Bath is an incredibly historic and beautiful city in the United Kingdom. It is located roughly 4 hours from Sheffield and about 2 hours and 40 minutes from London (by car). Bath is a World Heritage City. It doesn’t just have World Heritage buildings, the WHOLE CITY has been given this title. If you are headed to the UK and wondering, is Bath worth visiting? The answer is 100% yes.
It is the largest city in the county of Somerset and is a city made for relaxation and the overall improvement of your well-being. It is full of picturesque views and a lively city centre.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for the Baths themselves.
The Roman Baths
Both the ancient Roman Baths and the modern Thermae Bath Spa are essential stops in Bath. They are two of the biggest reasons why Bath is worth visiting.
The Roman Baths have over 2,000 years of history. The original temple was constructed on the same site between 60 and 70 AD. Originally designed for public bathing, the Romans used the natural springs in Bath as the water source.
The baths have been modified and preserved many times. There is so much to see. There is even a museum that holds artifacts from the Roman period. It is easy to spend hours wandering through the museum and learning about the history of this magnificent structure.
One tip: on the day we went the baths were being emptied and cleaned (they do this about 4 times a year). Make sure you check and see if they’re doing this during your stay in Bath and plan accordingly. It would have been incredible to see the baths full.
The baths are open for visitors every day of the year except for Christmas and Boxing Day. They are normally open 9 am – 6 pm (last entrance being 5 pm) but check their website before you go. Tickets are £25.50 per adult on the weekends and £23.00 on a weekday. There are, of course, concessions for students, seniors, children, and families.
The Thermae Bath Spa
The Thermae Bath Spa is the only natural thermal hot spring in Britain that you can bathe in. What a relaxing experience. If you like the spa, you HAVE to go here. There are so many different options and things to do while you’re there. From spa treatments like massages to steam rooms, it has everything you could want on a day of relaxation and luxury.
We booked the Thermae Welcome package. It gives you 2 hours of access to the open-air rooftop pool, the Minerva bath, and the Wellness Suit (which has multiple different steam rooms and an ice chamber). Monday to Friday the price is £38 per person and on the weekends it increases to £43 per person.
You have to phone in your reservation and they do take payment upfront. I would recommend booking in advance of your visit. Even though they do take walk-in appointments but it is incredibly popular and you don’t want to be turned away if they are full. They are open 9 am – 8 pm every day except for Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
The Abbey
If you’re into churches, cathedrals or abbeys, Bath Abbey HAS to make your bucket list. Is Bath worth visiting you ask? I’d say that Bath is worth visiting just for the Abbey and the baths.
The Abbey was founded in the 7th Century. It is a great example of perpendicular gothic architecture. Bath is worth visiting simply for the history at The Abbey.
You can sit and listen to an organ recital while you’re there. The lunchtime organ recital series takes place every Tuesday between May and October. It is free, and quite possibly may be one of the coolest things I’ve ever witnessed. If you have a music appreciation, specifically the organ, you need to schedule your trip to the Abbey around the recital.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for all of the historic things to see.
Royal Crescent & Royal Crescent No. 1
The Royal Crescent is one of the best examples of Georgian architecture found in the UK. It is a row of 30 terraced houses that sit on top of Royal Victoria Park in Bath. It is nearly 250 years old and is a high-end housing facility.
You can tour through Royal Crescent No. 1. It is set up in the Georgian style of the 18th Century and has an interactive tour that takes you through a day in the life of a fictional family that could have lived there. We walked up and purchased our tickets on-site, at £11.00 per person. If you love the style of the 18th century you should put this on your list. You’re paired up in a group with others and tour through the house together.
If you like the Netflix series Bridgerton, Royal Crescent No 1. Is the filming site for The Featherington’s house! (Self-guided tour of Bath, Bridgerton style, coming soon).
The Circus
We will touch on The Circus restaurant later, but what about the famous landmark? Add it to your list! I mean you’re already going to be there for dinner once you read about it!
If you’re into architecture or appreciate it anyway, it is an exquisite landmark that was built by the same architect as the Royal Crescent. There are 33 homes within The Circus formed into these perfectly curved buildings. It is another example of Georgian architecture that you cannot miss! A little bit of information for you; it is named The Circus as the name comes from the Latin word Circus, meaning rings, oval or circle!
Pultney Bridge
I could have sat and enjoyed the view of Pultney Bridge for hours. Another great reason why Bath is worth visiting. The Pulteney Bridge hovers over the River Avon. It took 20 years to build and was completed in 1774. The thing that sets this bridge apart is it’s fully lined with shops! Oh, and it’s a Grade I listed building… no big deal.
It looks onto the Pulteney weir and the Parade Gardens (also worth checking out). Birds are flying and chirping everywhere, beautiful water designs in the River, stunning green trees, and just the hustle and bustle of a little English village. A perfect way to spend a morning with a coffee, or an afternoon!
Abbey Green (The Giant Plane Tree)
Abbey Green is like a little miniature Bath, inside of Bath! It has a cute community feel and is just minutes from Bath Abbey. There are many tiny shops for food and fashion filling this area and it also hosts some markets, specifically around Christmas.
The tree in the centre of Abbey Green is over 220 years old, it was planted in 1793! It’s right in the middle of a cute little Georgian square not far from Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. It’s known as the Hanging Tree and has a dark reason as to why, but we will just crest right over that and let you readers know that Abbey Green is also the birthplace of Frankenstein! The author, Mary Shelley wrote almost all of the story inside one of the buildings in Abbey Green!
Allow yourself just to wander through Abbey Green and explore the small shops and local products. It is a great way to spend an afternoon in Bath.
The Abbey deli is also in Abbey Green. This is the filming location of the Modiste’s in Bridgerton.
Bath Guildhall
There has been trading at the Bath Guildhall for the past 800 years. That should be enough for you to want to see the building and the market inside. There are approximately 20 stall holders currently in the Guildhall and sell a range of goods from leather items to teas, beers, and treats.
The Guildhall building is also used to host royal visits and holds the council chamber for Bath and North East Somerset Council and the register’s office for the Bath and North East Somerset.
You can also get a nice and cheap English breakfast at the cafe inside the Guildhall. Check it out!
National Trust – Bath Assembly Rooms
The Bath Assembly Rooms are located smack dab in the middle of the city centre. It is a Grade I listed building, designed in 1769 by you guessed it, John Wood, the Younger! It was completed in 1771 and was the meeting site for balls, concerts, and gambling events. You can now take a tour through the assembly rooms as a member of the public but back in the day was frequently visited by the likes of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
The Bath Assembly Rooms are open to visitors most days but are closed from time to time for private functions. Make sure you check the website before you go if they are open. Entry is free! There is a fee to enter the Fashion Museum inside but it is only £10 per person.
The Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens covers approximately 9 acres of land in Bath. It is in the northwest corner of Royal Victoria Park, so you can also see The Royal Crescent. If it is a beautiful day, make a point to venture through the gardens.
There are so many trees, shrubs, flowers, and open green spaces to explore. There is even a replica of a Roman Temple (Temple of Minerva) and several calming water features.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for the food and drink scene.
The Hideout
This trendy and hip cocktail bar is a two-minute walk from the Roman Baths right in the City Centre. As you walk down the Parade Passage road, The Hideout is tucked down some stairs in a little “hideout”. There is a sign out front that states it is the 35th best cocktail bar in the UK which is a hilariously amazing statistic.
So, what sets this whisky cocktail bar apart? All of their drinks are themed. When we were there it was a British bangers Hip-Hop Hits cocktail theme. Cool right? Now, they have just launched a Notorious menu that is inspired by “shady people from the past – from criminal masterminds to outlaw gangs and con artists”. They are so creative and the drinks are delicious. Cocktails range from £7.50 – £15.00 (with most of them being in the £10-£11 range) and are worth the price.
They have over 200 types of whisky and a couple of great wines on their menu as well. They also serve some small snacks if you’re hungry and want a bit of a lounge. We started inside but moved outside after a short while and got chatting with some locals (so you know it’s great if locals drink there). Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for The Hideout. When you go, ask for a Crab Smasher and tell them The Bourques Abroad sent you!
Wild Cafe
“We’re wild about simple food made with quality ingredients” is their opening statement on their website. Which, is perfectly suited if you ask me. Tucked away on a little cobblestone street you’ve got a great coffee, brunch and lunch spot in Bath. It is only a 4-minute walk from the Roman Baths so centrally located in the city.
They don’t take reservations but be patient and wait, it’s worth it! We got a table by the window and quite enjoyed sitting next to each other tucked in a little corner. It’s quite a cozy place. We started with a cappuccino (of course) and a fresh glass of orange juice. I had the Bubble and Squeak (mask, leek, cabbage, poached egg, hollandaise sauce and bacon) and Trevor had the Eggs Benedict. We left satisfied and ready to take on the beautiful city of Bath. The staff were extremely friendly as well.
Wild Cafe also runs on 100% renewable electricity and they recycle, reuse and shop second-hand as much as possible to help the environment. They even have some plans to serve the first zero carbon eggs, Benedict, in the near future!
Ps. Make sure you check out the washrooms on your way out, there are some pretty neat comics on the walls. I know it’s weird that I’ve got a thing for bathrooms, but believe me. Just go and have a look. Wash your hands while you’re at it!
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for Wild Cafe.
The Circus
The Circus has some pretty impressive ratings. It is rated #4 in the Top 20 UK restaurants that foodies love in The Times magazine and the reviews on Tripadvisor place this restaurant in the top 1% of the world. In addition, it has also been rated a Michelin restaurant in the past but doesn’t currently hold that rating. It is a modern European restaurant that makes you feel like you are eating a 5 Star meal in the comfort of your home. The outside is misleading, so enjoy the surprise when you enter the front doors. It is such a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere with intricate and well-thought-out meals.
The menu is seasonal. It’s always changing which adds to the excitement if you’re in Bath often. They also do their best to only use locally sourced ingredients…. Amazing. They have a great wine menu, so start there. Share a bottle, live a little. We both had the flat iron steak and it was melt-in-your-mouth wonderful. It came with chimichurri sauce, roasted shallots, watercress and chunky chips. Well worth the money.
Lastly, you do have to make reservations, so keep that in mind, you can do it online on their website or give them a call. There is a £10 per person deposit that is required. The Circus is also in the same neighbourhood as the historic ring of large townhouses also called ‘The Circus’. People do live there, so be respectful, but make sure you snap a photo or two of these iconic buildings before you leave.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, to eat at The Circus.
Opium Bar
Known as Bath’s “best-known secret” if you like cocktail bars, this is the place for you. This is quite possibly one of the coolest cocktail bars that we’ve ever been to. Opium is a bespoke designed bar that is underneath Spring Gardens Road, right by Pulteney Bridge. It is so neat because it feels like you are searching for and finding a secret place!
Because it is under a bridge, the bar is kind of sectioned off into three parts (there is also a secret room you can book for parties!). Each section has its theme and mood. The aesthetic screams chill and relaxation. What a vibe. Pair that with a delicious cocktail, sign me up… sign you up! It wasn’t that busy when we went, as it was earlier and a weeknight, but I can’t imagine how amazing it would be there when the place was full.
We sat at the back, on cushions on the floor. I fully “lounged” out. On our way out we got chatting with the bartenders, as we normally do, and they couldn’t talk enough about how much they loved living in Bath. It is always great to hear that in a city you’re visiting.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for the Opium Bar.
Landrace Bakery
Remember when you were reading about The Hideout and I said that we had met some locals there? Well, they both worked at Landrace Bakery. We sat with them for an hour or so and talked about what it was like to live in Bath, where they like going and what they like doing. How COVID affected them, etc. We do like getting locals’ opinions because we don’t always want to just do touristy things. Well, of course, they suggested that we come and check out Landrace Bakery. So the next morning, off we went for a coffee and a sweet treat.
Landrace is known for specializing in sourdough bread from stoneground UK grains. They also locally source their ingredients. It smells delicious as you enter through the front door.
They have their local shop on the main floor and their bakery, and upstairs is a little cafe/restaurant. They have everything from Country Loaf to Cinnamon Buns, and let me tell you… the cinnamon buns are to die for. Trevor also said that the sourdough bread was the best bread he has ever had…
Additionally, Landrace is less than a 10-minute walk from the city centre and a stop you should be making. They also have an online shop and do local deliveries!
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for Landrace Bakery.
Here are a couple more things that make Bath worth visiting
Sally Lunn’s Bunns
This one almost didn’t make the list but the history is too good to pass it up. When we were doing our research about going to Bath we kept coming across Sally Lunn’s Bunns and that you had to go. It was the original Bath Bunn, the best Bunn, and had a great story behind it! So off we went. Along the way, we met some locals that didn’t share the same appreciation for Sally Lunn’s Bunns and said that the story might be false and just a myth. We went anyways to check it out as it is listed as the oldest teashop in Bath.
The idea behind Sally Lunn’s Burns couldn’t be more adorable, and for that, it was worth the stop. You can head over to their website to read it yourself, do the research and come to your conclusions but know this… it is a lovely place for an afternoon tea. The bun was good, but not mind-blowing, it’s the experience that you’re paying for and the story behind it. The basement of the building that Sally Lunn’s Bunns is in also dates back to 1137, and the stone oven down there is also from the same time, so ridiculously old!
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for Sally Lunn’s Bunns.
The Cosy Club
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in the Southgate shopping centre, we would suggest the Cosy Club. It is a British restaurant that serves tapas and a full menu in a kitsch Victorian setting. It’s cute and quirky and the food was delicious. There is also a whole menu of gluten and dairy-free options. I had the Harissa Lamb Shoulder and Trevor had the House Beef Burger.
The staff were very welcoming and attentive and the view of the shopping centre below (we ate out on the balcony) was picturesque. It was a great meal and we were happy we stopped there.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for the Cosy Club.
The Botanist
Another option for dinner is the Botanist. There are a couple of other locations throughout the UK but don’t pass it by because it’s a chain. The Bath location has an amazing venue, called the Octagon. Drinks are downstairs and food is upstairs on an octagonal-shaped platform overlooking the bar. They’re allergen friendly and have many options for vegan, gluten-free, etc.
The waiter we had was the sweetest little boy. I say that because he was 19… He was so genuinely excited to be serving us and wanted to stay and chat while we ate. He made sure our meal and experience at the Botanist was one we would remember, and he did!
Try the famous hanging kebabs. You won’t be sorry you did.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for the Botanist.
Barlett Street Antiques Center
If you like antiques, stop at Barlett Street Antique centre. We spent over an hour wandering through the stalls and looking at all of the vintage pieces and different showcases. They are open Monday through Saturday 10 am – 4 pm.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for the Barlett Street Antique Centre.
The Holburne Museum
Formerly the Sydney Hotel, the Holburne House is a must-see. It is located in the Sydney Pleasure Gardens. It is also a Grade I listed building and houses the city’s public art gallery. This museum has a café and bookshop in the back and hosts a permanent collection of art as well as different temporary exhibits, workshops, events, and music performances.
The museum sits at the end of Great Pulteney Street and is a lovely walk from the Bridge.
Is Bath worth visiting? Yes, for the Holburn Museum.
Jane Austen Centre
If you’ve read any of Jane Austen’s books and enjoyed them, then you’ll be happy to know that there is a Jane Austen museum in Bath. Although it is said that she was the least productive as a writer during her time living in Bath, she still lived there! Some say it’s because she didn’t like Bath, and some say it was because her social life was so busy in Bath she didn’t have time to write. Who knows!
The Jane Austen Center gives you a little taste of life during the Regency period and perhaps what affected her writing. There is also a Tea Room and a shop in the Centre. Tickets are £12.50 and it is open Sunday to Friday 10 am – 5 pm, and Saturday 10 am – 5:30 pm.
So, is Bath worth visiting?
We think so! And we think you should think so too!
If you’re planning a trip to Bath soon, we hope this blog was helpful. Reach out if you have any other questions, we’d love to help you make the most out of your time!
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