Bath

Introducing Bath

Ask any visitor for their ideal image of an English city, and chances are they’ll come up with something pretty close to Bath – an architectural icon, cultural trendsetter and fashionable haunt for the cream of British society for the last 300 years. With its grand Georgian terraces, Palladian parades and lofty townhouses of honey-coloured stone, it’s certainly one of Britain’s most attractive cities, and still exudes an air of gentility and chi-chi sophistication – in fact, Bath boasts more listed buildings than almost anywhere else in the country, and houses here change hands for truly eye-popping sums. The whole city has been named a World Heritage Site by Unesco, and it’s blessed with a wealth of architectural wonders, including the glorious Royal Cres and one of the world’s finest Roman spas. But it’s not without its problems: the hills are knackering, the bars are snooty, the hotels are expensive, and the rush hour traffic will have you weeping into your steering wheel, but despite all the niggles, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this finely wrought jewel in England’s crown.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009