insideKENT Magazine Issue 26 - May 2014 | Page 117
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN BATH
Bath boasts some of the finest architectural sights in Europe, can lay claim to being the only thermal spring
in the UK and presents attractions including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey and Thermae Bath Spa. The city
and the surrounding area positively teems with history and simply must be explored.
Thermae Bath Spa
Royal Crescent
Built between 1767
and 1775 and one of
the greatest
examples of Georgian
architecture in the UK
today, the Royal Crescent was built to accommodate the affluent population
during the boom in Georgian Bath. The sweeping crescent contains some
30 houses, one of which is now the Royal Crescent Hotel, and a recently
renovated town house museum depicting Georgian living both above and
below stairs.
Sally Lunn Bun
Bathe in the mineral rich waters that Bath is so famous for at the Thermae
Bath Spa. Modern meets ancient in this state of the art facility which
combines a contemporary split-level spa with historic spa buildings. Relax
in the indoor Minerva Bath or climb to the rooftop pool and spend a while
gazing out at the view over the City of Bath and that most beautiful of
skylines.
Make yours the first human hand to touch the water in 8,000 years as it
leaves the ground and bubbles up in the exclusive Cross Spa, which was
frequented by Georgian royalty. Stop for lunch at the Springs Café Restaurant
and enjoy a surprisingly fine dining menu using ingredients that are sourced
locally and freshly prepared on site.
Finally, why not refresh yourself in the state of the art Aroma Steam Rooms
and chose from over 40 spa packages including the exclusive Watzu –
combining elements of massage and acupressure, the treatment involves
being cradled by a therapist in the warm waters, while being gen stretched
tly
and guided in flowing movements; a deeply relaxing experience. Entrance
to the Baths start from £17 per ticket for a 1.5-hour bath session.
www.thermaebathspa.com
A contentious issue in Bath, it is
important to note that a London
Bath Bun is a very different affair
from the light and delicate Sally
Lunn Bun, which is believed to
be the original Bath Bun. Having
fled from persecution in France
in 1680, Solange Luyon, perhaps
better known as Sally Lunn,
found work with a baker and introduced her now famous ‘bun’ to preGeorgian Bath. The recipe remains a secret even today and is passed on
with the deeds of Sally Lunn’s house where it is still made by hand. Enjoy
a generously proportioned brioche style Bath Bun at Sally Lunn’s with
morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
www.sallylunns.co.uk
Bath Abbey
Roman Baths Twilight
Tour & Dinner at
Roman Baths Kitchen
Take a twilight tour of the
amazingly beautiful and
captivating Roman Baths
gaining fascinating insight
into the original bathing
complex and the great
Roman temple of Sulis
Minerva. As dusk settles
and the air cools, the steam
rising from the warm
greenish waters produce a
ghostly appearance and
perfectly sets the scene for
a torch-lit circuit of the
buildings. Truly captivating
and a good way to work
up an appetite for a 3visitbath.co.uk / Bath Tourism Plus / Colin Hawkins
course dinner at the Roman
Baths Kitchen, which is is
included in the price of your ticket. The menu is seasonal and the food
sublime. Book the Twilight Tour & Dinner Package for £38.00 by contacting
[email protected] or 0844 847 5256.
www.romanbaths.co.uk
http://searcys.co.uk/venues/roman-baths-kitchen/
117
From its beginnings in 1499, three
different churches have occupied the
site of today’s abbey: an Anglo-Saxon
abbey church dating from 757; a
massive Norman cathedral begun
about 1090, and the present abbey
church which is described as the last
visitbath.co.uk / Bath Tourism Plus / Colin Hawkins
of the great medieval churches of
England. The Abbey is particularly noted for its magnificent fan vaulted
ceiling made from Bath stone. Take the opportunity to look at the Abbey
from a different perspective on the Tower Tour. Visit the ringing chamber
and bell chamber, stand on top of the Abbey’s vaulted ceiling, and even
sit behind the clock face. Adults £6; Children (5–15 years) £3.
www.bathabbey.org
SINCE YOU’RE IN
THE AREA...
Why not visit
Stonehenge?
One of the wonders of
the world and the bestknown prehistoric
monument in Europe,
Stonehenge now has a
transformed visitors
experience with museum-quality permanent and temporary exhibitions.
With hundreds of prehistoric objects on display, take a glimpse into the
lifestyles and technology of the Neolithic people who built Stonehenge.
Come face-to-face with the people and reconstructions of their houses.
Stonehenge continues to astonish and inspire the many thousands of
visitors who come to visit it every year.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/