Weekend Getaways from London: Bath
Bath is only 90 minutes from London, making it the perfect destination out of the hustle and bustle of the big smoke. Not only the spas, the history and the architecture. There are dozens of different things to do in this cute Georgian town set among the hills of Somerset.
HOW TO GET TO AND AROUND BATH
London Paddington to Bath Spa has a journey time of 1 hour 30 minutes while if you are taking your car the drive is 104 miles/ 164 km.
To get around the city, you can either walk (the city is quite compact) or hop on a ‘City Sightseeing’ Bus. Remember that if you are travelling on a budget, parking in Bath can be quite expensive.
WHAT TO DO IN BATH
SIGHTS
Roman Baths
Start from the Roman Baths, Britain’s finest ancient Roman ruins where you can walk into old history and understand more about Romans and why they chose Bath as one of their international spa outposts.
- Address: Abbey Churchyard
- Opening Times: 9am - 5pm
- Tickets: Adults £15.50 (July and August £17), students £13.75, children (6-16) £9.80
Bath Abbey
Then head to Bath Abbey and don’t be scared (or lazy!!) to climb the 212 steps to get incredible views of the entire city. Get your camera ready!
- Address: Abbey Churchyard
- Suggested donation: Adults £4, Children & Students £2, Families £10
- Tower Tours: Opening Times: every half hour (opening times depend on the month)
- Tickets: Adults £6; Children (5–15 years) £3
The Circus and The Royal Crescent
Another great photo opportunity lies at The Circus and The Royal Crescent, a full and half-circle of luxurious townhouses where in the old days rich people met to party and/or to find a wife/husband. No 1 Royal Crescent is a great place to find out more about the dodgy and mysterious stories of the high-society back then. Who thought quiet and little Bath had such a naughty past?
- Address: No. 1 Royal Crescent
- Opening Times: Mondays 12noon until 5.30pm, Tuesday-Sunday 10.30am to 5.30pm, Bank Holiday Mondays 10.30am to 5.30pm
- Tickets: Adults £10, Seniors (65+) £7, Students £7, Children (6-16) £4, Family (2 adults, up to four children) £22
Jane Austen Centre
If you love Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice or Emma, then you are in the right place. Jane Austen lived (and hated) Bath. It’s interesting to visit the Jane Austen Centre to understand why and a bit of her time in the city.
INFO - Address: 40 Gay St, Bath BA1 2NT, UK / Opening Times: Winter 10am - 4pm, Summer 9.45am - 5.30pm / Tickets: Adults £12, Senior £10.50, Children £6.20, Student £9.50, Family £28.00
Shopping
What kind of weekend away is one without a lil bit of shopping? Well, whether you are looking for the high-street big brands or smaller, cute shops, Bath is the perfect choice with its great selection of independent sellers. Don’t forget to walk on the Palladian-style Pulteney Bridge which, inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in Florence and the Ponte di Rialto in Venice, features shops built on both sides.
EAT & DRINK
BREAKKY & BRUNCH
• Wild Café produces yummy, simple food using the only local ingredients. The brunch menu has something for everybody, from pancakes to bacon sandwich, all washed down with their signature Bloody Marys?
INFO: 10a Queen Street, Bath BA1 1HE / Opening Times: Mon-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
• If you are more into lighter types of breakfast, then Mokoko Coffee & Bakery, right on Abbey Square is the perfect place to pick an espresso and a croissant before climbing up the tower. If you are not in a hurry, don’t miss the gorgeous seating area upstairs.
INFO: 6 Abbey Churchyard, Avon, Bath BA1 1LY - Opening Monday to Saturday, 8am-6pm Sunday, 9am to 6pm
LUNCH
• The Fine Cheese Co. Café is the perfect place if you love cheese but also charcuteries and bread. There is also a restaurant area where you can grab sandwiches, salads and soups from a home-made Street Food menu that changes twice a month. INFO: Address: 29 & 31 Walcot Street , Opening times: Mon - Sat: 8am - 5pm
COFFEE BREAKS & CAKES
• The Foodie Bugle is a super cute homeware shop that also serves tea, coffees and cakes.
INFO - Address: 2 Abbey Street, Bath, BA1 1NN, Opening times: Mon - Sat: 8am - 5pm
• Society Cafe is another coffee institution in Bath with two venues and serving single origins beans and delicious snacks and sandwiches.
INFO - The Corridor: 19 High St, The Corridor, Bath BA1 5AJ, UK - Kingsmead Square: 4-5 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, UK / Opening times: 7.30am - 6.30pm
• The award-winning baristas at Colonna & Small’s Cafe will make you what they define the "most stunning coffee you can find.” I can personally confirm. INFO - Address: 6 Chapel Row, Bath, UK / Opening times: Monday-Friday 8am - 5.30, Saturday 8.30am - 5.30pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm
AFTERNOON TEA
• The Pump Room part of the Roman Baths is a mandatory stop in Bath even if you are there just for a few hours. It gets very busy at weekends and during summer so make sure to book in advance. INFO - Address: Abbey Church Yard, Bath BA1 1LZ / Opening times: 9:30am - 5pm
VINO? VINO!
• Barton Street Wine Bar is the perfect place to take your actual or Tinder date which serves exceptional wines along with a tapas-style menu. INFO - 28 Barton St, Bath, BA1 1HH
DINNER
• Clayton's Kitchen, one of the best rated restaurants in Bath, occupies the ground floor of a beautiful Georgian townhouse and serves an excellent gastropub-style British/Mediterranean menu. INFO - 15A George St, Bath BA1 2EN / Opening times: lunch and dinner (in the evening closes either at 9.30 or 10pm)
DRINKS & DANCE
• Undoubtedly at Bath’s best cocktail bar, Sub 13 which has stylish and cool premises (including a Champagne Terrace and a Champagne Lounge) and awesome music. INFO - Address: 4 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2EE
If you're moving or have recently move to London, here are our accommodation options.
Have we missed any other place in Bath? Let us know in the comments below!
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