7 affordable things to do with kids in Bath

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The historic city of Bath in southwest England is one of the UK’s most popular weekend break destinations – and a particular hit with families.

(Photo: Andrew Dupont via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Named after its famous Roman-built thermal baths – still operational today – the city is compact enough for little ones to explore on foot without succumbing to tiredness, but sufficiently filled with attractions to require at least a couple of days to explore. Such is its draw with tourists, many of the things to see and do in the city inevitably don’t come cheap – but those on a budget need not miss out on the fun. Here are 7 affordable ways to spend your time with kids in Bath.

Royal Victoria Park

The ideal antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city centre, this picturesque expanse of green parkland – named after Princess Victoria, the future queen, who opened the park in 1830 – offers recreational activities for adults and kids alike. There’s a miniature golf course, an adventure playground, plenty of well-maintained grass for picnics and ball games, and an urban garden with a tropical glasshouse. The park is also a popular viewing point for watching hot air balloons set up before taking to the skies.

Marlborough Lane / Open all hours

Bath Children’s Literature Festival

(Photo: Bath Children’s Literature Festival)

Said to be Europe’s largest festival dedicated to children’s literature, this annual early autumn celebration of the written word sees more than 100 renowned children’s authors and illustrators descend on the city for storytime sessions, writing workshops, poetry recitals, screenings and a whole lot more. Taking place in venues throughout Bath, events are all designed to inspire and engage the next generation of literary talent. Notable names to have appeared in recent years include Micheal Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson, Neil Gaiman and Anthony Horowitz. The festival is free to enter.

Venues across Bath / September-October each year

Bath Abbey Tower

Bath is easy on the eye from pretty much every vantage point, but perhaps nowhere more so than the summit of its famous abbey tower. A beacon on the city landscape, visitors can join guided tours that invite you to ascend its 212 steps to be rewarded with panoramic views from the top, as well as the chance to head behind closed doors and catch a glimpse of the tower’s clock face, bells and fan-vaulted ceiling. Tours are priced at £15 for adults and £7.50 for children and also include admission to the abbey itself.

Tues-Fri 10am-5pm Sun 1.15pm-6.15pm Mon 10am-5pm

Garden Theatre Festival

(Photo: Garden Theatre Festival)

Each summer, the Holburne Museum (see below) plays host to one of Bath’s most eagerly awaited cultural events, The Garden Theatre Festival. Now with covered seating, the festival sees the museum’s gardens transformed into a scenic outdoor theatre, complete with deck chairs, flags, bunting, festoon lights and a garden bar. Running for two weeks, this family-friendly event invites visitors to immerse themselves in the worlds of Shakespeare, Peter Pan, Sherlock Holmes and other iconic figures whose work continues to inspire theatrical productions the world over. For kids, there’s plenty to enjoy including slapstick comedy along with plenty of festival food and drink.

The Holburne Museum / July each year

The Holburne Museum

Housed in a Grade I listed 18th-century neoclassical building overlooking the Sydney Garden, less than a mile east of the city centre, this is one of Bath’s most prestigious cultural venues The city’s first arts museum, it features an impressive collection of artwork and decorative pieces, as well as a diverse programme of workshops and activities designed for children and their families throughout the year. Highlights include Space to Make, a hands-on area where kids can get creative through a range of self-led activities. Admission to the museum is priced at £12.50 for adults and £7 for children.

Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick / Mon-Sun 10am-5pm

Museum of Bath at Work

(Photo: Museum of Bath at Work)

Bath Stone is good to build with and good to carve so it was used as far afield as North America and South Africa. The mines have had to be filled in, but the Museum of Bath Stone tells the story of Combe Down and its stone. Free to enter, there’s tons to see and do, including plenty for children of all ages. Colour bat masks, draw some graffiti for the graffiti wall, build a tunnel with bricks, look at slices of stone and crystals under microscopes and with hand lenses, and see if you can find all the bats flying around the museum.

Julian Road / Mon-Sun 10.30am-5pm

Hop-on hop-off bus tour

(Photo: City Sightseeing UK / Courtesy GetYourGuide)

Traipsing around a city isn’t most kids’ idea of fun, but one way you may be able to convince them to indulge in some intensive sightseeing is by booking a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Allowing you to board and disembark open-top double-decker buses at designated stops throughout the city at your leisure, tickets ensure your little ones can rest those weary legs as often or as little as required. Multilingual onboard audio commentary on the city and its rich history can be heard through complimentary headsets along the way.

By Paul Joseph