The city of Bath was established in AD43 by the Romans (Aquae Sulis) - it is a city of history with its resurgence in the 18th century as a popular spa town. It is possibly best known today for its beautiful Georgian architecture with sweeping crescents in Bath stone. It oozes culture and good taste!

In Saxon times Bath had a huge church on the site of the present day Abbey. It was considered the religious capital of Britain - Edgar was crowned king there in 973. Losing popularity again till 1687 when Queen Mary bathed in the waters here hoping to cure infertility - it worked since ten months later she gave birth to a son. This gave it the seal of approval and more people came to take the waters,

strut the wide parades and crescents, admire the then modern architecture and generally show themselves off. If you wanted to be 'in' then Bath was the place to be seen at balls, concerts and fashionable teas.

Hotel accommodation in Bath

Pulteney Bridge, and Cruises: A bridge lined with shops - a take-off of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence - not quite the same but definitely 'Bath'. Across the bridge at Pulteney Weir you can take a cruise from under the bridge. Last about an hour.

Jane Austen: For a glimpse of the fashionable world of Bath you can look no further than Jane Austen. Not only did she live there (1801 to 1806) but based her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion on Bath. See a permanent exhibition to her at 40 Gay Street, Queens Square. For more information see the Jane Austen web site. The Park & Ride buses go by Queen Square.

Royal Crescent and the Circus: Can't miss this. This is the architecture Bath is remembered for. When we think of Georgian we think of Bath's crescent. Strut your stuff.

1 Royal Crescent: This Georgian house is a period museum with pots of information doled out by the volunteers. It's worth a peek into the past. 1 Royal Crescent

Museum of Costume: Bath's comprehensive costume museum displays the story of fashion over the last 400 years from the late 16th century to the present day. The huge collection is displayed on hundreds of dummies, one decade at a time journeying through changing styles over the centuries. Museum of Costume

Museum of Bath at Work: How do we describe this place? It started with a reconstruction of shop, offices and workshops of a Victorian engineering business that later added an aerated water manufactory - much of the original equipment survives and some can be seen working. New exhibits have been added over the years. Museum of Bath at Work

The Building of Bath Museum: This is a must see if you love Bath and its architecture. You will see how and why this wonderful city was built, decorated and lived in.  It is housed in the Gothic Countess of Huntingdon's Methodist Chapel, built in 1765 and renovated in 1984 by the Bath Preservation Trust. More information

William Herschel Museum: Distinguished astronomer William Herschel used a telescope he built himself in this delightful Georgian townhouse to discover the planet Uranus in 1781. His observations helped to doubled the known size of the solar system in his time. William Herschel Museum

Bits & bobs:

The TIC is in the Abbey churchyard. Worth a visit for local info, maps and fliers.

The train station is at the back of the bus station which is very handy. Main train/bus times from link on our Travel page. See here for all rail travel information to and from Bath and Bristol using Great Western trains.

The International Music Festival starts in May and goes on for about two weeks. The Fringe Festival is around the same time so you can have an absolute feast of culture and 'stuff.' For exact date see our events page

Driving in Bath is a bit tricky so consider taking buses and taxis. You can always hire a car for when you want to leave. See car hire on our Travel page or try Avis on 01225 446680. Bear in mind most offices close on a Sunday.

For a city bus tour try the Guide Friday open top tour bus. 70 minute tour of Bath's main delights. You can jump on at off at will. With these you get a small tour of the countryside too which others don't offer.

There are good walking tours which last about two hours and are free. Run by volunteers so you've got people who enjoy what they are doing and can be a fund of information. Tours leave from the Pump Room. Ask the TIC for times.

While you're in the area you don't want to miss the 'must sees'  friendly Mad Max minibus tours will do the job - Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circles & Castle Combe, Cotswold Discovery Tour with Stow on the Wold or Bourton on the Water. Let them take the stress out of your day and leave your car at the hotel. see our Cotswolds page

Bath is not just a place of history it is also a fun city with modern pavement cafes, bars and restaurants.

If you're into 'taking the waters' then don't forget Harrogate in Yorkshire. Turkish baths, steam rooms... It's a pretty town, lots of lovely shops. Valley Gardens plus the hundred acre Stray forming a semi-circle of parkland round the outskirts of the town. Another famous author, Agatha Christie,  has links with Harrogate.