Recommendations for things to do in Bath for a 40th birthday weekend

[sunshinemum2026]

I've booked to go to Bath for my friend's 40th birthday at the end of August and I'm looking for any recommendations for things to do/see while we're there.

Book the Thermae Bath Spa.

recommend this restaurant
https://menugordonjones.co.uk/#gordon-jones-home

https://www.romanbaths.co.uk/event/summer-lates-roman-baths

During the summer hols the Roman Baths stay open late and are torchlit - it's very atmospheric! At weekends there's music too.

Bun at Sally Lunns, No1 The Crescent, afternoon tea at the pump room, mooch around Sydney gardens, Jane Austen or bridgerton walking tour. I love Bath!

Thermae bath spa, Roman baths (but bear in mind you can't actually bathe in them), first table app for half price restaurants, just hang out and enjoy!

Roman baths, no 1 the crescent, the pump room for afternoon tea, bath abbey there’s a cute little cinema or the theatre as well. I wish I was going!

What do you like doing and are interested in? There are some lovely restaurants/places to eat, eg Landrace, Walcot House, Emberwood.

The shopping has got a lot better in recent years and it is a lovely place to just wander around.

Look on TikTok for all the viral places - eg matcha thing and Green Street for chicken sandwiches etc.

The open top bus tour is quite fun and the roman baths definitely worth a visit.

As others have said, go to the Roman Baths, No 1 The Crescent, the Pump Room for afternoon tea and looking at Pulteney Weir for the classic visitor experience. Also recommend free walking tours by the Mayor of Bath's Honorary Guides, and if you like art go to the Holburne Museum and the Victoria Art Gallery. Assembly Rooms are currently closed while the NT renovates them.

Don't bother with Jane Austen museum, Mary Shelly's House of Frankenstein museum or the open bus tour. I'd only recommend the Thermae Spa if you like going to spas (I don't). There's a pool on the roof but watch out for seagulls!

Lots of shopping - chains down in Southgate Centre, but walk all the way up to Milsom Street/New Bond Street/Walcot Street for others. Don't miss out on the side streets and arcades. Lots of bookshops including Persephone Books and Topping & Co. The new Jolly's doesn't open until next Spring, though.

Lots of great places to eat and drink - independents & chains. If you watch First Dates, they film in The Botanist Bath in Milsom Street. If you are a veggie, I'd recommend Root in Shires Yard.

You can go to the tourist information site to find out what's on while you are there.