A Curated Guide for a Day Trip to Bath from London

Researching day trips to Bath from London? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to plan a well-spent one day in Bath. 

As one of the best-preserved Georgian cities in England, the insanely pretty city of Bath is full of history, culture and delicious food. Its compact size and the fact that almost everything of interest is located centrally makes it the perfect place to visit as a day trip to Bath from London.

Bath is rich in Roman history, Gothic architecture and Georgian-style housing as well as great shopping, pub culture and dining scene. While a day in Bath will always be a great idea there are many things to keep you busy even for a whole weekend.

Discover how to get to Bath, where to eat and what to see in this day trips to Bath from London city guide.

*This ‘day trips to Bath from London’ post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free.

How to Get to Bath from London

Bath is the largest city in the English county of Somerset. It’s located close to Bristol and Wales, about 115 miles West of London.

Visiting Bath from London can be done by car, bus and train and with public transport being so reliable in the UK, I’d definitely recommend it.

By Car– the most convenient but probably most expensive way to travel is by car, unless you’re in a group. Car rental in England isn’t particularly cheap unless it’s split between a group and you’ll find parking in Bath to be a little expensive. It’s always a great idea to compare prices of car rental with the bus or train as special offers might present themselves off-season. 

You’ll also need to consider the cost and inconvenience of finding parking as well as fuel costs.

For the best car rental rates and deals check Discover Cars here

Bus to Bath – If you’re on a tight budget you should probably look into taking the bus. The bus will take about 2.5 hrs from London depending on traffic and is a comfortable and cheap way of travelling pretty much anywhere in England. Book your bus tickets via Omio here.

Trains to Bath – While a little more costly than the bus, taking the London-Bath train can give you more flexibility. Purchase an open return and you can make the most of your stay, departing Bath at the time you like. Avoid the traffic when on a day trip to Bath from London by train and arrive at Bath Spa Station in just 90 minutes, with trains leaving every 30 minutes from London Paddington Station.  

To book your train tickets in advance click here.

Try combining your day trips to Bath from London with a trip to the Cotswolds. Read The Best Cotswold Itinerary for the Perfect Weekend Trip

Getting Around Bath in a Day

Bath is a really small city, especially when you compare it to somewhere like London. The centre is completely walkable and you probably won’t need to use any other form of transportation while you’re there.

All the things to do listed in this post are located in the city center and only a short walk from many of Bath’s attractions. This is one of the reasons why a Bath London day trip is feasible.

Top Experiences When Visiting Bath in One Day

If you’re in Bath for just one day you’ll one to make the most of your time here. Taking a Bath tour can be a great way to see the city while also giving you more free time for other top activities. 

Here are some of the top Bath tours and experiences you can book online ahead of your Bath day trip itinerary to make the experience even more memorable. 

Things to Do During a Day Trip to Bath from London

Bath is full of history that dates back to the Roman Empire, culture and style. There’s something to do or explore on every corner and while one day is probably enough to see the main sights running, I’d definitely suggest coming for a weekend to explore it all at a much more leisurely pace.

The best way to explore all of the below options in one day in Bath is to go on a self-guided walking tour. Use the pinned Google map below to guide you around the city.

 Visit the Roman Baths

The first stop during your day trips to Bath from London should be the ancient Roman Baths. The famous Roman baths as we see them today sit on the original site of the Roman settlement constructed between 60-70CE.

The original structure was solely a temple which then expanded to incorporate a public bathing house which was used until the collapse of the Roman Empire. Later it fell into ruin for a few decades before being restored many times to what we see today.

When visiting the Roman baths on a London day trip to Bath you’ll be able to visit the natural hot springs and the baths themselves, note that you can’t bathe in the water though, so leave your swimsuit at home, as well as the Grand Pump Room and the Museum which houses many of the different artefacts found through history from the original Roman settlement here.

The Roman baths are one of the best places in the UK to visit and learn about Roman times in Britain so a few hours here is well worth your time. 

As the Roman Baths get very busy with small group tours on a day trip from London to Bath, the best time to visit is early in the morning, as soon as it opens. 

Royal Crescent and the Circus

A little further north-west from the Roman baths you’ll find Royal Cresent- thirty terraced houses in a crescent shape and they are one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK.

Most of the Grade I listed houses are private residences but you’ll also find some boutique hotels here too, which you can enter to have a look at the houses from inside. There isn’t much else to do but admire the architecture and the view from this part of Bath.

Just down the street, you can also visit the Circus, a quintessentially English ‘roundabout’ on which stand three magnificent oak trees, surrounded by some more iconic, curved Georgian terraced houses.

Eat a Sunday Roast at the Marlborough Tavern

A Sunday roast is a British tradition that you simply cannot ignore if you’re in Bath on a Sunday.

It’s a large meal, generally consisting of roast meat of some variety, or nut roast for veggies, stuffing, roasted potatoes, and steamed vegetables all drowned in lashings of gravy.

One of the best places to enjoy a classically British, yet veggie Sunday roast is at The Marlborough Tavern a wonderful pub famed for their ales and Sunday roasts.

You must book ahead which you can do on their website here. If it’s fully booked then don’t worry, Nourish also does an equally amazing plant-based Sunday roast.

Visit Bath Abbey

While on a Bath day trip itinerary don’t miss Bath Abbey, the largest church in Bath that you won’t fail to miss in the city centre.

Originally constructed in the 7th Century and later rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries this Gothic cathedral is a prime example of Gothic and Northern European architecture of the time. Inside you’ll notice the ribbed vaulting, high ceilings, exquisite stained glass windows and organ.

On the outside don’t miss ‘Jacob’s Ladder’, a ladder carved into the stone facade of the West front with angels climbing it.

Looking for more UK day trips from London? Check out the guides to Oxford, Cotswolds, Canterbury, Brighton and York.

Pulteney Bridge 

Looking at this bridge head-on, as if you are about to cross it, you’d have absolutely no idea it is actually a bridge. With a narrow road and shops, dating back to the 18th Century on both sides of the bridge, it really looks like any other small, pretty English street.

Walk a little further down the River Avon bank and you’ll notice it is in fact a bridge, a beautiful Palladian-style bridge that wouldn’t feel at all out of place in Florence or Rome.

Walk by the bank, across it and admire the history and the classic British architecture. It’s one of the best things to do on a Bath day trip from London.

Visit the Jane Austen Center

If you’re a literature buff be sure to visit the Jane Austen Centre to learn more about the famed Pride and Prejudice author.

In this lovely Georgian townhouse, you can explore the museum to find out a little bit more about the author, who actually lived in Bath for 5 years towards the beginning of the 19th Century.

Want more from your one day trip to Bath? Discover the Prettiest 5 Unmissable Villages in the Cotswolds here.

Admire the Traditional Houses on Abbey Green

Abbey Green is a tiny little street right behind the Roman Baths. Here you’ll find Sally Lunn’s (below) and the prettiest little square which contains a giant oak tree in the centre and a mix of souvenir shops and pubs around the sides.

It looks so traditionally English and so pretty that no doubt you will at some point come across this square.

Have a Bun at Sally Lunn Eating House

No Bath day trips from London are complete without a meal at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House. A Sally Lunn bun is a large bread roll that was first invented here in Bath in the 18th Century.

It’s somewhat similar to a brioche bun and while it’s not normally included in any lists of traditional British foods, it is worth a try at the place where it was first baked.

The Sally Lunn Eating House specialises in Sally Lunn buns and if you’d like to try one or have a bite of Bath culinary history this is the place to come. Even if gluten isn’t on your menu it’s worth visiting just for a cup of tea and to explore the 340-year-old, Grade II-listed house.

Day Trips to Bath from London Bonus: Visit Windsor Castle

While Windsor Castle might not be anywhere near Bath, in fact, it’s closer to London, the Royal residence does make a fantastic stop on the way to Bath.

If you do have more time then exploring Windsor Castle is a fantastic way to spend the morning. You’ll be able to take a journey through centuries of royal history by touring the opulent State Apartments and looking at the exquisite collection of art from the Royal Collection. 

A visit to St. George’s Chapel shouldn’t be missed either for its Gothic architecture and storied royal tombs. 

Where to Eat in Bath

Bath is a great place to be if you’re looking for a creative and fine dining scene.

There are several places to eat on a London to Bath day trip and while it’s not quite London with its choices, it’s still excellent for a city of this size and with only one day in Bath, it’s a serious struggle to choose where to eat. I recommend staying for both lunch and dinner.

Roots & Shoots Cafe – A delicious option in the centre of Bath, this cafe not only makes a great place for a casual, quick lunch but for an afternoon coffee break too. You’ll find your favourite hot drinks here as well as lots of sweet treats like vegan croissants, cakes and slices.

The best thing to go for is the ‘taster plate’, which much like a buddha bowl, allows you to try a little of everything they have on offer that day behind the counter, think pasta salads, couscous salads, hummus, curries, mixed leaves, roasted veggies etc. They also do take-out if you prefer to eat on the run or in a park.

Nourish – Another fantastic evening option after a full day of exploring, Nourish combines healthy, wholesome, plant-based food with different influences from around the world. Their food is absolutely delicious and the atmosphere and presentation are something to write home about.

Dishes include jackfruit tacos, walnut and cashew lasagna, Thai tofu laksa and a typical mushroom and ale pie if you want to sample something truly British. I couldn’t recommend this place more…you can thank me later.

Upstairs at Landrace – A hidden gem, perfect for an intimate dinner. It’s run by the ex-chef of London’s Brawn Restaurant and the food here is just solid. Make sure also to stop by Landrace Bakery downstairs. 

Oak – A casual spot, perfect for lunch with a solid gastro-pub-style menu. 

Berdoulat – A swoonworthy store and cafe with great coffee, wines and homeware. A must-visit

Beckford Bottle Shop– Intimate wine bar and shop. Definitely one of my favourite spots in Bath. 

Where to Stay in Bath

If you do end up not doing just day trips to Bath from London and you want to make the most out of an evening in Bath and staying the night, Bath has some splendid accommodation options for you to enjoy. 

The Gainsborough Bath Spa – One of the top hotels in Bath, it’s one of the only hotels in the city with access to the city’s natural thermal waters. With its own private Roman-style spa, this is the perfect wellness-focused property to stay at. Book your stay here. 

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – A top property right on Royal Crescent. It’s a splurge but completely worth it. Book a stay here. 

No.15 by GuestHouse – Bath’s coolest new boutique hotel on a beyond-picturesque Georgian street. We like the decor and art all around the property. Book a stay here. 

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Do you have any comments or questions about day trips to Bath from London? Leave them below, I’d love to hear from you!

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Planning a trip right now? These are just some of my favourite websites I use to book everything from hotels to rental cars!

Rentalcars.com and Auto Europe for quick and easy car rentals worldwide

Booking.com for great deals on hotels

Agoda also for great deals on hotels

Get Your Guide and Viator for tours and adventures around the world

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