
The village of Bath, in Somerset, is the only spa town in the whole of UK. It benefits from a water source jealously guarded in the belly of the Earth at about two thousand meters deep. The healthy properties of this water have been known since Roman times. The spring was neglected for many centuries until Queen Anne went to Bath in the early eighteenth century to cure her gout, thus giving the impetus to the revival of the locality and the thermal baths. In a short time, going to Bath on holiday became a must for English and European aristocratic families.
What to do and what to see in Bath, a UNESCO heritage site
Today Bath is a beautiful place, UNESCO heritage, where it is still possible to experience the refined atmosphere of eighteenth-century holiday homes. It offers many things to see, do and experience and the very close distances allow you to get anywhere on foot, thus allowing you to discover many picturesque corners at any time. In short, it is the ideal destination for a weekend of relaxation, but also of great inspiration.
1 The Roman baths
Le Roman baths are Bath's most important monument. The best-known part is the large outdoor pool, but the visit itinerary includes much more. In fact the complex was very large and complex. Thus we can see the remains of the various thermal baths, of the hydraulic works that allowed the system to function, of the surrounding streets and of the temple dedicated to Minerva Sulis. A new area has recently been opened, that of the gymnasium, where the ancient Romans practiced their sporting activities.
Along the entire route, archaeological finds from the excavation campaigns are displayed, grouped by thematic areas, which help to fully understand the monument through the stories of the men who built it, frequented it or lived nearby. The most notable object is a bronze head of Minerva Sulis, which has come down to us in excellent condition.

2 Bath abbey
The other great city monument, a stone's throw from the Roman baths, is the Bath abbey. Its origins date back to the Saxon period, when a monastery was built on the site, later replaced in the 1500th century. from the Norman cathedral. The current abbey, in Gothic style, dates back to around XNUMX and was restored by the great Victorian architect Gilbert Scott. The most notable aspect are the stained glass windows, dating back to the restoration period, which cover a large part of the walls, flooding the building with light.
One of them depicts the coronation of Edgar the Pacifist, first king ofEngland, which took place at Bath Abbey in 973.

3 Georgian Bath
When In the eighteenth century, Bath became the favorite holiday resort of the aristocracy, there was the need to create residences that lived up to the expectations of the illustrious guests. Thus, between 1734 and 1774 the architects John Wood father and son created the sequence of buildings and public spaces that starts from Queen Square and culminates in the Royal Crescent, passing through Gay Street and The Circus. A common element is the local yellow limestone that characterizes the buildings. These are rows of single residences united by a single façade. Thus those who lived there had the illusion of the magnificence of their own country house, despite only having a city apartment at their disposal.
Il Crescent it was the most exclusive and coveted complex. His name acquired the epithet Royal for having hosted the Duke of York Frederick, second son of George III, on several occasions at number 16. To get an idea of what the Royal Crescent residences looked like during the golden age, you can visit the house museum at number 1.
A house of Gay Street hosts the Jane Austen Centre, where, also through interactive experiences, the writer's environment is recreated in the years in which she lived in Bath (not in the same residence, but in another on the same street).
At the heart of eighteenth-century noblemen's holidays were balls, afternoon teas and gambling. All this took place in the beautiful Assembly Rooms, near the Royal Crescent. Part of the building now houses a fashion museum, while the reception rooms, when not used for private events, are freely open to the public.

4 Pulteney Bridge and the River Avon
Il River Avon is a key part of Bath's landscape. You can explore it with mini river cruises offered by some local operators, departing near Pulteney Bridge. For the more adventurous, there is also the possibility of renting canoes or SUPs or even a narrowboat for a trip on the Kennet and Avon Canal.
The Avon is crossed, at a point in the heart of the city, by Pulteney Bridge, an eighteenth-century bridge designed by the famous neoclassical architect Robert Adam. Since there are closed spaces on both sides of the building, which today house small shops and cafes, the Pulteney Bridge has historically been compared to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. The comparison is perhaps a little risky, but Bath Bridge is still very romantic and worth a visit.

5 Prior Park and the Bath skyline
Just outside the historic centre, on the other bank of the Avon there is the Prior Park Landscape Garden, a large monumental park designed by the poet Alexander Pope and the gardener Capability Brown. The park was fundamental for the development of the English garden style, where the greenery of the natural environment alternates and integrates with architectural elements and ponds. The main feature of Prior Park is a Palladian-style bridge. Then there is a small Gothic style temple, an artificial cave, some lakes and a small canal.
Five minutes from Prior Park you can access the Bath skyline, circular walk in the hills about 10 kilometers long. Along this route you can admire woods, the remains of an Iron Age fort and a Roman settlement and some follies, architectural whims without a real specific function. But above all the skyline offers breathtaking views of the city.
6 Thermae Spa
La tradition of thermal baths continues with modern spas, the Thermae Spa, which use the healthy waters well known by the Romans and Georgian aristocrats. The Thermae are located in a building with exquisite contemporary design. The basic package (£37 – £42 on weekends) offers a two-hour route starting from the panoramic heated swimming pool on the third floor. Here you can relax and be pampered by the various hydromassage jets while enjoying a 360-degree view of the city.

You can then continue with the rooms based on the alternation between hot and cold, moving from the rooms with the aromatic Turkish bath to the chromotherapy showers, from the infrared sauna to the ice room. And finally, in the underground level, there is the Minerva Bath, a large thermal pool that ideally takes us to natatio of the Roman baths.
In front of Thermae Spa There is the Cross Bath, with a thermal bath enclosed in a suggestive neoclassical structure. The Cross Bath can be rented for private use for up to 10 people (costs from £400).

7 Shopping
Le The main boutique streets in Bath are Bath Street, Milsom Street and Milsom Place, right in the centre. Bath is also quite renowned for its furniture and home accessories shops. The home design district is Walcot Street, near Pulteney Bridge. Here it is possible to find furniture, fabrics, ceramics, both with a vintage flavor and a contemporary taste.
The former Green Park station is being transformed into an office and commercial district. Under the arches it is possible to discover some unusual and particular shops, such as Resolution Records, a true sanctuary of vinyl records.

8 What to eat in Bath
From Bath comes a gastronomic creation, the Bunn, a sort of loaf that can be cut in half and filled with sweet or savory toppings. The bunn was invented at the end of the seventeenth century by Sally lunch and the recipe is still secret today. You can go and enjoy it in its charming café, located in the oldest house in Bath, dating back to 1482.

For those wanting an aristocratic experience, the spa's beautiful Pump Room is open for breakfast or afternoon tea. Then there are numerous restaurants, often in historic buildings: the Ivy Bath Brasserie, for example, offers traditional English cuisine in an elegant historic venue on Milsom Street.
9 Where to sleep in Bath
Bath offers numerous possibilities for staying in Georgian style. The most prestigious is represented by the Royal Crescent Hotel, at number 16 Royal Crescent, the same residence where the Duke of York stayed. The attention to detail, the quality of service and the beautiful rear garden make the Royal Crescent a destination in itself. Room prices start from around £400.

Diametrically opposite, but very functional for a weekend in Bath, is the Z Hotel. Located in a very central position, the Z Hotel in Bath, like all those of the same chain, is based on the concept of compact luxury. The rooms are not very large (and in most cases do not have a window), but they are equipped with everything you need. In short, a valid choice, especially if you are traveling alone, with a truly competitive price, starting from £45.
Comment first