Bath is one of England’s most beautiful cities, however, most of the main sights are a little pricey. Here is 5 FREE things to do in Bath.
Hopefully you will find some different ideas on this post than other blog articles out there!
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Where is Bath?
Bath is located in the county of Somerset, England. It is 97 miles northwest of London, close to the famous Cotswolds.
Bath is named after its famous Roman Baths that were built way back in 60 AD! The baths are over 1,900 years old and were in public use until the late 70’s. When a bather sadly died of an amoeba-borne illness, the baths were closed to the public.
Bath is UNSECO World Heritage Site and is one of the UK’s most visited destinations, with over 6 million yearly visits!
How to get to Bath
The easiest and most common way to visit Bath is by train. From London, the journey is only about an hour, and if you pre-book your train tickets during early bird sales (usually 3 months in advance) they can be quite affordable (I got mine with Great Western Railway for £14 in June 2023).
I recommend pre-booking your journey, especially during summer, as seats can fill up and prices can sky-rocket.
Alternatively, National Express buses also serve Bath from London. Tickets are cheaper than the train but the journey takes 3 hours and 15 minutes.
How to get cheap train tickets in the UK
- Make use of railcards (30% discount)
- Pre-book during early-bird sales (usually 3 month in advance)
- Check prices on different platforms.
Resources
Books to read before going to Bath
- Jane Austen – Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.
Both novels are partially set in Bath which reflects Austen’s fondness for the city.
- Mary Shelley – Frankenstein
Shelley wrote Frankenstein while living in Bath in 1816-17.
Where to Stay in Bath
$ Hostel $
Bath Backpackers
13 Pierrepont Street, Bath, England.
This hostel is perfectly located close to both the central sights and the train station. Set inside a Georgian building, it has classic interior features; high ceilings, big staircases, and big sash windows. It offers both gendered and mixed dorms, as well as regular social activities. Check availability or see other options.
$$ Hotel $$
The Windsor Townhouse
69 Great Pulteney Street, Bath, BA2 4DL, United Kingdom.
This gorgeous guesthouse is located on the famous Great Pulteney Street. The rooms are spacious and the furnishings ooze classic English cottage vibes. They offer a free continental breakfast and easy access to all Bath’s best sights. Check availability or see other options.
Bath and the Cotswolds: The Ultimate 3 day Itinerary
1. Bath Lookout on Alexandra Hill
The Bath Lookout is on the southern end of town in what seems to me to be a more local neighbourhood. No one else that I met at my hostel ventured up to the lookout, so it was a unique experience.
To get there, head towards the train station. To the immediate right of the station is a big stone train bridge. Make your way underneath the long bike rack. Once you reach the river, turn left and head to Halfpenny Bridge. Cross the bridge and both the main roads, and make your way up Lyncombe Hill. Turn right onto Alexandra Road and then left up the tiny staircase (there is a sign pointing to Alexandra Hill).
2. Garden hopping
You’ve heard of bar hopping but have you heard of garden hopping? Probably not, because I invented it just now.
Bath is located in one the most beautiful regions in England and features some of the most beautiful parks and gardens.
Don’t be fooled into thinking the best park in Bath is Parade Gardens (£2 entry fee) because just a little stroll down the picturesque road is some of the prettiest gardens that can be enjoyed for FREE.
- Sydney Gardens
The Sydney Gardens are found at the end of Great Pulteney Street, behind the Holburne Museum. It is the oldest park in Bath, established in 1795.
The gardens were famously frequented by Jane Austen, who lived opposite at 4 Sydney Place.
- Henrietta Park
Henrietta Park is severely underrated and well off the beaten tourist track.
The seven-acre park was built in celebration of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
- Victoria Park
Victoria Park is huge, spanning 57 acres from the Royal Crescent to the Botanic Gardens.
In summer, you will find locals lounging around here having picnics and playing ball.
Sit in front of the Royal Crescent and people watch, or find a secluded corner further west for a quiet packed lunch.
- Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are technically part of Victoria Park, but I am noting them separately.
Most tourists don’t make it this far, so you’ll find the gardens to be very quiet and peaceful. While they are not the most impressive Botanic Gardens, they are a nice refuge from the bustle of town.
Bath Travel Essentials
SIM cards: Airalo offers eSIMS for over 200 countries which you can install BEFORE travelling, saving you the stress of running around to find a store or from being ripped off by local vendors. This is perfect for backpackers who are travelling to multiple destinations in a short period of time.
Insurance: You should NOT go overseas without getting travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you in case you get injured or your plans change or are cancelled. I always use Covermore, because the cover is comprehensive and they were easy to work with when I needed to make a claim.
Banking: When travelling and saving for travel I use Up Bank, an online Australian bank, that allows fee-free overseas transactions, unlimited savings ‘pools’ and easy transfers. If you join Up with my invite code we both get $13!
3. Markets galore
*Always check on the market’s social media to confirm they are still active*
- Bath Farmers Market
Held in Green Park Station on Saturday mornings.
Stroll through and find cheese, vegetables, bread, fish, fruit and treats.
- Antique and Flea Market
Held in the Cattle Market Car Park on Walcot Street every Saturday morning.
- Bath Artisan Market
This market is held on the first Saturday of the month in Queen Square.
You will find stalls selling handmade crafts.
- Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair
This market is held on the second Sunday of the month in Green Park Station.
4. Bath Honorary Guides Free Walking Tour
Attend a free walking tour with Bath Honorary Guides.
The tours start and finish in the courtyard outside Bath Abbey; no booking needed, just turn up! Tours run at 10:30am every day and take about 2 hours. The people that run these tours have so much knowledge about the city; I learnt so much about the history and culture of Bath.
It’s also nice that the tour guides DO NOT accept tips – making this is one of the few ‘free’ walking tours that is actually free.
5. Visit Bath City Farm
Tuesday – Saturday: 9am – 4pm
Sunday: 9:30am – 4pm
Bath City Farm features farm animals, woodland, a cafe, and a farm shop.
It is FREE to visit, however, they do welcome donations as the farm runs mostly off volunteers.
On 37 acres, there is plenty of space to have a little hike around the farm. You can also visit the animals including pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and two Shetland ponies!
To get there, take the No. 5 bus to either the Mount Road stop or the Whiteway Circle stop.
That is 5 FREE things to do in Bath! Let me know if you try any of these out and if you enjoyed them!
If you are travelling to England, be sure to check out my other posts.
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