The Xavier London Guide to Bath, England
There’s no getting around it, our trip to Bath and Stonehenge will be a long day- a 90 minute train ride to Bath and an hour’s drive to Stonehenge. But between transit times we’ll have tons of opportunities to explore Bath’s museum’s, unique architecture, and delicious foods. Here are a few places to consider in your itinerary.
Museums
Roman Bath Museum: £17, £13.75 with valid student ID. Explore the eponymous baths that the city is named after to learn about the Ancient Romans and Britons who lived in the area. Meet costumed Roman characters, read the curses hurled into the Baths, and possibly cure your gout with a cup of pungent spa water.
Fashion Museum of Bath: £9, £8 with valid student ID. Do you know what #OOTD* stands for? Then a visit to the Fashion Museum is a must! Walk through a historical fashion show in their History of Fashion in 100 Objects, try on Georgian and Victorian costumes- complete with wigs, dresses, coats, and bonnets, and marvel at the chandeliers and decorative details of the Assembly Rooms. Please note that for £21.50 you can get access to the Fashion Museum, Roman Baths, and the Victoria Art Gallery, a £7 savings.
*#outfitoftheday
Jane Austen Centre: £11, £8.50 with valid student ID. Legendary writer Jane Austen spent two long and influential trips in Bath, which is also the setting of her books Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Costumed character guides will teach you about her visits and writings. You can even dress up in period-appropriate Regency clothes and visit their fabulous gift shop. True Austen fanatics might consider getting the museum’s free membership, which provides 10% off purchases from the online gift shop, a newsletter, and access to their database on Austen articles, Regency life, and fashion.
Food
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House: For sweet rolls the size of your head, visit Sally Lunn’s. The basement houses a sweet Kitchen Museum, which is only 30p, or free if you eat at the establishment, and why wouldn't you? The menu is both extensive and budget-friendly, and there are even wheat-free options. If you just stop by for a snack, make sure to try the original Bath bun.
Regency Tea Rooms: While bookworms might fill their minds at the Jane Austen Centre, they’ll also be able to fill their bellies at the adjoining Regency Tea Rooms. With themed meals, like “Tea with Mr. Darcy,” "Mr Bennet’s Tasty Rolls,” and "Crawford’s Crumpets”, this is the perfect end to your museum trip, especially with the locally sourced ingredients.
Pump Room Restaurant: Open for lunch, tea, and dinner, the Pump Room Restaurant is an elegant way to end your trip to the Roman Baths. Afternoon tea is served from 2:30 onward, and there are vegetarian options.
The Raven of Bath: This pub serves traditional British favorites. Their mission is to make “simple, high quality, good products, with no pretension,” and their menu reflects this with hot pies, a Ploughman’s lunch, sticky toffee pudding, and Bromley Apple Crumble. They also are the exclusive servers of Raven and Raven’s Gold ales, which are brewed specially for the pub.
Other Places of Interest
Visit Bath Abbey for respite and reflection
Bath Abbey: Take some time to reflect at Bath Abbey like pilgrims to the area have for over 1000 years.
Audio Walking Tour: If you prefer to spend the day outside, download one of these walking tours to your phone. You can choose between a tour of the highlights of the city or a Jane Austen tour.
Bath Sweet Shop: Tucked in the North Parade Passage, the Bath Sweet Shop is a sugary step back in time. You won’t find Hershey’s or Reese’s, but you will find pear drops, jelly babies, and gummy shoe laces.
