Is Pulteney Bridge free to visit?

Yes, walking across Pulteney Bridge is completely free. It is a public highway used by both pedestrians and local buses.

Where was Les Misérables filmed in Bath?

The scene where Javert jumps into the Seine was actually filmed at Pulteney Weir in Bath. The horseshoe shape of the weir is clearly visible in the movie.

Can you walk across Pulteney Bridge?

Yes, you can walk across it. It features wide sidewalks on both sides, lined with small shops and cafes, making it feel more like a street than a bridge.

What is the best photography spot in Bath?

The view of Pulteney Bridge and the Weir from the North Parade Bridge or from inside Parade Gardens is widely considered the best photography spot in the city.

Is this walking route wheelchair accessible?

The main route is very accessible as it is mostly flat. Only the riverside path inside Parade Gardens has steps, but the main views from the street level are step-free.

Best time for the River Avon walk?

Late afternoon is ideal when the setting sun hits the Bath stone, turning the buildings a deep honey color. Early morning is also great to avoid the crowds.

What is the grandest street in Bath?

Great Pulteney Street is considered the grandest street in Bath due to its immense width and perfectly symmetrical Georgian architecture.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

1 hr 15 min

Duration

6

Stops

Easy

Difficulty

About This Tour

Bath is a city defined by its golden limestone and Roman heritage, but few areas capture its Georgian elegance as perfectly as the route surrounding Pulteney Bridge and the River Avon. This self-guided walk invites you to explore one of the most photographed corners of the United Kingdom, where architectural ambition meets the natural beauty of the river valley. The journey begins at Pulteney Bridge, a rare example of a Palladian bridge lined with shops on both sides. Completed in 1774, it was designed by Robert Adam to connect the city center with the newly developing estate of Bathwick. As you cross, you might forget you are on a bridge at all, given the charming boutiques and cafes that flank the roadway. From the bridge, the route descends toward the Pulteney Weir. This horseshoe-shaped cascade is an engineering marvel that serves both a functional purpose for flood management and a visual one, creating a dramatic backdrop for photographers. Fans of cinema may recognize the weir as a filming location for the 2012 movie adaptation of Les Misérables. The walk continues into the heart of Bathwick at Laura Place, a grand intersection that showcases the symmetrical urban planning of the 18th century. From here, the scale of the city changes as you approach Great Pulteney Street. This thoroughfare is arguably the most impressive in Bath, stretching wide and straight toward the Holburne Museum. Its uniform facades and grand proportions were designed to impress visitors and provide a prestigious address for the Georgian elite. Along the way, the route offers a glimpse of the city's green spaces, including the Recreation Ground, home to Bath’s historic rugby club, and the elegant Parade Gardens. This neighborhood stroll provides a peaceful alternative to the busy shopping streets, allowing you to appreciate the harmony between Bath’s built environment and the River Avon. Whether you are interested in history or simply looking for the best photography spots in the city, this walking route offers a comprehensive look at the sophisticated side of Bath.

Highlights

Walk across the shop-lined Pulteney Bridge
Photograph the iconic horseshoe-shaped Pulteney Weir
Explore the grand scale of Great Pulteney Street
See the filming location for Les Misérables
Enjoy riverside views from Parade Gardens
Visit the historic home of Bath Rugby at 'The Rec'

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour

Tour Stops (6)

1

Pulteney Bridge

Completed in 1774, Pulteney Bridge is one of the most beautiful and romantic bridges in the world. It was designed by Robert Adam in a Palladian style, inspired by his travels to Italy and the shop-lined bridges like the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Interestingly, it is one of only four bridges in the world with shops built across its full span on both sides. It was commissioned by William Pulteney as part of a grand plan to create a new town on the opposite side of the River Avon. As you walk across, take a moment to look at the small shops that have called this bridge home for centuries, ranging from florists to antique maps.

2

Pulteney Weir

Just below the bridge lies the spectacular Pulteney Weir. While a weir has existed here since the 1600s to power flour mills, the modern horseshoe design you see today was constructed in the early 1970s. It was designed to prevent the devastating floods that historically plagued the city. For movie fans, this spot gained international fame as the location where Inspector Javert meets his end in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables. The rushing water provides a constant soundtrack to the area and offers a perfect photography opportunity with the bridge in the background.

3

Laura Place

Laura Place is a grand intersection that serves as the gateway to the Bathwick estate. Built between 1788 and 1794, it was designed to be the centerpiece of the new development. The fountain in the center was added much later, in 1877, to commemorate a local event. The houses here are arranged in a unique diagonal pattern, creating an open, airy feel that was revolutionary for 18th-century urban planning. This spot connects the historic city center with the grander, wider streets of the Pulteney estate, marking the transition from the medieval layout to the expansive Georgian vision.

4

The Recreation Ground

Known affectionately by locals as 'The Rec,' this large open space is the historic home of Bath Rugby. Since 1894, matches have been played here with one of the most spectacular backdrops in professional sports—the towers of Bath Abbey and the city's skyline rising above the stands. While it is primarily a sports ground, it remains a vital green lung for the city. On non-match days, you can stroll near the riverside edge and look across the water back toward the city's terrace houses and the spire of St John's Church.

5

Parade Gardens

Parade Gardens is Bath's most central pleasure ground. These Victorian-style gardens offer the best vantage point for viewing Pulteney Bridge and the weir from the water level. The gardens are famous for their intricate bedding displays, often featuring three-dimensional floral sculptures. In the summer months, a bandstand often hosts live music, and deckchairs are scattered across the lawns. It is a peaceful retreat from the city streets, allowing you to walk right along the edge of the River Avon and watch the tour boats and rowers pass by.

6

Great Pulteney Street

Great Pulteney Street is arguably the most magnificent thoroughfare in Bath. Measuring 1,000 feet long and 100 feet wide, its scale is meant to overwhelm and impress. Designed by Thomas Baldwin, the street was completed in 1789. Unlike the narrow, winding streets of the older city, this road is perfectly straight and lined with uniform Georgian facades. Notable residents have included royalty and famous authors; even Jane Austen stayed nearby. The street ends at the Holburne Museum, which originally served as the Sydney Hotel, the entrance to the city's pleasure gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

The walk typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. This includes time to browse the shops on the bridge, photograph the weir, and walk the length of Great Pulteney Street.