Located in southwest England
in the rolling Somerset countryside and the Avon Valley, Bath is
world-famous for its hot springs. Bath is a city that feels like
a village.
UNESCO
declared the city a World
Heritage Site in 1987.
NATURAL WORLD
Bath is located at the southern edge of the Cotswold, a range
of limestone hills. The surrounding hills give Bath its steep streets.
BATH'S BATHS
Historians suggest that Romans occupied Bath shortly after their
invasion of Britain in 43 AD. They knew it as Aquae Sulis (literally
"the waters of Sulis"), identifying the goddess with Minerva.
During this time the Romans constructed increasingly grand temples
and bathing complexes.
In the 18th century, under King George III, Bath developed into
a sophisticated town with neoclassical Palladian buildings, which
blend harmoniously with the Roman baths. Among the architectural
jewels are the Lansdown Crescent, the Royal Crescent, the Circus
and Pulteney Bridge.
PARKS
The city has several public parks, including Royal Victoria Park
which opened in 1830 and is a short walk from downtown. Other parks
include Alexandra Park, which crowns a hill and overlooks the city;
Parade Gardens, along the river front near the Abbey, Sydney Gardens
and Alice Park.
CULTURAL WORLD
Bath Taste Market
SPORT
This country town is big on rugby. The city's best known sporting
team is Bath Rugby.
Cricket is played at the Bath Cricket Club, located east of the
river, near Pulteney Bridge. Bath also has a thriving biking community,
with places for biking including Royal Victoria Park.
CYCLING
Check out the bike
path to Bristol.
TOURISM INSIDER
Bath's principal industry is tourism.
NEARBY
The area beyond the city limits is honey-combed with walking trails
and biking paths. To the south are the Midsomer Valleys. To the
west is the Avon River which passes by Keynsham on its way to Bristol.
East lies the Avon Canal in the Limpley Stoke Valley.
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