Hotels in Bath, the United Kingdom

Best time to visit Bath

Bath has the typical, unpredictable English weather and it rains all year round. In the spring months of March – May, average temperature is around 15 degrees Celsius and flowers are in full bloom in the public gardens and parks. This is a popular time amongst tourists, hence, you must reserve your accommodation in advance if you plan to visit Bath during spring. Summer months from June – August are usually sunny and warm, but the mornings can be cool and cloudy. You can enjoy more of the outdoor activities such as strolling in the parks and canal walks, hot air balloon rides, river trips, etc. In autumn, Bath’s honey-coloured bath-stone architecture along with the burnt orange glow of the foliage creates a picturesque landscape. Accommodation is also relatively less expensive during these months. From December – February, snow is infrequent, but there are often cold, clear, frosty days, and the average temperature is around 8 degrees Celsius. Make sure you bring along a warm overcoat, scarf and gloves. Water-resistant boots or shoes with a good grip are also recommended as the pavements can sometimes be quite slippery after heavy rains.

Getting around Bath

The historic city of Bath is best explored on foot. Most attractions are within walking distance of each other. Several bus operators provide regular services in and around Bath. First Bus is the largest one, and their buses operate from the main Bath bus station on Dorchester Street, adjacent to Bath Spa train station. A Bath-Inner Zone flat fare for any single journey for an adult will cost £2.50 GBP. However, the flat fare beyond inner zone is in the range of £2.70 GBP ­­­­– £6.00 GBP depending on the distance travelled. If you are going to use the bus frequently, you might want to purchase a £4.00 GBP Day ticket which allows unlimited travel on First Bus buses for 1 day. The hop-on hop-off City Sightseeing Tour operated open-topped double-decker buses are another great way to explore the city. The bright red buses stop at approximately 38 locations around the city, covering all the popular sites and attractions. A day ticket costs £15.00 GBP for an adult and £9.50 GBP for a child (5 – 15 years).

Best places to stay in Bath

Set in the rolling countryside of southwest England, the beautiful city of Bath has been named by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This unique and stylish city is known for its natural hot springs, Roman Baths and Georgian architecture made with honey-coloured bath stones. Whether you are looking for a relaxing spa holiday, a fun family holiday, a shop-till-you-drop spree, or even some foodie indulgence, a trip to Bath promises to be a delightful experience. The city is compact and walk-friendly.

City Centre

Most of the history, culture, art, music, attractions and restaurants are located within the City Centre. For the ultimate luxury, stay at Bath’s first 5-star hotel, The Gainsborough Bath Spa, right in the heart of Bath. The Gainsborough is the only hotel in the UK to have access to natural thermal waters. If spacious and elegant serviced apartments is your preferred option, stay at The Halycon Apartments on George Street. The cocktail bar Circo lies just below the apartments, while Moles Bar, which is Bath’s live music venue is just a little further on the same street. If you stay at the upmarket, family-run bed-and-breakfast called Three Abbey Green, you are within a few yards of the Roman Baths and the Bath Abbey. You also have the Premier Inn Bath City Centre which is a short walk from the Thermae Bath Spa and the train station.

Bathwick

A short walk east of the City Centre, Bathwick is a slightly quieter area, close to parks, the river, and a sprawling golf course. You may want to consider the grand Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, an amalgamation of Georgian, Victorian and 20th century buildings. The hotel’s large on-site spa is its major attraction. Another option is Brindleys Hotel, which is an upmarket bed-and-breakfast with a French country-chic ambience. Brindleys Hotel is a 2-minute walk from the scenic stretch of Kennet & Avon Canal and the village of Wildcombe which has several good eating places.

Royal Victoria Park

The expansive green of the Royal Victoria Park and its surrounding streets offer tranquillity and a particularly beautiful area to call home during your Bath break. The 60-acre park is a perfect place for a leisurely stroll. You may want to consider The Queensberry Hotel spread over 4 interconnected Georgian townhouses on the quiet Russell Street. The Circus is just a 2-minute walk from this hotel. You also have the Hill House Bath, a highly rated bed-and-breakfast with elegant bedrooms and welcoming hosts who live on the property and provide hands-on hospitality. Another option is the Bath Priory on Weston Road, a bath-stone mansion with sprawling lawns and a beautiful country-house setting. This hotel hosts one of the 4 Michelin-starred restaurants in Bath.

Oldfield Park

Oldfield Park offers a chance to soak up a bit of authentic Bath living, but is still within walking distance of the city centre. Here you will be among local families and a large, fun-loving student population. Gray’s on Upper Oldfield Park and Oldfields House on Wells Road are elegant bed-and-breakfast accommodations which offer modern amenities while retaining their Victorian charm. Holiday Inn Express Bath on Lower Bristol Road is just a few minutes’ walk from Oldfield Park station.

Cheap hotels in Bath

The Bath YMCA youth hostel is located in the heart of the City Centre on a bustling, characteristic street close to all the main city attractions, shopping, restaurants, and pubs. The University of Bath also provides modern, comfortable accommodation on campus and is just 2 – 3 kilometres away from the City Centre. Green Park house offers a range of affordable self-catering apartments. Another cosy little hotel with quirky décor is the Harrington’s City Hotel, located on a cobbled side street in the heart of the city. Some other budget-friendly bed-and-breakfast options include Dorian House in the Oldfield Park area, Brooks Guesthouse near the Royal Victoria Park or Dukes Hotel on Great Pulteney Street.

The city of Bath was founded upon natural hot springs with the steaming water, and a trip to Bath is incomplete without visiting the Roman Baths in the heart of the city. Constructed around 70 AD by the Romans as a grand bathing and socialising complex, it is now one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world. The Great Bath is the magnificent epicentre to the complex and lies below the street level. It can also be viewed from the Terrace which is adorned with beautiful statues and Roman architecture. But Bath is not just about the Roman Baths. This city has a lot more to offer.

• Walk around the Royal Crescent and visit the only dressed Georgian house in Bath at No. 1 Royal Crescent.
• Stand in the middle of the Circus to appreciate this inspiring and beautiful piece of architecture.
• Admire the magnificent stained glass windows, honey-gold stone columns and some of the finest fan vaulting in the world, as they create an extraordinary experience of light and space at the Bath Abbey.
• Enjoy a celebration of music at the Herschel Museum, explore the story of Bath’s architecture at the Museum of Bath Architecture and view Renaissance treasures and masterpieces at The Holburne Museum.
• Try the warm spa water at King’s Spring water fountain housed in the Pump Room.
• Bathe in the roof-top pool of naturally warm, mineral-rich waters at the Thermae Bath Spa.
• At the Jane Austen Centre, dress up in any of the exhibition’s Regency costumes and have a pot of leaf tea along with a sweet or savoury snack at the Tea Rooms on the 2nd floor of the centre.
• Climb the Beckford’s Tower or go to the Bath Racecourse for panoramic views of Bath and neighbouring areas.
• Take a bus to the Prior Park Landscape Garden where you can walk across the famous Palladian Bridge, enjoy a relaxed picnic or explore the woodland paths.
• Indulge in retail therapy at Artisan Quarter for an eclectic bunch of quirky indie shops. Also visit Margaret’s Buildings, a charming lane with shops between the Royal Crescent and the Circus. For top brands in fashion, visit SouthGate and go to the Green Park Station for the weekly Farmers’, Vintage and Artisan markets.
• The countryside around Bath is among Britain’s finest. Visit the gorgeous villages of Castle Combe or Lacock, where you will not find a house that is less than 150 years old.
• The World Heritage Site of Stonehenge is about a 1-hour drive from Bath. Many tour operators also offer trips and tours to view the Stonehenge.
• If you visit Bath in the months from August – October, you may be able to participate in the Great Bath Feast, Bath Folk Fest, The Jane Austen Festival, The Bath Digital Festival, and Bath Children’s Literature Festival.