A Day Trip to Bath from London | Detailed Itinerary

Follow this itinerary for an easy and successful day trip to Bath from London. I’ll walk you through how to get there, the best places to visit, my favorite coffee shops, and more. Bath is one of my favorite day trips from London, and it’s an easy one to do on your own!

Every time I visit London, I try to plan at least one day trip to get out of the city and experience something a little different. But narrowing down the options isn't always easy.

When researching the best day trips from London, I usually find one of two things: lists with 10+ destinations or articles that don't provide enough information to decide whether a place is actually worth the trip. The last thing you want to do is spend hours traveling somewhere only to find out it's just so-so.

If you're in the same boat and considering a day trip to Bath, you've chosen well. Bath is easy to get to from London and is just the right size to fill a day without feeling rushed.

It's one of my favorite day trips from London, and I can't recommend it enough!

It's also a MUST for Bridgerton fans, as much of the show was filmed here. You'll quickly see why once you start wandering Bath's picturesque streets. And don't worry—I include a list of the best Bridgerton filming locations in Bath toward the end of this post.

Now let's get into the fun stuff! Follow this Bath day trip itinerary and you'll hit all the top attractions without missing a beat.

This map shows the top places to visit in Bath, England. Click the icon in the top-left corner to view a list of each pinned location. Select the top-right button to enlarge the map (it will automatically save it to YOUR Google Maps). To access this map once saved, open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), tap the "You" icon at the bottom, scroll to the bottom, and select "Maps". Your newly saved map should be listed at the top.

• Blue - must-visit Bath sights
• Red - coffee shops, lunch, cream tea

Is Bath Worth Visiting?

First things first...is Bath worth visiting? My answer is YES!

Bath is about as picturesque as a city can get. The Georgian architecture gives the city a beautiful, well-preserved, and stately feel, while the city itself is clean, walkable, and charming.

Yes, Bath can get crowded with day trippers, but it's still a nice change of pace from busy London.

It's also the perfect size for a day trip. You can easily see the top sights in one day without feeling like you're rushing from one attraction to the next. You'll even have time to sit down for lunch and squeeze in a few coffee breaks.

Of all the London day trips you can easily do on your own by train, Bath makes my top three. Cambridge, Windsor, and Bath are my favorites.

Getting to Bath From London

Getting to Bath from London is quick, painless, and easy. Direct trains run from London Paddington to Bath Spa, with the fastest services taking around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The Bath train station is right in the city center, just about a 5-minute walk from the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. It's an easy and straightforward walk, so you won't need to worry about taking an Uber or taxi once you arrive.

If you buy your train tickets early (you can book 12 to 24 weeks in advance), you can find them for around £60 round trip.

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How Much Time to Spend in Bath, England

A day trip to Bath from London will take up most of your day. I'd plan on spending at least 6 hours in Bath, but 8 hours is even better.

This gives you enough time to see the top sights below, wander the picturesque streets, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and squeeze in one or two coffee stops without feeling rushed.

Places to Visit on a Day Trip to Bath From London

Roman Baths

The first stop on this Bath itinerary should be the Roman Baths. They're one of the most popular things to do in Bath and, well, they're what gave the city its name!

The original baths were built around 70 AD and are some of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world.

I recommend buying your tickets online (around £30) in advance so you don't waste time waiting in line. Plan to spend around 2 hours here, and be sure to use the included audio guide. It's very well done and adds a lot of context to what you're seeing.

The Roman Baths tend to get busiest in the afternoon, particularly between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. I book the earliest train from London so I can arrive as close to opening time as possible. Opening hours vary throughout the year, so be sure to check the schedule when planning your trip.

AWA Tip: The Georgian Pump Room, which is connected to the Roman Baths, is a fun spot for breakfast before or after your visit. It was once the social heart of Bath and hosted famous visitors including Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

Sip your tea beneath the chandeliers while listening to the live pianist. It's definitely a little fancy, but don't let that stop you—most people were dressed pretty casually when I visited since many were fellow tourists.

I did the Morning Pastry for £12.50, which included a pot of tea (or coffee), toasted teacake, and either a slice of cake or chive scones.

You'll want to book your spot in advance through the Pump Room, especially if you're visiting during a busy time of year.

Walking Tour

Bath is a stunning and wonderfully preserved Georgian city, and a walking tour is one of the best ways to appreciate its architecture, history, and hidden corners.

The Mayor of Bath Honorary Guides offers free 2-hour walking tours of the city. Tips aren't accepted, and the quality of the guides and information is top-notch.

Tours typically run at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., although Saturday usually has just one morning tour. Double-check the schedule before your trip, as times can change. The meeting point is conveniently located right outside the Roman Baths, marked with a sign that says "Free Walking Tours Start Here."

The tour takes you through some of Bath's prettiest streets and neighborhoods, and you'll likely pass a few places you'll want to come back to explore later. It's a great introduction to Bath and one of the first things I'd do once you arrive.

The downside to a free tour is that you never know how large your group will be. You don't sign up in advance, and the guides can't limit how many people show up. If you'd rather have a smaller group or guarantee your spot, consider booking a tour in advance:

• Walking Tour of Bath with Blue Badge Tourist Guide - max of 25 people
• Roman Baths and Bath City Walking Tour - max of 15 people
• Best of Bath Walking Tours - Georgian Tour - max of 12 people

Bath Abbey

The site of Bath Abbey has a long history as it’s been a place of Christian worship since 757 AD. The current Abbey you see today is actually the third to be built here. The biggest claim to fame of this sacred ground is that King Edgar (the first king of all England) was crowned here.

The service used for King Edgar set the precedent for the coronation ritual we see to this day for the Kings and Queens of England.

Along with the Roman Baths, this is one of the top places to visit in Bath.

The £10 50-minute guided tour is more than worthwhile and will give you an inside look at the Abbey. If you can time it right, I highly recommend doing the tour vs visiting on your own.

You’ll see the ringing room and bell chamber, have a look behind the clock face, and climb 212 steps to see beautiful views of the city below and a peek at the Roman Baths from above.

The tour schedule is not listed online and can only be booked via the welcome desk at the Abbey. Typically they are every hour 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

Regular entrance is £6.50 (additional £3.50 for the audioguide). 

Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House and Museum

Now would be the perfect time to stop for lunch or a cream tea on this day trip to Bath itinerary. For a traditional experience, there's no better place than Sally Lunn's.

Known as a "world famous tea and eating house", it makes for a memorable stop to try the famous Bath Bunn among other English dishes.

I recommend ordering the Sally Lunn cream tea which comes with a toasted and buttered Sally Lunn Bunn, strawberry jam, clotted cream, and tea.

No. 1 Royal Crescent and The Circus

Next up on our day trip to Bath itinerary is a visit to the No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum. It's a 13-minute walk from Bath Abbey or Sally Bunn's to the Royal Crescent.

The museum will give you an inside look at how the rich and famous lived back in the 1700s. No. 1, as its name suggests, is the first house in a crescent of 35 Georgian townhomes…some of the priciest real estate in the city.

The rooms are decorated and furnished to look as they would have from 1776-1796. Wander through bedrooms, servants’ quarters, the kitchen, and parlor.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and talk to the docents. They are filled with information on how people lived during this time period and the fascinating quirks and details about life in the Georgian era.

No. 1 Royal Crescent is open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 to 5:30 and tickets are £15. While walk-in visits are available, they are extremely limited, so I would book your time slot in advance.

Don’t forget to step outside when you’ve finished your visit to see the entire crescent and admire its uniformity.

Walk 3 minutes to see The Circus. Similar to the Royal Crescent except that it’s a circle of townhomes instead of a semi-circle. 

Pulteney Bridge

From The Circus, walk 10 minutes to Pulteney Bridge. Cross the bridge and walk down the steps and along the river to get the best views of Bath.

The bridge is (kind of) similar to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence with shops and buildings along both sides. If you’re looking for that Instagram shot, this is your spot. 

Parade Gardens

Another beautiful view of the Pulteney Bridge is from the Parade Gardens. While the £2 fee to enter the gardens is annoying, they are well manicured and a nice spot to relax and enjoy the views.

Best coffee shops in Bath, England

I'm sure you'll want a few coffee breaks during this day trip to Bath itinerary. I've made sure to include spots located by popular sights so you aren't going out of your way.

These are my favorite coffee shops in Bath and are perfect for a coffee and snack:

• Society Cafe - I love the location at Kingsmead Square. There's patio seating in a pretty square. The other location on High Street is close to Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths.
• The Colombian Company - close to the Roman Baths.
• CASCARA - vegan cafe.
• Pulteney Bridge Coffee Shop - while the quality is so-so, it's a fun location inside the bridge.
• Boston Tea Party - great for brunch.

***Thermae Bath Spa (New Royal Bath)***

Looking to take a dip in the same thermal waters that the Romans enjoyed over 2,000 years ago? You have two main options in Bath. 

Thermae Bath Spa (now called New Royal Bath) is the only natural thermal spa in the UK and it will cost you a pretty penny to enjoy. A two-hour weekday visit will cost £40 and a weekend visit will be £45.

You’ll have access to the open-air rooftop pool, the indoor Minerva bath, and the wellness suite with a steam room, infrared room, ice chamber, and more. 

Skip the Cross Bath. It's £40 for 1.5 hours to sit in a small, open-air, circular pool (think large hot tub). 

Is it worth your time and money? My personal travel style says no…but I completely understand why some people make this a priority. Just keep in mind that a visit to the thermal baths on a day trip to Bath from London (as opposed to an overnight trip) will be pushing it time-wise. 

If you decide to take a plunge in the mineral waters you will most definitely have to cut out a sight or two from above.

Shopping - Milsom Street

Those that whirled through this Bath itinerary and have extra time to shop will want to check out Milsom Street. This is the go-to shopping street in Bath and is also very picturesque.

Bridgerton filming locations in Bath

For my fellow Bridgerton fans, these are the most popular and worthwhile Bridgerton filming locations in Bath. Even if you aren't into the show, these are all beautiful areas that are worth a quick look. All are located within the city center and are walking distance from each other.

Trim Street - this tiny street (specifically 12 Trim Street) stands in for Gunter’s Tea Shop.

The Abbey Deli - Modiste dress shop.

Abbey Gate Street (archway by Columbian Coffee Company) - several scenes were filmed here including where Siena (the Opera singer lives).

No. 1 Royal Crescent - home of the Featheringtons. The Royal Crescent also stands in for several back drops throughout the show.

National Trust - Bath Assembly Rooms - stands in for several balls and formal events in the show. Even if it says it's closed on Google Maps, still stop by. They were hosting a nature focused event when I was there. Each of the rooms had a nature theme and it was free to visit!

Other notable streets include Bath Street, Edward Street, Beauford Square, and Alfred Street.

Bath tour – visiting Bath as a combined tour from London

If you want to fit several sights into one day trip, there are plenty of tour companies that combine a day trip to Bath from London with one or two other stops.

I’ve visited Bath both on my own and with a combined tour. In a perfect world, you would spend an entire day in Bath, but if you’re short on time and want to fit a few more sights on your itinerary, a “bus” tour is a great option.

A combined tour will give you a quick taste of Bath. You won’t have time to see all the sights, but it’s a good option if seeing the stone circles like Stonehenge or Avebury are important.  

I would stick with tours that operate with smaller vans like The English Bus or Rabbies. These tours will have a max of around 16 people versus the big bus tours that can easily have 30, 50, or more tourists.

I would also skip the tours that include Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle should be visited as a separate trip as it deserves more time than a quick stop on a combined bus tour. Being just 30 minutes from London by train, this is also a very easy half-day trip to do on your own.

If you don't have time for a separate day trip to Windsor, then I recommend this group tour Small-Group Day Trip to Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor from London or this private tour Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath Private Car Tour from London.

It makes more sense to pick a tour that includes a combination of Bath, the Cotswolds, and/or Stonehenge/Avebury. A tour with this combination will give you the most possible time in each location and won’t squeeze in several big and time-consuming spots in one trip…which just leads to rushing through each destination and not visiting them properly.

I did the Small Group Stonehenge, Bath and Secret Place Tour from London and can't recommend it enough. Probably one of the best day trips I have ever joined. 

The below tours are with companies I like/have used before and combine worthwhile stops:

• Small Group Cotswolds Village, Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London (same company as the tour I did).
• Small-Group Day Trip to Bath, Lacock and Stonehenge from London
• PRIVATE TOUR OPTION: Stonehenge & Bath Private Day Tour from London

In summary

I hope this day trip to Bath itinerary helped you not only decide if this day trip is right for you but also how to plan your time.

Bath is an easy day trip to do on your own and is a nice change of pace from London. The entire city feels historic with its Georgian architecture and charming streets. 

A day trip to Bath will reward you with picturesque streets, quaint cafes, fascinating sights, and a very interesting history. It won’t be hard to fill an entire day’s worth of tourist sights and activities!

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Day Trip to Bath from London | An Easy London Day Trip

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Have you done a day trip to Bath from London? Share your tips and the top places to visit in Bath in the comments below!