7 Things to Do in the City of Bath

there is so much to do and see!

The Roman Baths are overlooked by Bath Abbey. Image: Roland’s Travels

The City of Bath is visited by over six million tourists each year. There is so much to see that many who come for a day trip will miss a lot of the beauty and history of this city.

Much of the centre of Bath was built by the Georgians, and the fine terraces and crescents give testimony to their taste in the finer things of life. The River Avon flows through Bath, and the rare sight of a bridge with shops on it is reminiscent of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. In Bath, this is Pulteney Bridge, which is much photographed from standing in Grand Parade.

What are the best 7 things to do in Bath with limited time?

What you choose will depend on your interests and available time. I would allow some time to wander around the centre of Bath, find the narrow side streets and enjoy the buildings. There are plenty of shops to distract you, so be careful! Cafes and restaurants abound to keep you fed and watered. For those of you who want to know more about the city’s past and its culture, the list below will be a good starting point. I will add more places in future posts.

1. The Roman Baths Museum

There are many museums in Bath, and probably the ‘must visit’ is The Roman Bath Museum. This takes you back to the very early days of the city when the Romans lived here. The baths have been excavated, and the museum tells the story very well, do allow a couple of hours if you want to get the most from it, and longer if you wish. I advise that you book your ticket in advance online. Where the attractions have online booking, I recommend taking advantage of this. I have written about the Roman Baths,; you can read the article here.

2. Bath Abbey

A few steps from The Roman Baths is Bath Abbey. See if you can spot Jacob’s Ladder at the front of the Abbey. There is no charge to visit; donations can be made. Remember that when events or church services are on, you won’t be able to look around as a tourist. The Bath Abbey website provides details.

3. The World Heritage Centre

The World Heritage Centre is at 10 York Street, close to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. Here you can learn more about Bath and how to get more from your visit. The app they produce is available from your app store and will guide you around the city, and it includes a GPS map.

4. Victoria Art Gallery

Across the road from Pulteney Bridge on the corner of Bridge Street and Grand Parade lies the Victoria Art Gallery. The displays are on two floors. The permanent collection occupies two rooms on the first floor, whilst the ground floor contains two temporary exhibition spaces.

5. Holbourne Museum

At the heart of the Holburne Museum is the collection of Sir William Holburne (1793-1874), the fifth baronet of Menstrie. The collection has been added to, and there are events throughout the year.

6. The Royal Crescent and No.1

Bath is often used as a film location, and the Royal Crescent has been the backdrop in many films. It is not the only crescent, as there are seven in total. The Georgians loved the crescent layout for their terraced properties. Number 1 Royal Crescent is a museum where you can see what life was like in the eighteenth century. It is furnished as it would have been from 1776 to 1796 and is brought to life through film and sound.

7. Bath Thermae Spa

If you want to experience why the Romans and later the Georgians loved Bath, take a hot Bath in the spa waters. Bath Thermae Spa allows you to soak and relax in natural hot mineral waters. You will undoubtedly feel your stress level disappear, leaving you fully refreshed.

There is so much to do in this city. As mentioned at the beginning, I will add more places to see in a future post. Please ensure you are a subscriber, and you will receive new posts in your inbox or the Substack app.