The Roman Baths and Bath: Planning a City Visit by Car

The Baths themselves and when to go in

The Roman Baths sit below modern street level around the Great Bath, still fed by the hot spring that made the town. The route takes you through the temple courtyard, past the gilt bronze head of Sulis Minerva and out onto the terrace above the water. It is a compact site that takes an hour and a half at a steady pace, longer if you use the audio commentary properly.

It is also one of the busiest attractions in the west of England. First thing in the morning or the last entry slots of the day are the calmer options, and in summer the site sometimes extends its hours, which makes an evening visit under torchlight possible. Confirm current opening and any evening arrangements with the site.

The Georgian city above ground

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage city and the streets are the second half of the visit. The Circus, the Royal Crescent and the sweep of Brock Street are within a ten-minute walk of the Abbey, and the Assembly Rooms, Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street complete the set. Number One Royal Crescent is furnished as a Georgian townhouse and gives context that the exteriors cannot. The Holburne Museum at the end of Great Pulteney Street is quieter than the central attractions and worth the walk.

Vehicle access and where to be dropped

Bath's centre is compact, hilly and heavily restricted, with pedestrianised streets, bus gates and a clean air zone that applies to certain vehicle categories. Compliance requirements change, so any vehicle entering the zone needs checking against the current rules rather than assumed. In practice the sensible arrangement is a set-down on the edge of the restricted area within easy walking distance of the Abbey, with the car then parking outside the centre. Repeat pickups through the day are workable if you agree a fixed point in advance, since the obvious ones get congested.

• Set down close to the Abbey rather than circling the centre
• Agree a single pickup point rather than improvising later
• Allow for steep gradients between the river and the Crescent
• Check clean air zone requirements for the vehicle in advance

Bathing, eating and the rest of the day

You cannot swim in the Roman Baths, but the modern spa in the city uses the same thermal water and has a rooftop pool with a view over the rooftops. Sessions are booked ahead and towels and time slots are handled by the spa directly. Afternoon tea in the Pump Room, a walk along the canal towpath or the climb to the Alexandra Park viewpoint all round the day off well. The Saturday markets and the independent shops in the streets behind the Abbey are worth an hour.

Where Bath fits in a wider trip

Bath sits close to the southern Cotswolds, Lacock, Castle Combe and Bristol, so it links naturally into a two-day country itinerary rather than only working as a day out. Wells and Glastonbury are within an hour to the south west. If you are travelling from London, treat Bath as an overnight rather than a single day whenever the schedule allows. The city empties in the evening and it is a far better place once the coach traffic has gone.

Plan your chauffeur journey

London Chauffeurs provides itinerary-led private travel for airport transfers, executive travel, private aviation, events and long-distance UK journeys. Availability and pricing are confirmed for the requested itinerary.

Frequently asked questions