Itineraries for Your Trip to Bath
3 Days in Bath for First Timers
I’ve spent a lot of time discovering and rediscovering Bath, one of England’s most-visited cities. Though I first visited the town when I lived in England as a small child, I didn’t really get to know the city until I moved there for graduate school. Since then, I’ve played host to plenty of friends and family members, taking them to top attractions and on long walks to quieter corners of the Georgian city.
Three days is ideal for experiencing Bath and its surrounding highlights. Here’s one way to go about it.
Wear layers and be prepared for the weather to turn quickly.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Roman Baths.
Spend your first day exploring Bath's most important attractions, including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and the Royal Crescent, all of which can be visited on foot. It’s easy to explore the city independently, but going with a guide will help you get a bit more context on what you are seeing.
If you’re a fan of the macabre, or just want to add a bit of spookiness to your trip, wrap your day up with a ghost tour of the city where a guide will show you some of the city's most haunted spots while regaling you with eerie tales.
On your second day, get out and see a bit more of Bath and the surrounding areas. The most convenient way to do this is by booking a hop-on hop-off bus or on a cycling tour, which will allow you to visit major attractions in the historic city center and get you up to the hills of Claverton Down for views of the city.
For more views, take a boat trip on the River Avon, ideal for getting great photos of the city. Some boat trips even include a free glass of prosecco.
On your final day, spend some time visiting attractions in the area around Bath. The most popular is Stonehenge, an ancient collection of standing stones that align perfectly with the sun during the summer solstice.
While you're out and about, head to the Cotswolds, a region known for picturesque villages characterized by winding cobblestone lanes. While you can rent a car and explore independently, the most convenient way to visit both Stonehenge and the Cotswolds in just one day is by joining a small-group tour.
