Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in England, with a rich history and bustling tourist industry. This one day in Bath itinerary will take you on a tour of the city, from historic landmarks to hidden gems that only locals know about.
The city has served as a place of pilgrimage for centuries. It was one of England’s major cities during its medieval period. It’s also the only city in the UK that’s entirely a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, if you’re looking for an excuse to visit one of Britain’s most charming towns, or want an unforgettable day trip from London to get some culture, a visit to Bath should be on your list.
I’m going to cover everything you need to know about one day in Bath: how to get there, what to do when you’re there, and how long it takes.
Start your journey by discovering why the Romans came here 2000 years ago…
The History of Bath
Bath was founded by the Romans as a thermal spa. It grew to be an important centre of production in medieval England. George III encouraged the development of the town in the 18th century, with neo-classical buildings nestled among the well-preserved Roman baths. Even hundreds of years later, it’s still known for these buildings and the ancient baths that gave the city its name.
The history of Bath is one that spans centuries. It’s been a city for over 2000 years, and there are many buildings from medieval times to neoclassical periods that make this one of England’s most beautiful cities. And it’s easily reachable from London.
Is one day in Bath enough?
Yes, one day in Bath is enough to explore the major sights of the city. If you want to spend a little more time exploring, relaxing in the city, and wandering the ancient streets, then you could stay two or three days. But most people can see plenty of Bath in just a day.
How to get to Bath from London
There are multiple ways to get from London to Bath, but one of the fastest and most convenient is by train.
The most popular (and quickest) route is via Paddington, but you can also catch the train at Waterloo station too. If you’re just spending a day in Bath, I recommend taking an early morning train out of London, spend the day exploring this beautiful city before returning back to London in the evening.
The quickest train journey roughly takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes each direction between London and Bath. However, some journeys are around 2 hours 30 minutes each way, so be sure to check your tickets before you buy. One way ticket prices range between £15 to £30.
You could also get to Bath by car. There’s affordable parking in the city centre and the roads are fairly easy to navigate. This would also give you more freedom to explore and you won’t be limited by public transport times. The car journey takes around 2 hours from the capital. Of course, you will run the risk of getting stuck in traffic though, especially when coming out of London.
Finally, you can also get the bus if trains aren’t your thing. This will be slightly cheaper at around £9 per ticket but is also a much slower journey at around 3.5 and sometimes ad much as 4 hours each way.
How to get around for one day in Bath
Once you’re in Bath, the easiest way to get around the city is simply to walk. This is the best way to get around and appreciate all the city’s beauty.
If you’re not up for long walks (or if it starts raining!), then one option is using one of Bath’s hop-on/off bus routes. These will cost £17 per day and includes unlimited use on all 37 stops throughout the city. With this, you’ll see more sights in less time. But you’ll still be able to stop off wherever takes your fancy along the route.
Another option is renting a bike and cycling through this gorgeous part of England. It’s one of the best ways to explore this beautiful city and bicycle hire costs around £20 per day.
What do you do during a day trip to Bath?
So, if you’re looking to spend one day in Bath, here are some of the top things you shouldn’t miss in this beautiful city:
See the Roman Baths
No day trip to Bath would be complete without a visit to the attraction that gave the city its name. The baths are the most famous site in the city, and one you simply cannot miss.
Considered to be one of the greatest spas in ancient times, Bath’s unique thermal springs allowed for a perfect flow of naturally hot water. Inside is truly fascinating. You can actually view the hot spring and see where the water that heats the thermal bath comes from.
When Romans occupied this area in the distant past, they built a reservoir to control the water. Then, they built their city around the baths. A temple was constructed on the site between 60-70CE and the communal bathhouse gradually grew over the next 300 years.
The entrance fee is up to £27.00 – it changes during peak summer, and also increases at weekends. The price includes access to all of the baths and the museum. They seem a little pricey, but it’s worth every penny. You’ll get an up-close look at what made this one of England’s greatest Roman monuments and be able to explore all their beauty from top-to-bottom.
Explore Bath Abbey
Located literally right next to the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey is one of the most stunning buildings in one of England’s prettiest cities.
It is one of Bath’s three medieval parish churches. You simply cannot miss this during your one day in Bath. Built from Bath stone, the church was completed in 1611, following the destruction of an earlier church dating back to 1499. This former one had been destroyed by Parliamentary forces by order of Henry VIII during the Civil War, and then rebuilt due to public demand.
The nave, chancel, transepts, chapels, and side altars are all worth exploring – as well as its beautiful stained glass windows. Although there is no set entry price as this is still a working church, Bath Abbey welcomes donations to help maintain its status and beauty.
Visit Pulteney Bridge
Another must-see during a day in Bath, this bridge crosses the River Avon. It was completed by 1774, after 5 years of construction. It was originally made to connect the city with the land of the Pulteney family.
It’s one of the most popular examples of Georgian architecture in the city, with its arches carved from blocks of Bath stone. It’s one of the most iconic symbols in all of England.
Explore Pulteney Street
While you’re near Pulteney Bridge, walk to the end and then you’ll reach Pulteney Street. This beautiful street is lined with shops, cafes, and small independent restaurants. It’s the perfect spot to do a bit of window shopping or stop for lunch before exploring the rest of the city.
Walk around the Royal Crescent
This is one of the most famous streets in all of England.
It’s a beautiful Georgian street lined with houses that are some of Bath’s most expensive properties. It was designed to be one of the finest examples for aspiring architects on how to build an elegant city. It has been designated as one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1987 due to its significance – not just for architecture but also for social history.
The homes here were built from 1774 onwards by John Wood (who had previously helped design our Houses of Parliament) following his return from Bombay. There he learned Persian architectural designs first-hand while working there during wartime exile.
The street features twelve grand townhouses, each double or triple fronted. They have become known as one of the finest examples of neoclassical, Georgian architecture. They’re also a popular filming location, especially for films set in Jane Austen’s era.
Visit Bath’s Museums
Although it’s not known for its museums the way Cambridge, London, or Oxford are, Bath has plenty of historical collections just waiting for you to explore them. A few of the top ones include on your day trip to Bath are:
The Fashion Museum
The Fashion Museum one is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered. The museum explores fashion and costume design from 1750 onwards, displaying historical dresses including gowns worn by Queen Victoria. It houses more than 100,000 pieces of clothing and footwear. They also have collections that explore how society has changed.
It’s one of the most popular museums in town. ut if you want to avoid crowds then go during weekday mornings as these are less busy. Admission is free, too!
The Ameican Museum
This one is one of the newer museums in town and explores how America has changed. There are four galleries that cover different topics: an introduction to American history, a look at a family home from 1930s Brooklyn, exploring global consumerism through pop culture products, and one dedicated to gender – both masculinity and femininity. It’s the only museum that purely explored American culture outside of the USA itself. Plus, it’s surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens.
The Museum of Bath at Work
This museum covers how the city has been one of England’s most important industrial centres for centuries. It was one of the first cities to have a railway station. It also had plenty more factories which contributed massively to its growth in trade during the 1800s.
Exploring these changes, the museum also looks at Bath’s position as one of Britain’s most important industrial centres, how Bathonians bartered with the Romans, and how the famous Bath Stone was mined.
See the Circus
Not a traditional red-top circus, the Circus in Bath is another of Bath’s gorgeous examples of Georgian architecture. Located near the Royal Crescent, it was designed to be a fashionable promenade in 1775.
It is one of Bath’s best examples of 18th-century architecture. It’s been restored over recent years so visitors can have an authentic experience when they visit.
Visit the Assembly Rooms
This one is one of the most famous buildings in all of England. It’s a beautiful Georgian venue that was also designed by architect John Young as part of his original plans for developing what would become one of England’s finest cities.
The Assembly Rooms were built from 1771 onwards and are known for their stunning, decorative plasterwork. They were one of the first buildings to be completed as part of their ambitious plans for building an elegant city. They were restored in 1963 and designated to the world heritage list 13 years earlier in 1950.
Explore Bath’s parks and gardens
One day in Bath should not be spent just exploring architecture. There are plenty of parks and gardens to explore too.
Prior Park provides gorgeous views and lovely landscaped gardens.
The Royal Victoria Park here has facilities for grown-ups and children. It has a botanical garden, a kids’ play area, outdoor activities like skateboarding and crazy golfing, and even the opportunity to try model boating.
Then, Alexandra Park has even more beautiful woodland views, picnic areas and children’s play areas.
Visit the Jane Austen Centre
What one day in Bath is complete without a visit to the city’s famous Jane Austen Centre? Part museum, part recreated Georgian townhouse, it covers all things related to one of England’s most iconic literary figures.
Austen spent several years in the city and lived there between 1801 to 1806; Bath also plays a key part in several of her novels. The museum has a wide range of interactive displays and exhibits that cover her life as well as how she influenced popular culture today.
There are also plenty of events here too. From temporary exhibitions to talks by experts on everything about one of England’s favourite authors.
Go on a walking tour of the city
The perfect spot to explore on foot, a walking tour of Bath will cover one of the most beautiful parts of England.
The city is has a lot to see and the route will cover around three miles on foot. You’ll head through the busy streets before reaching the historic town centre. There are plenty of places at which visitors can take their time for exploring. From ancient Roman remains like baths to modern-day landmarks such as Curzon Park.
There should also be stops along the way that allow you to explore more during this one day in Bath. You’ll discover history, architecture, and culture, covered by local historians who know everything there is to know about this stunning city in Somerset.
Browse the markets
As with many of the beautiful towns and villages in England, Bath has a plethora of markets to explore.
The Bath Street Food Market happens twice a month (except at Christmas and peak summer). The Bath Artisan Market pops up every Sunday at Green Park Station.
Then, in the winter months, Bath Abbey features 150 chalets throughout December in the very festive atmosphere of a typical Christmas Market.
See the Bath skyline
One of the final things one day in Bath should include is a walk to the top of the city to view the skyline from above. There are several places where you can view the beautiful skyline:
- From the top of Bath Abbey
- The Bath Skyline walking route. This English walking trail is a 6-mile circular route and one of the National Trust’s most downloaded routes!
- Alexandra Park also offers stunning views over the city
If you have more than one day in Bath…
There are some gorgeous areas surrounding Bath if you have slightly longer than a day in the city. It’s just an hour’s drive to Stonehenge and an hour in the opposite direction to the beautiful Cheddar Gorge.
Surrounded by natural wonders, and full of man-made ones, Bath is not a city to skip if you’re visiting the UK and it will thoroughly mesmerise you.
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