The City of Bath was made famous by the Roman baths built around the hot springs that are found there. Based in the county of Somerset, but administratively independent, it is just 15 miles from Bristol, and is served by regular trains going to major cities e.g. London, Plymouth and Penzance. Bath has grown into a bustling city, popular with residents and tourists for its diverse range of culture, activities, theatre and arts as well as its fascinating history. It is home to two universities, schools and colleges.
The area around Bath was occupied before the Roman occupation by the Celts who used the hot springs as a shrine to the Goddess Sulis but it was in 43 AD that the Roman military began to build around the springs to the goddess they called Minerva. The town was named Aquae Sulis by them. For 300 years they continued to build the baths until they were eventually abandoned in the 3rd century. For over a thousand years the town was developed with churches and an abbey, but it wasn’t until 1676 that a young academic, Thomas Guidott wrote about the healing powers of the hot spring water, which began a new phase in Baths history as a destination for visiting aristocracy. The growth of the population during the Georgian period shaped the city into what is seen today, as the town planning and style of architecture seen around the city centre show.
Baths rich cultural heritage has developed since the city first became fashionable in the 18th century. It is home to 5 theatres and other venues like Bath Abbey which host a range of events including musical, film and literature festivals. There are numerous galleries and art exhibitions, as well as museums within the city. Bath is the backdrop for several major works by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Bath is home to several beautiful parks, including Royal Victoria Park, opened by the 11 year old princess in 1830. Rugby Union is Bath is well supported, with the Bath team playing in the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup. There are many cricket clubs within the city, and sporting facilities for local residents. Both Bath F.C. and TeamBath F.C. are major football teams for the city. The University has many sports teams under the TeamBath title. Tourism is an important part of the local economy, and there are many hotels and Bed & Breakfasts which cater for the thousands of people who come to the city.
There are many sites of interest in the City of Bath, and as it is a World Heritage Site, the architectural features and historic sites are protected. It has been used as the location for many period drama productions for film and television. The Roman baths are a fascinating glimpse at Roman architecture as they are so well preserved. There are other Roman remains around the city buried underground. Many of the buildings in the city centre were built using the local golden coloured stone and elegant Georgian style which make the buildings so easily identifiable with Bath. Perhaps the most widely recognisable road may be the Royal Crescent which has remained largely untouched since it was built in 1776. The crescent shaped road can be seen in other areas of the city as well. Thomas Baldwin was a local builder who at the time built the Pump rooms, Lower Assembly rooms and . the Guildhall, all beautiful examples of the architectural style of the period.
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