The Spa City of Bath.

The World Heritage city of Bath, nestling in the valley beside the River Avon, is quite exceptional. There are many opportunities for general or specialised, half or full day tours.

With Britain's only hot water springs, Bath first come to prominence as the Roman town of Aqua Sulis. Today visitors can still see the impressive Roman heritage of the temple and baths which were built nearly 2,000 years ago.

In the 18th century it become fashionable to visit Bath 'to take the waters'. Providing facilities for all the visitors meant many new buildings and the city now enjoys a rich Georgian heritage of architecture, of which the Circus and Royal Crescent by John Wood are the highlights.

Fashionable society in 18th century Bath was conducted under the auspices of Beau Nash, the Master of Ceremonies. Visits to the Assembly Rooms, Bath Abbey, Theatre Royal, number 1 the Royal Crescent and tea in the Pump Room all help to recreate the lifestyle of an 18th century visitor.

The artists Gainsborough and Rowlandson, the writers Jane Austen and Fanny Burney, the entrepreneur Ralph Allen, owner of the Bath Stone Quarries, the architect Robert Adam designing Britain's unique Pulteney Bridge, all played a part in shaping Georgian Bath.

Today there is much for the visitor to enjoy. In addition to the Roman and Georgian heritage there are many specialist attractions, including the American Museum in Britain, the Building of Bath Museum, the Jane Austen Centre, the William Herschel Museum and the Museum of Costume.

For garden enthusiasts there is a rare Georgian town garden, the beautiful 18th century landscape garden at Prior Park, the Victorian Botanical Garden plus many attractive public parks within the city centre.

For antique lovers, Bath is now home to many varied antique shops and markets.

The continuous thread in Bath's history is the hot spring water and today we can drink the water, but cannot bathe in it. Currently in progress is the ambitious development of a 21st century spa complex. Within the next 3 years the 2,000 year old tradition of visiting Bath 'to take the waters' will again be possible.

Let Bath Parade Guides help you make the most of your visit to Bath.

Local Links.

> Visit Bath (Tourist Bureau Site)
> Bath Abbey
> Bath.co.uk
> Bath Past History Website
> Bath Postal Museum
> Museum of Bath at Work
> The Bath Museum of Costume
> The Bath Spa Project
> The Impossible Micro World - Bath
> The Jane Austen Centre - Bath
> The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust
> The Roman Baths and Pump Rooms
> The Theatre Royal Bath
> The Victoria Art Gallery - Bath
> Virtual Reality Tour of Bath
> The Bath Preservation Trust (For No.1 Royal Crescent, Building of Bath Museum, Beckford's Tower and the Herschel Museum)