Things to do in Bath

[Spinxsta]

I'm planning a day out for DS and me. He's mad about Roman's so I've booked the Roman Baths.

How long does it take for a 7 year old to look round the Baths??

What else can we do for the rest of the day??

I thought you meant IN the bath. I was gonna suggest something I do. But then I see you meant the CITY.

As you were. 😆

Hope someone can help you soon. I have never been. I quite fancy it though.

The Baths aren’t huge, I’d think an hour and a half- 2 hours tops.
The Pump Rooms are next door.
It’s a short walk to pulteney Bridge and the river, there are gardens next to the river, think there’s a small entrance charge.
The open top bus might be a good idea.

It doesn't take long I don't think. A couple of hours maybe. We actually couldn't get in so make sure you prebook.
I was there recently and we spent most of our day just mooching in the town centre. There's lots to see so I'm not sure you would need to specifically book anything else if you're just there for the day. A walk up to the Royal Crescent is nice & there's some nice walks & the Royal Victoria park. You could do an open top bus tour.

Everything is actually really close together. It's a great city to navigate
Don't waste your time on a cruise. It's nice but if you've not got lots of time I think exploring would be a better use of it.

Boat trip ? https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/-l517/-tc48/?cmp=ga&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=6566958149&cq_con=81595977507&cq_term=boat%20trips%20in%20bath&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=6566958149&adgroup_id=81595977507&target_id=aud-476515433651%3Akwd-397839916701&loc_physical_ms=1006900&match_type=e&ad_id=386401285851&keyword=boat%20trips%20in%20bath&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhM_-yNPh_wIVjLrtCh1ILwasEAAYASAAEgJkhfD_BwE&visitor-id=O4QYL8Q4TWQOY5WC74YRBWP9X3A1BFIU&locale_autoredirect_optout=true. This gives you a list of boat trips and some other guided tours of Bath.

At the moment the Assembly Rooms are full of a nature art installation which seems to be lots of igloo type things made of sticks. I didn’t pay a lot of attention but kids seemed to be loving it. It’s free.

There’s a fantastic playground in Royal Victoria Park. Bit of a walk from the centre but we’ll worth it.

The Royal Crescent has a museum house to look at Number 1 Royal Crescent. The American museum is interesting with lovely grounds but uphill. Maybe see if you can take a boat trip.

There are some lovely bookshops with great kids sections. Toppings has a definite wow factor as you walk in, and Mr Bees has a brilliant selection.

If DS likes books, both Mr B's and Toppings are magical.

x-posted with @Countrydiary !

Number 1 is quite expensive and I don’t think a 7 year old will spend much time in there. Upstairs from the gift shop there is a free area aimed at kids where they can try on Georgian clothes and that kind of thing.

I would go to the Roman Baths then get lunch somewhere. (I’d personally go to the Real Italian for a kids’ pizza and ice cream just down the road). You could then walk up through town to Victoria Park via the Circus and the Royal Crescent, taking in a fudge shop on the way (there are several right near the Roman Baths). The park is nice for both the park and the botanical gardens but there is also a dell bit my kids like.

Or, after the baths you could walk over Pulteney Bridge and go to the Holborn museum.

Good point, and Toppings is behind the baths.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I've booked the Baths for 11:30. So, we'll be done by 1:30. I'm going to pack a picnic so we don't waste time waiting for food etc.

Maybe we can go Toppings after the Baths then head to Pulteney Bridge and Holborn museum? The Assembly rooms sounds great. Is that close to Pulteney Bridge to call in there?

Assembly rooms is in the opposite direction to Pulteney Bridge but more on the way to Victoria Park, so could be combined with that.

It all looks walkable with a bit of mooching and touristing!

And I would definitely go for ice cream at one of the places on York Street, near Toppings - I prefer Thayers to the Real Italian but they are both good. You will often find buskers playing in the square by the Abbey and the Baths, with plenty of benches to sit and eat your ice cream while enjoying the music.

Theres lovely gardens by the river, nearby there's a nice pizza place where you can buy a takeaway pizza to eat in the gardens, we did it a few times during lockdowns.

The city gets very very busy on weekends so book ahead anything that you want to do

Maybe we'll skip the Holborn and go to the assembly rooms and Victoria park.

... and eat ice cream.

We're actually going on a weekday.

Get a Sally Lunn Bun.

Would it be best to park at Victoria Park or at the Southgate shopping centre?

I would go park and ride to be honest - only a few pounds otherwise parking all day is expensive.

There's a really good new foot golf place in Victoria park and the park there is nice too. Also walk up from there to the Royal Crescent.

I used to live in Bath. Others have already mentioned other museum ideas.

He would love the mini golf in Victoria Park.

Also, if you're in the car on the way home you could stop for dinner at the Hare and Hounds pub in Lansdown. It's at the top of a big hill on the edge of Bath overlooking the city and you used to be able to see lots of hot air balloons during the summer.

Where are you driving in from? Roman Baths, ice cream and Victoria Park is a perfect day for a 7 year old 😊

The Charlotte Street car park is handy for Victoria Park, but it does get expensive (£10+ for most of the day) - it depends whether you want the convenience of parking centrally or to save yourself a bit of money and the hassle of Bath traffic by using the park and ride. I presume you aren't coming from somewhere accessible by train?