Whether you like the sound of kicking back in the spas, stepping into scenes from Bridgerton, or immersing yourself in world-class cultural events, there are more reasons than ever to visit Bath in 2022.
We’ve whittled down 22 of the top things to do this year, to help you decide what not to miss on your next Bath break.
1.Time Travel at Bath’s Historic Attractions
The whole city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, deemed historically and culturally important largely due to its Roman roots and magnificent eighteenth-century architecture. Don’t leave without digging into some of these layers of local history.
Image - Roman Baths
Get a taste of what life was like for Bath’s ancient residents at the iconic Roman Baths, one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world. Just steps away is Bath Abbey, where a place of worship has stood for 1,200 years. Today it houses incredible stained-glass windows and fan vault ceilings.
For a slice of Georgian Bath, visit No.1 Royal Crescent. Reopening after a winter break on 1st February, the museum is decorated and furnished just as it might have been during the period 1776 to 1796.
2.Uncover Bath’s Bookish Side
Countless authors have found inspiration in Bath over the centuries, most notably Jane Austen. There are many chances to enter Austen’s world and that of her Regency romances in Bath, including at the dedicated Jane Austen Centre.
If gothic literature is more up your street, don’t miss Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein. The atmospheric attraction reveals the author’s complex past as well as the story behind the world’s favourite monster.
Image - Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein
3.De-stress With a Spa Day
Indulge in a day of pure relaxation at one of the city’s world-renowned spas. From bathing in natural thermal waters at Thermae Bath Spa to mind-body therapies at The Soul Spa, the perfect spa experience awaits in Bath, however you like to unwind. Find the one for you in our ultimate guide to spas.
Image - Thermae Bath Spa
4.Boost Your Wellbeing Beyond the Spas
Wellbeing in Bath isn’t just about spa treatments. You can take time for yourself in peaceful gardens, nourish yourself with a wholesome meal, embrace outdoor activities, and so much more.
5.Stop By the New World Heritage Centre
Discover why Bath has scooped not one, but two World Heritage inscriptions – an exceptional feat – at this visitor centre, opening in spring 2022. Hands-on, accessible exhibits will dig into what makes the city such a special place and you can pick up trails and guides there too. It’s the perfect jumping off point for exploring Bath.
Image - World Heritage Centre
6.Get In the Festive Spirit at Bath Christmas Market
After two years of delay due to the pandemic, the much-loved Bath Christmas Market will finally get to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. Visit the city between 24th November and 11th December to soak up the festive atmosphere, indulge in locally made food and drink, and flit between more than 170 chalets. Book your Christmas break now to avoid disappointment.
Image - Bath Christmas Market
7.Take In Bath’s Iconic Architecture
Head out on a walk around the city and marvel at the elegant Georgian architecture and honey-hued Bath stone at every turn. Our guide to Bath's most Instagrammable spots includes some of the most photogenic buildings and landmarks, from the magnificent Royal Crescent to hidden alleyways.
Image - Pulteney Bridge, credit Lloyd Evans Photography
8.Stay Overnight
Soak up Bath for longer by staying the night. The city’s accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes: luxury hotels, cosy guesthouses, boutique boltholes, family-friendly digs, and countryside spa retreats. Get the best deal when you visit midweek or check out our accommodation offers.
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Image - The Queensberry
9.Walk It Out
Bath is an extremely walkable city. You can easily amble between different areas and landmarks in the city centre or let someone else lead the way on a guided walking tour.
Head just a little further afield and you can get out for a scenic stomp in the countryside. If you like to reward yourself with a pint and a bite to eat along the way, there are plenty of great pub walks too.
Image - Bath Skyline Walk, credit Paolo Ferla
10.Experience World-Class Exhibitions
Art lovers are in for a real treat at the Holburne Museum in 2022. Love Life, an exhibition of David Hockney drawings, is running from 27th May to 18th September. And from 3rd September to 2nd January, bronze artworks representing the human body by both Degas and Rodin – two towering figures of modern European art – will be on display.
The Victoria Art Gallery is showcasing the best of its print collection in From Hogarth to Hodgkin between 5th March and 5th May. It’s also not too late to see Shoephoria! at Fashion Museum Bath, running until 24th April.
Image - Hodgkin, 2005 - For Jack, Victoria Art Gallery
11.Embrace All Things Bridgerton in Bath
Lady Whistledown has spoken: Bridgerton returns for season two on 26th March. It’s the perfect excuse to brush up on your season one filming locations in Bath, book a Bridgerton-inspired stay, or join one of the tours themed around the Netflix hit.
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Image - Bridgerton, credit Netflix
12.Enjoy Theatre and Live Comedy
Keen theatregoer? Take a look at what’s on at the Theatre Royal Bath, one of the oldest theatres in the country where West End productions, opera, comedy and dance all regularly fill the stage. For more eclectic plays, head for the Ustinov Studio.
Get your comedy fix at Komedia, where renowned stand-ups like Shaparak Khorsandi, Lou Sanders, and Milton Jones are lined up for 2022. And enjoy the 20-day long Bath Comedy Festival in May, with events ranging from sketch comedy to cabaret, kids’ shows and mystery tours.
You can even fit your laughs in while you get to know the city on foot with Bizarre Bath, who run comedy walking tours full of mysteries, surprises and thrills.
Image - Komedia
13.Fall in Love With Bath’s Food Scene
Whether you’re craving fine dining, laid-back lunches, or freshly baked sweet treats, Bath has it all. One of the best ways to get acquainted with the local food scene is by joining a Savouring Bath tour. They’ll introduce you to artisan food and drink producers while feeding you knowledge on the city’s culinary history.
You can even pick up kitchen tips and techniques from brilliant Bath chefs offering cookery classes or at local food festivals, where you can catch demos and workshops in between sampling the fare on offer.
Image - The Mint Room
14.Savour Local Tipples
Bath’s local drinks scene is also thriving. If a good beer is your tipple of choice, your perfect pint may be waiting at BeerCraft of Bath, where over 500 craft brews from both Bath and further afield are behind the bar.
Gin fiends will be pleased to hear there’s plenty of mother’s ruin to go round, with several bars boasting commendable gin collections and varieties from local distillers.
Image - BeerCraft of Bath
15.Leave the City for a Day
If time is on your side, explore some of the picturesque towns and countryside beyond Bath during your visit. You’re well and truly spoilt for choice, with stand-out day trip locations like world wonder Stonehenge, famously pretty village Castle Combe, and the storied town of Glastonbury to pick between.
Image - Castle Combe
16.Time Your Visit for a Festival
A quick scan of this year’s festival line-up and an event or two is certain to pique your interest. As a taster, there’s the Jane Austen Festival and Bath Children’s Literature Festival for bookworms; Mozartfest and Bachfest for classical music fans; and The Great Bath Feast for foodies.
For a smorgasbord of culture, choose from a myriad of multi-arts events at The Bath Festival between 13th to 22nd May. (The 2022 programme will be announced shortly.)
Image - The Bath Festival
17.Explore Bath’s Shopping Areas
Enjoy some retail therapy in the city’s shopping hotspots. They include SouthGate, conveniently steps away from the train station, for high street favourites; Milsom Street for fashion, interiors and beauty; and artisan quarter Walcot Street for everything from vintage clothing to quirky artwork.
Image - Milsom Place
18.Get a New Perspective on a City Tour
Allow Bath’s excellent tour guides take you on an adventure around the city. Choose by mode of transport – there are options on foot, by bike, bus and even boat – and by theme, with iconic sights, ghost walks, food and drink, Jane Austen, and Bridgerton among those on offer.
Image - The Royal Crescent
19.See the City’s Sporting Side
Use your next trip to Bath to get active. You can hop on a paddleboard with adventure experts Original Wild, pedal your way around the city on two wheels, or hit the golf green.
Prefer the thrill of being a spectator? Grab a ticket for a Bath Rugby Club match for unbeatable atmosphere. You can also catch Bath City FC at Twerton Park, regular fixtures at Bath Racecourse, and motorsport at Castle Combe Circuit.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, take to the sky for one of the city’s other favourite pastimes: hot air balloon rides.
Image - Bath Rugby
20.Treat Yourself to Afternoon Tea
Speaking of favourite pastimes, afternoon tea is big in Bath. Just as special as the delicious sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats on offer are the venues where they’re served – from the grand Pump Room Restaurant, to traditional tearooms, to swanky hotels.
Image - The Pump Room
21.Listen to Incredible Live Music
As well as celebrations of classical music at Bachfest and Mozartfest, there’s a chance to see major pop acts in Bath in 2022. Both Michael Bublé and Olly Murs are in town for open-air gigs in an iconic location – the Royal Crescent.
It’s not all about the big-hitting concerts either. The city’s more intimate live music venues like Komedia, The Bell Inn and Green Park Brasserie, to name just a few, host acts all year round.
Image - The Bell Inn
22.Spend Time in Bath’s Lovely Gardens and Parks
Stretch your legs, have a picnic and admire the greenery in the many gorgeous gardens and parks in and around the city. They range from one of the country’s best remaining Georgian pleasure gardens, to Italianate gardens designed by famed Edwardian landscaper Harold Peto.
Image - Iford Manor Gardens
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