How To Have A Solo Adventure In Enchanting Bath, England

I’ve been traveling solo for almost twenty years now. When people learn this, they often ask me the same questions: do I get lonely? Is it scary? How do I meet people? Many people also ask, how do you decide where to go?  

My life of solo adventure all started on my first solo trip to Italy, in 2007. Since then, my solo travel adventures have included Rome, river cruises, Napa Valley, Friuli, and El Puerto de Santa Maria in Andalusia, Spain. The list goes on…you get the idea!

To answer those common questions: I have never felt unsafe, and it’s quite easy to meet people. Usually, I’m so busy sightseeing that I don’t have time to feel lonely. And, I just go where I want to go.

 

Why Visit Bath, Solo?

Fascinated by the historic city of Bath, England, and the Roman baths that inform its name, Bath had been on my list of places to visit for years. As sometimes happens in life, everything suddenly seemed to fall into place; in May 2023, I made my first solo trip to Bath in Somerset County, England.

Of the many places I’ve traveled on my own, Bath may be my favorite. It’s a small city, making it easy to get around on foot.  Public transport is also a great way to travel in the area.  Everyone speaks English. For me, language has never been an issue when meeting people, but when asking for directions it is easier if you both speak the same language.  

 

 

Though the city of Bath itself has plenty to keep one occupied for several days, it’s very convenient for day trips to all the UNESCO sites and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the surrounding countryside.  Here are my recommendations for things to do, including day trips, museums, and more. Use them to create your own Bath itinerary. If you need help send me a message. My suggestions for meeting people are sprinkled throughout the article.

Where to find adventures, solo (or not) in Bath

The Roman Baths

The big draw in Bath was the ancient Roman Baths, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Over 2,000 years ago, the Romans discovered the thermal waters bubbling up in the area that is now the historic center of Bath. They established a religious site there in honor of the goddess Minerva, called Aquae Sulis.

The Roman reservoir survives intact below the present water level. Later, the Victorians added the bathhouse structure you see surrounding the pool. Now filled with greenish water, it is not suitable for swimming. In the 18th century, the pump room was added. The original complex was much larger than what you see in photographs.  

 

 

You can explore the history of the baths as told via the excellent exhibits in the museum. Plan to spend about two hours there. Fun fact: the springs that feed the baths continue to produce 250,000 gallons of water per day! 

After you visit the museum, you can taste the water that comes from the springs. For years, the Victorians drank this water, as it was reputed to heal many maladies. 

The Roman Baths are part of the larger settlement which you can explore on your own or with an audio guide. I found it just as interesting as I expected it to be, and museums are perfect for spending time on your own.

 

Jane Austen Centre

Though Jane Austen is much celebrated in Bath, she only lived there for a few years. However, two of her novels were set in and around Bath, so the city embraces all things Jane. The house she lived in with her family is a private residence marked by a small plaque at 4 Sydney Place across from the Holburne Museum.  

The Jane Austen Centre is a gorgeous example of Georgian architecture. The museum includes costumes, writing implements of the period, and attendants in the period wardrobe. 

 

Royal Crescent

Be sure to visit No. 1 Royal Crescent for a look into life during Jane Austen’s day.  The building is notable as a Grade 1 listed building and the finest example of Georgian architecture in the United Kingdom. If you like visiting film locations you’ll be thrilled to know that the exterior is also featured in the series Bridgerton. 

If you geek out for Jane Austen, be sure to bookmark the Jane Austen festival, hosted in Bath from 13- 22 September 2024. It’s a great way to meet other female solo travelers, too.

The Royal Crescent is an upscale luxury hotel. Check out rates on Expedia here. 

 

 

Afternoon Tea

Speaking of afternoon tea, if you’d like a really elegant experience, try this quintessential English tradition at the Roseate Villa, built in the late 1800s. It’s a five-star boutique hotel located just minutes from the Pulteney Bridge. If the weather is nice, you can sit outdoors. My favorite feature of English tea is the scones with Cornish clotted cream. Be sure to leave room for that. I’m certain Jane Austen would approve.

Another popular spot for tea is the Pump Room overlooking the Roman Baths. It’s a beautiful room with live music and is open seven days a week.  And yes, I felt perfectly comfortable stuffing my face all by myself.  Reservations are highly recommended.

 

Thermae Bath Spa

Spa experiences are always a good idea.  I can’t think of a more perfect place for a solo traveler to enjoy the thermal waters than the Thermae Bath Spa.  The various treatment rooms offer infrared saunas, a cold plunge, a traditional sauna room, and my favorite, the celestial relaxation room, created in honor of William Herschel who discovered the planet Uranus while living in Bath. 

You’ll no doubt want to rush to the rooftop pool for the gorgeous views. I don’t blame you! It’s a highlight of the experience. There’s also a beautiful indoor pool with lounge chairs. Fun fact: the very same springs that feed the Roman baths supply water to the Thermae spa. 

Need to know: There are changing rooms and lockers. You will be provided a robe and slippers, but you should bring your swimsuit. 

 

River Avon Boat Tour

I always plan several tours when I visit a new city because it’s an easy way to meet people while learning about the destination.  The Bath Adventures City Boat Trip and Walking tour included a thirty-minute cruise on the River Avon.  The cruise takes you from Bath Quay to Pulteney Bridge. 

 

 

Along the way, a guide will point out sites along the River Avon, and give you a bit of history, too. You’ll pass the Half Penny Bridge, St. John’s Church with the highest spire in Bath, and the old mill. You’ll also get a great view of the Pulteney Bridge and the weir. Following your river cruise, a local guide takes you on a 50-minute walking tour of Bath. I found this a fun way to immerse myself quickly in the city, and the guide offered many insider tips.

 

Bath Abbey

Whether you’re religious or not, a tour of the Abbey is a must. There are free tours available, which I recommend as you may get lucky, as I did, and the guide will be funny as well as knowledgeable.  Even if you don’t take the guided tour, the Abbey’s Discovery Center is an easy way to begin learning its long and tumultuous history. 

The fan-vaulted ceiling is spectacular, drawing your eyes heavenward as intended. Then there’s the stained glass window commemorating the crowning of King Edgar, the first King of all England in 973. He was also known as Edgar the Peaceful. Yes, King Edgar’s coronation took place at Bath Abbey.

For a bird’s eye view of the city, climb the 212 steps to the bell tower. Note that entrance to the Abbey is free but if you want to visit the tower, you’ll need to pay and book the tower tour before you enter the abbey.  Plan to spend an hour just for the tower tour.  The Abbey also has a lovely gift shop.

 

 

Sample local cheese

Did you know that Somerset County is where cheddar cheese originated…and it is still made there today?  If you love cheddar cheese (and who doesn’t), you’re in the right area.  A good place to try it, and other delicious cheeses, is The Fine Cheese Co. They specialize in unpasteurized cheeses you cannot find anywhere else.

 

 

Two great cheese producers in the area are Westcombe and Montgomery. They are both excellent examples of English clothbound cheddar…and they are very different. Try them both and see what you think.  The Fine Cheese Co. will have them both, plus several others to taste. 

 

Bath Day Trips 

Stonehenge, Avebury, and associated sites

One simply cannot visit Bath without visiting Stonehenge or Avebury (or both) if time allows. A Unesco World Heritage Site and part of the larger landscape, Stonehenge is the most famous henge circle, while Avebury is the largest in the world. At Avebury, associated sites include West Kennet Avenue, West Kennet Longbarrow, Silby Hill, and the Sanctuary. 

Avebury is far less known, therefore in some ways, it is more enjoyable to visit. There are no barriers around the stones so you can wander among them. You don’t need to book in advance,  and the only fee is for parking. There’s also the village, which is enclosed within the stone circle, and a lovely church dating as early as the 12th century.

 

If you go to Stonehenge, I recommend you book your visit through a guide. There’s a lot to be said for someone who knows how to navigate through the car park and the crowds, plus all the history that is known about Stonehenge. And, as I mentioned earlier, joining a group tour is one of the easiest ways for a solo traveler to meet new people. I used In & Beyond Bath which you can learn more about in my article about A Day Out In Somerset and Wiltshire

Why are these monuments so important, and what makes them Unesco World Heritage Sites? According to the Unesco website, 

“The boundaries of the property capture the attributes that convey Outstanding Universal Value at Stonehenge and Avebury. They contain the major Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments that exemplify the creative genius and technological skills for which the property is inscribed. The Avebury and Stonehenge landscapes are extensive, both being around 25 square kilometers and capture the relationship between the monuments, as well as their landscape setting.”

Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Hills 

 Have you guessed that Cheddar Gorge is where cheddar cheese originated? It’s true. But, there’s more to this area than cheddar cheese, though it is worth stopping in the village for a taste at Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co., the only producer that makes the cheese in the village, and ages it in the caves.

An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cheddar Gorge, and Mendip Hills could be a full day, depending on what you like to do. Located about an hour from Bath, you can go caving, hiking, biking, and rock climbing. It’s the only gorge in the UK.  The landscape is very similar to the area around Avebury. You can read more about Cheddar Gorge in my article about Somerset.

 

What is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty?

The AONB designation is awarded to an area because of its natural and/or historic significance.  The designation confers certain protections and regulations, such as severe restrictions on new developments or changes to existing homes and structures.  As such, these regions are home to incredible scenery and picture-perfect historic settlements. 

In conclusion…

There is so much to see and do in Bath plus easy access to some of southwest England’s most beautiful attractions and best cities. Any time of year is a good time to visit Bath, however, from late May to early November is the best time. The weather is unpredictable no matter when you go with summer being perhaps the most consistent. Still, Bath is a great place for the first-time solo traveler.

Stay

I have stayed twice at the Apex City of Bath hotel. It is right on the edge of the historic center so it’s very convenient. It’s also only a ten-minute walk from the train and bus station. The hotel is a good value in my opinion, at a little over 100 pounds per night, offering a full breakfast buffet plus items to order off a menu, bar service, an indoor pool, and a concierge.  However, this is not the place to stay if you’re looking for a Georgian townhouse vibe. You can check rates on Booking.com here (affiliate) and Hotels.com here.

How to get to Bath from London

From London Heathrow, you can take the train to Paddington Station and then transfer to the Bath Spa Train. The journey is only about an hour and a half. Or you can take a bus. I recommend the National Express bus for about the same price or slightly less than the train and you won’t need to transfer. I took the bus from Bristol to Heathrow and found it very comfortable, affordable, and convenient. 

Bath Spa Train 

The train station is only a short walk into the city center. It’s an easy walk. Also, note that portions of the city center are closed off to automobile traffic at certain times of the day. But don’t worry, nothing is far away and the pavement is mostly flat. 

Bath is within two hours of Heathrow Airport.  Transportation on the trains is quick and affordable. Or you can hire a guide to pick you up for a transfer tour, as I did. Either way, I think Bath is a great place for a solo adventure.

 

My trip to Bath was partially sponsored by Visit Bath. All opinions are my own.