Perfect Day Trip Itinerary for Bath, UK

Best Day Trip Itinerary for Bath, England

The beautiful World Heritage city of Bath is one of England’s top highlights.

Even if only you’re travelling in this country for a week or so, then you really can’t miss this stunning town situated in the country’s southwest corner.

Unbelievably, I hadn’t visited this gem in my home country, until this summer – 32 years in!

With a trip to Bristol to see friends booked (read more about the best free things to do in Bristol here), Bath seemed like the perfect accessory, only 15 minutes away by train.

But Bath certainly isn’t just a Bristol accessory, it’s very much a jewel in its own crown – in fact it’s amazing just how close and how different the 2 cities are.

Bath is all glamour, while Bristol is all grit. Both are magnificent, it just depends what you’re into.

And FYI: I’m into both!

England, Bath, Roman Baths

 


Related Posts

This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.


 

How to Travel from London to Bath?

Bath Abbey 2

The other thing that differentiates the 2 cities is size.

Bath is much smaller, and the centre more easily explored on foot in a shorter amount of time than Bristol.

This makes a quick excursion to Bath really manageable. In fact, Bath is one of the best day trips from London.

If you’re looking to see more of England outside of the capital, then I can highly recommend Bath which combines all the necessary factors of history, heritage, finesse and countryside charm.

Visiting Bath on a day trip from London (or Bristol for that matter – you can actually cycle between the 2!) is also one of the most cost-effective ways to see the city.

It’s only a 90 minute train ride from Paddington station and, as always, I use Trainline to find the best prices – with a handy journey planning feature and live departure updates, this is my one-stop shop when it comes to organising all my UK train adventures.

Alternatively, if you’re really on a budget, you can hop on the Megabus from London Victoria Coach Station to Bath for as little as £5 one way!

You can also, of course, drive to Bath. The journey takes just 2.5 hours from London. If you want to hire a car in the UK, check out Discover Cars.

Bath have recently brought in a clean air initiative and, as such, strongly encourage all visitors to use the Park & Ride services when travelling from further afield – this helps reduce congestion and air pollution in the busy city centre.

The city has 3 Park & Ride services, which are open 7 days a week and located just 10 minutes from the city centre.

Buses run into the city from all three Park and Ride sites at least every 15 minutes.

Finally, you can also take a day trip tour to Bath from London. Check out this great option, which actually covers Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath and the Roman Baths all in a day trip from London.

 

Top Bath Day Trip Attractions

Bath Abbey

Originally a Roman settlement and later a popular Georgian town, Bath is famous for its history and no few than 13 museums can be found in the compact city centre.

Most entrance tickets can either be bought online in advance, or on the door on the day.

From the Jane Austen Centre to the Fashion Museum, the Holburne Museum to the Museum of Bath Architecture, there’s plenty to choose from.

Add into this mix the Bath art scene with its Victoria Art Gallery and Theatre Royal, as well as its burgeoning restaurant scene, and there’s more than enough to fit into a Bath day trip!

If you’re still looking for more, then check out this great guided Bath trip with a blue badge holder to get all the historic lowdown on this amazing city and many of its top attractions.

Or, something lighter, this sightseeing boat cruise with prosecco is a winner!

Of course the main attraction in the city is the Roman Baths, sadly you can no longer dive in here, but it is a fascinating historic site to wander around.

And don’t forget the 7th century Bath Abbey, which is Grade I listed.

Well-worth a visit, head here to explore the magnificent stained-glass windows, the impressive stone columns and the incredible fan vaulted ceiling. There’s also a heritage museum in the cellars and an impressive view of the city from the roof.

Buy your tickets ahead of time here.

 

 

 

How to Get Around Bath?

England, Bath, Green Park

Bath’s city centre is pretty compact and getting around on foot is both easy and enjoyable.

Thankfully the bus and train station are also central, which means if you’re arriving into the city this way, it’s usually easy to get to your accommodation and all the city’s main attractions.

If you’d rather hop on a bus however, then First Bus run a service around the city centre, as well as to neighbour towns and villages. Check out their journey planner here.

You can pay for bus journeys on the bus using the contactless card terminal by the driver, which cost £2 each.

Alternatively, you buy a FirstDay ticket giving you 1 day of unlimited travel across the Bath Zone for £6. But form the driver or the First Bus app.

Otherwise, if you want to combine transport with sightseeing, this Tootbus Discovery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour in Bath is a winner!

 

Best Itinerary for Your Bath Day Trip

Bath Weir

Of course , the key to getting the best out of any day trip is to plan your itinerary in advance, so you can jam pack your day and get the most of it!

So here, to help you out, is my ideal Bath Day trip itinerary, which is easy to copy for a fab quick visit to this city.

 

Breakfast

No day trip to Bath is complete without breakfast at the historic Sally Lunn’s cafe.

One of the oldest houses in Bath – dating back to 1483 – this place oozes tradition and has been serving up the same iconic (and delicious) Bath Buns for over 300 hundred years!

Legend has it the recipe for these rich round buns was brought to Bath in 1680 by a Huguenot refugee from France.

The buns are still made by hand, using the same original recipe, today – a recipe closely guarded and only passed on with the deeds of the house!

Choosing from a sweet or savoury Sally Lunn bun is the perfect way to start your day in Bath.

Not only that, but by dining here will also grant you free access to the museum room below.

Perfect for those wishing to see Bath on a budget, this small exhibition brilliantly displays the real age of this house from this Tudor fireplaces to its 11th century baker’s oven to the Roman and Saxon pottery remains found on site.

 

Morning

After Sally Lunn’s, head to the Bath Weir for some iconic photos of the Pulteney Bridge, before cutting across town to The Circus for some equally attractive photograph opps.

No Bath day trip is complete without a wander up to the Royal Crescent – a fabulous stretch of Georgian houses, set up on a hill and clustered around an attractive green – that exemplifies the high society Bath lifestyle fashionable at the time.

Head back into town, admiring the boutique shop windows and the traditional Bath Stone buildings on the way, before stopping to check out the UNESCO World Heritage Bath Abbey.

A place of worship for more than 1200 years, the stunning stained-glass windows of the church shed light on some of the world’s most impressive vaulted ceilings.

A climb to the top of the Abbey’s 212 steps for incredible views across the city is well worth the £6.50, although I suggest buying your tickets in advance to avoid the queue!

Otherwise, why not enjoy some fabulous free street entertainment in the square outside with one of the most quintessential English backdrops imaginable.

 

Lunch

When it comes to lunch in Bath, I recommend heading to the Bath Guildhall Markets, which are just around the corner from the Abbey.

Stock up here on picnic goods and then head to one of the city’s many green spaces to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch.

 

Afternoon

No perfect Bath day trip itinerary would be complete with a visit to the Roman Baths, which really are the foundations of the city.

You can’t bathe in them sadly, so leave your swimsuits at home, but visiting them is a must do during your bath day trip.

Entrance fees for adults are £20.50 on a weekday or £23.50 at the weekend.

This seems quite expensive, but is well worth it given the wealth of information imparted via the included audio tour.

You really can spend a good few hours here, imaging what life would have been like thousands of years ago, as the same natural spring continues to pump its healing waters for all to marvel at.

If you want a Bath walking tour that includes entry to the Roman Baths, check out this option.

Finish up your afternoon with a classic English ale.

The Huntsman on Bath’s North Parade is a wonderful pub for this, featuring local beers on tap amidst a great atmosphere.

 

Evening

Finally, why not finish your budget day trip to Bath with a stroll along this city’s lovely canals?

The walk to nearby Bathampton is very manageable and will also give you a delightful glimpse into the rolling hill countryside that surrounds the city.

If the stroll has made you a bit peckish, then why not stop at one of Bathampton’s waterside pubs.

The George is particularly popular and we enjoyed a very well-priced meal here, that would be perfect for those also seeking to explore Bath on a budget.

 

 

 

Where to Stay in Bath?

Bathampton
If you’d like to stay longer than a day in Bath, then here’s my top picks of places to stay the night…

Budget: Top budget accommodation spots include Bath YMCA and St Christopher’s Inn Bath, which are both well-located in the city centre. Otherwise, the YHA Bath is a little further out of town, but set within a listed Italianate mansion!

Mid-range: The Z Bath Hotel is a fab, modern hotel in the heart of the city or this beautiful, modern 1 bedroom apartment in city centre is also great.

Luxury: My pick has to be the The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel by YTL is a 5* property with guest access to massage, hot tub and fitness centre on-site.

 

When to Visit Bath?

UK, Bath, Sally Lunns

The best time to visit Bath is definitely during the summer months in my opinion.

The better weather from June to August will definitely allow you to get out and explore the glorious parts and historic sights of this iconic city.

Christmas is also a lovely time to visit Bath when the markets and festive atmosphere are in full flow.

 

Get Your FREE Ebooklet Now!
40 Bucket List Things To Do in the UK

Just enter your details below and I'll email it to you - simple!

Information will be sent to the email provided above

 

Travel Insurance for the UK

World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

 

Travel Money in the UK

The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card here… and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold! Grab yours here.

 

PIN IT TO PINTEREST!

 

So that’s my perfect Bath day trip itinerary – ideal for those on a budget!

Have you visited this fantastic English city?

What did you enjoy doing there and what are your top Bath budget tips?

 

6 thoughts on “Perfect Day Trip Itinerary for Bath, UK

    • Steph says:

      Definitely on foot is the best (and cheapest way) to get around Bath Agness. Getting there from Bristol or London – the 2 closest major cities – is very easy via train or bus 🙂

  1. Chloe says:

    I really want to go to Bath as it looks so pretty and I’m always on the look out for affordable travel destinations! Great post and I love your photos!

  2. Mithu Bhar says:

    I want to do Bath and Bristol in one day from London. I would only like to visit the Bath Cathedral and Roman Baths and in Bristol only the Arnos Vale Cemetery before heading back to London. How could I do it?

    • Steph says:

      Hi Mithu, thanks for your questions. You can easily drive from London to all the destinations you mention in a day – this is very do-able. Alternatively, you can take a train or bus to Bath, visit the Abbey and Roman Baths, and then take a train or bus to Bristol to visit Arnos Vale Cemetery. From Bristol, you can then easily take a train or bus back to London. Hope this helps and happy travels. Best wishes, Steph 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.