Hi,
I'm thinking of spending some time in England, either before or after my RS Scotland tour. One of the spots I'm considering is Bath. I'm just not sure how much is a good amount of time there. Is 3 days too much? too litte? Or, 4 days with day trips? What would you recommend?
ETA: I like peoplewatching/just hanging out, photography, walking/hiking, and doing some museums/typical tourist spots.
Thanks,
:)
You can see all the main sites in Bath in a day, but it's such a pleasant city, it's nice to spread it out and do it a slower place. It's also a great place for day trips. In addition to the spots mentioned above, Glastonbury is very close.
So the right number of days depends on how many day trips you want to do. I'd say at least two, and four or five would be ideal.
Volunteers under the auspices of the Mayor's Office put on really good (and free) walking tours of Bath. There's more about the tours on the Visit Bath website (www.visitbath.co.uk). You don't have to book ahead. We just showed up in front of the Pump Rooms (10:00 AM or 10:30 AM - cannot recall) and, over the course of a couple of hours, saw Bath through the eyes of someone who lives there.
I agree totally with the above responses. I have been to Bath twice (a total of about 6 days) and would go again. It is such a pleasant place and so many day tours from it. Be sure to visit 1 Royal Crescent and take a day trip to Glastonbury, Avebury, and the Cotswolds.
My wife and I had a day and a half, plus a full day used for a Mad Max tour of the Cotswolds and Stonehenge. It wasn't quite enough. I think two full days in Bath plus a day of touring is about right. Read about the Museum of Bath at Work and if it sounds like something you'd enjoy, go. We really thought it was fun and the people there were great to chat with.
Do consider a day in Wells. The cathedral and grounds are beautiful and if you go on a Saturday you can visit the market in the town centre. After grand Georgian Bath a medieval small town is a treat. We spent 3 nights in Bath in June 09. One day was spent doing the equivalent of the Mad Max tour of Stonehenge, Avebury and the Cotswalds and was well worth it. Prior Park in Bath is good for a walk, you can pretend to be Jane Austen.
Last fall I took a daytrip by train from Bath to the city of Salisbury. The cathedral and grounds are magnificent. I walked from the train station along a busy street and thru a park to the city center and cathedral. Next time, I'm planning a daytrip from Bath into Wales. It is easy to daytrip into London from Bath for a shot of the Big City. You can easily spend 2-3 days just in Bath for people-watching, photography, museums, walking, etc.
I would suggest a day in Bath then 2 or 3 days in the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds have so many beautiful quaint villages that shouldn't be missed.
