Bath with kids — family guide

Five family activities in Bath

1. 1

   Roman Baths

   BA1 1LZ

   Age: 7+

   Cost: £22 adult, £13.50 child (5–15)

   The Roman Baths are the single best thing to do with children in Bath. The audio guide has a children's version voiced by a Roman soldier called Marcus, which ages 7–11 tend to engage with properly. The Great Bath itself — green steaming water, original Roman paving, lead-lined floor — holds attention in a way that photographs don't suggest. Book in advance in summer; it sells out by mid-morning.

2. 2

   Victoria Park Playground and Miniature Railway

   BA1 2NQ

   Age: All ages

   Cost: Free (park). Railway: £2 per ride

   The playground in the western section of Royal Victoria Park is the best free option in the city. Large, well maintained, with age-separated sections. The miniature railway runs weekend afternoons and school holidays — £2 per ride, adults welcome. The boating lake rents rowing boats and pedalos at around £5 per half hour in summer.

3. 3

   Holburne Museum

   BA2 4DB

   Age: 5+

   Cost: Free entry for under-18s, £11.50 adult

   The Holburne runs a reliable activity programme for families on weekends and school holidays. The permanent collection is manageable for children — portrait paintings with stories attached, silver and porcelain that prompts conversation. The café at the back has a terrace overlooking Sydney Gardens. Children under 18 are free; adults £11.50.

4. 4

   Bath City Farm

   BA2 3HY

   Age: All ages (best 2–8)

   Cost: Free

   A working city farm on Whiteway Road with pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and alpacas. Free to visit. The farm does animal-handling sessions at weekends — check their website for times. Smaller and quieter than a commercial attraction, which is its main appeal for families with toddlers.

5. 5

   Museum of Bath at Work

   BA1 2QR

   Age: 8+

   Cost: £5 adult, £3 child

   A genuinely interesting industrial museum in a former Victorian garage. The bottling works of a local mineral water company is preserved entirely intact — machinery, office, order books. Children who like machines and factories respond well to it. Very uncrowded by Bath standards. Adults £5, children £3.

Family Bath — questions answered

Is Bath a good family destination?

Yes, with some caveats. The Roman Baths, Victoria Park, and the Museum of Bath at Work are all genuinely child-friendly. The city centre is compact and walkable. The main issue is cost — Roman Baths is £22 adult, and two adults plus two children is approaching £70 before you've eaten. Plan around free options (Victoria Park, Bath City Farm, Sydney Gardens) and treat the Roman Baths as the paid centrepiece.

What is the best thing to do with kids in Bath?

The Roman Baths, for children aged 7 and above who can engage with the audio guide. Victoria Park playground for any age, particularly under-5s. Bath City Farm is excellent for toddlers and costs nothing. The Holburne Museum for ages 5–12 on school holidays when the activity programme runs. All are within 30 minutes' walk of each other.

Are there day trips from Bath suitable for families?

Yes. Longleat Safari Park is 25 miles from Bath (45 minutes by car); Wookey Hole Caves is 20 miles (30 minutes). Both require a car. Lacock Village (National Trust, 12 miles) is good for half a day with primary-age children — the village is the filming location for various BBC period dramas and keeps children engaged through that angle. Cheddar Gorge (25 miles) is well suited to older children and teenagers.

What restaurants in Bath are good for families?

The Pump Room does a children's menu and has high chairs. The Walcot Kitchen on Walcot Street is relaxed and accommodating to families. Pizza options on Kingsmead Square are reliable fallbacks for fussy eaters. The Guildhall Market has food stalls where families can split up and each get what they want. Avoid the formal restaurant strip on Milsom Street with young children — the rooms are small and the atmosphere is quiet.