The Royal Crescent

Posted on September 22, 2011 by admin

The Royal Crescent is  a fantastic example of Georgian architecture and is a grade I listed building. It was completed in 1774 after seven years of work by the architect John Wood the Younger and a long forgotten legion of craftsmen and labourers.
royal crescent, bath
It comprises 30 large private houses laid out in a crescent facing a large communual lawn.  Houses number 2 and  17 were both gutted by incendiary bombs during World War II but were fully restored in the 1950s.

Number 1 Royal Crescent is now a museum where visitors can see how wealthy homeowners of the Georgian period decorated and lived in these properties.

If you want to stay in the Royal Crescent itself, house numbers 15 and 16 have been transformed into the elegant Royal Crescent Hotel.

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The Hop Pole

Posted on July 11, 2011 by admin

Gotta love the courtyard garden. On a warm spring day, sitting with friends out the back of the Hop Pole is pretty much a perfect way to while away a saturday.

When you get peckish, take a look at the menu and prepare to be delighted.  They serve the local ales and keep a good cellar. All in all it is a small but perfectly formed package.

The Hop Pole Pub, 7 Albion Buildings, Upper Bristol Road, BA1 3AR

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Pig and Fiddle

Posted on July 11, 2011 by admin

Centrally located at 2 Saracen Street, the Pig and Fiddle has been popular for decades and is still regularly full to bursting.

Whats the attraction?  Well decent guest beers for starters, but the food is good too with local sourcing and plenty of homemade stuff (and cheap compared to many other pubs in town). However, the real attraction is harder to explain. It just feels more fun than most places. People smile here and the atmosphere is friendly and respectful. Even when the footie is on telly and the atmosphere has been turned up to 11, you still fell safe and happy.

Clean toilets too – hooray!

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The American Museum

Posted on June 6, 2011 by admin

This museum, out near the University, but easy to get to as it is one of the stops on the round bath sightseeing bus, houses a collection of  paintings, furniture, jewellery, glass and textiles from the United States. It is one of those old fashioned ‘serious’ museums that many people still love. A very peaceful place to spend a few hours, surrounded by interesting and beautiful things. They say that the American Museum has the finest collection of Americana outside the United States.

The American Museum in Bath is closed on Mondays but the rest of the week and weekends it is open between midday and 4.30pm

The American Museum
Claverton Manor
Bath BA2 7BD

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Assembly Rooms

Posted on April 7, 2011 by admin

In 1771 a set of magnificent rooms for entertainment were opened to the public. The Ball Room accommodates up to 500 people and has been in continuous use as a venue for celebrations ever since. Still retaining original features, the Assembly Rooms were described to me by the door staff as ‘the oldest nightclub in town’. Their self depreciation couldn’t hide the enourmous pride they felt in being custodians of these magnificent elegant venues which are still available to hire for parties to this day.

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The Roman Baths

Posted on April 7, 2011 by admin

The ancient Romans turned the sacred springs of Sulis into a temple and bathing complex that was one of the most impressive in the entire Roman Empire. Amazingly, much has survived and the Roman Baths museum features a Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman bath house and finds from Roman Bath. This really is one of the archaeological treasures of the western world and a huge project has turned it into one of the finest museums in the country. Both young and old will delight in discovering so much about the lives of the Romans here in Bath. The differences, but above all the similarities between them and ourselves are what fascinates visitors from all over the world to this stunningly appointed attraction.

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Day trips from Bath

Posted on April 6, 2011 by admin

Bath makes a great base for exploring some of the west of England’s most enjoyable destinations. Here are some suggestions for places to go to near the city of Bath.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is managed by English Heritage and surrounded by land owned by the National Trust. A trip to England really isn’t complete without seeing one of the great megalithic sites (Stonehenge or Avebury, take your pick). The stones are just a 40 minute drive away.

Avebury

Less well known than Stonehenge, but argueably far more impressive. A truly massive ring of standing stones of monumental proportions encircles an entire village. You won’f find an older roofed construction than nearby West Kennet Long Barrow and neighbouring Silbury Hill, is a man-made marvel older than the pyramids of Egypt.

Lacock

A village so unique it has been taken over by the National trust in order to preserve it for all eternity.  You may recognise Lacock as it is often used by television companies as a setting for period dramas.

Castle Combe

Recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in England, Castle Combe has bags of olde world charm.

Cheddar Gorge

The village of Cheddar gave its name to the world’s most popular cheese, originally produced and aged in caves in this deep george. Visit and be utterly surprised and delighted. In addtion there is loads for kids to enjoy here too.

Bowood House

Bowood House and Gardens

Bowood House & Gardens are open to visitors between April and November. The House is not massive and only a few rooms are open, although it must be said, these are delightful. The Lansdowne family who have owned it since the mid 1700s have been keen art collectors and display a collection which is world class. However the true delight is the gardens, designed by Capability Brown. Wonderful views are everywhere and to keep kids happy there is a huge adventure playground. A hidden gem!

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The Chequers

Posted on April 6, 2011 by admin

The Chequers pub on Rivers Street has a great cellar, with Bath Ales on tap. However, most customers come for the food. A really first rate gastropub is not always easy to find, but this is one we are happy to recommend.

Whether you are after beautiful takes on pub classics (bar area) or serious foodie fayre (upstairs restaurant) you are likely to be as captivated as we are by this little gem. It is a little off the beaten track so the prices are good and the welcome is warm.

50 Rivers St Bath
BA1 2QA
01225 360017

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Bath Abbey Tower Tours

Posted on April 6, 2011 by admin

The Tower Tour was something I had to do alone, as my wife wimped out from the start. I am glad I didn’t give up, as  the 50 minute guided tour gave me the opportunity to see the Abbey from a very different perspective.  First we had to climb about 160 steps in a seemingly never ending spiral. Up and up and up and through a little door to stand on a platform directly above the Abbey’s vaulted ceiling. There was a hole where we could look down on visitors in the pews far below. The bell pulling room was great, showing how bell ringing technology has changed and the workings of the clock itself are nicely visible. Then we almost crawled down a narrow corridor to sit directly behind the clock face. The guide had some good stories, but the undoubted highlight was arriving to see the Abbey bells just as an hour peal began. Almost defened me. After a further climb there was the reward of the open air and a bird’s eye view of the city.  We had climbed a total of 212 steps, and it took a while. The resurn trip down the spiral stairs was equally unnerving, but seemed to take mere moments.

Altogether an excellent tour and a highlight of my trip to the city of Bath

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Thermae Bath Spa

Posted on April 5, 2011 by admin

The queues of people with towel in hand snaking round the side of Bath Street are testament to the popularity of the country’s only natural thermal spa. With its open air rooftop infinity pool, aroma steam rooms, hot tubs, massage jets, whirlpool and a ‘lazy river’ alongside a huge range of traditional spa massages and other treatments, this really is the country’s biggest stress buster.

bath rooftop poolThermae Bath Spa sits inside a Georgian frontage, but the interiors are very up to date, with a strong emphasis on elegance and luxury. You really will find this to be one of the world’s most spectacular day spas.

For treatments you HAVE to book in advance! There is the odd occasion when you can find a treatment available on the day, but this is very rare and they are usually are booked up for treatments several weeks in advance.

steam roomsThe steam rooms are pretty space age. They remind me of a set from Space 1999, although I don’t remember Moonbase Alpha having such fluffy toweling robes.

The first view of the minerva bath is another wow moment for most visitors to Thermae Bath Spa. This is the largest of the thermal baths and where you will find the invigorating (ok, downright brutal..but in a good way) massage jets, whirlpools and the lazy river which is a great excuse for staring at the ceiling.

minerva bath

Looks good doesn’t it?  Well, quite frankly… it is.  Enjoy!

Official website for Thermae Bath Spa

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