Hello, we are planning a daytrip to Bath and are looking at the hop on-n-off bus tour as a a good way to spend our day since there are two tours effectively by buying one ticket. Seems reasonably priced, and since we're only there for a day we figure it's a good way to see the highlights of Bath efficiently.
I know it's touristy, any of you have any experience with this in Bath?
Thanks,
Brad Hoot
Rochester, New York
Bath is not that large - if you have a day, you can see many things on your own.
The Baths, tea room, Costume Museum, the Abbey, walk through the streets, walk across the bridge.
My personal opinion is to not take a tour, but get a map at tourist info or online and see where things are -
Do google search "things to do and see in Bath"
I'd actually recommend the free tour offered by the Mayor's Office instead. We quite enjoyed it - the tour hits all of the main sites, overviews the history, and gives you a nice walk around the city, which is easily done. It starts at the Roman Baths. We did the 10:30 am tour, and we ended up going to the baths first, first thing in the morning - which was great because they were empty. Bath is pretty small, as most people have said, so you can really walk it easily, and no need for a HoHo.
https://visitbath.co.uk/travel-and-maps/explore-the-area/mayor-of-bath-honorary-guides-p43001
I'm a fan of hop-on hop-off bus tours. We ride the whole circuit, we don't get off and on, and we love sitting up top at the very back. We thoroughly enjoyed the one in Bath and saw far more than we could have on foot in one day, which is all the time we had there.
Thank you for the replies. Your comments give me some things to think about, but we are a pretty fit family and walking doesn't scare us.
I did a day trip to Bath and the HOHO bus was really helpful in preserving my energy!
With one day I would do the walking tour, Roman Baths, Abbey, and if time the fashion Museum. Just returned from there a couple weeks ago.
Been to Bath twice for a couple or three days each. Did the hoho once but was not all that impressed -- but to each his own. It is really easy to walk everywhere just using the RS book as a guide. The free tour offered by the Mayor's Office is also very good and doesn't take up too much time. Afternoon tea at The Pump House is a great experience.
I also love Bath. I have not done the HoHo but to me one of the charming things is walking the pedestrian only streets around the Roman Baths and Bath Abby, then up to the Royal Crescent via the little gravel walk passing the very small Georgian Garden. Come back downhill thru the Circus (Georgian homes) to the Fashion Museum if interested and down Milsom St to where you can cut across to Pulteney Bridge. If any of you are Jane Austen fans, Milsom St was the shopping street then and now.
https://goo.gl/maps/rbjX1xvdHt22
My choice would be a walking tour over HoHo but you should do what will work for your family.
I agree with the walkers. If you're all fit enough its the best plan. You just can't let yourselves get bogged down with all the cute little shops
We had a day to roam in Bath. In the morning we toured the baths using the audio guide (one of the best; highly recommend it; my husband was mesmerized) and still had time to walk out to the Royal Crescent, down by the river and canal and generally enjoy the city. You say you like to walk so that's what I would do. Everything is in easy walking distance.
