Twerton is Bath's riverside working neighbourhood, built along the River Avon on the city's western edge, home to Bath City FC's Twerton Park and one of the more affordable places to live within easy reach of the centre. It's a flat, 25 to 35 minute walk into town along the Lower Bristol Road, or a short ride on First Bus route 5.
Where Twerton is and its history
Twerton sits west of Bath city centre, between Lower Weston and Newbridge, following the Avon along the Lower Bristol Road. It appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Twiverton, then home to around 32 households, when it was held by the Bishop of Coutances. The Avon here was used for centuries to power mills for corn and cloth, and Twerton grew as a genuine industrial village through the 17th to 19th centuries around that milling and weaving trade, quite different in character from the Georgian spa town that grew up around it.
Today Twerton High Street still functions as a proper local shopping street, with a mini market, convenience shops, a pharmacy and community and learning centres, more workaday than the boutiques of central Bath.
Bath City FC and Twerton Park
Twerton Park has been the home of Bath City FC since 1932 and is one of the largest stadiums in non-League English football, with room for around 8,840 fans including just over 1,000 seats. The club, founded in 1889 as Bath AFC before adopting the Bath City name in 1905, plays in the National League South. On a matchday it's the liveliest thing in Twerton, and the ground has been through periodic redevelopment discussions as part of wider plans for the High Street area.
Getting around
First Bus route 5 runs between Bath city centre and Whiteway via the Lower Bristol Road and Twerton, making it a straightforward, frequent link into town. The Big Lemon's community route 20 also passes through Twerton on its way between the University of Bath and the city centre via the Royal United Hospital, Widcombe Hill and Oldfield Park, useful if you're commuting to the university rather than the centre. It's a flat, walkable route into town along the Lower Bristol Road if you'd rather go on foot or by bike, reckoned at 25 to 35 minutes depending on exactly where you start. See our guide to getting around Bath without a car for the wider picture.
What it's like today
Twerton is one of Bath's more affordable neighbourhoods, with terraced housing dating largely from its industrial 19th-century growth, and a working, residential character rather than a tourist one. It suits people who want a short, flat commute into the centre and don't need to be within the Georgian core itself. It sits close to Oldfield Park and Newbridge, both similarly practical, residential parts of the city.
Moving to Twerton
If you're comparing areas to live in Bath, Twerton is generally cheaper than Widcombe, Bathwick or the centre, while still being a short bus ride or a flat walk from the Georgian sights and Bath Spa station. Our where to stay guide covers the more central, visitor-facing options if that's what you're weighing up instead, and our parking guide is useful if you're planning to keep a car here.
Quick facts
| Twerton | |
|---|---|
| Location | West Bath, along the Avon and Lower Bristol Road |
| Known for | Twerton Park (Bath City FC), Twerton High Street |
| Housing | Mostly 19th-century terraces from its milling and weaving era |
| Getting into the centre | First Bus route 5, via Lower Bristol Road, or a 25-35 min walk |
| Nearby | Oldfield Park, Newbridge, Lower Weston |
Frequently asked questions
Is Twerton a good place to live in Bath?
It's one of the more affordable neighbourhoods within easy reach of the centre, with a flat commute in via bus or on foot. It has a working, residential character rather than a tourist one, which suits people who don't need to be in the Georgian core itself.
What is Twerton known for?
Twerton Park, home of Bath City FC since 1932, and Twerton High Street, a genuine local shopping street rather than a visitor destination. Historically it was an industrial village built around river-powered corn and cloth mills.
How do you get from Twerton into central Bath?
First Bus route 5 runs along the Lower Bristol Road between Twerton and the city centre. The Big Lemon's community route 20 also passes through on its way to the University of Bath. It's a flat walk or cycle, around 25-35 minutes, if you'd rather not take the bus.
Is Twerton within walking distance of Bath city centre?
Yes, it's a flat route along the Lower Bristol Road, generally reckoned at 25 to 35 minutes on foot depending on exactly where in Twerton you start from.
How old is Twerton?
It appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Twiverton, with around 32 households at the time, so it predates Bath's Georgian expansion by many centuries.
Is Twerton near the University of Bath?
It's not adjacent, but the Big Lemon's route 20 connects Twerton to the University of Bath via the Royal United Hospital and Widcombe Hill, making it a workable option for students and staff who want cheaper housing outside the immediate campus area.
Is there anything to see in Twerton itself, or is it purely residential?
It's mostly residential and working rather than a sightseeing stop, but Twerton Park is worth a visit on a Bath City FC matchday for a proper non-League football atmosphere, and the High Street has a genuine, un-touristy local shopping scene if you want to see a side of Bath that isn't Georgian crescents.