Hands down, Bath is my absolute favorite place to visit, in part because it offers so very much to do in the surrounding area. Bath is the ideal hub for your day trips in southern England, and offers easy access to both bus and train transportation. If you’re planning a visit to Bath, consider some of these options for memorable day trips and excursions.
Best Day Trip from Bath: Glastonbury and Wells
Glastonbury is a delightful village south of Bath, easily accessible by bus. Very old and very full of legend, Glastonbury is believed by some to be the resting place of King Arthur, and still others believe it to be Avalon itself. The real draw is Glastonbury Abbey, a centuries-old structure that is now in ruins. There is a small museum on site, and an excellent audio tour is available, allowing you to roam the gorgeous and expansive grounds at your own pace. The town itself is charming, with many 15th century buildings still in use. If you have time, consider visiting Wells along the way, as it’s a common stop along the route from Bath. One of the smallest villages in England, Wells’ main draw is a disproportionately huge and quite beautiful cathedral that’s worth seeing if it fits in your schedule.
Best Day Trip from Bath: Lacock Village
Though it can be a bit tricky to get to (see “tours” below), the village of Lacock is a must-see if you’re traveling to Bath. The entire village is owned by the National Trust, and walking the streets is like stepping back in time. This virtual time-capsule of a village has been used as a set for many movies, and the streets are easy to navigate on foot. Lacock has a large abbey, but my favorite thing to do is stroll the streets, stop in the old church, and get lunch at one of the ancient pubs. The closest rail and bus stops are three miles away, either Chippenham or Melksham, so you’ll need to take a cab or walk the rest of the way.
Best Day Trip from Bath: Stonehenge
What could be a more iconic symbol of England than Stonehenge? The ancient stone circle is a “must see” at least once in your life, and it’s fairly easily accessible from Bath. The closest villages with bus and train service are Amesbury and Salisbury, though schedules vary. Amesbury might be considered walking distance for some, but I’d recommend you catch a cab or local bus either way. At the site, there’s a small museum and gift shop, and the stones themselves are incredible to see.
Best Day Trip from Bath: Tours
I know some seasoned travelers avoid them, but I really love taking day tours while I’m on vacation. I particularly recommend them if your time in an area is limited, and you want to make the most of one day of sightseeing. There’s a large variety offered, but my personal recommendation for Bath is Mad Max Tours, which offers three different tours at great prices. To me, the primary benefit of taking a tour is saving yourself the hassle of arranging transportation, which is particularly valuable when the places you really want to see are somewhat hard to reach. My favorite tour stops at Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle, Lacock Village, and Castle Combe, which is hard to beat for one day of sightseeing.
Far from an inclusive list, these are just a few of the area sites that would make outstanding day trips. With Bath as your home base, there’s so much to see within a day’s travel that it remains my first choice for a travel hub. If you’re planning things to do in the city, I’ve devoted an article to my favorite things to do without leaving Bath: Best Things to Do in Bath, England.
Sources:
Personal experience
“National Trust I Lacock Abbey I Getting There,” National Trust
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