Month guide · Bath · United Kingdom
Bath in May
What May is really like in Bath: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nveitch at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Bath. Expect average highs of 18°C (64°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 15.6 hours of daylight. Mild and green, with festivals and long evenings; a good month for the Skyline walk.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 18°C (64°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 15.6 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Bath: days average 18°C (64°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with April (14°C (57°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:18
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:53
- Daylight
- About 15.6 hours
Spring (March–May). Blossom and daffodils, mild walking weather and the Bath Festival in May, with showers and busy Easter weekends.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Bath Festival — music and literature (usually May)
- Bath Fringe Festival (usually late May to early June)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · City Centre
Bath Abbey
Take a tower tour for views over the Roman Baths and the city's rooftops; groups are small.
- Time needed
- 1 hour, plus 45 minutes for the tower
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Views
Architecture · Upper Town
Royal Crescent and No. 1 Royal Crescent
John Wood the Younger's sweeping half-ellipse of 30 terraced houses, completed in 1774, looks over the lawns of Royal Victoria Park and is the defining image of Georgian Bath.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Landmark · City Centre
Pulteney Bridge and weir
Walk down to the riverside below Grand Parade for the classic view of the bridge and weir together.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Architecture · Upper Town
The Circus
Designed by John Wood the Elder and finished by his son in the 1760s, the Circus is a ring of three curved terraces around a circle of giant plane trees, decorated with hundreds of carved symbols.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 18°C, lows near 8°C and 10 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Bath?
One of the best months to visit Bath, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are June and September. Compare every month.
Bath in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Bath?
It is one of the best months to visit Bath. Mild and green, with festivals and long evenings; a good month for the Skyline walk.
+How warm is Bath in May?
Average highs are around 18°C (64°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Bath in May?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.