As they say over here.. Bath is like a mix of smaller London, cleaner Paris and colder Rome !!
Bath is one of those cities that's so beautiful on every corner, every side street, ever residential road. This city has Roman influence but an obvious British culture, but with the cafe culture and hidden side streets of Paris all at the same time. This makes it a really unique place as it's easy to forget where you are and be transported to another place and time.
The beautiful world heritage city of Bath is one of England’s top highlights. Walking around aimlessly is guaranteed to be a feast for your eyes. The architecture, the cute building facades, the independent shops... it'll all keep you entertained.
Get In
Bath is a great place for a quick getaway in UK. It's cheap and easy to get to, being just an hour-long bus ride (that runs frequently) directly from the Bristol airport to Bath's city center. From London, you should travel from London Paddington, trains run approx every 30 minutes, journey time about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Things To Do
Roman Baths
The old Roman Baths are an absolute must. I mean, you're in Bath for f**k's sake !! This is the single most touristy thing to do in Bath, but you've just got to do it.
You could spend hours learning the history of the Romans, taking photos of the scenic baths themselves, and browsing the museum. Although this is a very "touristy" attraction, it's definitely something unique to Bath that you can't miss. But, going in the morning right when it opens is the best way to avoid the crowds and make sure that you don't waste away your time in Bath waiting in line to get in.
Bath Abbey
While you're in the whole "tourist" state of mind, you may as well continue onto Bath Abbey. It's right next to the Roman baths towers over the city centre, so it's definitely a staple to the city of Bath. It's free to visit and opens around the same time as the Roman baths, so you can have a look after the baths...
Sally Lunn's Cafe
No day trip to Bath is complete without breakfast or lunch at the historic Sally Lunn’s cafe. One of the oldest houses in Bath – dating back to 1483 – this place oozes tradition and has been serving up the same iconic (and delicious) Bath Buns for over 300 hundred years!
Legend has it the recipe for these rich round buns was brought to Bath in 1680 by a Huguenot refugee from France. The buns are still made by hand, using the same original recipe, today – a recipe closely guarded and only passed on with the deeds of the house!
Choosing from a sweet or savoury Sally Lunn bun is the perfect way to start your day in Bath. Not only that, by dining here will also grant you free access to the museum room below.
Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides
One really cool thing about Bath is that the city offers free walking tours twice a day ( only once on Saturday). It starts at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm, lasting about 2 hours. The guides are friendly, know their stuff, are employed by the city, and do not expect any tips whatsoever.
This is a great way to learn about the history of Bath, and find out more about the city than you ever would walking around on your own. You'll pass must-see sites like the Royal Crescent, the Circus, etc. And make sure to pay special attention to the pub signage and the doorknobs of some residences.
River Avon
Walking along the river will guarantee you some amazing views of the city. On a nice day there's cyclists, joggers, couples walking, children playing...it's a great atmosphere. Across the river you'll see a sort of "skyline" of Bath, including the Abbey and surrounding architecture like Pulteney Bridge. With the birds flying and the steady, calm flow of the river, it's a peaceful and beautiful walk.
Bizarre Bath
Afterwards, head to the Huntsman Inn in the evening, where the Bizarre Bath Comedy Tour starts. Although this tour is neither free nor historical, it's really entertaining. It's a great evening activity for anyone visiting Bath, and especially for all solo travelers !! The walking tour tells stories of the city of Bath, but takes a more irreverent look and has a bit of fun along the way. The tour leaves at 8 pm every evening and lasts about 90 minutes.
Here you are treated to a very nice parody of a history guide who doesn't know the first thing about history. Having seen one or two guides bluffing their way through tours before, this would be especially amusing for everyone.
