Bath: Roman history and Georgian architecture

Bath brings together Roman history, Georgian architecture, museums and green spaces. If you’re looking for hotels in Bath, these themes can help shape your stay: should the focus be architectural history, bathing history, art or views of the surrounding landscape? Each attraction offers its own highlights.

World Heritage and Georgian architecture

The City of Bath was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. This city-wide designation complements the focus on individual attractions; each building and institution has its own historical and cultural emphasis.

The Royal Crescent was built between 1767 and 1775 to a design by John Wood the Younger. The ensemble consists of 30 Grade I listed terraced houses. They are arranged around a perfect lawn and overlook Royal Victoria Park. The Circus is a 360-degree example of Georgian design. While these places draw attention to architectural forms, the No. 1 Royal Crescent museum has a different focus: it explores Georgian life and showcases interiors, furniture and the way people lived in the 18th century.

Roman history, museums and bathing culture

The Roman Baths in Bath, Somerset, were built around 70 AD as a large Roman bathing and social complex. A one-hour guided tour is available. As schedules and booking requirements may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Bath Abbey has been a place of worship for more than 1,000 years. The Holburne Museum houses collections of fine and decorative art and is located in a Grade I listed building that was originally built as a hotel. Its former use as a hotel and its current function as a museum represent different chapters in the building’s history.

At Thermae Bath Spa, you can bathe in natural thermal springs. As operational details may change, check the latest visitor information before making plans.

The historic sites represent different periods and functions: the Roman Baths date back to Roman times, Bath Abbey has been a place of worship for more than a millennium, and the Royal Crescent was built in the 18th century. This comparison shows how varied the historical focus of a stay in Bath can be.

Parks and scenic walking routes

Alexandra Park is on Beechen Cliff and covers 11 acres. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of Bath and the surrounding wooded valleys and hills. The Bath Skyline Walk also offers panoramic views, described as “Countryside in the City”.

Many of Bath’s best-known attractions are a short walk from one another. For the Bath Skyline Walk, however, you should allow about an hour and a half; the route is easy to find and follow. Check the latest route information before setting out, as trail conditions may change. This lets you distinguish short walks between attractions from the time needed for the walk when planning your day.

Discover more destinations: Batheaston, Bishop Sutton, Temple Cloud, Pensford, Keynsham, Timsbury, Radstock, Wellow

For the broader travel overview: Bath And North East Somerset.