a curved building with cars parked in front of it

Bath

A Georgian city built over Roman hot springs, Bath suits travelers who want history, a soak in warm spring water and a walk past golden stone terraces.

Find a room in Bath Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Bath

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Bath is a city in Somerset about 97 miles west of London and 11 miles southeast of Bristol. The Romans called the spa Aquae Sulis, meaning the waters of Sulis, around 60 AD. The Roman Baths lie about 6 metres below the street, and Roman foundations, pillar bases and baths can still be seen around the springs. The city has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1987.

Most central buildings are built from golden Bath stone, a local limestone, in the Georgian style of the 18th and 19th centuries. See the Royal Crescent, a curved row of about 30 houses built from 1767 to 1774, or cross Pulteney Bridge, one of very few European bridges that still carry shops. Bathe in naturally heated spring water at Thermae Bath Spa, which opened in 2006. The Mendip Hills rise about 7 miles south, and the Cotswolds lie to the north. July and August are warmest, with daytime highs around 22 °C.

Bath in five

Book the Roman BathsEntry is by timed ticket, and busy days sell out. The first and last slots are calmest.
Bathe in the spring waterThe Roman Baths are for looking only. Thermae Bath Spa has a rooftop pool filled from the hot springs; book sessions ahead on weekends.
Walk the Georgian loopFrom the abbey to the Circus and the Royal Crescent is about 15 minutes on foot, with the Assembly Rooms on the way.
Come in December for the marketThe Christmas market fills the streets around the abbey from late November, and rooms sell out on weekends.
Park on the edge, not in the centerThe center is small, hilly and full of buses. If you drive, use a park-and-ride on the city edge rather than hunting for a space near the abbey.

Things to do in Bath

See all attractions in Bath

Museum · BathThe Roman BathsBook a ticket in advance, as the entrance can get busy.

Museum · BathFashion Museum BathCheck the museum website for current reopening information before making plans.

Park · BathRoyal CrescentGo early for a quieter walk and photographs.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BathPut the places you like in Bath on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bristol (BRS), about 1 hour by bus; Heathrow about 2 hours
Getting there: Train from London Paddington about 1.5 hours
Getting around: On foot; the center is small and hilly
Best base: The center near the abbey or on the slopes above
Time needed: 1–2 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cold, quiet
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cold, quiet
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cool, showers
AprilCloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Mild, blossom
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Mild, green
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Long days
JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, busy
AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, busy
SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, calmer
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Autumn color
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Wet, quiet
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Christmas market

Average daily high and low in Bath, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Bath

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 5°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 18 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Bath

08:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today11°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue12°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed9°7°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu8°7°2%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
Fri8°6°11%Friday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 11%.
Sat7°6°12%Saturday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 12%.
Sun10°3°12%Sunday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 12%.

Updated 06:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP

Amount

Converted to

GBP · British Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Bath

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

MarCheltenham FestivalThe Cotswolds, a day trip
Jun–JulGarsington OperaOxford, a day trip
AugBristol International Balloon FiestaBristol, a day trip

Day trips by train

Stonehengeabout 1 hour by car or tour busThe stone circle on Salisbury Plain; book a timed ticket.
Wellsabout 45 minutes by busEngland's smallest city, with a cathedral and moated palace.
The Cotswoldsabout 30 minutes by car to Castle CombeStone villages north of the city.Read the guide
Bristolabout 15 minutes by trainThe harbor, street art and the SS Great Britain.

Before you go to Bath

Stays in BathCenter, Widcombe and the hill slopesCheck availability

Roman Baths and spa ticketsTimed entry fills on weekendsCheck tickets

eSIM for a Bath weekendRail tickets and bus maps on your phoneRead the guide

Insurance for UK weekendsCover for rail delays and cancellationsRead the guide

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Rules for Bath, checked

Check on gov.uk whether you need a visa or UK ETA before you fly to England.Source
Dial 999 or 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in England.
Check the bill before you tip, since some restaurants add a service charge.
Central Bath's Clean Air Zone has applied since 15 March 2021. It charges up to £100 a day for coaches and HGVs, so check the rules with Bath and North East Somerset Council before you drive in.Source

Plan around Bath

All of England

Cities, rail, entry rules and money

Read the guide The Cotswolds

Stone villages about 30 minutes north by car

Read the guide London

Paddington is about 1.5 hours by train

Read the guide Cardiff

The Welsh capital, about an hour west by train

Read the guide UK ETA explained

Who needs one, what it costs, how to apply

Read the guide Trains, buses and cars

Getting around Britain beyond Bath

Read the guide

Bath FAQ

Can you swim in the Roman Baths?

No. The Roman Baths are a museum. To bathe in the spring water, book Thermae Bath Spa nearby.

Is Bath a good day trip from London?

Yes. Trains take about 1.5 hours, and the center is walkable. A night lets you add Wells or Stonehenge.

How long do I need in Bath?

One full day covers the Roman Baths, the abbey and the crescents. Two days add the spa and a day trip.

Is Bath worth visiting?

Yes, if you like walkable Georgian streets and Roman history. It is small, so one or two days is enough, and a night lets you see it after the day trippers leave.

How do I get from London to Bath?

Direct trains from London Paddington take about 1.5 hours, and Bath Spa station is a short walk from the abbey. Advance tickets for a fixed train cost less than flexible fares.