A Guide for Travellers to Bath

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, beautiful Georgian Bath promises an unforgettable city break for lovers of history, architecture, art, food, shopping and life itself!

A unique historical city, set in the rolling Somerset countryside, Bath's hot springs, Roman Baths, Georgian stone crescents and magnificent Abbey have held visitors spellbound for centuries.

How To Get To Bath

By Air: Central Bath is situated just 15 miles from Bristol International Airport which serves around 70 direct destinations including Manchester, Leeds-Bradford, Newcastle, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Plymouth in the UK. Airlines offering internal UK flights to Bristol include Easyjet, British Airways and Flybe. The Airport Flyer express coach service takes passengers to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, from where they can catch one of the frequent local train services to Bath (15 minutes journey time).

By Train: Bath Spa railway station is centrally located next to the city's main bus station in Manvers Street. First Great Western operates regular direct train services from London's Paddington station, passing through some of England's finest countryside. Journey time is approximately 90 minutes. Regular local services connect Bath Spa with Bristol Temple Meads station which is a major hub for travel throughout the rest of the country, served by rail operators including Virgin West Coast.

By Road: The M4 provides excellent motorway links from London in the east and Wales in the west. Bath is located 10 miles from junction 18. The M5 motorway connects the city with Devon and Cornwall in the south. Road users may wish to make use of Bath's Park and Ride facilities in Odd Down, Lansdown and Newbridge which are open from Monday to Saturday with shuttle services running every 12-15 minutes.

By Coach: National Express coach services connect Bath with all the UK's major towns and cities. Coaches run frequently between Bath and London's Heathrow, Victoria and Gatwick bus stations, with journey time approximately 2 ½ hours.

When To Go

May: Badminton Horse Trials - Combine high culture and history with world class sport by timing your visit to coincide with the globally-renowned Badminton Horse Trials - the pinnacle of the world's Three Day Event calendar. Situated just 15 miles from the splendid Badminton estate, Bath provides a great base for visitors to one of the toughest and most exciting equestrian events in the world. The breath-taking spectacle provided by these extraordinary and courageous equine athletes will not fail to thrill horse lovers and laymen alike.

September: The Jane Austen Festival - With events taking place at venues throughout Bath, the annual Jane Austen festival is a nine-day celebration of the life, work and times of Bath's most famous former resident. The festival has grown in size and importance over the past 5 years and now draws visitors from across the globe with its promise of exciting and varied events to satisfy even the most ardent Austen enthusiasts.

Highlights of the 2005 festival included the ever-popular Jane Austen's Bath Walking Tours, The Grand Regency Ball and Supper, interactive Quill Writing and Costume Photography workshops, tea parties, concerts, productions and illustrated lectures by the world's foremost authorities on Austen and the Regency period. The festival is coordinated by The Jane Austen Centre, a permanent exhibition and shop based in a Georgian townhouse on Gay Street in the heart of the city.

Where to Eat

Home to some well known traditional treats - the Bath bun and Cheddar cheese to name but two - modern-day Bath is justifiably proud of its gastronomic landscape, boasting an eclectic mix of old-fashioned and contemporary eateries including Michelin-starred restaurants and quality, down-to-earth bistros as well as traditional tea shops that are beloved of tourists. With many varieties of international cuisine and wholesome, home-cooked fare all the menu, food lovers will be spoiled for choice in Bath. For fine dining, make a reservation at Blinis, where head chef Martin Blunos's elegant, French-inspired cooking has earned him two Michelin stars.

A visit to the celebrated Sally Lunn's Refreshment House is a must for all visitors with a taste for the traditional. As much tourist attraction as eating establishment, Sally Lunn's is the oldest house in town (c.1483) and has gained international renown as the birthplace of the light, semi-sweet Sally Lunn bun upon which the daytime menu is based. An alternative venue for afternoon tea is the nearby Pump Room, offering an unforgettably elegant dining experience enjoyed by Jane Austen herself.

Where to Drink

Bath is home to around 120 pubs, most of which are handily located in the central area within walking distance of the Abbey. There is the predictable mix of chain pubs, trendy bars and traditional boozers common to many UK cities, but Bath is nevertheless able to offer a special drinking experience with unique establishments including the historic Saracen's Head (Broad St) - the oldest pub in the city - where drinkers can follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens who frequently got sozzled here while writing The Pickwick Papers.

Artistic types will appreciate the eclectic appeal of the compact and cosy St James's Wine Vaults, where Van Morrison has been known to enjoy a tipple. For fans of real ale, the 260-year-old Star Inn, with its stunning 19th century wooden interior, is an essential stop-off.

Where to Shop

In an age of chain stores and identikit town centres, Bath offers a refreshingly alternative shopping experience that draws visitors from all over the country. Boasting an unusually high proportion of independent shops, the city has long been one of the UK's top shopping destinations. Antique hunters in particular flock to Bath in droves as the city is a major centre for fine antiques, rivaled only by London for the diversity and quality of its specialist dealers. Lopburi Art and Antiques on Saville Row and Mary Cruz Antiques in Broad Street are two to check out.

Women's fashion is also especially well catered for, with a number of exclusive designer boutiques including Whistles (Wood Street) and Kimberly (Trim Street), yards away from the compact, visitor-friendly central shopping area. Peruse the unusual shops in Southgate Street and Stall Street for specialist wares from around the world. And no visit would be complete without a wander down Walcot Street - the traditional home of Bath's craftspeople - where you will find glassblowing, pottery and handmade tiles as well as the renowned Walcot Reclamation outlet, a veritable treasure trove for homeowners seeking individual design pieces.

What to See

There is no shortage of things to see and do in Britain's finest Georgian city. A simple walk around Bath, with its magnificent architectural heritage including 5000 listed buildings, reveals a wealth of interest and historical fascination. Head to the world-famous Bath Circus and Royal Crescent to take in some superb Georgian design inspired by classical architecture. The museum at Number 1 Royal Crescent allows visitors to eavesdrop on the 18th century, while Beckford's Tower offers a birds-eye view of the city's glorious golden terraces.

The Roman Baths from which the city takes its name are a huge draw for tourists. One of the most complete ancient sites in the world, much of it unchanged for 2000 years, the bath complex and its accompanying museum are open to visitors every day of the year with the exception of Dec 25/26, promising the opportunity to re-live Roman life in Britain and marvel at the eternally rising springs. Just a stone's throw away from the entrance to the Baths, the magnificent Bath Abbey welcomes visitors daily.

Where to Take the Kids

Hailed as a triumph when it opened in late 2005, the Egg Theatre is Bath's newest and boldest children's attraction. Linked to the Theatre Royal, The Egg is a unique, purpose-built children's theatre offering an exciting, year-round programme of plays for toddlers, children and teenagers alongside weekend workshops and holiday drop-in sessions. A treat for all the family!