One Day in Bath: The Perfect Itinerary for Bookworms
If you’re a book lover looking at spending one day in Bath during your upcoming travels, I’ve got you covered.
Bath is one of my favorite day trips from London, though you can certainly make a full weekend out of it like I did on a recent trip. It’s a gorgeous city with some of the best preserved Georgian architecture you’ll find anywhere in the country (I actually read a comment on Reddit by someone saying they DON’T like Bath because it feels TOO historic).
It’s most famous as a spa town, drawing crowds from pre-Roman times to take the healing waters, and the Roman bath ruins are a major draw for tourism. It’s also a fantastic destination for traveling book lovers. Some major English writers have lived and written here, including Jane Austen and Mary Shelley.
Plus, Bath has some of my favorite independent bookshops in the world (and that’s saying something, because traveling to literary destinations and bookshops is kind of my whole thing here).
Literary travel sights, historic architecture, amazing bookshops, great shopping, and delicious food make Bath one of the best places to visit in England in my opinion. But because there’s so much to do, it can be hard to narrow it down into a one day in Bath itinerary. That’s where I come in.
There are attractions in Bath that cater to so many different interests, but in this post, I’m going to give you the ideal one-day itinerary specifically catered to bookworms. I’ll tell you exactly where to go when as well as the best ways to get there, how much to budget for, bookshops to check out along the way, and my tips for making the most of your visit.
Don’t forget to pin this post for later reference, and follow me on Youtube to see video tours of Bath and other literary destinations.
As always, this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, shopping from them may generate small commissions to support the operations of this blog.
Whenever possible, I recommend buying books at local bookshops or through Bookshop.org, because shopping there puts the profits right into the hands of indie bookstores all over the country.
Related: Are you looking for the best day trips from London for book lovers? I also recommend taking an easy day trip to Lewes. You can visit some more great bookshops as well as the home of Virginia Woolf.
The Morning: Arriving in Bath
This Bath day trip itinerary assumes you will be traveling to Bath in the morning and leaving in the evening — and I’ll give you all my tips later in this post on how to get there. However, if you’re staying overnight, it’s easy to adapt this basic itinerary to suit your schedule, because there’s no shortage of things to do.
As for transportation, Bath is an incredibly walkable city, so everything on this itinerary will be accessed on foot. Wear some comfy shoes and be ready for a full day of sightseeing!
Tip: It’s always best to verify opening times and prices on the official websites of each location, as they may change.
Morning Meal/Snack at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House
Sally Lunn’s is a restaurant that’s been in Bath since before Jane Austen’s day, and it’s actually located inside Bath’s oldest home — 500 years old! So this is a great spot to start your day, even if you ate breakfast before traveling to Bath.
They are most famous for their Bath Buns, which they make using a recipe that was discovered in a secret cabinet within the building. You can order them simply (with just butter is so delicious), sweet, or savory, but trust me, you’re going to want to try them.
As a literary travel bonus, there’s a decent chance Jane Austen would’ve had Bath buns here, though that’s not something we can really substantiate.
Hours: Sally Lunn’s typically opens at 10 am
Budget: £15-20 per person
Optional Stop: Topping & Co. Bookstore
If you have time and can’t help yourself, pop into Topping & Co, one of a chain of independent bookshops in the UK (they also have one in Edinburgh). This indie bookshop in Bath is simply amazing, and with lots of modern signed first editions. Read more on my round-up of the best Bath bookshops.
Hours: Open 8:30 am – 9:00 pm 7 days a week
Optional stop: Bath Abbey
You’ll walk by the gorgeous exterior of Bath Abbey no matter what — as a massive gothic cathedral in the center of town, it’s literally impossible to miss. You might even catch some performers in the courtyard outside of it.
If you enjoy checking out the interior of churches, then make a quick stop inside Bath Abbey. I don’t recommend taking too long in here if you do, though, with an already busy day ahead of you in Bath.
Hours: Vary daily, depending on mass times
Budget: £7.50
Tickets: Buy upon entry or book online up to a month ahead of time
The Jane Austen Centre OR Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein
If you only have one day in Bath, I highly recommend checking out the Jane Austen Centre or Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein, which are both located just a few doors down from each other on Bath’s historic Gay Street. These are both about an 8-minute uphill walk from Bath Abbey.
You can of course visit both, but with so much else to do in Bath, you’ll likely need to take something else off this list. An hour should be sufficient time to visit either one, unless you plan to add an additional activity to your visit.
Jane Austen Centre
This is a timed admission museum dedicated to Jane Austen and her time in Bath. It’s not a recreation of Austen’s home — instead, you’ll be given a 15-minute introduction by a costumed guide and then be allowed to explore the rest of the museum on your own. Exhibits focus on Austen’s life as well as life in Regency era Bath.
There’s interactive elements along the way, including a chance to dress up in Regency clothes for your own Pemberley photo shoot.
This choice is best for avid fans of Jane Austen, but the Jane Austen Centre is popular, so book well in advance. Read my full guide to the Jane Austen Centre and/or watch my Youtube video on it before visiting.
Tip: If you’d like, you can also arrange to have afternoon tea here (reserve ahead of time), though for this itinerary I’ve recommended the more atmospheric afternoon tea at the Pump Room later in today’s itinerary.
Hours: For this itinerary, I recommend reserving the 10:50 or 11:10 tour time
Budget: £15.95 per person
Tickets: Book ahead of time, especially if visiting during the summer or the September Jane Austen festival
Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein
The House of Frankenstein is a newer literary museum in Bath that honors the 5 months Mary Shelley spent in Bath while finishing her most famous novel, Frankenstein. This is one of my personal favorite attractions in Bath. It’s a self-guided multi-sensory museum that’s really hard to put in a simple category or box.
You’ll learn a ton about Mary Shelley and her impact on science fiction, horror, and pop culture. Plus, if you’re brave enough, check out their haunted basement (too scary for me!).
This is the best choice for fans of Mary Shelley or classic literature generally, or fans of horror. Or, if you’re not a die hard Jane Austen fan, I’d recommend option for the House of Frankenstein over the Jane Austen Centre.
Tip: Check out my complete guide to the House of Frankenstein, and if you’re a serious fan, consider allowing time for one of their themed Escape Rooms, which will add an hour to your time here.
Hours: For this itinerary, I recommend opting for the 11:00 tour time, though entry times are more flexible than the Jane Austen Centre.
Budget: £13.50 per person
Tickets: Book online ahead of time, or chance it at the door (it’s less popular than the Jane Austen Centre currently, but you never know when it could take off, so I wouldn’t risk waiting).
Related: Before visiting, check out these surprising facts about Mary Shelley. Also, did you know you can visit the real Frankenstein Castle in Germany?
Your afternoon in Bath
So far, this one day in Bath itinerary takes us up to about 12:00 noon, unless you’ve added on to the itinerary I’ve laid out. As you’ll have eaten fairly recently at Sally Lunn’s, in this itinerary we will be holding off on lunch to aim for a late afternoon tea. But as always, follow whatever eating schedule works best for your body.
Now we’re going to hit the streets and see more of the iconic Bath architecture on foot.
The Circus & the Royal Crescent
Keep walking uphill to the top of Gay Street and you’ll find yourself in the impressive Bath Circus, a circular community of Georgian row homes with a nice green space and beautiful trees in the center. Take some pictures and admire the nice views of Bath from the top of the street.
Then, walk a block further on Brock Street and you’ll come upon the even more impressive Royal Crescent. This has been a filming location for many period TV series and movies, including several Jane Austen film adaptations and even Bridgerton.
If you like, take some time wandering in the Victorian Gardens in front of it, where you’ll likely find lots of people promenading, taking photos, and walking their dogs. If you’re an Austen fan, take a walk on the Gravel Path, which is the scene of a very romantic encounter in Persuasion.
Tip: You can even listen to a portion of the Jane Austen walking tour audio guide as you walk along it. For details on this, check out my complete guide to Jane Austen sites in Bath.
Related: Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, which takes place largely in Bath, is one of my favorite cozy reads.
Optional stops: Persephone Books & Mr. B’s Emporium
Along the way, you’ll pass in the vicinity of two more of my favorite bookshops in Bath (some of my favorite bookstores of all time, come to that) — Persephone Books and Mr. B’s Emporium.
Both of these are incredibly unique and should be incorporated into your day in Bath if you love a good bookstore. Just be mindful of your time, as it’s easy to spend hours upon hours at these bookshops!
For more information on these shops, check out my detailed guide to Bath bookshops.
Do you enjoy reading books set in different countries? I’ve designed a custom Read Around the World Journal specifically for readers who want to explore more world literature and track their progress. Make lists, color in bookshelves, and play Read Around the World Bingo in this unique reading tracker.
You can take a peek inside the journal, peruse my list of resources to help you on your reading journey, and order a copy if you think it’s the right fit for you!
Explore the shopping on Milsom Street
In Jane Austen’s day, Milsom Street was one of the busiest shopping streets in Bath (and is the scene of several scenes from her novels). Today, the same is true. The whole street is lined with adorable shops selling clothing, handmade goods, souvenirs, and tasty treats.
Take your time strolling down Milsom Street, popping into whatever shop takes your fancy and perhaps getting yourself a small snack to tide you over until afternoon tea.
Pulteney Bridge
As you get to the end of Milsom Street, it turns into New Bond Street. Take this all the way to its end and you’ll be able to spot the famous Pulteney Bridge. This bridge is an absolute Bath icon, dating from the 18th century. It was modeled after the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, and it, like its inspiration, it’s lined with shops on both sides of the bridge.
Go ahead and cross the bridge, popping into any of the shops that catch your eye. If you’re a Jane Austen fan, there’s connections for you, too, as Austen would’ve walked across this bridge on a daily basis during her years in Bath.
Since time is limited, cross the bridge and then come directly back (if you have a second day in Bath, I recommend continuing all the way to Sydney Gardens) and view the bridge from the Parade Gardens. This is a great spot for getting photos of the bridge and strolling among a lovely park.
Optional stop: Skoobs Books & the Guildhall Marketplace
If you want to take a peek at some discounted secondhand paperbacks, stop in at the Guildhall Marketplace, where you’ll find about 20 vendors of various items. Weave your way through to Skoobs Books, which sells all paperbacks in a huge variety of genres for very reasonable prices.
Related: If you’re a Jane Austen fan, check out my complete guide to Jane Austen’s Bath for more ideas to add to your Bath itinerary.
Late afternoon: wrapping up one day in Bath
After a morning in a museum and an afternoon of walking and shopping, it’s time to circle back to where we began and check out two more absolutely iconic Bath attractions — the Pump Room and the Roman baths. I highly recommend these, whether you’re spending one day in Bath or more.
Afternoon Tea at the Pump Room
Afternoon tea at the Pump Room is a one-of-a-kind experience. You’ll get to have afternoon tea in the very room where Jane Austen would’ve enjoyed it, and where her characters do as well. It’s a gorgeous room of Georgian splendor.
There’s no competition anywhere else in Bath when it comes to atmosphere, especially considering you’ll be serenaded by live music — an in-house pianist or string trio. This is well worth a splurge, and there’s enough food served to make this your late lunch/afternoon meal.
Hours: There are 2-3 afternoon tea seatings per day, at 12:00, 2:00, or 4:00 (though 4:00 is less commonly offered from my research). For this itinerary, I recommend reserving the 2:00 tea time and keeping your eye on the clock during your time shopping and wandering to make sure you don’t miss it.
Budget: £42.50 per person, more if you want to include champagne; or £78.00 for a combo ticket with admission to the Roman Baths (recommended)
Tickets: Afternoon tea at the Pump Room is incredibly popular, so I recommend making your reservation as soon as you have your plans in place. You’ll need to book online and pay in advance, though you can get a refund if you need to cancel (24 hour cancellation window).
Related: If you enjoy afternoon tea, check out these unique afternoon teas in London. My favorite for book lovers? Afternoon tea at the library. It’s still the best afternoon tea I’ve had to date.
The Roman Baths
After your afternoon tea at the Pump Room, head next door to see the stunning Roman baths. These are remarkably well preserved and definitely worth seeing. You’ll go through a museum first, where you can learn more about the history and excavation of the baths.
Then, you’ll get to see the bath up close, both from an upper terrace and the ground level. These ruins were still a part of life during Jane Austen’s time in the city, so you’re getting multiple layers of history at this cool sight.
Tip: If you happen to snag the 4 pm afternoon tea time that’s sometimes offered at the Pump Room, plan to go to the Roman Baths first or you’ll miss the last admission time.
Hours: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm year round (last admission 5 pm)
Budget: £19.00 – £27 depending on the day and season
Tickets: You can buy a combo ticket with your afternoon tea or book it individually.
Optional stop: Topping & Co.
If you didn’t make it to Topping & Co. in the morning, I highly recommend checking it out if you have time now before catching your bus or train out of Bath. If you’re a traveling bookworm, just trust me on this one. Plus, it’s open late, so it’s a perfect evening activity after the museums and other shops close.
Practical Stuff
I’m here to make your life easier, so here are some tips on the practical considerations when planning your Bath day trip.
How to get to Bath from London
If you’re taking a day trip to Bath and wondering how to get from London to Bath, here’s a break-down of your options:
London to Bath by Car
If you have a car or are renting, Bath is about 100 miles from London, and driving takes about 1 hr 15 minutes. Plan ahead with your parking, and find an all-day parking lot. Once you’re there, everything is within walking distance.
London to Bath by Train
Getting to Bath from London by train is typically the fastest and easiest way to get there. There is a train from London’s Paddington Station that gets to Bath Spa station in only 1 hr 15 minutes, and it leaves approximately every 30-40 minutes.
When you’re booking, make sure you check the train travel times, because there are other, less direct trains that can take over 3 hours to get you there!
In general, expect to pay around £40 each way for the fastest train.
If you want to have a full day in Bath, I recommend catching the train from Paddington by no later than 8:30 or 9 am at the latest. On the way back, look for one leaving around 6 or 7 to make it back to your London hotel before too late.
London to Bath by Bus
A third option for your Bath day trip is to take a coach bus from London. There are National Express buses that run from many London stations, including London Victoria, Earl’s Court, Marble Arch, and more. These can be cheaper than the train (as low as £10.50 each way), but keep in mind your travel time will drastically increase.
Buses between London and Bath take anywhere from 2 hr 20 minutes to 3 hr 45 minutes and obviously are affected by traffic, unlike the trains.
In general, I strongly recommend splurging for the train over the bus with one exception — if you’re arriving in Bath straight from Heathrow airport or heading straight to Heathrow airport from Bath. In that case, the National Express bus that goes between Bath and Heathrow airport is by far the most convenient option.
Budgeting for your day trip
Here’s a break down of what you should budget for if you follow this itinerary in Bath.
- £80 for round-trip train ride (or as low as £21 if you opt for the bus)
- Jane Austen Centre ~ £15.95 or House of Frankenstein ~ £13
- Sally Lunn’s £15-20
- Pump Room afternoon tea + Roman baths:
- £42.50 for basic afternoon tea, more if you want bubbly
- £78.00 for the combo ticket with the Roman Baths
- Pump room only ticket £19.00 – £27 depending on the day and season
- Discretionary spending on books, shopping, snacks
- Total budget per person: £190 +
Note that prices may change. Use this as a reference but always verify prices on the official websites.
Where to stay in Bath
If you’re planning to stay overnight in Bath, there’s plenty of options. If you want to splurge, I cannot recommend the Gainsborough Hotel highly enough. It’s a 5-star spa hotel centrally located in Bath. In addition to the gorgeous suites, you will also be able to use their thermal spa, which is a divine experience.
If you’re a Jane Austen fan, you can book a holiday apartment in one of Jane Austen’s Bath residences.
As you look for somewhere to stay, I recommend checking for lodging on Hotels.com. I almost always book my accommodations through Hotels.com, because you can earn rewards for every night you stay without having to choose only one hotel chain to be loyal to. You can even book locally owned apart hotels and bed and breakfasts.
If you’re looking for privately owned vacation rentals, I recommend checking VRBO. I’ve personally had much better experiences with their owners and rentals than I have with their primary competitor.
Travel Resources At-A-Glance
All of the following are links to sites and services I actually use to book and plan my travel or to purchase books or travel gear.
For flights: Skyscanner is my number one go-to resource for booking flights. I love using the “explore” function to find the cheapest places I can fly during a given time or using the fare calendar to identify the cheapest days to fly.
For hotels and lodgings: For hotels, hotels.com, and for vacation rentals, VRBO.com. I’ve had much better experiences with private rentals through this website than through other popular private vacation rental websites.
For car rentals: Kayak allows comparisons across a wide range of booking agencies and lists reviews of companies as well. I’ve found this to be the most user-friendly and efficient way to compare car rental prices.
For tours & excursions: Viator and Get Your Guide are my top choices for booking excursions and tour experiences in a new destination.
For travel gear: Amazon.com and REI for more outdoorsy items. Check out my travel gear recs here.
For booking trains & buses: I find the Omio app and website to be the most easily navigable for comparing options for public transportation, especially in Europe,
Best travel credit card: My favorite travel rewards credit card for European travel has been the Chase Sapphire Rewards card. Visa is accepted just about everywhere in Europe, and there are no foreign transaction fees on the card. Some of the travel benefits I love on the Chase Sapphire include free TSA pre-check or Global Entry (worth it every time), an annual $200 travel credit, an annual $200 hotel benefit, built-in rental car, and trip insurance, and points are worth 50% more when used to book travel. I travel around Europe a LOT, and I end up with many free flights and hotel stays from using my points on my Chase Sapphire.
For books: Bookshop.org often has prices as good as Amazon or sometimes better, but profits go to indie bookstores all over the country. Whenever possible, consider buying your books from this online indie bookshop resource.
What other towns in the UK are you interested in visiting? Don’t forget to pin this post for later so you can reference it when planning your European travels.
