My mother is visiting, so yesterday my boyfriend and I took her on a day trip to Bath. This historic spa town in England had long been on my list of places to travel, and I couldn’t wait to go.
Day Trip to Bath
We got an early start for a Saturday, but still met with surprisingly big crowds at Paddington station when we went to take the train from London to Bath.
I think I take it for granted that most of my UK train travel is done on weekdays when it’s not uncommon for me to have an entire train car to myself.
Nonetheless, we fought our way through the carriages and managed to find seats for the hour-and-a-half train journey to the Roman spa town.
Things to Do in Bath
We arrived in Bath in the late morning and were excited to explore. It was our first time visiting, so we wanted to take in everything there was to see on a day trip to Bath.
It was a short walk from the Bath Spa train station to the city center, so we got started right away.
Bath Abbey
The first stop on our day trip to Bath was Bath Abbey.
This historic church and former Benedictine monastery dates back to the 7th century. It was rebuilt between the 12th and 16th centuries, and has stunnig Gothic architecture to prove it.
Walking inside, I couldn’t help but be awed by the fan vaulted ceiling. It was restored by famous Gothic Revival architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in the second half of the 19th century, and it’s a beautiful sight.
Day Trip to Bath: Roman Baths
After seeing the abbey we made our way to the Roman Baths. This is one of the highlights of a day trip to Bath, what with the town being named for its waters.
The Roman Baths date all the way back to ancient times. The Romans built the Temple of Sulis Minerva here between 60 and 70 AD, and later constructed a spa on top of the thermal springs.
We weren’t expecting to see much, but the baths themselves were beautiful and surprisingly well-preserved. The tour of the underground ruins and temple was great as well.
Pump Room in Bath
From the Roman Baths our day trip to Bath continued as we walked through the adjacent Pump Room.
Many a Jane Austen heroine fretted away over a prospective beau here, and it was fun to stand in a room where some of the action from her novels took place.
We spent a few minutes admiring the decor while we sampled the Bath spa water. Unfortunately, the water tastes just like it smells. That is to say, bad.
Oak Restaurant in Bath
After the Pump Room, our day trip to Bath continued as we stumbled upon an adorable vegetarian restaurant in Bath called Oak.
We ate heaping plates of arancini, hummus, and seasoned rice for lunch. My sweet-toothed mother being with us, we couldn’t leave without ordering the German chocolate cake for dessert.
Day Trip to Bath: Pulteney Bridge
Full of food, we walked to Pulteney Bridge in Bath. This isn’t just any old bridge. It’s full of shops on either side and is one of Bath’s main attractions.
We spent time shopping along the bridge and admiring its architecture from the nearby streets. Built in 1774 by celebrated architect Robert Adam, it was designed in the Palladian style and it’s an impressive feat.
The Circus and Royal Crescent
Our day trip to Bath soon took us up to the Circus and the Royal Crescent. These two places are some of the most photographed spots in Bath, and for good reason.
They show off the city’s Georgian architecture and the region’s golden stone like few other places in England. Their columns and symmetry are just beautiful.
We felt lucky to arrive in the late afternoon, when the sun made the buildings glow.
Day Trip to Bath
After taking in the Circus and the Royal Crescent, we meandered down through the little winding streets and made our way back to the train station.
I was sad to leave the city after such a great day trip to Bath. But my mother is here for another week, and I’m sure we’ll have many more adventures before she goes.
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