Things to Do in Bath

Bath feels like a living museum that somehow never forgot how to be a proper city. The honey-colored Georgian limestone that defines its architecture creates this remarkably cohesive urban landscape - you'll find yourself on streets that look like film sets, except people actually live and work here. The Romans got things started with their hot springs nearly 2,000 years ago, but it was really the 18th-century social scene that shaped the Bath you see today, when it became the place for fashionable society to take the waters and see each other. What strikes most visitors is how walkable everything feels. The city center sits in a valley along the River Avon, with those famous crescents and terraces climbing up the surrounding hills. You can easily spend days just wandering the streets, popping into independent shops, and stumbling across hidden gardens. The thermal springs are still active, which means you can actually bathe in the same waters that drew the Romans here - though these days it's considerably more luxurious than what they experienced.

Bath's food scene punches well above its weight for a city of its size. You'll find everything from excellent gastropubs serving proper British fare to innovative restaurants making use of local Somerset produce. The covered markets are perfect for lunch, particularly the Guildhall Market which has operated for centuries. Traditional afternoon tea is taken seriously here - several hotels and tea rooms offer proper service with local specialties. The restaurant scene tends toward the upmarket, reflecting Bath's affluent visitor base, but you'll also find good value ethnic restaurants, particularly around Walcot Street. Local specialties include Bath buns (not quite what you might expect) and Sally Lunn's historic buns, which you can try at the original bakery.

Bath works well year-round, but spring through early autumn offers the most pleasant weather for walking around the city. Summer brings crowds but also longer days and the best chance of good weather for the outdoor attractions. Winter can be genuinely lovely - the Georgian architecture looks particularly handsome under grey skies, and the thermal spa becomes even more appealing. The Christmas market in November and December adds atmosphere but also significant crowds. If you're interested in festivals, the Jane Austen Festival in September and the Bath Festival in May/June are worth timing a visit around.