This is my guide to the most beautiful streets in Bath, the Roman and Georgian city and World Heritage Site twice over.
Bath is breathtaking, and it was meant to be. The likes of John Wood the Elder and Beau Nash intended to build one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. And they succeeded all right.
Most of Bath was built in the second half of the 18th century, in a Neoclassical and Palladian-influenced style. The Bath streets I will show you in this article were all built in this period, although some streets date back to Roman or medieval times.
I’ve been lucky to have visited Bath at least 20 times, so have got to know all of the city intimately. In this guide to the best streets in Bath I’ll tell you the history of each street and show you what to see there. I also point out the best places to eat, drink and stay along the way.
Streets In Bath – A Brief History
The streets of Bath we see today were built in the Georgian period, between the 1750s and 1800. The architects of Georgian Bath were strongly influenced by Neoclassical architecture and the work of Italian Renaissance-era architect Andrea Palladio.
Bath grew in the 18th century thanks to its revival as a spa town, 1700 years after the Romans enjoyed the waters of Aquae Sulis. The new streets of Bath were built from the same local honey-coloured Bath stone as the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. This helps give the impression of a harmonious whole.
The world-famous Bath crescents were built a short distance from the old city centre. The smaller, narrower Bath streets I show you in this guide are concentrated in the medieval heart of Bath.
These are the streets in Bath you don’t want to miss.
1. Royal Crescent, Bath
Royal Crescent is the grandest and most famous of all streets in Bath. The sweeping Georgian crescent was completed by John Wood the Younger in 1774, and it has become one of the most iconic streets in England.
It’s the great culmination of Bath’s Georgian architecture. It’s the largest and longest Bath crescent, each house adorned with graceful Ionic columns. Royal Crescent also has a vast, residents-only lawn, with awesome views over the city and the hill to the south.
One of the best places to appreciate the view of Royal Crescent is the small garden just below, off Royal Avenue (pictured above).
You can also explore one of the houses, which is now a museum. Number 1 Royal Crescent takes you back to the late 18th century, complete with décor and furnishings from the period.
And you can also stay at one of the top luxury hotels in Bath. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is midway along the terrace, and a great place to immerse yourself in Bath history.
Where better than a building that’s part of a World Heritage Site, on one of the most beautiful streets in Europe and the world?
2. The Circus
The circular Circus is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, consisting of three of the earliest and most elegant terraces in Bath.
The Circus was designed by John Wood the Elder, although he only lived to see the beginnings of his masterpiece. He died a few months after the foundation stone was laid in 1754. So it was left to his son, John Wood the Younger, to see the project through to its conclusion.
Painter Thomas Gainsborough was an early resident of The Circus, living at No 17 from 1758 until 1774.
One of the best restaurants in Bath, The Circus Restaurant, is just a few doors down Brock Street from The Circus.
3. York Street
York Street is a small side street running along the south side of the Roman Baths. I decided to include it as it’s the setting for one of the most unusual landmarks in Bath. Its main landmark is the decorative archway at the western end of the street. Surprisingly it was a later addition to the Bath cityscape, and not an original feature.
It was built in 1889 to carry pipes for water being pumped to a Victorian spa. It blends in beautifully with the architecture around and perfectly frames Bath Abbey for one of the best photos of Bath you could find.
One end of the York Street Archway is connected to the Bath World Heritage Centre. This visitor centre is a great place to begin your Bath visit. It’s full of information on the history of Bath and what to see and do in Bath. The exhibition also helps explain why Bath has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site twice over.
4. North Parade Passage
North Parade Passage is one of a cluster of several pretty Bath streets tucked away near the Abbey. This narrow pedestrianized lane is one of the loveliest streets in Bath. It’s at its most alluring at dusk, especially on an autumn or winter evening, just after the lamps are turned on.
The reason most visitors find their way to North Parade Passage is to seek out Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House. Founded in 1680, it’s the home of the Sally Lunn bun, a sweet teacake whose closest equivalent is the French brioche bread.
Incidentally, the building (number 4) is considerably older than the bun. The house was built around 1480 – around the same time as Bath Abbey. It is recognized as the oldest house in Bath.
5. Abbey Churchyard
Abbey Churchyard is another great place to start your exploration of Bath. It’s a small pedestrianised street, almost a square – which would be called a campo or campiello in Venice.
Three of the main Bath attractions are concentrated here. As you look towards the grand west window of Bath Abbey, the entrances to the Pump Room and the Roman Baths are on your right.
An exceptionally beautiful spot.
6. Abbey Green
Abbey Green is a small, intimate square just south of Bath Abbey. It’s dominated by the huge 230-year-old plane tree, with the Crystal Palace one of the best pubs in Bath in one corner. The square is also home to a few cafes and shops.
The Bath Bun Tea Shoppe has one of the quaintest facades in Bath, and there’s also a Georgian Tearoom and the Abbey Deli to explore.
7. Great Pulteney Street
Great Pulteney Street is one of the grandest Georgian streets in Bath. Along with the nearby Pulteney Bridge, it was commissioned by and named after Sir William Pulteney, 5th Baronet. He was a prominent Whig politician and one of the wealthiest people in Britain.
The street leads from Laura Place to Sydney Gardens and the grounds of the Holburne Museum. It consists of long terraces on either side, and at 100 feet (30 metres) it’s also the widest street in Bath.
Some of the best hotels in Bath are also located along Great Pulteney Street. These include the excellent Edgar Townhouse and, directly across the street, No 15 by GuestHouse, Bath.
8. Quiet Street
Quiet Street is one of the shortest streets in Bath, and generally stayed true to its name whenever I’ve visited. It’s only around 50 metres long, with five or six properties each side, so it’s easy to miss.
I suggest heading there for a visit to The Raven, my longstanding favourite pub in Bath. It stands on the corner of Quiet Street and Queen Street, and they brew their own ale and cider. They also serve fine home-made pies and sausages. It’s a fantastic place to try some classic British pub food.
9. Queen Street
Queen Street, which meets Quiet Street at The Raven, is one of the prettiest streets in Bath.Like Quiet Street, it’s a short side street, barely 100 metres in length.
Its main feature is the golden stone Georgian arch over the lower end of the street. It was added in the late 18th or early 19th century, and is known as St John’s Gatehouse. Originally part of a house, it’s now incorporated into offices.
10. Northumberland Place
Northumberland Place is one of the most photogenic streets in Bath. It’s a gorgeous narrow pedestrian-only shopping street off Union Street, and is packed with small, mostly independent shops.
You’ll also find the Coeur de Lion pub, named after King Richard I, the Lionheart. It was the Crusading King who gave Bath its first Royal Charter. This intimate little pub serves all the classic British pub food dishes, including fish and chips and bangers and mash.
11. Margaret’s Buildings
Margaret’s Buildings is a quiet pedestrianized side street between The Circus and Royal Crescent. It’s one of the most picturesque shopping streets in Bath, home to several independent shops and two art galleries at the Brock Street end.
The Green Bird Café at No 11 is one of the best places in the area to stop for breakfast, lunch or coffee and cake.
12. Bathwick Hill
Steep Bathwick Hill is one of the hidden gems in Bath. It climbs from the Kennet & Avon Canal to the University of Bath in Bathampton, revealing some of the best views in Bath along the way. It also leads to the superb Bath Skyline Walk, which you access via Cleveland Walk, halfway up the hill.
Bathwick Hill has one of the most beautiful Bath terraces, Dunsford Place. This splendid Georgian terrace looks amazing from further up the hill, with more terraces and crescents visible on the other side of the city.
I’d urge anyone to walk up here – or catch the U1 bus from the city centre. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but possibly the best place I’ve found to appreciate the stunning Bath landscape.
Streets In Bath – Final Words
For me, the gorgeous honey-coloured streets in Bath are what make the city so special. The Roman Baths and Abbey are fantastic places to visit, but the unique cityscape is the main star of the show.
Even if you’re only spending one day in Bath, you could easily see all these beautiful streets. Many of them are close together, and walkable. And don’t miss the views from Bathwick Hill!
You may also like these places to visit in England:
- 21 Best Places To Visit Near Bath and Bristol – great day trip ideas from Stonehenge to South Wales and more
- 10 Best Things To Do In Wells, Somerset – gorgeous Cathedral city in the Somerset countryside
- Visiting Exeter Cathedral – explore one of the two finest Cathedrals in the South West of England
- 20 Best Places To Visit In The Welsh Borders – from the Irish Sea to the Bristol Channel, a wondrous journey through backwoods Britain
- Things To Do In Hereford – discover one of England’s smallest cities and most beautiful counties
- 21 Magical Things To Do In Chester – the loveliest city in North West England
- Visiting Chester Cathedral – explore another of the great Cathedrals of England
- Landmarks In England – 50 of the most famous sights in England for your bucket list
- What Is Manchester Famous For – cotton, curry, Coronation Street and some of the best music from the post-punk era
And read about some of the most beautiful streets and squares elsewhere in Europe here:
- Famous Streets In London – from Brick Lane to ‘Billionaires’ Row’, 34 fascinating London streets
- Old Streets In London – on the trail of the oldest backstreets in the Big Smoke
- 23 Most Beautiful Streets In Europe – from Portugal to Prague, Bath to Barcelona and more
- 17 Most Beautiful Prague Streets – the most picturesque corners and alleyways of the Czech capital
- Squares in Venice – the 12 loveliest squares in La Serenissima
- 31 Most Beautiful Squares In Europe – from Sicily to Siena and Trafalgar Square to Telč
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.