Best Things To Do in Bath

Welcome to the most mysterious city in the southwest of England, where the present and the past coexist. It is easy to notice that it is quite old, in fact it was founded in 43 AD. Hence its unexpected surprises such as the Roman thermal baths, its proximity to the megalithic monument of Stonehenge and its 14th century buns.

Scenes from The Bridgertons were filmed here and its charmed life inspired renowned authors such as Jane Austen and Mary Shelley. If I were you, I wouldn't miss a vacation in a city with such history, culture and gastronomy. Are you eager to pack your bags for this trip? In this list I show you all the great plans you have to consider for your itinerary in Bath.

Bath is a city with a fascinating past, deeply influenced by Roman culture. It can be evidenced in many streets and monuments, but I would start with the famous Roman thermal baths. Their history dates back to the 1st century AD when the Romans found a natural enclave of mineral-rich waters. They soon discovered that they were ideal for relaxation, so in order to protect them they created a complex where they could control their use and maximize their benefits.

Today it is not possible to use the thermal baths, but a visit to the Roman Baths takes you back in time to see what social life was like in Roman times. You will discover the Sacred Spring, whose water gushes at 46 degrees Celsius and from which visitors are offered a glass of thermal water, but be warned that its taste is only for the brave.

You can also appreciate different areas such as the caldarium (hot bath), the tepidarium (warm bath) and the frigidarium (cold bath). Many people take the opportunity to book a guided tour of Bath, as a guide will be able to tell you more about this and other attractions. But if you want to go inside and experience the live commentary, you must pay your entrance fee because it is not usually included in the price.

If you would like to enjoy a complete and flexible tour of Bath, you can buy tickets for the City Sightseeing bus It offers strategic free stops so you can explore the city at your own pace and pick up the tour wherever you find a stop nearby.

To understand the context behind each monument you will have an audio guide and headphones to hear it better. When you buy your ticket you will be able to access discount coupons and, once activated, you will have 24 hours to use the service.

This bus will take you to around 37 emblematic places and below I will tell you a little bit about the most outstanding ones.

Bath Abbey

Bath Abbey has an impressive architecture and stands out for its colorful stained glass windows that will leave you speechless. It was founded in the 7th century and has a myriad of stories that you can better approach with the audio guide offered by the bus. At some point it functioned as a monastery, hence you can see ribbed vaults.

Other highlights of this monument are its war memorials and the abbey tower, an attraction that allows you to enjoy panoramic views of Bath. Be warned, you'll have to climb 212 steps, although at the viewing platform I promise you it's totally worth it.

Also, a bishop of Bath used to dream of angels prowling the abbey, which gave life to the famous Angel Stairs, where several kings were crowned.

Royal Crescent

Another interesting stop is Royal Crescent, an enclave that immortalized Georgian architecture in the United Kingdom. Its gardens will welcome you and inside you can get a museum that replicates life during the eighteenth century, quite realistic because it is an authentic period house. In fact, it is a location that is surely familiar to you, as it appears in series such as Persuasion and The Bridgertons.

Royal Victoria Park

In Bath you can delight yourself with spaces from other eras, where time seems frozen (in a good way). One of my favorites is Royal Victoria Park, a park that was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's visit to the city. Take the opportunity to walk its paths, visit the botanical garden and play mini golf. If you are lucky you can coincide with some events and festivals such as Oktoberfest.

Bath's canals are the perfect setting to enjoy a boat ride on the River Avon. Sit back and enjoy the scenery and fresh air, while toasting with a glass of Prosecco in hand. On board you will hear interesting stories narrated by the captain.

There are different options such as boarding a Victorian boat or a restaurant boat. But if what you want is to relax, rest and contemplate the city, the ideal is to book a boat trip around Bath, where you will have about 50 minutes to enjoy its architecture.

The usual route usually passes under Halfpenny Bridge, known for its arched design and the ancient stories of the Bath toll, which charged an access fee for boats, cars and pedestrians. As you continue to enjoy your bubbly drink, keep your eyes on the route to see St John Evangelist Abbey.

Get your camera ready because you'll pass one of **Bath'**s most photographed spots, the famous Pulteney Weir, where you'll be enveloped by the soothing sound of the water and enjoy a breathtaking visual spectacle. Don't worry about crowds, these boats usually travel with only 10 passengers on board to ensure comfort and tranquility. Also, the first two drinks are included, and if you want other drinks or food you can come to the bar.

Strange noises, ancient witches' grounds and secrets that will leave your skin crawling. Ghosts are part of Bath's culture and be prepared because every nook and cranny holds haunting stories, unsolved mysteries and spirits that refuse to leave earthly life.

During a ghost tour you should be prepared for a possible encounter with the ghost of the ancient monk of Bath Abbey, who likes to whisper in the ear of his visitors. If you go to the Theatre Royal, pay attention! Some claim that some nights a mysterious man in a black hat appears, the spirit of an actor who never left the stage and swarms between the stage and the dressing rooms.

It is also said that the ghost of the Celtic prince Bladud still wanders the streets of Bath protecting the thermal baths, since its waters cured him of leprosy. And right at the baths, you'll discover the curse of The Tablets, which was cast by the ancient Romans.

Hiring a ghost tour in Bath is an experience for the brave, as you will go out at night to discover haunted places and their chilling stories. The advantage is that you will be accompanied by a guide who specializes in horror stories, so there is nothing to be afraid of. You can visit Bath Abbey Cemetery and the Royal Crescent, where many claim to have seen mysterious figures wandering around at night.

Bath's gastronomy is quite diverse and during your trip you will have different options to experience it. From street stalls to luxury restaurants in the most cosmopolitan areas, everything will be a feast for the palate because in every bite you can appreciate the Italian, Greek and French influence, as well as British traditions.

Of course, you can take the opportunity to experience afternoon tea, a gastronomic and cultural experience that is part of the essence of the United Kingdom. In addition, I recommend you to get lost in the local markets and taste the local beers.

Some of the dishes and desserts I recommend you to try are the following.

• Bath Chap: a smoked pork dish with a pronounced salt and egg flavor.
• Bath Oliver Biscuits: these are buttery cookies typical of the region and are usually served with cheddar cheese.
• Rice Pudding: it is a ricepudding that usually has raisins or cinnamon.
• Sunday Roast: Sunday roast is a culinary tradition that you have to take advantage of, since all restaurants serve a feast of hearty roast beef with potatoes, vegetables, gravy and Yorkshire pudding.

Jane Austen's family moved to Bath in 1801, something that marked her story and prompted some of the best literary works of all time. Jane was used to living in the quiet of the countryside, but like some of the characters in her books, she had to move to the city and leave her life behind.

In fact, you could make a pilgrimage through Jane Austen's Bath locations. The city is named in several of her works, specifically Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. If you don't want to wander around the city, the most convenient is to visit the Jane Austen Centre, a small museum that allows you to learn about her life and the unexpected twists and turns that made her a talented and renowned writer.

You can see a life-size wax figure of Jane Austen and have a Regency-style teatime experience. If you ask at the front desk, you can even enjoy the museum in period costume and have your picture taken in areas set like her novels.

Take note! Every year the Jane Austen Festival is held in Bath, but the date may vary. This tradition is the oldest tribute to the writer and includes a parade in period costume through the city's most picturesque streets, as well as plays from her novels and regency markets.

If you go to Bath you have to try the oldest bun in the region, which has been made since the 14th century at Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House. This bakery arrived in 1680 to stay and the secret recipe belonged to Solange Luyon, a French Huguenot seeking refuge in the city.

It was nicknamed the Franco-British brioche, as it unifies flavors of the original French brioche with a touch that makes them very special. You can order the filling savory or sweet, according to your preference, and I recommend eating them right here to enjoy the full experience and accompany it with a typical tea time.

Today they expanded and offer an area that functions as a museum, where visitors can learn the history of Solange, discover some clues about the recipe and see an old Georgian kitchen, as well as the original oven where the first buns were baked.

It's undeniable that The Bridgertons have become a world-famous series and when you hear "Dear Readers..." you automatically think of Lady Whistledown. You will be amazed when you learn that several scenes were filmed in Bath, so you can enjoy a themed tour and become a character of the British high society.

Even if you have not seen it, you are going to have a wonderful time exploring England between 1813 and 1825, although I warn you that some details are purely fiction. This saga is inspired by the novels of Julia Quinn and was brought to the screen with slight modifications. The plot explores the lives of eight siblings searching for love, while struggling with prejudice, gender inequality and the difficult standards of UK high society during the era.

Here are the main locations of Bridgerton in Bath:

• Royal Crescent, the famous Featherington family home.
• Bath Assembly Rooms:, get inside the place where the ball where Daphne and Simon meet was filmed.
• Abbey Green, the village dressmaker's store.
• Holburne Museum, Lady Danbury's residence during the second season.

I know Bath seems like the capital of women writers, but they are undeniably a big draw in the city. In fact, one of the main attractions is the world of Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein, where you will discover the sad and complex story of Frankenstein.

You'll do so while having fun, as the museum is an interactive house of horrors where you can see strange artifacts and enjoy the special effects that will surround you with smoke, scents and sounds and help you immerse yourself in the story. Take the opportunity to take a look at the Creature's Animatronic which is just as Mary Shelley described it in her novel.

Also, if you are brave and risky you can live a horror experience in the basement or sign up for the Frankenstein themed escape room.

During your trip you should take the opportunity to book a getaway to Stonehenge from Bath, a charming megalithic monument just 50 minutes away. Upon arrival you will be able to see Bronze Age pits and contemplate some pits that have been here for centuries.

These ruins have a peculiar formation associated with several legends. Its origin is a mystery and many wonder how the ancestors managed to build such a monument, considering that 4500 years ago engineering and technology had barely advanced. This awakens conspiracy theories and there are those who assure that the place has a strange energy, product of the gifted beings of ancient civilizations.

The only thing that has been proven is that these stones of at least 45 tons were aligned following solar patterns. Consider that you must pay an entrance fee to visit, although it is usually included in the guided tours. Bring a waterproof jacket and several layers because, for some strange reason, this place is cold almost all year round.

Two kilometers away you have the visitor center which is perfect for exploring its history. Here you can see replicas of Neolithic houses and the simulation of its ancient inhabitants. In addition, it has an exhibition of 300 archaeological objects that are worth seeing up close.