Known for its honey-colored Georgian buildings, ancient Roman baths, and Jane Austen connections, the small city of Bath in England’s Somerset County makes for an idyllic weekend escape.
With frequent and fast train connections, Bath makes for one of the most popular and rewarding day trips from London. The journey takes just 90 minutes from London Paddington to Bath Spa station. Trains depart every 30 minutes at peak times.
So you can easily visit Bath’s Georgian streets, ancient Roman ruins, and historic sites on a day tour from the capital.
Or opt to spend two or more nights to fully experience this charming city and the surrounding countryside. Just a 10-minute train ride from Bath, sleepy Bradford-on-Avon also makes for a relaxing day out from London.
While Bath can easily be seen in a day or two, visiting for a full weekend allows you to dive deeper into the city’s culture, food scene, and surrounding countryside. Follow this 2-day Bath itinerary to make the most of your visit to this historic and charming English city.
Where to Stay in Bath
Luxury:
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa (on Royal Crescent) This 5-star hotel is situated right on the iconic Royal Crescent in a historic Georgian building. It features an award-winning spa, Michelin-star dining, and elegant rooms with high ceilings and period design.
Mid-Range:
Astor House (on Pulteney Mews) Situated just a 5-minute walk from the city center, Astor House offers chic apartment-style accommodations with sleek decor. Choose from studios, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments, some with full kitchens.
Budget:
Bath Backpackers Hostel (on Bath’s Weston Island) This hostel close to the train station provides budget-friendly shared and private rooms. Enjoy free breakfast, walking tours, 24-hour reception, and a lively social atmosphere.
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The Perfect 2 Days in Bath Itinerary
Day 1 in Bath Itinerary: Explore the City Centre
Morning: Royal Crescent & The Circus
Start your first day in Bath by admiring two of its most iconic architectural sites: the Royal Crescent and The Circus.
Built in the 1760s and 1770s by famed architect John Wood the Younger, these two adjacent crescents showcase Bath’s uniform Georgian style with their curved terraces, decorative facades, and lush greenery.
After snapping photos of the exterior, pop inside No. 1 Royal Crescent. This historic house has been restored to look just as it did during Bath’s Georgian heyday. Wander through the period rooms adorned in furniture, artwork, and textiles from the late 18th century.
Mid-Morning: Bath Abbey & Roman Baths
From the Royal Crescent, it’s a short walk downhill to Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. Bath Abbey is a magnificent Gothic-style church whose towers loom over the city center.
Go inside to marvel at the vast fan-vaulted ceiling and take the tower tour for panoramic views over Bath’s honey-hued buildings.
Next door is the remarkably well-preserved Roman Baths dating back 2,000 years to when the Romans built aqueducts to funnel in water from the surrounding hills.
Explore the Great Bath, heated rooms, temple ruins, and museum exhibits depicting life in Aquae Sulis, the ancient name for Bath. Be sure to taste the “healing” mineral water too!
Lunch in Bath: Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House
After exploring Bath’s top sites, stop for lunch at Sally Lunn’s on North Parade Passage. Housed in a 1680 building, this Bath institution serves large brioche-style buns baked using a secret 300-year-old recipe.
Try the classic Sally Lunn bun topped with sweet cinnamon butter or opt for a heartier bun topped with savoury ingredients.
Afternoon: Bath’s Fashionable Streets
Fuel up on the namesake bun because there is still much to explore! Spend your afternoon wandering Bath’s boutique-lined streets and squares.
Milsom Street is Bath’s main shopping street lined with both familiar British chains and chic independent shops. Continue the retail therapy on connected Broad Street and avoidance SouthGate, an enclosed shopping mall housing high street stores.
When you need a break, stop in at one of Bath’s many tearooms for afternoon tea and cakes. Pick up some local souvenirs in the lively open-air Bath Artisan Market on Green Street.
End the afternoon on the grand Georgian Queen Square or at the Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street to learn about Bath’s most famous residents. The novelist lived in Bath between 1801-1806 and set two of her novels here.
Early Evening: Bath Skyline Walk
Cap off an action-packed first day in Bath by taking in a birds-eye view on the Bath Skyline Walk.
This scenic 6-mile (9.6 km) waymarked trail circles the hills around Bath offering sweeping vistas over the honey-hued city and surrounding Somerset countryside. Join an evening group walk or walk independently.
The most popular stretch is between Bathwick Hill and Widcombe Hill where you can gaze down over the River Avon and Pulteney Bridge.
Walk further to reach the imposing Sham Castle folly. You’ll work up an appetite for dinner after the moderate uphill climbs and downhill sections along the walk.
Dinner in Bath: The Scallop Shell
Head back to the city center for dinner at The Scallop Shell, an 18th-century Grade II listed pub renowned for its fresh seafood.
Dine on the outdoor terrace or inside the cozy wood-paneled dining room and feast on dishes like pan-seared scallops, king prawn linguine, or traditional fish and chips. Leave room for sticky toffee pudding or Eton mess for dessert.
After dinner, enjoy a post-dinner stroll along the lit-up streets. Pop into a pub like The Star Inn for a nightcap before retiring for the evening.
Day 2 in Bath Itinerary: Day Trips From Bath
Morning: Day Trip to Stonehenge & Lacock
On your second day in Bath, get an early start for a day trip exploring two quintessentially English sights near the city: the prehistoric Stonehenge and medieval Lacock village.
Join a half-day tour that takes you directly to Stonehenge, the world-famous circle of mammoth stones erected around 2500 BC. Walk around the UNESCO World Heritage site and try to unravel the mysteries surrounding its construction and purpose. Audio guides provide commentary about the various theories.
The tour also includes a stop in Lacock, often called the “birthplace of photography.” This idyllic village has been used as a filming location for Harry Potter and TV shows like Downton Abbey due to its pristine medieval cottages and cobblestone streets.
Go inside Lacock Abbey to see the Fox Talbot photography museum and medieval cloisters.
Lunch in Bradford-on-Avon
On the route back to Bath, hop off the tour bus for lunch in the riverside town of Bradford-on-Avon, about a 10-minute train ride from Bath.
Grab a table at The Bunch of Grapes, an award-winning dining gastropub occupying a 13th-century inn.
Savor seasonal British cuisine and thoughtful wine pairings while overlooking the River Avon out the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Afternoon: Thermae Bath Spa
After your morning of sightseeing, spend your afternoon relaxing at Thermae Bath Spa, the only natural thermal spa in the UK that taps into Bath’s ancient hot springs.
Spend a blissful few hours in the New Royal Bath, an open-air rooftop pool with panoramic views over Bath. Book a massage or facial treatment too.
Don’t miss the Wellness Suite’s aromatherapy steam rooms infused with essential oils and the Celestial Relaxation Room under twinkling lights. Refuel on healthy smoothies and light snacks at the on-site cafe between soaks.
Thermae Bath Spa is just one of the many amazing things to do in Bath. From exploring the Roman Baths to shopping at Bath’s boutiques to walking the Bath Skyline, this historic city offers an abundance of attractions and activities for a weekend visit.
Early Evening: Bath Pub Crawl
After refreshing at your hotel, dive into Bath’s lively nightlife scene on a 2-hour Historic Pub Tour. On this walking tour, you’ll follow a guide to 4-5 of Bath’s oldest pubs while learning about their history, legends, and ghost stories.
At each stop, chat with the locals over a pint of local ale or cider. Popular stops include The Bell and The Star Inn, both dating back 5 centuries. End the evening at a pub with live music.
Late Evening: Dinner at The Circus Restaurant
Cap off your last night in Bath with a fine dining experience at The Circus Restaurant, located fittingly on The Circus.
Housed in an elegant townhouse, the intimate restaurant serves elevated Modern British cuisine focusing on seasonal ingredients.
Indulge in the 7-course tasting menu for a true gastronomic experience. Dishes may include hand-dived scallops, dry-aged beef, and chocolate ganache.
Final Thoughts: 2 Day Bath Itinerary
After this weekend exploring Bath’s top sights, architecture, food, and nightlife, you’ll leave wishing you had more time in this charming historic city!
Extend your itinerary an extra day or two to fit in activities like shopping at Bath’s boutiques, cheering on Bath Rugby Club, visiting nearby stately homes, and simply soaking up Bath’s relaxing teatime culture.
Insider Tips for Visiting Bath
Bath’s hilly landscape and maze of pedestrian streets are best explored on foot, so pack light and leave any large luggage at your hotel. Take only a small day bag as you walk between the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, and The Circus.
Weekdays are ideal for avoiding the biggest crowds that flood in on weekends and holidays. If possible, plan your visit from Monday to Friday.
While Bath has no shortage of tearooms, don’t leave without trying a Bath bun, the local sweet bun filled with raisins and candied peel. Sample one at Sally Lunn’s or pick one up as a snack as you explore.
When walking Bath’s cobblestone streets and outdoor market, wear layers to stay comfortable. Despite its southern location, Bath can be cooler than expected due to the surrounding hills.
Stop frequently to refill your water bottle from the “healing” mineral water that flows through the Roman Baths.
Thermae Bath Spa gets booked up early, so purchase tickets well in advance to ensure your preferred time slot, especially on weekends. Consider staying centrally if your budget allows, as this puts you steps from all the main sights.
For more budget-friendly rates, look at accommodation options just outside the city center.
Visiting Bath FAQs:
What are the top things to do in Bath in 2 days?
See the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent, Thermae Bath Spa, Jane Austen Centre, and do an evening Bath Skyline Walk for the top sights.
How do I get from London to Bath?
Trains from London Paddington to Bath Spa take about 90 minutes. Direct trains run frequently.
Where should I stay in Bath for 2 days?
Stay centrally so you can easily walk to all the main attractions. Or stay just outside the city for cheaper rates.
What is the best way to get around Bath?
Bath is extremely walkable. Avoid driving and take buses between key sights if needed.
What is there to do near Bath?
Popular day trips are Stonehenge, Cotswolds villages, Bristol, Longleat Estate, Cheddar Gorge, and Avebury stone circles.
What is Bath known for?
Bath is renowned for its Georgian architecture, Roman baths, Jane Austen ties, natural hot springs, and Bath buns.
Should I get a visitor pass for Bath?
Yes, the Bath Visitor Card offers free entry to top attractions like the Roman Baths, saving you money.
This is a post by Guest Contributor Billy
Author’s bio: Billy is a deaf travel blogger from Birmingham, UK. Through his blog BRB Gone Somewhere Epic, Billy dismantles the myth that travel is too expensive, and that you can still enjoy hidden gems even in popular tourist destinations.
