Bath is a city in Somerset, England, situated in the South West region of the country, approximately 97 miles (156 km) west of London and 11 miles (18 km) southeast of Bristol. It lies in the valley of the River Avon and is renowned for its Roman-built baths, which gave the city its name. The city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and was later included in the transnational World Heritage Site known as the "Great Spa Towns of Europe" in 2021.
The city's history dates back to the 1st century AD when the Romans established the settlement of Aquae Sulis, dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva, and constructed a complex of baths and a temple around the natural hot springs. The site was later used by the Anglo-Saxons, and in 973 CE, Edgar of England was crowned king at Bath Abbey, a ceremony that influenced future coronations. The city's architectural heritage is particularly notable for its Georgian buildings, including the Royal Crescent, the Circus, and Pulteney Bridge, designed by architects John Wood the Elder and Younger, and Ralph Allen.
Bath is also known for its literary connections, particularly with Jane Austen, who lived in the city from 1801 to 1806 and set parts of her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion there. The city attracts over 6 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited cities in England, especially among overseas tourists. Key attractions include the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, the Pump Room, Thermae Bath Spa (the only natural thermal spa in the UK where visitors can bathe in hot springs), and numerous museums such as the Fashion Museum, the Holburne Museum, and the Museum of Bath Architecture.
The city is well-connected by rail and road, with Bath Spa railway station located in the city centre, offering a journey of about 80 minutes from London Paddington. Bristol Airport is just 19 miles away, and the city is accessible via the M4 and M5 motorways. Bath is also a vibrant cultural and sporting hub, home to Bath Rugby, Bath City FC, and Team Bath Netball, and hosts events such as the Bath Christmas Market and the Bath Skyline walk.
What is there to do in Bath?
- Cotswolds Experience - full day small group day tour from Bath ( Max 14 persons)
- Roman Baths and Bath City Walking Tour
- Stonehenge, Avebury,Cotswolds. Small group day tour from Bath
- Stonehenge & the Cotswolds Including Admission from Bath
- Walking Tour of Bath with Blue Badge Tourist Guide
What is Bath known for?
- The Roman Baths
- Thermae Bath Spa
- Bath Abbey
- The Jane Austen Centre
- The Circus
Where should I stay in Bath?
- The Gainsborough Bath Spa
- Hotel Indigo Bath by IHG
- The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa
- The Z Hotel Bath
- Apex City Of Bath Hotel
Videos
Can someone explain the attraction of going to Bath? I'm a Brit and it's fairly low down on my list of places to visit...so what am I missing as it seems to be on everyone's itinerary?
There are a lot of places I want to visit in the UK, I just don't understand the appeal of this one....
Why visit Bath?
Experience in job hunt for Bath (UK) : cscareerquestionsEU
UK: Bath Towels -High quality, durable and fluffy recommendations? : BuyItForLife
University of Bath (UK) online master of computer science vs. University of London online bachelor of computer science
The masters program requires you to already have a BSc, I think? If you're considering a BSc at UoL, presumably you don't already have one?
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