In Things to do, Beyond Bath

Have you always dreamed of a trip to the Cotswolds, but don’t know where to start? With Bath nestled a stone’s throw from the fabled region, and offering a wide range of transport links and accommodation options as well as its own magnificent attractions, it’s the perfect base! Read on for our guide on how to spend three days in the city and the Cotswolds…

Getting around

Whether you’re looking to drive, cycle, catch a bus, or take the train to explore the Cotswolds, you’ll find it easy to do so from Bath. The city lies on the southernmost edge of the region, close to the borders of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, with Castle Combe lying just 13 miles to the north.  


Image: Great Western Railway 

Bath’s bus and railway stations offer a wide range of connections to major towns and villages across the Cotswolds, including Kemble, Stroud, and Charlbury, among many others. Plus, there are a variety of travel deals available to ensure that you enjoy the best value for money!

If you’re taking the train and travelling in a group between 3 and 9 people, take a look at Great Western Railway’s ‘GroupSave’ ticket, which shaves one third off your fare. Or, explore the wide range of national railcards, all of which also offer a third off your fare depending on certain circumstances. For example, there’s the ‘Two Together’ railcard for passengers travelling in a pair on the same journeys, as well as railcards for those aged between 16 and 30, over 60s, and many more. While railcards all have an upfront cost, the savings they offer mean that they generally pay themselves off after three trips.  

Faresaver, the main operator of bus services between Bath and its nearby Cotswolds towns and villages, offers a range of ticket types to help you save on your travel. These include an 11 journey ticket package, tickets for children and students, and week/month tickets. The company also uses tap-on, tap-off technology, allowing you to tap your bank card once when boarding and once when alighting on all buses to ensure the lowest possible fare for your journey, up to a maximum daily cap.

Prefer to drive? We’d advise dodging congestion in Bath and the towns or villages you’re planning to visit by travelling midweek if possible. Please also note that parking is often limited in many of the Cotswolds’ towns and villages due to their small size and historic streets.  

Get the best of both worlds by booking onto one of the many private or group day tours available from Bath. You’ll be driven from the city centre across the Cotswolds countryside by your very own friendly guide, with stops at key towns and attractions throughout the day.  


Image: Mad Max Tours

Where to stay

There’s no need to worry about swapping countryside charm with the hustle and bustle of an average city in Bath, thanks to its plentiful selection of cosy and characterful accommodation in leafy areas. And, thanks to the expansive public transport network, you’re never too far way from the main attractions in Bath or the Cotswolds.


Image: Bailbrook House Hotel

If you’re bringing a car, take a look at Bailbrook House Hotel and New Leaf Farm in the Batheaston area on the eastern edge of Bath. Both options are conveniently located adjacent to the A46 road, one of the main routes connecting Bath to the Cotswolds, and served by frequent bus services running into the city centre.


Image: The Bath Priory Hotel 

Prefer to explore using public transport? Stay closer to the bus and train stations in the sumptuous surroundings of the Royal Crescent Hotel and Bath Priory Hotel, both home to scenic landscaped gardens. Or, for a more budget-friendly option, check in to the modern comforts of the Apex City of Bath, Hampton by Hilton Bath, or YMCA Bath.


Image: Hampton by Hilton Bath City

Alternatively, get the best of both worlds and treat yourself to a stay in some of the Cotswolds countryside closest to Bath at luxurious rural retreats such as Lucknam Park and Homewood.

  • Where to stay

Day One

Whet your appetite for beautiful sights with a wander around some of Bath’s top attractions – thanks to the city’s compact size, it’s easy to fit plenty into one day…

Head to Abbey Churchyard, where you’ll find three of Bath’s most famous sites; The Roman Baths, the Pump Room, and Bath Abbey. Start in the Georgian grandeur of The Pump Room Restaurant, where you can take your pick from a selection of morning bakery treats, brunch, or one of the venue’s trademark spectacular afternoon teas.


Image: The Pump Room Restaurant

Afterwards, head next door to The Roman Baths, where you’ll discover how our Roman ancestors built the city around its natural hot springs to create a major spa and religious temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva. Follow in their footsteps around the remarkably preserved, 2,000 year old complex, and see how some of the earliest citizens of Bath lived.


Image: The Roman Baths

At Bath Abbey, marvel at magnificent architectural details, including one of the finest fan-vaulted Tudor ceilings in the world, and discover the stories connected to the church over its 1,200 year history. There’s even a chance to join a tour of the Abbey’s tower, culminating in one of the most breathtaking views over the World Heritage city.


Image: Bath Abbey Tower Tour

It wouldn’t be a trip to Bath without a dose of Austen! Pay a visit to The Jane Austen Centre and learn about how the author’s time living in the city inspired her iconic novels, try on Regency costumes, have your photo taken with Mr Darcy himself, and get a realistic idea of how Jane may have looked in life with the museum’s one-of-a-kind waxwork.

If you’d prefer a more relaxing day in Bath, immerse yourself in the city’s spa culture with a soothing session at the Thermae Bath Spa. Here, you’ll have a chance to bathe in the natural, mineral-rich thermal waters across four pools, including the rooftop pool and its panoramic views over the city centre. Alternatively, take a look at the selection of other day spas in Bath, or book an indulgent stay at one of the city’s opulent spa hotels.


Image: Thermae Bath Spa

This is merely a taste of what you can expect in Bath, so why not stretch your break to five days to see more of what the city has to offer? From fascinating exhibitions and theatre shows at Bath’s fabulous cultural venues, to unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else, you’ll never have a dull moment! Better still, the city is surrounded by a collection of countryside attractions ripe for exploring, such as Prior Park Landscape Garden, Dyrham Park, Longleat, and Westonbirt Arboretum.


Image: Prior Park Landscape Garden

Day Two

It’s time to head out into the Cotswolds, starting just east of the city in the Wiltshire countryside between Bath and the market town of Bradford-on-Avon. This gorgeous landscape is home to some stunning scenery, including the Kennet & Avon Canal and Limpley Stoke valley, pretty villages, two Georgian aqueducts, and more.

If you fancy enjoying the area on foot, take a train from Bath Spa station towards Bradford-on-Avon and alight at Avoncliff. This small, characterful village is nestled on the intersection of the River Avon and Kennet & Avon Canal, and home to the beloved Cross Guns pub, the perfect spot for a delicious pre-hike meal and pint!


Image: Kennet & Avon Canal, credit Korey Watson 

From here, you can either follow the canal path back towards Bradford-on-Avon, or a shorter trail to the neighbouring village of Freshford. Alternatively, head up the hill towards another neighbouring village, Westwood, then west to the breathtaking Iford Manor. The estate’s beautiful, landscaped gardens, open between April and September every year, are not to be missed. Lose yourself in Ancient Roman, Italian and Japanese-inspired gardens, then savour some mouth-watering food and drink in the on-site restaurant, café, and bakery. Afterwards, keep heading west along the tranquil Iford Lane to Freshford, where you can catch a train back to Bath.


Image: Iford Manor Gardens, credit Marianne Cartwright-Hignett

Prefer to explore by bike? Ditch the train and hire a suitable set of wheels from Bath Bike Hire for the day, then join the Kennet & Avon canal path from Widcombe Lock, located just across the bridge behind Bath Spa station. 

No matter how you get there, there’s plenty to enjoy once you reach Bradford-on-Avon. Discover the fascinating history of The Hall Estate on one of the attraction’s guided tours, tuck in to an award-winning afternoon tea at the characterful 16th-century Bridge Tea Rooms, or hire a boat from Anglo Welsh and go for a gentle sailing trip up the canal.


Image: The Hall Estate

Day Three

See another side to the Cotswolds with a trip north of Bath. Your first port of call should be the nearby town of Corsham, based just 10 miles away, and easily accessible by catching the 231 bus towards Chippenham from outside the Guildhall.

While the town is awash with acclaimed independent shops and restaurants set in pretty Georgian buildings, the main attraction here is Corsham Court. This stately home is brimming with artworks from the private collection of Sir Paul Methuen, including paintings from Fra Filippo Lippi, Carlo Dolci, and Van Dyck, as well as 25 acres of landscaped gardens featuring an arboretum, bath house, lily pond and rose garden.

Image: Corsham Court

Slightly further east of Corsham is Lacock, which has been made famous in recent years by the Harry Potter film series. See how many locations you can spot as you wander around this small 13th-century village and its Abbey, a quirky country house which was once the home of Henry Fox Talbot, credited as one of the inventors of photography. If you’re travelling to Lacock using public transport, take the 272 bus towards Devizes from outside Bath’s Guildhall.


Image: Lacock Abbey

Lying a few miles above Corsham and Lacock is one of the gems in the Cotswolds’ crown: Castle Combe. The tiny village has long been celebrated as one of Britain’s most beautiful, and is immensely popular with visitors as a result. While we’re sure that the charming honey-coloured cottages, market cross, and packhorse bridge will have you reaching for your camera, we’d recommend you stay a while to fully enjoy the ambience! Lounge over drinks or a meal in one of the characterful pubs, or learn more about the village’s history in St Andrew’s Church.


Image: Castle Combe 

Explore further

If you do opt to elongate your break, why not delve deeper into the Cotswolds and explore some of the region’s other ravishing towns. Tetbury, Cirencester, Bibury, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water are all based within a two hour drive of Bath, offering plenty more opportunities for excursions!

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