Historic Sites

As well as being a vibrant and thriving twenty-first-century city, Bath is a living museum. History and heritage line the city’s streets, with every footstep revealing compelling cultural attractions and astonishing architecture. It’s why Bath is the only city in the UK designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with its unique second inscription at part of UNESCO's Great Spa Towns of Europe.

It all starts at the Roman Baths, the city’s oldest and most famous historic attraction. The beautifully preserved ruins have been augmented by reconstructions and interactive displays illustrating how Bath’s natural hot springs have been attracting visitors for thousands of years. It offers an immersive insight into the daily lives of some of our city’s earliest inhabitants.

Bath’s Roman roots are just part of the story. Bath is also Britain’s finest Georgian city. Every street reveals another inspiring sight – a wide, well-planned thoroughfare created for promenading, perhaps, or that perfectly proportioned façade, flower-filled window box or subtle architectural detail. The magnificent Assembly Rooms were at the centre of the social scene during the eighteenth century, and high society flocked to the Pump Room for the waters which they believed would relieve all their illnesses and discomforts.

There’s harmony and beauty everywhere. Around 5,000 listed buildings are dotted around our streets and squares. These include iconic sites like the Royal Crescent, a sweeping curve of townhouses built from honey-coloured Bath stone, and the Circus, a unique blend of classical Roman and British Pagan influences that is uniquely Bath.

The elegant Pulteney Bridge is another Bath original. Lined on both sides with shops, it’s one of just four such structures left in the world. You’d need to go to Venice or Florence to see another like it.

There is lots to see inside, too. Bath is home to an impressive collection of museums (more per square mile than any other city in the UK). Take your pick from the Jane Austen Centre, No.1 Royal Crescent, Fashion Museum Bath, Museum of East Asian Art, The Holburne Museum, Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein and Herschel Museum of Astronomy, to name but a few.

For the full lowdown on Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage status, listen to our audio walking tour below or download onto the soundcloud app on Google Play or Apple ios . Taking in many of the city’s historic architectural highlights and museums, it’s the perfect way to explore Bath’s past.

Visit West · Visit Bath - World Heritage Site Audio Tour

Download the World Heritage Site Audio Tour Map

Discover Bath's historic sites

UNESCO World Heritage site

Bath is the only city in the UK to be a designated World Heritage Site in its entirety. In 2021, Bath received an exceptional second UNESCO listing as part of the Great Spa Towns of Europe.
Spa heritage

Browse our timeline to find out more about Bath's spa history.
History and heritage

Bath is steeped in history. As well as being a vibrant and thriving twenty-first-century city, Bath is a living museum. History and heritage line the city’s streets.