Bath is a British classic: a honey‑colored city carved from Bath stone, wrapped in hills, and warmed by natural hot springs the Romans prized two millennia ago. Its entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where crescents and colonnades bend like punctuation in a perfect 18th‑century sentence.

It’s also alive and modern: an indie coffee scene, inventive kitchens, excellent pubs, and a creative streak that runs from Jane Austen to today’s film crews. Stroll Pulteney Bridge, soak under the sky at Thermae Bath Spa, and trace the arc of history from the Roman Baths to the Regency era and beyond.

Practical notes: Bath is walkable, hilly in parts, and busiest on weekends and during summer. Book popular restaurants and spa slots ahead, wear comfy shoes for cobblestones, and bring layers for changeable weather. Trains from London and Bristol make Bath an easy base for day trips to Stonehenge, the Cotswolds, and more.

Bath

Few cities reward wandering like Bath. The Royal Crescent and The Circus display Georgian ambition; Bath Abbey’s fan vaulting lifts your gaze; and the Avon curls past Pulteney Bridge, one of only a handful of bridges lined with shops in the world.

Top sights include the Roman Baths, Thermae Bath Spa’s rooftop pool, the Holburne Museum, No. 1 Royal Crescent, and the graceful crescents and gardens of the Upper Town. Film and literature lovers can chase Jane Austen anecdotes and Bridgerton filming locations across grand terraces and sweeping squares.

• Where to stay: Compare apartments and historic townhouses on VRBO or browse boutique hotels and central stays on Hotels.com. Aim for the Abbey/Pulteney area if you like to be in the thick of it, or the Upper Town for quiet, leafy streets.
• How to get there: From London Paddington to Bath Spa, the train takes about 1h15 (advance fares ~£25–£60). Search and book on Omio Trains. Coaches take ~2.5–3h; compare on Omio Buses.
• Flights: Fly into London Heathrow or Bristol (BRS). Compare Europe flights on Omio Flights or long‑haul options on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Bristol to Bath by train is ~15 minutes on Omio Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Abbey Quarter Stroll, and Classic Bath Flavors

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Bath Abbey’s square, the colonnades of the Roman Baths (save the inside for tomorrow), and photogenic Pulteney Bridge with views over the weir. Pop into Parade Gardens for river-level perspectives if time allows.

Evening: Start with fish and chips that set the local standard at The Scallop Shell (hand‑cut chips, day‑boat fish, tiled “fishmonger” counter). If you prefer handmade pasta and truffle-laced specials, book Sotto Sotto, a cozy vaulted Italian favorite. For a nightcap, The Dark Horse mixes serious seasonal cocktails by candlelight; beer fans can try Bath Brew House for house ales brewed on-site.

Day 2: Romans, Georgians, and a Rooftop Spa Soak

Morning: Espresso pilgrims should begin at Colonna & Small’s (rotating single-origin menu and precise extractions) or Society Café (airy spot perfect for people‑watching). Then dive into Bath’s story on the Roman Baths and Bath City Walking Tour for context that makes every cornice sing.

Afternoon: Lunch where Bath’s oldest bun was born at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House (try the trencher topped with salt beef or cinnamon butter). Then book a late-afternoon session at Thermae Bath Spa: float in naturally warm waters with rooftop views of the Abbey and hills—magical at golden hour.

Evening: For inventive small plates, Beckford Bottle Shop pairs British cheeses, tartares, and seasonal veg with a sharp wine list. If you’re up for a splurge tasting menu, Menu Gordon Jones delivers playful, surprise courses that lean local and seasonal. Sip a Bath Gin martini at The Canary Gin Bar to finish.

Day 3: Stonehenge in the Morning, Museums and Crescents by Late Day

Morning: Join the efficient, well-timed Half-Day Small-Group Tour to Stonehenge from Bath, inc Entry (about 4.5 hours round-trip). You’ll reach the stones before peak crowds, with time for the visitor center exhibits and views across Salisbury Plain.

Afternoon: Back in Bath, wander the Holburne Museum (great for portraiture and temporary shows) and leafy Sydney Gardens, then amble to The Circus and the Royal Crescent for those postcard views. For lunch, Landrace Bakery turns out excellent seasonal sandwiches on stellar house-milled bread; their Upstairs restaurant does lovely plates if you linger.

Evening: Pub night: The Raven is a Bath rite of passage for its short-crust pies (try the Raven Ale & steak) and local cask ales; The Star Inn pours old‑school pints in snug rooms. Prefer something lighter? Noya’s Kitchen serves vibrant Vietnamese (fragrant pho, caramel pork, crisp summer rolls). Live tunes often roll at The Bell Inn on Walcot Street.

Day 4: Full-Day Cotswolds Villages from Bath

Trade city stone for thatched roofs and river meadows on the Cotswolds Experience - full day small group day tour from Bath (Max 14 persons). Typical stops include Bibury’s Arlington Row, Bourton‑on‑the‑Water’s low bridges, and Stow‑on‑the‑Wold’s market square, with time to wander stone lanes, cozy tearooms, and antique nooks.

Expect an early start and late afternoon return (roughly 9 hours). Bring comfortable shoes and a light rain layer. It’s a feast of rolling hills, dry‑stone walls, and market towns that feel like you’ve stepped into a landscape painting.

Day 5: Bridgerton Bath, Gardens, and a Farewell Feast

Morning: Enjoy a Regency-flavored ramble on the Bridgerton Walking Tour of Filming Locations & Storylines - Bath, taking in elegant facades used for the Featheringtons, Lady Danbury’s house, and sweeping crescents that screen perfectly for the ton.

Afternoon: Brunch or late breakfast at Good Day Café (pillowy pancakes, breakfast burritos) or Green Bird Café near the Royal Crescent (simple, well-sourced plates). If the weather’s fair, head to Prior Park Landscape Garden for the Palladian Bridge and sweeping city views, or rent a boat seasonally at Bath Boating Station for a quiet drift on the Avon.

Evening: Book your farewell dinner at The Circus Restaurant (modern European—think venison with red cabbage or Cornish fish with beurre blanc) or the Michelin‑starred Olive Tree for refined, produce‑led tasting menus. Toast the trip with an English sparkling at Beckford Canteen or a final classic at The Dark Horse.

Food & Drink Shortlist (Use Throughout)

• Breakfast/Coffee: Colonna & Small’s (specialty coffee), Society Café (bright, communal), Landrace Bakery (croissants, cardamom buns), Good Day Café (comfort bakes).
• Lunch: Sally Lunn’s (historic buns), Landrace (sandwiches, salads), The Scallop Shell (seafood platters), Beckford Bottle Shop (cheese & charcuterie).
• Dinner: Sotto Sotto (homestyle Italian), The Circus Restaurant (modern British/European), Menu Gordon Jones (tasting menu), Olive Tree (Michelin-star).
• Pubs & Bars: The Raven (pies and cask ales), The Star Inn (heritage pub), The Bell Inn (music, community vibe), Bath Brew House (house ales), The Dark Horse (cocktails), The Canary Gin Bar (Bath Gin).

Practical Tips

• Book ahead: Thermae Bath Spa, Sotto Sotto, Menu Gordon Jones, Olive Tree, and popular tours can sell out, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Getting around: Bath is walkable; hills are gentle but real. Local buses cover outlying areas; taxis are plentiful around the station and Abbey.
• Day trips: If you want a second countryside day, swap Bridgerton for a Stonehenge + Cotswolds combo day (see Viator options) or a quiet hike in the Cotswold Way foothills.

Recommended bookings hub: Stays on VRBO and Hotels.com; trains and coaches on Omio Trains and Omio Buses; flights via Omio Flights (Europe) and Trip.com or Kiwi.com for long-haul.

In five days, you’ll have soaked in Roman history, admired Georgian grace, sipped standout coffee and cocktails, and stepped into England’s prettiest villages. Bath rewards both first-timers and returning travelers—the kind of city that lingers, like warm stone after sun.