2 days in... Bath
If your ideal UK break involves cobbles, culture and countless cream teas, then pop a Bath break on your bucket list. As the only destination in the UK where the entire city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the pretty city of Bath offers historic sights aplenty, stunning Georgian architecture and more literary connections than you can shake a pen at. Here's how to squeeze them all in to a 48-hour escape.
Day One
9am
First stop, breakfast. An excellent spot to fuel up for your day is Sally Lunn's Eating House, one of the oldest buildings in the city and home to the famous Bath bun. It’s named after a French girl who worked in the bakery kitchen in the 1660s and created a soft, fluffy brioche-style bread that locals fell in love with. Today, the Sally Lunn bun – still made from the original recipe – can be enjoyed with a selection of sweet or savoury toppings.
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10am
With history oozing out of every flagstone, Bath offers an Instagram-friendly cityscape of sweeping crescents and impressive Georgian architecture. Explore them on foot with a walking tour taking in the splendid sights of The Royal Crescent – a row of 30 terraced houses built in the 18th century – and The Circus, a circular row of houses purported to have a succession of celebrity residents.
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12pm
Bath is home to some of the best-preserved Roman remains in Europe, and its Roman Baths are one of the city’s best-known tourist magnets. While you can't take a dip, instead embark on the self-guided tour to learn about its fascinating history. Visit the Pump Rooms afterwards for a caffeine hit (the rooms now house a restaurant and a more informal kitchen), or alternatively sample the mineral-rich spa water, which is probably has more healing properties than a skinny cappuccino.
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2pm
One of Bath's most famous residents was author Jane Austen, who based two of her novels in the city. Pop into the Jane Austen Centre to learn about the author’s celebrated works, then it shouldn't take too much Persuasion to stop for a cuppa or an indulgent afternoon tea at the Regency Tea Room, where staff serve you in period costume.
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5pm
Work off those scones with a sashay through the Fashion Museum: its collection of historic clothing includes replica Georgian and Victorian outfits that visitors can try on. On the first Saturday of each month, the museum also runs a sketching class (free with museum entrance – sketchbooks and pencils included).
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8pm
Book a space on the Bizarre Bath Comedy Walk (from April-November). This popular 90-minute walking tour departs each evening at 8pm and offers a light-hearted, alternative look at the heritage city. Prepare for stunts, jokes and lots of laughs.
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Day Two
9am
Bath is home to the UK's only natural thermal springs, so it's a must to languish in them until your fingers go wrinkly. The secret to the Thermae Bath Spa is to arrive early to beat the queues. Make your way to the open-air rooftop pool, where you can bathe in mineral-rich waters geothermally heated to 33.5-degrees Celsius, all the while enjoying panoramic views of Bath.
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12pm
Once you've dried off, continue your literary tour with a pub lunch in The Saracens Head. Reportedly the city's oldest pub, this is also the spot where Charles Dickens often stayed on his frequent visits to the city.
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2pm
It might not sound like the cheeriest of excursions, but Bath Abbey and the adjoining Abbey Cemetery are definitely a selfie-worthy sight. If you're planning a festive break, it’s also home to one of the UK's best Christmas markets. Glühwein and graves? Why not!
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4pm
Combine culture with consumerism with a wander along Pulteney Bridge, another architectural gem with shops built into the design. The bijou boutiques are the perfect spot to browse for gifts the folks back home.
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