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Bath is one of the best places for a weekend city break in the UK, alongside Edinburgh. If you’ve not visited Bath yet, then get it on your list! This small historic city is the perfect place to spend a weekend away. And whether you’re going away with friends or want a romantic retreat, there’s lots to see and do.
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How to spend a weekend break in Bath
There are so many great things to see and do in Bath. From the historic Roman baths and modern spas, to an array of shopping and dining options. There’s even some picturesque walks if you want to get some peace and quiet. Check out my top things to see and do in Bath to help you plan the perfect city break itinerary.
Visit the historic Roman Baths
The Roman baths are what Bath is most known for and a weekend break in Bath would not be complete without a visit to its most popular tourist attraction!
What started out as a small temple, built on the site between 60-70CE in the first few decades of Roman Britain, led to the development of the small Roman urban settlement known as Aquae Sulis. As the settlement was built on natural hot springs, many believed that the water had healing properties. As a result, the pools were a popular bathing and socialising spot for the Romans.
The baths have been painstakingly restored and are now a designated World Heritage Site. This is because they house the remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world. The natural hot water still rises through the springs on the site, but unfortunately, the pools have been out of action for bathers for many years now!
The Roman Baths are one of the best things to do in Bath, so it is advised to pre-book your tickets in advance. You can also purchase combined tickets that include a walking tour of the city.
Relax at Bath's Thermae Spa
If a visit to the Roman Baths has left you wanting a dip in the hot springs, then book into the Thermae Day Spa. You can book in for a Thermae Aqua which is a two-hour session and includes access to the New Royal Bath. The New Royal Bath and its Minerva spa pool offers rooftop views over Bath city. Or, why not treat yourself to a spa package for even more indulgence.
Visit Bath Abbey
Sat in the heart of the city, next to the Roman Baths is Bath Abbey. The abbey is a working church and holds daily services, but if you want to view it inside, you can visit outside of the service times. There is no fee to enter the abbey but a donation is welcomed. Admire the vaulted carved ceiling and the stained glass windows as you walk around the inside of the building. The Abbey is definitely one of the most impressive buildings in Bath and it looks even more spectacular at night when it is lit up.
Stroll around the Royal Crescent and Circus
The Georgian houses in Bath’s Royal Crescent and Circus date back to the late 1700s and are a masterpiece of architecture. Start at the Circus then make your way towards the Royal Crescent, a semi-circle of Grade 1 terrace houses overlooking a sweeping lawn. The Royal Crescent is one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the UK and is one of Bath’s most iconic landmarks.
See Bath's impressive Pulteney Bridge
Built over the River Avon, the Pulteney Bridge is often likened to Ponte Vecchio in Florence due to the shops and restaurants built into the bridge. However – having visited Florence before, I am here to tell you that it really is nothing like the original Ponte Vecchio (Sorry, Bath!)
Nonetheless, Pulteney bridge is impressive in its own right. It is best viewed from the crescent weir and parade gardens, which is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, particularly in the summer months. Or, if you prefer, grab a window seat in the Bridge Coffee shop and enjoy a cuppa and cake whilst overlooking the river!
Admire views from the Bath Skyline walk
If you fancy getting some fresh air, head out of the city and uphill to the Bath Skyline walk. The 6-mile circular walk is well signposted and takes you through forests and meadows, with great views over Bath at the beginning and end of the walk. The walk to the start of the trail is quite steep so take advantage of the views when you reach the top as you’ll need a quick break!
This is one of the best things to do in Bath in the warmer months when you can take a picnic with you and enjoy the sunshine. If you’re in Bath for 2 or 3 nights, I would definitely recommend walking the Bath skyline.
If you love walks with stunning views, make sure to check out my post on how to walk the beautiful South West Coastal path in North Devon!
Relax in one of Bath's many cafes
One of the best things to do in Bath is to immerse yourself in the lively cafe and bar scene. There are so many great cafes to enjoy a hot drink and a cake during the day. I would highly recommend the Malteser hot chocolate from Mrs Potts Chocolate house!
Another of Bath’s most popular cafes is Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House. The cafe and tearoom is home to the famous Sally Lunn Bun (which is a semi-sweet bread). The building that houses the tearoom also claims the title of being Britain’s oldest house (built in 1483).
Immerse yourself in Bath's lively nightlife
The nightlife in Bath is really vibrant, with a wide range of places to enjoy an evening out, from cosy traditional pubs to trendy cocktail bars and budget bites to fine dining restaurants.
In the centre of the city, you’ll also find the Theatre Royal, as well as comedy venue, the ‘Komedia Bath’.
Explore the area surrounding Bath
If you’re visiting Bath for a long weekend and have 3 or 4 days in the city, head up to The Cotswolds or down into Somerset, for Cheddar Gorge and Glastonbury. I would highly recommend hiring a car for one or two days if you don’t have your own car, so that you can really explore the area in your own time.
If you are heading into the Cotswolds, make sure you check out my post on the Best Places to visit in the Cotswolds. And pay a visit to Castle Coombe, which has earned itself the unofficial title of ‘England’s prettiest village’ and is regularly featured in films and TV shows.
Is Bath an expensive place to visit?
Like any city, there are some restaurants, bars, and cafes that are more expensive than others. However, there are a wide range of options, to suit all budgets. My top recommendation for finding affordable accommodation in Bath is to stay at an independent guest house. Or rent an apartment or studio instead of staying at a chain hotel. You get much more space for your money, plus parking is often free. I would also recommend staying on the other side of the River Avon, just outside of the main city centre. Accommodation is slightly cheaper here and it’s only a short walk back into the centre.
Bath is such a pretty city that you can enjoy a lot of the scenery and architecture for free, which is great if you are on a budget! The things that start to make it more expensive are the attractions, such as the Roman Baths and if you wanted to visit a spa. So how expensive it is really depends what things you want to see and do.
What's the best way to get to Bath?
Bath is well connected and has a large train station and bus station next to each other in the south of the city centre.
Parking in and around the city in the main car parks can be expensive, especially if you are staying in Bath for a few days. So, if you have your own car, try and find accommodation with free parking.
Getting around Bath is best done on foot as large parts of the city centre are pedestrianised. However, if this is not possible for you, there are several public buses as well as the Bath hop-on, hop-off bus, which will take you around the city to the main tourist spots.
