After working our way from Edinburgh through York and Stratford, my work trip took me to Bath. After receiving some great recommendations from a friend who once lived in this charming city, I wanted to dedicate an entire post to the perfect day in Bath, England.
Roman Baths
You can’t visit Bath without exploring the historic Roman Baths. This would be my first recommended stop of the day. It is one of the best preserved ancient spas in the world, so entering its doors transports you back in time. It costs 18 pounds for an adult ticket at the door, but you can actually save by booking online in advance. (This also eliminates any wasted time you’d spend waiting in line). For more information about opening times and ticket prices, check out this link: Roman Baths.
If you’re brave enough, you can even try a sip of the thermal water (don’t worry, it’s purified)! To me, it sort of tasted like drinking out of a hose on a hot summer day when you were a kid. The Roman Baths are one of the most visited world heritage sites in the UK, which is why it should be your first stop of the day!
Afternoon Tea
If drinking bath water isn’t your thing, the Pump House is a restaurant attached to the Roman Baths which hosts a lovely afternoon tea! I would recommend skipping lunch and indulging yourself at this grand venue. (They start serving as early as noon!) We did the Traditional Afternoon tea which costs 27 euros per person. You can view their menu online here, as well as make reservations on their website here.
Bath Abbey
After you’ve filled your belly with sweet and savory treats at tea, pop next door to visit Bath Abbey. They ask for a donation to enter, so it’s an inexpensive sight to see while you’re in this downtown area.
Jane Austen Centre
About 7 minutes from Bath Abbey, you can walk to the Jane Austen Centre. It’s a small museum chronicling the life of Austen and her time spent in Bath, England. It costs only 10.80 pounds to go inside, but you save money if you book your ticket online in advance here. (The great news is that you don’t have to select a time to visit the museum – so if tea goes a little bit longer than you expected, your ticket allows you to be flexible).
No. 1 Royal Crescent
Another 6 minutes up the road walking from the Jane Austen center, you can find No. 1 Royal Crescent. If you don’t have time to go inside, the building itself is an architectural site worth seeing thanks to its curve. No 1. Royal Crescent is a museum dedicated to showing what life was like between 1776-1796. It’s furnished like a typical home would be during that time period. It costs 12 pounds to go inside. For more information about tickets and opening hours, check out the link here.
The Canary Gin Bar
After a long day in Bath, I recommend walking over (about 10 minutes) to The Canary Gin Bar. It’s got a very relaxed atmosphere and you can find some unique and tasty cocktails to try.
Overall, Bath surprised me! It’s a charming city that’s very walkable. It offers a lot of things to do and see, so if you’re able to, I would recommend spending the night to extend your time. I hope you enjoyed this perfect day in Bath, England.
Cheers, Amanda