Bath

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Bath is a Spa city and World Heritage site, containing the only thermal springs in Britain. To the Romans, the hot springs were a great attraction and they built a magnificent temple and bathing complex to Sulis Minerva, throwing offerings and curses into the steaming waters. Today, the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms are open to the public and they still flow with natural, hot spring water.

In the Georgian period, Bath entered its hey-day when it became England's most fashionable resort. Society took the waters in the Pump Room, danced and flirted at the Assembly Rooms, gambled and promenaded, creating what is has become – an architectural showplace.

The centre contains Bath Abbey, the shop-lined Pulteney Bridge and the magnificent ‘Circus’ but the most celebrated architectural achievement is the elegant, curving, Royal Crescent. Bath is also regularly used as a period film location due to its beautiful classical buildings, which have been maintained to the present day.

 

Bath has a range of museums: the building of Bath Museum, No.1 Royal Crescent (recreating an elegant Georgian townhouse) and museums for renowned Bath residents - William Herschel, William Beckford and most famously, Jane Austen. The Bath Aqua Theatre of Glass gives the opportunity to watch hand made glass making. The Museum of Costume's fine collection of 30,000 original items showcases changing fashions over the centuries. Art can be admired at the Victoria Art Gallery and the Holburne Museum of Art. In 2006, the only thermal spa in the country opened, offering quality treatments and packages. Bath also has a number of medium-sized festivals throughout the year, covering a range of arts and interests.

Sally Lunn's Refreshment House is the most famous restaurant and there are also many good quality restaurants and bars throughout the city. They are particularly clustered around the top of Milsom Street, offering a variety of international cuisine. In the centre of Bath there are plenty of cosy pubs where you can try local ales and ciders (including real ale from Abbey Ales – Bath’s brewery), as well as trendier bars and drinking places specialising in wines or cocktails.

There are several cinemas in Bath and the Theatre Royal is one of the oldest in Britain, playing host to major touring productions. “Moles” has been Bath's leading nightclub for years and offers both DJs and regular live music.

The links on the sidebar will take you to some useful websites outside of the Deanery's control. The Severn Deanery is not responsible for any of the information published by external websites.