A first timer’s guide to Bath: things to see and do

Step inside the Roman Baths

You can't come to Bath and skip the Roman Baths. It would be like visiting York without spotting the Minster or heading to Brighton and ignoring the sea. Built around Britain's only natural hot spring, this remarkably well-preserved site gives you a glimpse into life nearly 2,000 years ago.

Wander past the steaming Great Bath, peek at ancient artefacts and listen to the stories behind the people who once gathered here. Just don't expect to take a dip yourself – the water is strictly for admiring these days.

Admire Bath Abbey

With its honey-coloured stone and soaring stained-glass windows, Bath Abbey has been stealing the skyline for centuries. Step inside to discover peaceful interiors, intricate fan-vaulted ceilings and plenty of fascinating history.

If you're feeling energetic, book onto a tower tour and tackle the narrow spiral staircase. The reward? Sweeping views over rooftops, crescents and the surrounding hills. It's a climb that earns every photo.

Wander the Royal Crescent and The Circus

Bath's Georgian architecture isn't shy, and nowhere shows it off better than the Royal Crescent and nearby Circus. The sweeping curve of elegant townhouses has become one of the city's defining images, while the perfectly circular Circus is every bit as impressive.

Stroll between the two, linger in Royal Victoria Park or simply find a bench and admire the symmetry. Even if architecture isn't usually your thing, it's difficult not to be won over here.

Explore Pulteney Bridge and the River Avon

Bridges don't normally make sightseeing lists, but Pulteney Bridge isn't your average crossing. Lined with independent shops and cafés, it's one of only a handful of bridges in the world built this way.

Cross to admire the views of the River Avon, watch the water tumble over the famous horseshoe weir and follow one of the riverside paths for a slower pace. It's one of those corners of Bath where you'll probably end up taking far more photos than you planned.

Unwind at Thermae Bath Spa

After a day exploring cobbled streets, there's something wonderfully fitting about experiencing the city's famous thermal waters for yourself. Thermae Bath Spa combines Bath's centuries-old spa tradition with modern facilities, but the rooftop pool is the real highlight.

Floating in naturally warm, mineral-rich water while looking across the city's rooftops is a pretty memorable way to spend an afternoon. It's sightseeing with considerably less walking.

Browse Bath's independent shops and cafés

Bath is made for aimless wandering, and that's especially true once you venture beyond the big-name shops. Walcot Street is packed with quirky independents, vintage finds and local makers, while Milsom Street mixes familiar brands with elegant boutiques.

Along the way you'll stumble across cosy cafés, bakeries and places that make an excellent excuse to stop for coffee or afternoon tea. Shopping here feels less like ticking off purchases and more like discovering little surprises.

Visit one of Bath's fascinating museums

Whether you're into literature, history or art, Bath has a museum with your name on it. Fans of Jane Austen can immerse themselves in the world of one of the city's most famous former residents, while No.1 Royal Crescent offers a peek inside an immaculately restored Georgian townhouse.

Prefer paintings to period furniture? The Holburne Museum has plenty to explore, inside and out, and there are some excellent art galleries in Bath, too. The only tricky part is deciding which one fits into your itinerary.

Escape to Prior Park Landscape Garden

When the city starts to feel a little busy, Prior Park offers a breath of fresh air just beyond the centre. Managed by the National Trust, the landscaped gardens are home to one of Britain's few surviving Palladian bridges, along with peaceful lakes, woodland walks and lovely views back towards Bath.

It's a brilliant place to slow the pace, stretch your legs and remember that Somerset's countryside is never far away.

Choosing accommodation in and around Bath

If it's your first visit, staying in Bath's city centre means you'll have the major attractions, restaurants, pubs and shops right on your doorstep. The city is wonderfully walkable, so you can spend more time exploring and less time figuring out buses or parking. It's ideal for a weekend break when you want to squeeze as much as possible into a couple of days.

That said, Bath doesn't have to be your only base. Staying in a cottage elsewhere in Somerset lets you swap city buzz for country views, while still keeping Bath within easy reach for a day trip. Pretty villages such as Freshford and Bradford-on-Avon offer a slower pace, while the Mendip Hills and surrounding countryside provide fantastic walking and plenty more places to explore.

You'll also have the freedom to discover highlights like Wells, Cheddar Gorge and Glastonbury without constantly returning to the city.

Whichever you choose, Bath is compact enough to see the best bits in a day or two, leaving plenty of time to experience everything else this beautiful corner of the South West has to offer.