If you're in need of a day trip or a short break to escape the chaos of city life, why not consider a wellness destination boasting Britain's only natural thermal waters, rich in Ancient Roman heritage? Nestled in the stunning West Country, Bath is just under 90 minutes from London by train. Departing from London Paddington to Bath Spa, you can even find journeys as brief as an hour and fifteen minutes.
Why Bath is the World's Greenest City
TimeOut has recently listed Bath as the best city in the world for green spaces, beating far bigger cities and a host of capitals. The list makes special mention of the Prior Park Landscape Garden, as well as the fact that Bath is right on the doorstep of the Cotswolds. This recognition places Bath ahead of cities like Vancouver, Oslo, and Singapore.
Architectural and Historical Highlights
Bath isn't solely renowned for its Roman origins. It was also the home of celebrated novelist Jane Austen, and its magnificent Georgian architecture has made it a sought-after filming location for period dramas. Productions that have featured the city include Bridgerton, Poldark, The Duchess, and The Pursuit of Love. Among its most visited attractions is the Royal Crescent, a sweeping row of 30 terraced houses constructed between 1767 and 1775. A Grade I listed building, it now houses the five-star Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa.
For those truly wishing to step back through the ages, a visit to the Jane Austen Centre offers a fascinating glimpse into how the iconic writer lived during Regency times. Visitors can dress up, savour Regency food, and even try their hand at writing with a quill pen and ink.
Ancient Wellness and Modern Spas
Bath's heritage as an ancient wellness city can be explored at its Roman Baths, where the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva await. An adjoining museum collection houses a gilt bronze head of the Goddess Sulis Minerva, alongside other remarkable Roman artefacts. The Baths were built around 70 AD and served as a central hub for bathing and socialising among the Romans. They remain amongst the finest preserved Roman ruins anywhere in the world, with 1,170,000 litres of natural spring water flowing through daily at a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius.
Bath continues to be a popular wellness destination to this day. At Thermae Bath Spa, visitors can take a dip in the city's warm, mineral-rich waters, with a two-hour spa session. The spa boasts an open-air Rooftop Pool, Minerva Bath, Wellness Suite, and a Spring Café, alongside a range of treatments including massages, hot stone spa therapy, and facials.
Dining and Refreshment
Should all that sightseeing and unwinding leave you feeling peckish, head to The Georgian Pump Rooms for a spot of refreshment. Dubbed the 'social heart of Bath for more than two centuries', the Pump Room counts Jane Austen and Charles Dickens amongst its former patrons. It offers a quintessential English dining experience in a historic setting.
Bath's combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and modern amenities makes it an ideal destination for a short break or day trip from London. Whether you're interested in Roman history, Georgian architecture, literary connections, or simply relaxing in thermal waters, Bath has something to offer everyone.
