The City of Bath was first established by the Romans in the 1st century AD, who used the natural hot springs as a thermal spa.

Bath is also the only city in the UK to be a designated World Heritage Site in its entirety!

With it’s stunning honey hued Georgian architecture and sweeping crescents, Bath looks like it is straight out of a BBC period drama, and is perfect for either a day trip or a city break!

If you are into literature like me, you will be pleased to find that this romantic city is the backdrop to some of Jane Austen’s famous novels and more recently you may recognise some of Bridgerton’s filming locations when walking around the World Heritage streets.

Here’s how to spend 24 hours (or more) in this charming city.

Don’t miss these spots:

Pulteney Bridge

Pulteney Bridge, which crosses the River Avon, was completed by 1774, and connected the city with the land of the Pulteney family which they wished to develop. It was designed by Robert Adam in a Palladian style, and is one of only three bridges in the world lined with shops.

Pulteney Bridge

Pulteney Bridge

Pulteney Bridge

I recommend photographing it late morning. The scenes and architecture are just spectacular!

Bath Abbey

The Bath Abbey is a shining piece of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Just stunning and a must visit when in Bath! Can you spot the ladder of Angels?

I recommend going inside to see the stained glass windows, fan vaulted ceilings and gold stone. There is no entrance fee to go in but you are encouraged to leave a donation which goes towards maintaining the abbey.

I recommend seeing it both in the day time and night time, when it is even more magical!

Royal Crescent

The 30 majestic townhouses on the Royal Crescent are arranged in a semi-circular terrace and are situated in a stunning location above the Royal Victoria Park.

Built between 1767 and 1775 by the famed architect John Wood the Younger, these elegant homes would have been rented for the season.

They also feature heavily as a Bridgerton backdrop. Not only does No. 1 act as the exterior for the Featherington residence, but the street is repeatedly used in establishing shots.

Circus

The Circus, originally called King’s Circus, was designed by the architect John Wood, the Elder. The Circus consists of three curved segments of Grade I listed Georgian townhouses, forming a circle with three entrances.

When viewed from the air, the Circus, along with Queen Square and adjoining Gay Street, form a key shape, which is a masonic symbol similar to those that adorn many of Wood’s buildings.

Georgian Garden

Don’t miss this re-created Georgian Garden located behind The Circus featuring period plants and gravel walkways. The original garden was made in the 1760s.

Bath Old Books

If you love visiting Bookstores, don’t miss Bath Old Books, a long-established independent bookstore, with four friendly partners, located between the Circus and Crescent.

Sally Lunns

Sally Lunn’s Bakery occupies one of the oldest houses in Bath and is home to one of Bath’s most famous products – the Sally Lunn. It is a large bun or teacake made with a yeast dough including cream and eggs, similar to the sweet brioche breads of France, that can be served with sweet or savoury toppings.

The Abbey Deli – Bridgerton Filming spot!

Known as Modiste in the series, Bridgerton’s scenes were actually filmed in this cafe on Abbey Green, previously called Pickled Greens.

Filming took place inside and out of the Grade II listed building, which features traditional doubled-fronted bay windows.

Bath Guildhall Market

Visit the oldest shopping venue in the city, located just 80 yards from Bath Abbey and opposite Pulteney Bridge. My favourite was Nibbles Cheese shop, which has been supplying the public and trade in Bath for over 40 years and has over 90 different varieties of cheese from locally sourced cheddars, continental and home grown favourites.

Bath Blue was my favourite, so much so that I even took some home to devour later!

Argentinian Empanadas in Bath!

Make time for an empanada stop at Cortado Cafe. The fusion flavours in these Argentinian empanadas are absolutely incredible!

Find it: 7 Bridge St, Bath, BA2 4AS, UK

Tour with Savouring Bath

I highly highly highly recommend booking a tour with Savouring Bath. Knowledgeable tour guides will take you on a unique gastronomical tour of Bath, whilst giving you historical nuggets and key facts about the gorgeous city en-route to each stop. I truly loved how independents and artisan locally renowned businesses were chosen, who were all so passionate about their produce.

There was so much to sample and it is a really fabulous way to experience the city, especially if you are a foodie!

I really loved the tour and we literally ate the world in Bath! I would never have come across some of these venues if it hadn’t been for Mike, our really lovely tour guide, and would do this tour again in a heart beat!

He made sure we saw all the key hot spots as well as the hidden gems, and that we tried all the best food, including the famous Bath Bun! Not to be confused with a Sally Lunn, a Bath bun is a sweet roll made from a milk-based yeast dough with crushed sugar sprinkled on top after baking. Variations in ingredients include enclosing a lump of sugar in the bun or adding candied fruit peel, currants, raisins or sultanas.

Bath Bun

Book their tours here: https://savouringbath.com/

Le Vignoble

If you are a oenophile like me, make sure you go to Le Vignoble, an independent wine lounge in Milsom Place, with Enomatic machines and French tapas dishes.

You get a card which you use to sample whichever wine you want and you pay the balance at the end. A superb experience!

Find out more: https://levignoble.co.uk/

Where to stay?

Abbey Hotel

The Abbey Hotel, part of the Tribute Portfolio, is an art themed hotel located minutes from the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and Bath Spa. It is spread over three interconnected 18th-century townhouses overlooking an open, triangular area officially called Terrace.

The 65 bedrooms are divided into three themes – Print (photos of printing presses), Cinematography (film reel cases on walls) and Gallery (Georgian-related art included in the decoration).

Our room was Cinematography themed and I absolutely loved all the touches such as the retro phones and camera.

The ArtBar on site is well worth a visit for a drink. I loved how the lampshades were made out of decanters and dozens of glasses hang from the ceiling.

Lots of different art by local artists (all for sale) cover the various walls in changing exhibitions.

For dinner make a reservation at Abbey Hotel Kitchen, which is under the helm of Head Chef Marcus Bradley who is extremely passionate about ensuring that only top quality produce is served to guests.

When we visited the menu had just changed and had some Pan-Asian influences, and it was really lovely!

I had the Chestnut Gnocchi with king oyster mushrooms and celeriac, which was moreiesh.

Dessert was a Dark chocolate and walnuts brownie served with vanilla crème fraîche ice cream. Heavenly!

Getting to Bath

Trains

Travelling by train is really convenient and quick with regular high-speed services running from London Paddington taking just 80 minutes. This makes it perfect for a day trip as well as a city break!

Bath Spa railway station is also conveniently located a short walk from all the city’s attractions.

Bus

National Express runs bus services with great connections from London Victoria coach station, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport to Bath bus station.

Driving

Bath has excellent motorway links, easy to travel from London on the M4, and  there are several car parks which are affordable and easy to find.

For more inspiration, information and details check out https://visitbath.co.uk/

Have you been to Bath?

Disclaimer: I was on a Press trip with Visit Bath and my experience was complimentary but all views and photos are my own.