5 Best Things to do in Bath
No! One of the following five things to do is not the Roman Baths. We didn’t even go to see them. We know a lot of people will mention them as they are a very popular attraction in Bath but there are so many other things to do…
Prior Park Landscape Garden
One of only four Palladian bridges of this design in the world can be crossed at Prior Park. Set in a sweeping valley above Bath, you can enjoy magnificent views and are a stone's throw away from the Bath Skyline (another great walk). We highly recommend coming here to see the natural side of Bath, this is a National Trust site so is free to enter if you are a member. They will give you a map when you get there of how to get around and then you begin your walk which is mostly downhill.
However, don’t make the mistake we did and walk to it as well!!! From the centre of Bath, it’s a thirty-minute walk which is fine till you get to the hill part that literally had me wanting to scrap it and turn around. Its so steep please learn from our mistakes and use public transport or a taxi.
Canal walk
This was never something we planned on doing but an entrance to the canal paths was less than five minutes from where we were staying. So we decided it might be nice to just walk along the canal away from the hustle and bustle of the centre. And boy were we right. We didn’t take many pictures here as we wanted to just enjoy the walk and chat rather than being distracted with a camera in hand, however we did see a hot air balloon and Phoebe was sure to take a picture of that.
Putteney Bridge
This iconic bridge crosses the River Avon and is a magnet for tourists. The odd thing about this bridge is from one side you don’t even know it is a bridge. Shops and restaurants line one side and the other is where you can see the bridge itself. Once on the bridge side you’ll find you are actually quite high above the river. Here is where you’ll find all of the photos get taken along the wall heading into the centre of Bath. We didn’t stay here long as there were too many people around.
Royal Crescent
The Circus and Royal Crescent are two historic streets in Bath, lined with large Georgian townhouses. They’re beautiful streets where you can just wander around and admire the architecture. We found these while strolling around (which we highly recommend doing here) and just took a seat on a bench whilst we waited for a table to be free at a restaurant.
Get Lost
Wander the cobblestone streets and get lost in the historic centre Bath is famous for. Redeveloped by the Georgians after the Romans left, the stylish Georgian architecture is incredibly picturesque. We spent most of our time in Bath just wondering around, as there are so many nice places to see.
Bonus items near Bath
Dyrham Park – Dyrham Park is another National Trust site that is worth exploring just outside of Bath. The 270-acre ancient parkland is full of magnificent trees and breath-taking views and space for young explorers to run free in nature. You may even spot the odd deer roaming around. Splendid borders, idyllic ponds and a wildflower orchard are all features of the stunning garden which is being sensitively developed as a 21st-century garden with echoes of the past.
Castle Combe – Castle Combe is probably the most photographed village in the UK, holding the tittle of prettiest village doesn’t come lightly. The village has a rich history, and the houses are made up of the honey-coloured Cotswold stone, typical for a village of this area. Stroll along the village to the bridge and you’ll not only enjoy the views but may be able to purchase homemade cakes, sweets or bunches of flowers from outside the locals’ houses. Stop at the bottom of the village by the bridge and enjoy a great photographic moment too! There is a car park at the top of the road that leads to Castle Combe for visitors as only residents can go into the village (with some exceptions). We spent around an hour here just wandering around looking at all the buildings, as well as having a mini picnic back in the car park which was surprisingly peaceful.
Bristol Day Trip – Whilst we were in Bath, I made Chris drive us to Bristol purely for the fact I wanted to go to the huge Primark there. It did not let me down; I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much in a Primark and now anytime we are passing Bristol we stop so that I can go shopping there. We also found a bunch of independent stores close by that were great for any trainer/sneaker fans. We are yet to explore Bristol fully but for the shopping area alone I recommend a day trip.
Westonbirt Arboretum – Phoebe came here as a young child and had to ask her mum for the name prior to our trip. And we can tell you now it was as amazing and magical as she can remember. It is described as a magical tree garden, where you can explore trees from all over the globe. And is even home to the Gruffalo. If you venture into the deep dark wood you may bump into the Gruffalo, the Gruffalo's Child and other characters from the book too! There are a variety of things to do alongside seeing all the different trees you may never see anywhere else, including a treetop walk. We highly, highly recommend this for anyone from couples to families, no matter your age there will be something that takes your fancy. Just remember your wellies!
