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Student city guide to Bath: top 10 things to do

Decided to go to university in Bath? Excellent choice! Bath is a beautiful city, with plenty of uber-cool haunts for letting your hair down in. Here's 10 of the best things to do...

Eleanor Foulds
by Eleanor Foulds
Last Updated:
16 Jan 2024

Located in the South East of England, Bath is well known for its beautiful architecture and rich history. With Roman Baths to visit and Jane Austen's house to check out, you won't be short of things to do in and around the city. To help you get to know the city, we've put together our top 10 things to do when you want to take a break from studying in Bath...

1) Southgate Shopping Centre


Good for: Shopping, of course!

What it is: A huge and lively shopping complex with over 50 of your favourite brands and restaurants compiled into one area! It also has a boutique cinema showcasing all the latest blockbuster movies, as well as independent and arthouse films. Relaxing with a glass of champagne on luxurious sofas watching greatly anticipated films? Oh, you are SO Bath.

Why you should go: When your student budget comes in, the first thing you will want to do is spend ALL of it. Although we believe this WILL provide you with incredible short-term joy, we are also aware of the long-term sorrows. Thus, after creating a very SENSIBLE shopping budget (know-hows can be found here), all your shopping needs will be met with this lively shopping complex with over 50 of your favourite brands and restaurants! 

2) FREE walking tours!

 

Bath city guide

Good for: Learning the local area and finding out more about the city.

What it is: There are many walking tours in Bath that are absolutely free and include the main tourist sites around the city such as The Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.

Why you should go: Aside from the fact that these tours are COMPLETELY FREE, the sites are absolutely stunning and completely Instagrammable to show off your well-travelled self to your followers!

3) The Sydney Pleasure Gardens

 

bath city guide

Good for: Getting out into nature and relaxing with a picnic.

What it is: Speaking of grand tours, The Sydney Pleasure Gardens is one of the most scenic places in Bath. It's also home to The Holbourne Museum showcasing some of the city’s first public fine art designs. It is also just an eight minute drive from The Prior Park Landscape Garden with 18th Century designs and gorgeous views of Bath.

Why you should go: When in Rome.. or Bath in this instance. Gorgeous views and historic tours result in a well-cultured individual. These not only give you a piece of Bath’s most famous history, but provide you with amazing moments you can only find in a city like this.

4) Check out Sub 13

 

bath city guide

Good for: An evening out with your new uni mates.

What it is: An elaborate cocktail bar with comfy leather booths and a stylish cellar interior, it is the perfect night out for a drink and a catch-up after a long week of lectures.

Why you should go: Voted ”The Best Cocktail Bar in Bath”, Sub 13 is home to a large variety of extravagant cocktails, a heated rooftop terrace and DJs to keep the party going whilst sipping on half-price cocktails till 10pm!

5) Bath Christmas Market

 

bath city guide

Good for: Finding unique Christmas gifts for all your family and friends, as well as a Christmas treat for yourself.

What it is: As well as the many historic sites in Bath, another favourite is their beloved Christmas Market. For 18 days a year Bath brings the festive spirit out in full force with gorgeous light displays and local designers showcasing their unique gifts to the public. What’s not to love?

Why you should go: It is one of the most highly-anticipated and well-known Christmas Markets in the UK. Go grab a mulled wine or hot chocolate (or both!), and buy some fancy Christmas gifts for your family.

6) The Thermae Bath Spa


bath spa

Good for: Kicking back, relaxing, and being pampered.

What it is: Speaking of spas, you cannot experience Bath without some luxury included. The Thermae Bath Spa is the UK’s only natural thermal spa with rooftop views of Bath and state of the art facilities including a steam room, an ice chamber and an infra-red sauna.

Why you should go: Work hard, play hard is our motto here at WhatUni, and if you need a break from studying and writing those pesky essays, what better way than to visit your local spa? (Which also happens to be world famous).

7) Green Park Station


Good for: Finding unique items to decorate your uni flat and picking up some local produce.

What it is: Green Park Station is another market which you can visit year-round and features anything from organic groceries to antiques.

Why you should go: This is a unique market located in former railway station with a cast iron and glazed roof and swanky décor.

8) Bath City Farm


Good for: Getting some animal company and destressing.

What it is: A completely free to access farm.

Why you should go: To see the teeny tiny Shetland Ponies (too cute for words) plus goats, pigs, ducks amongst others. If you’re an animal lover and gutted you can’t have a pet in your uni accommodation, this is the place for you.

9) Fashion Museum


Good for: Learning the history of fashion.

What it is: Whether you're just casually interested in fashion or whether you're style-obsessed, you'll find something to interest you at the fashion museum, and it's reopening in a brand new home which means you'll be able to explore the beautiful Old Post Office.

Why you should go: Whether you're studying a degree in fashion or history, or just love a bit of fancy dress (they have Victorian style clothes to try on) this museum will interest you. The museum also runs sketching and craft lessons on a regular basis.

10) Second Bridge


Good for: Letting your hair down and dancing the night away.

What it is: A classic Bath nightclub and live music venue.

Why you should go: This place throws one of the best parties in Bath, featuring several underground spaces to explore and a variety of musical tastes to whet your appetite. Visit the basement, the main room, and the upper echelons, which boast stylish VIP service and a cabaret area. The pub upstairs is open all day, and the venue runs a lively season of events.

Key info about Bath


Bath is one of the most photogenic cities in the UK (it's like they designed it with Instagram in mind!). With its golden Georgian architecture and Historic Roman Baths, it’s as though you’ve stepped into an 18th Century painting and decided to take a grand tour.  

Beyond the architecture and history though lie some amazing countryside, excellent shopping spots and some seriously cool nightspots to relax and socialise in with your new uni mates.

And you'll have plenty of students to get friendly with; the city is home to University of Bath, Bath Spa University and Bath College.

Whatuni has visited Bath to find out exactly what students have to say about their local area. Here's just some of the reviews we've collected...

Bath student review Bath student review Bath student review

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