The World Heritage spa city of Bath is made for losing yourself in pleasurable wanderings and unplanned detours. What draws visitors to this part of England are the honey-coloured Georgian architecture in Bath stone, history, and – of course – the Roman Baths which give the city its name. There’s certainly plenty to keep you busy, which is great news for solo visitors, couples and group travellers alike. Moreover, Bath is a great base for explorations beyond the city. Stunning attractions in the Somerset countryside, including the rugged landscapes of Cheddar Gorge, are within easy reach.

When in Bath…go beyond.

I enjoyed my solo trip to Bath, especially as it is also the city where serendipity struck. Here’s how to pack a refreshing mix of history, food and nature activities into your visit – the WoW way.

Getting there from London by Public Transport

Great Western Railway trains run from London Paddington to Bath Spa with a journey time of 1.5 hours. National Express coaches depart frequently from Victoria Station, Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport, and the fastest journey time is 2hrs 20m. This makes Bath an ideal city break with regular transport links. Congrats, you made it! Now, here are some ways to make the most of your time in Bath and beyond.

1. Hit some of Bath’s highlights

Roman Baths

Hot springs rise to the surface of Bath in a stroke of geology. Legend has it King Lear’s father was cured of leprosy after a dip in the waters. Centuries after this, the Romans created a complex of public baths and temples which soon drew crowds and made the city an important site of religion and well-being. As one of the best preserved remains of ancient religious spas, the Baths are a fascinating insight into Roman architecture and engineering. Today they are at the heart of the city’s popularity, attracting over one million visitors a year. Needless to say, the queues to the Baths can be long and winding, so pre-booking is advised. Adults from £14.40.

WoW Tip: If you do find yourself stuck in a long queue you’re not keen on (who is ever?), skip it altogether and head next door where you can take in a bird’s eye view from the Bath Abbey tower.

Bath Abbey

From the intricate stained-glass windows to the vaulted ceiling, the detail in Bath’s imposing Abbey is a marvel. The Abbey Church as we see it today has undergone many transformations and fortunes since 757 AD.

Fully guided Tower Tours lasting up to 50 minutes offer interesting titbits. One of them is that the first king of united England, Edgar, was crowned in a church on the site in 973. The service provided the blueprint for future coronations of Kings and Queens of England.

Sprawling views of Bath await at the top – but first, you must conquer the 212 steps it takes to get there. Tower Tours from £8.

The Royal Crescent & The Circus

Built between 1767 and 1775, The Royal Crescent is a semi-circular row of 30 terrace houses overlooking a carpet of grass, and the verdant greens of Royal Victoria Park. It played host to glitterati in its day, but now houses a luxury hotel, a museum of Georgian life and private residences. 

Nearby is The Circus, a circle of townhouses. Some of them housed famous residents in the past, with more recent examples like Nicholas Cage. Both landmarks are jewels in Bath’s crown of Georgian buildings, sure to delight many architecture lovers.

Pulteney Bridge

Pulteney Bridge, another architectural feature of Georgian Bath, is one of only four bridges in the world with shops built in. Located over River Avon, it is a popular starting point for boat tours. The area is lively and the bridge itself has various restaurants, shops and quirky finds. On a sunny day, it is nice to sit under the trees for a picnic and a spot of people-watching.

The Hare & Hounds

If you’ve worked up an appetite, slip away to the peaceful countryside for a gastropub meal with stunning views.

At only a mile from town, The Hare & Hounds is a welcome oasis of calm with friendly staff and refreshing cocktails.

2. Beyond Bath: Visit Cheddar Gorge & Caves

One of the adventure options beyond Bath is a daytrip to the village of Cheddar – about 32 miles/52km from Bath. Dairy fans may already be familiar with it as the origin of Cheddar Cheese. However, Cheddar is also home to Cheddar Gorge, Britain’s biggest gorge.

It is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) noted for majestic limestone cliffs, stalactite show caves, wildlife and rare flora. Activities are plenty, from rock-climbing to riverside walks and traditional tearooms.

Cheddar Gorge is for you if you’re especially into nature, geology, thrill-seeking or just fancy a day out from Bath. Entrance fee: £19.95.

Getting there from Bath by Public Transport

Take a Great Western Railway service from Bath Spa to Weston-super-Mare, and then FIRST Bus 126 to Cheddar.

3. Beyond Bath: Catch a beach sunset at Weston-super-Mare

Weston-super-Mare is a seaside town on the Somerset coast. If, like me, you embrace any opportunity to be a sunset chaser, why not catch golden hour here on return from Cheddar?

I spent some blissful moments at the popular sandy beach, watching the sun disappear into the sea until it was time to get the train back to Bath. If your time allows, plan for a longer stay to explore the combination of coastline and countryside.

Bath certainly has a lot worth stopping for. Notwithstanding, it also links easily to more options, making it a win for day, weekend or longer trips.

Have you been to any of the places mentioned in this post? How did you find it? Let us know in the comments.

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