The hot springs of Bath, once sacred to the Celts, also attracted the Romans to the city which they called Aquae Sulis. Hundreds of years later Bath was reinvented by fashionable 18th century society and the elegant Georgian city was born.
Situated on the River Avon, Bath is a city to walk in. Famous examples of the Georgian legacy are the elegant houses of Royal Crescent, and the Circus. The Assembly Rooms, one of the most expensive public buildings in Europe for its time, now houses the Museum of Costume. Also still in use is the 18th century Theatre Royal.
One of Bath's former residents, Jane Austen, has the Jane Austen Centre dedicated to the memory of her life and times and Number 1 Royal Crescent is preserved as an 18th century townhouse. Built in 1482, the oldest house in Bath, Sally Lunn's, produces the famous Bath buns.
The Roman Baths and Museum is a major Roman site. Below modern street level in the restored baths the hot spring still gushes and the health-giving water can be sampled in the Pump Room overhead.
The development of Bath can be traced at the Building of Bath Museum, and the Museum of Bath at Work. 1600 years of history is recreated in the Bath Heritage Vaults beneath the magnificent 500 year old Bath Abbey, notable for its flying buttresses and fan vaulting.
Bath Postal Museum on the site of the first post office to issue a postage stamp, follows the history of human communication. The history of bookbinding is displayed at the Book Museum and the British Folk Art Collection comprises pictures, weather vanes, shop and inn signs. Visual arts are on show at the Royal Photographic Society, the Victoria Art Gallery and the Museum of East Asian Art.
Bath is well known for its shopping, with clothes and antiques being a speciality. Pulteney Bridge, designed by Robert Adam, is lined with shops on both sides. Away from the centre Walcot Street, Larkhall, Chelsea Road and Widcombe Parade are worth exploring.
For green spaces the huge Royal Victoria Park has a children's playground and a Botanical Garden. The Georgian Garden and Sydney Gardens are both18th century and Henrietta Park has a scented garden for blind people. Alexandra Park affords impressive views over the city, as does Prior Park, landscaped by Capability Brown.
Just outside Bath is the American Museum, containing period rooms, Shaker furniture and patchwork quilts. There is a path for walking or cycling along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Rocks East Woodland, overlooking St. Catherine's valley, has the remains of a Roman bathing pool, standing stones and a sculpture trail.
Further afield are Rode Tropical Bird Gardens, and the houses of Dyrham Park and Corsham Court. Also the ancient villages of Castle Combe, Wellow and Lacock, which contains Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum. In a labyrinth of tunnels the story of Bath stone is told in the Underground Quarry Centre. The largest Stone Circle in the country is at Stanton Drew.
|
 We have highlighted some great places to stay in our featured accommodation section.
|
|
