Review Highlights
“I, unfortunately, fell over a suitcase being pulled along the platform and landed on my face!” in 6 reviews
“It was built by Brunel just like Bristol was and it's gorgeous and Tudor style and one of the prettiest stations in the country.” in 2 reviews
“A simple and fairly small station - it runs regular services to London and Bristol, with less frequent local services to surrounding towns and villages.” in 5 reviews
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Recommended Reviews
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- May 9, 2024
This is a great location right by the main town and it is an easy walk to all the main sites in Bath. It's a basic station with a few coffee shops. BTW GWR prices are insane. It's pricier than flying especially when you are going at "peak" time which is what I did.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - 5817713813Sep 25, 2023
We ordered our tickets Bath to Liverpool online but had to print out the tickets here since we have two train changes.
Just put in the confirmation code.
Simple.Helpful 5Thanks 1Love this 2Oh no 0 - Jun 14, 2023
The station is small. You can't get lost. It is about a 5-10 minute walk to the center. You don't really have to get there too early. You can get there 15 to 20 minutes before your train is to depart. They have clean bathrooms. They have a few places where you can sit and wait. They do have a Starbucks. That was a nice little treat .
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Jul 16, 2020
Come here in the heat of summer and you will need a Bath and some Spa treatment so it makes sense.
Bath is a lovely old train station which has been modernized a little bit but fits in really well with the wonderful old Roman city of Bath, and looks like it belongs here, it looks at home here.
Bath is one of the most incredible cities in the UK. I love coming to the city and it's kind of incomparable and beautiful. Royal Crescent is a special fave. It's one of my favorite places to visit and the station is a perfect gateway to it.
It was built by Brunel just like Bristol was and it's gorgeous and Tudor style and one of the prettiest stations in the country.
It's been in use since 1840. It is on the Great Western Lane close to Chippenham which will take you from Paddington to Bristol.Helpful 10Thanks 0Love this 11Oh no 0 - Apr 7, 2010
Better than some rail stations on the First Great Western line, Bath Spa has two platforms, one for trains towards London Paddington and one for trains towards Weston-super-Mare. Not the most expansive of services offerings, there are a couple of small shops selling snacks and an actual sushi restaurant (which was closed on my visit).
Signage is excellent, especially considering that this station serves a large number of tourists. Clearly marked 'way out' and toilets.
The rail station is elevated, so there is a nice view back towards Bath City on a clear day.Helpful 5Thanks 1Love this 3Oh no 0 - Feb 5, 2008First to Review
Opened in 1840 as part of the original Great Western Railway, Bath Spa is the principal station for the elegant Georgian city of Bath. Although it only has two platforms, it is always incredibly busy with commuters, shoppers and, of course, crowds of visiting tourists, handling over 4 million passengers a year.
Like the rest of the city, the Grade II-listed station is a handsome building in the Tudor style, built in the golden Bath stone, and both the exterior and canopies have been refurbished to their original condition. Respecting the City's architecture, the railway cuttings to the station through the city are lined with Bath stone as well, and feature attractive Tudor-style overbridges and tunnel portals. The station is built on a sharp curve, which crosses over the river Avon and then back again!
As to the practicalities, the main entrance hall and ticket office were always rather cramped but have recently been refurbished to provide more space, though they still get pretty chaotic in summer. The main street entrance has a small area for taxis and cars, but it is still a rather cramped site. Things should improve when the new bus station (currently being built close by) is completed. In any case, the centre of the city is only 5-10 minutes' walk away.
The platforms are more spacious, and feature long, traditional Victorian canopies. There are 4 cafes serving drinks and snacks (one on each platform, one in the subway and one by the entrance) and there is very usefully - a tourist information office on Platform 1, the main arrivals platform from London.
The station has frequent (half hourly) services to London, Westbury, Salisbury, Southampton and South Wales, as well as local services and the two-hourly service to Weymouth. Most of the west-bound trains go via Bristol Temple Meads, providing at least 4 trains an hour. The station is operated by First Great Western, who also run most of the services.Helpful 2Thanks 1Love this 1Oh no 0 - Jenni D.London, United Kingdom51591510Jan 22, 2010
Built in 1840 by Brunel, this grade II listed building has two platforms, two cafes, one sushi bar and a newsagent within its grounds. With services running from Cardiff and Bristol through to London or Portsmouth, it's a vital link for locals who need to use public transport.
Even though it's a relatively small station for a city which attracts so many tourists, it is definitely one of my favourites. The waiting room and toilet facility are far nicer than those at other stations, there are plenty of places to eat, drink or buy a magazine, and the staff are exceptionally helpful.
In the ticket hall there's self service machines, as well as ticket agents, and a very handily placed cash point machine. The only downside is that I ALWAYS have to wait at the ticket gates to get out of the station. So if you're in a rush, make sure you get off the train first, otherwise be prepared for a hold-up.Helpful 4Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Rachel W.Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong354714420Apr 21, 2019
Lovely little train stop. So easy to get in and out of Bath. Best part was discovering that by using the great western railway (I think?) and holding on to our tickets, we got four hours for the price of two at Thermae Bath Spa! Station is so convenient for a quick trip from London. Highly recommend this gem of a city.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Jun 21, 2018
I'll be honest: I don't have much experience with trains or train stations, but the Bath Spa - from what I've seen and experienced (especially passing by other train stations to get to the Bath Spa) - is charming. It's exactly what I picture when I think of an English train station (the beautiful green hills in the background certainly help). It's pretty easy to navigate since there's only two platforms (and the clear "Way Out" signage with big arrows is super appreciated), and the people working here are incredibly kind and helpful (as a tourist with a disabled mom they were super quick to lend a hand when they saw we were struggling with everything from directions to getting through the turnstiles - if you need anything, definitely reach out to an employee here and just ask!). Admittedly there aren't a lot of food and drink spots once you're waiting on the platform, but that didn't bother us (as we had brought along snacks from our favorite bakery anyway). I'll echo what some other folks have said: the location of the train station is wonderful. At first I was skeptical that it was on the edge of town because I wanted to be able to get into city centre fairly quickly, but there's always Uber, taxis coming and going from here, and walking if you're so inclined (Bath is one of the most walkable cities I've ever been to, so even if it seems far on the map - trust me, it's not [as long as you don't have loads of luggage or a mobility issue, of course]) - all three of which will you get you to where you need to go fast (side note: it's important to note that we traveled mid morning on a weekday when it was much quieter, I'm sure at peak times this is a much different story!).
Helpful 4Thanks 1Love this 3Oh no 0 - Qype User (Ellie-…)Dublin, Republic of Ireland51458Dec 19, 2008
I've used Bath Station a lot, being a local to the area, and I would agree with the many reviews which say it's one of the nicest stations around.
I like the compactness of the two platforms, despite being such an active hub of travel there's a simplicity there which means you're unlikely to find yourself wandering aimlessly loking for the right platform!
There's more than adequate refreshments available, with the cafe/s and sushi bar, no problems about being stuck for grub. And if that's not to your liking then outside the station and across the road, five minutes walk will take you to several small bakeries/snack shops.
The waiting room is comfortable and the toilets always clean and well kept up. Climbing the stairs to the platform can be a bit of a bind (especially when, as in the past, I've travelled with a combo of suitcases and small child in pushchair) but I expect there would have been assistance had I bothered to ask for it.
Generally, it's a well-served station, nicely close to the town centre, busses and taxis. It's got an old-fashioned grand air about it that's also cozy and welcoming. Great station!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0