How to Spend 3 Days in Bath

With three days in the gorgeous Georgian-era city of Bath, you’ll be able to see top historic sites, check out some local theater, and soak in thermal waters, with time left over to explore nearby Salisbury Cathedral and see Stonehenge. Here’s how to make the most of a 3-day stay in Bath.

Day 1: Historic Bath

Devote your first day in Bath to checking out its major highlights, starting with the Roman baths, the UNESCO World Heritage Site for which Bath is named. Established in the first century AD, this bath complex was used by Romans for public bathing and socializing. While visitors can no longer bathe here, they can pop next door to the Pump Room, an elegant Georgian-era restaurant where the water is available to taste.

After visiting the baths, head over to the adjacent Bath Abbey, the city’s most striking religious site, characterized by beautifully carved exteriors and lovely stained glass. Then make your way to the Jane Austen Centre to learn about Bath’s most celebrated author. In the evening, head to the Thermae Bath Spa for a night soak; this modern spa complex uses the same water source that made the Roman baths so famous. 

Day 2: Art and Architecture

On the morning of your second day in Bath, make your way to the Royal Crescent, celebrated as one of the finest existing examples of Georgian Palladian architecture. While you're there, drop in to No. 1 Royal Crescent, a historic home decorated with period furniture dating to the end of the 18th century. From here, head to the Assembly Rooms, home to the Fashion Museum, where you’ll find over 150 outfits, some up to four centuries old. Next, head over to the Holburne Museum, stopping for photos on the Georgian-era Pulteney Bridge along the way.  The museum is notable for its large collection of painting and sculptures, primarily by British and Dutch artists. In the evening, grab a locally produced cider at one of the many pubs in town before making your way to the Theatre Royal, a historic theater dating to 1805 and Bath’s most important performing arts venue. 

Day 3: Day Trip to Salisbury and Stonehenge

Spend your final day visiting two of the most important sites in the region: Salisbury and Stonehenge. An hour's drive southeast of Bath, Salisbury is a charming town best known as the home of the 13th-century Salisbury Cathedral. Here you can see the highest church spire in Britain (measuring around 404 feet or 123 meters), and if you have the energy, you can even climb the 332 steps to the top of the tower. History buffs won't want to miss the interactive Magna Carta exhibition, complete with an original copy of the 1215 document itself. From here, head over to Stonehenge, one of England's top attractions. This ancient standing stone circle dates back to the Neolithic period and may have been used as a burial ground or for spiritual purposes, though there's still much debate around why the mysterious stones were ever erected.