Who’s ready for a relaxing, steamy, sulfurous bath? The rotten egg smell really does wake you up. I was so excited to visit Bath and tour the Roman Baths. I’m not really sure why I was so hyped up for it, but thinking back, it may have been the small-town feel and the architecture.
Located in Bath, Somerset, The Roman Baths are made up of several buildings like the Great Bath, temple, and many indoor baths. The whole building is set up like a museum so you can follow a path that will let you see just about everything. Starting with the Great Bath, this large outdoor bath was used in older times and still steams on a brisk February day. Surrounded by Roman statues, the bright green of the pool is an amazing sight to take in. The geothermal springs warm the pools and give it the slight sulfur smell as you walk through.
Gender separated pools and common/sitting areas are some of the rooms you can walk through in the tour. It’s very informative and you can even taste the water in the Pump Room. Fair warning though, it tastes a lot like liquid metal and does not leave a pleasant aftertaste. I haven’t seen so many teenagers scrunch up their faces in my life. While you can’t dip your toes into the Roman Baths (and you probably shouldn’t*), there are many spas located right around the corner of the museum that offer similar experiences.
Let’s talk about the small town itself. The Royal Crescent Houses are one of the popular sites to walk around because of the distinct architecture and apparently housing some of the wealthiest people in England. Bath is also known for the Sally Lunn buns, which is a large bun that used to be regularly eaten for breakfast in the past. They still make it the same and for a small price, you can purchase them at the shop itself. If you walk around city centre, there are quite a few glass stores. I was told that Bath was also known for their glassworks and I couldn’t resist buying some for myself.
Walking around, you’ll also notice the large parks and canals that make you think of Venice. It’s such picturesque place, I definitely recommend to visit. A random thing I learned that the smokestacks on the buildings were a symbol of wealth back in the day, though correct me if I’m wrong. There are so many little stacks on houses and it probably meant that there were more fireplaces or meals to heat up, which was only affordable if you had the money. I do distinctly remember being told that some of them don’t work (😉).
At the end of my trip, I went into a liquor store to collect some local spirits before I left. I bought a small bottle of botanical gin, a bottle of Bath’s whisky, and sampled mead. I do regret not getting the mead because it was deliciously sweet with no alcohol taste. All of the alcohol was made locally and it’s a good gift to take home (for yourself, of course).
I wholeheartedly miss Bath and recommend it to anyone who is willing to look for a day trip away from the city. Stonehenge (previous post) and the Cotswold are nearby, as well as Shakespeare’s birthplace—Stratford-upon-Avon. Bath is so charming and takes you back in time as you walk through the streets.
If you plan on going, or have been before, don’t forget to leave a comment!
*The last known person who went for a swim in the baths got meningitis and died, and the baths have been tested for pathogens, so don’t go wading in those waters!
Hugs!
Baking Traveller 