Bath in Somerset is a perfect destination for a short-break. There is so much to see and do and all in such close proximity.
Where to start? Well that's easy!
First stop -The Roman Baths.
Arriving at this beautiful, golden coloured, Georgian city my family and I hotfooted it to the museum.
Cameras in one hand and a Bill Bryson-narrated audio guides in the other, we walked in awe around 2000 year old Roman pavements imagining what it would be like to live in that time.
The Baths are bigger than you think as they are on a lower level than the modern street and extend beneath the city.
They are heated by natural Springs, and are thought to have healing powers. We all tried a glass of the spa water in the hope for cures to any ailments, but no such luck and somehow I don't think we will be having another glass in a hurry (bleh!).
In the below picture you can see where the water level used to be.
The Roman plumbing system is amazing. No, really it is!
They used gravity to carry and circulate the hot water between baths and eventually drain the water into the River Avon and you can still see this in place today.
They also were the first to invent a kind of "modern day central heating" by raising the floor with stacks of terrocota tiles and circulating hot air under it (also known as hypocaust). Amazing considering this is 2000 years old! Yes, that's 2000 years old!
Don't worry. I will stop there.
It's special as it's the real thing and not a recreation of the past. I can assure you even the non-history buffs will enjoy the museum.
Next up was a walking tour, a brilliant way of learning more about the city. They are free, last approximately two hours and run daily throughout the year.
We set off with the guide and people from all corners of the globe! It made us realise how far people had travelled to see this great city and we only live a couple of hours away and yet it had taken us so long to make our first trip!
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| Pump Room |
It was very informative but this particular tour did not cover some of the areas we wanted to visit so after an hour we left them and made a beeline for the stunning Royal Crescent, built as lodging houses around 1770 for the gentry.
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| Royal Crescent |
We then went in search of the exceptional Pulteney Bridge built in 1774, which crosses the River Avon.
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| Pulteney Bridge |
It is only one of 4 bridges in the world that has shops and tea rooms built across its span on both sides.
When walking across it, it does not feel or look like a bridge.
When walking across it, it does not feel or look like a bridge.
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| Pulteney Bridge with shops either side. |
Badly in need of a cuppa ourselves, and seeing the tea rooms on the bridge were bursting to the brim, we thirstily headed back to the Pump Room restaurant dodging showers along the way.
Who knew sheltering under huge Georgian doorways was a great way to make friends?
The Pump Room is exquisite with its high ceilings, huge chandelier, elegantly laid tables and super-talented chap playing the piano.
We relaxed in no time and thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of grandeur and history.....even if it was just for a brief moment.
A hubbub of people created a friendly atmosphere and there was a huge selection of fine teas.
The cakes were delicious but were "scone" before I had the chance to take any pictures! ;-)
We relaxed in no time and thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of grandeur and history.....even if it was just for a brief moment.
A hubbub of people created a friendly atmosphere and there was a huge selection of fine teas.
The cakes were delicious but were "scone" before I had the chance to take any pictures! ;-)
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| Pump Room |
The wonderful day was drawing to an end and we had only just scratched the surface as to what Bath has to offer.
There is also Jane Austen's museum, the Assembly rooms, the stunning Bath Abbey....
Oh and not to mention the fantastic shops!
But it was closing time so all we could do was look longingly at the interesting boutiques and independent shops (although I think the male members of my family were secretly pleased at how the timing had turned out!) lining the charming, cobbled streets as we scampered across the city to catch our lift with park and ride.
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| Bath Abbey |
Oh and not to mention the fantastic shops!
But it was closing time so all we could do was look longingly at the interesting boutiques and independent shops (although I think the male members of my family were secretly pleased at how the timing had turned out!) lining the charming, cobbled streets as we scampered across the city to catch our lift with park and ride.
We were staying at the School Cottages in Farmborough, a few miles out of Bath. A quaint cottage for 4 people adjacent to the owner's B&B.
It was fully equipped and squeaky clean.
Even though the one bathroom is on the ground floor, which means a tricky descent down some characterful stairs for those inclined to make a visit in the middle of the night, the cottage is lovely and in such a convenient location I'd highly recommend staying there.
The beds were soooooo comfortable, which was good as there was lots planned for the next day... to be continued in my next post.
It was fully equipped and squeaky clean.
Even though the one bathroom is on the ground floor, which means a tricky descent down some characterful stairs for those inclined to make a visit in the middle of the night, the cottage is lovely and in such a convenient location I'd highly recommend staying there.
The beds were soooooo comfortable, which was good as there was lots planned for the next day... to be continued in my next post.
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