe. The museum staff are very happy to talk you through the different rooms or to answer any questions. You definitely need a couple of hours set aside for a visit here and this ended up being one of my favourite tourist attractions in Bath. I got so many beautiful photos here and this is one I have already recommended to many of my friends.

Museum of East Asian Art

The Museum of East Asian Art is not noo far away from the Royal Crescent and Jane Austen Centre. This is the only museum in the UK which is solely dedicated to the arts and culture of East and South East Asia. The collections span over 7000 years and I particularly enjoyed seeing the items from contemporary artist Hannah Lim that had been inspired by historical objects.

Holburne Museum

The Holburne Museum is located in a gorgeous townhouse at the end of Great Pulteney Street. Bridgerton fans might recognise it as Lady Danbury’s grand residence. The Lady Danbury actress, Adjoa Andoh, has even voiced the audio tour for the museum. Inside you can admire the Georgian art collections as well as temporary exhibitions. There is also a café at the back of the building. Included in your ticket is access to the Schroder Gallery which takes inspiration from great treasury displays of the past as well as the seventeenth century gallery and the picture gallery on the second floor which showcases British artwork from the 18th century. The museum is named after William Holburne and he has an eclectic collection inside the museum of objects he collected throughout his lifetime. If you want to see traditional art, the Holburne is the best place for it.

Victoria Art Gallery

The Victoria Art Gallery is located right in the city centre by the Pulteney Bridge. The main exhibition is free to visit so it’s an easy stop to squeeze in to your itinerary if you want to see some art during your visit to Bath. Included in the collection is an original Tudor portrait of Henry VIII as well as works by Thomas Gainsborough, Grayson Perry and Gillian Ayres.

Bath Abbey

Visiting the Abbey certainly was on my list of things I wanted to do in Bath. But unfortunately I ran out of time and the queue outside was too long. So this is one I’ll have to save for my next trip. I walked past it many times on my way to other sights in the city. As it sits very centrally in the city next to the roman baths. The site upon which the abbey now sits on is believed to date back to 675AD. The building has been through different iterations from an Anglo-Saxon monastery to the current church building.

Entry is £9 for adults and can be purchase online or at the welcome desk. You can also get a combined ticket with a guided tour of the Tower for £18 per adult. On the tour you learn more about church as well as the surrounding city. For safety bags are not allowed to be brought on this tour and needs to be hanged on the provided hooks. Sensible footwear is a must. Do bear in mind that the abbey is a working church for the community so holds regular services when it is closed for visitors.

Enjoy a proper Afternoon Tea

During my time in in the city I enjoyed a fantastic menu at my hotel The Roseate Villa. It may not be any surprise that there are plenty of venues that offer afternoon teas across Bath as it is one of the best things to do when visiting, with it being such a classic city in England. You can also book in for tea at the traditional The Regency Tea Room at the Jane Austen Centre. Or at The Pump House by the Roman Baths.

♥ Read my full guide to the best afternoon tea in Bath here!

Relax like the romans in the renowned thermal waters

Although you can’t bathe in The Roman Baths, there are other options in the city where these historic thermal waters can be accessed.

First up you have The Gainsborough which is a luxury hotel in the city centre. It is also the only hotel in the UK with direct access to these thermal waters. You can read my full review of my experience at The Gainsborough Hotel & Spa here.

Secondly there is also the Thermae Spa. It is only for 16+ and a 2 hour ticket is £44 Monday through Friday and £49 over the weekend. Included in the ticket is complimentary use of robes and towels. As well as access to the open-air rooftop pool, Minerva baths and wellness suite. I would strongly recommend booking in advance. Personally I found the baths quite busy and more of a tourist attraction hot spot so enjoyed my relaxing time at The Gainsborough more. But could imagine it would be quieter first thing in the morning. So if I were to come back I would make sure to book a morning session.

See one of only four Palladian bridges in the world at Prior Park

I totally felt as if I was living in my own Jane Austen novel as I wandered around Prior Park. The Palladian bridge looks like its taken right out of a romance novel. If I would’ve had more time I would’ve loved just to sit in the grass and read a book in this peaceful corner of the city. Prior Park is an 18th century landscape garden which is under the care of The National Trust. If you are planning on visiting multiple sites in the National Trust portfolio you might be better off getting their Explorers Pass which includes entrance and parking for the duration of the pass.

Visiting Prior Park was another of my favourite things to do on my trip to Bath – that romanticised postcard look of England that is so common in films, seems to come to life here.

My recommendation is to get the bus up to the entrance and then make your way down the hill. Especially you get a lovely view from the top. It also saves you from having to walk all the way up the hill which is fairly steep. I went right at opening, which is at 10.00 and there were other people waiting at the gates. Even so, I did not experience the park as being particularly busy as it’s big enough to space out people rather quickly.

Buy a tea souvenir

Since afternoon tea is such a popular activity here, there are of course some really charming tea shops in the city that are worth a visit. For a more traditional tea shop check out Gillard’s of Bath. It was founded in the city back in 1888 and has several tea blends dedicated to its birthplace that make an excellent souvenir. As a contrast, the modern tea house Bird & Blend also have a shop in town. Here you can expect more quirky flavours and matcha blends. My favourite blends are Duvet Day and Vicky’s Sponge Cake!

Go for a tour with the City Sightseeing buses

Since I wanted to visit the American Museum and also Prior Park I found the city sightseeing buses particularly useful as their route go past both venues. The city centre tour was also the first thing I did as I arrived to the city. And it really helped me get my bearings which prepared me well for the rest of my time here.

This was my first time experiencing the sightseeing buses. And I actually really enjoyed it. Especially since I had the 48 hour ticket and it provided me with facts and history of the city. As well as a great way to get around when my feet got too tired. I have definitely been guilty of passing these sightseeing buses off as just a tourist attraction, but I loved sitting on the top floor in the open air and getting the know the Bath this way. There are two routes available and I’ve written more about them here below.

• City Tour: takes you to all the main sights within the city centre
• Skyline Tour: a tour that takes you outside the city centre. It goes past locations like Prior Park and a stop which is walking distance to the American Museum.

Book your ticket with the City Sightseeing Buses here

Explore the surrounding area at the charming villages of The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are at your door step when visiting this area. The little charming English villages you find here look like they are taken right out of a postcard. So why not combine your trip to the spa city with sightseeing around the area?

Book your tour here.

On the move to Bath: England’s charming spa city, known as Aquae Sulis to the romans

I would absolutely love to come back to Bath someday as this place really suited me. Next time it would be fantastic to see the area with a friend or my husband. As well as discover even more things than I managed during my short trip. It’s a location that could really suit so many people. From solo travellers like me, to couples or friends trips and families as well.

What is top of my list to see and do on my next trip to Bath?

Even though I managed to see and do quite a lot during my time in Bath, there were still things on my list that I did not have enough time for. So these go straight to the top of my list that I save in my notes for whenever I return to the area. Because I definitely want to return to Bath someday!

• Visit Iford Manor & Gardens just outside of the city
• Booking a lunch or dinner at Sally Lunn’s Eating House
• Enjoy a spa day at The Royal Crescent
• Go for a day trip to nearby villages in The Cotswolds

Need more inspiration for your trip to Bath – or it’s neighbouring city Bristol?

• Bath England Hotel Guide: Luxury Stays in a Historic Spa City
• The Gainsborough Bath Spa Review: Historic Thermal Waters & Five-Star Luxury in Bath
• The Roseate Villa Bath: A Boutique Hotel Full of English Charm
• Best Things to Do Bristol: Top Sights, Food & Hidden Gems
• A Guide to the Best Bristol Hotels: Boutique & Luxury Stays
• Bristol Lido Townhouse Review: A Hidden Retreat in the Heart of Bristol

Or perhaps you’re planning a trip across England?

• Things to do in Edinburgh: insider recommendations from a local
• What to do in Cambridge: what to see, eat and drink on your first visit
• The best luxury & boutique hotels in London: from charming character to elegant luxury
• The best places for afternoon tea in London: from classic British luxury to fantastic views and fusion flavours