Welcome to my guide to the best landmarks in Bath to visit. These landmarks span around 1,800 years, from the world-famous Roman Baths complex to the streets and crescents built in the second half of the 18th century.
What’s unique about these Bath landmarks is how they all blend so harmoniously with the rest of the city. Everything was built from the honey-coloured local Bath stone.
In my guide I describe each of the landmarks in Bath in detail, giving you a short history of each. I also point out things to look out for at each landmark, and pull it all together with a map near the end of the article. I hope you enjoy visiting them.
1. The Roman Baths
The 1st-century AD Roman Baths are the reason the city of Bath was founded in the first place. They are one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in Europe, a complete Roman baths complex, and one of the great landmarks in England.
The Romans built the Baths around hot springs (the only ones in what is now the UK) already used by the local Celtic British population. The springs were dedicated to the Celtic goddess Sulis, and the Romans named the site Aquae Sulis – the waters of Sulis.
Sulis and the Roman goddess Minerva were similar in some ways, so a temple to Minerva was also built at the site.
The Roman Baths consists of hot, warm and cold water pools, as well as a heated area known as a laconicum. Many Roman archaeological treasures remain, including statues, sculptures and an inscribed curse, can be seen in the Roman Baths Museum.
There are few more evocative sights in Britain than the steam rising off the Great Bath early or late in the day. Flame torches surround the Bath, and through gaps in the mist you can see the silhouette of Bath Abbey. If you have just one day in Bath, then start your visit here. Unforgettable and unmissable.
2. Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey – the Church of St Peter and St Paul – is one of the most beautiful churches in England. Its origins go back to the 7th century AD, and the church was rebuilt at least twice. What we see today is the 16th-century version of Bath Abbey, built in the English Perpendicular Gothic style.
It’s one of the most famous examples of this era of architecture, with especially beautiful fan vaulting inside. Alongside the likes of King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and the Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey it’s one of the crowning glories of this unique British take on Gothic.
Along with nearby Wells Cathedral and Exeter Cathedral, it’s also one of the most beautiful churches in southwest England. The interior is stunning, especially on a sunny day when it’s flooded with light from the many windows.
3. Royal Crescent
Royal Crescent is the most famous, and one of the most beautiful streets in Bath. Indeed, we’ll also make it one of the most beautiful streets in Europe.
It was built during Bath’s Georgian heyday, as the city’s new residential areas spread into the surrounding countryside. It’s one of seven Georgian crescents in Bath, and easily the most renowned.
Royal Crescent was completed by John Wood the Younger in 1774. The terrace of houses is graceful, each adorned with identical Ionic columns. But it’s the empty space around it – the enormous residents-only lawn – that makes it really stand out. It’s almost as if it gives the buildings and architecture room to breathe. Bath was built to be beautiful, and there are few places where this is achieved as well as Royal Crescent.
You can appreciate this beauty from within some of the houses as well as from the outside. Number 1 Royal Crescent is a museum house set to look as it would have done soon after it was completed.
And you can stay in the 5-star Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, one of the finest luxury hotels in Bath. Here you can enjoy the gorgeous Georgian interior and admire the superb views over the city.
4. Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe. It’s also one of only four in Europe – and the world – to be lined with shops on either side. The others are the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice, the Ponte Vecchio in Florence and the Kramerbrucke in Erfurt, Germany.
It was designed by Robert Adam and opened in 1774, and inspired by a plan for the Rialto Bridge submitted by Andrea Palladio. This plan lost out in competition to that of Antonio da Ponte. But it came to fruition two centuries later in a way Palladio would never have envisaged.
The Pulteney Bridge is named after the landowning family whose land it connected with the city of Bath. Scottish lawyer Sir William Johnstone – later Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet – married heiress Sarah Pulteney. He took her surname after she inherited the estate – the Bathwick area to the east of the River Avon – in 1767.
The Pulteney Bridge looks wonderful from either bank of the river. Steps lead down from the east (Bathwick) side to a viewing area close to the Bridge. Otherwise you can walk along the riverfront on the opposite side, towards North Parade Gardens.
5. The Circus
The Circus is one of the earliest grand Georgian streets to be completed, and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
It’s actually circular, three identical Palladian-influenced terraces built around an island of plane trees. And from above, The Circus, along with Gay Street, which leads into it, resembles a key. This was part of John Wood The Elder’s plan, incorporating Masonic symbolism into the overall design.
Wood the Elder – who was responsible for the Palladian Bridge mentioned below – died a few months after the foundation stone for The Circus was built. So it was seen through to its completion by his son, John Wood the Younger.
6. Bath Pump Room
The Pump Room is one of three main Bath attractions next to each other in the centre of the city. It’s adjacent to the Roman Baths complex, and within a few metres of the west door of Bath Abbey.
It was one of the places to be seen in 18th-century Bath society, a restaurant with fine décor, chandeliers and classical music. Author Jane Austen visited, as did Charles Dickens the following century.
Nowadays you can enjoy a morning cake and brunch, or opt for Afternoon Tea, with finger sandwiches, scones and an assortment of other cakes.
7. Palladian Bridge, Prior Park
Italian architect Andrea Palladio had an enormous influence on the appearance of Bath. He inspired everyone who commissioned, designed and built Georgian Bath, from Ralph Allen to John Wood the Elder and Younger, Robert Adam and Beau Nash.
Palladio was one of the leading architects of Renaissance Italy, and he drew inspiration from the architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome. Among many buildings across northeast Italy, he was responsible for San Giorgio Maggiore and Il Redentore, two of the most beautiful churches in Venice.
The Palladian Bridge spans the lake at the lower end of Prior Park, an 18th-century landscaped garden overlooking Bath. It was designed by John Wood the Elder, and completed around 1742. It’s one of four Palladian bridges in England, and is pre-dated by those at Wilton House and Stowe Park. The Prior Park Palladian Bridge is said to be a copy of the one at Wilton House – it’s certainly very similar.
Nowadays, the Bath Palladian Bridge is a popular location for marriage proposals, wedding photo shoots and people taking selfies. Not something you’d catch me doing!
8. York Street Arch
The rather grand York Street Arch fulfills a rather humble function. It is a glorified water pipe system, used to pump water to a nearby Victorian spa from the Roman Bath spring.
And it looks quite magnificent too. It was built in 1889, and beautifully frames Bath Abbey. The south (right-hand side) of it is connected to the building housing the Bath World Heritage Centre, a great place to learn more about this stunning city.
9. Sally Lunn’s House Bath
Very little remains of medieval Bath, but this 15th-century house has survived. Sally Lunn’s House was built around 1480, and 200 years later was home to Sally Lunn, who gave the world the Sally Lunn bun.
The bun is a sweet teacake, not dissimilar to a French brioche. However it can also be eaten with savoury food. Her home is now Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House, serving the famous bunn (that’s how it’s spelt on the menu!).
The Eating House dates back to 1680, and is open from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm. The Sally Lunn Bunn is very versatile, fitting into breakfast lunch and dinner menus.
The Eating House is on North Parade, one of the most characterful and picturesque streets in Bath. The restaurant is spread over three florrs, and there’s also a small bakery mjuseum open until 4.00 pm daily.
Just don’t ask for the recipe – it’s a secret!
10. Kennet & Avon Canal
The Kennet & Avon Canal isn’t one of the most obvious landmarks in Bath, but it’s one of the city’s most enjoyable diversions.
It flows into the River Avon downstream from the Pulteney Bridge, and passes close to Sydney Gardens. It then runs below the bridge at the bottom of Bathwick Hill, before heading eastwards towards the county of Wiltshire.
The stretch around Bathwick Hill is lovely. You can stroll past Georgian mansions along the towpath, stop for a drink or hire a narrowboat and take a slow cruise for a few hours. Within a couple of miles you’re out of the city and into the co9untryside.
11. Queen Street Arch
The Queen Street arch – also known as St John’s Gatehouse – is one of the best-concealed landmarks in Bath. The arch spans the lower part of Queen Street, a small side street near the more widely known Queen Square.
The honey-coloured stone arch, with a typical Georgian window, was built sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It was built as part of a house, and is now part of a complex of offices.
12. Great Pulteney Street
Great Pulteney Street begins a short distance east of Pulteney Bridge. It’s one of the most handsome Bath streets, the nearest thing Bath has to a Parisian grand boulevard. Great Pulteney Street is an amazing 30 metres wide, and it makes a stunning approach to Bath from the Bathwick side of the River Avon.
The street begins at the roundabout on Laura Place, which is named after Sir William and Lady Sarah’s daughter. It continues northeastwards to the Holburne Museum, at the entrance to Sydney Gardens, one of the oldest public parks in the UK.
Landmarks in Bath – Final Words
I hope you’ve enjoyed my article on Bath’s landmarks. It’s a stunning city, and these sights are among the best places to visit in Bath. While visiting make sure you also see some of these amazing streets in Bath.
If you enjoy seeking out landmarks, I’ve also written several more articles covering various cities and countries around Europe.
Take a look at my guide on Famous London Landmarks for the sights to seek out in the UK’s capital. My guide to the best Landmarks in England goes further afield, while my article on the most famous UK Landmarks covers all of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Check out more of my articles on England here:
- 21 Best Places To Visit Near Bath and Bristol – from the Cotswolds to the coast, and on to South Wales
- 11 Great Landmarks in Bristol For Your Bucket List
- 11 Best Landmarks in Birmingham UK
- 10 Best Things To Do In Wells Somerset – exploring the tiny Cathedral city in the heart of rural Somerset
- Things To Do In Hereford, England – one of the smallest and most underrated cities in England
- 21 Wonderful Things To Do In Chester – the gorgeous gateway to the North West and North Wales
- 20 Best Places To Visit In The Welsh Borders – all along the border with Wales – on both sides
Check out more of our articles on landmarks in Europe here:
- 58 Famous Landmarks In Wales – some of the best Castles, and most beautiful mountains and beaches in Europe
- 20 Famous Landmarks in Cardiff – Castles, Edwardian elegance and a wondrous Cathedral hidden in the suburbs
- 32 Famous Landmarks In France – from Paris to Provence, Albi to the Alps, and many more
- Famous landmarks in Venice
- Famous Spanish landmarks
- Famous landmarks in Italy
- Famous landmarks in Austria
- Famous landmarks in Poland
- Famous landmarks in Prague
- Famous landmarks in Ireland
- Famous landmarks in Greece
- Famous landmarks in Berlin
- Famous landmarks in Portugal
David Angel is a British photographer, writer and historian. He is a European travel expert with over 30 years’ experience exploring Europe. He has a degree in History from Manchester University, and his work is regularly featured in global media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, The Times, and The Sunday Times. David is fluent in French and Welsh, and can also converse in Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and Polish.