The Romans chose to build on this niche amongst rolling green hills because of its position in the River Avon and of course right on top of England's only hot springs. The temple the Romans built around the baths was used between the first and fourth centuries and the lower levels have now been excavated revealing all sorts of treasures hidden in the mud and brickwork of the baths pipes system.

You can’t swim in the main baths, this steaming green pool is used for drinking water (the water is warm and flavoured with minerals which actually taste more like plastic.), which comes out of an ornate font in The Pump Room, the restaurant attached to the baths (the afternoon tea was served with clotted cream and a generous selection of cakes.). But you can swim in the hot springs nearby which have been modernised into a quite posh looking spa complex.

Bath’s other main feature is it’s architecture. The historic part of the city has been built mostly from creamed honey coloured stones creating an ordered impression, even though the architecture dates from different periods. The perfect string of Georgian terraces of The Crescent and The Circus are worth wandering through and if you can afford it you can stay in a hotel in one of the houses.

Bath Abbey is much more along the lines of a small cathedral and is worth visiting for the grave stones that line its walls telling the stories of people’s lives. Some quite notable people have been interred here, including Captain Arthur Philip, Australia’s first Governor and a past Governor of Bombay. There is also a shiny brass plaque with a skull and cross bones on it and a particularly sad story about a sea faring family. I counted four churches in the centre of town, which seems like a lot per capita, I also counted six boutique chocolate shops… Bath is also known for its shopping and as being the home of Jane Austen, there's a museum to her, as well as an art gallery, a botanical gardens and an American museum? Bath is also a university town, implying the nightlife is fun.

In the evening consider a walking tour with Bizarre Bath, its best described as portable panto and was a fresh blend of comedy and magic with a little bit of local knowledge thrown in.

Written by  Kat Mackintosh.

Add comment

Comments, reviews and questions

City of Bath

Founded by the Romans as a thermal spa, Bath became an important centre of the wool industry in the Middle Ages. In the 18th century, under George III, it developed into an elegant town with neoclassical Palladian buildings, which blend harmoniously with the Roman baths.

Copyright © UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.

 

Review posted 7th December 2007 by World Reviewer Staff.

Add a comment, review or question

Make a comment Ask a question Write a review

Review title

Your comment

Your rating

Choose rating... Don't go Go Must go

Your name

Your email address