The Perfect Day Trip to Bath from London
Roman ruins, hot springs, charming Georgian architecture, literary heroes and the filming location of Bridgerton… Truly, what more could you want out of Bath, England?
With so many claims to fame – and just 90 minutes from the Big Smoke – it’s easy to see why so many people choose to go on a day trip to Bath from London.
I visited Bath for the first time in 2023 and could immediately see why it was such a popular city. I was blown away by how much there was to see, do and eat, plus how easy it was to get to from London.
If you’re considering Bath for a day trip, I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
Because I fell so deeply in love with Bath, I put together a one day itinerary for experiencing the best of the city on a day trip from London.
While you can take it easy in Bath, if you only have the one day, I encourage you to do as much as you can. My itinerary below makes the most of every hour you’ve got!
Ready? Let’s explore Bath in a day!
Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
And thank you to Visit Bath and Hotel Indigo Bath for supporting my visit to Bath. While some of my experiences and accommodation were complimentary, all opinions below are my own.
All right, let’s dive into your full day trip itinerary!
8:30 am: Take the train from London to Bath
The fastest way to get to Bath from London is to take the train. Your Great Western Rail train will travel from London Paddington to Bath Spa station in about 90 minutes.
You can get to Bath for as little as $33 USD per way (as of Dec 2024) if you book your tickets in advance, so book ahead!
I recommend taking an early train so you don’t miss out on any time in Bath. Pick up breakfast to go from the train station so you can eat on the way.
Book your London to Bath train tickets here!
10:00 am: Visit one of Bath’s art galleries or museums
Once you’ve arrived in Bath, it’s time to hit one of the city’s famous museums or galleries. I recommend this as your first stop, as they open earlier than the Roman Baths (which we’ll visit later in the day).
Unfortunately, since you’re only in Bath for a day trip, you won’t have time to see and do it all. You’ll need to prioritize.
Your choice of Bath museums or galleries to visit includes:
- The Jane Austen Centre: Learn about Jane’s life in Bath and the places that inspired her writing, plus try your hand at quill and ink or dress up in regency attire. I found this museum small but very charming!
- Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein: Meet another famous Bath author, Mary Shelley, in this spooky museum that includes tons of info and a haunted basement. This one scared me but was really well done!
- The Holburne Museum: Take in art of all mediums in this gorgeous home that also serves as the set of Lady Danbury’s house in Bridgerton. I really enjoyed walking around this art gallery.
- Herschel Museum of Astronomy: Get to know astronomers, musicians and Bath residents, the Herschels, and their discovery of Uranus. Perfect for astronomy/science buffs!
- No. 1 Royal Crescent: Step back in time to 18th Century Georgian Bath in this townhouse museum. Sadly, this one was closed when I was in Bath but it’s next on my to-visit list!
Double check opening times before you make your choice! Plan to spend about two hours at one (or more) of the museums/galleries.
12:00 pm: Lunch at Sally Lunn’s
Join the queue for a Sally Lunn’s bun, a must-eat while in Bath!
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House is a Bath institution, going all the way back to 1482. The eponymous bun was invented by Sally in the 1680’s and is now famous around the world.
It’s hard to describe exactly what a Sally Lunn bun is and what makes it special, but they sure are delicious!
I had a savoury one with smoked salmon and a sweet one with cream and jam. I preferred the sweet one, but both were good. They also have a yummy house blend tea!
If you don’t like buns or don’t want to wait in line, you could opt for afternoon tea at The Pump Room or Jane Austen Regency Tea Rooms instead.
2:00 pm: Free walking tour of Bath
After lunch, head over to the Roman Baths to learn about the history of Bath and see the city’s main sights on an informative and fun free walking tour.
I always love getting to know a new city via walking tour, and the one in Bath is particularly great. Because Bath is so small and walkable, you’ll be able to see a lot in just two hours!
The guide on my tour was very well-informed and engaging. He walked us around the exterior of Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths (don’t worry, we’ll head inside both of these iconic Bath attractions later).
We visited some of the city’s natural hot springs, strolled along Queen’s Square, took in the view of The Royal Crescent, admired the fancy homes on The Circus and leaned over Pulteney Bridge.
4:00 pm: Visit Bath Abbey
Your walking tour will end back in front of Bath Abbey where you can duck in for a quick stroll of the abbey floor.
I loved walking through the abbey when I visited in 2023. All of the little rooms were very impressive, as were the giant stained glass windows!
Note that you’ll need to pay for entrance to the abbey (click here for current prices). Or, if you don’t want to pay to enter, simply admire the exterior.
I would recommend spending a max of 30 minutes here so you have time for the next must-do on your Bath day trip itinerary.
4:30 pm: Tour the Roman Baths
After the abbey, head next door to the Roman Baths to discover how Ancient Romans once enjoyed the city of Bath.
The Roman Baths close at 6pm and last entry is at 5pm (as of Dec 2024). I think arriving at 4:30pm gives you enough time to explore, but feel free to arrive earlier/later if you think you’ll want more/less time.
The Roman Baths were one of my favourite places in Bath! It was so much more than just the one bath you can see from outside.
Grab an audioguide to learn about the history of Ancient Rome in Bath, see underwater springs, tour the different bathing rooms and even sample the hot springs water (it doesn’t taste as bad as you might think).
Book your ticket to the Roman Baths in advance so you don’t miss them! Click here to book your entry ticket with an audioguide.
6:00 pm: Dinner at Noya’s Kitchen
From the Roman Baths, you can walk over to Noya’s Kitchen for a delicious Vietnamese dinner.
This was my favourite meal in Bath; seriously, I still dream about the chicken curry I had here. Not only was it delicious, it was a huge portion and decently priced too.
Noya’s Kitchen is quite popular, so make a reservation ahead of time. They also have limited hours so double check those before making your plans.
(op) 7:30 pm: Late night spa visit
If you’re not too tuckered out from your full day in Bath, you can stop off at Thermae Spa after dinner.
The spa is open until 9:30 pm (as of Dec 2024, with the Pools and Wellness Suite closing at 9pm), meaning you could still fit in a soak or treatment before your late night train back to London.
With two hours before closing, you have just enough time for the Thermae Welcome two hour package. This package includes access to the Rooftop Pool, Minerva Bath, Wellness Suite and Springs Cafe.
Alternatively, if you want more spa time or to add on treatments, you could visit in the morning instead of going to one of Bath’s museums.
10:00 pm: Take the train from Bath to London
After your late night spa visit (or after dinner, if you’re skipping the spa), you’ll board your train from Bath Spa to London Paddington.
Once again, this journey will take about 90 mins and tickets start at $33 USD per way (as of Dec 2024) when booked in advance.
If you’re planning a later night in Bath, make sure to check train times ahead of time so you don’t miss the last one.
Book your Bath to London train here!
11:30 pm: Arrive back in London
After 90 minutes on the train, you’ll be back in London, exhausted but satisfied from your full Bath day trip!
How do you get from London to Bath?
There are a few different ways to get to Bath from London. The train is the fastest, the bus is the cheapest and a day tour is the most convenient.
Check out my full post on how to get from London to Bath and which route is best for you!
If you only have one day in Bath, I recommend doing your day trip by train or by joining a London to Bath day tour.
By train, you’ll be able to get to Bath as fast as possible, giving you more time in the city. You also have the flexibility to arrive early and stay late, since trains run frequently.
By day tour, you won’t have to worry about any of the logistics. You’ll also be able to see more of England, as most Bath day tours offer a combo itinerary with places like Stonehenge and Windsor Castle.
Here are some top-rated London to Bath day tours:
- Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London
- Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London
- Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon Day Trip from London
Want more time in Bath? Plan a weekend break!
While a day trip to Bath from London is a great way to get a taste of the city, I believe Bath deserves a longer stint.
I spent three nights in Bath and still wasn’t able to do, see or eat everything I wanted to in the city. There’s really a lot on offer in such a small place!
If you have the time, I recommend a few days in Bath, or at least staying overnight. Check out my weekend break itinerary for more things to see and do in Bath.
I also recommend staying at Hotel Indigo, a charming and centrally located hotel that perfectly combines historic architecture and modern style.
Wrapping up: Is a day trip to Bath from London worth it?
Absolutely! A day trip to Bath is very much worth it. I wish it hadn’t taken me 10+ visits to London before I finally explored this awesome second city.
Bath is steeped in culture and history, charming and beautiful, and it’s easy to walk around to all of the main sites. You can easily fill a day (or two or three) with everything to see and do in Bath.
And at just 90 minutes away by train – and with everything you want to do within walking distance of the Bath train station – a side trip to Bath from London is easy and convenient.
I hope I’ve convinced you to add Bath to your next London itinerary. As much as I love London, Bath totally won me over and I can’t wait to show it off to my husband the next time we’re in the UK together.
I’d love to know: What part of a day trip to Bath are you most looking forward to?
What a fantastic guide! I’ve always wanted to visit Bath, and your tips on the best sights to see and how to get there from London are super helpful. I especially love the suggestion for the thermal spa – it sounds like the perfect way to relax after a day of sightseeing. Can’t wait to plan my trip!
Thanks for reading. Have fun in Bath!