I'm going to be in Bath over the Bank Holiday the last weekend of May (27-29th). I already have hotel reservations, but I'm wondering how crowded Bath is likely to be over the holiday? Are the trains likely to be crowded? I have a rail pass and am planning to take the train from Bath to Penzance that weekend - - would seat reservations be a good idea?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34010 posts
Early birds will start to fly on Thursday so as to beat the crowds of Friday both on the roads and on the rail. The big exodus will be after lunch on Friday for those who by virtue of school or work couldn't sneak away on Thursday. Saturday and Sunday will have most at their destinations and the big slog back to town will be on Monday.
So it will depend on which days you are doing which things, and - MOST importantly - the weather. If its a scorcher - mid 70's F or higher - extra people will all push to the beaches to relieve the oppressive heat. If there's no sun or especially if the skies open, more will stay home.
Bath often has more overseas tourists in town than locals or English, including huge numbers of Americans, so whilst it will be busy as everywhere is on a bank holiday and school half term, it may not be overrun.
If you know which train you will be on and it accepts reservations, you can go ahead and make them.
Check for railway engineering work - bank holiday weekends and the few days around are prime work-on-the-railway days.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5467 posts
There is extensive engineering work at Swindon on 27-29 May, with the section of track from Didcot to Swindon being closed. This means trains to Bristol from London will be diverted round this. So although there will be trains westward from Bath to Bristol they will be running on a special timetable. These are loaded into the online journey planners.
Posted by
OP
Orono, Maine
89 posts
Thanks for all the good information. I'll work with the journey planner to avoid construction, and keep an eye on the weather!