When should I visit Bath?

The fact that you’re reading this blog suggests you’ve already concluded that Bath is a city worth visiting, but when should you visit? A UNESCO World Heritage City, with a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Roman Baths complex) within it, Bath is an extraordinary destination that is guaranteed to beguile you and confound your expectations. However, when is the best time to visit?  In truth, Bath is a great destination all year round, but there are benefits and disadvantages to visiting at various times of the year.  

Should I visit Bath in Summer?

Unsurprisingly, Bath is most popular in the peak summer months of July and August, when long, light evenings and great weather are almost guaranteed. However, Bath’s popularity during these months means that the numbers in Bath can make this small, intimate city feel a little overwhelmed. It’s also a time when accommodation and many tourism services prices hike up making it the most expensive time to visit as well. For us at In & Beyond Bath, we’d therefore suggest there are better times to visit our wonderful city.  

Visiting Bath in early-late Summer

The ideal times to visit Bath are the shoulder months of May and June, before summer, or September and October just after summer. Visit in May or June, and you’ll not only have fewer crowds to contend with, but you’ll arrive as the spring flowers are just beginning to say goodbye and the summer bloom is bursting into life. The evenings are long and, with luck, you’ll enjoy some fresh, early summer warmth and clear skies. Accommodation rates are much more reasonable and you’ll be able to enjoy many of the city’s attractions without having to jostle with the crowds. The weather is changeable, however, and the evenings can get cool, so make sure you’re prepared with waterproofs and warm clothing.

Should I visit Bath in Autumn/Fall?

Autumn/Fall (September through to mid-November) is our personal favourite season to visit Bath. Like the early summer, Bath enjoys far fewer crowds in early autumn, yet the weather is still often great, and although the evenings are shorter, the ambient temperature remains high as the surrounding seas release the heat they captured over the summer. Accommodation costs are lower, and you have space and time to enjoy the main attractions, but the thing that makes autumn the best time to visit is the changing colours of the leaves.

The Bath region is one of the most dramatic places to experience the ‘Fall’ and the entire area transforms from a lush green months earlier to a patchwork of golds, reds and yellows that cover the hills, parks and skyline of the city and beyond – especially if you venture out of the city to any of the many amazing natural or man-shaped landscapes in the area. Destinations such as Westonbirt Arboretum, Stourhead Gardens or Longleat Forest are all within one hour of Bath and offer unforgettable experiences for lovers of nature during the autumn months. If this is your thing, book a trip in early to mid-November for a truly magical experience!  (Discover our Cotswolds, Antiques and Autumnal Trees tour)https://inandbeyondbath.com/bath-curated-day-tours/royals-antiques-golden-leaves/

Visiting Bath in the lead-up to Christmas

Following autumn comes the run-down to Christmas, and this too is a magical time to visit Bath. Bath is an achingly romantic city whatever the season, but as the light begins to fade and the faint smell of wood smoke and damp tinges in the air, late November through to Christmas makes for an ideal time to visit the city from a cultural perspective. The Bath Christmas market arrives around mid-November drawing thousands from across the region, and providing the perfect opportunity to find Christmas presents for loved ones back home, whilst the opportunity to wrap up warm and then visit nearby Christmas markets in towns such as Bradford-on-Avon or Frome provides for a cultural experience that is both uniquely British and stirs a sense of nostalgia for a lost, Victorian era. The opportunity to experience the wonders of a choral performance inside one of our ancient Abbeys and Cathedrals, such as Evensong at Wells Cathedral or Bath Abbey makes for a mesmerising, transcendent moment.

Should I visit Bath in Winter?  

If solitude and affordability are your priority, or you love the Scandinavian concept of Hygge – snuggling in beside a comforting fire and with a warm drink in hand, as the winds howl or the rain patters outside, then the months of January and February are your ideal time to visit Bath. Bath is almost empty as a tourist destination meaning you’ll have many attractions to yourself (when they are open – many offer reduced opening hours/days). This is the perfect time for couples wanting to get away for a few days, and many of the hotels in the city (and many more in the surrounding area) offer a perfect retreat for those wanting to relax, escape the everyday world and enjoy a few days of comfort, indulgence and solitude away from it all. We’d recommend taking a look at some of the country hotels like the Manor House https://www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=hotel-themanorhouse in Castle Combe, or Wooley Grange in Bradford-on-Avon (great for families with kids) surrounding Bath if you want to bed in, and get truly away from it all. 

Should I visit Bath in Spring?

Finally, the spring months of March and April are the perfect time for visitors who want to get out and about, get good value for money and are comfortable trading these things for the risk of changeable weather. Early spring is a charming time to visit Bath and the surrounding area as first the snowdrops begin to emerge, followed by the daffodils, crocuses, tulips and blossom. Whilst it can be cold or wet, or both, it can also be gloriously sunny and bright, so bring clothing for all occasions and make the most of the season by getting out into Bath’s Victoria Park and the surrounding region. Our Spring guide has more information about what to do in the local region of Bath at this time of year.

Conclusion

Bath is a great destination all year round, and as we’ve discussed the pros and cons of each above we’ll briefly highlight the main points. Visiting in Autumn is our favourite as the weather is still generally great but fewer crowds and more reasonable accommodation prices make this our top choice. If you prioritise great weather above all else then Summer is the month for you – just prepare for the crowds to be large and the prices to be higher. Arguably, if you can manage the winter weather then visiting this time of year will guarantee that the crowds are smaller, but around the Christmas holidays the city becomes busier. As a balance between somewhat unpredictable weather and good value for money, the early summer months of May-June is the time of year for you.

We hope you enjoyed reading through this blog of When to Visit Bath, but if you feel that there’s something we’ve missed out that should be in this list then please do drop us a line at info@inandbeyondbath.com with your recommendation and why we should consider it. Heart this post if you found it helpful!

Warmest regards,

Jules Mittra & the team.