Fun, child-friendly activities and green spaces make Bath a great destination for families – the beautiful Somerset and Wiltshire countryside is also on the city’s doorstep. Read on for some brilliant activities to keep kids entertained during a trip to Bath…
Things to Do
Hop on one of the iconic red double-decker buses to hunt out Bath’s landmarks with a Sightseeing Bus Tour of Bath with Tootbus. Or, if your children are over eight, book an adventure with Original Wild and embark on paddleboarding or kayaking along the River Avon.
The Roman Baths, a captivating and educational day out for all ages, lets you step back in time (in a socially distanced way) to discover Roman life. Their free audio guide for older children is read by Michael Rosen, and younger children can follow the Hoot the Owl activity trails around the museum.
Image - Roman Baths
The American Museum & Gardens is great for young explorers, offering winding paths and colourful flowers to spot on woodland wanders with four-legged friends. The Children's Garden is a magical space where children can engage with the natural world and American culture, also awaits your visit.
Image - American Museum & Gardens
For a relaxing afternoon, make for Royal Victoria Park and, in the Summer months, Bath on the Beach — a great spot to chill out after a morning of sightseeing. Next to Victoria Falls Adventure Golf, this summer event sees the arrival of a pop up sandy area with tables, deckchairs and hammocks dotted beneath palm trees. Enjoy some pizza and Caribbean-inspired mocktails, and make sure you book a game of table tennis or pétanque in advance!
Image - Bath on the Beach
Parks and Gardens
While away a few hours in one of Bath’s many parks. Royal Victoria Park has a large play area, while the lawn beneath the Royal Crescent is perfect for a picnic with the grandest view. Henrietta Park, Sydney Gardens, Parade Gardens and Alice Park are all great for relaxing and playing in the summer sunshine. To burn off some more energy, head to the rope-swing and den-building area at Rainbow Woods — part of the National Trust’s Bath Skyline Walk.
Image - Parade Gardens
Food and Drink
The Egg Cafe is a relaxed place to enjoy a bite inside The Egg Theatre, which hosts a variety of family-friendly shows throughout the year.
Bath Pizza Co is an award-winning pizzeria with a tasty menu of wood-fired oven pizzas, or you can fill up on pie, mash and a range of crowd-pleasing sides at Pieminister. Afterwards, pop to nearby Heavenly Desserts or gelato experts Swoon.
Award-winning restaurant The Scallop Shell champions the best of British seafood and is popular with locals for fish and chips. Children are welcome and can order a half size portion of cod or homemade fishcakes and chips. You can also dine alfresco on the first-floor terrace.
Image - Pieminister
Beyond Bath
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park in Keynsham has a range of activities, from getting up close to animals and animatronic dinos, to a miniature railway and kid-sized safari Jeeps.
The popular safari park Longleat has plenty of animals to meet in the Jungle Kingdom, Monkey Temple and Koala Creek. After that you can explore the historic Longleat House, and try to find your way out of the hedge maze!
Having played host to Harry Potter, Cranford and many other historic film sets, Lacock, 14 miles east of Bath, is a beautiful National Trust Wiltshire village, with the grounds of its ancient abbey open on a pre-bookable basis.
Image - Longleat
Places to Stay
Spacious Gallery Family Rooms at Abbey Hotel Bath, are ideal for families, accommodating up to four guests. Each room includes a seating area doubling up as a comfortable sofa bed when needed.
3 Herschel Place has dedicated parking and a cot, highchair and all-important ducks to feed around the corner on the canal!
Woolley Grange Hotel in Bradford on Avon just outside Bath has award-winning children's facilities, including the Woolley Bears Den, an Ofsted-registered crèche.
Enjoy quality time together away from phone screens at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa in Calne, a short drive from Bath. With dedicated activities for kids, plus a host of traditional country pursuits, like falconry, archery, croquet, football and cricket, there’s no shortage of options to keep everyone entertained
Image - Lucknam Park Hotel
Find out more about Family-Friendly Bath.
Related
Original Wild offers high-quality adventure experiences in the heart of Bath, from private stand-up paddleboarding and kayak city tours to their fun Code Break Bath Challenge.
Famed for its hot springs, Bath houses the best preserved Roman Spa from the ancient world. Delve into the history of this magical monument and admire its architecture and engineering.
Located on the outskirts of town, find the best day out in Bath with breathtaking views, fascinating museum collections, stunning gardens, gallery shop, children’s play area and the American Garden Deli, with its scenic garden terrace.
A historic seven-acre park with extensive shrubberies and beautiful flower beds, built in celebration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
One of the few remaining eighteenth-century pleasure gardens in the UK.
This walk brings to life Bath’s panoramic ‘countryside in the city’ views. It is designed to be really rewarding and highly accessible: easy to find, easy to follow and doable in only one-and-a-half hours.
The Scallop Shell is well known for serving delicious fish and chips and seasonal seafood.
BIG on adventure! Jam packed days and extraordinary events. Open school holidays.
Longleat, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to the UK’s original Safari Park.
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