Bath is a well known and much celebrated English spa town and is located 100 km from <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/london">London</a> in the southwest of England. The town of Bath is very elegant and attractive, not least due to the honey colored Georgian houses, peaceful parks and pleasant squares. Over 500 of the town's buildings are protected as historical or architectural landmarks. In fact, the whole town of Bath was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. Apart from the famous hot springs, Bath is home to numerous theatres, museums and cultural activities which have made it an immensely popular tourist attraction.
<a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/london">London</a> is a major international hub and features several major airports, including <a href="/TravelGuides/AirportGuides/Heathrow-Airport-LHR-London-UK">Heathrow</a>, <a href="/TravelGuides/AirportGuides/Gatwick-Airport-LGW-London-UK">Gatwick</a>, and <a href="/TravelGuides/AirportGuides/Stansted-STN-London-UK">Stansted</a>.
There are also smaller airports, in the region, which are easier to navigate. For example, <a href="/TravelGuides/AirportGuides/Lulsgate-International-BRS-Bristol-UK ">Bristol</a> is situated just 20 km from Bath and has connections to numerous European capitals, for example <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/amsterdam">Amsterdam</a>, <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/barcelona">Barcelona</a>, <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/berlin">Berlin</a>, <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/brussels">Brussels</a>, <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/copenhagen">Copenhagen</a>, <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/edinburgh">Edinburgh</a>, <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/paris">Paris</a>, and <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/prague">Prague</a>.
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From <a href="/flights/cheap-flights-to/london">London</a>, take the M4 to the west and get off at Junction 18, then follow the signs for about 5 miles.
Bath is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is an ideal place for walks in the woods. You can find information literature in several venues around Bath.
Trips to Stonehenge and further
Bath is central to many tourist attractions and there are tours available to Stonehenge and Avebury, as well as other villages throughout the Cotswolds area.
This is Britain's only natural hot spring. In the days when the ancient Romans occupied Britain, they built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that today still flows with natural hot water. The baths are believed to have been the finest in the entire Roman Empire.
Bath Abbey
This active church is situated in the heart of the town and was founded in 1499. You can either visit for a service, a concert, or an exhibition. The building itself is marvelous and of an impressive size. Its tower affords a splendid view of the Roman Baths, located just next door.
This interesting museum brings alive the history of fashion with its world-class collection of contemporary and historical dresses. The museum features 30,000 original items. On display are 150 dresses depicting the change of fashion from the late 16th century to the present day.
The novelist Jane Austen was Bath's most famous resident, who lived here at the turn of the 19th century. Today the center showcases a permanent exhibition depicting her life and work. Her fascination with the city is reflected in her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
The Royal Crescent
This magnificent crescent of houses was designed by John Wood and completed in 1774. One of the houses is open to visitors and is restored to show how life was lived at the end of the 18th century.
Pulteney Bridge
The bridge, designed by Robert Adam and completed in 1773, is one of only four bridges in the world that has shops continuous across its full span.
Great Pulteney Street
This is the quintessential Georgian street and a great place for a stroll.
Bath Literature Festival, launched in 1995, is held annually over a period of nine days, in February and March. It has established itself as one of the UK’s most respected literary events, presenting the best in local, national and international writers in venues throughout Bath’s vibrant city centre. The festival brings stimulating debates, lively conversations, and authors’ insights, as well as workshops and other interactive experiences.
Bath International Music Festival was initiated in 1948, and has become a well-established event of national significance and international reputation with an enviable artistic history. Taking place annually over two weeks in late May to early June, the festival presents a range of high quality events including orchestral, chamber and contemporary classical music, contemporary jazz and world music.
The Bath Film Festival was established in 1991. It showcases new films and discussions and debates with the filmmakers are held after the screening,. The festival uses various venues around Bath, including the Little Cinema, Rondo Theatre, Chapel Arts Centre and Komedia.
Bath hosts an annual festival dedicated to Jane Austen, its most famous resident. The festival features at least 30 different Regency themed events, from tea parties and 18th century dance workshops, to street fairs selling Regency themed foods and goods. The festival highlight is Europe's largest Regency Promenade where people dress in Regency costumes and parade at the grand Georgian terraces of Bath, to the accompaniment of music and dancing at The Jane Austen Festival Regency Ball.