Best Things To Do in Bath

Welcome to the most mysterious city in the South West of England, where the present lives side by side with the past. It's easy to see that it 's quite old, having been founded in 43 AD. Hence its unexpected surprises such as the Roman thermal baths, its proximity to the megalithic monument of Stonehenge and its 14th century buns.

Scenes from The Bridgertons were filmed here and its charmed life inspired renowned authors such as Jane Austen and Mary Shelley. If I were you, I wouldn't miss out on a holiday in a city with such history, culture and gastronomy, so are you ready to pack your bags for this trip? Here's a list of all the great things to consider for your Bath itinerary.

Bath is a city with a fascinating past, deeply influenced by Roman culture. It's evident in many streets and monuments, but I'd start with the famous Roman thermal baths. Their history dates back to the 1st century AD when the Romans found a natural enclave of mineral-rich waters. They soon discovered that they were ideal for relaxation, so in order to protect them they created a complex where they could control their use and maximise their benefits.

It is not possible to use the thermal baths today, but a visit to the Roman Baths takes you back in time to see what social life was like in Roman times. You will discover the Sacred Spring, whose water gushes forth at 46 degrees Celsius and from which visitors are offered a glass of thermal water, but be warned that the taste is only for the brave.

You will also be able to appreciate different areas such as the caldarium (hot bath), the tepidarium (warm bath) and the frigidarium (cold bath). Many people take the opportunity to book a guided tour of Bath, as a guide will be able to tell you more about this and other attractions. But if you want to go inside and experience it with live commentary, you must pay your entrance fee as this is not usually included in the price.

If you'd like to enjoy a full and flexible tour of Bath, you can buy tickets for the City Sightseeing sightseeing bus It offers strategic free stops so you can explore the city at your own pace and pick up the tour wherever you find a stop nearby.

To understand the context behind each monument you'll have an audio guide and headphones to hear it better. When you buy your ticket you will have access to discount coupons and, once activated, you will have 24 hours to use the service.

I'll let you know that this bus will take you to around 37 iconic sites and here are some of the highlights.

Bath Abbey

Bath Abbey has stunning architecture and is noted for its colourful stained glass windows that will leave you speechless. It was founded in the 7th century and has a wealth of stories that you can learn more about with the audio guide provided on the bus. It once served as a monastery, hence the ribbed vaults.

Other highlights of this monument include its war memorials and the abbey tower, an attraction that allows you to enjoy panoramic views of Bath. Be warned, you'll have to climb 212 steps, although I promise it's totally worth it at the viewing platform.

Also, a bishop of Bath used to dream of angels haunting the abbey, which gave birth to the famous Angel's Stairs, where several kings were crowned.

Royal Crescent

Another interesting stop is Royal Crescent, an enclave that immortalised Georgian architecture in the UK. Its gardens will welcome you and inside you can get a museum that replicates life during the 18th century, quite realistic because it is an authentic period house. In fact, it's a location you're probably familiar with, as it's featured in series such as Persuasion and The Bridgertons.

Royal Victoria Park

In Bath you can delight in spaces from another era, where time seems frozen (in a good way). One of my favourites is Royal Victoria Park, a park that was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's visit to the city. Take the opportunity to walk the trails, visit the botanical gardens and play mini golf. If you're lucky you may be able to coincide with some events and festivals such as Oktoberfest.

Bath's canals are the perfect backdrop for a boat trip on the River Avon. Sit back and enjoy the scenery and fresh air, while toasting with a glass of Prosecco in hand. On board you'll hear interesting stories told by the skipper.

There are different options such as boarding a Victorian boat or a restaurant boat. But if you just want to relax, unwind and take in the city, the ideal way is to book a boat trip around Bath, where you'll have around 50 minutes to take in the architecture.

The usual route usually passes under Halfpenny Bridge, known for its arched design and Bath's ancient history of tolls, which charged an access fee for boats, cars and pedestrians. As you continue to enjoy your bubbly drink, keep your eyes peeled along the way to see St John Evangelist Abbey.

Get your camera ready as you'll pass one of **Bath'**s most photographed spots, the famous Pulteney Weir, where you'll be enveloped by the soothing sound of the water and enjoy a stunning visual spectacle. Don't worry about crowds, these boats usually travel with just 10 passengers on board to ensure comfort and tranquillity. Plus, the first two drinks are included, and if you'd like other drinks or food you can pop into the bar.

Strange noises, ancient witches' grounds and secrets that will leave your skin crawling. Ghosts are part of Bath's culture and be prepared for haunting stories, unsolved mysteries and spirits that refuse to leave earthly life around every corner.

On a ghost tour, be prepared for a possible encounter with the ghost of Bath Abbey's ancient monk, who likes to whisper in the ear of his visitors. If you go to the Theatre Royal, pay attention! Some claim that on some nights a mysterious man in a black hat, the spirit of an actor who never left the stage, appears and swarms between the stage and the dressing rooms.

It is also said that the ghost of the Celtic prince Bladud still wanders the streets of Bath protecting the baths, as the waters of the baths cured him of leprosy. And right at the baths, you'll discover the curse of The Tablets, which was cast by the ancient Romans.

Booking a ghost tour of Bath is an experience for the brave, as you'll head out at night to discover haunted places and their spooky stories. The bonus is that you'll be accompanied by a guide who specialises in horror stories, so there's nothing to be scared of. You can visit Bath Abbey Cemetery and the Royal Crescent, where many claim to have seen mysterious figures wandering around at night.

Bath's cuisine is quite diverse and during your trip you'll have a number of options to experience it. From the street stalls to the fancy restaurants in the more cosmopolitan areas, everything will be a feast for the palate as Italian, Greek and French influences as well as British traditions can be appreciated in every bite.

Of course, you can take the opportunity to experience afternoon tea, a gastronomic and cultural experience that is part of the essence of the UK. In addition, I recommend wandering around the local markets and sampling the local ales.

Some of the dishes and desserts I recommend you try are the following.

• Bath Chap: a smoked pork dish with a pronounced salt and egg flavour.
• Bath Oliver Biscuits: These are buttery biscuits typical of the region and are often served with cheddar cheese.
• Rice Pudding: A ricepudding, often with sultanas or cinnamon.
• Sunday Roast: The SundayRoast is a culinary tradition that you have to take advantage of, as every restaurant serves a feast of hearty roast beef with potatoes, vegetables, gravy and Yorkshire pudding.

Jane Austen's family moved to Bath in 1801, a move that shaped her story and spurred some of the best literature of all time. Jane was used to living in the tranquillity of the countryside, but like some of the characters in her books, she had to move to the city and leave her life behind.

In fact, you could make a pilgrimage to Jane Austen's Bath locations. The city is mentioned in several of her works, specifically Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. If you don't want to wander around the city, the most convenient place to visit is the Jane Austen Centre, a small museum that gives you an insight into her life and the unexpected twists and turns that made her a talented and renowned writer.

You can see a life-size wax figure of Jane Austen and experience a Regency-style teatime. If you ask at reception, you can even enjoy the museum in period costume and have your photo taken in areas set in the same style as her novels.

Take note! The Jane Austen Festival is held in Bath every year, but the date can vary. This tradition is the oldest tribute to the writer and includes a parade in period costume through the city's most picturesque streets, as well as plays from her novels and regency markets.

If you go to Bath you must try the region's oldest bun, which has been made since the 14th century at Sally Lunn's Historic Eating House. This bakery was here to stay in 1680 and the secret recipe belonged to Solange Luyon, a French Huguenot seeking refuge in the city.

It was nicknamed the Franco-British brioche, as it unites the flavours of the original French brioche with a twist that makes it very special. You can order the filling savoury or sweet, depending on your preference, and I recommend eating them here for the full experience and a typical tea time.

They have now expanded to include a museum area where visitors can learn about the history of Solange, discover some recipe clues and see an old Georgian kitchen as well as the original oven where the first buns were baked.

It is undeniable that The Bridgertons have become a world famous series and when you hear "Dear Readers..." you automatically think of Lady Whistledown. You'll be amazed to learn that several scenes were filmed in Bath, so you can enjoy a themed tour and become a British socialite.

Even if you haven't seen it, you'll have a wonderful time exploring England between 1813 and 1825, although be warned that some details are purely fictional. This saga is inspired by the novels of Julia Quinn and was brought to the screen with slight modifications. The plot explores the lives of eight siblings searching for love, while struggling with prejudice, gender inequality and the difficult standards of high society in the UK during the period.

Here are the main locations of Bridgerton in Bath:

• Royal Crescent, the famous Featherington family home.
• Bath Assembly Rooms - step inside the place where the ball was filmed where Daphne and Simon meet.
• Abbey Green, the village dressmaker's shop.
• Holburne Museum, Lady Danbury's residence during the second season.

I know Bath may seem like the capital of women writers, but there's no denying that they're a big draw in the city. In fact, one of the main attractions is the world of Mary Shelley's House of Frankenstein, where you'll discover the sad and complex story of Frankenstein.

You'll do so while having fun, as the museum is an interactive house of horrors where you can see strange artefacts and enjoy the special effects that will surround you with smoke, smells and sounds and help you immerse yourself in the story. Take the opportunity to check out the Creature's Animatronic which is just as Mary Shelley described him in her novel.

Also, if you're brave and daring you can experience horror in the basement or sign up for the Frankenstein themed escape room.

During your trip you should book a trip to Stonehenge from Bath, a charming megalithic monument just 50 minutes away. On arrival you'll see Bronze Age pits and some pits that have been here for centuries.

These ruins have a peculiar formation associated with several legends. Its origin is a mystery and many wonder how the ancestors managed to build such a monument, considering that 4500 years ago engineering and technology had barely advanced. This sparks conspiracy theories and some claim that the site has a strange energy, the product of the gifted beings of ancient civilisations.

The only thing that has been proven is that these stones, weighing at least 45 tons, were aligned according to solar patterns. Consider that you have to pay an entrance fee to visit, although it is usually included in the guided tours. Bring a waterproof jacket and several layers because, for some strange reason, it is cold here almost all year round.

Two kilometres away is the visitor centre, which is perfect for exploring its history. Here you can see replicas of Neolithic houses and a simulation of the ancient inhabitants. It also has an exhibition of 300 archaeological artefacts which are well worth a closer look.