Enjoy The Rich Culture And History Of Bath

The Roman Baths

The main attraction is of course the Roman Baths. This historical site is now a museum that offers visitors a chance to see the well-preserved Roman building that was used for public bathing thousands of years ago. Over 1 million people visit per year, as it is considered one of England’s national wonders. Tickets are around 14 GBP (22 USD) and tours are available every hour. Free audio guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Russian.

The Royal Crescent

Another popular site is the Royal Crescent. This fascinating building is a row of 30 terraced houses laid out in a sweeping crescent. It was built between 1767 and 1774. The Royal Crescent is famous for its Georgian architecture and important residents. You can admire the outside of the Crescent any time of the year. However, you can go inside certain parts of the building for a small price during summertime. There is also a great hotel (The Royal Crescent Hotel) and spa services located in one of the buildings.

The Jane Austen museum attracts tourists from all over the world. This wonderful museum chronicles the life and times of Jane Austen and offers a good quality high tea. You will find over 800 magazine articles that cover aspects of Jane’s life, a lovely gift shop and a fascinating exhibition that is guided by friendly staff. Admission fee costs around 9 pounds ($14 US).

Dining out

Bath has a great variety of restaurants and cafes. My personal favourite was Jamie Oliver’s Italian. It is situated on Milsom place and overlooks the city. The menu offers a range of Jamie’s signature pasta dishes and a few other Italian delicacies. Main meals range from around 15 – 20 GBP (24 – 32 USD). I would recommend booking a few days in advance, as it is a very popular restaurant.

If you would like to try a more traditional English meal, I would recommend going to a pub. Most pubs offer good food. In particular, you should check out The Chequers Restaurant or Ring O Bells. Both pubs can be located in the city centre and have reasonably priced food. Typical English dishes include fish and chips, roasted meats and Cornish Pasties.

Sam’s kitchen is a great coffee shop located on Walcot Street in the city centre. The café offers live music weekly, good wine and locally sourced food. You should definitely visit this place if you’re after a good cup of coffee.

Every Saturday morning, there is a great farmers market located on Green Park road. You will find local and organic produce on offer for a decent price. There are many English delicacies here too. These include Cornish pasties (similar to meat pies); scotch eggs; scones and other decadent treats. Not only will you find food, but there are also neat antiques spread throughout the market.

Bath City

Bath is a fantastic city for shopping. Many of England’s most popular clothing brands can be found here. Most shops are situated in South Gate, an area located opposite the main bus station, so it is incredibly easy to find. You will find Urban Outfitters, Top Shop, Hollister, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Marks & Spencers and many more fantastic outlets.

Transportation in Bath is great. There are multiple buses that regularly go to different parts of the city as well as nearby towns too. The train station is situated right beside the bus station and offers transport to different cities throughout England. Taxis are another mode of transport, but are far more expensive than the bus. I would recommend finding accommodation in the city centre, as it easy to walk everywhere from here.

England does not have a good reputation for decent weather. However, if you go in the summer, you will most likely experience a few days of sunshine. Temperatures can vary from around 18 – 30 degrees Celsius in the summer. If you go in the winter, be prepared for cold climates and snowfalls. However, as cold as it may be, you will find Bath incredibly beautiful at this time of year.

If you have any questions or queries, don’t hesitate to ask a local. The people are incredibly friendly and most will be more than happy to help you out. However, some tourists may have trouble understanding the thick English accent!

A day trip out of Bath

I would recommend taking a day trip out of the city to a nearby town. A popular thing to do is to hire a bike and ride along the canal to Bradford on Avon. This will take you around 2-3 hours. The scenery and atmosphere along the way is stunning. Bradford on Avon is a neat little town, full of quaint English buildings and wonderful restaurants. I personally would recommend stopping at The Lock In Café for lunch. They serve great English breakfast and are located right beside the canal, giving you a beautiful view while you enjoy your lunch.

Belushis Hostel is a great place to stay if you are a backpacker. It is located in the city centre and offers reasonable accommodation prices depending on how many people you want to share a room with. Beneath the hostel, there is a neat bar that often has live music playing. As a hostel guest, you shall receive discounts on drinks and a free breakfast in the morning. Accommodation prices range from 20 – 60 pounds (US$32 – US$95).