Visiting Bath England on a budget? Find out the best free things to do in Bath with your family. Scroll down for all the info!
This list of free things to do in Bath England was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Planning a trip to the English city of Bath on a budget?
As a historic UNESCO city with ties to Jane Austen, the Romans, and the Georgian era, Bath is a popular tourist destination and can be expensive.
Some of the top attractions like the Roman Baths, Thermae Bath Spa, Jane Austen Centre, and No.1 Royal Crescent all cost at least £15 per ticket.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of free things to do in Bath too! The city has parks, beautiful architecture, affordable museums, and other quirky attractions.
This list includes all the best free and cheap things to do in Bath so you can enjoy a great day out or weekend trip without hurting your wallet.
25 Cheap and Free Things To Do in Bath
The Royal Crescent
Most of Bath’s city center was built during the Georgian period (late 18th – early 19th century) out of local limestone. Bath’s cohesive architectural style is one of the reasons why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the best examples of Georgian-era architecture just happens to be one of the best things to do in Bath.
The Royal Crescent is a curved street of extravagant 30 row-houses characterized by Roman columns and black wrought iron fences. It’s one of the most famous streets in the UK and a must-see.
Bath Abbey
This 17th-century Victorian Gothic church is the city’s main cathedral and one of the top free places to visit in Bath.
Bath Abbey has a beautiful vaulted ceiling with intricately carved wooden doors. You could spend hours admiring every detail!
Although the abbey is free for visitors, donations are very welcome and there’s a fee to take a tour of the tower.
Pulteney Bridge
The River Avon runs through the city so there is no shortage of bridges. But Pulteney Bridge is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and historic free things in Bath you must visit.
Drawing comparisons to Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Pulteney Bridge is an 18th-century bridge with rows of two-story gift stores running parallel.
Of course, if you buy a souvenir then it’s definitely not a free thing to do but admiring this beautiful bridge is priceless.
Royal Victoria Park
Opposite Royal Crescent is the Royal Victoria Park, a sprawling lawn with tons of outdoor activities.
It offers some of the best free things to do in Bath like a skate park, children’s playground, and boating on the ponds.
Fashion Museum Bath
This is an art museum like no other and one of the top Bath free attractions. If you’re looking for cute things to do in Bath, look no further than the Fashion Museum Bath.
It displays lots of costumes and clothing from the 17th century onwards so you can see the progression of fashion from Victorian times until now. You can even try the clothes on!
The Circus
Like The Royal Crescent, The Circus is another great example of Georgian row houses.
These homes are some of the best things to see in Bath for free. Don’t forget to take lots of photos before you leave because this architecture is super Instagrammable.
Bath Skyline Walk
Bath is such a beautiful city, the best place to appreciate its good looks is from above.
Head to the Halfpenny Bridge and follow the Heritage Trail along the canal until you reach Bathwick Meadows. You’ll be able to see churches and dozens of rows of chimneys.
It’s absolutely one of the top things to do in Bath for free at sunset.
Victoria Art Gallery
Are you having a rainy day and looking for indoor things to do in Bath? Check out the Victoria Art Gallery.
It’s the city’s main art gallery and features a range of works by European, British, and local Bath artists in many different styles.
With royal blue painted walls and plush green couches, it’s the coziest art gallery you’ll ever visit!
Guildhall Market
The 19th-century Guildhall Market is one of the top indoor free attractions in Bath.
It has a bright domed ceiling and you can find stalls selling everything from food, baked goods, cheese, homewares, and souvenirs.
Prior Park Landscape Garden
Visiting this sprawling National Trust property should be on your list as it’s one of the best things to do in Bath, England regardless of whether you’re on a budget or not.
Its grounds are filled with tons of cute structures like covered Palladian bridges and follies with Roman columns that wouldn’t look out of place in Bridgerton.
The only downside to Prior Park is that it’s not free to visit. But at less than £10 for an adult ticket (and family discounts) it’s still much cheaper than many other Bath attractions.
Holbourne Museum and Sydney Gardens
This beautiful Georgian building is another art museum in Bath but it specifically displays works by Victorian Masters.
While the Holbourne Museum is not technically one of the cheap or free things to do in Bath England, it is at certain times.
There is no charge for entrance between 3 pm and 5 pm on Wednesdays or from 5 pm until 9 pm on the last Friday of the month.
At other times, tickets are around £11 per person for adults.
However, it’s totally free to look at the outside of the building, which is Lady Danbury’s home in Bridgerton.
Mayor of Bath Walking Tours
You’d expect to pay or tip most walking tours in European cities, but you can get a free walking tour of Bath with no strings attached!
Every guide is a volunteer carrying on a longstanding tradition of the mayor’s office guiding visitors around Bath since 1934.
From Sunday to Friday, historic walking tours depart from outside the Pump Room in Abbey Church Yard twice a day at 10:30 am and 2 pm (Saturdays at 10:30 am only). They last for two hours and will show you the highlights of the city.
Botanical Gardens
Forget about small, well-appointed formal English gardens. The Botanical Gardens are one of the top Bath things to do for free, covering around 40 acres of land with over 8,000 different plant species.
It dates back to the late 19th century and there are fun statues like a Shakespeare memorial and a Dovecote.
Bath Assembly Rooms
Owned by the National Trust, visiting the Assembly Rooms is one of the top things to do in Bath on a budget as an alternative to No.1 Royal Crescent.
The Assembly Rooms houses an elegant 18th-century ballroom, tea room, and card room which has hosted many formal events over the centuries. Guided tours are 45 minutes and cost less than £10.
Jane Austen’s books Pride & Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion all feature scenes at the Assembly Rooms.
Bath World Heritage Centre
Bath isn’t just a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its nice houses. There is so much more to this city than meets the eye.
Learn more at the Bath World Heritage Centre. There are lots of informative, interactive exhibits that will teach you all about the history of this city. If you’re looking for free stuff to do in Bath with kids on a rainy day, it’s perfect.
Georgian Garden and Dueling Lane
Just behind The Circus is the Georgian Garden, one of the best free things to do in Bath UK.
This formal English garden includes fun topiaries and ‘the Gravel Walk’ which appears in Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion.
It has the alternative name ‘Dueling Lane’ as it’s where many gentlemen in centuries past would challenge their rivals to duels.
Watch Live Music
One of the top cool things to do in Bath is to visit a pub and listen to live music. The Electric Bar, Green Park Brasserie, The Bell Inn, And The Grapes are all known for regular music nights.
And listening will only cost you the price of a drink!
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum
Not only is Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum the oldest house in Bath, but it’s also the location of a 15th-century tearoom where Ms. Lunn invented a sweetbread called the Sally Lunn Bun.
While it’s not the cheapest place to grab lunch in the city, tasting one of these local delicacies is one of the most fun things to do in Bath. Plus, a pot of tea and a toasted bun will set you back less than £10.
Bristol and Bath Railway Path
Bath is super close to the vibrant city of Bristol, which is just 13 miles away along the Bristol and Bath Railway Bath.
This disused former railway line is now a pedestrian and bike-friendly path surrounded by lush forest. You could walk along some of it or rent bikes for the day and cycle the whole trail.
Renting bikes usually isn’t cheap, but if you want to spend an entire day cycling then you won’t be spending money elsewhere!
Alexandra Park
An alternative to the Bath Skyline Walk, Alexandra Park also offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, and it’s one of the top things to see in Bath.
It also has a fenced-off playground so it’s perfect for young families.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
Did you know that Uranus was the first planet discovered by telescope by an astronomer named William Herschel? And did you know he did so from his garden in Bath?!
His house is now the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and it’s one of the top things to do in Bath for science fans. Entrance is cheap at just over £5 for adults.
Sham Castle
One of the quirkiest, secret things to do in Bath is to see Sham Castle, which is literally a sham castle.
Posing as a medieval fortress, this structure was only built in the 18th century. It’s just the front facade of a castle built to look as if it’s an imposing fortress from afar. Sneaky but fun!
Roman Baths
Seeing the Roman Baths is still one of the best things to do in Bath, even if you don’t pay the entrance fee to go inside.
You can still see parts of the baths from outside the fence which is absolutely worth doing.
Cheap and Free Things To Do in Bath FAQs
Can you see the Roman Baths for free?
When planning what to do in Bath for a day, the Roman Baths are probably at the top of your list. Unfortunately, the Roman Baths are not free.
Ticket prices fluctuate depending on concessions and whether you’re visiting on a weekend or weekday. Either way, expect a ticket to the Roman Baths to cost between £20 – £30.
Are museums free in Bath?
Some museums are free in Bath, some aren’t, and some offer free entrance at specific times.
This can be confusing if you’re expecting museums to be free in Bath. It’s standard practice in the UK for museums to be free with paid entrance for temporary exhibitions.
However, museums are still some of the best cheap things to do in Bath, even if they aren’t free.
Is Bath expensive to visit?
When you’re researching the best things to do in Bath in a day, you’ll soon realize that Bath is an expensive place to visit.
Most of the top attractions cost over £15 per ticket. Restaurants and accommodation aren’t cheap either.
However, there are definitely ways to experience Bath on a budget so it’s still worth visiting.
Can I enjoy the Bath Skyline Walk for free?
Yes, you can! The Bath Skyline Walk offers breathtaking views of the city and surrounding countryside, and it’s completely free to explore.
What are some free events or festivals in Bath?
The Bath Carnival, the Jane Austen Festival, and the Bath Fringe Festival often feature free events, parades, and performances that you can enjoy.
Can I visit the Bath Botanical Gardens without a fee?
Yes, the Bath Botanical Gardens are open to the public for free. It’s a wonderful place to relax, explore various plant species, and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.
Are there any affordable ways to experience Bath’s Georgian architecture?
Absolutely! You can take a self-guided walking tour of Bath’s Georgian architecture, including the iconic Royal Crescent and The Circus, without any cost.
Can I enjoy the Great Bath at the Roman Baths for free?
Access to the Great Bath area requires a ticket, but you can catch a glimpse of it from outside the Roman Baths complex without purchasing a ticket.
Are there free walking tours available in Bath?
Yes, there are! Some companies offer free walking tours of Bath, allowing you to learn about the city’s history and landmarks without spending money.
How can I explore the Kennet and Avon Canal on a budget?
You can take a leisurely walk or bike ride along the scenic Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, enjoying the beautiful views and historic locks without spending a dime.
Cheap and Free Things To Do in Bath Wrap Up
Once you learn about all the free things to do in Bath, the city becomes much more accessible to all types of travelers.
Bath has a reputation for being expensive, and it is, but there are lots of fun yet cheap things to do in Bath too. You’ll still enjoy your time in this gorgeous Georgian city.