Bath is an excellent city for families, offering plenty to discover for visitors of all ages. From the fascinating Roman Baths to beautiful parks, interactive museums and riverside walks, the city combines history, culture and outdoor adventure in a way that’s easy to enjoy together. Its compact centre is easy to explore on foot, while the surrounding countryside offers even more opportunities to get outside and explore.
What follows is our guide to the best family-friendly experiences in Bath, with recommendations for children of different ages. If you’re staying at Parade Hotel, our team will be delighted to help you discover activities to suit your family’s interests, whatever the age of your little explorers.
Best Attractions for Kids in Bath
The Roman Baths
The Roman Baths work well for children from about six or seven upwards. The visual impact of the Great Bath is genuinely impressive, and the torchlit evening visits during school holidays are something children tend to remember.
There is an audio guide specifically designed for children, narrated differently from the adult version. Download or collect it before you start.
Practical note: Book tickets in advance, particularly during school holidays when the site is at its busiest. Buggies can be awkward in some sections of the complex.
Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey is one of the most accessible major buildings in the city for children. The scale of the interior is immediately impressive, the fan-vaulted ceiling tends to make even reluctant visitors look up, and the Heritage Vaults below add an archaeological layer that appeals to curious children. Admission to the Abbey itself is free.
The Jane Austen Centre
The Jane Austen Centre on Gay Street tends to work well for children aged ten and above, particularly those with an interest in history, costume, or period drama. The interactive elements and costumed staff make it more engaging than a conventional museum.
Outdoor and Active Activities
Parade Gardens
Parade Gardens, running along the River Avon directly below the hotel, is the most central green space in Bath and a reliable bet for families. There’s grass to run on, a river to watch, and views of Pulteney Weir. There is a small admission charge during peak season. Dogs are welcome.
Alexandra Park
For a walk and a view, Alexandra Park on Beechen Cliff is worthwhile with children old enough to enjoy the uphill walk (roughly 20 minutes from the city centre, steep in places). The panoramic view across Bath from the clifftop is a good way to give children a sense of the city’s geography.
Prior Park Landscape Garden (National Trust)
Prior Park is a National Trust landscape garden on the southern edge of Bath containing one of only four Palladian bridges in the world. The grounds are open and grassy enough for children to move around freely, and the paths, lakes, and bridges give the visit a structure that works well for families.
National Trust membership covers entry; non-members can pay on arrival. Parking is very limited, so the walk up from the city or the bus is the recommended approach. Check the National Trust website for current access information before visiting.
The Canal Towpath to Bathampton
The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath, accessible from Sydney Gardens, offers an entirely flat route east towards Bathampton. Excellent for young children and buggies: no traffic, wildlife to spot, narrowboats passing through, and a clear out-and-back route. The walk to Bathampton takes around 45 minutes each way. See our Best Walks in Bath guide for more options.
Interactive and Educational Museums
The Building of Bath Collection
The Museum of Bath Architecture on The Paragon tells the story of how the Georgian city was built. The models and technical drawings give children a different kind of engagement than the Roman period sites. Works best for children aged 8 and above with an interest in how things are made.
Victoria Art Gallery
On Bridge Street, just north of Pulteney Bridge, the Victoria Art Gallery has a permanent collection of fine and decorative art and runs changing exhibitions. Admission to the permanent collection is free. The gallery is generally uncrowded, which makes it a reasonable option for families who want art without the stress of large tourist volumes.
Day Trips from Bath with Kids
Lacock and Lacock Abbey (National Trust)
Lacock is one of England’s best-preserved medieval villages, largely National Trust-owned, and famous as a filming location for various period dramas. About 20 minutes south of Bath by road.
Longleat Safari Park
Longleat Safari Park is around 30 minutes south of Bath and one of the oldest drive-through safari parks in the world outside Africa. The combination of the safari experience, the house, and the various additional attractions makes it a full-day outing for families. Book tickets in advance, particularly during school holidays.
Bristol
Bristol is 15 minutes from Bath by train and offers several family attractions: the SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol Aquarium, and the open spaces of Clifton Downs. A day trip to Bristol works well as a second-day option.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Bath
Bath’s restaurant scene has generally become more family-inclusive in recent years. The key is to choose places that are relaxed in their approach. Restaurants around Kingsmead Square and the Green Park area tend to be more comfortable with children. Ask us at the front desk for a current recommendation, or browse Visit Bath’s food and drink section for options.
Where to Stay in Bath with Kids
The Parade Hotel’s central location on North Parade means that everything families need is within easy walking distance. The Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Parade Gardens, and the train station are all accessible without a car. Please enquire directly with us about room configurations suitable for families.
Book your family stay at Parade Hotel Bath
Practical Tips for Families
- Buggy-friendly routes: The city centre is manageable with a buggy, though the historic streets have some uneven paving. The canal towpath and Parade Gardens are flat and easy.
- Baby-changing facilities: Available at the main attractions (Roman Baths, Bath Abbey) and in SouthGate shopping centre.
- National Trust memberships: If your family visits National Trust properties regularly, membership makes Prior Park and Lacock Abbey effectively free.
- Book in school holidays: Bath’s main attractions become significantly busier during UK school holidays, particularly August. Book the Roman Baths and any restaurant reservations well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bath good for families with young children?
Yes, genuinely. The city is compact and walkable, the parks and green spaces are accessible, and attractions like the Roman Baths have specific provisions for children. The canal towpath is particularly good for young children and buggies.
What is the best attraction in Bath for kids?
The Roman Baths, particularly with the children’s audio guide, tends to be the most memorable for most age groups. For younger children, the outdoor spaces, including Parade Gardens, Alexandra Park, and Prior Park, often work better than museum-format attractions.
Are there day trips from Bath suitable for families?
Longleat Safari Park and Lacock Abbey are the most popular family day trips from Bath. Bristol is also excellent for families and very close by rail.
Is Prior Park good for children?
Prior Park is well suited to families with children aged roughly 5 and above. The grounds are open and grassy, there’s a rare Palladian bridge to visit, and the walk up from the city adds a sense of adventure.
What is there to do in Bath with kids on a rainy day?
The Roman Baths, the Jane Austen Centre, and the Victoria Art Gallery all offer good rainy-day options. See our Rainy Day Activities in Bath guide for the full picture.
