Planning A Day Trip From London To Bath: Everything To Know Now
Fancy a day trip from London to Bath? It’s a gorgeous adventure, and there is so much to see outside of the iconic Roman Baths in this charming city.
Whether you live in the UK or are just visiting, this quick day trip is most definitely worth missing a day in London for.
Bath is only an 80 minute train ride, but it’s a whole world away.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your day trip to Bath from London.
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Is a Day Trip from London to Bath Worth it?
Having lived in London a long time, I can honestly say that a day trip to Bath is still one of my favorite all-time day trips, and I usually go once a year. I recommend it to everyone who is visiting London and has the time.
Bath is not only beautiful and historic, it’s also so much more peaceful and charming than London.
It makes a great option to do toward the end of your trip, when you may be getting tired of the bustling city.
How Much Time do you Need in Bath?
Bath is completely doable in one day. It’s a relatively small city, it’s very walkable (though hilly), and everything is close together.
If you want to really explore the city and spend more time there, it’s also a great place to spend a few days.
But if you’re limited on time, you can see so much in one day.
How to Get There
There are a few super convenient travel options to Bath from London.
What’s the best option for you?
1. 🚆Fastest Option: by Train
The train journey from London Paddington to Bath Spa station takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Great Western Railway trains run every 30 minutes, so at the end of the day, once you start making your way back to the Bath Spa station, there will be a train not far away ready to take you back to London.
Book your tickets in advance to secure the best fares. These trains are comfortable, have Wifi and luggage racks, a bar car, good toilets, and are a smooth and easy ride.
One way tickets from £20. Sometimes booking the return fare is actually more expensive, so check the prices and book accordingly.
2. 🚌 Cheapest Way: by Coach
National Express and other coach companies operate direct services from London Victoria Coach Station to Bath.
The journey takes around 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative and often have onboard amenities such as Wi-Fi, and usually a small toilet. One way tickets from only £5.
3. 🎟️ Organized Tour (includes transport)
Many tour companies offer organized tours from London to Bath, and sometimes include Stonehenge and Windsor castle, too.
These tours all include entry into the Roman Baths and other attractions, and when you include the cost of transport, most are a really great deal.
The two best deals I’ve found that include other attractions are:
- ✅ Get Your Guide: Stonehenge & Bath tours from London from £79pp.
- ✅ Viator: Stonehenge, Windsor Castle & Bath from London from £99
If you only want to see Bath, you don’t need a guided tour. This city is easily seen on your own on foot.
Stonehenge, however, is a bit trickier without a car or coach, as public transport nearby is more limited.
4. 🚘 Driving
If you’re comfortable driving in the UK or want to rent a car, driving to Bath from London will take about 2-3 hours depending on traffic and the time of day.
This is a good option if you want to see multiple things along the way (like Stonehenge), and want to do things on your own timeframe.
Keep in mind that Bath has a clean air zone and charges for certain types of vehicles to enter. Parking can sometimes be limited during peak periods. Check here before you set out.
Arriving in Bath & Getting Around
If you’re arriving by train, your day in Bath will start at Bath Spa Station (marked with a train in the map above). It’s centrally located and makes the perfect jumping off point.
One of the best things about visiting Bath is that pretty much the entire city is walkable. You could walk straight from the station to the Royal Crescent in about 20-25 minutes.
Keep in mind that Bath is much hillier than London, and not as accessible for prams and wheelchairs in many places.
Things to See & Do
The Roman Baths are, of course, the highlight and namesake of this town. But there’s so much to see here outside of the city center, too!
After many trips to Bath, here’s my list of the best things (in my opinion) to see and do.
Since everything is fairly close together, if you have good mobility you can do all these things on the list and more in one day.
1. The Roman Baths
Just a 5 minute walk from the train station, begin your exploration of Bath by immersing yourself in its ancient history at the Roman Baths.
These remarkably preserved ruins provide a glimpse into the city’s Roman past, where you can stroll along the original Roman pavements and witness the natural hot springs that fueled the original baths.
The Roman Baths are one of the best things to do in Bath with kids, and pretty much everything you see is kid-friendly. Just don’t let them jump in!
You can even taste the thermal spring water at the fountain if you dare, but warning: it’s smelly and doesn’t taste great, though ancient Romans believed it had healing powers.
Audio guides are available to enhance your experience and provide fascinating insights into this extraordinary site.
Book your tickets ahead to skip the queues. Warning: Roman Bath tickets are not cheap.
- Adults from £26 weekday to £28 weekend
- Children from £18 weekday to £20 weekend
Personally, I think it’s worth it, but I’m a history nerd.
2. Bath Abbey
- Adults £7.5
- Students £6.00
- Children (5 -15) £4.00
Adjacent to the Roman Baths stands Bath Abbey, a stunning medieval church with Gothic architecture. Marvel at the intricate stained glass windows and climb the tower for panoramic views.
In Bath with kids? Instead of taking a tour inside, you can sit in the square outside with a hot chocolate or an ice cream. Street performers entertain with music year-round.
3. The Royal Crescent & Museum
Bridgerton fans, this one’s for you! One of Bath’s most iconic landmarks, the Royal Crescent is a crescent-shaped row of terraced houses built in the 18th century.
No. 1 Royal Crescent was used as the exterior of the Featherington family’s home in the hit Netflix series.
The Royal Crescent Museum offers further insights into its history and significance. Or if you’re into more modern-day significance, see all of the places Bridgerton was filmed in Bath.
It’s a time capsule of 18th century Bath, including original furniture, decor, kitchens, and fashion. It’ll take you back in time.
Royal Crescent Museum Admission
- Adult Annual Pass £15.00
- Concession Annual Pass £13.50 (Senior, Student, NHS & Blue Light)
- Under 18s Free – with accompanying adult
4. The Circus
Just a short walk from the Royal Crescent, you’ll find the Circus—a circular arrangement of townhouses designed by John Wood the Elder.
This architectural gem exhibits remarkable symmetry and harmonious proportions. Take a moment to appreciate its elegance and capture some memorable photographs.
If you’re in Bath with kids, this charming architecture makes a great backdrop for a family photo.
5. Pulteney Bridge and the Weir
Cross the enchanting Pulteney Bridge, one of only a few bridges in the world still lined with shops. “The Weir” or the “Pulteney Weir” refers to this cascading design the water flows down, and it’s really calming and peaceful to watch.
One of the best views of this tranquil spot is from Parade Gardens on the banks of the Avon. If it’s a nice day out, it would be a lovely spot for a picnic lunch.
6. Shopping & Dining
There’s no shortage of shopping and dining in this lovely little city.
For the best shopping, stroll down Milsom Street and the surrounding area, which has everything from high street shops to cute boutiques.
For dining, my favorite places to eat are:
- Opa, a lively Greek spot in a cellar with great food and ambiance.
- The Marlborough Tavern: a gastropub with incredible food.
- The Scallop Shell for seafood (and also great and accommodating for kids).
- Bertinet for pastries and coffee.
- Dough for pizza (with great gluten-free options).
- Cappadocia Turkish restaurant has incredible food and the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet.
7. Explore Bath’s Literary Herstory
Bath was home to two huge female writers: Mary Shelley, and Jane Austen.
You can learn all about their respective lives and works by visiting the museums dedicated to them.
Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein is an immersive experience, with different adventures for kids 12+ and their adults.
You can also visit the place where she wrote the infamous novel.
Visit the Jane Austen Centre to learn about the author’s time in Bath, and enjoy the beautiful regency tea room inside.
8. Try Sally Lunn’s Buns
Technically it’s just called “Sally Lunn’s”, but the irresistible rhyme endures.
Sally Lunn’s has been a bakery at the heart of Bath for centuries. The namesake was a French Huguenot refugee, who brought her signature French brioche buns to England.
There’s a small museum inside, and this particular spot is in the oldest house in Bath, dated from 1482.
9. Wander!
One of my favorite things to do in Bath is simply to wander. Each time I go, I see something new and explore a street I haven’t seen.
The architecture is incredible, this history is deep and rich, and there is so much to see if you just set off on foot.
Things to Do in Bath With Kids
Bath is one of the most family-friendly places to visit near London, as it’s all walkable and has a more relaxed pace than London.
There’s so much to see and do, but there’s also lots of spots to relax and recharge.
The Best Things to do in Bath with Kids:
- Take a Bath open-top bus tour
- Do a self-guided treasure hunt of Bath, including puzzles and searching for clues
- For older kids who can stand a little creepy atmosphere, check out Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein (Mary Shelley wrote most of her famous novel in Bath).
- Hire a Bath Narrowboat and see the city by water!
- Visit one of the many kid-friendly tea rooms or restaurants.
Visiting Bath at Christmas
Bath at Christmas is magical. The town lights up with gorgeous fairy light and projection displays, and every shop and restaurant is festive with decor and cheer.
If you’re only in Bath for one day, consider getting a later start from London and staying after dark so you can enjoy all of the Christmas lights.
What to do in Bath at Christmas:
- Check out an enchanting Bath Christmas Market
- Ice skate at Royal Victoria Park
- Visit the Enchanted Garden of Lights
- Tick off your Christmas shopping list at one of Bath’s many charming shops (with lower prices than London!).
- Ride the enchanting carousel and enjoy the buskers’ lively music.
Final Tips
You’re in for a great day, whether you’re visiting Bath with kids, on your own, or with friends and family. It’s a whole world of enchanting activities and historic sites.
But to make the most of your time in Bath, it’s best to:
1. Plan Ahead
To make the most of your day trip, plan an itinerary in advance, considering the attractions you wish to visit and their opening hours. This will help you optimize your time and avoid disappointment, especially during peak tourist seasons when Bath can get a bit crowded.
2. Wear Comfortable Footwear
Bath is a city best explored on foot, so wear comfortable shoes to navigate the cobbled streets and hills with ease. Don’t forget an umbrella or raincoat, as the weather can be unpredictable.
Enjoy your perfect day trip to Bath from London! You’ll never forget it.
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