Royal Crescent

The Royal Crescent is Bath's most famous street - a sweeping arc of Georgian townhouses that curve across the hillside like something from a Jane Austen novel. Except it's real, and you can stand right in front of it. Built between 1767 and 1774, the 30 identical honey-coloured stone houses form one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Britain, and frankly, it lives up to the hype.

You'll want to allow a good hour here, though honestly most people spend 20 minutes taking photos and then head off. The street itself is open and free to walk around - there's a small park in front where you can sit and absorb the scale of it. Number One Royal Crescent is a museum if you fancy stepping inside a period house (there's a fee, but it gives proper context to what you're looking at). The views over Bath from the crescenr are excellent, particularly at late afternoon when the sun hits the stone just right.

It's brilliant for anyone interested in Georgian architecture or Jane Austen culture. Kids get bored quickly unless you make it a treasure hunt through Bath's other crescents and squares. History types will spend ages just standing there appreciating the proportions.

If you're staying at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat or Campwell Farm, you're perfectly placed for an easy morning visit before heading into Bath's centre. Go midweek if possible - weekends pull in coach tours and it feels a bit crowded. The crescent itself is steep, so factor that in.