Bath - Tours of the City

The Mayor's Guides' free walking tours (tel: (01225) 477 411; www.bathguides.org.uk) offer a general historical and architectural introduction to the city. The tours last around 2 hours and depart from the Free walking tours here' board in the Abbey Church Yard, near the entrance to the Roman Baths, Monday to Sunday at 1030 and Sunday to Friday at 1400 all year (apart from Christmas day) and also at 1900 on Tuesdays and Fridays from May to September.

MP3 walking tours are available to hire from the Bath Tourist Information Centre or to download from Tourist Tracks (www.tourist-tracks.com). Jane Austen Walking Tours' (tel: (01225) 443 000; www.janeausten.co.uk) start at 1100 every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from outside KC Change in the Abbey Churchyard. In July and August, extra tours are laid on, at 1600 every Friday and Saturday. You can also dress up in Austenian costume and promenade around Bath!

The City Sightseeing Tour' is operated by the Bath Bus Company (tel: (01225) 330 444; www.bathbuscompany.com) and is a hop-on, hop-off tour that takes in the main sights and attractions of the city (duration - 45 minutes).

Bath City Boat Trips (tel: 07974 560 197; www.bathcityboattrips.com) offer a full commentary on the historic sights of Bath by a qualified Blue Badge guide. Bath Carriage Company (tel: 07916 177 149) provides horse-drawn, open-top carriage tours of Bath, while Bath Balloon Flights (tel: (01225) 466 888; www.balloon-flights.co.uk) launch from Royal Victoria Park for excellent panoramic views of the city. Flights must be pre-booked.