Bath attractions

The home of Bath Rugby since 1894, Bath’s Recreation Ground—known locally as “the Rec”—is considered one of the country’s most idyllic rugby grounds. Located right in the city center along the banks of the River Avon, it’s also a publicly accessible green space, and is used for other sporting events, festivals, concerts, and more.

For millennia, Bath’s mineral waters have been reputed for their healing powers, and the grand Royal Mineral Water Hospital building—known locally as “the Min”—reflects that long-standing medical history. A listed landmark in the heart of Bath’s UNESCO-listed center, the building is no longer used as a hospital, and is now being redeveloped into a luxury hotel.

Opened by Princess Victoria in 1830, Royal Victoria Park is the largest public park in Bath. Centrally located, this expansive green space boasts numerous amenities, including a bandstand, botanical garden, large playground, and mini golf. Regular events make it a local and visitor favorite for outdoor relaxation and recreation.

Dating to 1482, Sally Lunn’s Historic House is one of the oldest houses in Bath. Named after Huguenot baker Solange Luyon (aka Sally Lunn)—who invented the first Bath bun that now bears her name—the establishment still serves Sally Lunn buns and other dishes. The original kitchen is now a museum.

Located in the center of Bath, the striking 19th-century St. John the Evangelist Church stands out in a city best known for its Georgian architecture. This Roman Catholic church is built in a Gothic Revival style, so expect stained glass windows, stone pillars, and a spire that stands at a whopping 222-feet (68 meters). The vaulted interior features statues of saints and still hosts daily masses.

The Museum of Bath at Work reveals 2,000 years of Bath’s working history. Housed in a former industrial site, it showcases reconstructed workplaces and workshops, from furniture-making to ironmongery and Victorian engineering work. Visitors can see detailed exhibits and watch demonstrations on 19th-century soft drink manufacturing and bottling, offering a glimpse into the city’s diverse industrial past.

Across the Avon River from the heart of Bath (via Pulteney Bridge), Great Pulteney Street is among Bath's longest and widest roads. Like many of the city's fine examples of Georgian architecture, the street and the stately homes that flank it were commissioned in the late 18th century.

Active Reality is a futuristic virtual reality gaming world in Bath that works well as a rainy-day activity. Here, visitors can use advanced technology to participate in multi-player games in the virtual world. As a player, you can run, walk, and jump while immersed in a world where you battle zombies and robots—a fun option for groups visiting Bath.

Active Reality is a futuristic virtual reality gaming world in Bath that works well as a rainy-day activity. Here, visitors can use advanced technology to participate in multi-player games in the virtual world. As a player, you can run, walk, and jump while immersed in a world where you battle zombies and robots—a fun option for groups visiting Bath.

Constructed in the 18th century as a venue for balls and other events, the Bath Assembly Rooms are among the city's most resplendent examples of Georgian architecture. There are four main rooms in total (Great Octagon, Ball Room, Tea Room, and Card Room), and today, they're used for everything from private parties to university graduation ceremonies.

The Circus is one of Bath’s most recognizable landmarks, consisting of a ring of Georgian townhouses that were completed in 1768. Once the most sought-after address for Bath’s high society, and home to a number of notable and famous figures throughout the years, the houses are all private property, but sightseers still stop by to take in the impressive architecture, designed by John Wood the Elder.

The Cross Bath is the ideal place for relaxing and unwinding. A site steeped in history, this ancient bathhouse dates back to the 18th century and has been restored over the years to preserve its architecture. Visitors come here for an open-air bathing experience with private hire possibilities—the perfect peaceful retreat away from the city's attractions.

Housed in an elegant 19th-century building that was originally a library, Bath's Victoria Art Gallery showcases a stellar collection of paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and ceramics, dating from the 15th century until modern times. Highlights include a Tudor portrait of Henry VIII and the Lichfield Clock, an intricate musical clock.