United KingdomSomerset, EnglandChristmas marketsChecked Oct 2026

London to Bath Christmas Market

Bath's Christmas market fills the Georgian streets around the Abbey, and it's less than 1h 30m from London by train. This guide covers every way to get there, where to park, and the 2026 dates and opening hours.

26 Nov – 13 DecMarket dates 2026
Bath SpaStation, 5 minutes' walk
~1h 20mFastest train from Paddington

The short answer

Take a GWR train from London Paddington to Bath Spa. They run about every 30 minutes, and the fastest take around 1h 15m–1h 25m. The market starts about a 5-minute walk from the station, so it works well as a day trip.

Market essentials

Bath Christmas Market has more than 200 stalls spread across the compact city centre.

Dates

Thursday 26 November to Sunday 13 December 2026. It's a shorter run than many markets, so check the dates before you book.

Opening hours

Monday to Wednesday 10:00–19:00, Thursday to Saturday 10:00–20:00, and Sunday 10:00–18:00. Entry is free, and you don't need to book.

Where

Stalls run from Abbeygate Street and Stall Street, around Bath Abbey, up to Milsom Street and New Bond Street. Most traders are from the South West.

Good to know

Weekday mornings are the quietest time, especially Tuesday and Wednesday. Saturdays are very crowded. Some lanes are cobbled, and some stalls give a discount on hot drinks if you bring a reusable cup.

Every way to get there

From London to Bath, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

GWR train from Paddington to Bath Spa

Best for most
Door to door2–2h 30m
£ Cost££
Best forDay trips, most visitors
  1. London Paddington to Bath SpaGreat Western Railway runs about two direct trains an hour, and the fastest take around 1h 15m–1h 25m. Some trains call at Reading, Didcot, Swindon and Chippenham.
  2. Bath Spa station to the marketIt's about a 5-minute walk north along Manvers Street or Southgate to Stall Street and the Abbey.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London Paddington → Bath Spa

Advance singles can start at around £15–£30. Off-peak returns cost a lot more, so book early or use a Railcard.

2

Coach from Victoria

Cheapest
Door to door3h 30m–4h
£ Cost£
Best forTight budgets
  1. London Victoria Coach Station to Bath bus stationNational Express and FlixBus run direct coaches through the day. The trip takes about 3h–3h 30m, depending on traffic.
  2. Bath bus station to the marketThe bus station is on Dorchester Street, next to Bath Spa station, about 5 minutes' walk from the stalls.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London → Bath

Advance fares are often under £15 one way. Allow extra time on December Saturdays, because traffic into Bath is slow.

3

Drive, then park and ride

Door to door2h 30m–3h 30m
£ Cost££
Best forFamilies, groups, combining with Cotswolds stops
  1. London to Bath by carIt's about 115 miles via the M4. Leave at junction 18 for Bath, which is about 10 miles away. Allow 2h 30m or more in December traffic.
  2. Park and ride into the centreBath's park and ride sites are at Lansdown (north), Newbridge (west) and Odd Down (south). Buses run every few minutes at busy times. The market organisers recommend park and ride, because there are road closures and city car parks fill up.
Hire a carPlan the drive

Bath has a Clean Air Zone, but private cars aren't charged. Check your vehicle on the GOV.UK checker if you're driving a van or larger vehicle.

4

South Western Railway from Waterloo

Door to door3–3h 30m
£ Cost£
Best forSouth-west London, cheaper off-peak fares
  1. London Waterloo to Bath SpaSouth Western Railway runs some direct trains via Salisbury, and others need a change. The trip takes about 2h 30m or more, which is slower than GWR.
  2. Bath Spa station to the marketIt's about a 5-minute walk to Stall Street.
Train tickets on KlookTrain times: London Waterloo → Bath Spa

Compare fares with GWR before you book. Sometimes the slower route is noticeably cheaper.

Where to stay in Bath

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Bath Expedia KKday

Plan the rest of your trip

🎟️ Tours & tickets 📶 Travel eSIM 🚗 Car hire 🎫 City passes 🧳 Luggage storage ⏱️ Flight delay claim

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
GWR train from Paddington to Bath Spa2–2h 30m££Day trips, most visitors
Coach from Victoria3h 30m–4h£Tight budgets
Drive, then park and ride2h 30m–3h 30m££Families, groups, combining with Cotswolds stops
South Western Railway from Waterloo3–3h 30m£South-west London, cheaper off-peak fares

Make a weekend of it

Bath is small, so it's easy to add a spa session or a nearby town by train.

Your base

Bath

Stay in the centre or near the station to walk everywhere. Hotels are pricey and book up on market weekends, so reserve early.

Hotels in Bath Expedia
In the city

Thermae Bath Spa

Bath's naturally warm spring water feeds a rooftop pool with views over the city, and it's especially atmospheric on a winter evening. Book ahead.

Hotels in Bath Expedia
About 15m by train

Bristol

A bigger city with lots of shops, food and festive events. Trains to Bristol Temple Meads run often from Bath Spa.

Hotels in Bristol Expedia
About 10m by train

Bradford-on-Avon

A pretty stone town on the river, with a medieval tithe barn and cosy pubs. It's a good place to escape the crowds.

Hotels in Bradford-on-Avon Expedia

Local tip: If you're coming for the day, book a train that arrives by mid-morning. The market is quietest before lunch, and you'll miss the late-afternoon crush.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

When is Bath Christmas Market 2026?

Bath Christmas Market runs from Thursday 26 November to Sunday 13 December 2026. It opens at 10:00 every day and closes at 18:00 on Sundays, 19:00 Monday to Wednesday and 20:00 Thursday to Saturday.

How long is the train from London to Bath?

GWR's direct trains from London Paddington take about 1h 15m–1h 25m and run roughly every 30 minutes. Trains from Waterloo via Salisbury are slower.

Is Bath Christmas Market worth a day trip from London?

Yes. It's easy as a day trip, because the market is a 5-minute walk from Bath Spa station and the fastest trains take under 1h 30m. Go on a weekday if you can, to avoid the Saturday crowds.

Where should I park for Bath Christmas Market?

Use one of the three park and ride sites: Lansdown, Newbridge or Odd Down. Roads near the market are closed to traffic, and city centre car parks fill up quickly on market weekends.

Do I have to pay the Bath Clean Air Zone charge?

Not in a private car or motorbike. Bath's zone charges older vans, taxis, buses, coaches and lorries. Use the GOV.UK vehicle checker if you're not sure.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.