Bath - On our own or professional tour

I would not advise trying the water at the Pump Room but the tea looked very nice--a string quartet was playing. Unfortunately we had just had a large breakfast so we could not indulge in tea but it was tempting. Next time. . .

Kathy - I agree with the others. Take a early train. You can get a cheap return fare for about 20 gbp. Once in Bath do the Guide Friday bus tour to get the lay of the land(you can hop on hop off all day). The Bath Cathedral is marvelous. The Roman baths, and the Costume Design museum are also worth a stop.

Go to Bath on your own and hook up with one of the "free" walking tours during the day. I think my husband and I showed up at the Cathedral around 1:00 pm. If you google Bath I'm sure you will find it. Or, ask when you get to Bath. It takes about 3 hours to walk through the town. It is a local guide who volunteers. Also, I believe Rick has information on a guide in the evening but I think the guide charges about 5 gbp per person.

I did it on my own, I thought it was dead simple, and I was alone,, and hey,, there is no langauge barrier so you can always ask for directions.. LOL
I also visited the Costume Museum there , it was very interesting.

The free tours are really good. Or you could just pick up a leaflet/book or print some pages off the internet. Bath is a small place and is pretty well sign-posted.

I agree with everyone. Go on your own. Take one of the free walking tours. Everything you'll want to see is within a few block radius.

The free walking tours are great. They go to the good spots and give you a great idea where things are in town. then hit want you want. My wife is a costume historian, so spent all day in the Costume Museum. She is also a Jane Austen freak, but hated the Jane Austen Museum. Try tea at the pump room and make sure you get to try a glass of the mineral water!

Tom

If you are going to try the water in the pump room make sure you take some mints to get the taste of the water out of your mouth!

Kathy, I also agree with everyone, except, sorry, Susan. Everyone should try drinking Bath water once. The Jane Austin museum was forgettable, but the Costume Museum was very interesting & So was No. 1 Royal Crescent. There is a shop in Bath that makes the best pastys in town.

Kathy,

I have to agree with the rest of the posters. Bath is easy to do on your own and the walking tours are great.

If you're traveling with someone, don't forget to take advantage of the 2for1 offers which include the Bath Abbey, Roman Baths and other sites of interest - this will definitely save you $$.

Tim Hugh is a solo cellist with the London Symphony Orchestra and he and his wife Kathy own Dorian House Bed and Breakfast in Bath. I like to wander around Bath with his music on my ipod. You can visit the B&B website which plays some of his music (if you like cello music) at http://www.dorianhouse.co.uk/

Have a great trip!