How can one tell if one is from North England or South England?
It is all from how you pronounce Bath, the correct way obviously being us Northerners (my Northern accent wins over my Southern London born birth!)
I have always wanted to visit Bath, ever since it was referenced as this magical place of restoration that those in Jane Austen’s novels would frequent to be well again. Plus its architecture I knew has much to be admired, especially the gorgeous Royal Crescent which has featured in many a drama that I have enjoyed. So I was lucky enough to have a day trip last year at Christmas time with friends to see this beautiful city so full of history and architecture.
Situated in the county of Somerset, Bath is awash with Georgian architectural beauties and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. My first stop on my day trip was to scale Alexandra Hill to see Bath from a vantage point and what a sight it was! Most buildings you can see in Bath are made from the gold coloured Bath stone.
Bath Abbey is the cathedral for the city and was my next stop on my explorations. It has such prominence in the city and although I was not able to make it inside (next time I will) I got to listen to some beautiful carols outside.
I love architecture; I’m just in awe of what glorious buildings the human mind can envision and then create. The Royal Crescent was a highlight for me as I got to see its gold coloured Bath stone glow in the sunset. It was quite difficult to snap a pic that I felt did it justice.
I also got to visit the other Georgian highlights of Bath – The Circus, which is a Grade I listed building built between 1754 and 1786.
Being a massive Jane Austen fan, I also went to visit the Jane Austen Centre and could have spent hours in the gift shop if I had not been pulled away by my friends. I, of course had to take a picture with Mr. Bennett of the house! If you are visiting Bath and you a Jane Austen fan, then this is a must as you get to learn a lot more about Jane Austen’s time living in Bath!
Last stop on my whirlwind tour of Bath was to sample the Bath famous Sally Lunn bun at the Sally Lunn tearoom and museum. The tearoom is the oldest house in Bath and tells the story of Sally Lunn, a Huguenot refugee who came to Bath to escape persecution from France. She found work in the kitchen of the bakery and here her bun became famous. A bun it is not; but it explains why it tastes similar to brioche bread but not as sweet.
There is so much more of Bath I needed to see! This was such a flying visit that I will need to get myself to see one of the Roman baths – the very reason Bath even got its name.
Until next time Bath!x
