Guidebook for Central Bath
Cafes
Great for breakfast and coffees (opposite train station), and they have luggage storage.
Cafe au Lait
12-14 Dorchester StGreat for breakfast and coffees (opposite train station), and they have luggage storage.
Spacious with high ceilings and natural light. Relaxed vibe. Free baby chinos :)
58 locals recommend
Boston Tea Party Alfred Street
8 Alfred StSpacious with high ceilings and natural light. Relaxed vibe. Free baby chinos :)
The Green Rocket
1 Pierrepont StAward winning vegan cafe/restaurant.
Close to the Royal Crescent / Victoria Park and The Circus. In and outdoor seating.
31 locals recommend
The Green Bird Cafe
11 Margaret's BuildingsClose to the Royal Crescent / Victoria Park and The Circus. In and outdoor seating.
The Kingsmead Kitchen
1 Kingsmead StOutside seating on Kingsmead Square. Licensed.
Wild Cafe
10a Queen StTucked away on Bath’s backstreets.
Colonna & Small's
6 Chapel RowSpecialist coffee.
Vegetarian fare. Great for a breakfast or brunch before a wander around the adjoining interior shop Neptune.
The Provenist
Walcot StreetVegetarian fare. Great for a breakfast or brunch before a wander around the adjoining interior shop Neptune.
Restaurants
Menu Gordon Jones
2 WellswayLet the chef surprise you! Bookings advised.
Walcot House
90B Walcot StHigh end restaurant, cocktail bar and music & dance.
Corkage Chapel Row
5 Chapel RowSmall plates and great wine.
Reasonable and very popular Italian set in candlelit vaulted cellars.
105 locals recommend
Sotto Sotto
10 N ParadeReasonable and very popular Italian set in candlelit vaulted cellars.
Comptoir+Cuisine
5 George StQuirky French restaurant specialising in cheese and champagne.
Sample the historic Bath Bun at this traditional and elegant tea room.
11 locals recommend
The Bath Bun
2A Abbey GrnSample the historic Bath Bun at this traditional and elegant tea room.
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum
4 N ParadeSample the other Bath Bunn!
Local restaurant offering refined Vietnamese dishes for lunch & 5-course dinners in an elegant nook.
36 locals recommend
Noya's Kitchen
7 St James's ParadeLocal restaurant offering refined Vietnamese dishes for lunch & 5-course dinners in an elegant nook.
The Scallop Shell
22 Monmouth PlGreat fish and chips, eat in or takeaway.
Stylish wine shop and adjoining bistro serving delicious small plates
42 locals recommend
The Beckford Bottle Shop
5-8 Saville RowStylish wine shop and adjoining bistro serving delicious small plates
Bandook - Indian Restaurant, Bath
Where Indian street food meets the soul.
Drinking
The Crystal Palace
10-11 Abbey GrnLovely pub with great food. Small courtyard out the back.
Gastro pub at the top of Victoria Park, close to the Royal Crescent. Small outdoor courtyard.
79 locals recommend
The Marlborough Tavern
35 Marlborough BuildingsGastro pub at the top of Victoria Park, close to the Royal Crescent. Small outdoor courtyard.
The Canary Gin Bar
2/3 Queen StFor gin lovers!
Circo Bar
16 George StChic underground bar.
The Beckford Bottle Shop
5-8 Saville RowSmall plates and fine wine.
A sultry, subterranean cocktail den, generally open until at least 12.30pm. It serves not one but two Somerset cider brandy cocktails.
67 locals recommend
The Dark Horse
7A Kingsmead SquareA sultry, subterranean cocktail den, generally open until at least 12.30pm. It serves not one but two Somerset cider brandy cocktails.
Further afield
Hare & Hounds
Lansdown RoadGastro pub with large outdoor seating area and beautiful views.
Luxury hotel and restaurant with spa treatments in their 'potting sheds'. Large kitchen gardens to explore.
88 locals recommend
The Pig - near Bath
Luxury hotel and restaurant with spa treatments in their 'potting sheds'. Large kitchen gardens to explore.
Homewood
Abbey LaneLuxury hotel with childrens play area and delicious salads.
Popular and highly rated delicious Indian inspired vegetarian restaurant.
11 locals recommend
Rooted Cafe
20 Newbridge RoadPopular and highly rated delicious Indian inspired vegetarian restaurant.
Castle Farm Cafe
Midford RoadScrumptious food in a rural setting.
Farm shop, cafe and restaurant. Play area and animals for children to look at.
19 locals recommend
Newton Farm Foods
Farm shop, cafe and restaurant. Play area and animals for children to look at.
Hartley Farm Shop & Kitchen
Farm shop, cafe and childrens play area and animals.
Sightseeing
Natural hot springs with a roof top pool. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
392 locals recommend
Thermae Bath Spa
Hot Bath StreetNatural hot springs with a roof top pool. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Beautiful park with botanic gardens, a large children's play area and skate park.
216 locals recommend
Royal Victoria Park
Marlborough LaneBeautiful park with botanic gardens, a large children's play area and skate park.
Royal Crescent
Royal CrescentBeautiful crescent.
Well manicured gardens by the river in central bath. Small donation required.
47 locals recommend
Parade Gardens
Grand ParadeWell manicured gardens by the river in central bath. Small donation required.
Admire the Georgian architecture of this bridge, which is one of four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span.
93 locals recommend
Pulteney Bridge
Bridge StreetAdmire the Georgian architecture of this bridge, which is one of four bridges in the world to have shops across its full span.
The Roman Baths
Abbey ChurchyardDiscover the history of Bath's natural springs.
There are plenty of benches in the abbey square beside the abbey to enjoy an ice cream whilst marvelling at the architecture.
165 locals recommend
Bath Abbey
There are plenty of benches in the abbey square beside the abbey to enjoy an ice cream whilst marvelling at the architecture.
Watch a film in style! Tivoli has a lovely cocktail bar and screens have velvet chairs, drinks tables and individual lampshades.
30 locals recommend
TIVOLI Cinemas
6-8 Dorchester StWatch a film in style! Tivoli has a lovely cocktail bar and screens have velvet chairs, drinks tables and individual lampshades.
National Trust with beautiful views. There is no parking however you can reach it by walking or the bus. The number 2 bus (First group) towards Combe Down stops at the gates of the garden, as does the City sightseeing bus (Skyline tour - stop Q).
133 locals recommend
Prior Park Landscape Gardens (NT)
Ralph Allen DriveNational Trust with beautiful views. There is no parking however you can reach it by walking or the bus. The number 2 bus (First group) towards Combe Down stops at the gates of the garden, as does the City sightseeing bus (Skyline tour - stop Q).
Ring of houses and intriguing stone motifs. You'll pass this on the way to the Royal Crescent.
209 locals recommend
The Circus
The CircusRing of houses and intriguing stone motifs. You'll pass this on the way to the Royal Crescent.
Enjoy a free walking tour of Bath, including the main points of historical and architectural interest. Tours last approximately two hours and start in the Abbey Church Yard. Due to social distancing, please book your place in advance via their website. The walks start outside the Pump Room in Abbey Church Yard at the sign board 'Free Walking Tours Here'. No tipping allowed.
10 locals recommend
Mayor of Bath's Corps of Honorary Guides
Abbey ChurchyardEnjoy a free walking tour of Bath, including the main points of historical and architectural interest. Tours last approximately two hours and start in the Abbey Church Yard. Due to social distancing, please book your place in advance via their website. The walks start outside the Pump Room in Abbey Church Yard at the sign board 'Free Walking Tours Here'. No tipping allowed.
Traveler advice
Getting around
E-scooters
There are various locations around the city where you can hop on and hop off the government run e-scooters (pinky orange colour). You must have a full or provisional licence and insurance to ride an e-scooter and are not permitted to ride it on the pavement. Find out more here: https://www.voiscooters.com/
Getting around
Bath's Clean Air Zone
Bath has a clean air zone in place to reduce pollution. Charges do not apply to private cars or motorbikes, even if they are used for work. Find out more information here: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-clean-air-zone
Getting around
Walking
Bath is best explored on foot. Follow the Skyline walk which is managed by the National Trust. Bath Skyline is a circular trail that affords views of the historic city of Bath in England.
Don't miss
Theatre
Standby tickets for shows at the Georgian Theatre Royal Bath are available for £9 (some seats have a very restricted view) from 12pm on the day of the performance. Empty seats are also sold off in the foyer on a cash-only basis an hour before the curtain goes up, for anything from £16 to £21.
Ways to save
Fashion Museum & Roman Baths
If you want to visit the Fashion Museum as well as the Roman Baths, an online Saver Ticket saves you at least £4 and permits you entrance to both, plus temporary exhibitions at the Victoria Art Gallery. The ticket helps you skip queues also.
Don't miss
Christmas Markets & Bath on Ice
In winter, the Christmas market (held over the first two weeks of December) is one of the country’s best, though be prepared for big crowds who flock to stalls set up around the Abbey. A great place to purchase unique gifts. Bath on Ice is set up during the winter months in Victoria Park near the Pavillion which includes an ice rink, ski style lodge and mini golf.
Book before you go
Before you visit
Check out www.visitbath.co.uk – lots of ideas and deals, and a good 'What’s on' section. The Bath Visitor Information Centre is at Bridgwater House, 2 Terrace Walk, Bath BA1 1LN; open 9.30am-5.30pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun.
Traveling with kids
Activities/advice for travelling with kids
- Bath Leisure Centre has some great activities such as a pool with slides, soft play, trampolining, bowling etc;
- Kid friendly cafe Fox & Kit located in central Bath on the Corridor. There are plenty of toys to play with for little ones;
- The Egg theatre - a theatre for children;
- Bath central library - next to Waitrose (and public toilets with baby changing);
- Baby changing and public toilets are located near Southgate car park;
- Bring a baby carrier as well as a pram if possible as a lot of cafes have steps or are too small for a buggy;
- Visit Royal Victoria Park's fantastic play area