Bath Travel Guide (with Practical Tips, Itinerary + Map) (2024)

Our Bath Travel Guide includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for one of the most beautiful of England’s cities. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Bath!

Plan your trip to Bath

The beautiful city of Bath England is located on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South West of England is a popular destination for visitors from all over the world.

The city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is famous for its beautiful Georgian architecture, literary connections and ancient Roman legacy.

Perfect for a weekend stay Bath can also be visited easily by train from London making it a popular day trip from London.

If Bath is somewhere you wish to visit in the UK this article contains everything you need to plan your trip including things to do in Bath, places to visit in Bath, where to stay, where to eat and top tips to help you make the most of your time in this compact but stunning English city.

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Map of Bath

🏨 Book your accommodation – Booking.com or VRBO

🎟 Book group tours & tickets in Bath – Get Your Guide or Viator

⭐️ Book a private tour of Bath – Bath Insider Tours

🚗 Car Hire – Discover Car Hire

📖 UK Travel Itinerary Planners Ebook – Buy here

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Attractions and things to do in Bath

There are lots of things to do and see in Bath – enough to keep you busy for a couple of days. If you can we recommend staying for at least one night and giving yourself some time to really explore this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city.

🏨 Accommodation in Bath

Bath is a wonderful destination where you can spend a couple of days really exploring the city. There is a wide range of accommodation options available in Bath to suit a variety of travel styles and budgets.

If you are driving, we recommend booking accommodation with parking provided.

🥇 Top pick overall – Hotel Indigo Bath

Hotel Indigo Bath is a charming hotel located in a historic Georgian building, blending modern luxury with traditional elegance.

It’s ideally situated near Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, making it perfect for exploring the city’s iconic attractions.

The hotel offers beautifully designed rooms inspired by the area’s history and features an excellent on-site restaurant and bar. Hotel Indigo Bath is recommended for its attentive service and unique character, making it our top choice for a stay in the heart of Bath. Read our review of the Hotel Indigo Bath.

Other accommodation options include

• Best for couples – Grays Boutique B&B or the Black Fox Inn
• Best hotel for a relaxing break – Gainsborough Bath Spa
• Most budget-friendly hotel – Z Hotel Bath
• Need parking? – The Roseate Villa Bath & Grays Boutique B&B or The Kennard
• Best for groups – Hill House
• Pet-friendly Bath accommodation –Grosvenor Villa

🚗 How to get to Bath from London

Bath is within easy travel distance of London and if you are based in the capital there are a number of options to get to the city.

Read more – How to visit Bath from London

Option 1 – By car

Bath is located 115 miles to the west of London. Plan at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours to drive between the 2 cities (this will vary depending on traffic but this can be a busy route). Directions can be found here.

🚙 Considering a road trip around England? Not sure if you’re up to driving in the UK? We recommend using a Tripiamo guide to familiarise yourself with it before your journey. Previous UK Travel Planning users have said this has made them feel much more comfortable getting behind the wheel. Find out more in our guide to renting a car in the UK 🚗

Option 2: By train

• This is my preferred way to travel to Bath and is one of our favourite train journeys to take in the UK (London to Penzance with a stopover in Bath)

• Bath Spa train station is a short 10-minute walk from the centre of Bath.

• The trip only takes 90 minutes from London Paddington. Click here for train times and ticket prices to Bath from London.

Option 3: By bus

It is possible to take a bus from Victoria Coach Station to Bath. The journey takes 3 to 4 hours as there are stops along the way (Heathrow Airport)

This is the cheapest way to travel to Bath from London though so if you are on a budget this may be your best option.

Click here for coach times and prices from National Express.

Read more – Complete transportation guide to the UK

Option 4 – By tour (Best tours to Bath from London)

• Small group tour – The English Bus (use code UKTP5 for a 5% discount)
• Private tour – My Tailored Tour

Read more – 7 Best Day trips to Bath from London

Best day trips from Bath

For private tours from Bath, we recommend Daniel of Bath Insider Tours.

Whether you want to explore the city’s iconic landmarks, uncover hidden gems, or visit nearby attractions like Stonehenge and the Cotswolds, Daniel will provide personalised experiences tailored to your interests, ensuring an unforgettable visit to Bath.

Read more – Best day trips and tours from Bath

UK Travel Planning Itinerary Planners

Where to eat in Bath

There are many wonderful teahouses, cafes, gastropubs and restaurants in Bath. Don’t miss a visit to Sally Lunn’s tearooms to try one of the famous buns!

Pump Rooms

The tearooms in the Pump Rooms at the Roman Baths were the social heart of Bath for more than two centuries. Enjoy a meal or afternoon tea in the beautiful neo-classical salon.

Where – Roman Baths, Abbey Church Yard, Bath, BA1 1LZ

Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House

One of the oldest houses in Bath is also the location of the bakery, which serves one of the most famous local delicacies. The Sally Lunnbun is a brioche-type creation that you really must try when you are in Bath.

Where – 4 North Parade Passage, Bath, BA1 1NX

Tips for visiting Bath

• Bath is a fantastic destination in itself and a wonderful place to base yourself to explore the surrounding countryside too. If possible and time allows plan a few days in the city – you won’t regret it!

• Look out for the famous blue plaques on some of the houses which tell of the famous people who once lived there. There are over 100 in the city.

• Go to the Roman Baths early in the day as they are very popular. Avoid the weekend if possible. If you are visiting in the summer there are late-night openings available too.

• There are lots of festivals held in Bath throughout the year including the Bath Festival and the Children’s Literature Festival. Find out more on the Bath Festival website here.

• Visit the Thermae Bath Spa and enjoy bathing in the naturally warm waters in the rooftop pool (whatever the season!)

• If you enjoy books we recommend popping into Mr B’s Emporium. The staff are fantastically knowledgeable and the beautiful bookstore is filled with quirky furniture and a labyrinth of rooms to explore.

• Bath is a hilly city – make sure to wear comfortable shoes!