Take a tour of Somerset, in the South West of England, and you may find yourself in the city of Bath. This beautiful city is located in the valley of the River Avon, where you can pamper yourself in one of its many luxury spas while enjoying the splendor of the surrounding limestone hills. Since becoming a World Heritage Site in 1987, this city has become a haven for tourists and has something for everyone, from sports enthusiasts to culture students to epicureans.
If you’re looking for a bit of a cultural trip, there are plenty of places that will satisfy you in Bath. There’s the Theater Royal in Bath, where annual programs like the Bath Shakespeare Festival and the Bath International Puppet Festival are just a few of the many attractions that are sure to entertain you. There’s also the Ustinov Studio, the Rondo Theatre, and the Mission Theatre, all of which have spectacular shows. If theater isn’t your thing, you can always take part in the city’s other festivals, such as the Bath Film Festival, the Bath Literature Festival and, for those feeling a little more adventurous, the Bath Beer Festival! of Bath! Don’t forget to bring your camera and your sense of fun!
The architecture of the city has a very strong Roman influence, and this is very evident throughout the city. The bases of the Roman pillars, the foundations and the ruins of the baths can still be seen around the hot springs of the city. Visit Bath Abbey and see the beautiful 16th-century architecture in the flying buttresses and crocket-shaped pinnacles of its parapet. Many social functions take place in The Circus, which is three long, curving terraces with a design that harkens back to the Roman Colosseum. The colossal Royal Crescent nearby is a residential area of 30 houses arranged in a crescent shape. If viewed from the air, Royal Crescent and The Circus can be seen as a sphere and crescent, together representing the sun-moon, or sun and moon.
One of the highlights of the buildings in Bath is that most of them are made from Bath Stones, which are gold-colored blocks of stone found only in the city. In recent years, one of the most current structures is the Bath Bus Station, which is famous for being a Gregorian-style shopping district as well as a transport hub where many buses dock to take you wherever you want to go.
Bath cuisine is famous for food that is clearly identifiable with the city because the food features Bath’s name. For breakfast, be sure to order a Sally Lunn Bun, which is a traditional tea cake that can be eaten with sweet and savory toppings. You can also try their Bath bun, which is a huge crowd pleaser due to its sweet toppings made from crushed sprinkles (caraway seeds dipped in boiling sugar) or nibs (crushed sugar granules). If you’re looking for something to fill you up a bit more, try the Bath Olivers, which are dry biscuits, with Bath Chap, a smoked, salty cut of pork, for a really tasty Bath meal!
An adrenaline rush is something you’re sure to experience if you visit the City Recreation, where you can watch the local rugby team, Bath Rugby, play. There is also a Bath Cricket Club, which also plays on the Recreation Ground just opposite where rugby is played. If you want to experience Bath first hand, cycling is very popular in this city, and the Royal Victoria Park has designated places to do it. Also, the annual Bath Half Marathon takes place on the streets of the city and is not to be missed.
After all this excitement, of course you’ll want a comfortable and quiet place to kick back and relax, and if you haven’t had your fill of the city yet, you can always go and visit one of the many public parks in the city. The main one is the Royal Victoria Park (as mentioned above), which is very close to the Royal Crescent. This park is named after Princess Victoria, who opened it when she was only 11 years old. Here you can sit back and watch people skate down the ramp, play tennis at the nearby tennis courts, go bowling in the alleys, or play golf at a putting green and golf course. You can also relax by the pond or listen to music, if you are lucky enough to attend an outdoor concert, or just walk through the 57-acre park. The Royal Victoria has received various accolades including the Green Flag Award, which is the national standard for parks, and a registration as a Park of National Historic Significance by the English Heritage.
If you are already feeling very tired and just want a cozy and comfortable place to spend the night, you can always stay in one of the many small family run hotels in Bath, commonly called ‘bed and breakfasts’. They are often known for their warm and friendly staff (usually a family), cozy atmosphere, and beautiful settings. Many of them can be seen in the countryside, but if you are looking for that true rustic charm, there are also those that can be found on the fincas. Of course, their breakfasts are quite outstanding, with good, abundant and simple. food, often grown on the farm, or gathered fresh from the field.