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Top 3 spots to watch the solar eclipse in Bath

Wednesday, 12 August, 2026

On Wednesday 12 August 2026, the UK will experience its best solar eclipse in decades, and Bath's rolling hills and open spaces make it one of the best places in the country to watch it. Here's everything you need to know, including the three best viewing spots in the city. 

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the earth and the sun, blocking some or all of the sun's light and casting a shadow across part of the earth's surface. The UK is set to experience a partial eclipse, where the moon covers only part of the sun, leaving a crescent of sunlight visible.  

While Bath won't see totality, it will still see something pretty special: around 90% of the sun covered by the moon, low in the western sky, close to sunset - the deepest partial eclipse in the UK since 1999. 

The top 3 spots to watch in Bath 

 

Alexandra Park 

Perched on Beechen Cliff south of the city centre, Alexandra Park is one of Bath's most popular viewpoints, looking straight out over rooftops, the Abbey, and the surrounding hills. Its open, mostly unobstructed westward view makes it an ideal spot to watch the eclipse above the city skyline.

Widcombe Hill 

Widcombe Hill also offers elevated, open views over the city and out toward the west. The hill climbs well above the city’s rooftops, giving a clear sightline for the low evening sun, as long as you find a spot without trees or buildings directly in the western view.

The Bath Skyline 

The National Trust's Bath Skyline Walk loops around the city, with loads of opportunities for watching the eclipse in a quieter, more rural setting, away from the crowds. Several points offer wide rural views with very little obstruction, so pick a spot along with a clear run to the western horizon.

How to watch a solar eclipse safely 

Never look directly at the sun. Even when most of it is covered by the moon, the remaining sliver is still intense enough to cause eye damage. Here's how to view it properly: 

• Eclipse glasses: the simplest and cheapest option. Make sure they meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard and are free of scratches or damage.
• Solar filters on telescopes or binoculars: a certified filter fitted over the front of the lens (never the eyepiece) lets you view a magnified image safely.
• Pinhole projection: poke a small hole in a piece of card and let sunlight pass through it onto another card or the ground; you'll see a projected crescent sun without looking at it directly. A kitchen colander does the same trick with dozens of tiny images at once. 

If you want to photograph the eclipse, make sure to fit a proper solar filter over your camera to avoid damaging both your eyes and the camera's sensor.