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…
Getty Images/Moment RF
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.
Explore Bath
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- Prior Park
Partly designed by the landscape architect Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, the grounds of this 18th-century estate on Bath's southern fringe feature…
- 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,…
- 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…
- 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…
- HHerschel 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,…
Latest Stories from Bath
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Bath.
See
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…
See
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…
See
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…
See
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…
See
Prior Park
Partly designed by the landscape architect Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, the grounds of this 18th-century estate on Bath's southern fringe feature…
See
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,…
See
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…
See
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…
See
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,…
Guidebooks
Learn more about Bath
Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.