Things to Do in Bath

Activities in Bath

Perhaps the most convenient way of discovering the popular attractions if you’re visiting Bath for the first time is through a Bath hop-on hop-off bus. The spectacular red Bath double-decker bus with an open-top takes you through most of the major attractions in a fairly short period. You have the option of selecting from two specific routes, City Route and Skyline Route, for getting around the city and the countryside. 

You take in the magnificent and scenic vistas, sitting comfortably on an open-top deck as the double-decker bus travels through 17 momentous urban attractions on the City Route. On the other hand, the Bath open-top bus tour follows the Skyline Route which comprises 21 stops across the Bath countryside. A hop-on-hop-off Bath bus tour lets you enjoy the sights and sounds of both the rustic scenery and the urban landscape of Bath.

Top Places/Attractions to Explore Via Bath Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

1. Holburne Museum

The majestic and grand façade of the Holburne Museum standing right in the middle of verdant gardens offers you a fair idea of the building’s glorious past. The Holburne Museum is a Grade-I (designated) edifice originally used to be a part of the erstwhile Sydney Hotel. The museum presently houses rich and varied collections of ornamental and fine art, including artworks by Gainsborough, Stubbs, and Reynolds.

You’ll also come across Renaissance treasures, 18^th-century silver, Wedgewood porcelain, age-old furniture, and numerous other captivating relics.The imposing collections of the museum’s founder Sir William Holburne are on display across the museum’s hallway.   

2. The Royal Crescent/Brock Street

One of the most awe-inspiring and emblematic landmarks of Bath, the Royal Crescent was conceptualized by John Wood the Younger. The Royal Crescent perhaps the best concrete embodiment of Georgian architecture is housed inside a one-time private chapel with a lush green lawn in the foreground. The immaculately manicured lawn affords an excellent view of the Royal Victoria Park, forming an extensive crescent across 30 Grade-I listed terraced houses.

Currently, The Royal Crescent houses The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a five-star hotel, private housing, and a museum exhibiting Georgian-era artifacts.

3.The Circus

The Circus, a succession of three rows of Georgian-style buildings comprising private apartments is one of the most iconic milestones of Bath. An immaculate specimen of Georgian architecture, The Circus gets its name from the Latin term “circus” signifying a circle or a ring. Originally called the “King’s Circus” the magnificent edifice is a Grade I listed structure whose blueprint was developed by John Wood the elder.               

4. The Roman Baths

Constructed about two millenniums ago by the Romans, the Roman Baths gives its name to the small British city-Bath. Romans built the baths around natural geysers or hot springs-England’s sole hot springs-for leisure and reinvigoration. However, it is believed that a British monarch discovered the curative potential of the hot springs centuries before the Romans.

But the credit for tapping the remedial powers of the geyser goes to the Romans who not only built the baths but also the Temple of Minerva. The hot springs abound in 43 types of minerals and spurt out after rising from a depth of about 10,000 feet underground. No wonder The Roman Baths attract tourists and visitors from all over the UK as well as the rest of the world.

5. Pulteney Bridge

The Pulteney Bridge is one of the most familiar structures in Bath, and the viaduct is unique because of its marvellous architecture. There are only a handful of bridges throughout the world that has rows of shops on either side, and the Pulteney Bridge is one of them. At the same time, the overpass is one of the few bridges in the world that supports a large number of buildings.

The bridge was constructed in the 18^th century to link downtown Bath with the underdeveloped areas on the other side of Avon.     

6. Museum of East Asian Art

Make sure you check out the Museum of East Asian Art especially if you’re a history buff. Situated inside an elegant Georgian townhome, the museum archives ceramics and bronze sculptures from Southeast and East Asia. Many items from the collections are sculptures carved out of bamboo and jade.

The Museum of East Asian Art houses more than 2000 artifacts and artworks, many of which are more than 7,000 years old.

7. Theater Royal

Opened to the public in the year 1805, Theater Royal has staged some of the most famous plays and hosted famous thespians. The Theater Royal underwent a thorough renovation in 2010 which accentuated its magnificence as one of the finest surviving structures of the Georgian era.  You’ll be simply mesmerized by the structure’s elaborately ornamented interior typified by a massive chandelier, luxurious 900-seat auditorium, and flamboyant plasterwork.

8. Bath Abbey

The cathedral of the Bishop of Bath and Abbey popularly referred to as the Bath Abbey was established in 1499. Devout Christians have been supplicating at the site where the Gothic-style cathedral stands since 757 AD. The original church was reconstructed after Bishop Oliver King dreamt that a divine voice commandeered him to renovate the dilapidated cathedral.

If you go over to the west side of the cathedral you’ll see the text of the divine command etched in stone. If you can climb the staircase (comprising 212 steps) to get to the top of the cathedral, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Bath. 

Why Should You Take Bath Open-Top Bus Tour?

You can plan a Bath city sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour as per your preference and convenience

Your ticket remains valid for the entire year (i.e. from the day of your booking till the last day of the year)

Audio commentary in 12 languages enables you to better understand the history and background of the main attractions

Take the Bath double-decker bus tour as many times you like in a 24-hour/48-hour period

Both mobile and paper vouchers for bus ticket are valid

No cancellation charges

Suggestions to Make Your Bath Double-Decker Bus Tour More Thrilling

It's best to plan a single-day trip to Bath as going around the city can be remarkably expensive. Of course, choosing a hop-on-hop-off Bath bus tour is a very prudent way of touring the city. Additionally, you can use the following tips for saving huge while you explore the city’s urban and rural hotspots:-

Bath restaurants and diners are not quite budget-friendly so it’s better to take your meals at taverns and pubs

Complement your Bath open-top bus tour with a free walking tour

You can visit most of the attractions on foot as Bath is a small city

Save on your accommodation expenses by staying with a local (check out couch surfing or home staying in Bath)

Best Time to Take Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour in Bath

Spring (late March to June) is the ideal time to visit Bath when the weather is warm and pleasant though it’s quite rainy. It can also get crowded at this time of the year. You can also plan a trip during summer when numerous events and festivals are organized.