Recommended Tours

No visitor to Bath can fail to notice the variety of tour buses circling the city, pointing out the main sights to the crowds. These run regularly from Orange Grove and the bus station and, for those with mobility problems, are a sensible and affordable way to learn more about the history of the city. But Bath was made for walking, and if you take the time to explore on foot, you will more easily appreciate the riches that the city has to offer. There are numerous walking tours available, from the sublime 'Mayors Guides Walk' that leaves the Abbey twice daily and is free, to the ridiculous 'Bizarre Bath' that will leave you in stitches. If you prefer to enjoy a pint in the city's finest pubs, check out The Great Bath Pub Crawl. If you prefer to explore alone, then the tourist information office has leaflets with well defined routes that will take you past the main attractions and beyond.

Bath Abbey

Stroll along the canal for the short walk into the city centre and visit the beautiful gothic Abbey and courtyard before nipping around the corner for a 'Sally Lunn' bun and popping beneath the tearooms for a look around the Sally Lunn Museum and the medieval remains: £1.80. Back into the courtyard for a seat in the square and a chance to listen to classical musicians playing. Drop a few coins into the hat, and then book tickets for tonight's performance at the Theatre Royal. Make your way to the graceful Royal Crescent Restaurant for lunch. You've pre-booked the 'FT' lunch at £10 per person, and treat yourselves to a bottle of house wine at £9.

Royal Victoria Park

After a leisurely lunch, you leave the hotel, strolling back into the city through Royal Victoria Park. Just enough time for a quick visit to the Guildhall Market and a spot of bargain hunting. Then wander across Pulteney Bridge and into Beazers Garden for a cup of tea and splendid views of the weir: £5. What could be more romantic than a French restaurant? Candles adorn the tables at Tilleys and the food is beautiful. Rather than offering the traditional starter, mains, dessert option, Tilleys offers starters only! So those with a bigger appetite can order as many or as few as is required: £25.

Museum of East Asian Art

No self-respecting parent should be allowed to leave the city until their children have had the chance to experience the adventure playground at Victoria Park. This playground is the largest in the South West and is designed for children aged two to twenty. Young ones love the crane, sand pits and train station. Older ones play on the ropes, tubes and slides. Teenagers bring bikes, skateboards and rollerblades and spend hours perfecting jumps on the half-pipes and ramps in the specially designed area. If rain stops play, then follow the Upper Bristol Road back into the heart of the city and stop at the Museum of East Asian Art. It's very child-friendly too, and often run competitions during the summer holidays and weekends that keep the little ones motivated and interested. Open-top tour buses will allow you to see most of the sights and children enjoy the ride too. Older ones who are not too exhausted at the end of the day will love Bizarre Bath, a comedy walk that leaves the centrally located Huntsman pub at 8p.
Finally, don't forget to take a few minutes in the centre to watch the buskers, many of which have performed on television. The standard is high, and the price, a few coins.

High Street

Shopping in Bath is a real pleasure. The city has all the major High Street fashion stores, from French Connection and Karen Millen to Dorothy Perkins and Topshop. It also has a wealth of independent clothing retailers and second hand shops that offer the best in service and style. Serious shoppers should start from the top of Milsom Street and work their way down to Southgate. Without stopping at any shops, this route will take about four minutes. If you stop, then expect it to take four hours! The real joy here is that as you work your way down, the shops get progressively cheaper, almost by design. All your favorite High Street names run along this route, as well as a few independent shops. If you are looking for something a little more out of the ordinary, then avoid the pedestrianised area, and take a left towards the Podium, then left again into Walcot Street. This bohemian centre has everything you require for your new look. Check out Jack 'n' Danny's, a retro-fashion store where a fashion designer will create a pair of jeans to your own design for the ultimate in individuality.

Jane Austen Center

Take a tour of the city that Jane Austen called her home. This Jane Austen Tour takes you off the beaten path and strolls you around the sites in Bath that Austen wrote about and encountered on a daily basis throughout her life.

Be sure to check out one of the various walking tours, as the guides can fill in the blanks to your questions about the ins and outs of Bath. If there is time, you may want to venture out-of-town, where the tours will leave you wishing you could extend your stay in Bath.

Walking Tours

Ghost Walks of Bath ( +44 0 1225 350512 / http://visitbath.co.uk/site/tours/guided-walking-tours/ghost-walks-of-bath-p42931 )
Bath Parade Guides ( +44 0 1225 337111/ http://visitbath.co.uk/site/tours/bath-parade-guides-p47221 )
Sulis Guides ( +44 0 1225 852722/ http://visitbath.co.uk/site/tours/sulis-guides-p43041 )

Bus Tours

City Sightseeing Tour ( +44 0 1225 330444/ http://visitbath.co.uk/site/tours/tours-round-up/city-sightseeing-tour-p47251 )

Boat Tours

Bath Narrowboats ( +44 0 1225 447276/ http://visitbath.co.uk/site/tours/bath-narrowboats-p46361 )
Bath City Boat Trips ( +44 0 7974 560197/ http://www.bathcityboattrips.com/ )

Mobility Aid Tours

Ceredigion Shopmobility ( +44 0 1970 630060/ http://www.ceredigionshopmobility.org.uk/ )

Outside the City

Mad Max Tours ( +44 0 7990 505970/ http://www.madmax.abel.co.uk/ )

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