Outside Bristol : A day in Bath
Posted on: 07 Mar 2014365Bristol sent our Italian interns Evita and Ilenia on a day trip to Bath and here's what they found!
“A mind lively and at ease, can do with seeing nothing, and can see nothing that does not answer”.
These are the words Jane Austen used to depict the acute and clever imagination of Emma, one of the most famous heroines created by the writer’s pen. In this case, however, the quote would be very inappropriate if we want to describe the elegant and captivating city of Bath, where Austen lived for six years. As Northanger Abbey’s character Katherine Morland exclaimed “Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?”
To visit the former roman settlement of Bath from Bristol, takes just 11 minutes by train and costs £8.20 return - even less if you purchase an off-peak or group ticket. Once in Bath the train station is just 15 minutes walk from all the main city’s attractions, and, looking around, you can see Somerset’s country and the hills that surround the city. Moreover, there are many spots that are almost continental in feel, the large squares with fountains remind me of Rome, and the famous Pulteney Bridge is a small copy of the Ponte Vecchio, in Florence. The city is full of porticoes and cloisters in Bath stone. Almost every Bath quarter, street and square is characterized by a good balanced mix of neoclassical, palladian, georgian and gothic architecture. In addition, Bath’s buildings and streets are erected 15 metres over the Avon, which gives the tourist the impression to be in a place with water foundations, like - just to keep the connection with literature – Italo Calvino’s invisible city of Armilla.
In fact, is not so difficult to imagine women and girls dunking and diving in sources and natural pools, and of course, Bath is home to one of the most famous bath spas in Europe and maybe in the world.
Entering the centuries-old monument seated in the centre of the city then called Aquae Sulis, and originally consecrated to Minerva, is remarkable the impression to be taken back to the past. The eternal wash of the natural hot water in the pool surrounded by stones, columns and ruins – and, last but not least, a feeble whisper in the steams and changing rooms - creates an atmosphere of mystery and the sense of the still lively presence of our roman ancestors.
Coming back to the present, nothing could be more relaxing and regenerating than one hour – or, if you are lucky, an entire day – in the Thermae Bath Spa, a centre situated a few moments from Pulteney Bridge. The friendly staff – a special mention goes to our guide, Charlotte Hanna - greet us on arrival. The Thermae Bath Spa offers large and warm indoor and outdoor pools as well as massage rooms, a restaurant and relaxing rooms. The outdoor pool, in particular, offers a stunning view over the city and the hills around. The fragrance of lemon and natural essences which enhance the atmosphere, could really help you to forget, just for one day, all your worries.
In Bath there are many fashion shops and jewellers with many bracelets and rings inspired to the ancient roman bling and whilst the variety of shops are plentiful this is a day of sightseeing not window shopping!
Along with the stunning Royal Victoria Park, and the historically relevant Assembly Rooms, another symbol of the city is The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, simply and better known as The Abbey. It was built in the 7th century as an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery. The Abbey is able to seat 1,200 people and attracts hundreds of congregation members and hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Unlike the other European cathedrals, it is very bright inside when the sun shines. It also contains war memorials for the local population and monuments to several notable people, in the form of wall and floor plaques and commemorative stained glass. There is a magnificent pipe organ to the right of the central altar. After climbing the 212 steep steps up to the roof of the church – thanks to the persuasion from young choir’s member Joe - we discovered all the “secrets” of the dark clock tower and the bell room. Definitely worth the climb for the views over Bath!
If you go to Bath, beside all the delicious Italian restaurants you can find, don’t miss a lunch at The Roman Bath Kitchen, as part of the package for the site’s tour. There, you can find vegetable pies, fishes, meat, mushrooms, Italian dishes and a great range of sweets and cakes, among others.
For all the fans of English painting, we suggest you to see the exhibition Joseph Wright of Derby: Bath and Beyond, hosted in the Holburne Museum. The collection includes many masterpieces of this polished and yet unlucky artist.
Finally, we must mention the Jane Austen Centre, seated in Gay Street, where the writer lived for many years. In Austen’s books – particularly in the last two, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion – Bath plays a role, both positively and negatively. The Centre is a small, lovely location which allows the visitor to celebrate and remember life, habits and customs of life in the time of Jane Austen. Knowing that Jane Austen is to be featured on the new £10 banknote is a great reason to celebrate her talent and to visit a city so essential to her work.
Look out for our upcoming features on these attractions in more detail on 365Bristol.
Article by Ilenia Appicciafuoco.
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
