Thermal springs, delicious buns and Jane Austen all add up to a Georgian delight for Susan Taylor
A couple of winters back, we visited Bath, mainly for its Christmas market but also for the sightseeing. Although we enjoyed our time there and the market was great, it drew so many people, it was nigh-on impossible to do much in the way of sightseeing.
Recently, we decided that another visit was in order, at a hopefully quieter time, to get to know this fine city properly. Just don’t ask me why we chose to go back in the winter again, instead of waiting for the summer!
We based ourselves at Bath Waterside & Marina campsite, which is a traffic-free (but watch out for cyclists!) two-mile walk on the River Avon towpath from the city centre, or a five-minute walk from the park & ride bus station.
The beauty of Bath
Arriving reasonably early, we decided to hotfoot it straight into Bath to start sightseeing, stretching our legs by walking rather than driving.
Around 15 minutes into our stroll, we passed The Locksbrook Inn, duly noted for a refreshment stop later on. Another 30 minutes and we were in the bustling heart of Bath. Now where to start?
There is plenty to see and do in this World Heritage city, but we decided to hunt out lunch first. We kept it simple with pizzas and beer on the heated terrace of the lively Bath Pizza Co, at Green Park Station. Built in the 1860s, the station was rescued from dereliction in the 1980s and repurposed as a shopping and market space, as well as somewhere to find a bite to eat.
Then it was time for sightseeing, starting at the Roman Baths, possibly the most famous of the city’s attractions. Dogs aren’t allowed there, so Ro and I tag-teamed, alternating walking Willow in Green Park with visiting the baths.
Hot stuff!
The naturally hot waters, which rise steaming from the earth, are the best-known thermal spring in England and predate the Roman era, although it was the Romans who built the lavish space that we can see today.
They dedicated a temple here to Sulis Minerva, the goddess of healing. The gilt bronze head of the goddess survives and is displayed in the museum, along with plenty of other fascinating artifacts, including the famous Curse Tablets – messages carved on lead sheets and thrown into the spring, where it was believed the goddess resided.
These requested revenge or the return of
