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Bath

Bath is one of Britain's most appealing cities. Exquisite Roman and Georgian architecture, hipster hang-outs and swish spas make it hard to resist.

Architecture

Bath's extraordinary array of architectural treasures has earned the whole city Unesco World Heritage Site status. It's easy to see why. Bath is home to one of the world's best-preserved Roman bathhouses – sited here because of hot springs that bubble up at a toasty 46°C (115°F) degrees. In the Circus and Royal Crescent, the city has some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings.Their construction turned Bath into the destination for 18th century society. That sophisticated spa town tradition continues at Thermae Bath Spa, a luxurious new/old building combo that offers views of the cityscape from its alfresco roof-top pool.

History

This city's history isn't all about the architecture. For many Bath is synonymous with the English writer Jane Austen. The author of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion lived here in the early 1800s and used the city as a setting for two of her novels. An ideal introduction is the Jane Austen Centre, where guides in period costume and a Regency tearoom help bring the era to life. Other heritage drawcards include No 1 Royal Crescent, which provides an insight into the furnishings behind the sweeping semi-circular facade, and the extensive folk art collections of the American Museum in Britain.

Culture

As befits a city that's long been a leading light in the cultural scene, contemporary arts make a strong showing in Bath. A batch of quality festivals include those themed around theatre, classical music and literature – they're scheduled away from the main (and very crowded) summer season and are a great focus for a visit.

Year-round, evening entertainment includes an art house cinema, comedy club, and the historic Theatre Royal, which has a main stage, studio venue and – unusually – a space specifically for children's and young people's shows.

Food & Drink

Although less obvious an attraction than the city's architecture and history, Bath's pubs and restaurants have real appeal – taking time out in them is one of the best ways to get to know the modern city. Eateries include refined period tearooms, classy restaurants, retro cafes, artisan bakeries and a crop of quality gastropubs.

Bath's drinking dens are also a true highlight – heritage pubs, trendy bars, bistros and boozers beloved by the music crowd, you'll find them all here. And, because of Bath's compact size, venues are largely within easy walking distance.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Bath.

  • Historic Building

    Roman Baths

    Welcome to one of Northern Europe's most significant Roman sites. Today more than a million visitors a year come to see its historic finds, atmospheric…

  • Historic Building

    No 1 Royal Crescent

    For a glimpse into the splendour and razzle-dazzle of Georgian life, head for the beautifully restored house at No 1 Royal Crescent, given to the city by…

  • Architecture

    Royal Crescent

    Bath is famous for its glorious Georgian architecture, and it doesn't get any grander than this semicircular terrace of majestic town houses overlooking…

  • Church

    Bath Abbey

    Looming above the city centre, Bath's huge abbey church was built between 1499 and 1616, making it the last great medieval church raised in England. Its…

  • Gardens

    Prior Park

    Partly designed by the landscape architect Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, the grounds of this 18th-century estate on Bath's southern fringe feature…

  • Museum

    Herschel Museum of Astronomy

    In 1781 astronomer William Herschel discovered Uranus from the garden of his home, now converted into a museum. Herschel shared the house with his wife,…

  • Museum

    Jane Austen Centre

    Bath is known to many as a location in Jane Austen's novels, including Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Although Austen lived in Bath for only five years,…

  • Museum

    Museum of Bath Architecture

    The stories behind the building of Bath's most striking structures are explored here, using antique tools, displays on Georgian construction methods and a…

  • Historic Building

    Pump Room

    The centre of this grand 19th-century room is filled with tables from the Pump Room Restaurant, but there's also an ornate spa fountain from which Bath's…

  • Architecture

    The Circus

    The Circus is a Georgian masterpiece. Built to John Wood the Elder's design and completed in 1768, it's said to have been inspired by the Colosseum in…

  • Museum

    Fashion Museum

    The world-class collections on display in this museum, within the basement of the city's Georgian Assembly Rooms, include costumes from the 17th to late…

  • Bridge

    Pulteney Bridge

    Elegant Pulteney Bridge has spanned the River Avon since the late 18th century and continues to be a much-loved and much-photographed Bath landmark (the…

  • Museum

    Victoria Art Gallery

    Bath's second-most-visited museum has collections that include everything from Turner and Gainsborough to contemporary art. The programme of temporary…

  • Historic Building

    Beckford's Tower

    Built as a study and library for the aristocrat William Beckford in 1827, this 120ft neoclassical tower is worth visiting for its eye-popping panoramic…

  • Gardens

    Sydney Gardens

    On a sunny day, do what countless Bath residents have done for centuries – walk over Pulteney Bridge browsing the shops, then down elegant Great Pulteney…

  • Historic Building

    Bath Assembly Rooms

    When they opened in 1771, the city's stately Assembly Rooms were where fashionable Bath socialites gathered to waltz, play cards and listen to the latest…

  • Museum

    American Museum in Britain

    Britain's largest collection of American folk art, including First Nations textiles, patchwork quilts and historic maps, is housed in a fine mansion a…

  • Gallery

    Holburne Museum

    Sir William Holburne, the 18th-century aristocrat and art fanatic, amassed a huge collection, which now forms the core of the Holburne Museum, in a lavish…

  • Gardens

    Georgian Garden

    These tiny, walled gardens feature period plants and gravel walkways. They've been carefully restored and provide an intriguing insight into what would…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Bath.

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