What NOT to Do When Visiting Bath, England
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing some of the don’ts of visiting the Cotswolds; one of the most beautiful destinations in England, with some of the prettiest villages you’ll ever see. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in the Cotswolds, we also want to share what you should NOT do!
Don’t Miss The Roman Baths
The hot springs under Bath are the only hot springs in England, and they are really what “put Bath on the map.” The Roman Baths of Bath are one of the top attractions in Bath! While you can’t get in the baths here, you can learn a lot about the history of Bath, and how the foundations were discovered and restored into the museum you see today. Get the audio guide, which comes in many languages, and a special version for kids. Make sure you don’t forget to pre-book your ticket!
If you want to soak in the healing waters, you have to go to Thermae Bath Spa.
Don’t Miss Bath Abbey
One of the highlights of a trip to Bath is Bath Abbey. Both the exterior and interior are worth seeing. The frescoes and artwork are incredible, and there are so many details. There are over 1,500 memorials on the walls, and the acoustics are phenomenal if you get the chance to see a live performance. You can also climb the tower for amazing views of the surrounding landscape.
Don’t Expect Solitude in Bath
Bath is a very popular day trip from London. It can get very crowded with tour groups. But, you can stay in Bath and enjoy the town before and after the day tourists arrive. And then you have a lot of cool day trips from Bath, like Stonehenge or the Cotswolds. There’s even a direct train to Cardiff that only takes about an hour.
Don’t Wait to Make Reservations
Because Bath is so popular, especially on the weekends, you really need to plan ahead. While there are a lot of options, you should book early for the best choice. Once your Bath hotel is reserved, then you can begin planning the rest of your stay.
You’ll want dinner reservations as well, as a lot of the restaurants fill up quickly. You don’t need to reserve as far in advance as your hotel, but if you see a place that looks good, pop in during the day and ask for a reservation that evening.
Don’t Miss High Tea
You’re in England, so of course you have to have afternoon tea. There are plenty of places that serve tea in Bath, whether you want a light service or the full afternoon tea. Bath is one of our favorite places to have tea, because it feels like you are in historic England.
Don’t Pass Up Parking
Parking is hard to come by in Bath, so if you see a spot, grab it! If you are driving to and from Bath, make sure you choose a hotel that offers parking or you will be spending a lot of extra money and time parking your car off site.
Don’t Skip Public Transportation
If you can’t get a hotel in the center of Bath, don’t worry! Public transportation in Bath is affordable and easy to use, so you can easily get to the town center no matter where you are staying.
Getting to Bath is easy as well. The train is a couple of hours from Heathrow, or less than one hour if you fly into Bristol. The main station in Bath is called Bath Spa, and the bus station is in the same location.
Don’t Expect a Cheap Vacation
The UK is expensive, especially when you are visiting areas that are popular with tourists. Accommodation, food, parking, and attractions all add up to a pricey trip. It’s not as expensive as London, but you’re definitely paying tourist prices, not small-town England prices.
Don’t Count on Having an Elevator
Many Bath accommodations are in historic buildings with steep, narrow staircases. If you have any mobility issues, make sure you call the hotel directly and inquire about options. When Mark and his mom visited Bath, they made sure his mom had a room on the ground floor, while Mark had 4 flights of stairs to climb to his room.
Don’t Confuse the Buns
When you visit Bath, you’ll see Sally Lunn’s Buns and Bath Buns. They are not the same. They’re both from Bath, so people often confuse them. You should try them both and then you’ll see the difference.
- A Bath Bun is a sweet bun with raisins inside and sugar sprinkles on top. They actually bake it with a sugar cube inside the bun. It’s super sweet and best if you cut it in half and spread clotted cream in the middle!
- The Sally Lunn buns are much bigger, like a hamburger bun, and taste more like a brioche.
Don’t Miss the Museums in Bath
Besides the Roman Baths and the Bath Abbey, there are some great museums in Bath that you should include in your itinerary.
- The Holburne Museum has a fantastic art collection
- The Victoria Art Gallery has a diverse collection of paintings and sculptures
- The Jane Austen Centre is really for die-hard Jane Austen fans. Jocelyn is a big fan!
- American Museum & Gardens are set on a beautiful estate just outside of town
- Herschel Museum of Astronomy is located where William Herschel discovered Uranus in 1781.
- No. 1 Royal Crescent is the perfect example of the Georgian architecture that Bath is known for
Don’t Be Shocked by Period Costumes
The famous English author Jane Austen lived in Bath for a short time, and she is now part of Bath history. The annual Jane Austen festival is held here in late summer, but you might see Victorian costumes any time of year. Of course, you can learn all about Jane Austen at the Jane Austen Centre.
If your literary tastes run a bit darker, you can visit Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein just up the road.
Don’t Forget to Prepare for Walking
You will most likely be doing a lot of walking in the Bath, so it’s important to have good shoes that are comfortable for walking. It’s hilly, too, so if you’re not used to a lot of up and down walking, a bit of training will make your trip more enjoyable. Of course, it’s England, so it can be rainy any time of year, so you also want shoes with a good traction for slippery sidewalks.
Tips for Choosing Shoes to Pack for Europe
Don’t Miss Outdoor Activities in Bath
If you are more of an outdoor adventure traveler, you’ll still find things to do in Bath. There are cycling tours, hiking paths, and canals for boat tours. Activities might vary by season, but you can enjoy a lot of outdoor activities in and around Bath. You can even take a day trip to the Cotswolds!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Bath is so much more than a day trip from London, so we hope you’ll decide to visit Bath. It has such a unique vibe, with history, architecture, and art along with a lot of tourists, buskers, and students. It’s a fun vibe any time of year; just don’t feed the seagulls!
Want more tips for traveling in the United Kingdom? Check out these blog posts: