Bath Highlights

This private Southampton tour is round trip from the port. In Bath you visit the historic Bath Abbey, the famous Roman Baths, and the Royal Crescent, with free time to enjoy lunch and browse local shops.

After meeting your guide, you drive to Bath, one of the most popular destinations in England and, since 1987, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Bath takes its name from its natural hot springs, which surface at around 115°F (46°C) and have flowed from the center of town for thousands of years. When the Romans arrived in Britain, they built an extensive bath house here modeled on those found throughout the Empire. In Georgian and Victorian times, roughly the late 1700s through the late 1800s, Bath's hot springs drew not only those seeking a cure, but members of London high society as well, who would come for the summer season and follow a daily routine of a morning spa treatment, afternoon tea, and evening balls or gambling.

Upon arrival in Bath, you visit the Royal Crescent and the Circus, two of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Britain. The Circus was designed by the architect John Wood the Elder, though he died just three months after construction began in 1754; his son, John Wood the Younger, completed it and went on to design the Royal Crescent himself, built between 1767 and 1774.

Next you visit the famous Bath Abbey. This Late Gothic abbey, construction of which began in 1499, stands on the site of an even older and larger church, a story depicted on the West Front of the present building, considered the last of the great medieval churches of England. Donations are requested at the entrance.

Following the Abbey visit, you have free time for lunch in a local pub (meal not included). Afterward you visit the Roman Baths, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Romans built a temple and bathing complex around the hot spring that still flows with natural hot water today. The tour lets you see the ancient baths and their Roman artifacts up close and learn how the complex worked.

Following the Roman Baths, you'll have additional free time in Bath, based on the drive time needed to return to Southampton.

• Mobility: Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.