Welcome to 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.

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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 experiences in Bath

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Bath activities

$120.61 Day Trips & Excursions

Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath from London

Depart from London and travel out of the city in your air-conditioned coach toward the majestic Windsor Castle. Home of the British Royal Family for 900 years, and location for the 2018 Royal Wedding, Windsor is the world's largest and oldest occupied castle and widely considered one of England’s finest. Explore the lavishly-decorated State Apartments and St George's Chapel with your guide and hear of the castle’s fascinating history and heritage. From 19 January to 17 February, A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex  will form part of your visit to Windsor Castle. This special exhibition will feature the wedding outfits worn by the couple at their wedding in May 2018. Continue on through the rolling green Wiltshire landscape to Stonehenge, a collection of stones dragged to this lonely plain near Salisbury 5,000 years ago. This ancient stone circle is still a place of strong spiritual significance, and continues to capture the imagination of the many visitors it welcomes each year. Why the stones were placed here and what purpose they served remains a mystery though, so wander around the site at your leisure and decide for yourself why these age-old rocks have found themselves here. Take a look around the visitors’ center and learn the history of this ancient, mysterious site. During your visit enjoy a free interactive map and VOX personal headset that is exclusive to this tour. Next, hop back in your coach and continue onward to Bath, famous for its elegant Georgian architecture and widely considered one of England’s prettiest cities. Follow your guide on a panoramic tour of Bath and be enchanted by the town's beautiful streets and alleyways, capturing the sites on camera as you go. You'll see Bath Abbey and the much-photographed Pulteney Bridge, modeled on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. During the tour, you will see the city’s famous Roman Baths — the best preserved Roman spa from the ancient world. At the end of your time in Bath, travel back to London’s Victoria where your day trip concludes.
$123.23 Day Trips & Excursions

Stonehenge, Windsor, and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock

Start with a pickup in central London, and travel out of the city to visit a town of Windsor, famous for its magnificent Norman castle - Windsor Castle. Join us for a short walking tour of the town taking in some of the fabulous views including the 3 mile long walk that leads up to the official Royal residence, sheet street where bodies were bound up and burned during the plague, Henry VIII gate and the small pub where William Shakespeare wrote part of the Merry wives of Windsor. There will also be free time to shop and explore.Alternatively upgrade and be in the first group of the morning to visit the Castle itself. From William the Conqueror all the way through to our current Queen, successive monarchs have lived here and left their mark on what is now the largest continuously occupied castle in the world. See for yourself the splendor of St. Georges chapel, the sumptuous state apartments and Queen Mary’s dolls house before rejoining the tour. A ROYAL WEDDING: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex:  Extra dates added from 19th Jan to 17th FebUntil 6 January this special exhibition will form part of your visit to Windsor Castle (if the castle entry option is selected). This exhibition will feature the wedding outfits worn by the couple at their wedding in May 2018. Continue onward to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world. Stonehenge is thought to date back nearly 5,000 years, and very little is known of its origins. Was it a place of pagan sun worship? Could it have been an ancient burial ground? Decide for yourself as you explore the site. Your next stop is the pretty village of Lacock, one of the most picturesque settings in the country. Lacock dates back to Saxon times, and has been used more recently as the setting for movies and television dramas such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Take the weight off your feet and sit down for lunch at the George, a traditional English pub built in the 14th century. On rare occasions, when the George is closed, a carefully selected alternative pub may be visited for lunch instead. Continue to your final stop in the charming Georgian city of Bath, once home to the famous British author Jane Austen. Start the visit with a coach tour of the city, and see top Bath attractions such as Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent as well as the honey-colored Georgian architecture for which the city is famed. After getting your bearings, set off on a short stroll with your guide and scout out the Roman Baths and beautiful Bath Abbey. Walk around the city’s cobbled streets, shop for souvenirs and take time to pose for photos in front of the beautiful buildings. Please note: The order of the visit may change and lunch may be replaced by supper.
$182.22 Day Trips & Excursions

Stonehenge Inner Circle Access, Bath, and Lacock from London

Choose a morning or evening tour when booking, and then leave central London to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge, free from its daytime crowds. Visitors arriving at the site during the peak daylight hours are not permitted to have direct access to the intriguing stone circle. However, your ‘private viewing’ tour enables your group to walk inside the roped-off circle, and admire the stones close up. Hear the secrets and mysterious stories about Stonehenge from your expert guide, and experience the site at its atmospheric best! Depending on the time of year you visit, you may even be lucky enough to catch the sunset or sunrise; it’s sure to make your Stonehenge viewing an unforgettable experience. Read on for more details of each option; both tours finish with a drop-off at Victoria in central London.Morning Tour:After exploring the stones with your guide, travel onward to the nearby village of Lacock, a place often cited as one of England’s most picturesque villages. Hear of Lacock’s past as a Saxon dwelling, and learn about its use as a setting for many movie and TV programs including the adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Stretch your legs on a walk with your guide, and then head inside the George, a 14th-century pub, for breakfast (own expense).Continue to Bath, a UNESCO-listed city in the county of Somerset. Enjoy a tour of the Roman Baths, visit Bath Abbey, and learn some more about Jane Austen, who was born in the city. If you wish, enjoy a short walking tour to see where the legendary novelist Charles Dickens lived and worked as a young man, and sample fresh cheese from a local dairy. Alternatively, make the most of some free time to explore independently.Evening Tour:From London, travel first to the city of Bath to explore the Roman Baths and visit Bath Abbey, as described for the Morning Tour. Continue to Lacock for a walk around the picturesque village, and then enjoy dinner at the George pub (own expense). Last, but not least, travel to Stonehenge for your tour of the stones when the day-trippers have left the site.
$83.90 Day Trips & Excursions

Stonehenge and Bath Day Trip from London, Roman Baths option

After meeting at your central London meeting point, travel by luxury air-conditioned coach to Stonehenge (included). Hear interesting facts about this World Heritage Site from your expert guide and explore it independently. Discover the intriguing significance of this mystic prehistoric monument. Its origins date back nearly 5,000 years and it has been home to pagan religion and spiritual worship. Next, head to the city of Bath, a famous English city in Somerset, 97 miles (156 km) from London. Bath offers fabulous restaurants, tea houses and classic British pubs. Take some time on your own to enjoy a delicious lunch. Then, spend the afternoon discovering this UNESCO-listed Georgian city famous for its delightful terraces and impressive architecture. Choose to visit top sights such as Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge, overlooking the River Avon.Alternatively, upgrade to visit the Roman Baths, the best preserved Roman Spa from the ancient world. Learn about the history of the baths and how centuries later, the baths were still a destinations for those who wanted to 'take to the waters.' Or, upgrade to include a guided visit to the Jane Austen Visitor Centre, which features permanent exhibitions about the world famous author who lived in Bath.After your afternoon tour, enjoy a relaxing drive back to London.
$137.65 Cultural & Theme Tours

Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon from London

Depart from near Victoria Coach Station in central London and leave the hustle and bustle behind you as you travel out into the English countryside by luxury coach. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride as London’s urban scenery gives way to the open greenery of the countryside. First, head through the rolling Wiltshire plains to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge, widely considered one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world. The enormous stones are believed to have been brought from the Preseli Mountains in Wales — a distance of over 280 miles (450 kilometers) — sometime between 3,000 BC and 2,000 BC, though to this day nobody is sure of the exact reasons for their arrangement and placement. Marvel at the huge stone circle, discover the many mysteries surrounding it and decide for yourself why Stonehenge was built. Continue onward to the fine city of Bath, birthplace of authoress Jane Austin. Explore the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed city — considered by many to be one of the prettiest cities in England — with your guide, and enjoy capturing its attractive Georgian architecture, crescents and terraces on camera. After your tour, enjoy a little free time to wander the cobbled streets and peruse the shops at your leisure. Head north from Bath through the heart of the Cotswolds, widely thought of as one of the most beautiful stretches of countryside in England. Take in breathtaking views of open fields criss-crossed by dry stone walls as you travel, and bustling market towns with magnificent churches. Enjoy the spectacular scenery from the comfort of your coach. Arrive in the charming town of Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare and home to the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. Stratford is a charming market town set in the heart of rural England, with a delightful river winding its way slowly through the town. Enjoy a glass of Sparkling wine and scones in Shakespeare's Schoolroom, stretch your legs and explore Stratford to soak up the town’s wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. At the end of your time in Stratford-Upon-Avon, hop back in your coach for the return journey to London, where your tour will conclude. Please note: during busy periods the order of the itinerary may change.

$116.67 Cultural & Theme Tours

London to Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds Day Trip with Entry

Meet your guide in central London in the early morning, then depart the city by luxury coach. Sit back and relax as urban sights give way to the greenery of the English countryside.Make your first stop in Bath, an elegant West Country city that owes its name to its historical hot springs. Plug in your headphones (if required) to help you hear your guide’s commentary clearly, then set off on foot to explore the UNESCO-listed city.See the city’s premier sights and absorb the caramel-hued Georgian architecture, crescents and terraces that inspired two of Jane Austen’s novels: Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. After, enjoy free time to wander the cobblestone streets at your leisure. Perhaps, visit the Roman Baths or the Jane Austen Visitor Centre (own expense). Celebrating one of the city’s most famous residents, the center gives a snapshot of life during the Regency period.When the time comes, hop back inside your coach and head north to the Cotswolds, a region of outstanding natural beauty characterized by charming parishes and thatched villages. Continue to the village of Lacock. Untouched by modern hands, this charming parish has been featured in many films including Pride and Prejudice and the Harry Potter movies. Then, Break for lunch (own expense).Make your final stop at the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Stonehenge. Believed to be around 5,000 years old, the prehistoric stone circle is shrouded in mystery. Walk around the stones and the visitor center with your guide, listening to the many theories about how and why it was created.After your visit, return to your coach for the journey back to London. Your day trip concludes back at the original start point.
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