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“Once a year go some place you’ve never been before” Dalai Lama
Combining vibrant contemporary culture with rich history and heritage, Bath is the largest city in the county of Somerset, England, known for and named after its Roman-built bath.
Whether you’re exploring the charming cobbled streets, visiting historic sites or feel like a Roman for the day as you admire the iconic architecture, Bath could be the closest thing to time-travel you can get!
THINGS TO DO
The Roman Baths
One of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world the Roman Baths date back as far as 60 AD when the original temple was constructed and the natural hot springs were channeled inside.
It’s an amazing feeling standing on the same ancient pavements as the Romans did 2,000 years ago.
The Roman Baths include the Great Baths, the remains of the Temple to Sulis Minerva, the hypocaust (underfloor heating) systems, and more hot and cold baths.
The museum collection, located next to the bathing complex, includes a gilt bronze head of the Goddess Sulis Minerva, and other Roman artefacts.
I was particularly memerised by live actors playing out the lives of merchants and stonemasons, as well as integrated (modern) hologram screens showing bathers going about their business. What a great idea to transport you back to Roman times and the lives of the Aquae Sulis people.
Insider’s tip: Set aside two hours for the visit. This is one of Britain’s most popular historical attractions, so go early or late to avoid the queues.
Pick up an audio guide and listen to fascinating commentary as you slowly make your way around the site
Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey is the city’s heart, tracing its roots back to the year 757. The current Bath Abbey was constructed in 1500. Inside, you’ll find richly colored stained glass, fan vaulting on the ceilings, and hundreds of wall memorials and floor stones.
Visiting the Abbey is free.
Pulteney Bridge
An impressive example of the Georgian architecture including elements like pilasters, pediments and tiny, leaded domes at both ends.
It’s one of only four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span on both sides. Pulteney Bridge was designed in 1769 by Robert Adam and funded by landowner William Pulteney as part of an effort to create a “new town” including land across the river.
Insider’s tip: best viewed from the Parade Gardens and the crescent weir. Get yourself on one of the boats to experience the bridge from a different angle. This is also as close as you can get to the crescent weir.
Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is one of the most famous streets in England and one of Bath’s most famous landmarks.
This impressive landmark is arranged around a perfect lawn overlooking Royal Victoria Park and forms a crescent of 30 Grade 1 Listed uniform Georgian townhouses. It was designed by John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1775. It looks very much like it did when it were constructed 250 years ago.
Today, The Royal Crescent is home to the five-star Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a museum of Georgian life at No. 1 Royal Crescent, and private housing.
The museum is decorated and furnished just as it might have been during the period 1776-1796.
Insider’s tip: Get another view of the crescent and its gardens by booking an afternoon tea at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.
The Circus
The Circus, originally called the King’s Circus, is a historic ring of large townhouses forming a circle with three entrances and is a preeminent example of Georgian architecture.
Designed by architect John Wood, the Elder, who died less than three months after the first stone was laid and so his son, John Wood, the Younger, completed the design in 1768
Insider’s tip: Take an amazing video/images from the city tour bus.
Great Pulteney Street
A grand design by Thomas Baldwin, finished in 1789. 1,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, Great Pulteney Street is the widest, grandest thoroughfare in Bath.
It has been used in films and television, most recently in Vanity Fair (2004), Bollywood movie Cheeni Kum (2006) and The Duchess (2007).
The Jane Austen Centre
Bath’s most famous resident was the novelist Jane Austen. Austen didn’t write much during her time here however, Bath did provide deep inspiration for elements that would later be included in her two most famous works: Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. At the Jane Austen Center, you can experience a bit of Austen’s life in Bath.
River Avon cruises
It’s definitely a great way to get a unique perspective of this World Heritage city.
The city offers a variety of trips, some combined with walking tours of central Bath and will give you an overview of the city’s rich history and attractions without the boring bits.
This tour is ideal for those who are looking for an informed, leisurely overview of the city.
Browse cruises here.
See Bath from Another Angle
Take a stroll on the Bath Skyline Walk. Just a short distance from the city centre, this six-mile route takes you through lush meadows, secluded valleys and ancient woodlands.
City Tour Buses – Hop-On Hop-Off Bath
This is a great way to get to visit many of the most prominent attractions in a relatively short time period.
The tour offers two routes, the city tour as well as the countryside tour, and you only need to purchase 1 ticket for both. The City Route takes you to 17 historic urban spots. The Skyline Route is a dream tour across 21 of the most charming countryside stops.
We did both and these are some of the snapshots from the bus.
WHERE TO WINE & DINE
The Ivy Bath Brasserie
The Ivy restaurants are one of my favourites and I’m always on a look out for one in every city I visit.
The inimitable service, vibrant surroundings and the extensive menu are part of the memorable experience.
Insider’s tip: You must try the roasted scallops with crispy potato rösti, pea purée, Parmesan sauce and grated truffle – heaven in the mouth.
Sotto Sotto
Awarded Best Italian Restaurant in Bath at the Bath Good Food Awards.
The service is a bit rustic, but the cuisine is simple and incredibly delicious since the main focus of the restaurant is the quality of ingredients.
Insider’s tip: Sotto Sotto is a very small restaurant and advance booking is strongly recommended.
I absolutely adore visiting Bath, it’s one of my favourite cities to visit in the UK! You’ve shared some wonderful tips in this travel guide; it’s made me want to return there ASAP! Have a lovely weekend 🙂
aglassofice.com x
Author
Thank you Gabrielle! I hope to go back this year. I really enjoyed the trip but I need more than a couple of days to see everything Bath has to offer 😚
Bath is such a beautiful place to visit! I love the architecture
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Author
Thank you Julia! 💋
It looks like there is a lot to do there.
I absolutely love the architecture.
Thanks for sharing with us all theses beautiful pictures.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Such a beautiful place! You look gorgeous!
xo, Jane
http://www.fitfabfunmom.com
Thanks for sharing this!
I’ve been dreaming of visiting Bath (and accidentally meeting Manolo Blahnik) for so long!
It’s definitely first on my list for my next trip to UK,
have a great week,
S
Looove the pictures!! Really making me miss travelling!!
xx
Moritz | https://www.bymoritz.com/
Looks like you had an amazing time! Beautiful pics!
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
I have heard about Bath before. So awesome that there are so many things to be seen there.
Have a great day Maria!
http://www.fashionradi.com
These photos are beautiful and you look amazing! Bath is such a good place to visit in the UK and it’s not abroad
Laila
http://www.lailanblog.blogspot.co.uk
Author
Thank you Laila 💋
Pretty place, amazing photos ❤
Author
thank you Kinga xx
Bath looks like a beautiful place to visit! I also love your bag! It’s so cute for summer!
Eileen | yesmissy.com
Author
Thank you Eileen xx
Oh, Bath! I used to live there, so this post brings back so many memories. I love the Roman Baths and the whole pedestrian area around it. You should go back at Christmas time to see the amazing Christmas market! x
Julia x
http://www.julia-speaks.com
Author
Thank you Julia for the tip. I would love to go back to Bath and Christmas time sounds perfect! xx
Such a beautiful place and your outfits are so gorgeous!
Author
Thank you beautiful xx
What amazing places to visit! The restaurants sound wonderful!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Author
Thank you Lovely. The Ivy is wonderful, I do recommend. The food is superb! xx
This looks like an amazing time!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
Author
We really had! Bath is very beautiful with so much history to learn xx
It looks lovely there!!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
Author
😘
Looks like a nice place to visit, so much to see! And that peach mini dress is lovely on you 🙂
Hope you had a great weekend 🙂
Author
Thank you Mica 😘
I have been to this place It is so beautiful and the history is amazing like everywhere in the UK. love your outfits and I ate the most delicious fudge there too Love it Cris
http://www.photosbycris.com.au/?p=14691
Author
I couldn’t agree more! It felt like just a weekend is not enough to see everything as there is so much history wherever you look. Xx