Car Rental Bath

The centre of Bath sits in a bowl surrounded by steep hills and bordered on three sides by the River Avon. Most of what you’ll want to see is conveniently tucked into the city’s small centre, which can get congested during morning and evening rush hour.

On-street parking is expensive and can be hard to find. It’s therefore a good idea to explore the centre on foot and use one of the large car parks conveniently situated around the outskirts of the city centre.

There’s a multi-storey car park situated at the South Gate shopping complex, an underground facility beside the Waitrose supermarket at the bottom of Walcot Street and a surface car park at Charlotte Street, at the top end of town by Victoria Park.

There are also park and ride facilities at Lansdown, off the A46 to the north of the city, Newbridge, on the A4 heading west to Bristol, and at Odd Down, on the southern outskirts of the city.

Our hire car collection points are conveniently located close to the A36, allowing easy access to the surrounding places of interest. The A36 is the main road running through the city.

Venture south-east towards Stonehenge or west to the A4, which will take you straight into the heart of the neighbouring city of Bristol. At the same point, the A39 road will take you south to Wells.

The nearest motorway is the M4, 30 minutes north via the A46, which runs east towards London and west to Bristol, South Wales and the M5 motorway.

You’ll be driving on the left in the UK with speed limits set at 70mph (112km/h) on motorways and dual carriageways, 50mph (80km/h) on single carriageways and 30mph (48km/h) or lower in built-up and residential areas.

Bath is a wonderfully compact city. Within a short journey you’ll find must-visit attractions and copious opportunities for some retail therapy, as well as a wide array of fantastic restaurants and cafés.

When in Rome …

The ancient Roman Baths are an attraction not to be missed. Discover the intricate majesty of one of the best-preserved Roman sights in the UK where you can see the Great Bath, the Temple to Sulis Minerva and the elaborate underfloor heating system.

Afterwards, relax and enjoy afternoon tea in the sumptuous surroundings of the Pump Room. A short walk from here – along Bath Street – is the shiny new Thermae Bath Spa, where you can bathe as the Romans did, taking a dip in warm (around 33C), natural, thermal waters.

Try the open-air rooftop pool to combine the relaxation of the natural waters with unmatched views across the intricate city skyline.

A walk around Georgian Bath

Take some time to wander around Bath and bask in its impressively well-preserved Georgian architecture. The Royal Terrace is among the most impressive to marvel at. After gazing in awe at its sheer magnificence, you should head into The Royal Crescent Hotel for afternoon tea and a snoop around.

For an authentic step back in time, stop off at One Royal Crescent, furnished in period style. A short walk along Brock Street leads you to the Circus, Bath’s glorious yet curiously constructed Georgian masterpiece.

A few metres away are the Assembly Rooms, a hub of Bath’s high society in Georgian times. Restored to their former glory, they hark back to Jane Austen’s Bath. Finally, don’t miss a walk across Pulteney Bridge, Bath’s very own Ponte Vecchio, affording epic views of the River Avon.

Retail therapy

Shopping is one of Bath’s most underrated experiences. The city has done better than most at retaining a wide selection of independent shops at its core, allowing you to find something truly unique at every turn.

Head to Milsom Street to traverse the main shopping thoroughfare explore the surrounding lanes and alleyways, packed full of interesting shops.

Walcot Street is Bath’s bohemian quarter, with several antique and bric-a-brac furniture stores to dig your way through in search of hidden treasures, while neo-Georgian Southgate, south of the centre opposite the train station, is about as pleasant a modern open-air shopping centre as you’ll find anywhere in the country.

Ancient history

Beyond the city of Bath, there are some great places to visit in your hire car. Embark on a 45-minute drive south on the A36, A361 and B3092, and arrive at Stourhead, a picture-perfect landscape garden. Park up and head to the stunning lake in the centre.

South-west via the A36, Wells is England's smallest city, dominated by its magnificent 12^th-century cathedral. Among the many other beautiful buildings is the Bishop’s Palace – home to the Bishop of Bath and Wells for over 800 years and surrounded by 14 acres of stunning gardens ripe for exploration.

Less than an hour away is Stonehenge, one of the most mysterious and iconic prehistoric monuments in Europe. The World Heritage-rated stone circle was built in the late Neolithic period around 2,500 BC.

There’s a fascinating audio tour to listen to as you stroll around the towering stones, wondering at their mystical origins. Don’t miss the visitor centre, with hundreds of prehistoric objects on display offering further insight into the attraction.

Car rental in Bath allows you to make the most of your trip, seeing the sights of the city and also venturing deeper into the wider region to see some of the gems that lie beyond.