Overview:
This centuries old cosmopolitan city has the finest in nightlife, shopping and historical attractions for a hen party weekend that is sure to be an instant classic. Named for its baths – the Roman and Thermae variety, some of which are 2,000 years old – the city of Bath provides a rich historical tapestry that is the ideal setting for some serious 21st Century spa pampering on a hen do.

Getting Around:
First of all, don’t drive. Leave it to the locals to fight the Bath’s notorious traffic. On a Bath Hen Party, you’ll want to sit back and enjoy the sights whether in a city bus or taxi. Park and ride bus options run every 10-15 minutes from Lansdown, Newbridge or Odd Down and an unlimited day pass is £4. The taxi queue outside the train station and Abbey can get busy, especially when clubs and pubs are closing, so call ahead and avoid wasting time standing around. For the exercise-minded, bicycles can be rented from Avon Valley Cycles.

Must See/Must Do:
• Roman Baths – One of the premiere attractions in Southwest England. This ancient site was sacred to the Romans and includes the remains of the Temple of Aquae Sulis, the hot spring-fed baths and a museum of artifacts.
• Thermae Bath Spa – This modern complex hosts Britain’s only natural thermal waters suitable for bathing. No Bath Hen Party is complete without taking a dip in the mineral-rich waters and sampling some of the spa’s treatments.
• Bath Abbey – An active church founded in 1499. It sits on the site of an early Norman Cathedral and the original Abbey built in the 8th century.
• The Royal Crescent – Have dinner or a stay at this luxurious hotel and spa in the city. The hotel boasts stunning architecture that has remained unchanged since the 18th century.
• Sally Lunn’s Refreshment House and Museum – enjoy award-winning, but inexpensive cuisine at Bath’s oldest house.
• The Pump Room – Enjoy an elegant afternoon tea or a succulent lunch.
• Walcot Street – the city’s best in bargain shopping
• Milsom Street – Known as a fashionable shopping destination, Milsom Street is lined with unique boutiques located in wooden store fronts that haven’t changed in ages.

History and Culture:
Why not gain a little enlightenment on your hen do? Bath has been an impressive tourist draw for centuries. Early Celts thought the city’s three hot springs were sacred, as did the Romans. Bath went through a cultural resurgence in the 1800s and Jane Austen based two of her novels in the city. Modern Bath has a thriving theatre scene including the Theatre Royal and the Ustinov theatre. Balance out more playful pursuits with a costume drama and make any Hen Party in Bath complete.

Shopping:
As mentioned before, Walcot and Milsom streets are the hub of Bath’s retail offerings. Google Street View Awards named Milsom Street Britain’s Best fashion Street for 2010. From the funky to the classy, find it all while shopping in storefronts that date to the mid-1700s.

Nightlife:
What’s a hen do without dancing? There are typical clubs and pubs galore in the center city. For the exceptional, check out Belvedere Wine Vault’s 50 label wine list. Or, go to the Common Room for classic cocktails with a hip crowd. A foray outside the city limits unveils lower-key traditional pubs.

Eating and Drinking:
Bath’s wide ranging cuisine is perfect for hen nights. Cafés, finer dining and traditional pub-style eats all abound. Even so, Bath is known for its afternoon teas and no trip is complete without partaking. Local beers are readily available as Bath has a brewing tradition that dates to 1736. One last possibility is the weekend farmer’s market – just in case you want to take some of the country back to the city when your Bath Hen Weekend is finished.