So, you’ve made it to Bath. Excellent choice! You’re now in a city famed for Roman ruins, Georgian beauty, Jane Austen vibes and, of course, fancy spas where people willingly marinate in hot mineral water. But here’s a little secret they don’t tell you in the travel brochures: Bath isn’t just about polite promenades and elegant architecture. Oh no. It has a wild streak. A very respectable wild streak, mind you — this is still Bath, not Vegas.
Whether you’re craving a high-speed adrenaline fix or just want to feel slightly smug for doing something outdoorsy in hiking boots, Bath has a surprisingly daring side waiting to be explored.
So grab your walking stick (or your wetsuit), stretch your neck like you’re about to dive into a Regency-era novel and let’s dive into Bath’s top 10 adventure activities — with all the elegance and chaos you’d expect from a city that’s equally into archaeology and paddleboarding.
1. Paddleboarding on the River Avon — Like a Very Zen Gladiator
🛶 Think Roman elegance meets modern core workout.
Drift past Pulteney Bridge, ducks and confused rowers while standing tall on your paddleboard like Poseidon on holiday. Just try not to fall in. That river is charming… from a distance.
💦 Pro tip: If you do fall in, act like it was a spiritual cleansing. You’re in Bath. Own it.
2. Climb the Heights at West Country Water Park’s Aqua Park
🌊 Not technically in Bath, but close enough to count and wild enough to be worth it.
Inflatable obstacle courses, bouncing platforms and more sliding than your last attempt at dating apps — all floating on water. It’s like Total Wipeout met afternoon tea and got very, very wet.
🧼 Pro tip: You will be dunked. Repeatedly. Bring dry clothes, a towel and your sense of humour.
3. Go Caving in the Mendip Hills — Get Dirty, Get Brave
🕳️ Less spa, more splat.
Just outside Bath lies the Mendips, where you can squeeze into ancient caves, crawl through underground tunnels and discover a whole new level of “is this a good idea?”
🪨 Pro tip: Wear clothes you don’t love. Caves have zero respect for your white yoga leggings.
4. Hike the Skyline Walk — With Views, Sheep and Glorious Puffing
🥾 It’s six miles of scenery, serenity and a small risk of calf-related regrets.
This National Trust trail loops around Bath’s countryside like a Jane Austen novel gone off-script. Meadows, woods and sheep that stare at you like you owe them money.
🌳 Pro tip: Pack snacks. You’ll burn calories. You deserve flapjacks.
5. Take to the Skies in a Hot Air Balloon Ride
🎈 Because nothing says “adventure” like floating over Bath at 2,000 feet and pretending you’re in a travel documentary.
Watch the golden stone buildings glow in the morning light while pretending you’re not silently panicking about how you land one of these things.
🔥 Pro tip: Dress warm. The air is thin up there, darling.
6. Cycle the Two Tunnels Greenway — It’s a Vibe, Literally
🚴 A scenic route with a bonus underground disco tunnel. No, really.
Ride through the longest cycling tunnel in Britain, where motion sensors trigger lights and sounds. Yes, you’re basically cycling through a techno cave. Welcome to 2025.
🔊 Pro tip: Bring a bell. People get spooked in echoey tunnels.
7. Go Canoeing Along the Kennet and Avon Canal
🛶 Flat water, yes. Boring? Absolutely not.
Row your way past historic locks, sleepy canal boats and maybe a sunbathing goose or two. It’s peaceful… until your partner starts rowing the wrong way. Again.
💡 Pro tip: Learn how to steer beforehand. Otherwise, it’s “romantic boat trip” meets “passive-aggressive rowing session.”
8. Try Horse Trekking in the Wiltshire Hills
🐎 Ever wanted to feel like a Regency aristocrat with a hint of cowboy energy? This is it.
Trot through open countryside, over hilltops and alongside ancient stone walls. Your horse will do most of the work. You just need to hold on and look heroic.
🧢 Pro tip: Horses don’t love loud tourists or snacks in your pockets. Respect the beast.
9. Zip Line at Avon Valley Adventure Park — Fly Like You Mean It
⚡ Less spa robe, more superhero cape.
Just a short drive from Bath, you’ll find a zip line that launches you across fields and into full screaming glory. Fun fact: yelling “WHEEEE” is legally encouraged.
🪂 Pro tip: Don’t look down… or do. Either way, clench something.
10. Explore Bath by Ghost Tour… at Night, When Things Get Creepy
👻 Bath has centuries of history. And apparently, some of it didn’t leave.
Join a spooky night tour through cobbled lanes and haunted pubs, hearing stories of ghastly monks, cursed spirits and people who wore socks with sandals in the 1800s.
🌙 Pro tip: It’s more fun if you believe… or if you’ve had a pint first.
🛁 Final Splashy Thoughts
Bath might look like a museum with a postcode, but don’t let the polite façades fool you. It’s full of thrills, spills and adventures that’ll leave you breathless, damp or both.
So next time you’re soaking in the spa, wondering if you should do something bold, remember: there’s more to Bath than bubbles and biscuits. Hike it, paddle it, zip across it — and when in doubt, do it in Georgian style… but with a helmet.
And if anyone asks why you’re covered in mud while quoting Jane Austen, just say, “It’s an immersive experience, darling.”
