Anna Cullen

Cost: €€ (expensive)

Safety: 4/5 for solo female travellers

Bath is located in the South West of England and is one of the United Kingdom’s most picturesque cities. The city was initially founded by the Romans as a thermal spa (the Roman Baths), and is now designated as a World Heritage Site.

Bath is full of impressive Georgian architecture and is famous as the backdrop for Jane Austen films and the Netflix series Bridgerton. I would recommend spending 2 days exploring this charming city, and I generally felt safe during my time there.

How to get there

To get to Bath from Ireland, you can fly direct to London or Bristol (about an hour flight) and then travel via train to the city.

As I was already in London, I travelled via the Great Western Railway from Paddington Station to Bath Spa. The journey took 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Language, Currency & Weather

English is the main language in Bath and the currency is the British Pound, however I primarily used my visa debit card or Apple Pay.

The weather in Bath is similar to Ireland, so summers are mostly pleasant with temperatures ranging between 13 and 26 degrees Celsius. Winters are a lot cooler, with temperatures between -3 and 12 degrees Celsius.

Public Transport

Bath is well served by public transport, and there are regular buses that run across the city, as well as to neighbouring towns and villages. You can buy tickets on the First Bus app, or from the driver on all buses.

Bath Spa railway station is also located in the city centre and offers services to Bristol, London, Cardiff and more. You can buy train tickets online, via the GWR app or at the station you are travelling from.

Where To Stay

Accommodation in Bath can be expensive, therefore it can be hard to find something reasonable yet comfortable.

While in the city, I would recommend staying in The Z Hotel, Henrietta House or Dream Stays on Kingsmead Street.

There are a few hostels to choose from, but be prepared to spend more cash than usual. I would recommend Bath Backpackers or YHA Bath.

Where To Go & What To Do

Bath isn’t the biggest city, but it is full of attractions and activities so you won’t run out of things to do. Firstly, I would advise you to book a walking tour of the city, so you get to explore the top sites (like the Royal Crescent and the Circus) in detail.

A visit to the well-preserved Roman Baths is essential. Located in the city centre, the hot springs are the perfect example of the legacy left by the Romans and are one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe.

You can no longer swim in the baths, but fear not as Thermae Bath Spa provides the opportunity to bathe in the naturally warm, mineral-rich waters just like the Celts and the Romans did over 2,000 years ago. Located in the city centre, this is a really cool activity to complete during your trip.

Before or after your visit to the Roman Baths or Thermae Bath Spa, take a look around Bath Abbey, which showcases sixteenth-century architecture. Tour the towers and the bell chamber for a look behind the clock face.

Another fabulous picturesque location to add to the list is Prior Park. The Palladian bridge, which is one of only four to exist in the world, is a very striking landmark. While you’re there, pay a visit to the gothic temple and the ice house. 

If you’re interested in history and art, I would advise you to visit The Holbourne Museum, which is home to an extensive collection of artifacts as well as fascinating works of art including Georgian oil paintings. Meanwhile, if fashion is your thing, then visit Bath’s Fashion Museum which is located in the basement of The Assembly Rooms. The museum features a range of items and fabrics, including Georgian silk shoes.

Why not visit the Jane Austen Centre and trace the author’s story with help from costumed actors. You will learn all you need to know about her life in Bath during the early nineteenth century.

Finally, weather permitting, a fantastic task to book would be a hot air balloon ride to enjoy the Somerset countryside and to take in Bath’s landmarks from above.

What & Where To Eat

There are lots of places to choose from in Bath, so it depends on what you are looking for on the day. During my trip I visited a few different spots to really get a feel of (and taste for!) the place.

Once I arrived in the city I grabbed some breakfast at the retro café Same Same But Different and it was absolutely delicious.

For lunch, I visited The Scallop Shell for amazing fish and chips. This was followed by a very expensive cocktail at The Bar at No 15.

Meanwhile, I visited Corkage for dinner, and this lovely wine bar is a great spot for some small plates and interesting wines.

If you’re interested in craft beer, Bath is the place for you as most of the pubs stock local beers like Electric Bear, Bath Ales and Abbey Ales. Visit Wadworth’s Victorian tower brewery which is excellent and will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip.

Enjoy your time in Bath!