This
town has been famous since Roman times for its mineral baths
and hot springs. It also has elegant Georgian architecture,
history, beautiful scenery, a charming abbey and stone houses
with grand terraces. The old Roman baths are the main attraction,
and the tour of the Roman Baths Museum and ancient Pump Room
is highly recommended. A brand-new spa facility has opened (combining
a bold new building with one of the old bathhouses), making
way for a whole new generation of visitors who will flock to
Bath for its waters. During your stay, take in the Abbey Church,
and visit the Royal Crescent (a row of Georgian houses linked
by another fine road to The Circus, a perfect circle of elegant
homes). Then see the 18th-century Bath Assembly Rooms (interesting
costume museum) and the small American Museum at Claverton Manor,
a few miles out of town. We like to spend time shopping for
antiques and exploring some of Bath's many gardens, museums
and squares. If time permits, tour Longleat House in Warminster
(it even has a safari park) or the scenic village of Lacock
(be sure to see its Fox Talbot Museum of photography).
