At the southern end of the Cotswold Way lies the beautiful city of Bath.
It's a good place to take a couple of days rest after completing the Trail, or get into the swing before you start.
It is famous for the warm springs, the only thermal springs in Britain. First discovered by the Celts, the Romans built baths, a temple to the gods, Sulis and Minerva, and a busy town named 'Aquae Sulis' in the 1st century AD.
In the 18th century Bath was one of the most fashionable cities in Britain, where aristocracy and society visited to 'take the water' and to be seen. Jane Austen was a frequent visitor and her books 'Northanger Abbey' and 'Persuasion' describe the busy whorl of social life there during the Georgian period.
The Circus, one of the famous Georgian terraces in Bath designed by John Wood Sr and completed by John Wood Jr in 1768.
The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, the church of the former Benedictine Monastery. Built largely during the 16th century, it is a fine example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. Queen Elizabeth I described it as her 'Lantern in the West'.
The Roman Baths were excavated in the 19th century and are open to visitors. You can also relax and soak in the warm water in the open-air rooftop pool at the newly renovated Thermae Spa Bath.
In 2012, a
large limestone disc was set into the pavement outside the west doors of the
Abbey to mark the official start and end of the Cotswold Way. It was carved with place names from along the
trail by local artist Iain Cotton, and provides an invitation to walk, a
welcome for tired feet and food for thought for the people that have walked the National
Trail.
Check out the Cotswold Way Walking Tour for more information about the route, and Cotswold Way Images for photos of the 102 mile route.
Happy Hiking
Anne
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