UK Diaries - Bath

One rainy, chilly cold winter weekend, we visited Bath which is the nearest tourist hotspot from Bristol. It is 15 minute train journey from Bristol to Bath. We took the train from Bristol Temple Mead station to Portsmouth Harbor. It was Christmas time and train was full with tourists. Everyone was chatting in different languages and dialects. Most of the passengers were destined to Bath Spa station.

BATH ABBEY

Though weather was cloudy, it was not raining. Firstly, we visited Bath Abbey, a centuries old church with remarkable architecture. One can enter the church after paying small amount of donation. Everyone got amused with beautiful glass paintings on windows. The church atmosphere was enchanting with sounds of church bells and organ. 

Next, we went to the Roman Bath. It is a hot spring with ancient brick structure. It was a sacred place for Romans. There is a Roman temple and status of soldiers surrounding the main hotsprings pool. There was steam coming out from the greenish water of the pool. A lot of archeological work was ongoing to preserve the place. The old brick structure is preserved wherever possible. On the big screen of tv, there was documentary, showing the way Romans used the place to keep themselves warm in freezing weather of Britain. There is a tab, where one can drink the water from hot spring. (Recently, I watched the movie Duchess,  there was a scene lady drinking the hot spring water.)  But we did not dare to taste the same. A couple was standing in Roman outfits, giving the place an authentic look.

Had a good laugh and a good chat with Roman couple

HOT WATER POOL

 

We walked by the River Avon. There are lovely fountains the river bed generating more waves in the river water. There are beautiful churches with breathtaking architecture along the banks of the River Avon. While taking all these wonderful sights, we reached the Bath Spa station and boarded the train back to Bristol.

FOUNTAINS IN RIVER AVON

RIVER BANK

Bath is a lovely British City with a blend of modern and ancient cultures. One should surely visit Bath Spa to experience its charm.