The Georgian City of Bath is one of my favourite places to visit. It offers a wonderful combination of stunning architecture, great restaurants and shops.
Bath has a rich history that dates back to the Roman times. The city was originally known as Aquae Sulis, and was built around the natural hot springs that still flow beneath the city today. The Romans built elaborate baths and temples at the site, which became a popular destination for people from all over the Roman Empire. After the Romans left, the city fell into disrepair until the 18th century, when it was rediscovered by the aristocracy. They began to build grand Georgian houses and public buildings, including the iconic Royal Crescent and the Pump Room. Bath became a fashionable spa town, and visitors came from all over Europe to enjoy the hot springs and the social scene. Today, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK.
At night, after dinner we like to take a stroll through the city and up to the Royal Crescent, or down to the River at Pulteney Bridge. This last bank holiday blessed us with stunning weather with hot dry evenings. After a fine dinner at the Eastern Eye, we took a walk down the historic back streets winding our way to the water.
Pulteney Bridge
Pulteney Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Bath and is considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. The bridge spans the River Avon and connects the city centre to the residential district of Bathwick. The bridge features shops and houses on both sides, giving it a unique and picturesque appearance.
Designed by Robert Adam and completed in 1774. the bridge is named after Frances Pulteney, the wife of William Pulteney, who was a wealthy local landowner and one of the principal backers of the bridge’s construction. The design of the bridge is unique in that it features shops on both sides, which was uncommon for bridges of that time. The shops were originally intended to generate income to help pay for the construction of the bridge, but they continue to evolve as both shops and cafes.
Pulteney refers to William Pulteney, who was a British politician and nobleman in the 18th century. He was born in 1684 and was a member of the Whig party. Pulteney served as a Member of Parliament for a number of constituencies, including Hedon, Old Sarum, and Bath.
I must have hundreds of pictures of this amazing bridge, stretching my arms out as a far as possible to get the shot!
Pulteney Weir
This now iconic weir was constructed in the 1970s as part of the flood prevention measures for the city, and it helps to regulate the flow of the river through the city centre. I don’t think the builders expected it to become such a photo opportunity!
There is always buzz in this city, with couples out for dinner, stag/hen parties out in force and students queuing to the local clubs. Now, this was the weekend of the Bath Festival, which had seen huge crowds across the city but by the time we went out for a stroll, it was as if we had the city to ourselves.
Despite spending a lot of time in this city, we were still excited to find new streets and new buildings we’d never seen before.
The light on this particular evening was magnificent, the sky was an indigo blue with an almost full moon shining down upon us.
As ever, I was snapping pictures as I went and here are some of my favourite shots..
The Thai Balcony Restaurant. Now that is where you want to be on an evening like this. Sadly, those evenings are so rare and you can’t book the balcony. This picture would look even better if there wasn’t a Sainsbury’s beneath.
I love this Plane tree in Kingsmead Square. If this was a Central European City it would be decked out with chairs for al fresco dining, but the UK weather is too unpredictable. I know the lights aren’t great for the birds but I do think it makes this a very cool square. I’d love to get a better picture, this doesn’t really do it justice.
This evening’s walk was just part of a memorable weekend in Bath. We’ve already made plans for the next trip. Fingers crossed for similar weather!
