One Day In Bath England

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Of all the things we did during our time in England, there is one place I haven’t been able to get out of my head and can not wait to get back to - the romantic town of Bath. Bath is the perfect day trip from London because there is so much to see and the small, quaint city is such a contrast to the hustle and bustle of London. Trains are frequent and many tour companies also offer one day Bath trips with Stonehenge included (if that is something that interests you.)

Below are my recommendations for the perfect day in Bath.

What to See

Roman Bath House

The Roman Baths were originally built centuries ago on top of a hot spring as a spa & public bath retreat. After the Romans ceased to rule England, many other things were built on top of this site until the Roman structures were uncovered and excavated in the 19th century. It is one of the most comprehensive and well preserved Roman Empire sites in the world and it is full of fascinating history and artifacts. I recommend getting there right when they open, as this is a popular attraction and getting there early will maximize the time you have to take in all the history sans crowds. Check out their website here for complete open times and ticket info.

Bath Abbey

This church has been a place of worship for over 1,200 years and features some stunning architecture and stained glass. We actually only got to see the outside as we were there on a Sunday and instead of tours, they have mass!

The Jane Austen Centre

Jane Austen is my favorite author, so getting to experience a bit of her life was a dream come true. The centre is a period-correct museum, shop, and tea room dedicated to replicating the Regency era life that Jane Austen lived during her time in Bath. We were crunched for time so we didn’t get to experience the guided tour of the house, but we did have lunch in the tea room and it was delicious!

Royal Crescent

A 250 year old row of Georgian houses built in a half-moon shape. Most of them are still houses, but many have been broken up into flats and they also now contain a spa and museum.

The Circus

Not too far from the Royal Crescent, this is another Georgian architectural marvel. Three rows of townhouses bend in a circle around a center, round lawn to create a stunning, self-contained neighborhood.

Prior Park

A National Trust site with walking paths and a stunning bridge spanning across a pond built in the 1700s. It also offers a beautiful view of Bath from the top of the hill.

This park was stunning but we got soooo lost trying to find it, left via the wrong entrance, and got equally lost getting back to our car.

Pulteney Bridge

Another Georgian era structure, Pulteney Bridge crosses the River Avon and contains shops on both sides!

Where to Eat

Jane Austen Centre

As I mentioned above, this homage to the famous author and the regency era also contains a tea room with delicious sandwiches and snacks.

The Hare & Hounds

We actually started our trip by renting our car from the airport and immediately heading west. We stopped at Stonehenge and arrived in Bath at nightfall where we met our first snafu of the trip. We chose not to pay for phone service and got horribly lost looking for this place with no ability to look up a map (pay for the international cell service folks.) It was highly recommended and we never ended up finding it, so we just popped into Waitrose and got snacks instead. Again, Bath is on my return list, so I’m sure we’ll get there next time.

The Garrick’s Head

A classic stop in the heart of Bath. Not only will you find an iconic facade, but also a varied menu with fresh, seasonal selections.

Cote Brasserie

Could I really leave you with a city guide and not include a French Restaurant?

Where to Shop

Mr B's Emporium Bookshop

I love to pick up a book or two as a souvenir when I travel and this is the perfect stop.

Fashion Fabrics Bath

Getting lost in a good fabric shop and dreaming up projects is a favorite past time of mine. If you’re looking to get your fill of textiles, this is it.