2 Day Bath City Break Guide

Bath is a perfect destination for a weekend or short break. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this beautiful English town has impressive Roman remains and many beautiful Georgian buildings. Read our Bath city break guide for the best places to eat, visit and stay.

2 Day Bath City Break Itinerary

A two-day city break in Bath is the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate. With its abundance of spas, historic sights and stunning architecture, Bath is the perfect place to unwind.

And with our handy guide, you’ll be sure to make the most of your time in this beautiful city.

Day 1 – Thermae Spa and Roman Baths

If you are looking to take in the spa waters, Bath has a fantastic attraction, the Thermae Bath Spa. It has a lovely open air rooftop spa which you can access in all weathers.

The spa also has several wellness rooms, each with a different atmosphere. There’s a cafe-restaurant and an indoor pool, the Minerva Bath, with a massage jet and whirlpool.

There are flotation aids for those who don’t swim although it’s not deep and you always have your footing. You might be surprised by the communal changing rooms but there are plenty of changing cubicles so your modesty will remain intact.

Children under 16 are not admitted. The spa is quieter on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Thermae Spa also has a separate open air thermal bath, the Cross Bath. It’s an official sacred site as the Celts revered their goddess Sul here.

Of course no visit to Bath would be complete without seeing the Roman Baths. They are unique in Great Britain – our only hot thermal springs. 

These days you cannot bathe there but you can have afternoon tea or a drink of the mineral water in the Pump Room.The water is hot and a bit of an acquired taste. Apparently it contains 42 age-defying minerals so it’s worth trying.

Our top tip for the Roman Baths is to go in the evening for the Twilight tour and dinner, which you can do from September to June, Thursdays to Sundays. You get to see the baths when there are hardly any visitors and the torch lights are so atmospheric. The Reception Hall to the Roman Baths is beautifully lit at night.

Day 2 – Bath City Centre

Bath Abbey is an impressive sight – the West Front has two unique ladders with angels ascending and descending into Heaven. There have been 3 churches on this site, and the current Abbey is largely the work of the famous architect Sir George Gilbert Scott.

Pulteney Bridge, designed by famous architect Robert Adam, has shops on both sides and is a Grade I listed building.

Bath is a great shopping centre with many pedestrianized streets. Bath Christmas market is not to be missed if you’re visiting from late November to mid December.

Bath’s Fashion museum, set within the Assembly Rooms, is well worth a visit. There are some stunning outfits on display and some reproduction pieces that children and adults will have fun dressing up in.

The Assembly Rooms are also impressive – designed by John Wood the Younger in 1769, they were at the heart of Georgian society. This is one of the filming locations of Bridgerton.

Tours in Bath

There are lots of fun tours in Bath that will give you a great insight into the city and its inhabitants. Here are a few of the best:

• Bath and Stonehenge Private Day Tour from London
• City Sightseeing Bath Hop On Hop Off Tour
• Short City Walking Tour
• Small Group 80 Minute Bath Walking Tour and Avon River Cruise

Where to Eat in Bath

Bath has some delicious local produce. Why not take part in a cookery class to make the most of it. We learnt how to make Turkish fatayer pastries with 3 different fillings at Demuth’s vegetarian cookery school.

Circo is a great spot for cocktails and they do really good cocktail classes too. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore with comfortable Chesterfield sofas.

For dinner, we’d recommend Green Park restaurant. It’s housed in an old railway station and they have regular jazz evenings.

Where to Stay in Bath

If you’re looking for a country retreat near Bath, then the Abbey Hotel is a good choice. In town, the Apex City of Bath Hotel has a convenient location and all mod cons.

How to Get to Bath

Bath is an easily accessible city, being only 19 miles from Bristol Airport and 90 minutes from London.

• By Road – From Heathrow airport and London, exit the M4 at junction 18. From Cornwall, Devon and the North, take the M5 motorway.
• By Train – There are regular Great Western Railway services from London Paddington to Bath Spa Railway Station, taking just 90 minutes.
• By Plane – The closest airport is Bristol, which is 19 miles away. Heathrow Airport is 100 miles away, while Gatwick is 140 miles away.

Final Thoughts: 2 Day Bath City Break

Bath is a beautiful, historic city that has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to relax in theThermae Bath Spa, take in the stunning architecture, or sample some of the delicious food on offer, a short break in Bath is the perfect way to recharge your batteries.

And with our tips, you can do it all in style. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today.

Check out our Somerset guide for more tips on places to see in Bath and the surrounding area.

If you like this Bath city break guide, you might also enjoy:

• A Luxury Weekend Break in Bath
• Best Things to Do in Bournemouth, Dorset
• Best Places to Visit in Cornwall
• Fun Things to Do in South Devon

Looking for more travel hacks and tips? From hidden gems to unique experiences, we’ve got you covered.

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