One Day in Bath, England: The Perfect Day Trip Itinerary
Spending one day in Bath can be hectic (because there is so much to do!), but hopefully, this 1-day itinerary for Bath will take all the planning stress off your shoulders!
Bath is one of the most popular day trips from London, however, most day trips to Bath are sardine-packed tour buses with multiple stops in Windsor, Stonehenge, or the Cotswolds… I think Bath deserves more than 2 hours of walking around the Roman Baths and then leaving.
That’s where I come in! I’m going to tell you how easy it is to take a day trip to Bath from London (and other places) and what to do to get the most out of your day!
One Day in Bath, England – The Perfect Itinerary for Bath
Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City located in the southwest of England. The city gets its name from the ancient Roman baths. The Romans believed the city’s mineral water could cure every disease… and the people kept believing through the centuries.
You can even test the water out for yourself at Thermae Bath Spa!
Bath has a very famous literary history, I’m sure you’ve heard of Jane Austen visiting and then later living in Bath, but did you know Charles Dickens was a big fan of the city? Anna Sewell (Black Beauty) and Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) also drew inspiration from Bath.
How to Get to Bath – One Day Itinerary
The great thing about Bath is how accessible the city is. The train station is SO CLOSE to the city center, taking the train could be your smartest move for visiting Bath for the day. *The train station in Bath is called Bath Spa*
The closest airport is Bristol, however, it’s a local airport with select European flights, so you would most likely have a transfer. It’s better to just fly into Heathrow.
The train from London will take about an hour and 20 minutes, the Great Western Railway has services running to Bath Spa from London Paddington. I book all my train tickets with TRAINLINE.COM.
If you are coming from Bristol, you can take the quick 11 min journey. Even a last-minute ticket can be as low as £8.00 for one-way.
If you are driving into the city for the day, then I highly recommend using one of three Park & Ride buses dotted around the outside of the city.
You don’t have to worry about finding a parking space in the city center, it’s CHEAPER than parking in the center, and it takes the stress out of driving through the city! Win, win, win!
Getting Around Bath
Getting around Bath once you are there is SUPER easy.
This is such an easy city to walk around. Everything is all within 15-20 minutes. Signposts and maps are posted around the city, so getting lost is not an option.
Uber does exist, but there’s not much price difference to grab a taxi at one of the ranks. I haven’t had any issues with Uber in Bath, but I know some people who have had Uber cancel last minute, not show up, or overcharge.
If you plan to take a taxi back to the train station, then you can familiarize yourself with the taxi rank locations.
Roman Baths
No visit to Bath would be complete without touring the Roman Baths. The baths were built after the Roman invasion in the 1st century as a way for the Romans to relax and take full advantage of the hot springs bubbling below the city of Bath.
The baths were not only used for healing, but for leisure and socializing. Sometimes the Romans played board games there and sometimes they held business meetings… I want to know if they had their business meetings in the Great Bath or if it was in the cold plunge pool. What do you think?
If you only have one day in Bath, then you’ll want to get here as soon as possible (since you probably won’t be able to visit right before close or at night time). Make sure you get here before opening so you can be the first person inside!
Once the clock strikes 10am, all the tourist buses from London roll up and it gets VERY crowded, VERY quickly.
You can check out my tips for the Roman Baths or my Guide to Visiting the Roman Baths.
If you want to see it all, then make sure you give yourself at least 2 hours.
Bath Abbey
Since you just finished the Roman Baths, you are right next to Bath Abbey, so why not take a little peek?
International travelers heading to the UK might think that all cathedrals are the same, but each one around the country is beautiful and unique, using different styles and stones with different facades and different columns lining the naves.
Bath Abbey is no exception.
There has been evidence of a church on this site as early as the 7th century and has survived plenty of battles, including the Reformation in the 1500s and the bombing of Bath during World War II.
The first thing that pops out are the little angels climbing up the ladders on either side of the facade.
Apparently, the idea came to the Bishop of Bath, Oliver King, in a dream.
You also need to check out the fan-vaulted ceiling inside the nave, it’s gorgeous!
Parade Gardens
After you are finished with the abbey, walk towards the River Avon and you’ll run into the parade gardens.
If you want to pretend you are living in the Regency period in the middle of the social season during an episode of Bridgerton and “promenade” around a garden next to a river… this place is for you!
The garden actually predates the Regency period, the two-and-a-half acre grounds were laid out in the early 1700s.
There are plenty of photo ops here and if you walk down to the river, you will get an amazing view of Pulteney Bridge and the weir.
Once you are finished with the gardens, walk up the steps and head to the right (towards the bridge).
Pulteney Bridge
Before you reach the actual bridge, make sure you take in one of Bath’s most famous views.
Trust me, you can’t miss this on your day trip to Bath!
Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1774 and is one of four bridges in the world that is lined with shops on both sides and when you are actually on the bridge, you have no idea you are walking across a bridge.
The weir has been referenced since the 1600s, however, the famous 3-tiered weir you see today was built in 1975. And no, it’s not a fancy “water feature”, the weir is used to regulate the water and help protect the city from flooding.
If you’ve seen the movie Les Misérables then you’ll recognize the weir from Javert’s suicide scene as he jumps off the bridge into the river.
Circus and Royal Crescent
No day trip to Bath is complete without walking around the gorgeous Georgian townhouses… and one of the best examples of Georgian architecture is the Royal Crescent.
The Circus, formally known as King’s Circus, was designed by architect John Wood, the Elder. He also designed the adjoining Gay Street which leads to Queen Square, another one of his designs. From above, these three places form a key.
If you follow Brock Street from the Circus, you will run into one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture, the Royal Crescent.
This crescent was built a few years after the Circus by John Wood, the Younger… yep, John Wood, the Elder’s son! I guess those genes ran in the family.
The crescent consists of 30 terrace houses, VERY expensive terrace houses.
If you want to know what the inside looks like, check out No. 1 Royal Crescent. It’s the first terrace house you come to and the inside is laid out in all its Georgian glory.
The facade of No.1 was used for exterior shots of the Featherington’s house in Bridgerton.
Ending Your Day Trip to Bath
That’s probably all you will have time for with only one day in Bath, but I’m sure you’ll be back… right?
If you are a big fan of Jane Austen then you can visit the Jane Austen Centre, which is a short walk from The Circus.
There is also a taxi rank on George Street, which is very close to the museum. It’s perfect if you want to fit one more thing in before your day in Bath ends.
If you’re not a big fan of Jane Austen, you can wander around Queen Square (it’s not a fancy garden, but there are some benches and pretty terrace houses).
Where to Eat and Drink in Bath
Sally Lunn’s: Bath is famous for the Sally Lunn bun, in fact, Jane Austen even wrote about them in her letters to her family.
If you want to grab one of these buns as a snack or quick lunch, make sure you get there early-ish (after you visit Bath Abbey, take a detour to grab a bun before you head to the Parade Gardens). By the evening, all the buns will be gone!
Are they worth it? Ummmm… YES!
They are fluffy, sweet, light, and delicious… just go get the bun!
Garrick’s Head: This is a great place to sit outside and grab a pint with your lunch. It’s next to the Theatre Royal, so it can get busy if there is a show on that night.
This is a little bit on the pricey side, but the food is good.
Crescent Restaurant and Bar: SUPER convenient since it’s located right next to the Royal Crescent. That means you won’t have to stray too far off the path and get the most out of your one day in Bath.
The Pump Room: I don’t think I could’ve left the Pump Room off this list. This restaurant has been the beating heart of Bath since Jane Austen’s time. If you want to opt for afternoon tea instead of lunch, then I cannot recommend this place enough.
You can also sample more of that delicious Bath water…
If you want an experience in England, then this is the place to go… OH, did I mention they have a trio or a pianist that plays every day?!? The only thing missing is a regency dress and Mr. Darcy!
The Pump Room also offers brunch, so if you skip breakfast, grab a bite to eat here after you visit the Roman Baths!
Regency Tea Room: If you still want afternoon tea but want it in a more cozy setting and maybe a little more budget friendly?
Head to the Jane Austen Centre and go to the Regency Tea Room. For under £10 you can get tea and scones!!
Assembly Rooms
I’m sure a lot of you have heard about the assembly rooms, maybe because it’s a filming location for Bridgerton? Or maybe you are a Jane Austen fan and want to follow in her footsteps? Or maybe you have heard of the Fashion Museum?
Well, you can no longer visit the assembly rooms because the museum has closed down.
The Fashion Museum has shut its doors and will be moving to the center of the city, which is estimated to take anywhere from 3 to 8 years… yikes.
The rooms will re-open “whenever possible” in March 2023 while the National Trust creates their new exhibit in the assembly rooms, which will be an immersive Georgian Bath experience.
Are you taking a day trip to Bath? Or maybe a weekend break? What do you plan on doing in Bath? Lemme know in the comments below!
Related Posts:
- Guide to Visiting the Roman Baths
- Tips for Visiting the Roman Baths
- Travel Guide for Bristol, England
- Weekend Breaks in England
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