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| On the banks of the River Avon
and surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, visitors
to Bath can enjoy some of the most famous architectural masterpieces
in Europe.
Bath is built over Britain's only hot springs which were
almost certainly the reason for its development by the Romans
in the 1st Century AD. The Romans built Britain's first spa
town with baths, a temple and gymnasium. The city, known as
Aquae Sulis, had no military interest - it was built as a
centre for pleasure. The
Roman Baths are fed by a spring delivering 280,000 gallons
of water a day at a temperature of 46.5º C.
The Saxons built a new town within the Roman City walls and
founded an abbey near the site of the Roman Temple. Bath
Abbey was begun in 1499, built on the foundations of a
12th Century Benedictine cathedral priory. The Abbey was stripped
of its roof and glass at the Reformation, and was restored,
together with the Hospital of St. John, at the request of
Elizabeth I.
The healing powers of the hot spring water attracted successive
royal visitors during the late 16th and 17th centuries, and
by the beginning of the 18th century it had become a fashionable
place to visit. Beau
Nash came to Bath in 1704, a natural organiser. He opened
the first Pump Room for people to take the waters and meet
in civilised society. As Master of Ceremonies, he laid down
a programme of daily activities, beginning with early morning
bathing and continuing with organised concerts, balls and
card games. |
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The Pump Room (1789-99) has a statue of Nash presiding
over the tearooms which feature pilasters, gilded capitals, a coved
ceiling and rounded bay containing a former drinking fountain with
a view over the Kings Bath. The Assembly Rooms (1769-71) were the
venue for evening entertainments and comprise the Ball Room, Octagon
and Tea Room. The Assembly Rooms house the Museum
of Costume.
Bath's famous urban plan and elegant 18th century
architecture was largely the work of Ralph Allen, a Cornishman,
and John Wood, a Yorkshireman. Using the honey-coloured stone from
Combe Down, they set about the rebuilding of the city , principally
in the Palladian style. The Circus was built in 1754 as the Kings
Circus, comprises a tight circle of identical three storey houses
built in Bath stone with decorated coupled columns and acorn-topped
balustrade. The circle is intersected by three access roads. No.4
houses the Fashion Research Centre, part of the Museum of Costume,
containing the Study Collection and a library. Royal Crescent (1767-74)
is an arc of 30 terrace houses with strong horizontal lines balanced
with giant ionic columns rising from the first floor to the parapet.
Bath has a wealth of museums and galleries
including Bath
Museum which gives a fascinating insight into the bathing
complex and the great Roman temple of Sulis Minerva, goddess
of wisdom and healing. Other gems include the Museum of Costume,
Holburne Museum, American Museum, No 1. Royal Crescent, the
Jane Austen Centre and the Museum of East Asian Art.
The oldest house in Bath is home to the famous Sally Lunn
bun, which is still made to the original secret recipe. To
make the most of Bath, there are guided walking tours, open
top bus tours, balloon flights, river and canal trips. |
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The modern city of Bath has excellent shopping facilities,
imaginative street entertainment, award winning parks and top class
theatre and festivals bring colour, style and life to this beautiful
city.
The museums collections are unrivalled in the West
of England. Beyond Bath visitors can sample aa range of famous attractions
including stately
homes, gardens,
wildlife,
parks
caves and more. |
