How To See The Best Of Bath In 1 Day

Debbie
Oct 9, 2020
5 min read

Updated: May 15

UK Travel Guide: How To Spend A Perfect Day In Bath

Updated for 2025. Looking for the perfect way to spend a day in one of England’s most elegant and historic cities? Whether you're planning a day trip to Bath from London, stopping off on a UK road trip or exploring more of the South West of England, Bath is a must-visit destination. Known for its Georgian architecture, ancient Roman Baths and literary ties to Jane Austen - as well as its starring role in Netflix’s Bridgerton - this charming spa town blends history, culture and timeless Regency charm. In this 1 day in Bath guide, we’ll be sharing our favourite way to spend a day here including exploring iconic sights, soaking up incredible architecture, finding hidden gems, enjoying great food and discovering why Bath remains one of the UK’s most beloved travel destinations. Let’s explore!

Start Your Day With Breakfast At Sally Lunn.

We're going to start our day in Bath with a delicious breakfast at one of the city's most popular eateries. Located in one of the oldest houses in Bath, Sally Lunn is home to the Sally Lunn Bunn. Is it cake? Is it bread? Nobody really knows how to describe it, but the closest thing we can compare it to is brioche - light and airy with a crisp, golden crust. Sally Lunn serve their bunn as part of savoury and sweet dishes and is a popular breakfast choice to try in Bath. Location: 4 N Parade, Passage, Bath BA1 1NX Website: www.sallylunns.co.uk

Admire Some Of The City's Gothic Architecture At Bath Abbey.

After breakfast, take a short stroll over to Bath Abbey. This impressive religious building has undergone many restoration projects over the centuries, but is still standing tall as a prominent fixture of Bath. As you approach the abbey, you can't help but admire the architecture. Take some time to go inside, look up at its vaulted ceiling, admire the restored stain glass windows and even join a tour to ascend up its towers. Location: Bath BA1 1LT Website: www.bathabbey.org

Spend The Morning Exploring The Roman Baths.

Just a stone's throw away from the abbey is the site which gives Bath its name. The Roman Baths are a must see attraction when in Bath. This ancient bathhouse was originally built as a religious spa, where people would come together to worship and bathe in its thermal waters. The Roman remains of the baths were discovered in the late 17th century and since then, extensive renovation work has been carried out to restore this ancient site to its former glory. Today, the baths are once again open to the public, where visitors can walk around its well-preserved ruins and learn more of its history through an interactive museum. A visit to this wonderful piece of history is a must do on your trip to Bath. Location: Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LZ Website: www.romanbaths.co.uk

Indulge In Afternoon Tea At The Pump Rooms.

If you've yet to sample a traditional English Afternoon Tea, here is your chance to do so in a beautiful setting - The Pump Rooms. As we've seen, the Romans would bathe in the thermal waters of Bath. But from the late 17th century, people began to flock to Bath to drink from its springs. The pump rooms were built in the early 18th century to accommodate the crowds as popularity grew for drinking Bath's mineral-rich waters. These rooms became a fashionable meeting place for higher societies to "take the waters" and to socialise. Today, they house the Pump Room Restaurant. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, but with only one day in Bath we would recommend opting for their afternoon tea and enjoying a more elegant lunch, in beautiful historic surroundings. Location: 13 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LZ Website: www.thepumproombath.co.uk

Explore Bath's Best Museums and Outdoor Spaces

After lunch, take some time to discover what else Bath has to offer. Step back in time and learn more about the history of Bath in popular museums such as The Jane Austen Centre, The No. 1 Royal Crescent Museum or The Fashion Museum.

If you're visiting Bath during the warmer months, take some time to enjoy a relaxing walk through Royal Victoria Park, one of the city’s loveliest green spaces. Or simply wander through the city’s historic streets and keep an eye out for noticeable landmarks like Pulteney Bridge, Royal Crescent, The Circus and Parade Gardens. You might spot a few familiar scenes from your favourite shows and films, as we'll see in the next section.

Discover Bath's Filming Locations

Bath’s beautiful Georgian streets and historic architecture have made it a favourite location for filmmakers looking to capture the charm of Britain’s past. Fans of period dramas will instantly recognise parts of the city from Netflix’s Bridgerton, which filmed many of its scenes along Royal Crescent (pictured below), Abbey Green and inside the Holburne Museum (Lady Danbury’s home).

Jane Austen fans will recognise a number of locations from both the 2007 and 2022 adaptations of Persuasion, which made full use of Bath’s elegant facades to bring the classic novel to life including Royal Crescent and The Gravel Walk - the spot just off Royal Crescent where Anne and Wentworth share their heartfelt kiss.

Even the popular 2012 film Les Misérables used Bath’s historic Pulteney Bridge (pictured below) to recreate the streets of 19th century Paris.

Spend A Relaxing Afternoon at Bath's Rooftop Spa.

After a full day of seeing what Bath has to offer, take some time to relax at the Thermae Bath Spa. Unwind in the thermal, mineral-rich waters of the Minerva Bath and enjoy the spectacular views across the city from the open air rooftop pool. The Thermae Bath Spa also offers a range of treatments, designed to help you relax and unwind. Location: The Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath St, Bath BA1 1SJ Website: www.thermaebathspa.com

End The Perfect Day With A Meal At Olive Tree.

One of our favourite ways to end a day in Bath is with a meal at Olive Tree - the city’s only Michelin-starred restaurant.

Located beneath the Queensberry Hotel (a lovely hotel option if you’re visiting Bath for a special occasion), Olive Tree is one of the city’s longest standing restaurants, with 3 AA Rosettes and a Michelin Star to its name. For a truly special dining experience, the 6 or 9 course tasting menus are a real treat, but you can also opt for the à la carte menu if you’re after something a bit lighter. It’s definitely a splurge, but if you're looking to mark a special occasion, Olive Tree is a fantastic choice.

If you're working with a more modest budget, there are plenty of excellent alternatives including Sotto Sotto, The Scallop Shell and Hudson Steakhouse - all popular with locals as well as tourists, offering great food and atmosphere without the fine dining price tag.

Location: 4-7 Russell St, Bath BA1 2QF Website: www.olivetreebath.co.uk

We hope you have enjoyed reading our itinerary for the perfect day in Bath. As you can see, there is plenty to see and enjoy in this charming city. Is there anything you think we've missed? Let us know down in the comments below.