Beautiful Bath
With the tightening of economic belts, holidays abroad are out of
the question for many, but our country has many fine places on offer - such as
beautiful Bath, one of the loveliest cities in England. For centuries it has
been famous for its restorative mineral waters.
A World Heritage Site, the city is filled with cobbled streets, wonderful Regency buildings and, to add to its already impressive beauty, the River Avon meanders through the centre of town.
Bath Delights
The Roman temple and bathing complex, still flowing with natural
hot water, is a prime example of living history. And for those who want to
sample the waters, there is a day spa where you can bathe in the warm, natural
mineral-rich waters.
The Abbey
The Abbey stands in the centre of Bath. The present Abbey was
constructed in 1499 and is one of the great medieval churches of England.
Jane Austin’s World
The Jane Austin Centre offers a glimpse of the author’s life and
that of the Regency period. The centre gives visitors the opportunity to
imagine how living in Bath influenced her writing.
Museums
There are several museums worth visiting in Bath, not least of
which is The American Museum, which has period rooms showing life in the colony
from the first New England settlers through to the Civil War. This museum, the
only one of its kind outside of America, has a remarkable collection of folk
and decorative arts.
The Museum of Costume covers fashion over the last 400 years and
is reputed to be the finest museum of fashionable garments in the world.
Housed in the Countess of Huntingdon’s beautiful gothic chapel,
the Building of Bath Museum shows how Georgian Bath developed. It is a unique
collection, demonstrating the rich architectural history of Bath.
The Bath Model is a fully detailed architectural mock-up of the
city centre as it was in Georgian times.
The Holburne Museum of Art, founded to display the collection of
Sir William Holburne, a sailor who grew up in Bath and retired there, houses
landscapes by Guardi and Turner as well as portraits by Stubbs, Ramsay,
Raeburn, Zoffany and Bath’s own famous artists, Thomas Gainsborough, William
Hoare and the Barkers of Bath.
Number One Royal Crescent was the first house to be built in the
fabulous Royal Crescent, designed by John Wood in the Palladian style. The
house recreates fashionable life in 18th century, including an elegant dining
room, sophisticated drawing room and an authentic Georgian kitchen.
Day Trips
Within easy distance of Bath are the stunning Cathedrals of Wells
and Salisbury, both of which are worthy of day trips. Stonehenge and the
Cheddar Gorge are accessible.
Walks
Surrounded by some of the most outstanding countryside England has
to offer, Bath sits within a walker’s paradise. There are riverside paths,
trails through woodland and hill walks.
The Bath Tourist Information Centre (details below) has leaflets.
For more information contact the Bath Tourist Information Centre
at Abbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LY. Tel: +44 (0)870 444 6442
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