Bath and beyond - gorgeous Georgian (architecture that is!)

The Royal Crescent

Bath has one of the largest collections of Georgian architecture in England. One of the first "pleasure cities", it was discovered by travellers and socialites in the early 1800s, although the Romans found it first - drawn by the hot-water springs that bubble up into the Spa Baths. The Royal Crescent is widely regarded as the most elegant design for living, with a "most pleasing aspect", overlooking a large green park (part of which is now a golf course). There are lots of other fantastic buildings in and around the town centre - which is about a 10 minute walk to the East.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen is paid tribute in this recreation of a Georgian household, complete with be-wigged, period costumed doorman! Although Jane and her family only spent a little time here (she spent most of her adult life near Alton in Hampshire), Bath is typical of the social milieu that Jane's novels were set in - Bath was THE place to be - and to be seen in. This is a great museum, with a 20 minute orientation talk by one of the local experts to set the scene for the house & it's contents. Afterwards you can wander round the various rooms in the house and get a feel for what life would have been like in the early/mid 1800s. Afterwards you can climb up the narrow stairs and take afternoon tea (or coffee) in the small tearoom (which I think was originally the servants quarters! Slightly expensive, but good for a treat with thick, cream cakes...

Pulteney Bridge

Pulteney Bridge is one of only 4 bridges in the world lined on both sides by houses and shops. Originally built in 1773, it was modelled on bridges in Italy, but mainly the Ponte di Rialto in Venice and designed by the same man (Robert Adam) who was responsible for much of the grand architecture in Bath. As you walk over the bridge, you don't realise you are over the River Avon, since the entire length of the bridge has been in-filled with buildings - but if you look carefully through some of the shop windows you can catch a glimpse of the river below. The best views are probably from further up the Grand Parade - turn South at the West end of the bridge, walk alongside the river bank and look back to get the best photo opportunity. Nevertheless, it is a beautifully sculpted design and deserves it's World Heritage listing.

Assembly Rooms

The Assembly Rooms are just round the corner from the Royal Crescent, so when you've strolled round the crescent, drop into the Assembly Rooms and imagine what it was like to have been here at one of its public balls. Look up and you'll see the most fantastic chandeliers - now converted to electricity - but they must have needed a team of candlemakers just to keep them fed in the 1800s! The ceiling itself soars above you and the whole space is light and airy - beautiful - and no wonder it is a Grade 1 (the highest ) listed building. Entry is free and open almost everyday.
The whole building also houses the Fashion Museum which if you are a connoisseur is worth a visit - otherwise, its rather expensive and sadly very static in its displays. Nice tea shop though...

Bradford-on-Avon

You can easily visit Bradford-on-Avon by train from Bath - its about 17 minutes and the station is at the bottom of the town. Walk out onto the (sometimes) busy main road and look North and you'll get a great view of the escarpment covered with Georgian houses, built in 3 parallel lines called Tory, Middle Rank and Newtown. As you walk along the main road, turn left into the car park (just before the roadbridge over the river) and cross the river over the small footbridge. To your left you can see Christchurch and behind it a grand building dating from 1400. Walk up past the side of the church and you'll see in front of you a terrace of weavers cottages with an extra top floor with big windows - essential for all that eye-straining work. You'll now be on Newtown and you can look back on the town and see the large collection of Georgian (and earlier) buildings.

Bath Spa

This is a bit of an indulgence - and you need to be careful with the timing - if you overstay your allotted time you'll get charged an extra £6! However, you can make like the Romans and spend a couple of hours soaking in a naturally heated open air thermal pool. It currenly costs £22 for a 2 hour session - best time to go is early morning (0900) when it opens. Its a strange sensation looking up at the sky surrounded by all the trappings of a large town, but nice and soothing with wisps of steam wafting around you giving it a slightly weird feeling.
The waters come from an underground spring - strange to think there is volcanic-like underground activity in England!