Bath

A Brief History of Bath

Bath the fashionable Georgian Spa 
Romans came here to make sacrifices, offer up prayers, and formulate curses - often against thieves or others who had wronged them. After the Romans departed in AD 410, the Saxons occupied the area and gave Bath its present name. In 973 the coronation of Edgar, the first King of England was held here.

In the 18th Century, Queen Anne visited to take the waters, the upper crust of society followed, and Bath was thus transformed into a modern Spa Resort. The old medieval City swept away to be replaced by grand classical squares, crescents and circular streets - the City of Bath was re-born. 

The architecture
The scale of the buildings and the architecture creates an aura which almost defies description. The unique blend of two great eras, Roman and Georgian, forms one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The local stone is a honey-coloured golden limestone that can be readily cut into square blocks and quarried nearby. 

The town's layout is primarily due to the architect called John Wood, who was one of the foremost professionals of his time. His brilliance was to design a terrace and give it the appearance of one very grand building rather than a line of individual dwellings joined together. He was responsible for Queen Square, North and South Parades and The Circus, which are today, grade one listed buildings.

Upon his death in 1754, his son John Wood-the-younger took over and continued his magnificent work. He was responsible for Gay Street, home for a while to Jane Austen, one of the many writers who lived in Bath. Fashionable Bath owes much to the work, energy and endeavours of the 'Wood' father and son duo. They were speculative builders that paid attention to the fine details and rules classical or Georgian architecture that is so much admired. 

Bridgerton, The Netflix period-drama 
Bath is such juicy architectural gem that it is irresistible to filmmakers. The perfectly preserved Georgian streetscapes are ideal for replicating the 18th Century streets of London. The City of Bath doubled as London in the hit Netflix period-drama 'Bridgerton'. Please see our suggested Bridgerton Tour. The director and producers have captured the elegance of Bath and the upper crusts of the time. 

Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey is the parish church and deserves a special mention for its magnificent fan-vaulted ceiling and the Edgar Window, which shows Edgar's coronation in 973. The present church is the third to occupy the site since the original, constructed in 757 AD. A second church was destroyed in Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries and lay in ruins for 70 years.

The present abbey founded in 1499 and was in use as a parish church for over 200 years. Today's abbey owes much to George Gilbert Scott's work. Between 1864 – 1874, he was responsible for creating the interior of the as it appears today. 

Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge is one of only four in the world to have shops on both sides for the entire length. It's designated a grade one listed building designed by Robert Adam in the Palladian style for the Pulteney family. They were a wealthy family who inherited the rural Bathwick Estate across the river Avon. To access their estate, they had the bridge built.

Over time the bridge has been widened, damaged by floods, had the shops altered and threatened with the road closure. Worth noting is that it contributes significant income for the council, as it is the most fined bus lane in the city.

Touring and accommodation
Day tours from Bath include the old settlement of Wells, a small city with a huge and impressive cathedral. From Wells head down to Glastonbury, a place for contemplation with spiritual connections. Longleat House has an incredible safari park and Stourhead, the finest landscaped garden in Europe.

South of Bath is Old Wardour Castle, an idyllic picnic location. A short hop over the Salisbury plains is Wilton House, a film location for the hit TV drama Bridgerton. 

We offer day tours from London, which include visits to both Bath and Stonehenge. If you have more time, Bath is an excellent base for a few nights. Our most popular tour of England is the Town and Country Tour. Everything we suggest is customisable and tailored to your requirements.

Stay in a place that makes you feel like you are part of Jane Austen England or Bridgerton film set. That place is the Royal Crescent Hotel – the best location, fine interiors, lovely spa and luxurious rooms. On the outskirts of town with a country feel is the luxurious Bath Priory Hotel.