As summer brings in much-needed warmth and sunshine, there are plenty of places to go for mini day trips outside of London, if you want a change of scenery!
With over 2,000 years of history dating back to the Roman era, the picturesque city of Bath has consistently been called one of the prettiest places in the UK. The city is also the setting for the hit Netflix series Bridgerton and offers fans plenty of opportunities to spot Regency-era buildings which inspired Jane Austen, one of my favourite authors.
How to get there
The quickest way to get to Bath from London is by train, which takes about an hour and a half from Paddington station. If you have a Railcard, you get about a 30% discount on your train tickets. Coaches can take you to Bath in about 3 hours and are usually cheaper than trains.
What to do
One of the main things people associate with the town of Bath is the incredibly well-preserved ancient Roman Baths. They’ve been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are by far one of the most popular attractions in England. I would recommend going to the baths first thing in the morning to kick off your day’s excursion. This way you can avoid the crowds because lines for tour groups from London can grow rather long during the day. Once in, you can walk around the bathhouse, strolling through saunas and pools. However, since the baths are a protected historical landmark, swimming is not permitted there. We went to a rooftop spa located nearby which offers wellness sessions in the mineral-rich waters of the city and is perfect for a swim.
The stunning Bath Abbey is just located next door, which also finds a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The church’s interior is particularly spectacular, featuring soaring ceilings and gorgeous stained glass windows. For a small fee, we were able to spot breathtaking views of Bath atop the abbey tower, which consists of 212 steps on a spiral staircase.
Both the abbey and the baths are located in the city centre, where there are plenty of options for food and drink. As the weather was perfect for a picnic, we headed over to the gorgeous Parade Gardens where we sat by the river Avon and relaxed under the sun.
One of the best things about visiting smaller towns is the proximity of famous landmarks within walking distance. Right by the Parade Gardens is Pulteney Bridge, another iconic spot. With shops lining both sides of the bridge, there are plenty of opportunities to collect souvenirs and take pictures. For a proper shopping experience, we visited the nearby Guildhall Market, one of Bath’s oldest shops. Over 800 years old, this ancient market consists of various cafés and shops selling jewellery, leather goods, bookshops and more.
The Pulteney Bridge also leads to Holburne Museum, a Grade I listed building which has prominently featured on Bridgerton.
Within just a few hours of walking, we covered most of Bath’s city centre, admiring the beautiful Georgian architecture and browsing historical shops and houses.
Moving away from the city centre, just a 20-minute walk away, is the famous Royal Crescent, which served as a backdrop for many films and movies. This magnificent crescent-shaped group of buildings, which was constructed in the late 18th century, is a superb example of Georgian design and provides an excellent chance for pictures.
To get a proper view of Bath’s breathtaking skyline the National Trust offers three- or six-mile treks that pass through many interesting locations. Since we were short of time, we took a 20-minute walk from the city centre to Alexandra Park, which is at the top of Beechen Cliff, where we were able to take spectacular panorama pictures. The Bath skyline is also gorgeous at night and can be viewed from this spot, which is the perfect way to end the day before heading back to London.
I’d highly recommend visiting Bath for a day trip from London, as it’s close by and just big enough to accommodate a full day of sightseeing.
