A DAY IN BATH, ENGLAND

June 8, 2016

The elegant city of Bath in the county of Somerset, England is located 97miles to the west from London. It is where the first British King was crowned, once the home of Jane Austen, and known for Roman-built baths constructed in the 7^th century. Sure, you could attempt to conjure up this thriving historic city by reading Pride and Prejudice in your tub, but as Bath has a lot more history than your bathroom (we assume, anyway) you'd be missing out. 

A stroll through Bath felt like visiting an open-air museum, with roughly 5,000 buildings in the city drawing notice for their architectural merit. Bath has virtually no parking around the town center. Staying in a lovely private home outside of Bath with one guest room, the owner clued us in that there is virtually no auto parking around the town center. She gave us directions for the free city parking lot at the Park and Ride bus service, which the locals use at the hilltop two miles above Bath to reach the town center.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Standing proudly on the slopes of the River Avon, beautiful Bath was the first city in England to be designated an UNESCO World Heritage site. The gorgeous 15th century Bath Abbey, the stunning Georgian architecture, the romantic Pulteney Bridge, modeled on Florence's Ponte Vecchio, are all sights that linger on in the memory of our day.

 

Bath Abbey altar

The hike up the hill to see the crescent-shaped 30 terraced houses took some effort. No.1 Royal Crescent is a museum that showcases authentic Georgian interior design and furnishings. The house was initially built to accommodate members of the English aristocracy and their servants.  A short walk away we gaze at The Circus, which was another circular group of Palladian style buildings of Georgian, designed townhouses being washed from soot.

No tour of Bath would be complete without a visit to the famous Roman baths that gave the city its name. This beautifully preserved bathing complex still flows with water from Britain's only hot spring. Unfortunately we learned after the fact later that one can marvel at the dazzling torch-lighting ceremony as dusk falls (not applicable in summer) and sip Bath's healing waters in the Pump Room. It is a stunning neo-classical salon where hot spa waters are drawn for drinking. Oh well, something for the bucket list another time.

Some tips to remember if you ever travel to Bath:

* The Bath Abbey is a good signpost - given its grand stature- to find your way

back to the city center if lost.

* Wear appropriate comfortable footwear. Bath is better by foot and your feet will be grateful after hours of pounding the many cobbled streets and sloping roads around the city.

•  Join a local guided city historical walking tour. It is worthwhile and free.

•  Keep energy reserves high as this is one city in England worth running around for and quite wonderful.