Aquae Sulis

Abbey
An early start and the fast train from Paddington Station took Maureen, I and John to Bath by 0930.  On a crisp morning we delighted in the features of this beautiful town that Maureen had visited many years ago but the historic spa and temple complex has been extensively excavated and developed since then.

Roman Baths
Our first stop was to Bath Abbey and then a long tour through the Bath Spa, Aquae Sulis which gave us a unique window into Roman life in Britain.  The spa water is supposed to have healing properties and nearby there is a modern swimming and spa complex - closed for the Winter.  We did brave a free sample of filtered spa water with the verdict being that treated Adelaide water was superior in taste - we await its healing properties!

Royal Crescent
 The Salamander Tavern near Queen's Square was empty when we arrived but by 1230 was packed with locals.  After a pub lunch we strolled up the hill to the  Circus and Royal Crescent.  Mark noted the acorns on top of each of the houses on the Circus and so we later visited the architecture museum which explained the history of the 18th Century Georgian building program led by John Wood the Elder and John Wood the Younger.  The Acorns were inspired by the Druids of the west country who were mythical founders of Bath and 'Princes of the hollow oak'.  Their ancestors built the neolithic monuments around England- hence stimulating the Wood's architects to circular design including many buildings with rounded corners rather than right angles.

The Circus
Maureen enjoyed the Bath Assembly Rooms which held huge chandeliers in the ballroom.  Fortunately these were packed away at the beginning of WWII as the rooms were destroyed by German bombing n retaliation for the allies bombing cultural sites in Germany.

Close by the Assembly rooms is a memorial to Captain Arthur Phillip , the first Governor of the New South Wales settlement.  He retired to Bath and is buried at St Nicholas Church there, although we did not get to visit his grave.

 After a long cuppa at a tasty cake shop we browsed our way back to the train station for the return trip back to London.

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