Things To Do in Bath
You won’t have to look far to find things to do in Bath as the city is famously full of attractions and activities. In many ways, Bath hasn’t changed much since the times of Georgian gentleman Ralph Allen and writer Jane Austen, both of whom fell under the spell of this city built for pleasure.
Take a tour through time and explore the only UK city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll travel centuries in just a few steps. Visit the Roman Baths dating back to AD43 to see how our former settlers liked to unwind. Wander through the pages of one of Austen’s classic novels as you stroll past mellow architectural masterpieces like the Royal Crescent and the Circus, or celebrate Bath's most famous resident at the Jane Austen Centre.
Visiting Bath for the first time? The city is home to an array of fascinating museums, such as No. 1 Royal Crescent, where you can experience life as a Georgian in Bath, or the unique Museum of East Asian Art, the UK’s only museum solely dedicated to the arts and cultures of East and South East Asia. Bath is also the ideal base for exploring nearby sites like the photogenic villages of Lacock and Castle Combe, and Stonehenge’s mysterious megaliths.
Our impeccable heritage is just part of the story. We’re a lively, thriving city where ancient history and Georgian elegance sit comfortably alongside a decidedly twenty-first-century cosmopolitan buzz. Eat out in hundreds of restaurants and cafés serving everything from Michelin-starred gourmet dishes to simple, satisfying street food.
Unwind in chic cocktail bars and welcoming traditional pubs, then dip into a rich evening scene that embraces comedy, live music and theatre. Head to Green Park Brasserie for free live jazz music and award-winning food and drink, catch a show at Theatre Royal Bath or enjoy after-hours entertainment at Komedia Bath. If that isn’t enough, there’s also a year-round programme of special events and festivals.
It goes without saying that no trip to Bath is complete without taking the waters. Relax and unwind in natural hot springs that have been a magnet to visitors for millennia. Visit Thermae Bath Spa for revitalising treatments, healing steam rooms and awesome 360-degree Bath views from the rooftop pool. Or treat yourself to a spa stay at the five-star Gainsborough Bath Spa, a luxurious hotel with its own naturally heated spa complex.
If it’s retail therapy you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. Bath is a shopping superstar, boasting an unbeatable choice of independent retailers selling tempting one-of-a-kind items (plus, of course, the full complement of major high street names).
We’ve only been able to scratch the surface here in mentioning the many things to see and do in our classic, cosmopolitan city. You won’t want to rush it. For the full experience, take your time and turn that day trip into a short break, or come midweek to beat the crowds.