Discover Bath’s scandalous past with a walking tour that uncovers the city’s most riveting stories. From crime to corruption, this adventure reveals Bath’s hidden history behind its elegant facades. Dive into tales you won’t find in typical guidebooks and see the city through a bold new lens.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; basic mobility required to enjoy the walk comfortably.
Wildlife
History
Bath's scandalous stories are often overshadowed by its grandeur, but the city’s reputation for intrigue has persisted for centuries, with many tales of crime hidden beneath aristocratic facades.
Conservation
Efforts in Bath strive to preserve its historic character while balancing modern tourism, ensuring that this city's rich stories continue to captivate future generations.
The Bad of Bath
Discover Bath’s scandalous past with a walking tour that uncovers the city’s most riveting stories. From crime to corruption, this adventure reveals Bath’s hidden history behind its elegant facades. Dive into tales you won’t find in typical guidebooks and see the city through a bold new lens.
The Bad of Bath is a specialist walking tour provider based in Bath, England, that focuses on the city's more scandalous and lesser-known history. The company offers a signature experience, The Bad of Bath Walking Tour, which guides small groups around Georgian Bath to sites such as The Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge while recounting documented tales of crime, corruption, and social intrigue.
Tours run for over two hours and combine on-street storytelling with historical context drawn from local records and reputable sources. Guides present factual accounts of events and personalities connected to Bath's urban development and social life, aiming to give visitors a fresh perspective on well-known landmarks.
The Bad of Bath operates in public spaces across central Bath and designs routes that highlight architectural and social history from the Georgian era. The experience is suitable for curious visitors who want an alternative to conventional city tours and prefer narrative-driven, place-based exploration.
Trust is supported by clear tour information, a fixed route that includes major Bath monuments, and open communication about starting points and duration. The business is featured on The Adventure Collective, which helps visitors discover curated, independently operated experiences.
Overall, The Bad of Bath offers a focused, research-informed walking tour that emphasizes documented historical episodes and the built heritage of Georgian Bath, providing a memorable and educational way to explore the city. Guides also point out conservation issues and explain architectural features, placing historical stories in context for modern visitors and supporting informed appreciation of Bath's heritage.
Tours Offered
1
Signature walking tour in Bath
Tour Length
2+ hours
Extended guided walk through Bath
Featured
The Adventure Collective
Listed in curated experiences
Location
Bath, England
Historic Georgian city
Secure a place on this two-plus-hour guided walk through Georgian Bath — check schedules and meeting points on the Adventure Collective listing before booking.
Wear comfortable footwear
The tour includes a few cobbled streets and standing for two hours, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Bring a notebook or smartphone
Capture stories or take notes on the colorful history shared during the tour.
Book in advance
Tours tend to fill quickly, especially during peak seasons, so reserve your spot ahead of time.
Prepare for variable weather
Bath’s weather can change unexpectedly; a light raincoat or umbrella can keep you comfortable.
Comfortable walking shoes
Good footwear ensures comfort while navigating Bath’s historic streets and cobblestones.
Weather-appropriate outerwear
A waterproof jacket or warm coat keeps you comfortable regardless of weather conditions.
spring|summer|fall|winter
Camera or smartphone
Capture the unique sights and moments from the tour sections.
Notebook or recording device
Take notes or record stories to enhance your historical knowledge post-tour.