City travel guide for Bath

Bath is situated between two areas of natural beauty, the Cotswolds and the Mendips. It is also the gateway to the valley and villages of Northeast Somerset. Bath itself is a charming city with the River Avon running through its heart. In the city you can enjoy some of the finest architectural sights in Europe, such as the Roman Baths, the Royal Cresent and Pulteney Bridge. There is also a rich history to discover, which can be investigated in one of the 40 museums and galleries.

With all its splendor and serenity Bath is still a lively city offering an excellent selection of theater, restaurants, festivals and shopping. Making Bath perfect whether you have come to relax, explore the surrounding area, or are looking for a wild time.

Arts

Theatre Royal
This is one of Britain's oldest and most beautiful theatres with high quality Georgian architecture. Here you can enjoy an assortment of productions from Opera to West End performances.
Location: Sawclose, Bath City Center
Telephone: 01225 44 88 44

Victoria Art Gallery
Here you can enjoy art from the 15th century to the present day, with excellent touring exhibitions throughout the year.
Location: Bridge Street
Telephone: 01225 47 72 33

Royal Photographic Society, Octagon Galleries & Museum
Featuring a range of historical and contemporary exhibitions by some of the world's finest photographers. In the museum discover the first ever photograph to the present days latest holographic wonders.
Location: The Octagon, Milsom Street
Telephone: 01225 46 28 41

Holburne Museum of Art
Enjoy the 18th century collection of William Holburne from continental silver to portrait miniatures. Plus many fine works of art from Turner, Stubbs, Guardi, Ramsay, and more. Also see some famous sculptures, including Susini bronze owned by King Louis XIV.
Location: Great Pulteney Street
Telephone: 01225 33 31 21

Attractions

Roman Baths and Pump Room
The Roman Baths are remarkably complete and are among the finest in Europe. They is also a temple, sculptures, coins, jewelry. The Bath itself was built around the natural hot spring.
Location: Pump Room, Abbey Churchyard
Telephone: 01225 47 77 85

The Jane Austen Center
At this magical attraction you can discover Jane Austen's Bath, learn about her lifestyle and family, plus much more.
Location: 40 Gay Street, Queen Square
Telephone: 01225 44 30 00

Sally Lunn's Refreshment House and Museum
This is the oldest house in Bath, built in 1482, with a unique history of residence. It was here that Sally Lunn worked in 1680, and today you can eat the marvellous, legendary bun that she created and which still carries her name. Plus excavations in the cellar, (now a museum) show remains of Roman, Saxon, and Medieval buildings.
Location: 4 North Parade Passage
Telephone: 01225 46 16 34

Prior Park Landscape Garden
From this peaceful 18th century garden you can admire the sweeping valley and enjoy magnificent views over the city of Bath.
Location: Ralph Allen Drive
Telephone: 01225 83 34 22

No.1 Royal Crescent
Explore this 18th century townhouse, which has been restored to its former glory, for a an authentic look into the lives of its former occupants.
Location: 1 Royal Crescent
Telephone: 01225 42 81 26

Bath Postal Museum
An excellent place to explore the former communication systems. Here you can look back 4000 years to the first Babylonian clay tablets of 2000BC to the present day communication systems of the e-mail. Plus much more.
Location: 8 Broad Street
Telephone: 01225 46 03 33

The Bath Boating Station
Here you can hire traditional canoes, wooden skiffs and punts for a jaunt down the river Avon. This is a unique surviving Victorian boating station with a restaurant and tea gardens.
Location: Forester Road
Telephone: 01225 46 64 07

Museum of Costume and Assembly Rooms
Explore the story of fashion over the last 400 years, in one of the finest collections of its kind in the world.
Location: Bennett Street
Telephone: 01225 47 77 89

Bath Abbey Heritage Vaults
In the restored 18th century cellar you can discover 1600 years of the Abbeys history. Wondering through the cellar you can enjoy objects which have survived the Abbeys past from the Saxons to the present.
Location: Bath Abbey
Telephone: 01225 42 24 62

Mr. Bowler's Business
Walk through a re-creation of a family firm that was involved in many aspects of Bath life for 100 years. Explore and discover why virtually nothing was thrown away.
Location: Bath Industrial Heritage Center, Julian Road
Telephone: 01225 31 83 48

History

Bath is a World Heritage site and has been welcoming visitors for over 2000 years. In Bath you can literally wander through centuries of time and legends, from cobbled streets to architectural masterpieces. At Bath Abbey you can see many of the Saxon artifacts found on site plus many more exciting finds. Alongside the Abbey is the Roman Baths, which are in remarkably good condition and home to some of Europe's finest ancient monuments.

Bath over the years has inspired many great writers like Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and Charles Dickens. Today many filmmakers come to Bath to capture the 'Jane Austen atmosphere' for authenticity of that era.

The surrounding area of North Eat Somerset is steeped in ancient history from the standing stones at Stanton Drew, to the landscape were Iron Age forts can be seen. There is also much evidence of the recent history of the industrial revolution, with the network of canals, aqueducts and the railway system.

With such a rich and diverse heritage Bath is the perfect place to discover and explore history right through the ages.

Leisure

Bath is famous for its sports of rugby and horse races. The rugby team was the first British team to win the European Championship, while Bath racecourse is the highest in the country. However if horse racing is not you're thing the Wellow Trekking Center offers excellent facilities for the whole family, with horses to suit beginners to the more experienced rider.

If you prefer your sport a little more laid back why not take a hot air balloon ride over the city, you will depart from Royal Victoria Park and enjoy some stunning views. Cricket fans will also not be disappointed there are a good selection of venues to choice from, making the perfect relaxing afternoon watching first class cricket.

If you prefer leisure center The Bath Center offers two swimming pools, one of which has flumes, while The Sports Training Village at the university is open to the public and also has two pools, as well as four indoor tennis courts and many more facilities. Visiting golfers are welcome and have a wide selection of courses to choice, from the Approach Golf course in Royal Victoria Park to more challenging courses at Tracy Park and many others.

Bath is a place of stunning charm whether you shop till you drop, wander along the Banks of the river, or take a leisurely cruise on the canal The surrounding area of Bath is also simply Beautiful you can amble around the countryside or do some serious country walking. What ever you decide to do a day out in Bath or the surrounding area will not be disappointing, especially with all the attractions and sights that are on offer to discover.

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Pubs

Bath has many delightful and intriguing pubs. You will find everything from quiet country pubs to lively bars with live music. Bath is also full of traditional alehouses and you can enjoy specialty brews, along with many other real ales in one of the various local hostelries.

Somerset is also famous for its cider, which can be bought and sampled at your leisure from a number of local farms. Vines have also been grown in the region for 2000 years. Two miles from Bath lies Mumford's vineyard, a family run business that produces five styles of wine. These are available at many local shops and restaurants

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Shopping

Bath has captured the fine art of shopping, you will find everything you want from big name shops to unique boutiques. There are some amassing craft and unusual shops were you are sure to find specialized and unusual goods. Bath has had this reputation for fine shopping since the Georgian era. However it is no surprise that this reputation has remained as nearly one half of Baths shops are independent, all providing excellent choice.

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Transport

Air

Baths nearest airport is Bristol Lulsgate and is a 30 minute drive by car to Bath.

Car

Bath is easily accessed by car from the M4, M5, and A36. Ones in the center there are many car parks to choice from in different part of the city, all of which are sign posted and pay and display.

Coach

Baths bus station is in the center of the city on Dorchester Street. Here there are regular services to and from all over the Bath and the surrounding area. National Express Coach services run all over the U.K. offering a good service from a wide range of pick up points and destinations.
Telephone: National Express - 0990 80 80 80

Rail

Bath's train station is situated in the center of the city on Manvers Street. There are services to Bath from all over the U.K. if not direct there will be good connections.
Telephone: 0345 48 49 50

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Bath

Arts

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