Bath is famous for the Roman Baths and the natural hot springs beneath the city, for its Georgian architecture at the Royal Crescent and the Circus, for Jane Austen, who lived here and set two novels in the city, and for being one of the only places in the world with double UNESCO World Heritage status.
The Roman Baths and the hot springs
Bath sits on Britain's only naturally occurring hot springs, and the Romans built a bathing and temple complex here around them, naming the settlement Aquae Sulis. The Roman Baths that survive today are one of the best-preserved Roman bath houses in Europe, though you can't actually bathe in that historic water yourself; for that, Thermae Bath Spa a few minutes' walk away uses the same natural spring water in a modern rooftop pool and treatment spa.
Georgian architecture
Bath's golden-stone Georgian streets, built largely in the 18th century from local Bath stone, are the reason the whole city, not just individual buildings, carries UNESCO World Heritage status. The Royal Crescent and the Circus are the two most photographed examples: sweeping terraces of townhouses designed by John Wood the Elder and his son, laid out with a unified classical facade that was radical for its time. Pulteney Bridge, lined with shops on both sides in the style of Florence's Ponte Vecchio, is the other architectural landmark most visitors photograph.
Jane Austen
Jane Austen lived in Bath between 1801 and 1806, and the city appears prominently in two of her novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. She's said to have had mixed feelings about actually living there, but the city has fully embraced the association since, with a dedicated Jane Austen Centre and an annual Jane Austen Festival each September drawing Regency-dressed visitors from around the world.
Double UNESCO World Heritage status
Bath is one of a small number of places inscribed twice by UNESCO: first as the City of Bath in 1987, recognising its Roman archaeology and Georgian town planning as a whole, and again in 2021 as part of The Great Spa Towns of Europe, a joint inscription covering historic spa towns across the continent. Few cities anywhere hold both honours at once.
Bridgerton
More recently, Bath has become closely associated with Netflix's Bridgerton, which films extensively in and around the city, using its Georgian streets and the Royal Crescent as a stand-in for Regency London. Our Bridgerton filming locations guide covers the real spots if you want to walk the route yourself.
Quick reference
| Famous for | Where to see it today |
|---|---|
| Roman Baths and hot springs | Roman Baths, Thermae Bath Spa |
| Georgian architecture | Royal Crescent, the Circus, Pulteney Bridge |
| Jane Austen | Jane Austen Centre, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion settings |
| UNESCO World Heritage (x2) | Inscribed 1987 (City of Bath) and 2021 (Great Spa Towns of Europe) |
| Bridgerton | Filming locations walking guide |
What locals would add
Residents are just as likely to mention Bath Rugby, the city's professional rugby union club playing at the Rec in the shadow of the Abbey, or the independent shopping around Milsom Street and the Guildhall Market. Bath's compact size, walkable from end to end in well under an hour, is also part of what people mean when they call it one of the UK's most liveable small cities.
Frequently asked questions
Can you actually bathe in the Roman Baths?
No. The historic Roman Baths are a preserved archaeological site, not a working bath. Thermae Bath Spa, a separate modern facility nearby, uses the same natural spring water for bathing today.
Why does Bath have UNESCO World Heritage status twice?
Bath was first inscribed in 1987 as the City of Bath, covering its Roman and Georgian heritage as a whole city. It was inscribed again in 2021 as part of a joint listing, The Great Spa Towns of Europe, alongside other historic spa towns across the continent.
Did Jane Austen like living in Bath?
Accounts suggest she had mixed feelings, but she lived there from 1801 to 1806 and set substantial parts of two novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, in the city.
Is the Royal Crescent open to the public?
The Royal Crescent itself is a residential street you can walk along freely. No. 1 Royal Crescent, one of the houses, is open as a museum furnished in period style.
Where does Bridgerton film in Bath?
Several real Georgian locations around the city double for Regency London, including the Royal Crescent. See our filming locations guide for the specific spots.
Is Bath stone a real thing?
Yes, Bath stone is a honey-coloured limestone quarried locally, and it's what gives the city's Georgian buildings their distinctive golden colour.