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London, it was a good run! Now it’s another timeless city’s turn in the spotlight, at least according to the New York Times.
Naming 2025’s ‘52 Best Places to Travel’, taking home gold is a U.K. city often left in the shadows of London.
But, travelers have been more receptive to exploring more of what the U.K. has to offer, from trending destinations such as Edinburgh, the rise of Belfast, and other lesser-known cities on the up and up with new train routes, which is your best bet to reach 2025’s top destination.
Exuding Roman-era charm, delightful tea shops, and picturesque villages on the outskirts, you’ll be magnetized toward an array of historic sites and, even more so, the wide selection of spas to melt your stress away, hence the name Bath.
Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than London’s sky-high prices.
Forget The Household Names: How Bath Sets Itself Apart
At first glance, Bath may not feel like a typical U.K. city. In fact, it’s relatively small in size, housing just 94,092 inhabitants according to the last census records.
Boasting grand Georgian architecture and Roman-style bathhouses, Bath is a far cry from London’s towering skyline and tourist-curated landmarks.
Bath is easy to explore on foot and well-connect by bus and train from London, but while here, a great way to see the sites is by electric scooters dispersed across the city to see the sites
There’s no place like Bath anywhere else in the U.K. Sure, there are other timeless gems like the Cotswolds, but everything fails in comparison to what Bath offers.
Bath is an eye-popping city perfect for kicking back and unwinding rather than pub-hopping across London.
While there are certainly traditional pubs here, the main draw of Bath is ample Roman spas originally consisting of thousands of archaeological discoveries, many of which are open to the public to enjoy all the benefits of naturally warm hot springs just as the Romans did.
Bath’s Must-Visit Spas
With a name like Bath, it would be hard-pressed to find any tourists who didn’t enjoy a soak at a bathhouse.
While I’m certainly no spa expert by any means, I can attest to how relaxing and beneficial visiting such concepts can be as I’ve visited Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon Istanbul’s traditional hammams, and I liked both so much that I even made a point to visit a new hot spring resort in my home state of California.
I haven’t had the privilege to visit Bath, but can totally relate to visitors’ enthusiasm like this review for Thermae Bath Spa:
“Only thermal baths in the whole of the UK. Great to be in the rooftop pool looking out over the countryside and UNESCO world heritage city!”
You can also book tickets to the Roman Baths Museum, a fascinating tour showcasing the old world.
According to TripAdvisor, these are travelers’ 3 favorite spas to visit Bath:
- Thermae Bath Spa
- The Cross Bath
- The Bath Massage Company
Cheaper Stays: Historic Hotels And Cozy Inns
Saying Bath is cheaper than London is an understatement, as a majority of global destinations don’t sniff London’s bank-breaking prices.
Bath offers a variety of intriguing stays brimming with character rather than splurging on name-brand hotels.
Many of Bath’s top accommodations are centrally located, making for a great way to start your day with a cup of coffee or cap off your day with afternoon tea, a long-held British tradition.
Dating back to the 1400s Sally Lunn’s is a must-stop for great local fare, including tea and better yet, the chic Z Hotel is within walking distance and only $51 per night.
For those who do stick with the familiar brands back home to rack up points, Hotel Indigo is a great value too for a 4-star stay around $100 per night.
The best choice, however, has got to be 5-star Ayrlington, incredibly priced with a nightly rate of just $71 for a last-minute getaway or just $10 more in spring.
To discover the serene side of Bath, venturing away from the quaint city center, you’ll find a cozy inn overlooking the scenic River Avon – The Old Mill Hotel is also very affordable at just $56 through March.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.