Best Ways to Visit Bath from London and beyond!

Over 6 million people come to visit Bath every year as part of their UK trips. Need some tips to get you through yours? Don’t worry, we got you covered! In this guide, we will give you a run down of all the information you need to have the best visit to Bath. This includes information about tours and key sights you don’t want to miss.

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The Best Ways To Visit Bath

1. Book tickets for attractions in advance to secure your spot and avoid scheduling issues.
2. Explore Bath’s iconic spots with a guided tour for an unforgettable experience. Here are our top tours for the area.
3. Plan at least 2 hours to wander around the city center and soak up its must-see sights and allocate 5 to 6 hours for a full exploration of Bath’s tourist attractions.
4. Dive into Bath’s rich history by reading up on Georgian architecture, Jane Austen, and the Roman baths before your visit.
5. Bookmark this guide for easy access during your trip to Bath.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best London tours to take and why.

How Long To Spend in Bath?

Short answer: For a quick visit, spend 2 hours exploring the city center, but plan for 5 to 6 hours for a thorough exploration.

Well, it all boils down to your schedule and how much time you’ve got to spare on your travels. If you’re just passing through or on a tight schedule, you can soak up the city’s charm and main attractions in a speedy 2-hour.

While you could spend ages exploring every corner of Bath (and who could blame you?), a single full day should be plenty. Shoot for around 6 to 8 hours of solid exploring, with breaks for snacks and a breather, of course.

How To Get To Bath

Getting to Bath is relatively easy since its on one of the main motorways that connects the south of England, and has good connections via trains and buses. However, don’t underestimate the travel time—it’s a busy route, especially during peak hours, with frequent commuter traffic. If you’re relying on public transport, expect potential changes between trains or buses.

Getting to Bath from London

For those opting for a bus journey, hop on the 403 National Express coach departing from London Victoria Coach Station bound for Bath Spa Station. If you fly into London, it takes around 3 to 3.5 hours to drive to Bath via the M25. A train journey from London typically takes over 2 hours, departing from either St Pancras or Paddington Stations with Great Western Rail, and arriving at Bath Spa.

Navigating the UK’s left-side driving can be a bit of a brain-bender. That’s why we’re here to save the day with our fabulous bus tours from London! Let us take the wheel while you relax and enjoy the journey hassle-free. Trust us, it’s the right (or should we say left?) move to make your UK adventure a breeze!

Getting to Bath from Southampton and Bristol

If you’re arriving in the UK on one of the many cruise ships docking on the south coast, the top ports connecting with Bath are Southampton (about 2 hours away) and Bristol (30 minutes by car or 15 by train!).

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our other day trips from London.

10 Things Not to Miss in Bath

1. The Roman Baths are the most visited attraction and the main reason the town exist, so this is a must stop.
2. Walk around the Royal Crescent to take in the traditional architecture of the city.
3. The Jane Austen Centre will tell you everything you need to know about one of the cities most famous residents.
4. Admire the fan vaulting at Bath Abbey, and see the views of the city from the top of the tower.
5. Get sucked in the world of Victorian Gothic literature in the immersive experience at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein.
6. Explore the designs of John Wood the Elder at the Circus.
7. Get the most picturesque pictures at the Pulteney Bridge.
8. Stretch your legs in the greenery of the Royal Victoria Park.
9. Settle the sweet tooth score by visiting the Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum  – just remember to also try a bath Bun in any of the traditional bakeries!
10. See what takes your fancy around the Green Park Station area; great for shopping and eating, vintage, antiques and much more.

Bath Tour Options

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Bath

1. Bath’s rise to fame began with its Roman settlement, Aquae Sulis, and the legendary Roman baths that turned it into a hot spot for thermal and spa resorts over the centuries.
2. Despite Bath not being a prime military target, it endured heavy bombing during World War II because its cultural significance made it a symbolic target for destruction, leading to extensive restoration efforts.
3. Bath is renowned for its Georgian architecture, with iconic buildings crafted from the distinctive Bath stone, lending the city its creamy aesthetic.
4. Did you know that Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie found refuge in Bath at Fairfield House during his exile from 1936 to 1940? Talk about unexpected royal connections!
5. Bath has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987!

Where To Eat in Bath

There are plenty of great places to eat in this town! Check out the list below for some great choices.

The Circus Restaurant: £££ | Modern Cuisine —If you want to eat in one of the top 20 rated restaurants in the whole country, with beautiful architecture, this is your place.

The Green Rocket: ££  | Plant-based Cafe — an award winning cafe which specialises in vegetarian and vegan food.

The Oven: ££ | Pizzeria — you can never go wrong with pizza, and this independent, award winning, Neapolitan, wood fire pizzeria has a slice for everyone.

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party: ££ | Afternoon tea—if you’re dying to live your best Jane Austen or Bridgerton fantasy, you must stop for afternoon tea at this charming Alice in Wonderland themed tea room.