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Bath, England has long been on my travel wish list. But when I told a friend I was spending a weekend in Bath, she asked, “Oh, what do they have there?” I found myself momentarily stumped. Why was I here? Was it the centuries-old Roman Baths? The historic Georgian architecture?
Then I remembered: Bath first called to me because of a little 2005 movie starring Keira Knightley and (of course) a pre-Succession Matthew Macfadyen. I’ve loved that film ever since, even reading the book multiple times. Now, spoiler alert, Pride and Prejudice was not made in Bath exactly, but the surrounding countryside was the setting for many scenes and you definitely get that vibe when you’re wandering the historical streets of Bath.
Why Bath?
But it turns out Bath’s literary appeal runs even deeper. This charming town is full of unique bookstores, once home to Jane Austen and a refuge for Mary Shelley while she wrote Frankenstein.
Even if you’re not into bookish travel, Bath offers plenty: a stunning abbey, the famous Roman Baths (still flowing with hot mineral water), and modern thermal spas where you can soak like the Romans. Just outside town is Prior Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with incredible views and one of the few remaining Palladian bridges in the world.
Still not sold? Bath was a key filming location for Bridgerton, and yes, there are even themed tours you can join.
Let me walk you through what I did in Bath, and why it’s the perfect weekend trip from London.
Getting to Bath
The commute to Bath from London couldn’t be easier. The Great Western Railway is who you will want to book a train ticket with. In just over an hour you can travel from London Paddington Station to the Bath Spa station. Trains leave about every 30 minutes, so there are tons of options for departures throughout the day. Ticket prices range from £20-£60 depending on time of day and how far in advance you book.
Bath, England Destination Guide
Uncover the charm of Jane Austen’s city with the Bath England Destination Guide. Includes transportation tips, food & drink recommendations, top sights, spa experiences, and a curated itinerary.
Where to Stay
- Francis Hotel
- ~$300/night.
- This was the hotel we chose for our weekend in Bath. Centrally located to many of the sites around Bath and only just down the street from a great coffee shop Colonna & Smalls. It sits across the street from a little park called Queen’s Square. In addition the rooms are spacious and modern with holding onto a historic English touch (we love a four poster bed!).
- No. 15 Guesthouse
- ~$200/night.
- This gorgeous space sits just across the famous Pulteney Bridge on the east side of the River Avon in Bath. With gorgeously elegant rooms bathed in soft pinks and decorative chandeliers, giving little bits of that luxury feeling throughout. Their in-house bar and spa are also not to be missed.
- The Pig Near Bath
- $400-$500/night.
- Sitting about 20 minutes outside of the city of Bath, you can stay at The Pig and jump wright into a Jane Austen novel. The beautifully, historic looking hotel sits in the countryside, providing a hideaway for guests. The restaurant is situated in a conservatory style room and overlooks the nearby deer park. The gardens are excellent for strolling and the on-site chickens lay eggs for your breakfast, idyllic if you ask me.
Day 1
After a smooth 1.5-hour ride on the Great Western Railway from London, you’ll arrive in Bath. Drop your bags off at your accommodations and kick off your visit with lunch at Noya’s Kitchen or The Scallop Shell for classic fish and chips.
Bookstore Crawl
If you’re a book lover, don’t miss Persephone Books, a woman-owned shop that publishes overlooked female writers. It’s a joy to browse the shops and read the handwritten book blurbs. Also pop into Mr. B’s Emporium, which is a Bath institution. This bookstore has four floors with books filling every corner. They have staff recommendations on most shelves and even some cute reading nooks if you want to sit down with a book during your visit.
Evening at the Roman Baths
Book a late time slot for the Roman Baths. They say you need at least 2 hours to explore the baths, but I think arriving at 4:30 pm with a 6 pm closure is plenty of time to see what these historical baths have to offer. While I usually recommend visiting a tourist attraction in the morning, I knew I wanted to visit the Roman Baths as close to evening/dusk as possible.
The main bath sits in a stunning outdoor courtyard, surrounded by columns with flickering sconces lighting the space. The evening light and sconces give it a magical, almost eerie glow.
Dinner & Drinks
After exploring the Roman Baths, head to Hall & Woodhouse for rooftop drinks. For dinner, try modern French at Wilks or keep it casual with Italian at Sotto Sotto. Cap the night at The Botanist, which often has live music.
Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓
Day 2
Morning Fuel
Start your day with coffee and a pastry at Cortado Café or enjoy a full breakfast at The Green Bird Café.
Historic Highlights
Visit Bath Abbey and find the exact square where Queen Elizabeth once knelt to pray. To witness the best views overlooking Bath opt for the Abbey Tower. With only 212 steps to reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning town and countryside views.
FYI despite how fast you can traverse the steps, if you choose to climb the Abbey Tower you will be spending at minimum one hour. The winding staircase to the top is for one way traffic only, so once you are up there you are required to stay until it is time to take the same staircase back down.
Lunch at Chequers
Now that you have worked up an appetite from stair climbing, make your way to Chequers for lunch, which is a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot and the best pub in Bath (IMO!) If you’re there on a Sunday, don’t miss their incredible roast. Otherwise, enjoy a refined pub lunch and a cocktail.
What is Michelin Bib Gourmand? Check out this video where I explain why these are my favorite spots to visit.
Afternoon Options
You have choices:
- Take a walking history tour of Bath like this one or even this one.
- Dive into a Bridgerton-themed experience.
- Visit the Jane Austen Centre or Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein.
I opted to walk (or rather hike) to Prior Park. It’s a 30-minute walk or a quick bus ride. If you aren’t interested in trekking up a steep hill to the park, opt for the bus, especially for the steep last stretch! This National Trust site is well worth the entry fee, the park’s staff are lovely, and the views of the park and unique Palladian Bridge are unbeatable. While it wasn’t filmed here, I had a real Pride and Prejudice moment at this park, it absolutely gives Mr. Darcy vibes and I was smitten.
Evening Wind-Down
As you walk or bus back to town make a stop by Pulteney Bridge. This bridge was built in 1774 and is lined with shops. In fact when I first was walking across I didn’t even know we were on a bridge. The shops and street feel like you could be in the middle of town, instead of hovering over the river.
For a pre-dinner drink, check out 18 Green Street Wine Co. or sample local ciders at Bath Cider House. Additionally, if you are a soccer/football fan and want a lively place for a pint and the match, Bath Cider House is your spot!
Dinner
While there are a myriad of options in Bath check out OPA if you are craving Mediterranean flavors. Otherwise Corkage Wine Bar is a great option as well. There you can enjoy natural wine and small plates. But be warned, we absolutely over ordered because their “small plates” ended up being fairly robust and filling ! Don’t hesitate to ask the waiter for a gut check on your order.
Day 3
You can’t visit Bath without experiencing its famous thermal waters and their healing properties. While the warm waters will relax your body and mind, the thermal water is actually rich in minerals penetrate deep into the body. I love a good bio-hacking situation, so I didn’t want to miss these potential life changing waters.
Start the day with coffee from Colonna & Smalls, then head to Thermae Bath Spa for their first time slot. For around $50, you get two hours of bliss. Mineral thermal pools, a rooftop view, saunas, steam rooms, and even an ice room for contrast therapy. It’s the perfect way to unwind. We left feeling healed of whatever ailed us and relaxed.
The Bottom Line
After checking out of your accommodations, don’t miss a stroll to the Royal Crescent. It’s one of Bath’s most iconic sights with its Georgian architecture, wide lawns, and even an appearance in Bridgerton (No. 1 Crescent is the Featherington home!). Treat yourself to a Mr. Whippy ice cream with a Flake (essential!) while you soak in the view.
Before heading out, grab a sandwich at Milk Bun for the train ride back.
Bath is the perfect blend of history, literature, architecture, and relaxation all within a short journey from London. I hope this inspires you to add Bath to your England itinerary! If you want to plan a trip to Bath with ease, check out my complete destination guide to Bath here
