Bath is a small city in Somerset in south-west England, known for its Roman baths, its hot springs and its streets of pale Georgian houses built from limestone. The whole city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it’s easy to see why when you walk between Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent.
The city is so compact that you can walk almost everywhere, but your choice of area still matters. There are hills, busy roads and big differences in price between the neighbourhoods. Here are my recommendations for six good areas and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Bath
- The centre by the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey - best area for first-time visitors
- The Royal Crescent and The Circus - best area for luxury and romance
- Near Bath Spa station - best area without a car and for day trips
- Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street - best area for quiet stays and families
- Pulteney Road in Bathwick - best area if you’re arriving by car
- Widcombe - best area for local life and apartments
Below, I’ll take you through the six areas one by one, with a map, the key practical facts and three hotels in each, from the luxury hotel to the cheapest good option, so you can find the base in Bath that suits your trip.
1. The centre by the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey - best area for first-time visitors 🏛️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying right in the centre, and the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and the Pump Room are just a few steps from each other.
- 🚆 Transport: Bath Spa station and Bath Bus Station are around 5 to 10 minutes’ walk to the south.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around an hour on the A4 bus from Bristol Airport to Bath Bus Station, and around 2 to 2.5 hours from Heathrow by train via London Paddington.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £145 to £450 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Very safe. There are lots of people around Abbey Churchyard during the day, so keep an eye on your bag in the crowds.
If it’s your first time in Bath, I’d stay in the centre close to the Roman Baths. The Roman bath complex is one of the best preserved in the world, and right next door are Bath Abbey and the Pump Room, where the city’s visitors drank the hot spring water in the 18th century. You can’t bathe in the Roman Baths, but you can see them early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive.
If you’d like to get into the warm water yourself, Thermae Bath Spa is also in the centre. It’s the only place in Britain where you can bathe in natural hot spring water, and from the rooftop pool you can look out over the city. There’s a minimum age of 16.
See hotels in the centre of Bath here.
The advantage of staying here is that everything is right on your doorstep. The shops on Milsom Street and in SouthGate, most of the restaurants and the Theatre Royal are just a few minutes away, and you avoid the hills you’ll find in several of the other neighbourhoods.
The downsides are the price and the crowds. The centre is the most expensive place to stay, and during the day the streets around Abbey Churchyard are full of groups and day-trippers. At weekends there can also be noise at night from the bars, so ask for a room facing the courtyard if you’re a light sleeper.
Places to Stay in the Centre of Bath
The Gainsborough Bath Spa - luxury hotel with a spa right in the centre
The Gainsborough is on Beau Street, a couple of minutes’ walk from the Roman Baths, and it’s one of the city’s few five-star hotels. It has its own spa with an indoor pool, a sauna and a restaurant, and it suits you if you want to treat yourself on a weekend away. Some guests mention that the spa only has limited time slots for hotel guests, so book your slot when you arrive.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was fantastic! The free drinks and that sort of thing were a delight.”
See photos and book The Gainsborough Bath Spa here.
Abbey Hotel Bath - classic hotel right by Bath Abbey
The Abbey Hotel is on North Parade, a few steps from Bath Abbey and the Parade Gardens by the river. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a lift, and it welcomes dogs. It’s a good mid-range choice when you want to stay centrally without paying luxury prices, but a few guests mention that breakfast can be slow on busy mornings.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Very central with easy access to everything.”
See photos and book Abbey Hotel Bath here.
The Z Hotel Bath - cheapest pick with a central location
The Z Hotel is by Saw Close next to the Theatre Royal and has compact, modern rooms and more than 11,000 guest reviews. It’s the cheapest of my three picks in the centre. Be aware that some of the cheapest rooms don’t have windows, so choose a room type with a window if that matters to you.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is fantastic, and the rooms were tidy and comfortable.”
See photos and book The Z Hotel Bath here.
2. The Royal Crescent and The Circus - best area for luxury and romance 💎
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 10 to 15 minutes’ walk uphill from Bath Abbey.
- 🚌 Transport: It’s around 20 minutes’ walk to Bath Spa station, and if you’ve got a suitcase, a taxi from the station is the easiest option.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around an hour on the A4 bus from Bristol Airport to Bath Bus Station, and around 2 to 2.5 hours from Heathrow by train via London Paddington.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £170 to £650 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet in the evening. Royal Victoria Park is open and quiet, so stick to the lit paths after dark.
The Royal Crescent is Bath’s most famous street, a long semicircle of identical houses with columns, designed by John Wood the Younger in the 1760s and completed in 1774. In front of the houses there’s a large lawn and Royal Victoria Park, and it’s much quieter here than down in the centre, especially in the evening.
A few minutes’ walk away is The Circus, a round space with three curved terraces of townhouses. It was designed by John Wood the Elder and completed in 1768, and the painter Thomas Gainsborough had his portrait studio here for a while. Brock Street runs between the two, and heading down towards Queen Square, you’ll find the Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street.
See hotels near the Royal Crescent here.
I’d choose this area for a romantic weekend or a stay where you want to sleep in one of the old Georgian buildings. It’s where you’ll find the city’s most exclusive hotel, but also a couple of smaller guesthouses that cost far less.
The downside is the hill. You’ll walk uphill every time you head back from the centre, and it’s further to the station. There are also few shops and supermarkets in the neighbourhood itself, so you’ll need to go down into town to shop and to find the big choice of restaurants.
Places to Stay near the Royal Crescent and The Circus
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa - five-star hotel in the middle of the Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent Hotel is right in the middle of the semicircle and has a garden, a spa with a pool and a restaurant. It’s one of the city’s most expensive hotels and has a high guest rating of 9.3, so it’s perfect for a special occasion. A few guests mention that there’s limited space for clothes and luggage in the rooms.
One guest singles out the spa on Booking.com: “The spa was exceptional and calm, and it was very well kept.”
See photos and book The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa here.
The Yard in Bath Hotel - boutique hotel close to Queen Square
The Yard is on Monmouth Place, under ten minutes’ walk from the Royal Crescent and Queen Square, and it has a guest rating of 9.0. The hotel has a bar, a terrace and on-site parking, and it suits you if you want to stay somewhere stylish without paying for the view of the Royal Crescent. There’s no lift, and several guests mention that some rooms are small.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel, and the staff were fantastic! Very friendly.”
See photos and book The Yard in Bath Hotel here.
Brocks - cheapest pick between The Circus and the Royal Crescent
Brocks is a small guesthouse on Brock Street, which links The Circus with the Royal Crescent, so you’re staying right between the city’s two best-known streets. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched, and guests praise the hosts and the house. Parking options are limited, and several guests mention that late check-in can be tricky, so arrange your arrival in advance.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hosts are a delight. The house is timeless.”
See photos and book Brocks here.
3. Near Bath Spa station - best area without a car and for day trips 🚆
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 5 to 10 minutes’ walk to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.
- 🚆 Train: Direct GWR trains to London Paddington take around 1 hour and 20 minutes, and Bath Bus Station is right next to the station.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around an hour on the A4 bus from Bristol Airport to Bath Bus Station, and around 2 to 2.5 hours from Heathrow by train via London Paddington.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £190 to £260 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. There are lots of people around the station and SouthGate in the evening, so keep an eye on your belongings as you would at any station.
The area around Bath Spa station and the SouthGate shopping centre is the most practical place to stay if you’re travelling without a car. You get off the train and walk to your hotel in a few minutes, and you’re still only a short distance from the Roman Baths and the rest of the centre.
According to GWR, trains run between London Paddington and Bath around every half hour on weekdays, which makes Bath an easy weekend trip from London. If you’re landing at Heathrow, you can read my guide to getting from Heathrow Airport to central London and then take the train onwards from Paddington. If you’re flying into Bristol, the A4 bus from Bristol Airport runs to Bath Bus Station once an hour, and a single ticket costs £9.50.
See hotels near Bath Spa station here.
The station is also a good base for day trips. Trains run from here towards Bristol and the rest of south-west England, and if you’re combining Bath with a few days in London, I’ve also written a guide to where to stay in London.
The downside is that the area is more modern and commercial than the rest of Bath. You’re close to shops, chain hotels and traffic rather than the quiet Georgian streets, but in return you often get more hotel for your money.
Places to Stay near Bath Spa Station
Hotel Indigo Bath - design hotel between the station and the river
Hotel Indigo is on South Parade between the station and Bath Abbey, close to the river. The hotel has a bar, a garden, a gym and a lift, and it welcomes dogs. It’s the most expensive of my three picks near the station, and some guests feel the rooms are small for the price.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautifully decorated. Good location. Good facilities in the room.”
See photos and book Hotel Indigo Bath here.
Hampton by Hilton Bath City - modern hotel with breakfast included
Hampton by Hilton is on Avon Street close to SouthGate and around 7 to 8 minutes’ walk from the station. Breakfast is included in the price, and with almost 10,000 reviews and a rating of 8.6, it’s a safe choice for families and couples. A few guests mention worn carpets in the rooms.
One guest praises the whole package on Booking.com: “Comfortable beds, a lovely clean room, friendly staff and an excellent breakfast.”
See photos and book Hampton by Hilton Bath City here.
Royal Hotel - cheapest pick right opposite the station
The Royal Hotel is on Manvers Street right opposite Bath Spa station, so you won’t have to drag your suitcase more than a couple of minutes. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar in an old building with period decor. It’s more worn than the other two, and some guests mention noise and fluctuating temperatures in the rooms.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The period-style decor throughout the hotel is charming.”
See photos and book Royal Hotel here.
4. Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street - best area for quiet stays and families 🌳
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 5 to 10 minutes’ walk over Pulteney Bridge to Bath Abbey.
- 🚆 Transport: It’s around 12 to 15 minutes’ walk to Bath Spa station, and the route is flat.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around an hour on the A4 bus from Bristol Airport to Bath Bus Station, and around 2 to 2.5 hours from Heathrow by train via London Paddington.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £235 to £335 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Very safe. The streets are wide and well lit, and it’s quiet here in the evening.
Pulteney Bridge is one of the few bridges in the world with shops on both sides, and it was completed in 1774. If you cross the bridge from the centre, you come straight out onto Great Pulteney Street, which is the longest and widest Georgian street in Bath. Here you’re staying just across the river and still only a few minutes from town.
At the end of the street is the Holburne Museum, which according to Visit Bath was once a hotel and today has a permanent art collection. Behind the museum is Sydney Gardens, a park with a playground and paths along the canal, and Henrietta Park is just around the corner. That makes it one of the best areas in Bath for families.
See hotels near Great Pulteney Street here.
Next to the bridge is The Rec, the ground where Bath Rugby play. On match days the streets around the bridge are busy, but otherwise the neighbourhood is calm, and you get the Georgian atmosphere without the crowds in the centre.
I’d choose this area if you want peace and quiet in the evening and a flat walk to both the centre and the station. The downside is that there are few restaurants in the streets themselves, and most of the hotels here are at the pricier end, so the cheapest option is still a mid-range hotel.
Places to Stay near Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street
The Roseate Villa Bath - five-star villa hotel with a garden
The Roseate Villa is on Henrietta Street close to Henrietta Park, a few minutes’ walk from Great Pulteney Street. It’s a five-star hotel with a restaurant, a bar and a garden, and it suits a couple who want to stay somewhere quiet and elegant without paying Royal Crescent prices. Parking costs £20 a night and isn’t guaranteed, and some guests feel that breakfast is small for the price.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everyone we spoke to at the hotel was friendly, polite and helpful.”
See photos and book The Roseate Villa Bath here.
The Kennard - cosy townhouse a few steps from Great Pulteney Street
The Kennard is also on Henrietta Street, in one of the old townhouses, and has a guest rating of 8.8. There’s a bar and a garden, and the hotel welcomes dogs. Breakfast is simple with no hot dishes, and a few guests mention noise from other guests, because the houses are old and the sound carries.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely friendly staff. Very clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book The Kennard here.
Henrietta House - cheapest pick with more than 8,000 reviews
Henrietta House is on Henrietta Street and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The hotel has a bar, room service and family rooms, but breakfast isn’t included, so you’ll eat out, which is easy over in the centre. A few guests mention that the cleaning hasn’t always been up to scratch.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good location. Friendly and helpful staff. Clean and comfortable room.”
See photos and book Henrietta House here.
5. Pulteney Road in Bathwick - best area if you’re arriving by car 🚗
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 10 to 15 minutes’ walk to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.
- 🚗 Transport: Many of the guesthouses have their own parking, and you can drive straight out onto the A36 towards the rest of the country. On foot, it’s around 10 to 15 minutes to the station.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around an hour on the A4 bus from Bristol Airport to Bath Bus Station, and around 2 to 2.5 hours from Heathrow by train via London Paddington.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £140 to £310 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. Pulteney Road is a busy main road, so use the pedestrian crossings and choose a room away from the road if you’re a light sleeper.
Pulteney Road curves through Bathwick to the east of the centre, and along the road there’s a long row of large Victorian and Georgian houses, many of which are now guesthouses and small hotels. It’s my first choice if you’re arriving by car, because parking is expensive and hard to find in the rest of Bath.
If your hotel doesn’t have parking, the city’s Park & Ride at Lansdown, Newbridge and Odd Down is a good alternative. You park outside the city and take the bus in, and the buses run until late in the evening from Monday to Saturday.
See hotels on Pulteney Road here.
With a car, Bath is also a good base for day trips. You can drive to the villages in the southern Cotswolds, and if you’d like to stay there for a few nights, I’ve written a guide to where to stay in the Cotswolds.
The downsides are the traffic on Pulteney Road itself and the distance. You’ll have to walk 10 to 15 minutes to get into the centre, and there aren’t many restaurants in the area. In return, you’ll often get a large room in an old house and a host who can give you good tips about the city.
Places to Stay on Pulteney Road
The Bird - boutique hotel with a restaurant and parking
The Bird is on Pulteney Road and is the most hotel-like of my three picks here, with a restaurant, a bar, a garden and a terrace. On-site parking costs £20 a night, and spaces are limited, so reserve well in advance. Some guests feel the smallest rooms are cramped for the price.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel was beautiful and exceeded our expectations.”
See photos and book The Bird here.
The Ayrlington - guesthouse with breakfast and a garden
The Ayrlington is a few houses along from The Bird and is a guesthouse in an old building with a bar and a garden. Breakfast is included, and parking costs £10 a day with one guaranteed space per room. A few guests mention that the old sash windows can let in a bit of noise from the road.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The building was excellent with all the original features.”
See photos and book The Ayrlington here.
Pulteney House - cheapest pick with free parking
Pulteney House is on the southern part of Pulteney Road and has free parking for one car per room and a guest rating of 9.1. Breakfast isn’t served, so you’ll need to eat out. Some guests feel it’s a bit of a walk into town, and a few mention low water pressure in the shower.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Excellent location only a 10-minute walk from the Roman Baths.”
See photos and book Pulteney House here.
6. Widcombe - best area for local life and apartments 🛶
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 10 minutes’ walk across the river to the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.
- 🚆 Transport: Widcombe is just across the river from Bath Spa station, and you can walk over in a few minutes.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around an hour on the A4 bus from Bristol Airport to Bath Bus Station, and around 2 to 2.5 hours from Heathrow by train via London Paddington.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £135 to £325 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Safe and quiet. The canal towpath is dark in the evening, so use the streets when you’re walking home late.
Widcombe is just south-east of the centre on the other side of the River Avon, and it feels more like a small village than part of the city. The main street, Widcombe Parade, has Georgian and Victorian houses with cafés and pubs, and you’ll meet more locals than tourists here.
This is also where the Kennet and Avon Canal meets the river. You can walk along the locks on the towpath, and up the hill is Prior Park Landscape Garden, an 18th-century garden with lakes and a Palladian bridge. There’s no parking at the garden, so it’s a bonus that you can walk up from Widcombe.
See hotels and apartments in Widcombe here.
There are few hotels in Widcombe, and most of the places to stay are apartments and small guesthouses. That makes the area good for a family or a group of friends who want their own kitchen and a bit more space, and for you if you’re staying in Bath for several days and want to live a bit like a local.
The downside is that you don’t have the big sights right on your doorstep, and there are steep hills if you’re staying up on Widcombe Hill. If you’re staying down by Widcombe Parade, though, it’s a short, flat walk into town.
Places to Stay in Widcombe
The Apartment, Bath - two-bedroom apartment by Widcombe Parade
The Apartment is on Sussex Place by Widcombe Parade and has two bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. It has a guest rating of 9.5 and suits a family or two couples who want more space than in a hotel. A few guests mention that the sofa bed is less comfortable than the beds.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely apartment within walking distance of Bath city centre.”
See photos and book The Apartment, Bath here.
The Art Studio - small apartment with a kitchen and parking
The Art Studio is a small apartment on Pulteney Gardens on the edge of Widcombe, with a kitchen and room for up to three people. There’s free parking, and it’s a short walk to both the canal and the centre. The staircase is narrow, so it can be awkward with heavy suitcases.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was excellent. Clean.”
See photos and book The Art Studio here.
Avon Guesthouse - cheapest pick with free parking
Avon Guesthouse is also on Pulteney Gardens and was the cheapest of all my picks in Bath when I searched. There’s free parking for one car per room and a guest rating of 9.0, but breakfast isn’t served. Some guests feel the decor is a little worn.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was perfect, just a short walk into town.”
See photos and book Avon Guesthouse here.
Where should you avoid staying in Bath?
I’d avoid the chain hotels along the Lower Bristol Road and by the main roads into the city, unless you’re driving and need cheap parking. From there, you’ll walk along busy roads to get into town, and you’ll miss the best thing about Bath, which is the quiet streets in the evening.
Be careful with places to stay high up on the hills too, for example at the top of Bathwick Hill, Widcombe Hill or Lansdown. The distance looks short on the map, but the walk home up the steep hills can be hard work, especially with children or a suitcase.
And it rarely makes sense to stay in Bristol to save money. You’ll spend time and money on transport every day, and the evenings in Bath are a big part of the experience.
If it’s your first time in Bath, I’d stay in the centre close to the Roman Baths. If you want a romantic weekend and one of the city’s finest hotels, the Royal Crescent is the obvious choice, and if you’re arriving by train, the area near Bath Spa station is the easiest.
Families and anyone who wants peace and quiet will be happiest near Great Pulteney Street, while Pulteney Road is the right choice if you’re arriving by car. If you’d like your own kitchen and to stay among the locals, Widcombe is a good bet.
Lots of people combine Bath with a few days in London, and here are my picks for the best things to do in London. If you want to head further into south-west England, I’ve also written a guide to where to stay in Cornwall.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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