Attractions
Bath - Roman Baths
The only natural hot springs in Britain can be found in Bath. After the Romans capitalised on the city’s natural wonder, Bath became the finest baths in the Roman Empire. In the middle ages their popularity waned and the baths fell into disrepair. Prince George’s visit in 1702 helped revive interest in the ancient baths, and the city began to revitalise. The Roman ruins were rediscovered and restored later in the century. Visit the ancient baths now to see the Pump House and magnificent central Great Bath. The spa-water-filled pool once stood in an enormous hall with gloriously high ceilings. It was one of the largest buildings of its time.
Address: Stall Street.
Telephone: (0)1225 477 785.
Email:romanbaths_bookings@bathnes.gov.uk
Website:www.romanbaths.co.uk
Hours of operation: Daily, January through February 9:30am–4:30pm. From March to June, September and October 9am–5pm. In July and August 9am–9pm.
Admission: Adult - £12, Child (ages 6 to 16) - £7.80. Price includes personal audio guide.
Building of Bath Collection
This museum that features the history of Bath is a great place to start your trip. The museum itself is in the gothic Countess of Huntingdon’s Methodist Chapel, which was built in 1765. The Bath Preservation Trust renovated the building in 1984. The museum explores how Bath evolved from a small spa to a fashionable resort using models, maps, live demonstrations and hands-on exhibits.
Address: The Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, the Vineyards, the Paragon.
Telephone: (0)1225 333 895.
Website:www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk
Getting there: A 15-minute walk from Bath bus and train stations.
Hours of operation: Open Saturday to Monday 10:30am – 5pm. Closed end of November through mid-February
Admission: Adult - £4, Child (ages 6 to 16) - £2.
Herschel Museum of Astronomy
This townhouse museum is where astronomer William Herschel used a self-built telescope to discover Uranus in 1781. Herschel’s contributions doubled the size of the known solar system at that time. The museum displays the workshop, kitchen and music room where Herschel and his sister lived.
Address: 19 New King Street.
Telephone: (0)1225 446 865.
Website:www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk.
Hours of operation: Closed Wednesdays. Monday to Friday 1pm–5pm, Weekends 11am–5pm.
Admission: Adults - £5, Children - £2.50. Discount and student prices available.
Museum of Costume
For fashionistas everywhere, Bath’s Museum of Costume chronicles 400 years of fashion, starting in the late-16th century. Hundreds of dummies wear the changing styles, presented chronologically so visitors can journey through the decades of fashion. The museum offers guided tours as well as audio guides.
Address: Bennett Street.
Telephone: (0)1225 477 789.
Email:Fashion_enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk.
Website:www.museumofcostume.co.uk.
Getting there: From the city centre, take Lansdown buses 2 and 9. Sightseeing buses stop at the nearby Assembly Rooms.
Hours of operation: Daily, March to October 10:30am–5pm, November to December 10:30am–4pm. Closed 25 and 26 December.
Admission: Adults - £7.25, Children under 16 - £5.25, Children under 6 are free. Other discounts available.
Jane Austen Centre
The Jane Austen Centre celebrates Jane Austen, one of England’s most read authors and Bath’s most famous residents. Austen lived in Bath for five years, between 1801 and 1806. Her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion both take place in Georgian Bath, with background research most surely completed during Austen’s time there.
Address: 40 Gay Street, Queen Square.
Telephone: (0)1225 443 000.
Website:www.janeausten.co.uk
Getting there: Take the Park & Ride bus to Queen Square. Sightseeing buses stop outside.
Hours of operation: Daily, hours vary by season.
Admission: Adults - £7.45, Children (ages 6-15) £4.25, Children under 6 free.
