Things to Do in Bath
The ancient Roman spa complex, now housing the hugely popular Roman Baths Museum, is one of the city’s principal attractions, but there are plenty of other sights to visit too. Literary enthusiasts will find the Jane Austen Centre fascinating - a tribute to the iconic writer, a one-time resident of Bath; and English traditions reign on at Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum, where you can indulge in traditional British delicacies including a sublime Afternoon Tea. Even a leisurely stroll around the city unearths an array of architectural wonders, like the 1827 Beckford’s Tower, the 15th century Bath Abbey, the medieval Lacock Abbey and the renowned Royal Crescent, punctuated by chic Georgian gardens and timeless cafes.
This first-century Roman bathhouse complex was a meeting point for patricians who came to bathe, drink the curative waters, and socialize. The baths fell out of use with the Roman exodus from Britain but were rediscovered and excavated in the late-19th century. Explore the Great Bath, which is filled with steaming, mineral-rich water from Bath’s hot springs.
A dramatic reminder of Bath’s Georgian heritage and one of the city’s most photographed historic landmarks, the Royal Crescent is aptly named, with its crescent-shaped row of terraced townhouses and regal architecture. Built between 1767 and 1775 by architect John Wood the Younger, the Royal Crescent features a row of magnificent terraced townhouses, looking out over a vast expanse of manicured lawns.
There are 30 houses along the crescent, each looming 47-foot (14-meters) high, fronted by gigantic Ionic columns and renowned for their beautifully preserved Georgian facades. Many of the houses are still private homes, but No. 1 Royal Crescent is now a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into life in Georgian-era Bath, while No. 16 is home to the luxurious Royal Crescent Hotel.
A small, rural village on the southern edge of the Cotswolds in Wiltshire County, Lacock is famous for its historic feel and big-screen appearances. It has been featured in several film and television productions, including Pride and Prejudice, Emma and most recently, Harry Potter.
Sights include the medieval Lacock Abbey, with its expansive English gardens, stable house and Fox Talbot Museum, a photography exhibition named after the inventor of the negative/positive photographic process (a Lacock resident in the 1800s.)
Many visitors enjoy the two-mile walk that circles the surrounding countryside and offers views of the town and its abbey.