Named after its Roman-built baths, Bath City Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the English county of Somerset. It’s home to grand Georgian buildings, a monumental abbey and elegant shopping streets lined with upscale boutiques, independent bookstores and global eateries.
Things to do in Bath City Centre
A highlight of Bath City Centre is its former Benedictine monastery, the Bath Abbey, which is a striking example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Now Grade I-listed, it was founded in the 7th century and has been rebuilt several times since, with carved angels adorning the building. Admire the abbey’s stained glass windows and its 4,000-pipe Klais organ, then enjoy a moment of reflection in the Birde Chapel.
Just a stone’s throw from the Bath Abbey is the Roman Baths, one of the best-preserved religious spas of the ancient world. A temple was constructed here in the 1st century AD and an urban settlement known as Aquae Sulis was established around it, including baths that were used until the end of Roman rule in the 5th century. Explore the Roman Bath House and the Sacred Spring before getting up close to artefacts from Aquae Sulis in the museum.
Need a retail fix? In the heart of Bath City Centre is Milsom Street, which is home to the United Kingdom’s first department store, luxury designer retailers and high-end beauty brands. The nearby Theatre Royal hosts classic plays and ballets in one of the most important surviving examples of Georgian theatre architecture.
Getting around Bath City Centre
Bath City Centre is around 30 minutes’ drive from Bristol and 35 minutes from Bristol Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect to the Bath Spa railway station and the City Centre is compact enough to explore on foot.