21 Greatest issues to do in Bathtub (2024)

With scorching springs, heritage sights and honey stone Palladian structure, Bathtub within the south west of England has been a magnet for guests over the centuries. We carry you the very best issues to do in Bathtub, a UNESCO World Heritage Website, with Roman Baths, elegant Georgian buildings, and lots of nice museums, parks and eating places.

If it was adequate for the Romans pilgrims to Aquae Sulis or Georgian excessive society as depicted by Jane Austen and Bridgerton, there have to be lots to take pleasure in for any tradition lover! Since I reside in close by Bristol, I’ve visited Bathtub on quite a few events, to carry you the newest and most enjoyable issues to see on this attractive heritage metropolis.

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Prime issues to do in Bathtub

Whereas there’s lots to maintain you busy for just a few days, listed here are the highest locations to go to in Bathtub when you’re in need of time.

• Go to the Roman Baths and museum that carry alive the town in Roman instances.

• Benefit from the waters of the thermal springs throughout a 2 hour session on the Thermae Bathtub Spa.

• Go to Bathtub Abbey, based in Medieval time and climb the tower for views over the town.

• Dip into Georgian society portrayed in Jane Austen and Bridgerton at No 1 Royal Crescent, the Circus and different areas just like the Meeting Rooms, Holburne Museum and Jane Austen Centre.

• Wander over Pulteney Bridge the place you’ll be able to take a boat tour on the River Avon or have a picnic by the river within the Parade Gardens.

1. Roman Baths

The Roman Baths are Bathtub’s high vacationer attraction, combining a re-creation of the unique Roman bathing swimming pools, with a museum that covers 2000 years of historical past.

Throughout Roman instances, the baths fed by scorching springs had been a cross between a public leisure centre and a spot of devotion on the temple of the Goddess Sulis Minerva. Whereas the Roman Baths at the moment are enclosed by Bathtub Abbey and rows of outlets, they initially stretched over a a lot bigger space past the encompassing buildings.

An audioguide is obtainable to stroll you around the baths and museum at your personal tempo, with explanations for kids in addition to adults. You’ll see the spring water effervescent up within the authentic King’s Bathtub and the Nice Baths, which had been in-built 1897 to indicate what the Roman Baths would have seemed like.

Additionally on show are the archaeological stays of Roman altering rooms, plunge swimming pools and fitness center, with video illustrations of what might need occurred in every a part of the baths.

The Museum of the Roman Baths

By means of the museum shows you’ll be able to find out about life within the Roman city of Bathtub on the temple of the Goddess Sulis Minerva, whose golden head is on show. See the fashions of the temple and tub advanced, with its spectacular stone pediment and Gorgon’s head.

Stroll across the areas the place on a regular basis Romans bathed and threw their prayers to the Goddess into the spring, inscribed on clay tablets. The museum and Roman Baths are introduced in an interactive method, with totally different Roman characters projected onto the partitions, and actual life re-enactors sitting round to inform you their tales.

This can be a world class attraction for all ages and one that you just shouldn’t miss in your go to to Bathtub. On the finish of your go to you’ll be able to drink a cup of the mineral laden spa water, that trendy Georgian society hoped would remedy all their ills. You may as well ebook for lunch or afternoon tea on the elegant Pump Room restaurant, with classical music from a string ensemble.

That is Bathtub’s hottest attraction, so at vacation instances and weekends it’s advisable to ebook tickets on-line upfront. This Bathtub Metropolis strolling tour contains the choice of entry to the Roman Baths, enabling you to skip the road (which may be fairly lengthy!).

Learn my article: The Roman Baths in Bathtub – what to see whenever you go to

2. Bathtub Abbey

Bathtub Abbey, the town’s imposing cathedral, is situated proper beside the Roman Baths. The courtyard in entrance of the Abbey and Roman Baths is vacationer central, with performances by musicians and road entertainers. There was a monastery on this spot from the first century AD, with the Abbey as we see it immediately being accomplished within the fifteenth century.

As one of many main sights in Bathtub, you’ll need to try the gorgeous stained glass, vaulted stone ceiling and tombs relationship again to the fifteenth century. You might additionally be part of a tour to climb to the highest of the tower and see the clock, bell tower and metropolis views.

The Discovery Centre at Bathtub Abbey

When you’ve visited the primary church, head downstairs to the Discovery Centre, situated within the crypt of Bathtub Abbey. On show are artefacts found within the Abbey that carry to life the historical past of the Medieval monastery. The Discovery Centre is household pleasant, with loads of movies, interactive reveals and costumes, when you fancy dressing up as a monk.

Open: Each day all yr spherical. Opening hours: 10am – 5.30pm (closed throughout companies and particular occasions)

Ticket Worth: Commonplace grownup ticket from £7.50 (contains Abbey and Discovery Centre). You should buy your ticket upfront right here.

Web site: Bathabbey.org Deal with: Bathtub Abbey, Bathtub, BA1 1LT

Tip: Proper beside the Abbey is the Bathtub World Heritage Centre, which is free to go to for info, metropolis maps and self guided strolling excursions.

If you’re in need of time, chances are you’ll take pleasure in this 2 hour guided strolling tour of Bathtub, with explanations of the town’s historical past and main sights.

3. Thermae Bathtub Spa

This distinctive spa allows guests to Bathtub to wash in mineral waters fed from the unique scorching springs, that had been thought-about by the Georgians to have therapeutic properties. The Thermae Bathtub Spa opened in 2006 after a fancy redevelopment that included archaeological investigations, restoration of Georgian listed buildings and the development of a contemporary glass spa constructing.

Visits to the Thermae Bathtub Spa are usually for a 2 hour session, with alternative to ebook extra therapies if you want. Whereas the session is timed utilizing your digital wrist band, there’s some further time allowed for altering, therapies and use of the cafe.

Because the spa could be very well-liked, it’s higher to ebook your session on-line upfront, though some stroll in periods can be found every day. There’s additionally a small cafe, open for drinks and lightweight dishes.

The Cross Bathtub

In a separate location close to the Thermae Bathtub Spa is the Cross Bathtub. It’s a small enclosed open-air tub that’s additionally fed from the thermal spring water, and is without doubt one of the authentic Georgian baths.

You may ebook a session within the Cross Bathtub on the Thermae Bathtub Spa web site and it’s out there for unique rent by small teams. The Cross Bathtub is situated on the finish of Bathtub Road, the place you’ll be able to glimpse the bathtub by a glass window.

4. The Royal Crescent and Georgian Bathtub

Constructed within the 1770s, the Royal Crescent is a sweeping terrace of Georgian townhouses, overlooking Victoria Park. When first constructed, these homes would have missed parkland, so a haha or hid ditch was constructed to maintain sheep away from the homes.

The thought behind Bathtub’s Palladian constructing fashion, was that rich guests might hire someplace simply as grand as their very own nation mansions, whereas being a sensible location to spend a social season in Bathtub. A lot of the homes on Royal Crescent are privately owned, however chances are you’ll like to go to and even keep on the 5 star Royal Crescent Resort & Spa at No 15, which provides lunch or afternoon tea of their gardens.

It’s additionally price strolling down Brock Road to The Circus, which is a equally grand ring of Palladian fashion homes, constructed round a circle with a big airplane tree within the centre. From right here, proceed your stroll to see the close by Meeting Rooms (open by the Nationwide Belief for pre-booked excursions), used as a spot for balls and events in Georgian instances.

No 1 Royal Crescent

At one finish of the Royal Crescent, is a museum designed to indicate how the rich customer to Bathtub would have lived. No 1 Royal Crescent is furnished because it might need been on the finish of the 18th century, when Bathtub was the vacation spot for trendy society. The entrance of the home is featured within the sequence Bridgerton, doubling for the London residence of the Featherington household.

Bridgerton followers may also take this tour of all of the Bridgerton filming areas in Bathtub.

As you progress round the home on a self guided tour, the rooms are delivered to life in an immersive expertise, by the voices of a rich household who’ve rented the home for the season.

In every room the photographs and mirrors come to life, as totally different characters from the household discuss their day by day life throughout a season in Bathtub. We eavesdrop as they gossip concerning the balls and events they plan to attend and their hopes to enhance their social standing.

Beneath stairs, within the kitchen and housekeeper’s rooms, we hear the voices of the family servants, and one thing of their lives. The ultimate room within the exhibition tells us about the actual household on whom the characters we hear from are based mostly.

Open: Tuesday – Sunday (Closed in January) Opening hours: 10am – 5.30pm

Ticket Worth: Commonplace grownup ticket from £15.50

Web site: No1royalcrescent.org.uk Deal with: 1 Royal Crescent, Bathtub, BA1 2LR

5. Pulteney Bridge

This picturesque stone bridge over the River Avon is without doubt one of the most photographed spots in Bathtub. Pulteney Bridge is uncommon for being constructed with outlets on high of the bridge itself, therefore it’s typically in comparison with the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

The bridge was accomplished in 1774 by William Johnstone Pulteney, a rich landowner who needed to advertise the world of Bathtub on the opposite facet of the river, that he was creating. He commissioned architect Robert Adam to create a grand Palladian design that may encourage excessive society to cross the river.

Pulteney Bridge leads the customer up Nice Pulteney Road to the Sydney Gardens and Holburne Museum, which in Georgian instances was a trendy lodge. It was on this neighbourhood at 4 Sydney Place, that Jane Austen resided together with her household for 3 years between 1801 and 1804.

As you cross the bridge, you’ll be able to browse or window store within the small unbiased outlets on both facet. There are a few cafes on the bridge, the place you could possibly bag a coveted window desk, overlooking the river.

To take one of many well-liked river boat excursions, you must cross the bridge to the Nice Pulteney Road facet after which head down the steps, to the river financial institution at Pulteney Weir.

Tip: In nice climate we are able to advocate lunch on the terrace of the Thai Weir restaurant. The meals is nice worth and it’s situated proper underneath Pulteney Bridge, so that you’ll get the very best river views.

6. Take a Bathtub boat journey on the river Avon

With the River Avon flowing by Bathtub, a ship journey is an opportunity to chill out and see the town from a distinct angle. These boat journeys are particularly well-liked in summer time and in addition to shopping for particular person tickets, you’ll be able to organize a ship journey simply to your group of mates.

Pulteney Cruisers – 1 hour journey to Bathampton

This 1 hour boat journey leaves from Pulteney Weir slightly below Pulteney Bridge and heads upstream to Bathampton. On the way in which you’ll be able to chill out and look out for wildlife on the River Avon, together with swans, herons and kingfishers.

They don’t take pre-bookings, so simply flip up and take the following journey, with boats holding as much as 70 folks on a decrease and higher deck. There are usually a number of crusing a day ranging from 10am.

The schedule could change relying on climate circumstances and river ranges, so examine the web site or social media upfront for contemporary info. With grownup tickets costing from £12, that is probably the most inexpensive solution to see the river.

1 hour Sightseeing boat cruise with Prosecco

This 1 hour cruise on a basic wood pleasure craft is appropriate for as much as 8 folks, together with a few glasses of Prosecco every. You may ebook a person ticket, however when you favor a personal tour to your group, there’s the choice to select from a gin tasting or bottomless Prosecco cruise.

The cruise leaves from near Bathtub Spa Railway station and takes you as much as the weir beneath Pulteney Bridge for some good images. E-book the boat journey right here.

E-book a personal boat journey to your group

If you’re arranging a bunch journey equivalent to a hen social gathering, there are boat excursions out there from Sir John Knill Boat Journeys and Bathtub Metropolis Boat Journeys

Kayak and SUP excursions in Bathtub

If you happen to fancy one thing a bit extra adventurous, you too can take a kayak or get up paddle-board expertise on the River Avon at Bathtub.

Unique Wild supply each kayak and SUP excursions for teams of 10 + folks. These 2 hour excursions with an teacher take you from the decrease a part of the Avon as much as Pulteney Bridge and again.

CK SUP & Paddle rent kayaks and SUP for a 2 hour self guided tour from The Boathouse at Newbridge, simply exterior Bathtub.

7. Take a sightseeing bus tour

Hop-on-hop-off bus excursions are perfect for first time guests to Bathtub, to get a fast overview of the highest issues to see. These sightseeing excursions are particularly invaluable for these with restricted time, or for many who don’t need to stroll lots.

There are two Hop on Hop off bus corporations working in Bathtub: Tootbus and Metropolis Sightseeing. Each supply related excursions on the identical two routes. The Metropolis Tour runs round the primary websites of curiosity in Bathtub metropolis centre, whereas the Skyline tour covers the countryside areas and sights simply exterior Bathtub.

With each corporations, you should utilize your ticket for each the Metropolis and Skyline tour. The excursions function day by day, with the exceptions of a few public holidays, audioguides can be found in a number of languages and tickets may be bought on-line upfront or on the bus. Price is round £24 for a 1 day ticket.

Tip: Earlier than reserving examine each suppliers tickets beneath as they generally supply on-line reductions on their regular charges, making one cheaper than the opposite.

Tootbus

Purchase tickets upfront right here

Different advantages: You may obtain the Tootbus App for reside bus instances. The app contains 2 Tootwalk audio excursions that cowl Pleasure and Promenade: Jane Austen areas or Bathtub: dwelling of movie and TV

Extra info on Tootbus Web site

Metropolis Sightseeing

Purchase tickets upfront right here

Different advantages: Free booklet with offers and reductions for museums, eating places, and native sights

Extra info on Metropolis Sightseeing Web site

Stops on the Bathtub Metropolis Tour

There are round 16 stops on the Metropolis Tour. The primary locations stops on this route are: The Roman Baths, Bathtub Abbey, The Royal Crescent, The Meeting Rooms, The Guildhall, Grand Parade, Pulteney Weir, Parade Gardens, Royal Victoria Park, Jane Austen Centre, Mary Shelley “Home of Frankenstein”.

Metropolis Tour is good for: First time guests to Bathtub who need to get an summary of the sights, or those that have mobility points and need a straightforward solution to get round.

Frequency: Each 15 minutes Period for uninterrupted tour: 50 minutes

Stops on the Bathtub Skyline Tour

There are round 21 stops on the Skyline Tour. The primary locations of curiosity on the Skyline tour are: Prior Park and Panorama Gardens, The American Museum, The College of Bathtub, Rainbow Woods, Holburne Museum, Skyline Stroll.

Skyline Tour is good for: Guests who desire a automobile free solution to go to among the websites simply exterior Bathtub, or who need to chill out and luxuriate in countryside views.

Frequency: 30 minutes Period for uninterrupted tour: 45 minutes

8. Jane Austen Centre

For Jane Austen followers, the Jane Austen Centre is a superb place to be taught extra concerning the celebrated writer’s writings and visits to Bathtub. Your go to begins with a video about Georgian life in Bathtub and a brief discuss from one of many costumed characters from Jane’s novels.

Exhibitions proceed on the decrease floor flooring, with extra details about the locations Jane lived in Bathtub and costumes that her characters might need worn.

We had enjoyable dressing up as a Regency girl for a photograph, within the well-known movie scene the place actor Colin Firth as Mr Darcy, emerges moist from a swim within the lake. Or strive your hand at writing with a quill pen in Mr Bennet’s examine. There’s a life measurement wax mannequin on show, that provides the very best impression of what Jane Austen might need seemed like.

Within the small high ground Regency tea room, you’ll be able to take pleasure in formal afternoon teas, with menu choices named after Jane Austen characters, equivalent to Mr Darcy, Girl Catherine and Miss Dashwood. The centre organises the Jane Austen competition held in September, with Jane Austen themed occasions, a costumed ball and promenade by the town.

Open: Each day all yr spherical Opening hours: 9.45am – 6pm (Shorter hours in winter)

Ticket Worth: Commonplace grownup ticket from £15.75. Purchase your Jane Austen Centre ticket upfront right here.

Web site: Janeausten.co.uk Deal with: 40 Homosexual Road, Bathtub, BA1 2NT

9. Sally Lunn tea home

The picturesque Sally Lunn tea home is dwelling to the well-known Sally Lunn bun. The massive brioche fashion roll is served right here at lunch or teatime with candy or savoury toppings. It’s named after a French Huguenot baker, Sally Lunn, who arrange a bakery right here within the seventeenth century.

She constructed a popularity for her Bathtub buns and the teahouse nonetheless bakes to the bakery’s authentic recipe, which they preserve a intently guarded secret. Jane Austen wrote mischievously in a letter about “disordering my abdomen with Bathtub Bunns”, since they had been typically served at breakfast events in Georgian Bathtub.

Sally Lunn’s claims to be one of many oldest homes in Bathtub and there’s proof of a meals premises on this website in Roman instances. Maybe the bakery served guests to the close by Temple of Sulis Minerva and Roman baths.

The Sally Lunn tea home has tables on three flooring and doesn’t take bookings through the day. It’s a preferred customer spot however though you will have to queue just a little within the corridor earlier than being seated, there’s usually a desk to be discovered earlier than too lengthy.

Within the evenings, bookings are taken and the menu has some extra substantial dishes, though a slice of the Sally Lunn Bathtub bun is included with the meal.

The Sally Lunn Museum

To go to the small Sally Lunn museum, go by anybody queuing for a desk and head straight downstairs to the cellar. Right here you’ll discover a few small rooms, to indicate how the unique bakery would have seemed, with its wooden fired oven.

On the opposite facet of the cellar is an excavated space, with some sections that present there was a constructing right here in Roman instances, in addition to a later Medieval monastery advanced. The museum may be visited by anybody and is free for anybody who takes refreshments, however in any other case chances are you’ll be charged 30p. Extra info on the Sally Lunn web site.

10. Bathtub Guildhall Market

Tucked away between Bathtub Abbey and Pulteney Bridge, it’s straightforward to overlook Bathtub Guildhall Market. This lined market has an quaint really feel and homes round 20 totally different stalls and cafes. A few of the stalls are craft oriented, others providing refreshingly regular merchandise (assume {hardware} and pet provides), giving the market an area really feel.

That is Bathtub’s oldest market, with buying and selling happening on this spot over many centuries, though the present constructing dates again to the nineteenth century. The market takes its identify from the spectacular Guildhall subsequent door and has a reasonably ironwork dome at its centre.

Enter from both of the 2 totally different entrances, from the Grand Parade reverse Pulteney Bridge or the Excessive Road by the Guildhall.

Our favorite stalls in Bathtub Guildhall Market

• Guildhall Delicatessen and Nibbles cheese – good locations to choose up picnic gadgets to eat within the Parade Gardens overlooking the river.

• Guildhall Market Cafe – a effectively priced conventional cafe serving English breakfasts, jacket potatoes and a nice cup of tea with hand-crafted cake.

• Bathtub humbug – promoting conventional sweets in jars like those I used to spend my pocket cash on as a toddler.

• Not Cartiers – inexpensive classic costume jewelry, for whenever you want a bit of glitz!

• Bathtub leather-based items – handcrafted leather-based belts, journals and baggage, made in an area workshop.

• Guillards – an emporium of specialty tea blends, freshly roasted espresso beans and fairly china tea cups and pots.

Tip: Look out for the 18th century market pillar, a stone desk often called “The Nail” which is alleged to have given rise to the saying “to pay on the nail”.

11. Picnic within the Parade Gardens

This small park has a first-rate place close to Bathtub Abbey and overlooking the river, making it the perfect spot for a picnic lunch in nice climate. The Parade Gardens are run by the native council, who cost a small charge for entry, which is effectively price paying for entry to this beautiful spot.

The pleasure gardens, initially often called St James’s Park, had been specified by 1709 for using guests to Bathtub. After visiting the close by pump rooms, Georgian society might come right here to promenade and socialise. The colorful bedding shows and floral sculptures are a lot admired, with a bandstand the place live shows and youngsters’s leisure happen in summer time.

Guests can wander around the effectively saved paths, admire the herbaceous borders and bedding shows, or sit on the clipped lawns to soak up the river views in the direction of Pulteney Bridge. Services embody a small cafe with open air seating, bogs and wheelchair / pushchair entry through a ramp.

Open: Each day, topic to climate circumstances Opening hours: 10am – 6pm

Ticket Worth: Adults £2.50, Youngster aged 5-16 £1.50 (underneath 5 free)

Web site: Parade Gardens Deal with: Grand Parade, Bathtub, BA2 4DF

12. Procuring within the Lanes

Bathtub is the perfect place to mix sightseeing with purchasing, with a variety of upscale style boutiques and smaller unbiased outlets. It’s nice enjoyable exploring among the slim lanes, the place you’ll be able to think about bumping right into a Jane Austen or Bridgerton heroine, out purchasing to look her greatest for the social season.

Our favorite lanes to absorb the ambiance are:

Northumberland Place – this lane is very atmospheric on the Broad road finish, the place you’ll discover the pleasant Rosario’s Italian espresso store and conventional Coeur de Lyon pub, each good spots for lunch.

The Hall – working parallel to Northumberland Place, this lined arcade is price strolling by to admire its enticing Victoria glazed roof and conventional shopfronts.

North Parade Passage, Abbey Road, Abbey Inexperienced – within the coronary heart of Bathtub’s Medieval metropolis, that is the place you’ll discover the Sally Lunn teashop to strive their well-known Bathtub Buns. Abbey Inexperienced is a captivating cobbled sq. with a airplane tree at its centre, utilized in many Bridgerton scenes, the place the characters go to the Modiste gown store (in actual life the Abbey Deli).

Milsom Place – a big advanced of unbiased outlets and cafes, set round a sequence of inside courtyards. You may enter from both Milsom Road or Broad Road. Take a look at the Milsom Place web site for extra info.

13. Uncover the Bridgerton Movie areas

Because the Bridgerton movie sequence is ready in a vibrant and stylised model of Georgian England, Bathtub’s elegant structure makes the perfect backdrop, doubling for scenes which can be set in London.

Bridgerton followers would possibly wish to take this tour of all of the Bridgerton filming areas in Bathtub. The 1.5 hour tour covers all the most important areas utilized in Bathtub, utilizing a headset to be able to not solely hear the information’s commentary, however take heed to music from the Bridgerton sequence.

Prime Bridgerton areas from Season 1 and a pair of embody:

• On the finish of the Royal Crescent is No 1 Royal Crescent, a Georgian museum that doubles because the London dwelling of the Featherington household within the sequence.

• The picturesque cobbled sq. of Abbey Inexperienced was utilized in Bridgerton for a number of road scenes and the Abbey Deli was remodeled into the trendy Modiste gown store.

• The Meeting Rooms was utilized in a Bridgerton ballroom scene, the place guests in Georgian instances would collect to bounce, play playing cards and socialise.

• The Holburne Museum options because the grand dwelling of Girl Danbury, society chief and good friend of Queen Charlotte.

• The colonnaded Bathtub Road is the situation of the unique Georgian Cross Bathtub, the place the Duke of Hastings first arrives on horseback.

• For Bridgerton Season 3, filming passed off in Bathtub in January 2023. Extra scenes had been shot round Nice Pulteney Road and Edward Road close to the Holburne Museum, in addition to on the Royal Crescent.

14. Royal Victoria Park

Bathtub’s largest public park begins near the town centre and extends for some 57 acres to the west. The park is called after Princess (later Queen) Victoria, who visited in 1830 to open the park as a toddler of 11 years outdated. If you happen to enter the park alongside Royal Avenue from the Queen’s Sq. finish, right here are some things to look out for.

• On the left is a big space, which is usually used for festivals, such because the Bathtub meals competition, Oktoberfest and Bathtub on Ice at Christmas. Examine for occasions on the Bathtub Council web site.

• Simply past the competition space is the Victoria Park Loopy golf and tennis courts, which may be booked on the Excel web site. Look out for the floral bedding shows on the opposite facet of Royal Avenue, beneath Brock Road.

• The trail opens up previous a Victoria bandstand, with views as much as the Royal Crescent on the slope above. There’s a grassy space right here that’s very best for a picnic, and in summer time scorching air balloons take off beneath the Royal Crescent.

• Crossing Marlborough Lane, you’ll go The City Backyard, a social enterprise backyard centre set in a glasshouse and promoting every part you want to your indoor and outside backyard.

• On the opposite facet of Marlborough Lane, the park continues with a big youngsters’s playground and skatepark that can preserve households glad for hours. On the slopes above the playground is a big duckpond.

• Additionally on this a part of Royal Victoria Park are the Botanical Gardens, that are free to go to and embody decorative bushes, sculptures and a pond.

15. Holburne Museum

With out realising it, you will have admired the Holburne Museum that includes as Girl Danbury’s flower lined townhouse within the sequence of Bridgerton. Followers can take this tour of all of the Bridgerton filming areas in Bathtub.

This elegant Georgian mansion was in-built 1799 because the Sydney Resort, surrounded by the Sydney Gardens, the place guests to Bathtub might promenade, take refreshments and attend dances within the lodge’s first ground ballroom.

The center of the museum’s assortment got here from Sir William Holburne, after whom the museum is called. Dwelling in Bathtub, he amassed a big assortment of objects, artworks and books, which had been bequeathed on his dying to the Metropolis of Bathtub.

The Museum has reopened after a protracted renovation, together with a contemporary glass extension on the rear. It’s designed to replicate the encompassing mature backyard and homes a floor ground cafe and 1st ground exhibition house.

Within the new extension is Sir William’s ‘cupboard of curiosities,’ with a choice of small objects he collected and details about his life. On the entrance of the mansion is the spacious ballroom, whereas the highest ground is used for non permanent exhibitions from modern and previous artists.

This is without doubt one of the most lovely artwork galleries in Bathtub, with elegant portraits hung up the steps, internet hosting common musical and artwork occasions.

Tip: The bottom ground cafe has a reasonably outside terrace within the Sydney Gardens, which may be visited independently of the museum.

Open: Each day all yr spherical Opening hours: 10am – 5pm

Ticket Worth: Commonplace grownup ticket from £11

Web site: Holburne.org Deal with: Nice Pulteney Road, Bathtub, BA2 4DB

16. Mary Shelley’s Home of Frankenstein

Positioned in a Georgian townhouse, the Mary Shelley’s Home of Frankenstein is devoted to the lifetime of Mary Shelley, writer of the novel Frankenstein. The museum’s decor echoes the Frankenstein story’s darkish Gothic horror theme.

Mary Shelley wrote her novel in 1816, whereas resident in Bathtub, based mostly on ghost tales that she and her mates advised one another on a wet vacation in Switzerland. Every room of the museum is devoted to a distinct a part of Mary Shelley’s tragic life, with the lack of her younger youngsters and the dying by drowning of her husband, the poet Percy Shelley.

Mary Shelley’s imaginary creature, who was named after its creator Dr Frankenstein, breathes and strikes in an eerie method inside the museum’s partitions. The attic rooms show memorabilia from stage performs and movies, exhibiting the cartoon like monster of Frankenstein that we might recognise from outdated film posters.

Take care when you go to the basement, the place creatures lurk within the darkness to leap out and make you scream. This a part of the museum is an non-compulsory further, however when you scare simply (like me!), simply keep on with the extra conventional museum info and reveals.

Escape rooms can be found within the basement and attic, that may be employed individually for teams of as much as 7 folks.

Learn extra in my article on 18 Thrilling museums in Bathtub to go to

17. Go to the smaller quirky museums

Whereas the larger museums in Bathtub get loads of consideration, it’s price testing among the smaller quirky museums if in case you have time. Listed here are a few of my favorite small museums in Bathtub that solid a highlight on some much less identified facets of life in Bathtub.

Herschel Museum of Astronomy

This Georgian home on a quiet road in Bathtub, was the house of brother and sister, William and Caroline Herschel. They each had a ardour for astronomy, and it was right here in 1781 that they found the beforehand unknown planet of Uranus.

The Herschel Museum is furnished as it might have been when the Herschels lived there, with a music room and basement workshop the place William made astronomical devices. Telescopes and globes from the interval are on show, and the exhibition house tells the story of the Herschels and their discoveries.

Museum of Bathtub at Work

Whereas lots of Bathtub’s museum have a good time the lives of excessive society and rich collectors, the Museum of Bathtub at Work provides up the on a regular basis lives of the common man or lady. Listed here are the packed cabinets of the grocery store’s store, instruments crammed right into a workshops for making and mending, or the typesettings of a printing press from the pre-digital age.

On the core of the museum’s assortment is the Bowler engineering and comfortable drinks manufacturing facility, with the whole contents of the outdated manufacturing facility reconstructed right here. There are quite a few different shows about Bathtub’s commerce and trade as much as the current day.

Museum of East Asian Artwork

Near Bathtub’s Royal Crescent is the Georgian townhouse containing the privately owned Museum of East Asian Artwork. Its assortment consists of two,000 objects from East and South East Asia, protecting jade, bronzes, ceramics and small collectables.

Many objects are from the non-public assortment of Brian McElney OBE, who was born and resided in Hong Kong for a few years. There are various small and beautiful gadgets within the everlasting assortment, whereas the bottom ground has altering exhibitions which can be related to or impressed by gadgets from the gathering.

Museum of Bathtub Structure

This museum celebrates the wealthy architectural historical past of Bathtub, because it was remodeled from a small medieval city, to a trendy spa in Georgian instances. The museum is housed in a outdated chapel, constructed within the Gothic revival fashion in 1765 for the Countess of Hastings, who was an ardent Methodist.

Following a restoration, the Museum of Bathtub Structure now homes a group of maps, fashions, constructing fragments and architectural drawings. They present how 18th century architects and craftsmen turned Bathtub into a chic location for Georgian excessive society. A scale mannequin of Bathtub, offers a fowl’s eye view of how the town developed.

Learn extra in my article on 18 Thrilling museums in Bathtub to go to

18. Bathtub Skyline Stroll

The Bathtub Skyline Stroll is a 6 mile 3-4 hour round stroll on Bathwick Hill, which supplies some beautiful views over the town of Bathtub. This free strolling path is maintained by the Nationwide Belief, and you may obtain a strolling map and route description from their web site.

The beginning of the path on the foot of Bathwick Hill, is round 20 minutes stroll from Bathtub Abbey. Midway by the stroll, you’ll be able to take a brief detour to the American Museum, which has lovely gardens and a restaurant.

There’s additionally a shorter round “Stroll to the view” over the town of Bathtub which is able to take round 1.5 hours when you begin at Bathtub Abbey. This 3 mile model of the stroll takes you over Pulteney Bridge, previous the Holburne Museum and Sydney Gardens and alongside the canal, earlier than you climb the Bathwick Hill to the perspective and return through the Parade Gardens.

Examine extra walks from Bathtub: Strolling on the Cotswold Method from Bathtub to Wotton-under-edge

19. Prior Park Panorama Gardens

Set on the hill above Bathtub is Prior Park Panorama Backyard, a wonderful 18th century Panorama Backyard, with lake and well-known Palladian bridge. The mansion to which the backyard belongs is a college (Prior Park Faculty) and never open to the general public, though you may get a view of it from the gardens.

Prior Park Panorama Backyard sits in a steep wooded valley above Bathtub, providing magnificent views over the town. Each the mansion and gardens had been in-built 1734 by a rich native businessman Ralph Allen, within the fashion made well-liked by well-known panorama gardener “Functionality Brown”.

Don’t count on vibrant flower borders on this backyard, which is all concerning the hillside paths, woodland walks, cascades and vistas over the lakes and in the direction of Bathtub. The backyard epitomises the English panorama fashion which was well-liked within the 18th century, creating an idealised model of pure parkland.

The way to get to Prior Park

There isn’t a on website parking at Prior Park, so it’s best reached by No 2 bus from the town centre, or by strolling a mile uphill from the station. The hop on hop off bus Skyline Route additionally stops at Prior Park.

If you happen to’re taking the Bathtub Skyline Stroll, it passes shut by Prior Park which may be visited with a brief detour.

20. American Museum & Gardens

Positioned in a wonderful Georgian manor home simply exterior Bathtub, the museum options American ornamental arts and non permanent exhibitions with hyperlinks to American tradition. The everlasting collections inform the tales of America, by quilts, folks artwork and furnishings, spanning 2000 years of American historical past.

This Grade II listed home is surrounded by 125 acres of fantastically maintained gardens, with an arboretum, wilderness trails and youngsters’s backyard. For espresso or lunch overlooking the gardens, cease by the American Backyard deli with its outside terrace, serving American impressed meals from produce grown within the gardens or sourced from native suppliers.

The way to get to the American Museum & Gardens

The American Museum & Gardens may be reached on the U1 or U2 bus from Bathtub’s bus and railway stations to the College of Bathtub campus, then strolling quarter-hour to the Museum. It’s additionally a brief detour from the Bathtub Skyline stroll, when you want to mix your go to with the strolling path. If travelling by automobile, there’s free onsite customer parking.

Open: From mid March – finish December Tuesday – Sunday Opening hours: 10am – 5pm

Ticket Worth: Commonplace grownup ticket from £16.50

Web site: Americanmuseum.org Deal with: Claverton Manor, Bathtub, BA2 7BD

21. Bathtub Christmas Market

The Bathtub Christmas Market is without doubt one of the largest and prettiest within the UK, with over 200 market stalls set within the squares and cobbled streets round Bathtub Abbey. For from finish of November to mid December annually, the town is taken over by native artisans, festive meals, twinkling lights and Christmas music.

The center of the market is the sq. beside Bathtub Abbey, the place you’ll discover stalls from native makers promoting handmade presents and foodie treats. In entrance of the Abbey stands an infinite Christmas tree, the place road musicians carry out to get you within the Christmas spirit.

The market extends into close by Abbey Inexperienced, surrounded by outdated Georgian homes and just a little tucked away within the oldest quarter of Bathtub. Within the cobbled sq., the stalls make a circle across the central airplane tree, which is lit up with gently altering colors. You could catch one of many choirs singing carols within the sq., making a festive ambiance.

Examine the Bathtub Christmas Market web site for particulars of stalls and leisure through the Christmas market interval.

Learn extra in my article: Christmas in Bathtub – Christmas markets and extra!

Take a day journey from Bathtub

We’ve lined the highest issues to see in Bathtub, however when you’re right here for just a few days, you could possibly go to these locations which can be as much as an hour away.

Bristol

Considered one of my favourites as I reside there! Bigger and extra energetic than Bathtub, there’s a lot to see in Bristol, from the buzzing Harbourside to the village ambiance and suspension bridge in Clifton. Common direct trains take you there from Bathtub in round 20 minutes.

Learn my article: 25 enjoyable issues to do in Bristol with your folks

Bradford-on-Avon

A reasonably small city with Medieval stone bridge crossing the River Avon. Common direct trains take you there from Bathtub in round quarter-hour.

Lacock

The picturesque Medieval village and Augustinian abbey are managed by the Nationwide Belief, that includes in lots of movies from Downton Abbey to Harry Potter. Lacock is round 45 minutes from Bathtub by automobile, or you may get there by bus with a change at Chippenham. For a straightforward time out, take this present day tour to Lacock that additionally incudes Stonehenge and Fort Combe.

Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar village is ready in a steep sided gorge and is the house to the well-known Cheddar cheese. Go to the Cheddar caves and take a straightforward cliff high stroll across the fringe of the gorge. Cheddar is round an hour’s drive from Bathtub

Ilford Manor Gardens

These romantic nineteenth century gardens are near Bradford-upon-Avon, and may be reached on the No 54 bus from Bathtub.

Fort Combe

This honey stone Cotswold Village is usually used as a movie location. Close by is Fort Combe race circuit, a automobile racing observe set on an outdated airfield. Fort Combe is 45 minutes by automobile from Bathtub, or go to on this present day tour that additionally contains Stonehenge and Lacock.

Stonehenge

The traditional stone circle was created 4000 years in the past, with a customer centre to inform you about its historical past and legends. It’s round 1 hour by automobile or take this day tour to Stonehenge from Bathtub.

Really useful resorts in Bathtub

Listed here are a few of our really useful resorts in Bathtub, with one thing for all budgets. I’ve ordered them from the inexpensive however fashionable to the spoil-yourself luxurious.

The way to get to Bathtub

By Practice

Bathtub is simple to achieve by prepare, and that is most likely sooner than both coach or automobile. Bathtub Spa is on the mainline from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Mead. You may as well entry Bathtub from many different UK areas by altering at Swindon or Bristol. The prepare from London to Bathtub takes round 1hr 20 minutes, making it simply possible as a day journey.

By Coach

There’s good entry to Bathtub by coach from Bristol, London, Cardiff and lots of different main cities. Take a look at coach suppliers Nationwide Specific and Flixbus for routes and timetables.

By Automotive

The central a part of Bathtub has restricted automobile entry and restricted parking. It’s higher to depart your automobile at one of many three essential Park & Journey automobile parks at Lansdown (if coming from the M4 and north), Newbridge (if coming from Bristol and the west) or Odd Down (if coming from the south). You park without cost however pay for the return bus trip into city.

If you happen to favor to park nearer to the Bathtub metropolis centre, there’s a giant automobile park at Charlotte Road Automotive Park which is near Victoria Park and the Royal Crescent, in addition to just a few smaller automobile parks across the metropolis perimeter.

If you’ll want to hire a automobile, evaluate the very best offers on Rentalcars – we advocate all the time checking the scores and critiques earlier than you ebook.

By Air

The closest airport to Bathtub is Bristol Airport, which is round 30km away and takes about 45 minutes by automobile or 1 hour by bus. You may take the frequent Airport Flyer bus from the airport to Bristol Temple Mead Station and from there take one of many common trains between Bristol and Bathtub. Direct buses additionally function between Bristol Airport and Bathtub metropolis centre.

The choice airports for Bathtub are Exeter, Cardiff or London Heathrow.

Learn Subsequent

For extra about Bathtub learn my article on the 18 Greatest Museums in Bathtub

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Plan your journey

For extra info on all of the issues to do in Bathtub, take a look at the Go to Bathtub official tourism web site

A few of the experiences in Bathtub had been hosted* by Go to Bathtub

* Extra data on my insurance policies web page

This text is initially revealed at Heatheronhertravels.com