Bath

On our recent visit to London Scott and I took a tour outside of the city to Stonehenge and Bath. Bath is a city that has grown up around hot springs. The Romans established Bath as a spa town in about 60 AD and constructed a temple and, over the next several hundred years, a bath complex. After the fall of the Romans early in the fifth century the baths fell into disrepair and the original buildings, except for the pillar foundations, have been lost. In the ensuing years the baths were rebuilt and enjoyed huge popularity at various times as people believed in their healing qualities. There is an abbey in Bath, built of Bath sandstone, which is quite beautiful. The city of Bath is also known for it's well preserved Georgian architecture. Scott and I enjoyed an afternoon visiting the Bath's and the Abbey. I will add that the streets near the Bath's and the Abbey are lined with cafe's and up-scale shops ;-)!

Scott took this photo inside the Roman Baths. When built originally, there was a roof over the baths. Notice the green water? Yuck! While these Baths are no longer in use for bathing, water continues to flow into them from the hot springs. We were told that it is full of minerals, which could be "healthy", but we were warned that it tastes absolutely disgusting. At the end of our tour we were able to take a taste of the water if we wanted to, but we both passed on that experience.   In the background you can see Bath Abbey, which is just a few steps away. 

Bath Abbey

This Abbey has some beautiful 
stained glass windows.

This is the ceiling inside the Abbey. 
That is carved Bath sandstone!

Tourism is big business in Bath and the streets are filled with shops and street vendors,
and entertainers like in the photo below. Not really sure what he was supposed to be doing though....

"The Crescent" was built between 1767 and 1774 and consists of 30 "terraced houses" (the British term for town houses). It is considered to be one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the UK. It is still residences although there is also a museum and hotel within the building now.