It really isn’t difficult to see why Bath is regularly voted into the top 10 cities to visit in the UK. Bath is one of those UK cities I could return to again and again and still find something new to love. With its honey-coloured Georgian buildings, ancient Roman history and seriously good food scene, it’s perfect for a weekend break or a slower midweek escape.

Bath is a city I know well. I lived here while I was at uni and I’ve been back several times since, most recently for a really lovely trip with my mum. It’s the kind of place that always feels familiar but still manages to surprise you, which is why these are the places I genuinely think you shouldn’t miss.

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When Is the Best Time to Visit Bath?

I’ve visited Bath outside of peak summer and honestly, that’s when I think it really shines. Spring and early autumn are ideal if you want mild weather, quieter streets and space to enjoy the main sights without the crowds.

Winter is lovely too, especially around Christmas when the city feels cosy and festive, but if you’re planning to visit the Roman Baths or Thermae Spa, booking ahead is essential year-round.

How to Get to Bath

Bath is very easy to reach from London and works perfectly for a short city break.

• By train: Direct trains from London Paddington to Bath Spa take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
• By car: If you’re driving, it’s worth checking hotel parking options in advance as central Bath is compact and parking is limited.

Once you arrive, everything is walkable, which is one of the reasons I love visiting so much.

Things to do in Bath

Thermae Bath Spa

If there’s one thing I always recommend in Bath, it’s a visit to Thermae Bath Spa. It’s the only place in the UK where you can bathe in naturally warm, mineral-rich waters just like the Romans once did.

The rooftop pool is the highlight, especially towards sunset when you’re floating above the city’s rooftops. It’s such a relaxing contrast to a day of sightseeing.

→ Book your Bath tour here

The Roman Baths

This is the attraction Bath is most famous for and for good reason. Walking around the Roman Baths feels like stepping back thousands of years. The steaming green water, ancient stonework and museum displays really bring the city’s history to life. This is my favourite thing to do in the city, all the history is just fascinating.

If you want a deeper understanding of what you’re seeing, I recommend booking a guided visit.

This is the attraction Bath is most famous for and for good reason. Walking around the Roman Baths feels like stepping back thousands of years. The steaming green water, ancient stonework and museum displays really bring the city’s history to life.

If you want a deeper understanding of what you’re seeing, I recommend booking a guided visit.

→Roman Baths tickets

Bath Abbey

Bath Abbey is right in the heart of the city and impossible to miss. Inside, it feels calm and light, with beautiful stained glass windows and soaring ceilings.

I’d recommend popping in even if you’re not usually one for churches. If there’s music playing or a choir practising, it makes the visit even more special.

→ Book your Bath tour here

Royal Crescent

Another architectural icon in Bath, Royal Crescent has had more than its fair share of TV and film appearances having featured in a number of period films and television series over the years – most recently, it has been used for the filming of Bridgerton. It is well worth a visit, even if all you do is take some photos of yourself surrounded by this incredible building. However, No1 the Royal Crescent is home to a museum that allows visitors to immerse themselves in Georgian period surroundings. 

The inside of the property has been carefully curated to offer an authentic visiting experience and they offer a range of different tours, including Christmas themed ones. Its fascinating to wander around a property like this and imagine how people lived during the Georgian period, and if you are a fan of period dramas it really does bring them to life. 

→ Book your Bath tour here

Pulteney Bridge

As you might have gathered Bath is a dream location for anyone interested in history and architecture to visit, and the Pulteney Bridge is another must see. This is a horseshoe weir that incorporates a number of shops and is one of the most photographed view of Bath, alongside The Baths and Royal Crescent! Both boat and bus tours leave from locations just next to the bridge and it is home to a number of interesting shops and cafes. 

→ Book your Bath tour here

Where to eat in Bath

Robun Restaurant

A gem of a find, again in the centre of Bath, Robun is a Japanese inspired restaurant with some mouth-watering menus available. As well as their lunch menu and a-la carte offerings they also offer a unique Japanese take on afternoon tea that will delight any serious foodie looking for something a little different. This is certainly somewhere you should add to your list of places to visit. Everything is delicious and the presentation is truly unique making it a really special dining experience. I loved the food here.

Where to Stay in Bath

Bath has some brilliant places to stay right in the city, but there are also a few hotels just outside Bath that work beautifully if you want your trip to feel more like a retreat, while still being close enough to enjoy the city.

I’ve stayed in Bath in different ways over the years, from being based right in the centre to pairing a city visit with a slower spa escape. These are the hotels I’d genuinely recommend, depending on the kind of trip you’re planning.

The Queensberry Hotel

Best for staying walkable to the centre

The Queensberry is ideal if you want to stay close enough to explore Bath entirely on foot. It’s just behind the Royal Crescent and around a 10 minute walk into the main centre, so you’re perfectly placed without being right in the busiest part of the city.

It’s one of those hotels that feels special but still relaxed, and it’s great for a treat weekend or celebration. I also love how easy evenings feel here, especially with The Olive Tree restaurant on site.

→See rates and availability here

Watch my walkthrough of the hotel here:

No.15 by GuestHouse

Best for a stylish stay close to the centre

No.15 by GuestHouse sits on Great Pulteney Street, which is one of the most beautiful roads in Bath, and it’s about a 10 minute walk into the city centre. It’s a great choice if you want somewhere that feels design-led and welcoming, rather than formal.

I stayed here with my mum and it was perfect for that kind of trip. The rooms feel cosy and thoughtfully designed and it’s the sort of place where you actually look forward to coming back to the hotel at the end of the day.

One of the reasons I loved staying at No.15 by GuestHouse is the spa. It’s small, calm and feels very personal, which suits Bath perfectly. The spa offers a range of treatments and wellness experiences designed to help you properly slow down after exploring the city. A real highlight is The Copper Room, which is a private shared spa ritual where you soak together in a copper bath before your treatments. I did this with my mum and it felt like such a special, relaxing part of the trip and a really lovely way to experience Bath beyond the usual sightseeing.

If you are looking for somewhere that offers you all the amenities you want from your hotel, with a touch of uniqueness then this may very well be the place for you.

→ No.15 by GuestHouse booking

Lucknam Park

Best for a countryside retreat near Bath

Lucknam Park is a five-star country house hotel set in 500 acres of parkland, around 6 miles from Bath, which takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car. You would need a car to stay here comfortably, especially if you plan to visit Bath alongside enjoying the hotel.

It’s an ideal choice if you want your trip to feel like a proper escape while still being close enough to explore the city. The spa is award-winning and one of the main reasons people stay, and there are two on-site restaurants, including a fine dining option, so you don’t need to leave the estate in the evenings.

I’d recommend Lucknam Park if you’re celebrating something special or want to slow everything down and balance Bath sightseeing with countryside calm.

→ Lucknam Park booking

Book your car rental here

Bowood Hotel & Spa

Best for a spa-focused escape close to Bath

Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort is set on the Bowood Estate near Calne in Wiltshire, around 20 miles from Bath, which takes roughly 35 to 40 minutes by car. You would need a car to stay here, making it a good option if you’re planning a spa-led trip rather than being based in the city.

The spa is one of the main highlights and has received a five-bubble rating from The Good Spa Guide, which puts it among the UK’s top spa destinations. There are multiple on-site dining options, including a more formal restaurant and relaxed spaces, so it works well if you want everything in one place.

I’d recommend Bowood if you want a calm countryside stay with a strong spa focus, paired with a day trip or two into Bath.

→ Check rates and availability here

Book your car rental here

Is Bath Worth Visiting?

Bath is absolutely worth visiting, whether it’s your first time or you’re returning like I often do. It’s a city that’s easy to explore on foot, packed with history, and balanced perfectly with places to slow down and relax.

What I love most about Bath is how flexible it is as a destination. You can spend your time wandering historic streets, visiting the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey, or you can build your trip around spa experiences and great food. It also works really well as a short break, which makes it ideal if you’re travelling within the UK.

If you’re planning a Bath weekend itinerary, I’d recommend mixing sightseeing with at least one spa experience, whether that’s in the city itself or at one of the countryside hotels just outside Bath. That balance is what makes a trip here feel properly memorable.

→ Book your Bath walking tour here to explore the city’s Roman history, Georgian architecture and key landmarks

If you’re still deciding where to stay, think about the kind of trip you want. Staying in central Bath keeps everything walkable, while choosing a hotel just outside the city turns your visit into more of a retreat, with Bath close enough for day trips.

I’ll continue updating this guide as I revisit Bath and try new places, so it’s one worth saving if you’re planning a future trip.

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