Bath is arguably the most beautiful city in England. It’s a bold statement I know, what with the idyllic streets of Oxford flanking the nearby Cotswolds countryside, and the beautifully-preserved medieval walls of York up North. I didn’t know much about Bath before I moved to London other than the fact that Jane Austen lived there and that it was the site of ancient Roman baths. And to be honest, I hadn’t put much thought into visiting the city either, except that it kept cropping up in random conversation with my fellow colleagues and friends – “Oh, have you visited Bath yet?” “Bath has to be the cleanest city in England.” “You should definitely make a day trip up to Bath.” So, I finally reserved a weekend to take the 2 hour train-ride from London to see the city (also a designated UNESCO World Heritage site) for myself!
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TIP: I visited Bath on an early December weekend when the Christmas markets were up. Even though the weather was cold, I think it’s worth considering a visit over the holidays for a fun, festive vibe!
Maybe I’ve gotten too used to the more chaotic, dust-polluted streets of London (London…I still love you anyway!), but my immediate thought after arriving in Bath was “The streets are so clean.” And with it’s elegant cream-colored Georgian buildings, the vibrant turquoise green color of the River Avon, and the many grand architectural components scattered throughout, Bath is a very pretty city indeed.
FUN FACT: Bath is the site of several popular modern films including The Duchess and Les Miserables.
Our first stop in Bath was the site of the ancient Roman Baths that gives the city it’s name. When the Romans settled in the city, they discovered Bath’s thermal hot springs, built mechanisms to control this water, and created the concept of the ‘public bath’. These ancient baths were discovered and excavated in the late 18th century, and are a must-visit attraction. It’s amazing how well-preserved the remains are, and it’s worth taking the time to explore and follow along with the free audio guide tour of the site. While you’re there, it’s not difficult to imagine just how grand and magnificent the place used to be.
TIP: You can’t actually ‘use’ the ancient baths, they are closed off to the public for safety and preservation. However, there are several modern thermal spas located in the city if you are feeling inspired! A popular one is Thermae Bath Spa located in the heart of the city.
Our next stop was Bath Abbey, which towers over the city and is located near the Roman Baths. While there, we enjoyed a short ‘everybody’s welcome’ Christmas celebration sermon and some Christmas caroling (I spent the rest of the day with ‘Joy to the World’ stuck in my head).
Afterwards, we made our way to Sally Lunn’s house, one of the oldest buildings in Bath, and now an official bakery famous for what’s called a “Bath Bun”. I’m not entirely sure how to describe a Bath Bun, other than the fact looks like an abnormally large hamburger bun and tastes a lot fluffier than it looks. There was a line out-the-door, but it moved quickly, and we treated ourselves to a few Bath Buns (get the lemon curd!) and a warming pot of tea.
Then, with a mulled wine in hand, we took some time to peruse the various Christmas market stalls located in the heart of the city. Eventually, we made our way towards the River Avon to admire the wonderful views of Pulteney Bridge. It was here where I thought to myself, “Yes. I can see why people love Bath so much.“
A visit to Bath is not complete without visiting the Circus and grand Royal Crescent, a row of terraced homes in the shape of a large crescent and a hot spot for seeing local celebrities (rumor has it, Johnny Depp lives in one of the multi-million dollar homes). Although it’s the most well-known and is one of Bath’s iconic landmarks, the Royal Crescent is actually only one of seven crescents in the city.
The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring narrow lanes and alleys, where parts of the city seemed to transport us to another, more romantic time.
So, is Bath the most beautiful city in England? Personally, I’m not sure I would say the “most” (my heart is too attached to London where even a tattered old church, or abandoned storefront can make my day), but it’s certainly a city worth taking a long day trip for (especially when you need some respite from urban life). Some people may disagree with me….which means I guess you’ll have to see for yourself!
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Need help planning a trip to Bath or have questions or feedback? Leave me a comment below!
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