Out and About in Bath

Whether you read Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer or any other writer of Regency novels you will have heard of the city of Bath.

In the centre of the town, beside the Abbey are the Pump Room and the Roman Baths.  The hot springs which – according to legend – were discovered by Prince Bladud in 500 BC when he followed his pigs into the waters and cured his leprosy.

Here are the same stone pavements around the steamy greenish waters the ancient Romans had used.  To me it feels like a holy place.  Not surprising as it had been a temple – to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and healing.  And it comes complete with sculptures and mosaics. The water?  The baths still produce over one million litres of water a day at 46 degrees celsius.

For those brave enough to emulate the Georgians of the 18^th century who went to 'take the waters' you can taste it in the Pump Room.  Taking the waters was supposedly to cure their over-indulgences in the food and drink line.  The evenings would be spent in the Assembly Rooms dancing or playing cards.  Or at the theatre or – wining and dining.

Bath Abbey is on the site of a Saxon Monastery where the first King of England was crowned in the year 973.  (Edgar, grandson of Alfred the Great). The Abbey is not only imposing on the outside but inside as well.  Fabulous stained glass windows and smooth columns leading the eye up to the elegant fan vaulting.

A short walk from the here are the beautiful Parade Gardens along the banks of the River Avon. From the gardens is a splendid view of the Pulteney Bridge which dates from 1770 and is based on a John Nash design.  It comes complete with shops.

Also not to be missed is the elegant Royal Crescent made up of a terrace of thirty graceful houses all with matching windows and giant columns.  No. 1 is open to the public and decorated in the style of the period so that we can see exactly how the wealthy lived in the 18^th century.

The Royal Crescent was influential in the design of many other crescents in Bath which also has several elegant Regency squares through which to stroll. 

All of these things can be seen in just one day, but as there are many other things to see, not only in Bath, but in the surrounding area, a longer visit is advisable, especially if you also want to browse the shops or visit the Assembly Rooms where the Balls were held.