Weekend In Bath, England – The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary
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Welcome to the city of Bath…
Fancy spending the weekend in Bath? Whether it’s a hen-do, couples retreat, solo trip, family getaway, or anything else in between, Bath is an excellent choice for a UK city break! Located in the depths of Somerset, Bath is famed for its abundance of curvaceous Georgian architecture, boulevard-style streets, and greens dotted with grand old beech trees. The city is quintessentially English and to help you get the most out of your weekend, I’m going to share with you the perfect 2 days in Bath itinerary so you don’t miss out on any of the good stuff!
Itinerary overview
This itinerary is for a weekend in Bath. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably travel to Bath on Friday after work (or perhaps in the morning, if you’re coming from afar or have the day off) and depart from Bath on Sunday, giving you 2 nights in Bath and at least 2 whole days. Of course, if you’re planning on taking a mid-week Bath city break or visiting as part of a UK-wide trip, then adjust this itinerary to suit your needs (everyone’s welcome here, not just the weekend warriors)!
Tip: You might be wondering “is 2 days in Bath enough?”. Yes, it is enough to see the main sights of the city centre, but if you want to see more of Somerset with Bath as your base, consider extending your stay.
Know before you go
Always check the entry requirements for the country you are visiting to see if you will need a Visa to enter, and that you have enough validity left on your passport.
Always have a good level of travel insurance for every international trip. This is a non-negotiable part of any trip abroad, as the unexpected can happen.
When is the best time to visit Bath?
Bath is a year-round destination. A particularly magical time of the year to visit is Christmas, given the world-class Christmas market which lines the city centre’s streets. Shoulder season, which spans either side of the UK summer holidays (May/June and September/October) makes for another lovely time to be in the city, and being Spring and Autumn (or Fall) the foliage of the intimidating trees will start to change. Although Bath in the summer sunshine might seem appealing, just be mindful that during the summer holidays, prices are likely to be inflated and the city could be more crowded. Personally, I did this Bath weekend break one January.
Currency
The currency in the United Kingdom is the Great British Pound (£).
Where to stay in Bath, UK?
I would strongly recommend you stay within walking distance of the city centre of Bath, whether that be in the southern area near Bath Spa train station, or north near to Royal Crescent. After all, Bath is a walkable city! For my weekend in Bath, I stayed in an Airbnb on Rivers Street, just a stone’s throw from the Circus, and this made all the difference with being able to wander to all the sights listed within this Bath itinerary. This gorgeous period cottage is one of the most charming places I have ever stayed, full of character and comfort.
Tip: Consider booking an apartment or house so you can prepare your own meals. This will save money on eating out, and could even be a similar price to booking hotels in Bath.
Itinerary for your weekend in Bath
Friday
Let your 48 hours in Bath commence. Travel to the city centre by bus, car, or train and get yourself checked into your accommodation. If you happen to be flying, the nearest airport to Bath is Bristol International Airport, and from there you can board the Air Decker right into Bath city centre. Most apartments and hotels won’t allow you to check in until before 4pm, so you’ll have the Friday evening to spend in the city. Once you’ve freshened up, why not grab some dinner? We prepared our own food at the Airbnb, and had a wonderful spread of curry with a bottle of wine.
Tip: Bath has a clean air zone, which means you may incur a charge for driving in the city. Use this online checker to see whether you’ll have to pay, and how much this might cost.
This evening, glam up and head to one of the hidden gems in Bath – Krowd Keepers Magic Theatre. Located above the Ale House in a cosy little room, Krowd Keepers is a real treat and makes for one of the best things to do in Bath at night. The magic act we saw, Billy Kidd, performed completely mind-blowing, bizarre and hilarious tricks, which was utterly captivating. If an evening at Krowd Keepers doesn’t have your weekend in Bath off to a dazzling start, then I don’t know what will. Conclude the evening with a quiet drink at the Ale House, or one of the many chic bars which call Bath home.
Saturday
Spend your first full day of your Bath weekend away on a self-guided walking tour of the city. Highlights you don’t want to miss are Pulteney Bridge and the River Avon, the Circus and Royal Crescent (perhaps two of the most notable rows of terraced houses in Great Britain), Bath city centre, and Bath Abbey. Many people chose to visit the Roman Baths (personally we didn’t) so this morning you could factor this in too (or save this for Sunday morning after you check out).
For lunch, grab yourself a little picnic from a local supermarket and head to Sydney Gardens at the back of the Holburne Museum. Tummy filled, spend the afternoon taking a wander along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Begin this walk at Bath Locks, which is on the eastern side of Sydney Gardens. From here, follow the trail south along the canal until it meets the River Avon, near Halfpenny Bridge (practically within touching distance of Bath Spa train station). A canal-side walk was one of my favourite things to do during my weekend in Bath, as I loved seeing all the colourful narrow boats which bob the waters.
Back at your accommodation, you might be feeling a tad hungry (or hangry if you’re anything like me). We decided on Greek food for Saturday evening, and picked some grub up from Taka Taka on Broad Street, then got cosy back at the apartment ready for a feast (it was freezing, being January). But if Greek cuisine isn’t your cuppa, then check out TripAdvisor for recommended restaurants in the city. And if you’re up for a party, then check out the best bars and clubs in Bath to find somewhere you can enjoy the city’s nightlife. Or why not rent a Voi e-Scooter to see the Bath at night?
Tip: There are certain places you can and can’t ride Voi e-Scooters so check beforehand. I rode around the Botanical Gardens (I hope this was ok!?)! Scoot at your own risk – I take no responsibility for any accidents as I certainly wasn’t very steady!
Sunday
Rise and shine and enjoy a hearty breakfast on your last morning in Bath. Generally, early check out will be on the cards with many apartments and hotels requiring check out by 11am latest. Grab your bits and bobs and set about taking your journey home. Before drawing a line under your weekend in Bath, I’d strongly suggest you factor in another stop somewhere else after you check out, to make the most of your Sunday (or visit the Roman Baths if you didn’t yesterday morning).
There are some wonderful places to visit near Bath, depending on which direction you are coming from (and if you’re driving, these will be easier for you to access). You could consider a day out shopping at Bristol’s Cabot Circus, stop at Gloucester Docks for some lunch, visit a quaint Cotswolds village like Castle Combe, explore Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole, or of course tick Stonehenge off of your UK bucket list! The possibilities are endless…
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