What Attractions Are There In Bath?
Bath is a treasure trove of museums and galleries. You can enjoy classic and contemporary art exhibitions in the splendid surroundings of The Holburne Museum (home of Bridgerton’s Lady Danbury) and Victoria Art Gallery. You can also relive the Georgian era at No.1 Royal Crescent, including the chance to live out your Regency fantasies in the Georgrobe dressing room experience.
Guided walks are a wonderful way to see the sights while admiring Bath’s beautiful architecture and discovering hidden corners of the city. Whether you’re interested in Bath’s rich history, hunting famous filming locations, or looking for a family-friendly tour of the city, there’s a guided walk to suit everyone.
The Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides offer free daily tours, or you can book a private walk with a local from Bath Insider Tours. For those looking for a new take on the city, choose from a variety of specialist guided tours including Bizarre Bath or Bath Ghost Tours.
If you would like to explore the area yourself, you could explore Jane Austen’s relationship with the Georgian Pleasure Gardens. Jane lived just across the road at No 4 Sydney Place between 1801 and 1804 and wrote of Sydney Gardens both in letters and several of her novels (Persuasion and Northanger Abbey). Diana White, an author, historian and journalist, has written this trail as a volunteer on the restoration project, helping you to imagine both the time and the place from Jane’s perspective. Download the trail map here.
Wellbeing and Wellness in Bath
There’s certainly something in the water here in Bath. A true centre of relaxation, it’s one of the only places in Britain where you can bathe in natural hot springs. Whether it’s a spa day, wellness weekend or a longer retreat, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely break.
Bath’s second UNESCO accreditation as one of the Great Spa Towns of Europe underlines the influence the waters have on the city’s identity, from Roman Bath to the present day. The Great Spa Towns of Europe project focuses on historic spa towns, based around mineral springs, which formed fashionable resorts of health, leisure and recreational ‘diversions’ from the eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries.
Powered by the same mineral-rich thermal springs that soothed the Romans, the first to harness the city’s healing waters back in AD43, Thermae Bath Spa is a twenty-first-century take on the spa experience. The undeniable highlight is the rooftop pool with its sensational 360-degree views of the city, made even more spectacular by the addition of some atmospheric steam on cold days.
In addition, there’s a wide selection of locally accessible wellness-enhancing classes such as WE.DNTPLAY which combines modern fitness with ancient Indonesian yoga, martial arts, and philosophies.
Unique Experiences in Bath
Bath may be full of iconic sights to see and fabulous museums to visit, but there are also plenty of hands-on experiences to have a go at.
Get your hands messy and learn to cook at one of Bath’s many cookery schools – you’ll find everything from vegetarian cooking and breadmaking to butchery and foraging on their varied schedules. For a taste of Italy, visit Pasta Making Classes at Pasta Laboratory to make your own pasta, or learn to master Vietnamese cuisine at Noya’s Kitchen. Discover Middle Eastern delicacies at Simi’s Kitchen and improve your baking skills with classes at The Bertinet Kitchen Cookery School.
Fancy a tipple? Take a short drive out of Bath to visit a local vineyard and join a tour and wine tasting session, or you could even try your hand at cocktail making or crafting your own gin.
Bath’s vibrant entertainment scene would not be complete without the perfect place to catch the latest blockbusters, discover arthouse gems, or enjoy cinematic classics. Fans of the silver screen can take their pick from boutique cinemas or the big names to watch the latest releases, or get a culture fix at a film festival.
Don’t miss the annual FilmBath Festival, the biggest and boldest film festival in the South West. Feast yourself on films from morning till night for a whole week, with must-see premieres and talks, rising cinematic stars to discover, plus highlights from the last 30 years.
For a cinema experience with a difference, spend the evening at the historic Little Theatre Cinema, Bath’s cosy and utterly charming two-screen cinema and bar. One of the earliest cinemas in Bath, it has retained the charm and welcoming warmth of a 1930s cinema. Don’t miss their programme of Q&As, broadcasts of world class arts events, special film seasons and accessible cinema.
For the latest blockbuster releases, the Odeon offers eight screens of film magic, all screening stunning RealD 3D.
Bath’s Cafes and Co-working Spaces
Bath has a great bar and cafe scene and is home to Bath Spa University and the University of Bath, giving it a lively culture year-round with plenty of things to do. The River Avon runs along the city’s edge and is a beautiful addition to the cityscape. It’s popular with boaters, paddle boarders, walkers, and hikers who visit the area’s scenic trails.
One of the most unique cafes in Bath is the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. This quintessential English tea room with an Alice in Wonderland decor is an experience unto itself. As well as coffee, it offers teas, amazing cakes, sandwiches, and a special ‘Cream Tea’ which is incredibly generous in size and extremely indulgent.
The Forum is an iconic venue in Bath. In situ since 1934 and originally opened as a cinema, it now showcases live performances from some seriously big touring bands and artists. As part of the same complex, you’ll also find Forum Coffee House, a cafe that serves espressos made by some of the best baristas in Bath.
In recent years, co-working spaces have also opened in Bath which, of course, provides coffee but also a calm and flexible place for visitors to do some work in inspirational surroundings. Most offer a wide range of options to those needing to mix a little work with play. For example, House of St John’s options start at hot desking from just five days a month all the way up to full membership.
Bath is more than just a day trip. It’s a city that invites you to linger, explore its hidden gems, and soak in its timeless beauty. So, come, unwind in the thermal waters, get lost in history, and discover the unexpected adventures that await in Bath.
