Bath travel guide: 48 hours in the historic city (2024)

The city of Bath has been a go-to destination for those looking to relax and recharge ever since the Roman times. Back then, thanks to its rare hot springs, Bath became a popular spot for wellness-seekers and still today visitors flock to the area to feel the benefits of the thermal waters.

It wasn’t just the Romans who loved Bath, the city is also known for its strong Georgian connections. During that opulent era, the upper classes headed to Bath to enjoy the finer things in life surrounded by beautiful architecture and lots of green space. Nowadays, with a huge array of things to see and do and places to eat and drink, Bath still has that draw for tourists from the UK and rest of the world.

Planning a trip to the city? We recently headed to Bath for a 48-hour getaway and here’s what we got up to…

The hotel: Eight in Bath

In the very heart of Bath, on the cobbled street also home to the oldest house in the city – Sally Lunn’s bun shop – is boutique townhouse hotel Eight.

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Eight in Bath

The hotel is just a short walk away from Bath Spa train station but tucked away in the city’s quaint old town it’s easy to feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life when you’re a guest at Eight.

The independent hotel, inspired by Bath’s Georgian heritage but with modern and stylish interior design, boasts eight rooms all with their own charm and history. Because of the unique nature of each room, a stay here feels like a truly special treat.

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Eight in Bath

Guests can enjoy an array of hot and cold breakfast food when they wake up and for those who want to stick around for dinner, too, the restaurant serves eight dishes (always changing with the seasons) come evening time.

The staff at Eight are passionate about guests enjoying all Bath has to offer and are more than happy to help with recommendations for things to see and do – so make the most of their expertise to help you explore.

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Eight in Bath

Room rates for two guests in a standard room start at £105 per night. To find out more and book a stay, visit Eight’s website.

The Spa: Thermae

A trip to Bath wouldn’t be complete without bathing in thermal waters. Unlike anywhere else in the UK, warm springs flow in three places within the city – the roman baths (more on which later), The Gainsborough Hotel and Thermae Bath Spa. While the Roman Baths are now for observing only, you can bathe in the mineral-rich water that first fell as rain about 10,000 years ago at the Gainsborough and Thermae and the latter is popular with locals and tourists alike thanks to its modern take on the historic pastime of public bathing.

Thermae spa features a sheltered pool and rooftop bath (with stunning skyline views) both filled with thermal spring water. Elsewhere the wellness suite boasts Georgian and Roman steam rooms as well as an ice chamber and experience showers. Instead of the standard sauna, Thermae has an Infared room, where soothing waves of infared light helps muscles and joints, as well as a celestial relaxation room complete with heated loungers, fragrant air, calming sounds and twinkling lights.

As if all of that wasn’t relaxing enough, you can book in for a private treatment – with massages and facials on offer, including the bespoke tailor-maid facial which directly addresses your unique skin concerns using a range of oils, moisturisers and massage techniques.

Find out more and book a trip to Thermae Bath Spa here.

Where to eat and drink in Bath

You won’t be stuck for food and drink options in Bath – the compact city is packed with independent eateries and bars covering a range of cuisines and tastes.

For one of the best pizzas in town head to Dough, a cosy restaurant that serves authentic Italian-style dishes. Fresh and energising lunches can be found at Cascara and Good Day Café and Yak Yeti Yak is a family-run Nepalese restaurant that makes for the perfect dinner spot with dishes full of flavour.

The Canary Gin Bar is a must-visit for lovers of a good G&T. The quirky, low-lit bar serves inspired gin-based drinks using Bath Gin (distilled in the city) and also offers tours so guests can learn about the process of making the spirit.

Things to do in Bath

In Roman Times, Bath (then named Aquae Sulis) became a bustling town thanks to the religious site and leisure centre-style complex that was built around the thermal springs. Today you can take a tour of the area to see the water, remaining brickwork and artefacts while learning about the bath’s significance in the city’s history.

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The Roman Baths

After you’ve taken a snap of the iconic Royal Crescent, head to the museum at house No.1, which details how life would have been for the aristocrats who lived in the area during Georgian times, as well as their servants working downstairs. Staff at the museum are hugely knowledgeable and can answer all of your questions about the Georgians’ quirky ways.

Literary fans should make a stop at the Jane Austen centre, where you can learn about the famous author and her connections to Bath. Elsewhere in the city you can visit the impressive Bath Abbey and see its stunning Gothic-inspired décor, then take a walk to Poultney Bridge and Sydney Gardens before enjoying some artwork at the Holbourne Museum.

From 1 to 10 February, Bath is focusing on all things Feel-Good and encouraging visitors to take part in activities around the city that will give their wellbeing a boost, from group exercise with a view to skincare talks. Learn more about Feel-Good Bath and see what’s happening here.

Bath travel guide: 48 hours in the historic city (2024)
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