Most people come to Bath as tourists. I came there to study 12 years ago, and every time I think of Bath, I feel homesick. It's a long time since I lived there, but I will try to recall some of the things I learned.
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Bath is built upon the natural hot springs that the romans cultivated 2000 years ago. The remains of the roman city of Aqua Sulis is still to be seen, and this is the reason why Bath is protected as a World Heritage City. But, Bath would never have been the modern and attractive city of today without a number of visionary architects during the Georgian and victorian periods. John Wood and Richard Nash are two of them. Bath is today Britains 3'rd most visited city, after London and Oxford. Being a student here, and seeing all the tourists with huge cameras strolling past you each day was quite a strange feeling for a norwegian. The popularity of the city created a fresh and lively athmosphere, which I emensely enjoyed.
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Favourite spots: |
Walking down/up the main shopping street, (Stall street), gives you the international feeling and also most of the well-known stores like Boots and Marks & Spencer. I recommend exploring the small passages that links with Stall Street. Some buildings are a MUST to see, including the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, The Circus and The Crescent. Also notice the white Bath-stone, of which most of the buildings in the city is made of.
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What's really great: |
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The George lies between the river and the canal
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The city center is located where the river Avon passes a waterfall (under Pulteney Bridge) and turns 90 degrees to the west. Along the river there are a number of great spots. Bath Boating Station, where you can hire boats. If you dont like rowing, you can book a seat on a boat next to Pulteney Bridge. Look out for Kingfishers on your way, they live in the sandy banks of the river. The boats turn back when reaching the George Pub (mentioned later).
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Hangouts: |
I was in a class of 12 other norwegians staying at Bailbrook House, London Road in Batheaston. As locals, we quickly got our personal favourite pubs. Depending on what we planned to in the evening, we met at one of these pubs after studying. Friday afternoon was reserved for Lamb and Lion at 15 Lower Borough Walls. This is a place with occasional live music. Before going to a movie, we met at Smiths Brothers, 11 Westgate buildings, which is close to the cinema and Pizza Hut. This pub has good opportunities for typical pub-games, like pool and darts. Saturdays was reserved for The Huntsman, 1 Terrace Walks, close to the abbey. For special occasions, we went to The Georges in Batheaston, which is a remarkable beauty of a place. The old stone cottage lies between the river Avon and the canal. We could walk there, across the privately owned toll-bridge. You can dine both inside, with rough stone walls and candlelights, or outside looking down on the river.
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Other recommendations: |
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Cheddar gorge, the deepest in southern UK
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From Bath, you can easily reach other interesting sites. We drove down to Bournemouth in the weekends for sunbathing in the season. We visited the military airbases in Yeavilton and Lyneham. Stonehenge is one hour driving away. Glastonbury Cathedral (burial place of King Arthur), Street Factory Outlet, Cheddar and Wookey Hole Caves are places I went to explore in my car.
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Published on Monday February 27th, 2006
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Fri, Mar 24 2006 - 05:36 PM
by snoflake
Your desire to return and respect for the place is well captured by your thoughtful descriptions. |
Sun, Mar 05 2006 - 12:33 PM
by ehs1193
So that's why it's called "Bath". |
Fri, Mar 03 2006 - 11:52 AM
by davidx
How nice to see someone from your wonderful country saying such nice things about ours! |
Tue, Feb 28 2006 - 02:25 AM
by downundergal
Good effort, I like the picture of the canal.
Kerrie |
Mon, Feb 27 2006 - 10:33 PM
by eirekay
Wonderful photos to go with your report! I enjoy the Pub list~Thanks for a terrific report! |
Mon, Feb 27 2006 - 07:46 AM
by frenchfrog
Bath is a lovely city, I good time here as well, more details could have been included on the star attractions. well written very entertainning. |
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