BATH

BATH

I have been to Bath in 2007 with my family, and I find that this heritage town is brimming with things to see and do.

Wonderfully designed architectural buildings in the town centre. Just can't get enough of Bath! Recommended a two-day trip is sufficient to visit Bath, in detail.

BATH TOWN CENTRE

Attractions here include – Bath Abbey Heritage Vaults, The Roman Baths, Sally Lunn's, Guildhall Market, Paradise Garden, Laura Fountain, The Thermae Bath Spa, Jane Austen Centre, Botanical Gardens, Royal Crescent, Royal Victoria Park, Prior Park Landscape Gardens, Marlborough Lane, Milsom Street and Pulteney.

PARADISE GARDEN

 

Bath is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it presents some of the finest architectural of attractions from the Roman Baths to the Jane Austen centre.

A romantic place – cobbled streets, gorgeous stone buildings and a wonderful mix of unique shops, everywhere you turn there's something to catch your eye. 

GEORGIAN DESIGN

My first stop – is none other than the “must visit” place in Bath – the Thermae Bath Spa – get to try the bath spa, here.

I tried on a life time experience bathing in the naturally warm, mineral-rich waters, as the celts and Romans did over 2000 years ago, at Thermae Bath Spa.

At Thermae Bath Spa, visitors can choose from over 50 spa treatments such as Royal Bath (adults), Cross Bath (children) or Spa Treatments and Therapies.

THERMAE BATH SPA - ROYAL BATH CATEGORY

Obviously, I chose the Royal Bath for adults – which comprise of a Minerva Bath, where the hot spring waters intermingle with flowing curves, grand columns and dramatic lighting. Open-air rooftop pool with breathtaking views across the city of Bath to the surrounding hills – brilliant by day and night.

In addition, there are four glass steam rooms, which are gently infused with an essential oil such as eucalyptus, pine or jasmine.

THERMAE BATH SPA BUILDING

Next, just can't get enough of the town – walk along the old buildings with unusual architectural designs, drop by Sally Lunn's, and spend time at the town centre where locals mingled, here.

SALLY LUNN

Sally Lunn's is Bath's Oldest House (1482) is home of the world famous bath bun. It is an award winning place for breakfast, afternoon tea and candlelit dinner. Sally Lunn, a young French refugee, arrived in England over 300 years ago. She baked a rich, round and generous bread now know as the Sally Lunn Bun. This bun became a very popular delicacy in Georgian England as its special taste and lightness allowed it to be enjoyed either sweet or savory accompaniments. One can also visit the fascinating museum in the cellars, where one can see the Roman and Medieval foundations of the house and fins from the recent excavations. See the original kitchen with its faggot oven, Georgian range and old baking utensils. Adjacent is the remarkable stalactite and stalagmite cellar.

BATH ABBEY

Walking along Bath Abbey remains me of the past Romanian times reflected from the many archaic buildings found here. It is an attractive spot for taking photographs. Bath Abbey was founded in the 7^th century and became a religious centre; the building was rebuilt in the 12^th and 16^th centuries. In the 17^th century, claims were made for the curative properties of water from the springs, and Bath became a popular as a spa town in the Georgian era, Georgian architecture, crafted from Bath stone, includes the Royal Crescent, Circus, Pump Room and assembly Rooms where Beau Nash presided over the city's social life from 1705 until his death in 1761. Jane Austen lived in Bath in the early19th century . Further building was undertaken in the 19^th century and following the Bath Blitz in World War II.

LAURA FOUNTAIN

There are several museums including the Museum of Bath Architecture, the Victoria Art Gallery, the Museum of East Asian Art, the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and the Holbourne Museum.

The city has two universities – the University of Bath and Bath Spa University – with Bath College providing further education.

PULTNEY BRIDGE

Another must see place is the Pulteney – the Pulteney Bridge crosses the River Avon in the Bath – was completed by 1774, and connected the city with the land of the Pulteney family which they wished to develop. Designed by Robert Adam in a Palladian style – it is exceptional in havng shops built across its full span on both sides. The bridge is 45 metres long and 18 metres wide, The much photographed bridge and the weir below are close to the centre of the city, which is a World Heritage Site largely because of its Georgian architecture.

HISTORY

Bath is the largest city in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, known for its Roman-built baths.

Bath is the valley of the River Avon, west of London and south-east Bristol. The city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

The city became a spa with the Latin name Aque Sulis (the waters of Sulis) in 60AD, when the Romans built baths and a temple in the valley of the River Avon, although hot springs were known even before then.

According to the Victorian churchman Edward Churton, during Anglo-Saxon era, Bath was known as Acemannesceastre or 'aching men's city', on account of the reputation these springs had for healing the sick.

Bath became part of the county of Avon in 1974, and following Avon's abolition in 1199, has been the principal centre of Bath and North East Somerset.

 AUGUST 9, 2007