Interactive Bath: the city’s best hands-on attractions for families

10 February 2017

With its magnificent Georgian architecture, ties to famous literary figures such as Jane Austen and historic Roman Baths, the city of Bath is utter heaven for history buffs. But what about their kids? Museums, galleries and buildings that fascinate adults can be a little dull for little ones, unless they have been designed with younger visitors in mind.

Luckily, the ever-innovative city of Bath has come with lots of interactive, hands-on ways to make all its major attractions family friendly.

Here’s your guide to the best interactive attractions in the city, so you can plan the perfect family day out:

  1. The Roman Baths. To bring the history of this site – first used for bathing by the Romans back in 70 AD – to life, the Roman Baths has a lively cast of costumed actors playing the part of everyday Romans using the facility and explaining all about the building’s history. It also has excellent audio guides for children, family activity trails and even educational online games such as “Know Your Numerals” for children and teens to play. If your kids really love the Roman Baths, you can even book the venue for a children’s party and enjoy activities such as exploring secret tunnels and dressing up as Romans for the day.
  1. Fashion Museum Bath. If you don’t think that there’s much to interest children in a fashion museum, think again! Bath’s very own museum of costume not only features fascinating garments of historical interest, such as the last surviving dress of George III’s long-suffering wife Queen Charlotte, but there are also loads of fun things for kids to do. They can take part in children’s crafts, sticker trails and best of all – dress up in fantastic Georgian and Victorian clothes, bonnets, coats and hats and getting their pictures taken.
  1. Royal Victoria Park. This vast and beautiful green space in the heart of Bath is brilliant for children to run around and burn off all that excess energy, but that’s not all it has to offer. Not everyone knows that Royal Victoria Park also has one of the best and biggest children’s playgrounds in the area, as well as botanical gardens and miniature golf.
  1. Bath city tours. The tourist trails in Bath aren’t the same as those in other cities – they’re far more exciting! Families can take part in Spy Mission Treasure Trails, solving clues at historical buildings and picking up interesting facts along the way, as well as Science Trails, Ghost Tours and even Detective Tours where you have a thrilling mystery to solve. There are lots of these tours available, from guided to self-guided excursions, so take your pick!
  1. Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass. If you fancy doing something a bit different, take the family to Bath’s artisan quarter and try your hand at glass blowing. The whole family can have a go at creating something beautiful, under the expert guidance of professional glass artists.

If you’re bringing the family to Bath, choose somewhere comfortable and convenient to stay. Bath Holiday Rentals has a number of spacious, family-friendly properties available and best of all – they’re all right in the heart of the city and close to all of its best tourist attractions.