Weekend in Bath: The Perfect 2 Day In Bath Itinerary

Are you wondering what’s the best way to spend a weekend in Bath? Here’s the exact itinerary we used for our recent 2-day trip to Bath and exactly what to expect!

If you’ve ever researched city breaks in the UK that aren’t in London, I’m sure you’ll have come across Bath. It’s one of the most historic cities in England with its beautiful Roman Baths, Georgian Architecture, and wealth of literature attractions. If you’re looking for a place to spend a few days away, a weekend in Bath might be just what you need. 

This trip wasn’t my first time in the city. I first visited Bath in 2021 as part of a road trip around the UK and was fascinated by it. There were so many wonderful things to see and the city was exactly as I’d imagined it – historic, fascinating, and beautiful. 

I was really glad to be able to come back again and spend 2 days in Bath this time. It gave us a chance to see things that I hadn’t seen on my first visit, revisit some must-see sites, and find a few of the Bath’s wonderful hidden gems.

The Perfect Weekend in Bath Itinerary

So, if you’re travelling down to the West of England, don’t miss Bath.

It’s easily one of England’s most stunning cities and, although I reckon you’ve heard of the Roman Baths, there’s much more to this small city than just this one attraction.

Day One – Essential Sights in Bath

For the first day of this itinerary, we’re going to cross off all of your must-sees for Bath!

P.S. I started this itinerary at 10am to give you time to arrive in Bath. Depending on where you’re coming from, you may not be able to start exploring at the crack of dawn!

10:00 – The Royal Crescent

Start your Bath weekend break at the Royal Crescent. This is a really pretty part of the city and one of Bath’s most iconic spots. This crescent-shaped row of 30 terraced houses is a wonderful example of Georgian architecture in the city.

Built in 1774 by John Wood the Younger, each house has towering ionic columns, pretty cornices, and intricate detailing on the outside. You’ll also find the Royal Victoria Park opposite these houses – the ideal place to have a picnic in the summer months, or simply go for a walk in the sunshine.

If you want to learn more about the rich history here, head to No. 1 Royal Crescent, a museum set within one of the townhouses. Inside, you’ll find beautifully recreated interiors, with period furniture, elaborate bedrooms, and servant quarters.  

10:30 – Wander Around the Circus

After you’ve explored the Royal Crescent, head to the Circus. This is just a short walk away from Royal Crescent and another great example of Georgian design. 

This collection of houses is built in a perfect circle. There is similar architecture here to the Royal Crescent and it’s another great place to stroll along the cobbled streets, take in the sights, and admire the architecture.

11:00 – Admire the Georgian Gardens

A little bit of a hidden gem in Bath, these gardens are beautiful when they’re in full bloom. We visited in early March, a little too early for them to be at their best, but they were pretty nonetheless. 

We stopped here for a few minutes to admire the gardens, snap a few photos, and read a little about the history of the place. Although it was raining, so, if it had been nicer weather, we’d definitely have stayed longer!

11:30 – Visit the Jane Austen Centre

If you love literature, you’ll adore this attraction. The historic Jane Austen Centre is located in another Georgian townhouse in the centre of the city. Inside, you’ll find a variety of exhibits that take you on a journey into the life of the author. 

Everyone there is dressed in period costumes, so it’s quite an immersive experience. One of the men there even sang a spontaneous song while we were there which was pretty impressive. 

You can wander through the different rooms learning about the life of Jane Austen and her influence on modern times. I learned quite a lot about her life in Bath. It was quite fascinating. 

There is also a waxwork figure at the end of the tour which you can have your photo taken with and a delightful gift shop selling a range of homemade gifts and toiletries. 

While we were there, we heard one lady say that she’d flown all the way from the USA purely to visit the Jane Austen Centre! 

So, even if you only have a weekend in Bath, you definitely don’t want to miss this. 

12:30 – Grab Lunch at Saint John’s Place

Once you’ve explored the Jane Austen Centre, head to Saint Jonh’s Place. This gorgeous street is only about a 10-minute walk from the museum. 

As well as being another great example of architecture in Bath (honestly there is so much), this is the perfect place for al-fresco dining and sitting in the sunshine with a glass of wine. 

Top Tip: If you don’t fancy any of the offerings down here, The Pump Room is another great option for lunch, brunch, and afternoon tea.

13:30 – Visit The Roman Baths

After a delicious lunch, it’s time to visit the cherry on top of your weekend in Bath. This is probably the reason you’re in Bath in the first place – the Roman Baths!

This site is one of my favourite historic sites in the UK. It’s also one of the most iconic and visited attractions in Britain. 

The baths are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, date back to around 70 AD, and were built in one of England’s only natural hot springs. They are incredibly well preserved and the water is said to have therapeutic properties.

There’s a surprisingly large amount of things to see here. When I first visited, I thought it was just the thermal baths themselves that you could visit. But there’s actually a whole historical site and museum here full of Roman ruins.

You can walk through the archaeological finds from when they excavated the site, see two different ancient baths, and even see the sacred hot spring where the hot water flows from. 

There is an audio guide included in your tour of the Roman Baths and plaques on the walls where you can read about the history. 

It’s a must-visit in Bath (of course!), and I really loved my time here both times I’ve visited.

Top Tip: I’d allow at least an hour and a half for this site. You might need more than that if you love photography or want to read all the information. 

15:30 – Marvel at Bath Abbey

Right around the corner from the Roman Baths, you’ll find Bath Abbey. This majestic building is a wonderful example of Gothic architecture in Bath. 

It was originally built in the 17th century as a Benedictine Monastery and the abbey that you see today is the result of several rebuilds. 

Inside is incredibly impressive. You’ll find lots of towering pillars, stained-glass windows, elaborately carved pews, and a soaring vaulted ceiling. There are also lots of statues, carvings, and tombstones.

I’d allow at least 45 minutes to wander around the abbey. They provide you with a booklet of information at the beginning so that you can learn more about history. 

You can also book tower tours to view the upper parts of the abbey. During these tours, you’ll climb the 212 steps to the ramparts, see the bell, intricate detail of the carvings on the rooftop, and panoramic views over Bath. 

These tours last around an hour and you can book them when you arrive at the abbey. They are done on a first come first serve basis. 

17:00 – Admire Pulteney Bridge

If you love beautiful outdoor attractions, you’ll love this place. It’s located about 5 minutes on foot from Bath Abbey. 

The spot is seriously stunning and was one of my favourite places to visit during my two days in Bath. Not only can you see a really cool weir, but you also get an incredible bridge dating back to Roman times thrown in as well!

What more can you ask for!?

Built in 1774, this bridge crosses the River Avon that runs through the centre of Bath. It’s a very elegant structure with a series of arches stretching over the waterway, and the incredible architecture of Bath in the background. 

We lingered at the top of this bridge for a while before crossing it and admiring the spectacular views from the bottom on the other side. Both places are worth visiting because you get to see the bridge from a very different angle.

18:00 – Go for Sri Lankan Tapas

After we’d snapped what felt like a gazillion photos at the great Pulteney Bridge, we headed back across it and into the city to find a place to eat. We’d had Vietnamese food the day before (we’d previously spent a wonderful day in Bristol), and fancied something a little different but still spicy. 

We stumbled across The Coconut Tree and loved it. They offer Sri Lankan-style street food in a tapas-like style and some excellent cocktails. We ended up sharing about 6 dishes and they were all absolutely delicious! 

Day Two – Hidden Gems and a Wonderful Day Trip from Bath

On our second day in Bath, we decided to dig a little deeper into the city’s heritage before heading just outside the city to some beautiful sites in the surrounding British countryside. If you love the outdoors and Harry Potter, you’ll adore day two!

9:00 – Thermae Bath Spa

Start your morning with a dip in the UK’s only thermally heated spa. Sounds pretty special right? It definitely is! 

It’s an open-air rooftop pool overlooking the city and you can see stunning views over Bath and the Abbey spires from the thermal waters. 

This spa and steam rooms are an incredibly unique thing to do during a weekend in Bath. If you’re visiting the city as a couple, the Thermae Spa is a pretty romantic way to start your morning too!

11:30 – Explore the beautiful city streets

Before we hopped in the car and drove to our next location, we decided to go for a little wonder around the streets of the city.

Since we’d seen all of the major attractions in Bath yesterday, it was the perfect time to simply explore without needing to be anywhere. 

The streets in Bath are beautiful too. There are so many little alleyways, and cobbled side streets to explore as well as beautiful green spaces and independent shops. 

We spent about an hour just having a wander around before heading to our hotel to check out. 

✅ This is easily the best walking tour of Bath

13:00 – Wander Around Prior Park Landscaped Gardens

When we arrived in Bath, we parked at the Newbridge Park and Ride to the west of the city centre, so next, we headed back to collect our car.

From the park-and-ride, the drive to the Prior Park Landscaped Gardens was around 15 minutes (don’t worry – I’ll cover driving tips for Bath soon!). 

As soon as I saw the photos of this place I knew that I wanted to visit and it 100% lived up to what I expected. The beautiful gardens are well worth visiting. 

They’re a National Trust site, so if you have a membership, you’ll be able to get in for free. If not, you’ll have to pay a small entrance fee of £10 per adult. 

When you’re at the gate, the staff will tell you to take a photograph of the map at the entrance – they stopped handing out paper maps, so this is how you’ll be able to find your way around. Then, you can set off around the site. 

The route we took around the gardens

We decided to walk in a large loop around the gardens. After just a few minutes we reached a pretty pond with sausage-like plants in the water, which almost seemed to glow. 

Next, we came across an impressive building and some stunning views over the park and Bath in the distance. 

After admiring these, we continued on our loop. This took us along woodland paths for a while. We passed lots of towering trees – some with huge trunks – and heard birds chirping in the bushes. It was very relaxing after the bustling vibe of the city centre 

Our next stop was the beautiful Palladian Bridge. Surrounded by lakes, this bridge is the highlight of the gardens and my favourite thing we visited there. It’s one of only 4 Palladian Bridges in the world and is so beautiful. 

We walked around the lakes and then over the bridge and took a LOT of photos! Can you blame us though!?

The way back

After this, we continued along the path and made our way back to the car. The path back was mostly uphill (since we’d come downhill to reach the lake from the viewpoint), and we decided to take it slowly so as not to tire ourselves out. 

It wasn’t a difficult path – it was just one of those steady inclines that is deceivingly exhausting!

I think we spent around 1 hour and a half in the gardens. However, you could easily spend longer if you want to explore more of the paths. 

Top Tip: Parking to visit the gardens is tricky. There’s no parking at the entrance, so if you want to visit, you’ll either need to park on the road at the bottom of a hill and walk about a mile back up (I know – pretty brutal) or park in the city and get the bus. The bus literally stops right outside, so this is much easier, but it’s also more time-consuming.

15:30 –  Explore Lacock Abbey

We spent the rest of the day exploring Lacock Abbey. 

This place is around 40 minutes by car from Prior Park Gardens and, while it’s a bit of a drive, I completely think it’s worth a visit. The route is a little windy through some back rounds (which is partly why it takes so long). But, you’ll get to see a lot of the surrounding countryside too. 

Lacock Abbey is located in the village of the same name in Wiltshire. It was originally an Augustinian nunnery in the 13th century. After several transformations over the years, it became a stunning country house.

Built in a wonderful combination of Tudor and Georgian styles, the abbey has a grand entrance through a gated driveway and a huge courtyard to the left. To the right, you’ll find magnificent gardens with towering oak trees. 

The entire estate is a National Trust property so, like the gardens beforehand, if you have membership you can get in for free. Otherwise, it’s £20 per person. Parking is also £5 if you’re not a member.

What to do at Lacock Abbey

There are several attractions here. The main draw for many people is the cloisters which were used as a film set in the Harry Potter movies. If you’re a fan, like me, then you’ll love it because it literally feels like you’re walking through Hogwarts. 

You can’t walk all the way around the cloisters because part of it is roped off (or was when I was there), but you can explore two of the corridors and the rooms that branch off of them.

One had a huge cauldron in it which I thought was incredibly coincidental!

The cloisters are only a small section of the abbey though.

You can also climb up the stairs into the rooms above. These are fascinating and offer a real glimpse into the lives of the family that used to live there. 

Many have been reconstructed into what they used to look like. There’s a bedroom, a huge dining area, several giant bookshelves, and lots of artwork hung on the walls.

The guides are also incredibly helpful in answering any questions about the abbey. One lady told us that the house stayed with the same family for 500 years before it was passed on to the National Trust. They only took ownership of it in 2011.

The whole place is beautiful, fascinating, and well worth the drive from Bath. 

Top Tip: The last entry for the Abbey rooms is at 15:45, so you’re going to want to head here first and then explore the cloisters afterwards. 

17:30 – Dinner in Lacock

Now is a great time to head into Lacock Village for dinner. There are several cute little restaurants and pubs in the village (like the George Inn and the Rising Sun) it’s also a great spot to simply wander around. 

At this time of day, the sun will be setting, making the village extra beautiful.

There’s lots of medieval history here – you can tell by just looking at the villages. It was also used as a filming set for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.

After this, it’s time to leave Bath and the surrounding area and head back home! We had a pretty long 3-hour drive, so didn’t stay for dinner in the village and instead headed back to try to beat some of the traffic. But, you may want to stay longer depending on where you’re heading.

Where to stay in Bath

There are some wonderful places to stay in the city, but if you’re going for a weekend in Bath, you’re probably looking for a few things – a convenient location, delicious breakfast, and comfortable rooms. We stayed at Brooks Guesthouse in Bath and can happily say it ticked all of these boxes. 

The guesthouse is located a short 15-minute walk from the city centre. There’s also a bus stop right outside, which is very convenient. 

Inside, the rooms are super cosy. We stayed in a King Room with a four-poster bed and it had everything we needed. The bed was huge and comfortable, the room was well-designed, and the bathroom was modern.

The hotel also had loads of great features besides the room. There was a cute communal area with squashy armchairs and a roaring fire in the evenings, and the staff were really helpful in making sure we had everything we needed.

The breakfast was also exceptional. One of the things I always look for when I travel is a good breakfast and Brooks over-delivered on this count. 

We were able to help ourselves to a continental buffet of fruits, pastries, cereals, and juices. There was also a hot menu where you could get delicious dishes cooked to order.

This gave it a much more personal feel than simply giant help-yourself trays of eggs and bacon and you could ensure the food was freshly cooked.

The only small downside to the hotel was the lack of parking. However, the bus stop right outside made up for this as we were able to get dropped off a 30-second walk from the door!

✅ This is without a doubt one of my favourite hotels in Bath!

How to get around Bath

Bath is a really easy city to walk around. Everything on day one of this itinerary you can reach on foot from each other and on foot from the hotel we stayed at too. 

On the second day, it’s easier to use public transport or drive to get to Prior Park Landscaped Gardens, unless you really enjoy walking. But even if you did, you’d be walking for around an hour each way and a large portion of that would be uphill. 

To get to Lacock, you’ll need to use transport (it’ll be 4.5 hours one way on foot, so probably too far for even the more avid hikers)! You can drive from the centre of the city in about 35 minutes, or take the bus.

By bus, you’ll need to take the 272 to The Bear and then catch the X34 to The George. From there, it’s around a 5-minute walk to Lacock Abbey. The journey by bus will take around 50 minutes.

For both of these two stops, we drove because we were heading straight home afterwards and didn’t want another hour’s bus ride back into town to town to collect the car. However, it’s perfectly feasible with public transport too, you just might need to allocate more time.

How to get to Bath

We also drove to Bath itself. Since we were coming from near Cambridge, and we knew we’d want to make a few stops outside the city on the way home, driving made the most sense.

We also spent one day in Bristol before we drove to Bath, so it would’ve been quite time-consuming to do all of this via public transport.

Nonetheless, if you’re simply coming to Bath for a weekend, it’s quite easy to reach from London by train. The direct train from Paddington Station in London to Bath Spa Station takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes. From the train station, you can walk to the city centre in 5 minutes. 

If you do decide to drive, it’ll take around 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach Bath from London. Of course, this depends on where in London you’re starting from and the traffic you encounter along the way. 

Our journey home took around 3 hours, but we had to drive through Oxford to head towards Cambridge and encountered a bit of traffic there. 

Parking in Bath

It’s also worth noting that it’s quite tricky and expensive to park in Bath city centre.

The car parks are expensive to discourage car traffic and pollution in the city. Some of the prices are actually based on your car’s emissions; if you have a higher-emission car, you’ll pay more to park it. 

Because of this, we decided to use the park-and-ride service outside of Bath.

The Park-and-Ride in Bath

There are 3 park-and-ride services in Bath but we used Newbridge. This is the closest one to the city and will take around 15 minutes to get into Bath. The bus leaves every 15 minutes and it’s quite a reliable service.

It can get a little complicated when it comes to staying overnight though. Parking is free if you’re using the park-and-ride and returning on the same day. However, if you’re leaving your car overnight, you need to pay £2 for every day that you don’t return to your car.

The actual park and ride itself was £5.40 for a return for 2 adults. A return for one adult is £3.60. The ticket is only valid on the day that you purchase it and they don’t offer a single ticket. This was quite frustrating since it meant we had to pay for another return ticket on the way back.

However, we ended up learning a little trick that will come in very handy next time we visit Bath:

Top Tip: If you’re staying overnight in Bath, it’s cheaper to use the regular bus service than it is to use the park-and-ride even if you park in the park-and-ride car park. You’ll have to pay for the car park on both days, but you can literally walk 5 minutes round the corner from the park-and-ride stop and get the X39 bus to Bath city centre. This bus only costs £2 per adult for a single ticket compared to £3.60 each time, so works out cheaper overall.

Is a Weekend in Bath Enough?

Yes, I actually think a weekend is plenty of time to see all of the main sights in Bath. However, if you’re like me and you enjoy getting outside of the city and exploring the natural spots, and beautiful surrounding countryside, you’re going to want longer than a weekend.

There are so many beautiful manor houses and landscape gardens near Bath. Not to mention you’re just a stone’s throw away from the beauty of the Cotswolds, the fantastic city of Bristol, and other amazing sites like Cheddar Gorge, Salisbury, and Wells. 

So, yes, a weekend might be enough to see the main attractions in Bath, but if you want to explore the area, you’re going to need much more than that!