Bath, Somerset

The Royal Crescent in Bath

Bath  is a city in the ceremonial county of Somerset in the south west of England. It is situated 97 miles (156 km) west of London and 13 miles (21 km) south-east of Bristol. The population of the city is 83,992 It was granted city status by Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1590, and was made a county borough in 1889 which gave it administrative independence from its county, Somerset.

The Great Bath at the Roman Baths. The entire structure above the level of the pillar bases is a later reconstruction

The city became part of Avon when that county was created in 1974. Since 1996, when Avon was abolished, Bath has been the principal centre of the unitary authority of Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES).

Bath Abbey

The city was first established as a spa with the Latin name, Aquae Sulis ("the waters of Sulis") by the Romans in AD 43, although verbal tradition suggests that Bath was known before then. They built baths and a temple on the surrounding hills of Bath in the valley of the River Avon around hot springs.Edgar was crowned king of England at Bath Abbey in 973.

Terraced houses in east Bath

Much later, it became popular as a spa town during the Georgian era, which led to a major expansion that left a heritage of exemplary Georgian architecture crafted from Bath Stone.

 

The Circus

The City of Bath was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1987. The city has a variety of theatres, museums, and other cultural and sporting venues, which have helped to make it a major centre for tourism, with over one million staying visitors and 3.8 million day visitors to the city each year.

Cleveland House and the cast iron bridges of Sydney Gardens over the Kennet and Avon Canal

The city has two universities and several schools and colleges. There is a large service sector, and growing information and communication technologies and creative industries, providing employment for the population of Bath and the surrounding area.

 

 The Royal Crescent from the air: Georgian taste favoured the regularity of Bath's streets and squares and the contrast with adjacent rural nature

Christadelphian Hall, New King Street

The 18th-century Pulteney Bridge by Robert Adam

Parade Gardens in July after a rain shower

Sally Lunn's, home of the Sally Lunn Bun

Bath is popular with tourists all year round. The entertainer is performing in front of Bath Abbey; the Roman Baths are to the right

A diesel/electric hybrid bus in Southgate on a Park and Ride service

Bath Spa railway station

The Abbey seen from the east

Fan vaulting over the nave at Bath Abbey, Bath, England. Made from local Bath stone, this is a Victorian restorat

A panoramic view of the Royal Crescent

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