Bath great ideas
What to do indoors
Roman Baths (www.romanbaths.co.uk/)
Around England's only hot spring, the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water. See the water's source and walk where Romans walked on the ancient stone pavements.
No 1 Royal Crescent (www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk/museums/no1/)
Number One was the first house to be built in the Royal Crescent, John Wood's masterpiece of Palladian design. The magnificently restored and authentically furnished town house creates a wonderful picture of fashionable life in 18th century Bath.
Jane Austen Centre
Celebrating Bath’s most famous resident, The Jane Austen Centre offers a snapshot of life during Regency times and explores how living in this magnificent city affected Jane Austen’s life and writing.
Thermae Bath Spa
England's original and most remarkable Spa is the only place in the UK where you can bathe in natural hot waters. Thermae Bath Spa is a combination of the best of the historic Spa with a state of the art building offering facilities including a full range of spa treatments and therapies.
What to do outdoors
Bath Boating Station (www.bathboating.co.uk/)
A Victorian Boating Station offering traditional boat hire by the hour or day. Rowing, punting and canoeing are available, as are free punting lessons if required.
Bath Abbey
Begun in 1499, Bath Abbey is the last of the great medieval churches of England. Worship has taken place on the site of today's Abbey for over one thousand years and continues to this day with services taking place throughout the entire week.
Bath Rugby
Established in 1865, Bath has been at the forefront of Rugby Union’s evolution in this country. Not only has Bath Rugby seen the standard of club rugby continue to rise in England, but also all Home Union international sides have benefited from the talent that has pulled on the Bath shirt and the men who nurtured them.
Heritage Hopper Bus Tour
The Heritage Hopper tour ticket is an all inclusive ticket; which covers a connecting bus service, plus entrance to the Holburne Museum, the American Museum and Prior Park Landscape Gardens. Tours run from spring to autumn.
What to do in the daytime
Museums
Museum of Costume & Assembly Rooms
The story of fashion over the last 400 years is brought alive at the Fashion Museum, the finest museum of fashionable garments in the world. The displays include 200 dressed figures to illustrate the changing styles in fashionable clothes from the late 16th century to the present day.
Victoria Art Gallery
Bath & North East Somerset's Art Gallery houses work by Gainsborough, Sickert, Zoffany and many other leading artists from the 15th century to the present day.
Bath Postal Museum
The Bath Postal Museum has something for everyone. It provides colourful, frequently changing exhibitions, interactive games and quizzes, models and collectables and features historic 'talking heads' video characters.
Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass
Enjoy the ancient skills of the glassblowers and stained glass artists, in this unique working museum, in the heart of the artisan quarter of Bath.
Shopping
Southgate (www.southgatebath.co.uk/)
Bath is also one of the best shopping destinations in the South West of England - and now with the new £360m SouthGate retail-led, mixed-use development, it's set to get even better.
Shires Yard (www.shiresyard.co.uk/)
This quaint shopping centre was built in the early 1980s and has become known as a striking fashionable retail environment. Shires Yard at Milsom Place is surrounded by beautiful grade 1 listed buildings and offers a delightful courtyard setting with outside seating.
What to do at nighttime
Entertainment
Theatre Royal (www.theatreroyal.org.uk/)
Now more than 200 years old, the beautiful Georgian Theatre Royal offers a year-round programme of top-quality drama, opera, comedy, dance and frequent Sunday concerts. The Theatre Royal also houses the Egg Theatre for children.
Comedy Cavern
Bath’s most famous comedy club plays host to a regular stream of top comics from around the country.
Rondo Theatre (www.rondotheatre.co.uk/)
The Rondo has a well earned reputation as one of the most refreshing and adventurous venues in the country.
Eating & drinking
Café Du Globe
Café du Globe was established in 2000. It was formally the Lilliput Tea Shop. Since opening the restaurant has developed a unique reputation for its relaxed atmosphere and excellent menu that offers a wide range of international dishes.
Beaujolais
A charming bistro committed to providing nationally sourced food, skilfully prepared and reasonably priced.
Firehouse Rotisserie
Established as one of the most popular and stylish dining rooms in the city, as recommended by Tatler, GQ, The Observer and Daily Mail. The open kitchen produces flame roasted meats, Pacific south western grills, gourmet pizzas, verdant salads plus a choice of luscious puds.
Events
Royal Bath and West Show
The Bath & West Agricultural Show where all aspects of farming and rural life can be seen, from the best of British livestock to the latest business innovations in farming. The show offers the perfect day out for the whole family; the best for shopping, food, flowers, crafts, country pursuits, equestrian competitions and arena displays.
Bath Literature Festival
One of the UK’s most well respected literature festivals, which takes place every year in various venues around Bath.
Bath Fringe Festival
The Bath Fringe Festival encompasses every aspect of contemporary art from drama and comedy, to street theatre and music. There are events at various venues in and around Bath, a few of the highlights include the Bedlam Fair (the Fringe's street art weekend), and the Spiegeltent (comedy, cabaret and kids events).
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