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.Ā
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 āday trips to Bath from Londonā 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. Itās 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, Iād definitely recommend it.
ByĀ Carā the most convenient but probably most expensive way to travel is by car, unless youāre in a group. Car rental in England isnāt particularly cheap unless itās split between a group and youāll find parking in Bath to be a little expensive. Itās always a great idea to compare prices of car rental with the bus or train as special offers might present themselves off-season.Ā
Youāll 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 ā If youāre 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 ā 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 atĀ Bath Spa StationĀ in just 90 minutes, with trains leaving every 30 minutesĀ from London Paddington Station. Ā
To book your train tickets in advance clickĀ 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 wonāt need to use any other form of transportation while youāre there.
All the things to do listed in this post are located in the city center and only a short walk from many of Bathās attractions. This is one of the reasons why a Bath London day trip is feasible.
Top Experiences When Visiting Bath in One Day
If youāre in Bath for just one day youāll 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.Ā
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.Ā
ā Roman Baths and Bath City Walking Tour
ā Fully Guided Bath Ghost Tours
ā Walking Tour of Bath with Blue Badge Tourist Guide
ā Bath City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-off Bus Tour
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. Thereās something to do or explore on every corner and while one day is probably enough to see the main sights running, Iād 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.
Ā Visit the Roman Baths
The first stop during your day trips to Bath from London should be the ancient Roman Baths.Ā 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 youāll be able to visit the natural hot springs and the baths themselves, note that you canāt 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.Ā
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.Ā
Royal Crescent and the Circus
A little further north-west from the Roman baths youāll 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 youāll also find some boutique hotels here too, which you can enter to have a look at the houses from inside. There isnāt 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 āroundaboutā 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 youāre in Bath on a Sunday.
Itās 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 itās fully booked then donāt worry, Nourish also does an equally amazing plant-based Sunday roast.
Visit Bath Abbey
While on a Bath day trip itinerary donāt miss Bath Abbey, the largest church in Bath that you wonāt 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 youāll notice the ribbed vaulting, high ceilings, exquisite stained glass windows and organ.
On the outside donāt miss āJacobās Ladderā, 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 BridgeĀ
Looking at this bridge head-on, as if you are about to cross it, youād 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 youāll notice it is in fact a bridge, a beautiful Palladian-style bridge that wouldnāt 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. Itās one of the best things to do on a Bath day trip from London.
Visit the Jane Austen Center
If youāre 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 youāll find Sally Lunnās (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 Lunnās Historic Eating House. A Sally Lunn bun is a large bread roll that was first invented here in Bath in the 18th Century.
Itās somewhat similar to a brioche bun and while itās 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 youād like to try one or have a bite of Bath culinary history this is the place to come. Even if gluten isnāt on your menu itās 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, itās 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. Youāll 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.Ā
A visit to St. Georgeās Chapel shouldnāt be missed either for its Gothic architecture and storied royal tombs.
Where to Eat in Bath
Bath is a great place to be if youāre looking for a creative and fine dining scene.
There are several places to eat on a London to Bath day trip and while itās not quite London with its choices, itās still excellent for a city of this size and with only one day in Bath, itās a serious struggle to choose where to eat. I recommend staying for both lunch and dinner.
Roots & Shoots Cafe ā 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. Youāll 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 ātaster plateā, 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 ā 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 couldnāt recommend this place moreā¦you can thank me later.
Upstairs at Landrace ā A hidden gem, perfect for an intimate dinner. Itās run by the ex-chef of Londonās Brawn Restaurant and the food here is just solid. Make sure also to stop by Landrace Bakery downstairs.
Oak ā A casual spot, perfect for lunch with a solid gastro-pub-style menu.
Berdoulat ā A swoonworthy store and cafe with great coffee, wines and homeware. A must-visit
Beckford Bottle Shopā Intimate wine bar and shop. Definitely one of my favourite spots in Bath.Ā
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.Ā
The Gainsborough Bath Spa ā One of the top hotels in Bath, itās one of the only hotels in the city with access to the cityās natural thermal waters. With its own private Roman-style spa, this is the perfect wellness-focused property to stay at.Ā Book your stay here.Ā
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa ā A top property right on Royal Crescent. Itās a splurge but completely worth it.Ā Book a stay here.Ā
No.15 by GuestHouse ā Bathās coolest new boutique hotel on a beyond-picturesque Georgian street. We like the decor and art all around the property.Ā Book a stay here.Ā
Do you have any comments or questions about day trips to Bath from London? Leave them below, Iād 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.comĀ andĀ Auto EuropeĀ for quick and easy car rentals worldwide
Booking.comĀ for great deals on hotels
AgodaĀ also for great deals on hotels
Get Your GuideĀ andĀ ViatorĀ for tours and adventures around the world
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Andi Farnham
These look beautiful. Love the photos. I drove around Cornwall last year and it was stunning. Cant recommend it enough.
Alex
Andi FarnhamIsn’t it? I loved it too
Hannah
Bath looking amazing. Thanks for the great day out. Currently planning a trip there and this really helped me out. Thank you!
Alex
HannahNo problem. Really happy it helped you out. Enjoy your time there.