Is Bath safe?
Very safe with normal care. Petty theft in crowds and drunk behavior near the center are the main issues.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-07.
- Homicide rate in United Kingdom: 1.1 per 100,000 people (2021, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United Kingdom: 3.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
Safety in Bath at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Pickpocketing at the Roman Baths and Pulteney Bridge, and some bag theft in pubs. Violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | The center is quiet after 11 pm but safe. Use licensed taxis or Uber for hilly outskirts. |
| Solo women | Comfortable alone. Stick to lit routes at night and use licensed taxis; locals are helpful. |
| Other risks | Steep hills and uneven stone pavements; Wet stone steps near the spa |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Inflated 'free' walking-tour tips and street entertainers demanding money
- Fake or resold tickets for events
- Unlicensed taxis touting at the station
Take care
- Quiet riverside paths after dark
- Cheap-pub areas around the station late on weekends
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Riding a private e-scooter on public roads or pavements is illegal; only official rental schemes are allowed.
- Carrying a knife in public without good reason is illegal, including locking or long folding blades.
- Cannabis is illegal, and drinking alcohol is banned on London public transport.
How Bath compares in United Kingdom
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Oxford | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bath | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cambridge | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottish Highlands | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Isle of Skye | 5/5 · Very safe |
| York | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lake District | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cornwall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cotswolds | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Snowdonia | 5/5 · Very safe |
| London | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manchester | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Liverpool | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Glasgow | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brighton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bristol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Belfast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cardiff | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leeds | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Birmingham | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Bath safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable alone. Stick to lit routes at night and use licensed taxis; locals are helpful.
Is Bath safe at night?
The center is quiet after 11 pm but safe. Use licensed taxis or Uber for hilly outskirts.
What is the crime rate in Bath?
Pickpocketing at the Roman Baths and Pulteney Bridge, and some bag theft in pubs. Violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, United Kingdom records 1.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Bath?
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
More about Bath
Going to Bath solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Visit Bath
- First Bus West of England
- Royal United Hospital Bath
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.