Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in England! It was totally off my radar until my sister and I stumbled upon it on our Europe trip. Not only is the architecture beautiful, but it’s full of rich history, fantastic food, and kind people! It’s also the home of famous author (and a personal favorite of mine) Jane Austen!!! Here is the best one day itinerary for Bath, England!
Some itineraries and adventures on my blog are pretty fast paced and crazy, Bath is not a place for such things. My favorite part about Bath is how quaint and peaceful it is… the slow pace of life is a drastic, yet wonderful change from my busy and crazy schedule! So pack a book, a snack, and get ready for some great architecture, delicious food, and teatime in England.
WHERE TO STAY
Book a stay at St. Christophers Inn for your time in Bath. It’s over a bar, but the rooms are cozy and the vibes are good. What more could you even ask for?! It also has food for both gluten free and vegan allergies. One of my favorite parts about St. Christophers Inn was the kitchen where you can cook and store food, as well as the hang out room where you can get work done! Below is a picture looking outside of my bedroom window! It’s not the nicest hostel you’ll ever stay in, but it gets the job done; the staff is very friendly and helpful, the beds are comfortable, and there are safe places to store your things! Book here! However, if you’re taking a day trip from London, you check out my blog on the BEST place to stay in London!
BREAKFAST
Wake up at eat and the Nook or Waterhouse cafe. These cafes are right next to each other and both have great coffee (thank goodness) and vegan and gluten free food (a recipe for success). The Nook was my personal favorite breakfast place I’ve eaten at in the UK!
ACTVITITY 1
For your first stop, head to Roman Baths. This is one of the main reasons that Bath is so beloved and famous by so many; it’s an incredibly well-preserved Roman bath from thousands of years ago! The baths come from a hot spring that the ancient Romans had figured out how to utilize to create a holy temple and sanctuary for the goddess Athena. There’s also an entire museum attached that is really neat! It’s a must visit. Buy your ticket here!
- Expect to spend 1-2 hours at the baths. Read, take pictures, and fully immerse yourself in Ancient Rome!
- There’s a small student discount that’s really nice.
- When you get to the baths, there are audio tours that will show you around and that you can listen to in order to learn more about the baths.
- There’s no need to reserve tickets beforehand. I walked right up and bought one on the spot!
ACTIVITY 2
Next up one our one day itinerary in Bath is Bath Abbey. It is absolutely incredible – from the architecture, to the stained glass windows, to the tombs and walls and inscriptions. We also had the pleasure of hearing a group of musicians from the United States play in the Abbey!
The entrance fee is only 6.5 pounds (with a 1 pound discount for students!), which is a great price for so incredible a building! Expect to spend anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour at the Abbey!
ACTIVITY 3
After the Abbey, take a walk through the enchanting streets of Bath until you hit Pulteney Bridge! Fans of the iconic Les Miserables musical will recognize this bridge from a major scene in the movie (no spoilers)!!! However, its beautiful to look at and has a collection of coffeeshops and restaurants right by the water.
P.S. Check out the antique map shop and Pulteney Bridge Coffee right above the river!!
LUNCH
You can’t go wrong with restaurants in Bath for lunch, however, Thai Weir is a restaurant right next to the bridge and the river with a charming atmosphere and great food! Settle in for lunch and then get ready to keep exploring!
ACTIVITY 4
Next on the schedule is the Royal Crescent. On your way over, walk down Queen Street and Gay Street, which are both lovely and quaint and very fun to check out. Grab a dessert if you’re in the mood; once you arrive at the Royal Crescent, there’s a lovely little park where you can sit and relax! Spread out a blanket, read a book, and enjoy the day!
TEA TIME
After relaxing by the Royal Crescent, head on over to Jane Austen Center. Jane Austen (in case you don’t know but I’m really hoping you do), was an incredible author from Bath who wrote one of the best books ever written (what a completely objective option!) called Pride and Prejudice!
P.S. Pride and Prejudice is also a movie, and if you haven’t seen it, put down whatever you’re doing and watch it right now!!!
Anyways, back to Bath. Regardless of if you’re a Jane Austen fan, this museum is a must. You can buy some souvenirs, explore the museum, and chat with the staff that is dressed as characters from Austen’s books! I do indeed have a “I <3 Darcy” pin on my backpack post-visit.
P.S. You can also have high tea at the Jane Austen center! However, you have to make a reservation in advance! Check it out here!
DINNER
For dinner, try out Bath Brew House. It’s a sweet little restaurant with great food and staff!
OTHER
Another great stop on your trip to Bath is the famous Sally Lunn buns. This specific bun store is one of the oldest houses in Bath and is the home of the original Sally Lunn buns!
