Bath - day trip

In my view, a day trip to Bath from Tunbridge Wells is just about doable but it will be a very long day. I’d guess a total of 7+ hours of travelling. There’s quite a lot to see in Bath (you didn’t mention the Roman Baths which I think are the best bit) and a two day visit would be preferable if you’re can fit it in.

you didn’t mention the Roman Baths which I think are the best bit

Bill, I think she did when she said, "My musts are the Baths..." :-)

Betsy, I agree with Bill. Bath is definitely worth a night or two, and if you just want to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, you will be much better suited to do so if you don't have to cram everything in in a single day.

I love afternoon tea - but I'm not sure I should spend the time if my time is so limited. If I do, is Sally Lunn a good choice?

Instead of getting a time-consuming full on afternoon tea, why not just stop and have a cream tea? It's just as delicious and takes much less time, and you still have the fun of sitting and enjoying a nice cup of tea, and a luscious scone with clotted cream. It makes me salivate just thinking about it. :-)

Taken to an extreme the first train out of Tunbridge Wells leaves at 0517, arriving at 0819, and the last back is at 2113, arriving back at 0044- so you can have a 13 hour day in Bath. Whether you would want to do that is a different question entirely.
Fare wise I suspect you would want to pair that day with some other days out and buy a Britrall London Plus pass for 3, 4 or 8 days in a month- valid even on peak hour trains and the Heathrow and Gatwick Expresses.
I have no access to the fares, but seem to recall that it is a well priced ticket, available only to overseas visitors.
We have it on our ticket machines in the North of England, but the fares haven't been generally input, some have but as silly dummy fares.
The ticket covers the entire former Network South East area, and as far as Bristol, Stratford on Avon, Salisbury and Worcester via Oxford.

Two days would give you more breathing space, and the Premier Inn in Bath is normally very well priced.

Another thought is you could do Bath on your last day in Tunbridge Wells, go to Bath, then next day (or the day after that) go on to Knaresborough or Skipton (I forget the sequence of play)- Bath to Bristol/Bristol to Leeds/Leeds to K/S?
Handily the PI in Bath is also a Stasher site.

Bill and Mardee, I’ve decided for sure on one night, possibly two if I can find a nice, reasonably priced B & B (preferably, but anything, really).

I can’t justify the time - Bath is worth more than a hurried visit.

I’m going to do research on accommodations and dining today, but do you have any recommendations?

I LOVE cream tea -probably more than afternoon tea. I plan on having many cream teas during my 3 months in the UK - there’s nothing better, IMO

Thank you!!

Stuart, thanks!

Yeah, a day trip is out - Bath deserves more time. I’m going to spend at least one overnight - possibly two

I don’t typically ever stay in chains like Premier Inn when I travel, but since I’m already paying for my cottage, in this case I definitely will consider it

Thank you!!!

I wanted to ask about the Thermae Baths…the few reviews I’ve read were bad, but it was only a few.

Have any of you had personal experience ?

Thanks!

Sally Lunns is a nice place for lunch or dinner, and it's not a fancy place doing only tourist teas. The bunns were interesting, even if you don't buy the Jane Austen connection. Very near the Roman baths and the abbey, so convenient.

Thanks, Stan!

I’m probably one of the only book/literature lovers who want to visit Bath & have never read anything by Jane Austen, lol

Hotel prices will be better if you are not there on a Friday and Saturday night. It's been a few years since I went but prices dropped on Sunday nights so take a look at different night's rates while you are making a decision.

The Jane Austen Centre is pretty terrible. Not worth paying the entry fee whether you have read her books or not.

I'd actually splash out and do afternoon tea at the Pump Room...which always features in Regency-era novels!

Long ago, I popped in to the Assembly Rooms (there was a private event going on in there when I was there) when the Fashion Museum was on the Lower Level. It looks like the Assembly Rooms will close Feb 27 and reopen in 2027 so that decision is not one you even have to make! The Fashion Museum is closed until 2030.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/bath-assembly-rooms/visiting-bath-assembly-rooms

I've stayed various places in Bath including Brooks GuestHouse on a Rick Steves tour and the Francis Hotel on a Road Scholar tour. The places I've stayed on my own have all changed hands since I stayed so no personal experience.

Pam, I was just about to say…

Is Bath really bad on a Sunday? I would do most of the sightseeing (Baths for sure) on Monday and maybe Tuesday before I leave

I say this because -indeed, the Hotel Indigo’s rates are much better starting on Sunday

Oh that’s a shame about the Assembly Rooms…but between the Baths, Abbey, the Herschel Museum, No. 1 Royal Crescent, possibly Thermae Baths….and just strolling around, enjoying Bath, there’s plenty to do

With 2 nights, I could definitely do AT at the Pump Room if it’s such a special experience…

Thank you!’

Look at the Holburne Museum as well to see if they are having a special exhibition during your visit. I caught a fabulous Canaletto exhibition several years ago.

My impression of Bath is that by Sunday afternoon people are starting to clear out from their weekend getaways and are returning home. If one of the Brits gives a different answer, go with their opinion.

We were in Bath in May last year and stayed at the Indigo Sat/Sunday night - nothing wrong with Sunday (albeit it was fairly busy). A very nice hotel in a great location.

We spent 2 nights = 1.5 days in Bath and thought that was not quite enough. The highlight for me was the Roman Baths, and for my wife it was the Fashion Musem. We also did a free town tour put on by the City of Bath and enjoyed it. The highlight for me was the guide pointing out the building that Mary Shelley lived while writing Frankenstein. The House of Frankenstein wasn't there yet when we visited Bath but I am intrigued. When I first read about it I was turned off, however last Fall we visited the Earthquake Museum in Lisbon which we thought might be a bit corny, but it turned out to be very interesting and educational. This has me rethinking the Frankenstein House.

Pam, I checked - nothing special…but that’s ok. I’ve got the Herschel & No 1 Royal Crescent, so I’m good

Is the Botanical Garden worth a visit?

Thanks!!

Simon, thanks! Glad to hear you loved the hotel - I really hope I get the Literary bedroom I requested, lol

Allan, although I’m not into fashion at all, I’m so disappointed that it’s still going to be closed when I’m there

I’ll probably give the House of Frankenstein a shot because at least part of it will be worth it …the part describing how Mary Shelley came to write the book, etc….The rest is probably fun, so why not?

Bath is a popular place to go for a weekend away so rates will definitely be cheaper midweek.

An awful lot of British visitors will go to the Thermae Spa. I’ve been a number of times. It’s busy and some of the reviews are justified but it’s actually a pretty unique experience in this country and I’ve always enjoyed it. I can’t think of another large spa that you can just rock up at without having to pay for a luxury hotel stay or very expensive spa day, so obviously people want to try it. Whether it’s worth it to you depends on how much you enjoy spas I guess but the view from the rooftop pool really is great.

I highly recommend afternoon tea at the Royal Crescent Hotel. I haven’t been to the Pump Room but this is one of the best I’ve ever had. If the weather is nice they have a beautiful garden that you can eat it.

Bath gets a lot of day visitors for shopping. When I go to Bath that’s usually one of the main reasons for my visit. UK trading laws mean early closing on a Sunday so it’s true that most people will have left by 5pm at the latest.

Helen, I was looking for midweek, too, to avoid huge crowds, but actually the price was much cheaper by arriving on a Sunday

I’m not into spas, so it’s a good thing I’m really into the rooftop pool…which looks great. What a unique experience that will be!

I’ll check out the Royal Crescent Hotel tea

Thank you!!!!

Before you plan your trip counting on seeing No. 1 Royal Crescent in Bath on a Monday, have a look at their website:

https://no1royalcrescent.org.uk/visit/
Open Tuesday – Sunday
10am – 5.30pm
Last entry 4.30pm
Closed Mondays except during school holidays.

I would recommend checking the websites of any and all places you intend to visit.
Some small museums in England are closed on Mondays.

As I don't know what the date of your visit may be,
I'm merely giving you the information available on their website.

However, this means only a slight adjustment, as in, moving your visit to Tuesday.

There's plenty to do to fill your day on Monday....all the stuff already mentioned.
I recommend a visit to the Holburne Museum, as mentioned by Pam.
https://holburne.org/
They have a great collection even without any special exhibitions.
And they have a cafe for coffee, tea, snacks:
https://holburne.org/planning-your-visit/garden-cafe/

Plus, there's an open top tour bus around Bath; with 2 routes. One route goes around Bath for a sightseeing tour, the other route goes out of town up into the hills above the train station and stops near The American Museum, then continues on through the countryside and back to the Abbey area. This bus is a fun sightseeing tour, inexpensive, buy tickets at the Visitor/Tourist Information Center. Your ticket includes both buses, route 1 and 2.

The City of Bath Walking Tour is also fun. Inquire at the Visitor/Tourist Information Center.

My husband and I visited Bath as a day trip from Bristol mid-week in September 2024. It's a good thing you decided to stay a couple of nights in Bath, as we really, really wished we had another day in Bath. I think a lot of visitors don't stay in Bath, just visit for a day, because the crowds were mostly during the day. Also, the crowds were mostly in the Abbey churchyard and the shopping areas. Walking by Gay St, the House of Frankenstein as well as the Jane Austen center looked very "touristy". I did walk into the JA center to buy a gift and it was very crowded. I am a huge fan of Jane Austen and do read other regency books, but my husband does not. In spite of this, he was also fascinated by the Assembly and Pump Rooms. The Assembly rooms are not an option for your visit, but I do recommend the Pump Room. If you don't want to go for afternoon tea, they also have a brunch and a mid-morning snack. We went for tea and the pastries were very good. The piano trio also added to the atmosphere.

If you can, do visit the upper part of Bath - eg Camden Crescent - which has marvelous views.

I had planned a 10-day trip to the Bath area in 2020 which obviously got cancelled, but other things on my list included a guided Bath walk, the Skyline walk, a visit to the Prior Park and the Herschel museum. I know I want to go back for these someday.

Betsy,

You have received such great advice. I have been to Bath twice in the past two years (Christmas market). I wanted to add a few things for you to consider.

• Thermae Spa: I went last year, not this year because my husband wasn’t interested. It is relatively inexpensive with the highlight is partaking of the baths with the same waters that fuel the Roman Baths along with the rooftop pool overlooking the Abbey. It is a very chaotic and busy, but it is really fun. Make sure you check out the zero-gravity room, it is hidden on one of the floors, but is a great place just to relax.
• The Mayor of Bath’s Honorary Guided tour is excellent. These are all local volunteers and it was such a wonderful overview of Bath. If you don’t want to take the full 2 hour tour (which is free), you can take it part way and then leave when you get to the Crescent.
• I have had Tea at both Sally Lunn’s and the Pump Room. The Pump Room is one of my favorite experience for tea. It is in a beautiful Georgian setting with music and delicious food. Sally Lunn’s is very good, but can be a long wait.

Have a great time.

Rebecca, I always check the hours of any place I plan on visiting…

As it turns out, No 1 Royal Crescent is open on Monday April 14 …but I don’t necessarily need to do it on that day …it’s just good to know that it’s an option

Those bus tours sound fantastic - I’m going to check those out, as well as the walk!

Thank you so much!

MapLady, up until a few days ago, I had zero interest in going to Bath…despite loving Ancient Roman history, & being fascinated by the Regency & other periods.

I’m so glad I decided on 2 more nights….largely a product of having to take 2 trains to get back to Tunbridge Wells, but I’m really glad I have all the extra time…. I can still do some things on the day I leave, too…

Is Camden Crescent an easy walk from essentially the center of town?

I’m definitely going to the Pump Room - probably for Afternoon tea, but I’ll look at the other options as well

Aww, I’m so sorry you had to cancel your trip. I also had to cancel my UK trip in 2020. You’ll return!

Thanks!

Sandy, I’ve gotten fantastic advice - from you, too!

I’m definitely going to Thermae Spa for the rooftop pool….a zero gravity room? Wow, I didn’t see that on the website - that sounds so cool!

I love walking tours - putting that on my list to look into

I adore afternoon tea - and to experience it in the Pump Room is like a fantasy…I can hardly believe it’s going to happen

I’m definitely going to stop at Sally Lunn’s as well- for food with a side of history, I don’t mind waiting

Thank you SO much!

Camden Crescent is uphill from the center of town. If you go to the Royal Crescent, it is another 15 minutes or so, with some steep bits but not too bad.

MapLady, thanks!!!!

Has anyone visited the American Museum? It looks like it’s in a lovely setting - and it’s apparently got historically furnished rooms, which I love, among other exhibits

Thanks !

Has anyone visited the American Museum?

Yes. Lovely building and it’s very good for folk art and quilts.

I visited Bath for a day by train from London--I will admit that my main purpose was to visit a favorite book shop that had moved there from London, Persephone Books. They do lovely reprints of books mainly by women writers from the 20th century and visiting the shop is a lovely and unique experience...shipping to the US is exorbitant, unfortunately, so this was a treat. I allotted myself room in my luggage for about 20 lbs of books (by weighing some of the ones I already had at home)--and needless to say, I made their shop one of the last things on my agenda for the day. Fortunately it was near the Royal Crescent so I toured the museum, walked the park, and ended at the shop. My day started with a timed entry to the Roman Baths, then lunch at the Coeur de Lion pub, exploring the shops and walking over the Pulteney bridge, stopped for tea, explored some more...Bath is quite walkable and I enjoyed my day very much. It merits a visit even if you aren't after 20 lbs of books!

Golden Girl, thanks! Hopefully I’ll have good weather to take advantage of the gardens !

Christa, sounds like a great day!

I looove books, and bookstores - I have Topping and Mr B’s Emporium on my list…I’ll add Persephone

Thanks!