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Plan Your Bath Holiday: Best of Bath

By viajablog

Explore Bath

Known for its restorative wonders, Bath was once the home of Jane Austen. Sure, you could attempt to conjure up this elegant city by reading Pride and Prejudice in your tub, but as Bath has a lot more history than your bathroom (we assume, anyway) you'd be missing out. A stroll through Bath is like visiting an open-air museum, with roughly 5,000 buildings in the city drawing notice for their architectural merit. After your stroll, soak in the natural hot waters of the Thermae Bath Spa, once a favourite of the Celts and Romans.
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Travel advice

Powered by AI
These questions and answers were created by AI, using the most common questions travellers ask in the forums.

Afternoon Tea Recommendations

According to forum posts, The Pump Room is highly recommended for afternoon tea in Bath, often praised for its ambiance and quality. Another option suggested is The Ivy Bath Brasserie, known for its diverse menu and pleasant setting.

Pub and Casual Dining Options

For pub dining, travelers have called out The Huntsman, Crystal Palace, and Hall & Woodhouse as central locations offering good food. The Raven is also mentioned for its popular pies. For lighter meals, the Old Green Tree and Boston Tea Party are recommended for their sandwiches and casual fare.

Fine Dining and Diverse Cuisine

For a more upscale dining experience, Henry's and Olive Tree are highly praised for their food quality, though they are noted as pricier options. Bandook is recommended for modern Indian cuisine, and Yak Yeti Yak for Nepalese dishes. For Italian food, Sotto Sotto is noted, though it might not be the best choice for children.

Child-Friendly Dining

For dining with children, Woods, Chez Dominique, Clayton’s Kitchen, and Bosco Pizzeria are suggested as welcoming to families and offering a variety of dishes that cater to different tastes.

This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.

Bus Services

According to forum posts, there are direct bus services between Bristol and Bath. The Airdecker bus service operates between Bristol Airport and Bath, typically running hourly. Prices for an adult single ticket are about £15. The service starts as early as 4:00 AM and runs until 1:00 AM.

Train Services

Some travelers mentioned that there is no direct train connection from Bristol Airport to Bath. However, one can use train services from Bristol Temple Meads station to Bath. The frequency and pricing of these services were not detailed in the posts.

Alternative Transport

For many users, a practical alternative is taking a taxi from Bristol Airport directly to Bath, especially if traveling in a group or for convenience. This option eliminates the need to transfer between bus and train stations.

This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.

Day Trips

Some travelers suggested day trips from Bath to nearby attractions. Wells, with its stunning cathedral and Bishops Palace, comes highly recommended and can be combined with a drive through the Mendip Hills to Cheddar. Additionally, a visit to the Cotswolds, including towns like Cirencester, Malmesbury, and Tetbury, is popular. Travelers have also recommended visiting Avebury, Stonehenge, and Salisbury for a mix of historical sites.

City Tours

For exploring Bath itself, many users recommended starting with a free walking tour provided by the Mayor of Bath's Honorary Guides. This is a great way to get acquainted with the city's rich history and architecture. The Roman Baths and No. 1 Royal Crescent are must-see attractions within the city.

Evening Activities

In the evenings, visitors enjoy the local pubs such as The Star and The Bell Inn for traditional drinks and sometimes live music. The city's compact nature makes it easy to explore its vibrant nightlife on foot.

Transportation and Practical Tips

Travelers have noted that Bath is well-connected by train, making it easy to access from major cities like London. It's also walkable, so renting a car isn't necessary unless planning multiple day trips to the surrounding countryside.

This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.

Car Rental Companies and Locations

Several car rental companies operate in Bath, including Enterprise, Europcar, and Hertz, although Hertz was reported to be temporarily closed for renovations. Enterprise has a branch on Lower Bristol Road, and Europcar also operates in the area. Some travelers suggested checking local companies for potentially lower rates.

Vehicle Options and Recommendations

For travelers needing specific vehicle types, such as automatic cars, it's advised to specify this when booking, as manual cars are more common by default. Additionally, for one-way rentals, companies like Enterprise and Europcar are recommended, but independent companies might offer more competitive prices for other rental types.

Operational Hours and Pick-up Considerations

Users have noted that car rental availability can be affected by the day of the week, with some locations in Bath not open on Sundays. It's important to plan accordingly, especially if you're planning to pick up or drop off a rental car around the weekend.

This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.

Ticket Purchase and Price

According to forum posts, tickets for Bath Abbey can be purchased on arrival at the Welcome Desk. The prices are £6.50 for adults, £5.50 for students, and £3.50 for children aged 5-15. Families receive a 10% discount.

Visit Timing

Some travelers said that there is no need to pre-book the visit to Bath Abbey. However, it's suggested to consider booking during weekends as queues can be about 20 minutes long, especially noted during a visit in December 2020.

Abbey Tower Tour

For many users, accessing the Abbey Tower Tour requires checking with staff upon arrival as it depends on the availability of volunteers. The tour lasts about 45-60 minutes. It's advisable to email Bath Abbey for detailed information on tour times, as they are subject to change and may not be available on Sundays.

This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.

Tripadvisor is not responsible for these answers or any opinions in them. Please read full forum posts for more details and information.

Traveller Spotlight

A Trip to Jane Austen's Bath

Bath is on the bucket-list of every Austen superfan, and thanks to many Georgian-era sites and attractions here, it's easy to pretend you've left modern-day U.K. for the pages of "Pride and Prejudice."
Maria Hart, New York City, NY
  • The Jane Austen Centre
    3,025
    This center gets mixed reviews for being somewhat pokey and overpriced. But it's still worth coming here to talk to the guides or attend any lecture or event.
  • Theatre Royal Bath
    978
    Theater was the Netflix of Austen's day, so if you're keen on time-traveling to the 18th century, definitely pay a visit to this local theater to see the current productions and take in an evening of Austen-era entertainment.
  • Thermae Bath Spa
    9,766
    Visitors to Bath in Austen's time would have certainly "taken the waters" (hence Bath's name). While this spa is quite modern, it still allows you to participate in that ancient tradition.
  • Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House & Museum
    5,102
    Another tea salon visit? Of course! This one offers a twofer: a historic visit to the oldest house in Bath and a chance to take cream tea with buns—known as the best in the area.
  • Prior Park Landscape Gardens
    856
    What's an Austen novel without a dreamy pastoral walk? These landscaped gardens give you another opportunity to pretend you're back in the 18th century, complete with a picturesque bridge.
  • No. 1 Royal Crescent
    7,133
    Another thing we love about Austen movies—those gorgeous settings! The rooms at No. 1 Royal Crescent seem like the perfect period-movie backdrop for Mr. Darcey to be presented.
  • Fashion Museum Bath
    1,699
    Admit it, our favorite thing about Jane Austen movies is the fashion! And this museum will let you see every button and ribbon on those dresses. Lots of ball-worthy gowns to admire!
  • The Pump Room
    3,260
    No doubt your turn around the grounds will have worked up an appetite. Come here to indulge in a traditional afternoon tea.
  • Highlights of Bath City Walk
    127
    Start your trip off, as any Austen heroine would, by "taking a turn about the grounds." The "Jane Austen in Bath" tour is a great way to get the lay of the land and understand the author's relationship with the town.
  • No.15 By GuestHouse Bath
    1,702
    Every Austen fan needs a place to hang their bonnet. This Georgian townhouse turned boutique hotel gives an appropriately historic atmosphere with lots of modern comforts.

Trending in the forums

Bath Is Great For

Great gastro-pubs