Bath

Bath Country: United Kingdom Links: CS Group Wikipedia Wikitravel Ambassadors: Jez

Overview

Bath is a city in the South West of England known for its Georgian architecture and its Roman Baths. For these reasons Bath has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is small and friendly with lots of attractions, events, culture and places to eat and drink. Bath is a very popular tourist destination and gets very busy in the summer and around Christmas. Its streets contain many small small independent shops, it has a far higher proportion of such shops than the average UK city so is also a popular shopping destination.

Tourist Information

Bath's Tourist Information Centre is centrally located next to the Abbey and Roman Baths

Couchsurfing in Bath

There is an active CouchSurfing 'scene' in Bath. Bath is popular with visitors so there is strong demand for couches, luckily there are also lots of hosts so if you make enough requests you shouldn't be disappointed. The Bath CouchSurfing Group is also quite active and there are relatively regular meet-ups and activities. It's recommended that you join the group in advance of a visit to Bath, the friendly members will be able to help you get the best out of your visit.

How to get there

Train

Bath is on the main railway line between Bristol (Temple Meads station) and London (Paddington Station). It is also served by trains to Wales and the South Coast (Portsmouth, Weymouth, Southampton). Bristol Temple Meads is the next station to the west (about ten minutes away) and offers connections to the South West, the Midlands, Northern England and Scotland.

Bath Spa station (Google map) is central to the city and is reasonably close to bus stops and the bus station.

National Rail (for train times and tickets)

Coach

Coaches are often the cheapest way to get to Bath. National Express are the main coach operator serving Bath and their coaches arrive and depart from the bus station (Map from council website)

Left luggage

The YMCA hostel and Bath Backpackers hostel both offer a left luggage service

Car

Bath is just over 10 miles south of the M4. There are a number of car parks (Council website) in the centre as well as a good park and ride bus service (Council website) with a number of sites on the outskirts of the city. Charlotte Street and Avon Street are probably the best car parks for using to visit Bath. The centre of Bath is designed to keep cars out, so it's best not to get caught up in the one way streets and 'bus gates'.

Internet access

There are many ways to get on-line in Bath. There are many pubs, cafés and coffee shops with wireless hotspots with a few of them being free for customers. There are also internet cafés and the public library.

Library

The public library offers internet terminals which are free for a set list of information web sites and chargeable for other sites.

£3.60 / hour for adults and £1.80 / hour for childen and students (billed per 15 minutes) (July 2008)

The Bell

The Bell (a pub) offers Wi-Fi access for customers as well as a PC by the bar

£ Free

The Raven

The Raven (a pub) offers free Wi-Fi access for customers. This is also a good place to eat or get a coffee.

£ Free

The Bridge Coffee Shop

This coffee shop has free Wi-Fi for customers

£ Free

Google Map

The King Of Wessex

The King of Wessex (a pub) offers Wi-Fi access for customers. They also do very cheap food and drinks.

£ Free

Green Park Brasserie

The Green Park Brasserie has free Wi-Fi access for its customers. It offers coffee and snacks during the day as well as meals.

£ Free

McDonalds

McDonalds offer free Wi-Fi.

£ Free

Google Map

Click Café

This internet café is almost opposite the railway station.

£1 / 20 minutes

Google Map

Local transport

Buses

Bath is reasonably well served by buses. The main operator is First Group. A new bus station is being built as part of the Southgate redevelopment. In the meantime a temporary bus station (Google map showing temporary location) is in use with a lot of buses terminating in the surrounding streets

Buses on the council website

First buses

Cycling

Bath is on route 4 of the UK national cycle network. The route heads west to Bristol along an old railway (Bristol / Bath railway path) and east (initially along the Kennet & Avon canal) to Bradford on Avon, Devizes, Newbury, Reading and London. Both routes are picturesque and fairly flat.

Bath itself is situated amongst a number of hills so can be challenging to cycle into the suburbs. There are good bike shops and plenty of bike racks.

Sustrans map of Bath cycle routes

Avon Valley Cyclery (shop)

John's Bikes (shop)

Total Fitness Bath (shop)

Places to stay

Hostels

YHA

Youth hostel in an Italianate Mansion on Bathwick Hill, about a mile from the centre

YMCA

Large central hostel with gym, left luggage and many other facilities

St. Christopher's Inn

Hostel above Belushi's Bar in city centre

Bath Backpackers

Central hostel with left luggage facilities

Camping

Newton Mill Camping & Caravan site

This is the only campsite near Bath, it's right on the outside of the city and as such is really too far to walk into the city. It is close to the well served #5 bus route and also to the Bath & Bristol cycle track.

Hotels / Bed & Breakfast (B&B) / Guesthouses

Bath has hundreds of hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, ranging from economy guesthouses to various 5* hotels. An easy option to find something for your budget is to use the city's tourist office to book accommodation for you. This service costs £3 (correct in October 2008) and they will also take a non-refundable deposit of 10%.

Food, drink & nightlife

Cafes

Delis / Take-aways

Schwartz Brothers

Half of Bath thinks this is the best place in the world to get a burger ...

Google map for Sawclose branch (opposite Theatre Royal

Google map for Walcot Street branch

Manhattan burger bar

... the other half of Bath thinks this is the best place in the world to get a burger!

Google map

Seafoods

Great fish & chips in the centre of Bath

Restaurants

Pubs

Bath has dozens of pubs and bars in and around the centre so this is only a selection of what's available. There should be something to suit most tastes in the lists below.

The Bell

The Bell is arguably one of the best pubs in Bath. With an alternative atmosphere and equally alternative clientèle, live music three times a week, an eclectic playlist the rest of the time, a great selection of beer and other drinks, friendly staff and a lovely outside area, what's not to like? Oh, and Bath's smallest laundrette!

The Salamander

Another of Bath's pub highlights, The Salamander is a Bath Ales (a local Brewery) pub and as such always serves a few of their own brews as well as guest ales and continental beers. Small and friendly.

The Raven

Yet another Bath gem, the Raven is a real community pub with various groups meeting there throughout the month. Lots of good beer and equally good pies.

King of Wessex (Wetherspoons)

A chain pub with little atmosphere but with a wide selection of beers from the UK and further afield as well as a large food menu. All at very low prices!

Pig & Fiddle

A very popular pub with good, reasonably priced food. A good place to watch any big matches.

Old Green Tree

A very traditional British pub, always featuring a character or two! Small wood panelled rooms with a good selection of real ale and great food (in massive portions!).

Bath Tap

A Gay & Lesbian friendly pub, lots of themed nights

Hobgoblin

An alternative pub, lots of goths and rockers. Good atmosphere.

The Grapes

City centre 'boozer' with sports usually on the TV and cheap food

The Boater

A student favourite with a massive garden overlooking the river.

Mandalyns

Another Gay & Lesbian friendly bar with garish decoration and lots of fun nights.

The Star

Another traditional old pub, supplied by Bath's only brewewery, Abbey Ales. A great example of a traditional pub with numbered rooms dating from the 19th century

Coeur de Lion

One of Bath's smallest pubs but with a great atmosphere. Right in the city centre

Flan O'Briens

An Irish themed pub, always busy and a good place to meet

Bars

Common Room

The Common Room is a small and friendly late night bar near the Assembly Rooms. Very stylish but also friendly. It is very compact so get there before the pubs empty to stand a chance of getting a sofa or seat.

Grappa

Central Bar

Lounge

Lounge is a busy late bar with lots of cocktail options. Adorned with interesting contemporary art on the ground floor and mildly saucy photography downstairs.

Pulp

Pulp is a stylish and vaguely Latin themed cocktail bar connected to the Las Iguanas restaurant. Pulp also offers Tapas.

Sub 13

Beau Bar

Clubs

Bath is a small city and doesn't have large clubs. If you're into serious clubbing then a trip to Bristol is best. Bath does have a number of smaller clubs with character.

Moles

Back To Mine

Poo Na Na

Second Bridge

Qube

Delfter Krug

Blue Rooms

QT's

Club XL

Attractions

Roman Baths

The Roman Baths are probably the single 'must do' attraction in Bath. Consisting of the various original Roman Baths, remains of the Roman temple along with the Georgian Pump Rooms there is a lot to explore. A lot of the Baths are actually under the surrounding streets so there is more to it than you might realise. An audio guide (in a selection of languages) is included and you should allow 2-3 hours to see all of the complex. Although a little expensive, the Baths are generally found to be a worthwhile visit and are very well presented.

Tip! For a quick free view of one of the Baths go into the Pump Rooms entrance, you can also sample the hot spa water for 50p.

Adult £10.50 (£11 in July & August), student £9, child £6.80 (in July 2008)

Pump Rooms

The Pump Rooms are a lavish venue for morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea. The Pump Rooms are in the same building as the Roman Baths. Food and drink prices are expensive as you're paying a premium for the location.

Thermae Bath Spa

The Thermae Bath Spa opened in 2006 and allows you to bathe in the same hot spring water as fills the Roman Baths. Housed in a contemporary "Glass Cube" designed by Nicholas Grimshaw the complex has two thermal baths, a steam room and various treatment rooms.

A two hour spa session cost £22 in July 2008.

Prior Park Gardens

Prior Park Gardens are restored 18th century landscape gardens in a sweeping valley about a mile from the centre of Bath. The gardens feature an Ornamental Palladian bridge, one of only four in the world. The location also gives great views of the city. The gardens are best accessed by bus from the city centre otherwise it's a steep walk.

Adult £4.50, child £2.50 (in July 2008)

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is a large public park close to the centre of Bath. With a botanic garden, large childrens adventure playground, skateboard park, lakes, tennis, bowling, golf & putting and many beautiful gardens there is something for everyone. The Royal Crescent sits on the edge of the park above a large open area, perfect for impromptu football and picnics. Hot air balloons launch from the north west area of the park in the summer.

Adventure Golf

The Victoria Fall Adventure Golf course provides an entertaining way to spend an hour. Located in Victoria Park there are 18 holes around an interesting miniature golf course.
Google map

Adult £4, student/elderly £3.50, child £3 (in August 2008)

View Bath from Alexandra Park

One of the best things to do in Bath is trek up to Alexandra Park, high above the city, to get the best view of Bath. You can always get a bus up to Bear Flat to save your legs a little! There is only a single point where the view isn't obscured by trees.
Google map of the exact vantage point

Bath Abbey

Bath Abbey is situated in the centre, next to the Roman Baths and the Pump Rooms. The Abbey was founded in the 7th century. The current building is the third on the site and was completed in 1611. The inside of the Abbey is surprisingly light and is worth a look.

Suggested contribution of £2.50 in July 2008.

Kennet & Avon Canal

The Kennet & Avon canal joins the river Avon in Bath to the river Kennet in Newbury (which in turn flows into the Thames). It runs east from Bath through glorious countryside to Bradford on Avon, Devizes and beyond. Bradford on Avon is about 10 miles along the canal so is an easy cycle or a reasonably long walk. You can catch a train back from Bradford on Avon (after stopping for refreshment at one of the many pubs!). Devizes is about 20 miles along the Canal and isn't on the rail network so it's a 40 mile round cycle. The canal's towpath from Bath to Devizes forms part of route 4 of the national cycle network and is a good hard surface with only a few puddles when it rains. For an easy walk, it's only a couple of miles out of Bath to the George at Bathampton. This popular pub is right next to the canal and serves food as well as a good range of beer. This is a popular walking destination from Bath on summer weekends.

Georgian Garden

The Georgian Garden is authentically restored and planted with species known to have been used in Georgian town gardens. It is accessed from the Gravel Walk in Victoria Park. Ideal to relax in during a walk around the city.

Entrance is free

Google map

Bath Aqua Glass

You can watch glass being blown in Bath Aqua Glass' workshop in Walcot Street.

Adult £3.50, child £2 (July 2008)

Culture

Theatre Royal

Bath's Theatre Royal is over 200 years old and has three auditoriums; the original main theatre, a studio theatre (The Ustinov Studio) and a youth theatre (The Egg). The Theatre holds a number of festivals / seasons each year and always has a full schedule. Behind the scenes tours are also available.

Little Theatre

The Little Theatre is Bath's more interesting cinema with two screens showing a mix of art-house / independent / foreign language films as well as mainstream cinema

Odeon Cinema

The Odeon is an 8 screen multiplex featuring mostly mainstream cinema. In the same complex is a Weatherspoons pub, a Nando's chicken restaurant, Feast (an Asian buffet) and a TGI Friday's restaurant as well as a health club in the basement.

Jane Austen Centre

The Jane Austen Centre is a permanent exhibition which explores the relationship between Jane Austen and Bath (she visited twice and then lived here for six years). As well as the exhibition there are regency styled tea rooms and an extensive shop.

Architecture

Royal Crescent

The Circus

Pulteney Bridge

Great Pulteney Street

Beckford's tower

Walks / Tours

Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides

Well recommended free guided walking tours of the city led by volunteers. There is at least one tour each day.

Free!

Bus tours

City Sightseeing offer an open top bus tour of the city and a second tour of the Bath skyline (ticket includes both). Tickets are valid for two days so the bus can be used for getting around the city as well as for the tour.

Adult £10, student / elderly £8, children £6 (in July 2008)

Bizarre Bath

A irreverent 90 minute comedy walking tour. A favourite with visitors, this tour promises to contain no facts about the city but instead features jokes, funny walks, teasing and an escapologist rabbit.

Adult £8, student £5 (in July 2008)

Ghost Walk

An atmospheric tour of the many haunted areas of the city

Adult £6, student / child / elderly £5 (in July 2008)

Boat trips

Museums / Galleries

Herschel Museum

Museum of Bath at Work

Building of Bath Museum

American Museum

Museum of East Asian

Fashion Museum

Holburne Museum

No.1 Royal Crescent

Victoria Art Gallery

Bath Postal Museum

Events

International Music Festival

May / June 2009

Fringe Festival

May / June 2009

International Guitar Festival

Friday 25th July - Wednesday 9th August 2008

Film Festival

Thursday 30th October - Sunday 9th November 2008

Literature Festival

Saturday 28th February - Sunday 8th March 2009

Kids' Literature Festival

Saturday 28th February - Sunday 8th March 2009

Jane Austen Festival

Friday September 19th - Sunday 28th 2008

Christmas Market

An outdoor market held around the Abbey area in the centre of Bath. Over 100 stalls selling a wide selection of quirky and unique gifts as well as hot food and drinks. With a great festive atmosphere this market makes Christmas shopping a lot easier.

Thursday 27th November - Sunday 7th December 2008

Shakespeare Festival

Mozartfest

November 2008?

Banjo festival

Dance Festival

Puppet Festival

This festival doesn't seem to happen any more...

Nearby destinations

Bristol

Salisbury

Cotswolds

Bradford on Avon

Stonehenge