 Country: England Capital: London Language: English Currency: Pound sterling |
Bath is one of England’s oldest cities, and as such one of the most picturesque. Today the influx of students to Bath University has meant that Bath combines historical architecture with dozens of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes.
The Roman Baths are a definite highlight, with hot springs, a museum explaining the history of the Georgian baths, and a restaurant where you can have a traditional afternoon tea after having sampled warm spa water directly from its source!
The Gothic Bath Abbey is an impressive construction, surrounded by many 18th century buildings. Queen’s Square and the nearby Circus and Royal Crescent are must-sees for those interested in Georgian architecture. Number 1 Royal Crescent was once the home of the Duke of York (son of George III).
There is more history at the Jane Austen Centre, dedicated to the writer who resided in Bath for many years, the William Herschel Museum, and the Museum of Costume, where you can learn about the history of fashion from 400 years ago to the present day.
Pulteney Bridge over the River Avon is another worthwhile sight, this is also close to the home ground of the Bath Rugby team.
There are high street shops aplenty, but there are also numerous independent shops for individualists. There are also cafes galore – try Sally Lunn’s on North Parade Passage, which is adjacent to a museum of the same name and is named after the creator of the Sally Lunn afternoon tea bun.