Make your travel plans. With most travelers using London as a vacation base, we will plan from there. If you have a rental car, Bath is about a 2-hour drive west on the M4. Check online maps for route plans and directions. Another alternative is to travel by train. Trains depart London's Paddington Station approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day. The trip takes about 1 1/2 hours and will cost about 45 British pounds. You will want to check the current exchange rate for the conversion to U.S. Dollars. If you're going to be traveling to other destinations during your vacation, you should consider a BritRail Pass, which is available via the BritRail website. This will offer you unlimited travel for one price, but it's only available to international visitors and can't be purchased in the U.K. You'll need to purchase this before you leave home.
Stop first at the Bath Tourism Centre once you've arrived at Bath Spa Station or into the city limits by car. Located on York Street next to the Bath Abbey, the Tourism Centre is a great resource for seasonal events and attraction discounts.
Stop next at the famous Roman spa. As the focal point for the city's tourism industry, the spa can get quite crowded later in the day. The first admission is available at 9:00 a.m. or 9:30 a.m., depending on the time of year that you visit. Check out the Bath website for exact times and prices.
Visit the Jane Austen Centre to spend some time in the Regency era. Dedicated to Bath's most famous resident, this attraction offers a glimpse into a bygone time and even squeezes in a little literary education to boot. They offer changing exhibitions and produce a wonderful Regency-themed Christmas exhibition.
Visit the Bath Abbey. This 15th-century medieval church is an awe inspiring sight and offers some great historical education. They also offer organ recitals, choir concerts and other events throughout the year. This church is still in full operation, so check the current schedule for events and tour hours.
Try one of the many guided tours around Bath. You can choose from bus, boat or walking tours of many sights. There are even some alternative tours on horseback, in a hot-air balloon or horse-drawn carriage. The Tourism Centre usually has information on what is currently offered.
Take some time to look around and venture into the unknown. Just don't forget to check the current train schedule back to London if you're staying there.
