Searching for a city break that’s as sustainable as it is memorable? Thanks to its compact size, award-winning green hotels and independent businesses, excellent transport links and much more, Bath fits the bill perfectly. Read on for our guide on how to effortlessly enjoy a spot of ecotourism in the city…

Leave the car at home

There’s no doubt that Bath’s historic city centre is best explored on foot, with many of the city’s top attractions set within steps of each other via flat, pedestrian-friendly streets.

After all, Bath is the only city in the UK to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, so why wouldn’t you want to get up close to the stunning architecture, while simultaneously cutting carbon emissions and helping make Bath’s air cleaner?

If you’d prefer to give your feet a rest, you can also rent e-scooters and e-bikes from locations across the city. Or, if you’re looking to explore beyond the city centre, make use of Bath and the wider region's extensive public transport network.

You’ll find buses to must-visit attractions on the city’s fringes, such as Prior Park and Beckford’s Tower, as well as those to surrounding towns and villages such as Corsham, Radstock and Wells at Bath Bus Station. Download the First Bus app to make the most of local ticket offers, or simply tap your bank card when getting on and off for the cheapest fares.

Take advantage of Bath’s fantastic rail connections and go for a day trip by train from Bath Spa railway station to discover nearby destinations including Bradford-on-Avon, Frome, and Salisbury, among many others. Be sure to check GWR’s latest deals on train travel, or find a list of local transport offers here.

Image: Two hikers walking towards Bath

• A guide to taking the bus in Bath
• Go for a day trip near Bath by train

Visit our sustainable attractions

You’ll be pleased to hear that many of Bath’s most popular attractions put sustainability centre-stage, making it even easier for you to be a responsible tourist.

It wouldn’t be a visit to Bath without a spa session, and where better to go than the Thermae Bath Spa? Not only will you enjoy access to the venue’s amazing facilities, including its breathtaking rooftop pool, but you’ll also be bathing in the city’s natural thermal waters, which supply all four of the baths. 

Image: Thermae Bath Spa

Many other top Bath attractions including The Roman Baths, Victoria Art Gallery, The World Heritage Centre, and Bath Abbey have also committed to improving their energy efficiency, minimising waste and pollution, reducing consumption of non-renewables, and much more. Bath Abbey even uses the same underground springs as The Roman Baths to power its underfloor heating system!

Stay sustainably

Boost the eco-friendliness of your trip with a stay at one of Bath’s greenest hotels, many of which have won awards and certifications for their commitment to sustainability.

The city’s most modern hotels, Apex City of Bath and Hampton by Hilton Bath, have both been awarded Green Tourism awards for various initiatives, which include among them planting their rooves with sedum to improve local biodiversity.

Image: Hampton by Hilton Bath 

The Hampton by Hilton has also achieved a prestigious Green Key accreditation for embedding sustainable practices in its operations, such as reducing energy use, installing solar panels, cutting waste, and more.

Image: The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa 

But it’s not just Bath’s newer hotels that are making sustainability a priority! The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, one of the city’s oldest and most luxurious hotels, not only holds a Green Key accreditation, but also boasts a dedicated ‘Green Team’ which oversees the hotel’s sustainable efforts. And, as if that wasn’t enough, the hotel aims to give back to the local community by supporting charities focused on homelessness, hospitality training, and volunteer accommodation.

If you’re looking to go completely off-grid, book a stay at Campwell Farm or Woods nestled in the beautiful countryside surrounding Bath, and immerse yourself fully in nature. You’ll find plenty of sustainable features too, such as solar-powered fridges and lighting, luxury compost loos, and much more.

Image: Anglo Welsh Narrowboats

Or, take to Bath’s waterways and hire your very own narrowboat with Anglo Welsh or Bath Narrowboats. Both offer fully electric, battery-powered vessels that allow you to enjoy a peaceful escape into the magnificent landscapes surrounding Bath.

No matter which accommodation you choose, be sure to book direct for the best rates, and stay midweek to avoid the weekend crowds and higher prices.

• Bath’s most sustainable hotels

Beat the crowds

Bath’s World Heritage charm pulls in crowds from across the world, but this needn’t bother you on your visit.

With the city centre at its busiest during weekends, we’d recommend ticking off the top attractions such as The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, The Pump Room, and The Jane Austen Centre during the week, then taking a bus or train out into the countryside on the weekend.

Image: Kennet & Avon Canal, credit Paolo Ferla

There are plenty of fabulous rural walks to enjoy on Bath’s doorstep, such as the Kennet & Avon Canal Path, easily accessible from Freshford, Avoncliff, and Bradford-on-Avon railway stations. Go for a peaceful wander along the towpath and take in the gorgeous views of the Limpley Stoke Valley, as well as the historic Avoncliff & Dundas aqueducts.

Alternatively, follow the 6-mile Bath Skyline Walk through some of the city’s most picturesque green spaces, such as Claverton Down and Prior Park Landscape Garden, both offering spectacular panoramic views over Bath. Plus, with several bus stops along the route, it’s easy to cut the walk short if you don’t fancy going the full distance.

Image: Prior Park Landscape Garden

Perhaps you’d fancy an even more relaxed trip to the countryside? Indulge in a pampering session at one of the opulent rural spas near Bath, such as the stylish Homewood Spa, set in the tranquil grounds of a modernised Georgian country house, and the state-of-the-art facilities at Lucknam Park’s Spa.

Image: Homewood Spa 

You’ll also find a selection of must-visit parks and gardens scattered across the countryside surrounding Bath, including Iford Manor Gardens, Dyrham Park, and Westonbirt Arboretum.

• Walking in Bath
• Parks and Gardens in Bath

Go for some low-impact exploring

Bath is a city ripe for traversing by bike, with a selection of scenic routes connecting nearby towns and cities. The most notable of these is the Bristol & Bath Railway Path, a 13-mile, entirely off-road path linking Bath to its western neighbour Bristol via magnificent open countryside.

Image: Two Tunnels Greenway 

Join the Two Tunnels Greenway and enjoy a 4-mile adventure through the city’s leafy southern suburbs, as well as the UK’s longest cycling tunnel, before ending in the sleepy village of Midford. From there, you can join the 17.5-mile Colliers Way to Frome, passing through quaint Somerset villages and towns along the way.

You can even join guided cycling tours around Bath and its surrounding areas with Wild Swim Bike Run, or hire one of their bikes for the day and head out on your own. Bikes of every shape and size can also be hired from Julian House Bike Workshop and Green Park Bike Station.

Image: Original Wild 

There’s also a chance to experience Bath from a unique angle with stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking tours along the River Avon with Original Wild and Wild Swim Bike Run, the most relaxing way to take in the city’s sights!

• Cycling in Bath 
• Cycle through city and country in Bath
• Indoor and outdoor adventure in Bath

Taste the best of Bath

One of the joys of responsible travel is sampling the most delicious local food and drink your destination has to offer. And in Bath, you’re in for a treat!

Many of our fabulous eateries partner with local suppliers to source the finest produce from across the city and its surrounding region, often using them to inspire their menus.

At Beckford Canteen, you’ll tuck in to freshly picked vegetables from The Community Farm at Chew Valley Lake, just half an hour west of Bath, and sustainable meat products from Wiltshire’s award-winning Walter Rose Butchers. Or, head to Swoon to try the best gelato in the city, fashioned using organic milk from Somerset’s Bruton Dairy.

Image: Beckford Canteen

Green Park Brasserie, one of the city’s most beloved restaurants, has won two Gold Taste of the West awards for its sourcing of high-quality local ingredients, while Oak Restaurant serves a fully vegan and vegetarian menu featuring produce from a range of regional suppliers. We've got plenty more suggestions on where to find delicious vegan and vegetarian food across the city here. 

Image: Electric Bear Taproom 

Take a trip to one of Bath’s breweries, vineyards and distilleries and treat yourself to one of our locally-crafted tipples, or book onto one of the many food and drink tours available across the city for a taste of Bath you’ll never forget.

• Breweries, Distilleries & Vineyards in Bath
• Where to try local tipples in Bath

Support our independents

Bath is home to a wide range of independent retailers specialising in everything from locally-produced arts and crafts to quality food and drink.

Image: Shopping in Bath, credit Bath BID 

Shop from an eclectic range of single-malt whiskies, craft beer, and artisan gin at the esteemed Independent Spirit of Bath, which also hosts regular tasting sessions of specialist spirits. Or, if it’s wine you’re after, head to the Beckford Bottle Shop, where, true to the name, you’ll find over 300 bottles to choose from.

Image: Independent Spirit of Bath

Browse Bath Aqua Glass’ extensive selection of glassware, including jewellery, vases, and baubles among others, all hand-blown in the city. There’s even more Bath-crafted jewellery waiting for you at Icarus and Wylde, or, if you’re looking for a more affordable souvenir, head to the gift shops at the city’s attractions, such as Bath Abbey and No. 1 Royal Crescent.

Image: Flea market on Walcot Street 

Don’t miss a chance to visit one of the several regular markets across Bath, where you’ll find wares ranging from contemporary art and antiques to delicious food from makers based across the wider region surrounding Bath.

• Independent shops in Bath

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• Green and sustainable Bath