Friday 4 November 2016

Bath


Another beautiful blue sky. From the hotel dining room window we could see hot air balloons floating over Bath Cathedral.
Walking from the hotel into the centre, we passed this very beautiful car
and then a Victorian pillar box,













In my last post I showed you Pulteney Bridge which has the shops built into it so today we walked over that bridge to have a closer look at the shops. Too early on a Sunday morning for them to be open though. We did peer in through the windows and noticed how tiny they looked inside.


It was only a ten minute walk into the city and our first visit was to the Roman Baths. Bath was founded on natural hot springs, the only ones in the UK. Using these thermal waters,  the Romans constructed an extensive series of hot rooms, steam rooms and a couple of large bath creating a huge bathing and socialising complex.
























These photos are taken from a terrace completed in 1897 when the Roman Baths opened to the public. The bath was used regularly for bathing until 1939




This is the view of the main pool from ground level.




The hot water in the Spring rises at a rate of 1,170,000 litres each day at 46 C. It bubbles up into the King's Bath which was built in the 12th C and named after Henry I. Beneath the King's Bath is a reservoir built by Roman engineers who used the water to supply the baths. During the Roman period this was a sacred spring and was enclosed by a temple.




This is where the surplus water from the Spring pours into a Roman drain and flows on to the river



Archaeologists found this hoard of 17,577 Roman silver coins buried in a corner of a building close to the Baths. The coins were hidden in 8 leather bags and date from 32 BC to 275 AD.


There are numerous other Roman artefacts to see as you go around the baths.
Head of Sulis Minerva



Throughout the 17th cent Bath became popular as a spa town and in 1714 the first pump room was built. Spa water for drinking was pumped up to it from the spring below. On leaving the baths we were able to taste the water which seemed a lot more palatable than the last time I visited.


The rest of the afternoon was spent ambling through the streets, browsing in the numerous shops followed by a visit to the Assembly Rooms. The Ballroom, Octagon, Tea room and Card room were used in the 18th cent for dancing, music and card playing. Nowadays the Assembly Rooms are used for weddings and conferences.
It was easy to imagine Jane Austen's novels coming to life here.




We walked back to the hotel on the banks of the River Avon.

Back at the hotel we had a short rest before embarking on a visit to the Thermae Spa.This was the event I was most looking forward to and is # 8 on my 25 things to do on my Around the UK bucket list and I wasn't disappointed. The thermal waters in the Spa are from the same source as those used by the Romans.


There are five floors altogether with a rooftop pool, four large aromatherapy steam rooms, treatment rooms and a pool in the basement which has a 'lazy river' that gently moves you around the pool.
We had booked a session at sunset so we could see the sun going down over Bath from the rooftop pool. We spent two hours enjoying the glorious warm water and steam rooms before finishing off with a meal in the restaurant. Our session ended all too soon but I am sure I will return to Bath in the not so distant future to 'take the waters' once again.
No cameras are allowed so these photos are from the website of Thermae Bath Spa



20 comments:

  1. I see you went to take the waters so to speak. You have only whetted my appitite more to visit the city.

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  2. I remember tasting the water too and it was not at all nice, maybe they improved the taste a bit :-).

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  3. All very interesting, as usual. I haven't written about it yet, but we were at a hot water from the ground place recently and photos are encouraged, with the advice to not include people not known to you in the photos.

    Bath is a must see place in England. If in a week you can assure me your skin hasn't peeled off, it will be added to our next UK itinerary.

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  4. I wondered how Bath got its name, and now I know. What a sweet little ancient town! Thank you for sharing it with me. :-)

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  5. oh mannnnnnn my imagination soars when you start talking about the Roman era. It is when I REALLY wished there was a time machine. I'd volunteer to go back with my camera. I think that's why I took Latin in high school...just in case

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  6. Bath was one our stops on mine and Tom's honeymoon 30 years ago. I won the trip from. British Caledonia.

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  7. That second spa looks much more inviting! But how interesting to tour that ancient bathhouse.

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  8. I should have visited those sights a long time ago, but never got further than the outside: too much shopping to do! I will need to go back though. I really need to!

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  9. The rooftop pool looks fantastic

    Mollyxxx

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  10. A wonderful series of images: love that gorgeous car! I too visited the Roman Baths (decades ago) and found it a fascinating experience. Love that first shot of the River Avon. Wishing you a marvellous weekend.

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  11. We made a day trip to Bath from London and I didn't want to leave when it was time for the last bus home. If we'd had a brain in our heads we would have prepared for and taken a room for overnight. We loved the Roman Baths (your pictures are better) and the shops and streets and history; didn't have time to take the waters ourselves (which is why I wanted to stay of course). Loved this post.

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  12. Nice photos of a very interesting place. I was in Bath 25 yrs ago and I'd like to return someday.

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  13. I must get there. I also want to bookmark your 25 item list of things to do in England.

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  14. I haven't been here since I was very small! Just looking at your photos gives me such a feeling of calm. No wonder so many have gone there over the years! Have a lovely Sunday xx

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  15. It's a while since we went to Bath but your pictures make me want to go again. The spa looks worth checking out too!

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  16. I liked Bath very much although it rained cats and dogs when we were there ! It's a beautiful town !

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  17. Very nice photos and interesting post. I have heard of Bath but this was my first trip there (through your post!). The modern spa surely looked very tempting. I liked in particular the lazy river. It just can't get any better!

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  18. Those Romans knew how to relax, didn't they. I don't think the modern spa was there when I visited so I think I need to come back!

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  19. We were at a hot springs a couple of weeks ago and we were told by someone that after bathing in hot springs, you get very hungry. It could of been the suggestion, but yes, we became very hungry afterwards. Bath looks wonderful and it is so so old.

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  20. I am so behind with my comments. Looks as though you've had a good break, despite the uncertain weather. Love Bath - your excellent pictures remind me that a visit is so long overdue. But when we eventually make it I need to dig out some info on Thermae Spa - Mrs Britain would love that!!

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