Lauren Tabbron shares her favourite things to do in Manchester
Jess Astbury regales tales of festivities in warmer climates.
Roman Baths at ‘Aquae Sulis’:
The name ‘Aquae Sulis’ literally means the Waters of Sulis, a Celtic Goddess, the name was still in use even after the Roman occupation. You simply cannot go to Bath without going to the Roman Baths. I have been to the Roman Baths in Bath thousands of times and it never gets boring. It might be my undeniable love for anything historical or archaeological that makes the Baths so appealing, but the Roman Baths are one of the most well preserved archaeological sites in the UK which makes it even more of a marvel than it already is.
The Baths were built over hot springs as the water was clean, safe and warm. They were reconstructed in the eighteenth century and visitors would (and still do) drink the spring water. People used to believe that the waters may have had some sort of healing powers. If you do go, don’t forget to try some of the water in the cafe (you never know)! The cafe is also a nice place to get something to eat and drink after your tour.
The Roman Baths is now a large museum and you can walk around with museum handheld guides with the option of the child or adult tour. If you want a relaxed tour the children’s one is much more amusing, though much shorter than the adult one. In any case, you can spend a significant chunk of time walking through the museum so don’t forget your camera!
Bath Abbey:
“I am the baby eating Bishop of Bath and Wells!”
“I am the baby eating Bishop of Bath and Wells!” I couldn’t help but quote Blackadder.
Wherever you go you can’t help going to see the architectural religious buildings. Whether this is China or Egypt or anywhere in the UK... Bath doesn’t disappoint.
Bath Abbey was founded in 1499. Bath Abbey has been repaired and rebuilt many times since then and was one of the churches to have been dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539. It was however restored during Elizabethan times. Elizabeth I also granted Bath city status by the City Charter in 1590.
Bath Abbey is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic Architecture with its emphasis on “vertical lines” which makes Bath Abbey look so unbelievable from the inside with its huge windows. It is a very impressive site, even if you aren’t altogether religious.
The Royal Crescent:
Yes sadly it is more architecture and also very famous. The Royal Crescent is a residential road of 30 houses and as shown by its name, it forms a crescent. The houses have been occupied by some noteable people for almost two thousand years. Personally, I wasn’t dazed by the Royal Crescent. I much preferred the Roman Baths.
Stonehenge:
I know this isn’t technically in Bath (it's in Wiltshire) but it is a little less than an hour away. It is a must see site so if you are around Bath, it would be worth the trip, even if it is only to say that you have been!
Stonehenge is one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the UK (perhaps even in the world). Little is really known about Stonehenge except lots of theories about its construction and use: 1) Stonehenge was built by aliens 2) Stonehenge reflected astronomical alignments. 3) Stonehenge was built for the ritual landscape. 4) Stonehenge was the domain of the dead, for the passage of the living to the dead and to celebrate past ancestors. Whatever the reason for Stonehenge, it is a mysterious and old-worldy site that is beautiful in its simplicity and ambiguity.
Bath is a historical and archaeological important city in the UK. It shows the variety of sites from Roman to Elizabethan to Prehistoric. It is definitely one of the top cities in the UK.
comment deleted by the author Yeah, Bath is paradise if you want poorly lit streets, overpriced restaurants and a flood of aggressive tramps. One of the most overrated tourist attractions in the UK.
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