The town of Bath, in Somerset, is the only spa town in the entire United Kingdom. It benefits from a water spring jealously guarded in the Earth’s core at about two thousand meters deep. The health properties of this water have been known since Roman times. The spring was neglected for many centuries until Queen Anne at the beginning of the eighteenth century went to Bath to treat her gout, thus giving impetus to the revival of the town and the thermal baths. It soon became a must for English and European aristocratic families to vacation in Bath.
What to do and see in Bath, a UNESCO heritage site
Today Bath is a beautiful place, a UNESCO heritage site, where it is still possible to experience the refined atmosphere of eighteenth-century holidays. It offers many things to see, do, and try, and the very close distances allow you to reach anywhere on foot, thus enabling you to discover many picturesque corners at any time. In short, it is the ideal destination for a relaxing weekend, but also one of great inspiration.
1 The Roman Baths
The Roman Baths are the most important monument in Bath. The best-known part is the large outdoor pool, but the visit route includes much more. In fact, the complex was very extensive and articulated. Thus, we can see the remains of various thermal pools, hydraulic works that allowed the system to operate, the surrounding roads, and the temple dedicated to Minerva Sulis. Recently, a new area was opened, the gymnasium, where the ancient Romans practiced their sporting activities.
Along the entire route, archaeological finds from excavation campaigns are displayed, grouped by thematic areas, which help to deeply understand the monument through the stories of the people who built it, frequented it, or lived nearby. The most notable object is a bronze head of Minerva Sulis, which has reached us in excellent condition.
2 Bath Abbey
The other great city monument, a stone’s throw from the Roman Baths, is Bath Abbey. Its origins date back to the Saxon period when a monastery was built on the site, later replaced in the 11th century by the Norman cathedral. The current abbey, in Gothic style, dates to around 1500 and was restored by the great Victorian architect Gilbert Scott. The most remarkable aspect is the stained glass windows, dating from 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 Peaceful, the first king of England, which took place right at Bath Abbey in 973.
3 Georgian Bath
When Bath in the eighteenth century became the preferred holiday spot for the aristocracy, it became necessary to create residences worthy of the expectations of illustrious guests. Thus, between 1734 and 1774, architects John Wood father and son created the sequence of buildings and public spaces starting from Queen Square and culminating in the Royal Crescent, passing through Gay Street and The Circus. A common element is the local yellow limestone that characterizes the constructions. These are rows of single residences unified by a single façade. Thus, those who lived there had the illusion of the magnificence of their country house, even though they only had a city apartment available.
The Crescent was the most exclusive and coveted complex. Its name acquired the epithet “Royal” for having hosted on several occasions at number 16 the Duke of York Frederick, second son of George III. To get an idea of how the Royal Crescent residences were during their golden age, one can visit the house museum at number 1.
A house on Gay Street hosts the Jane Austen Centre, where, also through interactive experiences, the environment of the writer during the years she lived in Bath (not in the same residence, but another on the same street) is recreated.
At the center of the nobles’ 18th-century 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
The River Avon is a fundamental part of Bath’s landscape. It is possible to explore it with river mini-cruises offered by some local operators, departing near the Pulteney Bridge. For the more adventurous, there’s also the possibility to rent canoes or SUPs or even a narrowboat for navigation 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 on both sides of the building there are enclosed spaces that today host small shops and cafés, Pulteney Bridge has historically been compared to Florence’s Ponte Vecchio. The comparison is perhaps a bit bold, but Bath’s bridge is still very romantic and worth a visit.
5 Prior Park and the Bath skyline
Just outside the historic center, on the other bank of the Avon, there is the Prior Park Landscape Garden, a large monumental park designed by poet Alexander Pope and gardener Capability Brown. The park was fundamental in the development of the English garden style, where the green of the natural environment alternates and integrates with architectural elements and ponds. The main feature of Prior Park is a Palladian-style bridge. There is also a Gothic-style temple, an artificial cave, some ponds, and a small canal.
Five minutes from Prior Park leads to the Bath skyline, a circular hill walk about 10 kilometers long. Along this route, you can admire woods, remains of an Iron Age fort and a Roman settlement, and some follies, architectural whims without any real specific function. But above all, the skyline offers breathtaking views over the city.
6 Thermae Spa
The tradition of thermal baths continues with the modern spas, the Thermae Spa, which use the healthy waters well known to the Romans and Georgian aristocrats. The Thermae are located in a building with exquisite contemporary design. The basic package (£37 – £42 at weekends) offers a two-hour path that starts from the heated panoramic pool on the third floor. Here, you can relax and be pampered by various hydro-massage jets while enjoying a 360-degree view of the city.
You can then continue with rooms based on alternating heat and cold, moving from rooms with aromatic Turkish baths to chromotherapy showers, from infrared saunas to the ice room. And finally, in the basement, there is the Minerva Bath, a large thermal pool that ideally leads us to the natatio of the Roman baths.
Opposite the Thermae Spa is the Cross Bath, with a thermal pool enclosed in a suggestive neoclassical structure. The Cross Bath can be rented for private use for up to 10 people (cost starting from £400).
7 Shopping
The main boutique streets in Bath are Bath Street, Milsom Street, and Milsom Place, right in the city center. Bath is also quite renowned for home furnishings and accessories shops. The home design district is Walcot Street, near Pulteney Bridge. Here, you can find furniture, fabrics, ceramics, both vintage-flavored and contemporary in style.
The former Green Park Station is being transformed into a district of offices and commercial activities. Under the arches, you can discover some unusual and special shops, such as Resolution Records, a true sanctuary of vinyl records.
8 What to eat in Bath
A gastronomic creation from Bath is the bunn, a kind 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 Lunn, and the recipe remains secret to this day. You can go taste it in its suggestive café, located in the oldest house in Bath, dating back to 1482.
For those who want to try an aristocratic experience, the beautiful Pump Room of the baths is open for breakfast or afternoon tea. There are also 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 stay in Bath
Bath offers many opportunities to stay in Georgian style. The most prestigious is the Royal Crescent Hotel, at number 16 of the Royal Crescent, the same residence where the Duke of York stayed. The love for details, quality of service, and the splendid garden behind make the Royal Crescent a destination in itself. Room prices start from about £400.
On the opposite side, 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 have no window), but are equipped with everything needed. In short, a valid choice, especially if traveling alone, with a truly competitive price, starting from £45.
