Last Friday we ditched Tenby due to bad weather conditions and went east to explore Bath with our junior summer school students from Spain. We had a great time discovering the Roman Baths. Below is some more information about Bath as it is well worth a visit and a great example of a British city.
Bath is the largest city in the county of Somerset. It is located south-east of Bristol, about 10 minutes by train and it is known for its Roman-built baths. The city became a spa in 60 AD, when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon. Walking through Bath is a journey through centuries of architectural art and it’s the reason why Bath is the only city in the UK that’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built for pleasure and relaxation, Bath has been a wellness destination since Roman times, but there aren't only the Roman builds to see in Bath! Bath’s friendly city centre is overflowing with places to eat and drink, plus some of the finest independent shops in Britain that making it the ideal city break. Immerse yourself in some Bath’s museum and gallery or enjoy festivals, theatres, music, and sports... I'm sure you will fall in love with this city!
So, what are you waiting for? There are hundreds of things to see and do in Bath! Take
inspiration from these top tips, catch the train and go to visit Bath!
1. Visit the Roman Baths
Immerse yourself in history and see how Bath’s former residents relaxed all those
centuries ago. There are also interactive exhibits and CGI reconstructions, that bring this unique ancient site back to life.
2. Relax at Thermae Bath Spa
The waters are still today a big draw, both to see the ancient Roman Baths and to bathe in the modern Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain. You can’t take a dip at the Roman Baths these days, but you can still enjoy the same natural hot spring water at Thermae Bath Spa. This one-of-a-kind complex has lovely treatments, relaxation spaces and a spectacular rooftop pool offering 360-degree views of the city. So, take your swimsuit and go to try who the ancient Romans felt when they dived themselves in the water!
3. Visit the Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is one of Bath’s most iconic landmarks and still stands out, in a city packed with world-class architecture. A big arc of Georgian townhouses fronted by expansive green lawns, it was designed by John Wood the Younger to give well-off residents the feel of country living in the heart of the city. The Royal Crescent is arranged around a perfect lawn overlooking Royal Victoria Park and forms a sweeping crescent of terrace houses. It is, without doubt, one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the UK. Moreover, now, it is home to the five-star hotel The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a museum of Georgian life and private housing. It is also a popular location for films and period dramas. So, don't wait, go to see this fantastic place!
4. Look into the Circus
Another Georgian marvel, this one the work of John Wood the Elder, is the Circus. It is a 360-degree master-class in design, inspired by ancient pagan sites like Stonehenge and classical Roman architecture. It has long been one of Bath’s most sought-after addresses and former residents include artist Thomas Gainsborough and Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder.
5. Discover Pulteney Bridge
Do you like Italy? If so, you absolutely have to go to Pulteney Bridge, a bridge that brings a touch of Italy to Bath. Inspired by Ponte Vecchio in Florence and lined by shops on both sides, it is one of only four such structures in the world. Viewed from across the river, the bridge’s elegant arches are wonderful and it looks particularly magical lit up at night. So, wait for the night and then dive yourself in this romantic and dreamy atmosphere!
6. Walk through Great Pulteney Street
Great Pulteney Street is a grand thoroughfare that connects Bathwick with the City of Bath via the Pulteney Bridge. This road is the longest and widest Georgian street in Bath and the architectural detail of the buildings lining each side of the street are really amazing. At the far end of Great Pulteney Street lies The Holburne Museum, once time a hotel but now home to a dazzling collection of art and artifacts from across the globe.
7. Discover all the beauties of Bath Abbey
This nice abbey has been a place of worship on this spot for more than 1,000 years. King Edgar, the first king of all England, was crowned here in AD 973, but many of the present-day Abbey’s most spectacular features are more recent. In particular, the Abbey’s spectacular Victorian Gothic interior is the work of Sir George Gilbert Scott, who made numerous improvements like the addition of the soaring vaulted ceiling above the nave.
8. Walk around Alexandra Park
Do you like nature and quiet places? Well, then this park is perfect for you! Perched on the summit of a wooded hill overlooking the city, Alexandra Park is one of the best places to go for views of Bath and its surrounding countryside. It’s accessible by car, bus or also by climbing the zig-zag path. I'm sure that this Park rewards your efforts with spectacular vistas once you reach the top.
9. Climb Bath Abbey’s Tower
Are you a little sporty or do you like heights? Well, so come to take the Abbey Tower Tour to see the beautiful city of Bath from a different perspective. Come on! Ascend 212 steps to the top and you will climb past the ringing chamber to the bell chamber, to have the chance to stand above the Abbey’s vaulted ceiling and sit behind the clock face. It is a hard route, but once you reach the roof, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views over the city and surrounding countryside.
10. Get Lost in Austen
If you like reading novels, of course, you know who is Jane Austen, a pioneering female novelist of the 1800s. So come to visit the Jane Austen Centre to look into the life of one of Britain’s favourite authors. Exhibits and costumed characters tell the story of Austen’s time spent living here in Bath between 1801 and 1806 and the impact it had on her work.
11. See Bath from another angle
Take a stroll on the Bath Skyline Walk. Just a short distance from the city centre there is a six-mile route that takes you through very nice meadows, isolated valleys and ancient woods. While you are seeing the natural splendor, you also take in some spectacular
wide-angle vistas of the city.
12. Get that Festive Feeling
If you are going to visit Bath in winter, you absolutely can’t miss the opportunity to go
shopping at Bath Christmas Market! Easy to find because it is located around Bath's city centre, you’ll find a land of pretty wooden stalls packed with one-of-a-kind festive gifts and tasty seasonal treats.
13. Admire the Prior Park Landscape Garden
If you are tired of the city noises and would like to relax a bit, you have found the right place. You can get away from it all with a stroll through an amazing eighteenth-century landscaped garden. This garden is an oasis of calm just a stone’s throw from the busy city centre and was created by Bath entrepreneur Ralph Allen. Relax your mind by exploring lakes and wooded paths and cross the famous Palladian Bridge, one of only three bridges of its kind in the UK.
14. Walk around Green Park Station
As lively today, as it must have been when first built, it was one of Bath’s main rail hubs, Green Park Station is now home to a lot of shops, cafés and restaurants. It also hosts regular markets selling locally produced food and drink, independent art, vintage clothing, and antiques. So, go to buy some souvenirs or try some traditional food in Green Park Station!
15. Visit Sally Lunn’s House
You can’t leave Bath without visiting the oldest house in the city! Dating back to 1482, this house has a credible claim to being Bath’s oldest surviving house. Actually, its history is even older because some excavations have revealed remains left behind by the city’s early Roman inhabitants. However, even if we don’t know the exact date of the creation of the house, there is one thing that is sure. This is the birthplace of the local delicacy known as the Sally Lunn Bun. It is a large bun or teacake similar to the sweet brioches bread of France and the taste is a vital part of any visit. Perfect with a good English cup of tea! Ideally enjoyed tucked up in a cosy traditional tea room. So, satisfy your palate and enjoy your visit to Bath!
Bath is the largest city in the county of Somerset. It is located south-east of Bristol, about 10 minutes by train and it is known for its Roman-built baths. The city became a spa in 60 AD, when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon. Walking through Bath is a journey through centuries of architectural art and it’s the reason why Bath is the only city in the UK that’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built for pleasure and relaxation, Bath has been a wellness destination since Roman times, but there aren't only the Roman builds to see in Bath! Bath’s friendly city centre is overflowing with places to eat and drink, plus some of the finest independent shops in Britain that making it the ideal city break. Immerse yourself in some Bath’s museum and gallery or enjoy festivals, theatres, music, and sports... I'm sure you will fall in love with this city!
So, what are you waiting for? There are hundreds of things to see and do in Bath! Take
inspiration from these top tips, catch the train and go to visit Bath!
1. Visit the Roman BathsImmerse yourself in history and see how Bath’s former residents relaxed all those
centuries ago. There are also interactive exhibits and CGI reconstructions, that bring this unique ancient site back to life.
2. Relax at Thermae Bath Spa
The waters are still today a big draw, both to see the ancient Roman Baths and to bathe in the modern Thermae Bath Spa, which houses the only natural thermal hot springs in Britain. You can’t take a dip at the Roman Baths these days, but you can still enjoy the same natural hot spring water at Thermae Bath Spa. This one-of-a-kind complex has lovely treatments, relaxation spaces and a spectacular rooftop pool offering 360-degree views of the city. So, take your swimsuit and go to try who the ancient Romans felt when they dived themselves in the water!
3. Visit the Royal Crescent
The Royal Crescent is one of Bath’s most iconic landmarks and still stands out, in a city packed with world-class architecture. A big arc of Georgian townhouses fronted by expansive green lawns, it was designed by John Wood the Younger to give well-off residents the feel of country living in the heart of the city. The Royal Crescent is arranged around a perfect lawn overlooking Royal Victoria Park and forms a sweeping crescent of terrace houses. It is, without doubt, one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the UK. Moreover, now, it is home to the five-star hotel The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a museum of Georgian life and private housing. It is also a popular location for films and period dramas. So, don't wait, go to see this fantastic place!
Another Georgian marvel, this one the work of John Wood the Elder, is the Circus. It is a 360-degree master-class in design, inspired by ancient pagan sites like Stonehenge and classical Roman architecture. It has long been one of Bath’s most sought-after addresses and former residents include artist Thomas Gainsborough and Prime Minister William Pitt the Elder.
5. Discover Pulteney Bridge
Do you like Italy? If so, you absolutely have to go to Pulteney Bridge, a bridge that brings a touch of Italy to Bath. Inspired by Ponte Vecchio in Florence and lined by shops on both sides, it is one of only four such structures in the world. Viewed from across the river, the bridge’s elegant arches are wonderful and it looks particularly magical lit up at night. So, wait for the night and then dive yourself in this romantic and dreamy atmosphere!
Great Pulteney Street is a grand thoroughfare that connects Bathwick with the City of Bath via the Pulteney Bridge. This road is the longest and widest Georgian street in Bath and the architectural detail of the buildings lining each side of the street are really amazing. At the far end of Great Pulteney Street lies The Holburne Museum, once time a hotel but now home to a dazzling collection of art and artifacts from across the globe.
7. Discover all the beauties of Bath Abbey
This nice abbey has been a place of worship on this spot for more than 1,000 years. King Edgar, the first king of all England, was crowned here in AD 973, but many of the present-day Abbey’s most spectacular features are more recent. In particular, the Abbey’s spectacular Victorian Gothic interior is the work of Sir George Gilbert Scott, who made numerous improvements like the addition of the soaring vaulted ceiling above the nave.
8. Walk around Alexandra Park
Do you like nature and quiet places? Well, then this park is perfect for you! Perched on the summit of a wooded hill overlooking the city, Alexandra Park is one of the best places to go for views of Bath and its surrounding countryside. It’s accessible by car, bus or also by climbing the zig-zag path. I'm sure that this Park rewards your efforts with spectacular vistas once you reach the top.
9. Climb Bath Abbey’s Tower
Are you a little sporty or do you like heights? Well, so come to take the Abbey Tower Tour to see the beautiful city of Bath from a different perspective. Come on! Ascend 212 steps to the top and you will climb past the ringing chamber to the bell chamber, to have the chance to stand above the Abbey’s vaulted ceiling and sit behind the clock face. It is a hard route, but once you reach the roof, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views over the city and surrounding countryside.
10. Get Lost in Austen
If you like reading novels, of course, you know who is Jane Austen, a pioneering female novelist of the 1800s. So come to visit the Jane Austen Centre to look into the life of one of Britain’s favourite authors. Exhibits and costumed characters tell the story of Austen’s time spent living here in Bath between 1801 and 1806 and the impact it had on her work.
11. See Bath from another angleTake a stroll on the Bath Skyline Walk. Just a short distance from the city centre there is a six-mile route that takes you through very nice meadows, isolated valleys and ancient woods. While you are seeing the natural splendor, you also take in some spectacular
wide-angle vistas of the city.
12. Get that Festive Feeling
If you are going to visit Bath in winter, you absolutely can’t miss the opportunity to go
shopping at Bath Christmas Market! Easy to find because it is located around Bath's city centre, you’ll find a land of pretty wooden stalls packed with one-of-a-kind festive gifts and tasty seasonal treats.
13. Admire the Prior Park Landscape Garden
If you are tired of the city noises and would like to relax a bit, you have found the right place. You can get away from it all with a stroll through an amazing eighteenth-century landscaped garden. This garden is an oasis of calm just a stone’s throw from the busy city centre and was created by Bath entrepreneur Ralph Allen. Relax your mind by exploring lakes and wooded paths and cross the famous Palladian Bridge, one of only three bridges of its kind in the UK.
14. Walk around Green Park Station
As lively today, as it must have been when first built, it was one of Bath’s main rail hubs, Green Park Station is now home to a lot of shops, cafés and restaurants. It also hosts regular markets selling locally produced food and drink, independent art, vintage clothing, and antiques. So, go to buy some souvenirs or try some traditional food in Green Park Station!
15. Visit Sally Lunn’s House
You can’t leave Bath without visiting the oldest house in the city! Dating back to 1482, this house has a credible claim to being Bath’s oldest surviving house. Actually, its history is even older because some excavations have revealed remains left behind by the city’s early Roman inhabitants. However, even if we don’t know the exact date of the creation of the house, there is one thing that is sure. This is the birthplace of the local delicacy known as the Sally Lunn Bun. It is a large bun or teacake similar to the sweet brioches bread of France and the taste is a vital part of any visit. Perfect with a good English cup of tea! Ideally enjoyed tucked up in a cosy traditional tea room. So, satisfy your palate and enjoy your visit to Bath!
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