Things to Do in Bath: 8 Highlights That Are Truly Worth It

Jane Austen Centre

What do you need to know? The Jane Austen Centre is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the famous British author Jane Austen, who lived in Bath. If you’re not familiar with her, here’s a quick refresher: she wrote, among other works, Pride and Prejudice.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! For Jane Austen fans, this is a genuine must. But even if you’re simply interested in the Regency era, history, and literature, you’ll love it here. The museum is seriously interesting, with an authentic exhibition and a lovely shop.

Buy Jane Austen Centre tickets online

Pulteney Bridge

What do you need to know? Pulteney Bridge is an 18th-century bridge that crosses the River Avon, with rows of houses and small shops lining the entire length of it.

Is it worth it? Totally! Pulteney Bridge combines sightseeing with shopping — how great is that? A stroll along the river and up to the bridge is a wonderful experience, and there are so many great photo opportunities along the way.

Our tip: Pulteney Bridge isn’t just lined with shops — there are also charming cafés. Take some time to sit down and soak up the stunning scenery over a cup of coffee. You won’t regret it.

Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House & Museum

What do you need to know? Sally Lunn’s is the oldest house in Bath — dating back to around 1483. Sally Lunn, who had fled from France, opened a bakery here in 1680 and invented the famous Sally Lunn Bun, a soft yeast roll. You can still buy one here today, or pop into the small museum inside the house for free.

Is it worth it? 100%! Pastries are always a good idea, and it’s even better when food and history come together like this. Standing inside the oldest house in Bath is genuinely impressive, the baked goods are really excellent, and the small museum in the basement shows you the very kitchen Sally Lunn herself once used. Seriously cool.

Bath Abbey

What do you need to know? Bath Abbey stands right next to the Roman Baths, and parts of it are over 500 years old. It’s the largest medieval church in Great Britain.

Is it worth it? Definitely! The church is seriously impressive — make sure you carve out time for a visit. We especially love the angels climbing up and down ladders on the west facade. It’s one of those details you’ll remember long after you leave.

The Royal Crescent

What do you need to know? The Royal Crescent is a sweeping curved row of 18th-century townhouses that once served as accommodation for aristocratic guests. Today you’ll find the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a museum about life in the Georgian era, and private residences. You can buy museum tickets online.

Is it worth it? Without a doubt — the Royal Crescent is one of the top things to do in Bath. The architecture is truly special and makes for a fantastic photo. If you’re into the Georgian era, the museum inside is absolutely worth your time too.

Roman Baths

What do you need to know? The Roman Baths are among the best-preserved Roman bath complexes in the world. The site was built over natural hot springs and expanded repeatedly over the centuries. You can buy tickets online.

Is it worth it? You can’t actually swim here, but the combination of ancient baths and 18th-century buildings is genuinely fascinating. It’s a pretty surreal sight right in the middle of an English city — and honestly, these springs are what put Bath on the map in the first place.

Our tip: Grab an audio guide when you visit the Roman Baths. It’s packed with fascinating facts and really brings the whole place to life.

Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein

What do you need to know? Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein is a museum dedicated to the author Mary Shelley and her world-famous novel Frankenstein. On top of the exhibition, the museum also offers an escape room that you can book separately.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The House of Frankenstein is a super unique attraction. The exhibition is incredibly comprehensive, informative, brilliantly designed, and hits just the right level of spookiness. The escape room isn’t essential, but it’s a fun add-on — and especially great on a rainy day in Bath.

Buy House of Frankenstein tickets online

Fashion Museum

Important! The museum is relocating and will therefore be closed until 2030!

What do you need to know? The Fashion Museum houses a collection of over 30,000 garments ranging from the 16th century to the present day. There’s also a dressing-up room where you can try on various coats, hats, and other pieces.

Is it worth it? If you’re into fashion or looking for a fun activity on a rainy day, the Fashion Museum is a great choice. The display of ball gowns and pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries in particular is the stuff of daydreams.

Bath Attractions on the Map

To help you get your bearings, we’ve marked all the top Bath attractions on a map.

Bath City Tours That Are Actually Fun

We love city tours! They give you a fantastic overview of a destination and help you discover fascinating details about the highlights right from the start. Here are three Bath tours we’d recommend:

Bath City Walking Tour: You can never go wrong with a classic walking tour. This one covers the most important sights in just two hours.

Bridgerton Filming Locations Tour: Walk through the filming locations from Bridgerton while listening to the show’s iconic music — a seriously fun way to see Bath’s Georgian highlights.

Bath Ghost Tour: Discover the many ghosts of Roman, medieval, and Georgian Bath on a guided ghost tour.

Practical Tips for Bath

Our Hotel Recommendations for Bath

Eight Hotel: A Georgian townhouse with modern rooms and views of Bath Abbey.

Dorian Boutique House B&B: A Victorian villa in the quiet west of the city with individually styled rooms — a short walk from the center.

Bathen House: A 4-star boutique hotel in a converted Georgian townhouse. This is where you’ll get the full Jane Austen atmosphere.
We’ll show you more places to stay in Bath here:

Is Bath a beautiful city?

When it comes to Bath, you really can’t say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” — that’s how stunning this city is. Walking through Bath is essentially like stepping into a Jane Austen novel. Gorgeous, romantic, dreamy.

The Georgian architecture that runs throughout the entire city is the standout above all else. Everything looks so elegant and regal. And the River Avon, winding its way through the city, adds to that dreamy, quintessentially English atmosphere.

How many days do you need in Bath?

There’s so much to discover in Bath, and the charming atmosphere really invites you to wander and slow down.

To avoid a packed, stressful itinerary, we’d suggest spending around five days in Bath.

What is Bath known for?

Bath is known for its Georgian architecture, hot springs, and the author Jane Austen.

The Georgian buildings in the city are nearly 300 years old, and the Roman Baths are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And Jane Austen? She’s beloved the world over — so much so that Bath hosts an annual Jane Austen Festival.

How far is Bath from London?

Bath is approximately 150 kilometers from London. By train, you can get from Bath to London in just under one and a half hours. By car, it takes about three hours.

A day trip from Bath to London by train is actually a really great outing that you can pull off without any trouble.

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