Page 296 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)
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SouthGate
On cruising into Bath, follow signs to
SouthGate car park. It’s set beneath
a new shopping centre which aims to
STRETCH echo the city’s Georgian architecture.
The Walk » Exit into St Lawrence St and head
YOUR LEGS north, to join Stall St, before cutting right down
Abbeygate St towards the Roman Baths.
BATH Roman Baths
The Romans built a complex of bath-
houses (p150) above three natural hot
springs, which emerge at a toasty 46°C
(115°F). They form one of the best-
preserved ancient Roman spas in the
world. A tour reveals the Great Bath
Start/Finish: SouthGate (a lead-lined pool filled with steaming
water), bathing pools, changing rooms
Distance: 2½ miles and excavated sections revealing the
hypocaust heating system.
Duration: Three hours
The Walk » From Bath’s baths it’s a few steps
east to the city’s abbey.
Bath Abbey
Bath’s cityscape is simply Towering Bath Abbey (p196) was built
sumptuous – so stunning it has between 1499 and 1616, making it the
World Heritage site status. On this last great medieval church raised in
England. On the striking west facade
walk you’ll encounter architecture angels climb up and down stone lad-
ranging from Roman baths via a ders, commemorating a dream of the
founder, Bishop Oliver King. You can
medieval cathedral to exquisite also take tower tours.
Georgian designs. The Walk » Cross the square south of Bath
Abbey, then wind onto Parade Gardens passing
the Empire Hotel (1901) and the rushing weir to
Pultney Bridge (1773), a rarity in that it features
shops. Then duck up Green St.
Tasting Room
High-class vintages, tapas and piled-
high platters of meats and cheese are
the modi operandi of the Tasting Room
(%01225-483070; www.tastingroom.co.uk; 6
Green St; mains £6-13; h10.30am-11pm Wed-
Sat, to 4.30pm Mon & Tue), a slinky cafe-bar
set above a wine merchant.
Take this walk on Trips The Walk » Turn into elegant Milsom St,
browsing its chic shops as you make your way,
fh via George St, into narrow Bartlett St, a trendy
enclave.
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