Going to Bath was a must for us and a much-needed place to relax. The town is named after the Roman baths that have existed there for nearly two thousand years, which still remains a must-see for any visitors. While they are baths, they are not in operation as one and instead serve as a museum. We spent much of our time visiting the Roman baths, but there are so many other things to see in this charming old town. If you only have a day, these are some of our top things to do in Bath. Make sure to check out our video recap below as well!
Roman Baths
Seeing anything over two thousand years old is amazing for most of us Americans, as we can’t quite comprehend such things with our young country. The key to seeing this place is to get there as early as possible. It will get crowded as it is a place that has no off-season. The Roman Baths were very interesting with the long columns spanning the sides of the ancient baths. Inside is also a museum to get a better understanding of the history of the baths, and the reach of the Roman Empire. These baths are now full of murky green water and not something you can enjoy swimming in, though it’s still sourced from a natural hot spring. If you want to enjoy the same water that is treated and safe, then go to the Thermae Bath Spa.
Royal Crescent & Circus
The Royal Crescent was built in 1767 and is now one of the most visited places in Bath. It is an upscale hotel and also houses a museum. Many famous people have stayed there. As we are not famous (yet), this is a bit out of our price range at £250 ($334) per night. After walking all around it we also went to the Circus which is similar in style but forms a nearly complete circle of townhomes around a small park. I had fun filming a time-lapse of the whole structure cluster. See it below!
Gothic Abbey
Bath Abbey is a parish church of the Church of England but was once a monastery. The architectural style is beautiful and even has a tower to climb. Seeing it easily from the Roman baths was like it was calling us to visit it afterward. Unfortunately, the building was closed so we didn’t climb it but we enjoyed viewing it from the outside. It is hard to miss and definitely worth the chance to go inside as the structure is gorgeous.
Pulteney Bridge
This is a famed bridge lined with shops on both sides. It is one of only four bridges in the world that has this feature. If you love old architecture, stopping here is a must. I’ve always enjoyed bridges of all types while growing up in a place full of them. This type of bridge is so different from what I am used to, so I enjoyed its uniqueness. When I walked over this bridge, it felt like I was walking down a regular city street. It was unreal.
Beazer Maze Garden
Near the Pulteney Bridge is the Beazer Maze Garden. The maze is a stone path in a grassy park with a Roman-inspired mosaic center. The garden is a great place to relax away from the crowds of the city. Brianna had fun becoming her inner child and walked around to get to the end of the maze. Follow the path yourself by watching the video.
Sham Castle
Aptly named, the Sham Castle isn’t really a castle. It is a structure that looks like a castle from a distance but is nothing more than a facade. It was built in the 18th century to improve the view from a wealthy individual’s estate, and to double as an advertisement for the quality of the local rock. It was built to be viewed from one side, and the backside is nearly blank with few features. Walking around it felt like a well-played joke or a stage from a Hollywood set, and was a bit disappointing compared to the real castles we have visited.
Street Performers
We stumbled upon this guy who was juggling a chainsaw while riding a unicycle. What the heck? This was unreal and not something I was expecting to see. It seemed like a terrible idea but was hilariously entertaining. I enjoy watching street musicians and other performers. However, this is beyond any of the other performances we had seen. That is saying something considering we come from a place with the tagline of “Keep Portland Weird“. Street performers are common in highly trafficked areas in bath, which makes wandering the streets more exciting.
Thermae Bath Spa
Travel can wear on you sometimes if you are like us and have to see everything. Because of that, we decided to relax in Britain’s only natural thermal hot spring. Thermae Bath Spa was well earned after walking around so much of the city. The spa has a multitude of saunas, a cafe, and even a rooftop thermal bath to enjoy views of the city. With so many rooms and baths, it was tough to leave after two hours. It is expensive for our low budget travel, but every once in a while these splurge activities are necessary.
Video
Our video provides a good overview of our day-trip to Bath. You will not want to miss the chainsaw juggling performance at the end as it is nuts. Check it out!
Final Thoughts
One day is probably enough to get the highlights of the town of Bath. If you have more time, the area has many things to see and do, and we would definitely go back on another visit. The spa was worth every penny.
What is the most relaxing place you have visited?
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I’ve not been to Bath, but we made some friends in Laos who live in Bath so I bet we’ll get there someday. The Roman ruins and the Thermae Bath are particular draws. Thanks for sharing!
Bath was just what we needed at that point in our trip. The area is beautiful and has a lot to see. Thanks for stopping by.