Bath Guide

Bath is the centre of the unitary authority which is Bath and Northeast Somerset (B&NES). Bath is located in the ceremonial (geographical) county of Somerset. The population of Bath is around 84,000. The City of Bath has been a World Heritage Site since 1987.

View of the Roman Bath in Bath — Bath is one of Britain's most beautiful cities

Bath History

Although the history of human activity in the area goes back to at least Mesolithic times (10,000-5,000 BC), Bath was established as a city by the Romans in 43 AD and they named it Aquae Sulis.

The Romans built baths around the hot springs they discovered there and a temple to the goddess Sulis who the Romans identified with their own goddess Minerva. In 675 AD, a convent was established in Bath which later became a monastery and finally an abbey; the abbey was the site of the coronation of King Edgar in 973 AD.

The current Bath Abbey was probably completed around 1156 AD. During the Georgian era (1714-1830 AD), Bath began to assume its modern shape with its streets and squares being laid out by the architects John Wood the elder and John Wood the younger. Bath stone was used to create the classical façades which give the city the architectural heritage it enjoys today.

Roman Baths, Bath, Somerset, UK — The Roman Baths are the city's number one attraction

Bath Attractions

Bath's main attractions include the historic Roman Baths, nearby Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and the Jane Austen Centre. Other attractions in Bath include the Georgian architecture exemplified in buildings such as the Royal Crescent, Prior Park, and the Pump Room.

Bath is also home to museums such as the newly remodeled Holbourne Museum and the Victoria Art Gallery.Those visitors who prefer more natural environs will enjoy a visit to Royal Victoria Park and its botanical garden or a stroll along the Bath Skyline walking trail.

Bath Abbey, Bath, England, UK. — Bath Abbey, Bath, England

Bath Shopping

Bath's main shopping streets include High Street, Milsom Street, New Bond Street and Stall Street as well as the recently redeveloped Southgate Bath shopping area. These areas feature the usual department stores and shops. There is also a concentration of souvenir shops near the Roman Baths. The city has over 70 pubs so there are plenty of places to experience a classic British experience.

Bath Hotels

Whether it's the 5 star hotel at the Royal Crescent or the local Travel Lodge, Bath has a wide variety of hotels to meet any budget. In addition, there are numerous bed and breakfasts as well as guest houses.

Some recommended places to stay in Bath include the three star Holiday Inn Express Bath, the four star Hilton Bath City Hotel, and the superb, luxury five star The Gainsborough Bath Spa.

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Bath Access - Getting To Bath

Bath is located not far off the M4 motorway coming west from London. Bath is also easily accessible via the A4 from Bristol.

Bath's main railway station is Bath Spa on Dorchester Street with rail links to Bristol Temple Meads Station and some services on to Weston-super-Mare and Taunton. Trains from Bath Spa Station connect to London Paddington Station via Swindon, Reading and Chippenham.

South West Trains run a limited service to London Waterloo via Salisbury and Basingstoke from Bath Spa

First Great Western and South West Trains have services to Bradford-on-Avon (15 minutes). First Great Western runs services to Cardiff and Portsmouth Harbour and to Gloucester and Weymouth. Other services run south west via Bristol to Taunton, Exeter St David's Station in Exeter, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Torquay and Paignton.

An early morning CrossCountry service runs to Glasgow Central Station in Glasgow, Scotland via Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield Station in Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

There are National Express bus links from Bath to Heathrow Airport from Bath Bus Station. The X39 bus connects Bath with Bristol. The X31 bus runs from Bath to Box, Corsham and Chippenham.

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