The Best Day Trips to Bath from London, 2025
Nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset, Bath stands as a beacon of timeless elegance and historical significance. Just a stone’s throw away from the bustling streets of London, this UNESCO World Heritage city offers a perfect retreat for families seeking a blend of relaxation and discovery. Join us as we unravel the magic of day trips from London to Bath.
I recently made this day trip from London with my husband, boys, and mother-in-law. I spent a fair amount of time researching the best way to see the highlights of Bath with a side trip to Stonehenge.
It was one of my favorite parts of our trip to England. I studied French in school, but in my adult years I’ve become quite the anglophile and have traveled to England three times in 10 years.
In our family travel blog, we’re here to guide you through planning a day trip to this quaint city. From exploring the iconic Roman Baths, where ancient history comes to life, to strolling along the charming Georgian streets, Bath promises a day trip you’ll never forget. We recently took our oldest two children, and everyone loved Bath.
Following along, we review the best-organized tours and provide the easiest way to arrive in Bath independently. I’ll also include the most popular sites in Bath you’ll want to see. For instance, here are the most popular places to visit-
- Ancient Roman Baths
- Georgian Architecture
- Jane Austen Centre
- Pulteney Bridge
- Holburne Museum
My Top 3 Picks: Day Trips to Bath from London
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Small Group to Bath, Windsor and Stonehenge
✔️ Small Group
✔️ Includes 3 major sites
✔️ full day
#2 PICK
Cotswolds Village, Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London
✔️ full day
✔️ extensive time in Bath
✔️ small group
#3 PICK
Large group tour of Stonehenge, Bath & Windsor
✔️ more affordable
✔️ 3 major sites
✔️ possible stop at Lacock (Harry Potter filming site)
Should you visit Bath? Yes!
The historic city of Bath is 100% worth your time while visiting the United Kingdom as it is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Roman baths, Georgian architecture, and Roman archeology.
On our last trip to London, we left the city for a road trip to Bath, Windsor Castle, and Stonehenge, the highlight of our trip. My youngest son claimed the ancient Roman Baths were his favorite part of our trip!
Traveling can be overwhelming, especially venturing out of a major city. Many are nervous, so I will guide you through the best-organized trips and how to do it yourself! You won’t regret taking the time to see this amazing city.
Best Tours to Bath
I’m excited to share the best-organized tours to this charming community, but you want to ensure you see the top sites in Bath.When looking at tours, you can just do Bath but many of the bus tours out of London pair Bath with other popular sites like Stonehenge and Windsor.
As a side note, you don’t need much time at Stonehenge. I would only suggest a few hours max especially if you rely on the shuttle for transportation to the site.
1. Small Group to Bath, Windsor and Stonehenge
See the historic Roman Baths on this tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏰ Tour Length: 11 hours | ✅ Check Availability
This Bath day trip itinerary is a great deal for someone short on time who wants to see these three major sites but is stationed in London. The tour lasts 11 hours, and the group size is capped at 16. Your knowledgeable guide will help the overall experience. This tour hits the major highlights, but you won’t have extended amounts of time.
- Stonehenge- 1 hour, 10 minutes, and admission ticket included
- Bath- 2 hours, but you must schedule your ticket to the Baths
- Windsor Castle- 2 hours and admission ticket included
Perks
- Small group tour
- full day
- Knowledge guide
- Admission to 2 major sites
- Stroller-accessible (family-friendly)
- Viator’s Badge of Excellence
⭐️ ⭐️ Book Small Group to Bath, Windsor and Stonehenge⭐️ ⭐️
2. Small Group Cotswolds Village, Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏰ Tour Length: 11.5 hours | ✅ Check Availability
This 5-star tour is unique because it is a small group but adds the Cotswolds instead of Windsor.
- Stonehenge- tickets not included
- Bath- 2.5 hours that include an optional walking tour and time to see the Roman Baths, Panoramic driving tour in Bath, time to explore Bath Abbey and also includes a 15-minute stop at Pulteney Bridge and No. 1 Royal Crescent
- Cotswolds- 45 minutes in Castle Combe Village and an hour scenic drive
Perks
- Viator’s Badge of excellence
- Small group of 16
- Complimentary water
This tour doesn’t include Windsor, but that is ok! Windsor is an easy day trip from London and much easier to reach than Bath.
⭐️Book your Small Group Cotswolds Village, Stonehenge, and Bath Tour⭐️
3. Stonehenge & Bath Day Trip from London
visit Bath’s beautiful Abbey on this tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏰ Tour Length: 11.5 hours | ✅ Check Availability
This option is ideal for a visitor who wants a full-day tour and wants time to explore without feeling rushed. In particular, there is more time to see Bath, so if that is your priority, this is the tour for you! The tour leaves from Central London on an air-conditioned coach bus.
- Stonehenge- visit the historic site.
- Bath- You can choose between visiting the thermal baths or the Jane Austen visitor center. You can explore the Bath Abbey for free.
Perks
- An entire afternoon in Bath to explore on your own
- Admission ticket included to Jane Austen Visitor Center or the Roman Baths
- Drive by Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge
⭐️Book your Stonehenge and Bath Tour⭐️
4. Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds & Stratford upon Avon
Spend 1.5 hours exploring Stonehenge on this tour
⭐️ Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | ⏰ Tour Length: full day| ✅ Check Availability
If you are looking for a trip that maximizes your time with multiple stops, this is your option with stops at Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds & Stratford! A unique perk of this trip is a private tour of Shakespeare’s classroom!
- Stonehenge- an hour & half, admission included
- Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall- an hour, private tour
- Take a photo stop outside Shakespeare’s Birthplace
- Bath Abbey- pass by
- Cotswolds- drive through
- Bath- drive through tour and 15 minutes to explore
Downsides- This is a tour with a few longer stops and then a handful of short stops at popular sites. For instance, there’s a drive through the Cotswolds, a photo op at Stratford, and a short amount of time to visit Roman Baths (must purchase a separate ticket)
**not a great option for someone who wants significant time in Bath
Perks
- Great for guests short on time
- private tour of Shakespeare’s Schoolroom
- Panoramic tour of the city of Bath
- Professional guide
- Transportation by Luxury Air-Conditioned Coach
⭐️ Book your Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds & Stratford upon Avon Tour⭐️
5. Large group tour of Windsor, Stonehenge & Bath
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏰ Tour Length: 12 hours | ✅ Check Availability
This tour stops at Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath, similar to a previously mentioned tour. However, this is a large group tour on coach buses and significantly cheaper than the small group tour.
- Bus tour of Bath
- Roman Baths- 1 hour & half
- Stonehenge- 1 hour & half
- Windsor Castle & St. George’s Chapel- 2 hours
Perks
- All entrance fees are included
- Cheaper than small group tour
- During quieter seasons, the tour may stop in the town of Lacock (one of the filming locations for Harry Potter)
⭐️Book your Large group tour of Windsor, Stonehenge & Bath⭐️
The Best of Bath
Organized tours will hit a few of the most popular sites in town, but I wanted to include a few more for those with extra time. Here are the most popular aspects of Bath-
- Ancient Roman Baths- in 70 CE, the Romans built geothermal baths in what is today the city of Bath. The temperatures could reach 104 degrees, and many believed the baths healed ailments. Today, the famous Roman Baths are a magnificent site and one of our favorite memories of our latest trip to England. We took the audio guide, which comes with a kid option that my boys loved. You can enjoy a meal in the Pump Room restaurant too. Ticket prices are very affordable.
- Georgian Architecture- Bath is a beautiful example of Georgia architecture in the UK. In particular, you must see the Royal Crescent, a row of 30 houses in a crescent shape, one of the most photographed spots in town.
- Jane Austen Centre- If you love the work of Jane Austen, then make time to visit the Jane Austen Centre, which highlights her work and personal life.
- Pulteney Bridge-Check out the scenic Pulteney bridge over the River Avon built in 1774 in the Palladian style. If you have free time, try to see this majestic structure.
- Holburne Museum-Located in a stunning building, the Holburne Museum was the city’s first art museum.
🏴England Travel Resources 🏴
Windsor Castle with Kids
Emirates Stadium Tour
Bath from London by Train
You can travel to Bath independently for more time or to save money. Luckily, direct trains from Paddington Station arrive at the Bath Spa train Station stop, which is centrally located near the famous sites. The route is about an hour and 15 minutes with affordable rates.
A train ride would relieve much driving stress but limit you to only Bath. Several train lines provide service, but Great Western Trains is commonly used.
Pro tip: Buying your ticket 30 days or more in advance is cheaper than waiting till the week before your trip.
⭐️Buy your Bath Train Tickets HERE!⭐️
Tips for your Bath Tour
- In the combo tours, confirm Windsor Castle is open to the public for your chosen day. If not, some tours will provide time to explore the town of Windsor.
- Strollers or pushchairs aren’t allowed in the Baths. You must bring a baby carrier if you have a little one.
- Book your tickets for a tour in advance, as Bath is a popular destination.
- The city center and main attractions are very busy in the late afternoon. Be prepared for crows. Going in the morning is a great way to avoid large crowds.
- To escape the crowds, consider having afternoon tea if you are doing the city at your own pace and not a tour.
In Conclusion: The Best Day Trips to Bath from London
Bath’s centuries-old allure has left a mark on our family’s travel journey. From the moment we stepped onto the cobbled streets, we were swept away by the city’s timeless beauty, steeped in history and brimming with stories waiting to be discovered that truly make Bath a gem worth exploring in the United Kingdom.
Our travel tales, recommendations, and insights have guided and inspired your family’s adventures. May this journey encourage you to leave the city and embrace the wonders that await a train ride away from London.
🏴England Travel Resources 🏴
Review of Emirates Stadium Tour
Best Day trips to Bath
Windsor Castle with Kids
