Bath is a lovely English city made up of many different layers: Modern, Georgian, and Ancient.
It has a number of modern buildings and amenities that can be found throughout Europe/UK. There is a focus on being a spa town and making good use of the natural thermal springs that run throughout the city. We didn’t have the time to enjoy the spa facilities, but have put it on our list as a city that is a great for walking and is very community oriented.
There are lots of pretty tea shops especially Sally Lunn Eating House…. (the oldest shop in the city – they were completely sold out of Sally Lunn buns by 2:00pm!) Luckily, we had the chance to have Bath Buns which were also very yummy!
We wanted to learn more about the city and it’s history, so we went on a walking tour with a former drama teacher who now gives Georgian era tours dressed in a period costume. Sheila was amazing and took us through 2 hours of history and fashion of the 18th century.
What really stood out was how all the buildings were constructed from the same bathstone. Both modern and old had a similar look which gave it a neat continuity and flow.
Sheila brought us through the 18th C and how Bath was” the place to be seen”. Ladies in their finery would be carried to the pools, the dance halls and the library in seatons by their servants.
The town planning was amazing and designed by father and son John Woods x 2. They designed dwellings for entire households as it was the style to visit Bath for at least 6 weeks, or even 6 months.
We saw beautiful homes called the Crescent as well as the Circus. The Circus was based upon the Coliseum in Rome with the same dimensions.
The tour was a neat glimpse into the Georgian era of high society and how Italian architecture influenced the development of the city. For those interested in this era, Jane Austin wrote a number of her books with many references to the city of Bath, (Persuasion).
In the afternoon, we visited a different era of Bath – the Ancient Roman one. We walked through the ruins/museum and discovered how they were used to honour the Goddess Minerva. It was an amazing feat of engineering for the Romans to discover the thermal springs and create an entire temple and bathing area that still runs today!
A number of the hospitals in the area use the water as it is said to have healing powers. It is also used for the numerous pools throughout the city.
After the tour, we wanted to try the water as we want to be as healthy as possible on our trip. We went into the Pump Tea Room to see the actual pump and vase that is used to dispense the drinking the water.
I was the only one able to stomach the warm sulphur stinky water. The others gave it a try – but it wasn’t to their liking.
Overall, Bath is a beautiful city that engages everyone with its charms and the many layers of its history. It was a great place to spend our day.
Comments
10 responses to “Splish Splash We Visted Bath!”
Love the photos from Bath – especially the family shot. I didn’t realize there was so much to see and learn in Bath.
Looks like it’s starting to get chilly.
Teta Jill
HI Jill,
Yes it has started to get chilly. We’ve been layering up somewhat and taking off jackets as needed. For the most part we have had super sunny weather with just a side dish of rain. No complaints, but we are looking forward to some warmer temps after Scotland.
Take care!
Hi Kat
Like you, loved Bath. Such a historical spot. Of course, as you know, England is full of historical spots. Love the pictures of the girls – they are becoming very royal!!!
Take care.
Doreen
Hi Doreen,
The girls are feeling very royal indeed and certainly have learned so much about the kings and queens of the past. It’s been great history for them.
Cheers!
Wow, seeing your pictures immediately brought our old ones back to mind, it is a wonderful city which Abby visited when she was quite young, I cannot let Ariel see the post as he will get too reminiscent, we did go to the Sally Lunn house and I have recipes for Lunn cakes….did you have a flapjack? Made of oats, not a pancake…..
Hi Nicole,
That’s great that Abby had a chance to visit this city – the girls really liked it! We tried to get the Sally Lunn buns, but as mentioned, almost everything they had was sold out by 2:00. If you could share your recipe with us – that would be great – we would love to try and make them. We ended up going to the Bath Tea House which was lovely too. We were able to get some yummy Bath Buns there.
Cheers!
Wow! I love the architecture, and the pictures are so beautiful! Enjoy!
Hi Mom,
We did enjoy – you would love this city – great architecture and the spa town focus is really neat. The healing waters are not that tasty though! Sheila, our tour guide told us the stinky sulphur water is an acquired taste. I managed to drink it down but the others were only able to take a sip. Zoe held her nose, but the smell was pretty powerful!
Cheers!
That’s cool. Maybe I should go to England some time. Keep on having fun and don’t for get, you may meet new people along the way.
Hi Rebecca,
England is a lot of fun. We are meeting some fabulous people everywhere we go. Travel is much better when you meet and spend time with the locals.!