Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath is a charming town located in Somerset 25km from Bristol and 180km from London. With its elegant mansions of Georgian architecture, Bath is considered one of the most beautiful towns in England which served as the setting for Jane Austen's novels.
Steeped in history, Bath became a fashionable spa town in the XNUMXth century and today boasts Britain's only natural hot springs.
Bath was used as the setting for the filming of the famous series The Chronicle of the Bridgertons. Places include the exteriors of No.1 Royal Crescent, the Sally Lunn Museum, the Holburne Museum, and the Pulteney Bridge.
So Bath is a dream destination for a weekend, to combine relaxation and cultural visits!
Bath Abbey: a masterpiece of Gothic art
St.Peter's Abbey in Bath, commonly referred to as Bath Abbey is a masterpiece of perpendicular Gothic design that was built in 1499 over the remains of a church founded in the 52th century. It is one of the most important places of worship in the south of England and stands out from the rest with its XNUMX magnificent stained glass windows which occupy a large majority of the surface of the walls.
It also presents a magnificent example of fan vaults which ensure the stability of the abbey by distributing the weight of the roof in the support columns via the flying buttresses.
Before entering, do not forget to admire, the west facade which has sculptures of angels who climb stone steps leading to paradise.
The 49m high tower is accessible by a staircase of 212 steps which offers a beautiful view of the city.
Its entry is free, although donations are advised.
Address : Bath BA1 1LT
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The thermal baths: one of the most beautiful Roman archaeological sites
Initially built by the Celts who built a sanctuary dedicated to their goddess Sulis, it was after the Roman invasion in AD 44 that the Romans established the city of Aquae Sulis, a vast spa complex and a temple dedicated to the goddess Neck brace.
Today the naturally warm thermal waters of Bath are famous for their virtues. They bubble in the basements of the city and spout out at 46 ° C.
The Roman baths present four points of interest: the sacred source; the Roman temple, the thermal baths and the museum exhibiting archaeological objects discovered on the spot and also offers to drink the spring water ... hot ferruginous!
The Grand Bain is a magnificent open-air pool of hot water, lined with statues dating from 1894 and representing Roman emperors and military leaders.
Since the 70s, the Roman thermal baths are no longer accessible for swimming. However, if you want to enjoy the benefits of the thermal bath water, you can go to the Thermae Bath Spa.
Bath Thermal Baths are open daily and the rate depends on the season and day of your visit. To benefit from a reduction, choose a visit during the week.
Address : Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LZ
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Thermae Bath Spa: Britain's largest spa
Located 100 meters from the Roman Baths, the Thermae Bath Spa is an ultra modern thermal spa complex supplied by waters from three different springs which come out at 46 degrees and are among the warmest natural mineral waters in Europe.
Thermae Bath Spa has a magnificent open swimming pool with naturally warm, mineral-rich water. Perched at the top of the building one can enjoy a spectacular panorama over Bath with a view of the rooftops and the abbey.
The must is to go there at the end of the day, shortly before sunset for a unique experience between bubbles and massaging jets.
The establishment, adorned with modern decor in an ancient setting, also has saunas, hammams and offers many treatments centered around the benefits of water.
To fully enjoy the place and for more peace of mind, it is advisable to come during the week instead.
Address : The Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath St, Bath BA1 1SJ
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The Gainsborough Bath Spa
The Gainsborough is a modern luxury hotel. Besides its imposing Georgian and Victorian sand-colored facade, the hotel's strong point is hidden underground: the Gainsborough is the only wellness center in the United Kingdom to offer direct access to natural hot springs.
For those who would like to stay at the Gainsborough, one suite and two bedrooms are supplied directly by thermal waters!
Address : Beau Street, Bath BA1 1QY
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The Cross Bath: a historic swimming pool
A private outdoor swimming pool open to the public, The Cross Bath is Bath's third source located in a luxury enclave. This thermal bath can accommodate between 6 and 10 people who can enjoy the benefits of this water of around forty degrees for 1h30.
Children under 12 are not allowed, and youth between 12 and 15 must be accompanied by an adult in a 1: 1 ratio.
Address : 9, 10 Hot Bath Street, Bath BA1 1SJ
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The Circus: a magnificent circular square
The Circus is a circular plaza lined with Georgian houses, designed by architect John Wood the Elder, and built between 1754 and 1768. Convinced that Bath had been the main center of Druidic activity in Britain, John Wood gave the whole of the buildings a size close to that of the famous megalithic site of Stonehenge.
Royal Crescent: masterpiece of Georgian architecture
Comprised of 30 houses built between 1767 and 1775, the Royal Crescent is considered one of the UK's most impressive examples of Georgian architecture. This iconic location is often used as the setting for movies and TV series like The Bridgertons Chronicle.
At No.5 Royal Crescent you'll find a plaque stating that the house once housed the English poet and writer Christopher Anstey.
Finally at n ° 16, The Royal Crescent is a luxurious five-star hotel with ninety-eight rooms with a contemporary design that plays the card of cozy chic. It is also the only hotel in the whole of the UK to offer guests direct access to thermal waters in its 1 square meter spa.
Address : Royal Cres, Bath BA1 2LX
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Pont de Pulteney: a more modest version of the Ponte Vecchio
Built in 1769 and inspired by the famous Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Pulteney bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in the region. This architectural gem, bordered on both sides by small shops such as antique dealers, florists and record stores, offers a magnificent view of the boats sailing along the Avon River.
Address : Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AT
Sally Lunn's: the oldest houses in Bath
This charming mansion from 1484 was the bakery of Sally Lunn, a French Huguenot refugee who settled in Bath in 1680 and made brioche buns with candied fruit.
Today Sally Lunn's is famous for its famous typical "Bath Buns", to be enjoyed with tea, after visiting the museum in the basement which still preserves the old kitchen from Georgian times.
In the evening the property offers candlelit dinners and serves local specialties.
Address : 4 N Parade, Passage, Bath BA1 1NX
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The Corridor: one of the oldest galleries in the world
The Corridor is a Victorian shopping arcade designed by architect Henry Goodridge and opened in 1825. With Burlington Arcade in London, The Corridor is one of the earliest examples of covered arcades in Britain, home to independent and specialty stores like Running Bath, Society cafe.
Address : High Street, Bath BA1 5AP
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Prior Park: a landscaped garden
Prior Park is a vast estate with an XNUMXth century castle, created by a wealthy entrepreneur, Ralph Allen who made his fortune through control of the English postal system and the mining of Bath Stone.
His house surrounded by an English garden dominates a hilly perspective offering a view of the Palladian Bridge.
Address : Ralph Allen Dr, Bath BA2 5AH
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Cleveland Pools: the oldest outdoor swimming pool in the UK
Built in 1815 in Georgian style, Cleveland Pools is the UK's oldest public outdoor swimming pool. Closed in 1984 to be used as a trout breeding pond, it was then renovated from 2013 following a call for funds.
Its reopening, scheduled for 2022, offered the public a heated children's pool, outdoor rest areas and a pontoon to access the Avon River.
Address : Hampton Row, Bath BA2 6QS
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Bath and its museums
Assembly Rooms
Inaugurated in 1771, the Assembly Rooms were an elegant place of entertainment where the grand balls were held, so popular with young girls to marry and frequented by famous artists and authors, such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen.
Today the public can visit the four magnificent rooms, namely: the large ballroom, 30 meters long; the tea room, the card games room and the octagonal room.
Address : Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QH
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Bath Postal Museum
This small museum traces the history of the post office in Great Britain through an exhibition of original objects such as quills, post horns, courier cars, letter boxes, postcards and even a replica of a post office Victorian.
Address : 27 Northgate St, Bath BA1 1AJ
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No. 1 Royal Crescent
At No. 1 and at the corner of Brock Street is the Crescent's first house, built between 1767 and 1774 whose Palladian facade is considered one of the finest achievements of XNUMXth century urban architecture.
This residence now houses a historic house-museum furnished with authentic XNUMXth century decorations.
Tours are provided by passionate and very knowledgeable volunteer guides.
Address : 1 Royal Cres, Bath BA1 2LR
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The Holburne Museum
Built in 1882, the Holburne Museum is Bath's first public art gallery which houses an impressive collection of art and decoration that belonged to its former owner Sir William Holburne, an officer in the Royal Navy.
Address : Great Pulteney Street, Bathwick, Bath BA2 4DB
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Victoria Art Gallery
Victoria Art Gallery is a public art gallery opened in 1900 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Its collection consists of sculptures, decorative artistic objects and British paintings from the XNUMXth century to the present day with works by Thomas Gainsborough, Thomas Jones Barker and Walter Sickert.
Address : Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AT
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Jane Austen Center
Jane Austen Center is a small museum chronicling the life and times of the famous writer Jane Austen who made Bath all or part of the setting for two of the six novels she left: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.
Address : 40 Gay Street, Bath BA1 2NT
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The Fashion Museum
With more than 100 objects, The fashion museum presents one of the largest collections in the world of historical clothing presenting the history of fashion from the end of the 000th century to the present day.
Address : Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QH
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The American museum in Britain
Located in a XNUMXth century mansion in Claverton, The American museum is the only museum dedicated to American decorative arts outside of the United States. Exhibits feature Native American furniture, maps and artifacts.
The museum is in the heart of a 14 hectare park made up of Italian-style pleasure gardens, a tropical garden and an arboretum. A peaceful and green place from where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Avon River.
Address : Claverton Manor, Claverton Down, Claverton, Bath BA2 7BD
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Museum of East Asian Art: the only British museum dedicated to Asian art
Museum of East Asian Art is the only UK museum dedicated to the arts and cultures of East and South East Asia. It houses a collection of nearly 2000 objects including a collection of ceramics, jades, bronzes and bamboo sculptures from China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
Address : 12 Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QJ
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The Bath Visits
Sightseeing of Bath with a Blue Badge Tour Guide
This 1 hour walking tour in English will introduce you to Bath's finest landmarks and history through its architecture and famous people who once lived.
The tour is provided by a professional Blue Badge qualified guide, the UK's highest tourist guide qualification.
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Free guided tour with a local
Free guided tours in English are provided daily by local volunteer guides. Lasting 2 hours, these tours cover different themes such as the Pulteney Estate, the Bath and the Blitz and Jane Austen in Bath.
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Bath tour by traditional boat
Discover Bath on the Avon aboard a traditional 1960's boat accompanied by a skipper who will reveal the history of the city and its main emblematic places such as Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey or again the dam. You'll also pass the Kennet and Avon Canals, which connect London to the Bristol Channel, and pass under the North Parade Bridge.
This river trip is done all year round, in sunny weather the roof is open allowing you to enjoy the sun and, in cold weather, a charcoal fire will bring warmth to the passengers.
Tea, coffee, Prosecco, beer and other drinks can be purchased on board.
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Bath Bus Tour
Bath's hop on hop off sightseeing bus marks 21 stops at some of the city's most iconic spots such as the Royal Crescent, the Roman Baths or the Jane Austen Museum.
During the journey, you will have an audio guide with commentaries recorded in French on the various monuments on the route.
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Unusual! Stay in Jane Austen's former family home
It was in this charming 1801th-century mansion that Jane Austen would have resided from 1805 to XNUMX, when she was working on Les Watson, her work which ultimately remained unfinished.
Located in the heart of Bath, the apartment decorated with works of art and antique furniture has two bedrooms, a modern bathroom, a kitchen and a living room. An apartment steeped in history offering all modern comforts with air conditioning, wifi and even access to Netflix to watch The Bridgertons Chronicle!
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How to get to Bath from London?
By train : From Paddington station, trains leave every 30 minutes for Bath for a journey time of around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
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By bus : National Express connects London Victoria to Bath Bus Station in around 3h30 and 4 times a day.
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What to visit around Bath?
Bristol: maritime and cultural city
Located 20 kilometers from Bath and less than a quarter of an hour by train; Bristol is a creative and resolutely alternative city. Colorful, Bristol is the hometown of famous street artist Banksy where you can admire some of his most famous works by participating in the city tour.
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Also take advantage of your Bristol getaway to visit the famous steam liner SS Great Britain which was, when it opened in 1843, the fastest and largest ship ever built.
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Stonehenge: the most famous megalithic site
Located about fifteen kilometers north of Salisbury and 43km from Bath, Stonehenge is the most beautiful megalithic monument in Europe, composed of a set of concentric circular structures, erected between -2800 and -11001, from the Neolithic to the bronze age.
Inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List, it is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites on the planet and one of England's most famous stone monuments attracting thousands of visitors to it every year. occasion of the summer and winter solstices. On this occasion the sun rises and sets above the stones, following an almost perfect alignment.
It is recommended to book your tickets online to avoid queues.
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Salisbury and its cathedral
Built in just 38 years, Salisbury Cathedral is famous for having the tallest spire in the UK (123m) and the tallest cloister in England. Inside this Gothic-style building is one of the four remaining original copies of the Magna Carta Libertatum as well as the oldest clock in England still in working order.
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