The Roman City of Bath
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port
Bristol (Bath), England, United Kingdom
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activityLevel
Moderate Activity
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excursionType
All
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wheelchairAccessible
No
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startingAtPrice
$190
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minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
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duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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mealsIncluded
Meals not included
In beautiful Bath, a unique mix of natural and manmade wonders meld to create one of the world's loveliest cities. At its heart is the source of both name and fame -- the hot mineral springs that inspired the Romans to transform Bath into England's first spa resort. It is a beautiful and compact city set among the rolling green hills of the Avon Valley. A 1¼-hour drive brings you from Bristol to Bath. En route you will see the charming Pulteney Bridge (1769-74), the only bridge in England with shops on both sides, and which also features three arches and a central Venetian window.
When you arrive in Bath you will appreciate the simple, honey-colored Georgian houses, so characteristic of the city, which form an elegant backdrop to its bustling city life. Walk with your guide into the traffic-free heart of this lively city, which is full of museums, cafés and enticing shops, to visit Bath Abbey. Through the peaks and valleys of Bath's history, the abbey has stood dominant at its centre and has been in continuous use for Christian worship since AD 676. Memorials cover the walls and the spacious interior is remarkable for the delicate lace-like fan vaulting of the nave.
From the abbey it is a very short walk to the nearby Roman Baths, where you will explore on your own. According to legend, Bath owes its origins to the Celtic King Bladud who discovered the curative properties of its natural hot springs in 860 BC. In the first century, the Romans built baths around the spring. Medieval monks of Bath Abbey also exploited the spring's properties, but Bath became truly fashionable when Queen Anne visited in 1702-03. Extensive excavations have revealed the remarkable skill of Roman engineering. Your tour will show you the principal parts of the complex including the Great Bath. The lead-lined bath has steps, column bases and paving stones around the edge which all date from Roman times. The water flows from the spring into the corner of the bath at a constant temperature of 114°F. After your visit to the baths, you will return to Bristol -- a 1¼-hour drive.
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes.