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Britain's most elegant city and our best-known spa town. Located between the Mendips to the south and the Cotswolds to the north.

Robert Adam's Famous Pulteney Bridge © TAB

Bath owes its origin to the legendary King Bladud, who founded a settlement here after being cured of leprously in its warm mud pools. The area was later occupied by the Romans who took advantage of the natural warm springs to develop an important bathing resort. A small town grew up around the baths called Aquae Sulis (named after the god of hot springs). The settlement expanded during the medieval period when it became an important centre for the wool trade. Bath's fine abbey dates from this period.

The town became a city in 1590 by royal charter. However, the true splendour of Bath did not begin until the 18th century when the city grew as an important health spa, frequented by all levels of English society, including Royalty. Today Bath is blessed with some of the best Georgian architecture in Britain. Much of which was designed by John Wood the Younger, who created its famous sweeping crescents. Other influential architects include Thomas Baldwin, who built the Guildhall (1766-75) and Pump Room (1789-99) and Robert Adam, whose Pulteney Bridge still provides a charming carriageway over the Avon, lined with shops on either side. The bridge was modeled on the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy.

The Georgian architecture is best exemplified by Bath's Royal Crescent, a curved row of 30 houses overlooking an expanse of lawn. House No 1 is open to the public and No 15 was the fictional home of Sir Percy Blakeney (the Scarlet Pimpernel). Nearby is The Circus where the houses are set in a circle. Dr Livingstone lived at No 13 and the painter Gainsborough at No 17. It is said that he painted the 'Blue Boy' here.

Bath is a compact city and usually heaving with tourists during the summer months, so its busy streets are best seen on foot. There is certainly plenty to do and see here. Extensive Roman remains can be found in the city, the most impressive of which are the baths themselves. The Roman Baths were rediscovered in 1879 and are now the city's largest attraction. The Pump Room, next door, is where the Georgian dandies once congregated, and visitors are still able to 'take the waters' that flow continuously from a fountain outside.

Other places of interest that should not be missed are the Museum of Costume, a marvelous collection of fashions spanning the decades and Sally Lunn's House, where you can enjoy a traditional Bath Bun. If you are on a tight budget then a visit to the Holburne Museum and Victoria Art Gallery are both free.

For those seeking a guided tour of the city you can catch one of the many open-top bus tours or experience the "Jane Austen walking tours of Bath", where knowledgeable guides will take you on a tour of the places in Bath made famous in Jane Austen's novels. For tour details contact the Visitor Information Centre in Abbey Churchyard.

Shopping in Bath

Discerning shoppers have been flocking to bath since Georgian times and the city centre boasts an excellent range of independent and branded stores, from chic jewellers to stylish boutiques.

Content by Steve B

Places of Interest to Visit in Bath

Bath Sight Seeing Bus Tours

The CitySightseeing Bath hop-on-hop-off tour takes the hassle out of finding your way around, leaving you free to enjoy the sights and make the most of your time. With stops all over the city, you can hop off and on as many times as you like within 24 hours. The tour route takes you to many of Bath’s fabulous attractions.

Opening Times: Daily, all year round (except 25th/26th December and 1st January) .
Departure Location: You can hop on or off at any stop along either Citysightseeing route.

American Museum in Britain

A unique museum of American history and decorative arts. It's many period rooms display a diverse collection of native American artifacts, sculptures and fine artwork from the 17-19th centuries. The museum is set in 30 acres of landscaped grounds with enchanting gardens, sweeping lawns, shrubs and mature trees. Special events, exhibitions and activities are held throughout the season.

Opening times: Mar~Oct, Tue-Sun 12 to 5pm Admission Charge
Location: Claverton Manor, Bath, Somerset, BA2 7BD - Tel: 01225 460503 - Website
Facilities: free parking, gift shop, picnic area, cafe (sells traditional American cookies)

Bath Abbey

Attractively set in a wide plaza beside the Pump Room, the abbey was founded in 1499. The twin towers that adorn the Abbey's west front, are famed for their carved stone angels that climb to heaven on ladders. This fine 15th-c church was built over site of a much older Saxon abbey where prince Edgar was crowned King of England in 973. The interior is blessed with magnificent fan-vaulting and classic Norman arches, below which lie numerous memorials from many periods. Open to the public. Includes Heritage Vaults Museum.

Opening times: Apr~Oct, Mon-Sat 9am to 6pm; Nov~Mar, Mon-Sat 9am to 4.30pm (closed Xmas & GF)
Free Entry (donations welcome)
Location: Abbey Churchyard, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1LY - Tel: 01225 422462 - Website

Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass

Learn about the history of glass making in Bath. Visit one of the regular glass blowing demonstrations, or why not blow your own during one of the regular glass making courses run on Saturday mornings.

Opening times: Easter~Sep, Mon-Sat, 9.30am to 5pm Admission Charge
Location: Walcot Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5BW - Tel: 01225 428146 - Website

Bath Postal Museum

Celebrates the history of the Penny Postal service, which began in Bath during the 18th-c. Includes exhibits on the history of written communication from ancient cuneiform text to the present day. Plenty of hands-on and interactive exhibits.

Opening times: all year, Mon-Sat 11am to 5pm Admission Charge
Location: 27 Northgate St, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1AJ - Tel: 01225 460333 - Website

Assembly Rooms and Fashion Museum

Located in the magnificent Assembly Rooms, is the world's largest costume exhibition, which dates back to the 17th-c. All aspects of fashion are covered, from the latest styles to fashionable Victorian, Regency and Edwardian costumes. Includes a dressing up area for children. Adults can also try on a 19th-c corset or a crinoline.

Opening times: all year, daily from 10.30am (closed Xmas) Admission Charge
Location: Bennett St, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2QH - Tel: 01225 477173 - Website

Herschel Museum of Astronomy

Fine 18th-c town house containing lavish Georgian furnishings. The museum within is dedicated to the accomplished astronomer and musician William Herschel, who discovered Uranus in 1781. Highlights include Herschel's workshop and music room and the 'Star Vault' astronomy auditorium.

Opening times: daily Feb~Dec, Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri, 1pm to 5pm, Sat Sun & BHs 11am to 5pm
Admission Charge
Location: 19 New King St, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2BL - Tel: 01225 446865 - Website

Holburne of Menstrie Museum

Built in the Palladian style (circa 1796) as part of Sydney Gardens. It was converted to a museum in 1913, housing a unique collection of period furniture, silver, porcelain, miniatures, rare glass and silhouettes. Also paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds and Stubbs.

Opening times: daily 10am to 5pm (11am Sun & BH) Free Entry
Location: Great Pulteney Street, Bath, BA2 4DB - Tel: 01225 388569 - Website

Jane Austen Centre

This period Georgian town house, located in the centre of Bath, contains a small museum dedicated to the popular 18/19th-c author Jane Austen. She lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806 and her in-depth knowledge of the city is reflected in two of her most popular novels, 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Persuasion'. Once you have enjoyed the tour and perused the many period exhibits, a traditional high-tea can be sampled in the elegant Regency style tea rooms, located on the second floor.

Opening times: daily from 9.45am Admission Charge
Location: 40 Gay St, Queen Square, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2NT - Tel: 01225 443000 - Website
Facilities: tea room, gift shop, guided tours

Museum of Bath at Work

Covers the history of Bath's industrial development over the past 2000 years, from bookbinding to fizzy-pop. Thousands of objects on display. Regular machinery demonstrations and educational activities. Free audio guide

Opening times: Apr~Oct daily, Jan~Mar & Nov, weekends only, 10.30am to 4pm Admission Charge
Location: Julian Rd, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2RH - Tel: 01225 318348 - Website
Facilities: gift shop, refreshments

No 1 Royal Crescent

Built in 1768 by John Wood. This classic Georgian property has been fully restored to appear as it would when originally constructed, including authentic period furnishings, furniture and paintings.

Opening times: daily from 10:30am Admission Charge
Location: 1 Royal Crescent, Bath, Somerset, BA1 2LR - Tel: 01225 428126 - Website

Prior Park landscape Garden

An early 18th-c Georgian mansion, beautifully situated on a hill overlooking the city. The house is set in magnificent landscaped grounds with lakes and a Palladian-style bridge.

Opening times: all year, daily from 10am (closed Xmas) Admission Charge
Location: Ralph Alien Drive, Bath, Somerset, BA2 5AH - Tel: 01225 833422 - Website

Roman Baths & Pump Room

The great bath buildings and temple were once the centre of Roman Bath. Over 240,000 gallons of water still flow daily from the springs below at a constant temperature of 46°C. The on-site museum displays finds found on the site and explains how the baths were developed and used, with interactive exhibits and audio visuals. The famous waters can still be sampled in the Pump Room next door and local swimmers can still bath in the waters, which are piped to the city's pubic swimming pools.

Opening times: vary, see website for details. Admission Charge
Location: Abbey Church Yard, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1LI -
Tel: 01225 477785 - Website

Sally Lunn's House

Bath's oldest house, made famous by Sally Lunn's baking skills. The original Georgian oven and cooking equipment is on display in the museum. The famous Sally Lunn Bath Bun (made to the original Georgian recipe) is served in the restaurant.

Opening times: all year, daily from 10am to 6pm (closed Xmas) Admission Charge
Location: 4 North Parade Passage, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1NX - Tel: 01225 461634 - Website

Victoria Art Gallery

Changing temporary exhibits, plus local exhibitions, drawn from the gallery's collection of British works from the 17th-20th centuries, including paintings, etchings, prints, drawings, water-colours and sculpture. Also on display are English ceramics and glass, British Delftware, Bohemian glass, miniatures, watches, Bath Mint coins and trade tokens.

Opening times: all year, Tue-Sat, 10am to 5pm, Sun 1.30pm to 5pm (closed Xmas) Free Entry
Location: Bridge St, Bath, Somerset - Tel: 01225 477233 - Website

Map of Bath

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Attractions in Somerset