Explore the City of Bath World Heritage Site

Start off by familiarising yourself with the city. Bath was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and again in 2021 as one of The Great Spa Towns of Europe. Start your day at the World Heritage Centre to discover why Bath is among the greatest cultural World Heritage Sites in the world.

Head up to the Circus and the Royal Crescent to experience Bath’s renowned Georgian architecture.

Here, there are three museums to choose from to dive into different aspects of Bath’s history; No.1 Royal Crescent Museum is justly considered one of the finest achievements of eighteenth-century urban architecture, and provides a look at Georgian life in Bath; Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein is an award-winning museum and escape rooms; while the Jane Austen Centre dives into Regency times and uncovers how Bath shaped Austen’s writing. For refreshments, try the Regency Tea Room.

Walk back towards the city, passing Gay Street – another street full of notable architecture.

If you prefer a guide, check out The Mayor of Bath’s Honourary Guides. They have been proudly offering free historic walking tours for individuals and groups since 1934.

At lunchtime, head to The Pump Room. With its Corinthian columns, glittering chandelier and spa fountain, it was once the heart of the Georgian social scene, when high society flocked to the city for the waters. Jane Austen used it as a setting for her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, and Charles Dickens was another frequent literary visitor. Every day, they offer Morning Bakery, Brunch and Afternoon Tea, inspired by the Regency era’s elegant tea traditions. The Pump Room Trio plays while you dine; a resident ensemble that continues a musical tradition for over 300 years.

Head to The Roman Baths to experience one of the best-preserved Roman Sites in the World. 1,170,000 litres of steaming spring water, reaching 46°C, still fills the bathing site every single day.  Among the extensive ruins is an interactive museum filled with archaeological treasures and visual snippets that transport you back to Roman times and life in Aquae Sulis.

The entrance to The Roman Baths is a Victorian addition to the building. Mary Shelley lived in one of the buildings that were there before the Victorians demolished it, and wrote a large part of Frankenstein there.

Head across the square to Bath Abbey to see magnificent stained-glass windows, columns of honey-gold limestone and some of the finest fan vaulting in Europe. Tower Tours are also available to experience the city from above and learn more about the international significance of the Abbey.

Enjoy Bath’s beautiful parks to discover 18th century garden design and the therapeutic spa landscape, an environment designed for wellness. Prior Park Landscape Garden is a beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden, boasting stunning views across the city and one of only four Palladian bridges of this design in the world. Royal Victoria Park is another picturesque expanse of green parkland, spanning 57 acres. Originally an arboretum, it is still home to beautiful botanic gardens and the Great Dell Aerial Walkway.

Experience Bath’s soothing, mineral-rich waters for yourself at Thermae Bath Spa, just as the Romans did over 2,000 years ago. Thermae is a remarkable combination of ‘old and new’ where historic spa buildings blend with the contemporary design of the New Royal Bath. Among the many pools, saunas and steam rooms, the open-air Rooftop Pool offers spectacular panoramic views across the Bath skyline.

The Twilight package is the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day (available Monday to Friday from 3pm). It includes two two-hour spa sessions with full use of the Minerva Bath, Wellness Suite and Rooftop Pool, plus a sharing platter with a seasonal side and a glass of wine, beer or juice each, enjoyed in the Springs Café.

Enjoy a classic breakfast in a tearoom or café, such as the Abbey Deli (used as a filming scene for Bridgerton), Mokoko Coffee and Bakery or Pulteney Bridge Coffee Shop.

Walk across Pulteney Bridge, one of the most photographed examples of Georgian architecture in Bath. It is one of only four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span on both sides, making it an architectural and historic marvel.

Continue along Great Pulteney Street – the widest, grandest thoroughfare in the city, with a charming fountain at Laura Place.

At the end, visit The Holburne Museum, a Grade I listed building which houses a collection of fine and decorative art, from Renaissance treasures to masterpieces by Gainsborough.

For lunch, The Holburne Museum has its own Garden Café, which opens onto the historic Sydney Gardens behind the museum. The Garden Café prides itself on seasonal, delicious, fresh food and has won a Restaurant and Bar Design Award.

Sydney Gardens is a Grade II listed park dating from 1795 (now the only remaining Georgian pleasure garden in the UK). As Bath’s oldest park, it was frequently visited by members of the Royal family and Jane Austen, who lived directly opposite.

See the city from above and explore the Bath Skyline Walk. The route takes approximately 1.5 – 2 hours and is designed to be rewarding and highly accessible: easy to find and easy to follow.

Attending balls, taking the waters, visiting neighbours – in the eighteenth century, Bath was at its most fashionable. The men and women of high society often felt the need to escape the hectic demands of the city to take the air in the pleasure of its tranquil surroundings, and was part of the therapy for visitors seeking healing and health benefits in the spa city.

For an option without a long walk, take the bus to Beckford’s Tower & Museum, which has recently reopened to the public following a £3.9 million refurbishment. The 120-foot neoclassical tower was built for wealthy eccentric novelist, art collector and cultural figure William Beckford in 1827 and is the only surviving example of his architectural achievements. Built as a study retreat, the tower housed part of Beckford’s art collection and library, one of the greatest collections of books, furniture and art in Georgian England.

For dinner, try some quintessential British food at Hall and Woodhouse – Pub & Restaurant. A stylish hideout in the city centre, it offers vintage-inspired spaces over four floors, including a roof terrace. A range of menu offers are available, including Pizza Fridays, £12 Roasts, 33% discounts on Mondays and 2-4-1s on Tuesdays.

Next, discover Bath’s vibrant nightlife. Entertainment and cultural venues is a characteristic of The Great Spa Towns of Europe, as recreational activities for spa guests was a key part of being an international health resort.

Visit the Theatre Royal Bath for a blend of history and culture. Built on its current site in 1805, the Theatre Royal Bath is one of the oldest working theatres in the country. It has three auditoria: the Main House, Ustinov Studio and the Egg Theatre for children and young people. Together, they provide a wonderfully varied programme of top-quality entertainment all year round.

Komedia is a live entertainment comedy and music venue offering high quality performances in the heart of the city. Located inside the beautifully-restored, Grade II listed former Beau Nash cinema, Komedia hosts over 400 live events every year including stand-up comedy, live music, cabaret, club nights, family events and more.