Uncover 2,000 years of history step by step through self-guided and expert-led walking tours of Bath.

🏛️ Why Bath Is a Walker’s Paradise

From the healing waters of the Romans to the elegance of the Georgian era, Bath is a city shaped by its people and preserved in stone. As a compact and pedestrian-friendly city nestled in a natural amphitheatre, Bath lends itself beautifully to exploration on foot. Unlike larger cities, here you can trace a near-continuous historical timeline—from ancient ruins and medieval alleys to neoclassical crescents—in the space of a few miles.

Walking allows you to pause, admire the creamy Bath stone, listen to buskers under vaulted colonnades, and uncover details easily missed when travelling by car or bus. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture lover, or simply in search of a peaceful meander, Bath offers walking tours for every interest.

👣 Top Walking Tours of Bath (Self-Guided & Organised)

1. Roman Bath Discovery Walk

• Best for: Ancient history lovers

• Length: 1.5–2 hours

• Start Point: The Roman Baths

• Sights:

  • The Roman Baths & Sacred Spring

  • Bath Abbey (site of the earlier Roman temple)

  • Cross Bath and the lesser-known Thermae complex

  • The ancient city wall remnants near Upper Borough Walls

• What You’ll Learn:
  Explore Bath’s origins as Aquae Sulis, a spiritual and therapeutic hub during Roman Britain. Learn how the baths were more than spa resorts—they were religious centres, community gathering places, and political spaces.

Tip: Pair this with a visit to the Roman Baths Museum and interactive exhibits.

2. Georgian Elegance & Jane Austen Trail

• Best for: Architecture and literature fans

• Organised by: The Mayor of Bath’s Honorary Guides (Free daily tours)

• Sights:

  • Queen Square

  • The Royal Crescent

  • The Circus

  • Assembly Rooms

  • Pulteney Bridge

• What You’ll Learn:
  Discover how 18th-century architects like John Wood the Elder transformed Bath into Britain’s most fashionable city. Trace Jane Austen’s personal experiences of Bath, and spot locations that inspired scenes from Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.

Self-Guided Option: Download the Jane Austen Walking Map from the Jane Austen Centre or Visit Bath.

3. The Hidden Corners Tour

• Best for: Curious explorers and photographers

• Organised by: Bath Insider Tours or Sulis Guides

• Sights:

  • Quiet passageways near Walcot Street

  • St. Michael’s Church Courtyard

  • Historic coaching inns and alleyways

  • Guildhall Market back entrances

• What You’ll Learn:
  Hear local legends, ghost stories, and quirky facts while exploring streets often overlooked by tourists. Perfect for those who’ve “seen it all” and want to uncover Bath’s lesser-known past.

4. Bridgerton & Period Drama Filming Locations Walk

• Best for: TV fans and aesthetes

• Sights:

  • Royal Crescent (Featherington House)

  • Bath Street (Lady Danbury’s exterior)

  • Holburne Museum (Lady Danbury’s residence)

  • Abbey Green and Trim Street

• What You’ll Learn:
  Get behind-the-scenes insights into how Bath became the star of Netflix’s Bridgerton, plus details about other productions filmed here like The Duchess and Vanity Fair.

Self-Guided Option: Visit Bath’s Bridgerton Trail Guide

5. The Bath Skyline Walk (National Trust)

• Best for: Nature lovers and seasoned walkers

• Length: ~6 miles (circular)

• Start Point: Bathwick Hill

• Sights:

  • Prior Park Landscape Garden

  • Sham Castle

  • Smallcombe Cemetery

  • Rich woodland, meadows, and panoramic city views

• What You’ll Learn:
  This tranquil route combines nature, heritage, and sweeping views over Bath. Ideal for decompressing after a city-centre tour, especially in spring when wildflowers are in bloom.

6. Bath by Night: Ghost & History Walks

• Organised by: Bizarre Bath Comedy Tour, Bath Ghost Tours

• Best for: Night owls and the theatrically curious

• Sights:

  • Old Orchard Street Theatre

  • Bath Abbey Square at night

  • Paranormal “hotspots” like The Garrick’s Head Pub

• What You’ll Learn:
  Dive into Bath’s darker history, including 18th-century scandal, haunted mansions, and Victorian myths—all brought to life with actors or seasoned storytellers.

🗺️ Resources for Self-Guided Walking Tours

• Visit Bath Audio Tours: Includes “World Heritage Site Walk,” “Jane Austen Walk,” and more.

• Bath Skyline PDF Trail: Available via the National Trust

• Maps & Trails: Pick up free walking maps at the Bath Visitor Centre (Abbey Churchyard)

🧥 Walking Essentials

• What to Bring:

  • Good walking shoes (cobbled streets can be tricky!)

  • A refillable water bottle (lots of refill points around the city)

  • Weather-proof layers or an umbrella—Bath is beautiful in the rain, but damp!

• Best Time to Walk:

  • Early mornings for quieter views

  • Late spring and early autumn for the best light and comfortable temperatures

🏡 Planning a Walking Break in Bath?

If you're visiting Bath to explore on foot, Pass the Keys offers a handpicked collection of short-term rental properties perfect for walkers:

• Georgian townhouses near the Royal Crescent

• Hidden garden flats off Walcot Street

• Family-friendly homes within steps of the city centre

• Pet-friendly options for those bringing their dog along on the Skyline Walk

All properties are fully managed and professionally cleaned, with self-check-in and digital guidebooks—so you can relax and focus on soaking up Bath’s stories, one step at a time.