The Bath Abbey, right across from the baths.
The exterior of the baths.
Inside the lobby.
The current street level of the city is about 20 feet above the ground level of the ruins-this was an interesting bit of info I would have never thought about! When the Romans left (around 400 AD), the place was left to ruin. Vegetation covered the area and new settlements were built on top or the ruins.
The Abbey tower.
A model of the ancient Roman bath and temple complex.
This was so cool-remains of Roman stone carvings that adorned the entrance to the baths.
After we had toured the baths, we went on a walking tour of the town. It focused mainly on architecture; Bath has mostly Georgian architecture (18th century).
Example of Georgian architecture.
The King's and Queen's baths.
Curved residential housing in "the Circus," a big cul-de-sac in the center of town.
Beautiful view from the park.
The river (this part reminded me of when Javier plunged to his death in the Les Miserables movie)
At the end of the tour, we went to what was once the town assembly rooms. Bath was an active social gathering place in the 18th century (it was like I stepped into a real-life Jane Austen novel!). These were the rooms where balls would take place, much like is seen in period films. Girls would often be brought here to find eligible suitors. It was so interesting!
After the walking tour, I grabbed a delicious cheddar salad baguette for lunch and we headed of to the William Herschel museum. Herschel was an awesome guy--he was a musician and an astronomer! He was the scientist who discovered Uranus, yet he was also an accomplished pianist, oboist, and composer!
Me with Herschel's square piano-a common keyboard instrument in the 18th century that linked the harpsichord from Bach's time to the pianoforte and modern piano in Beethoven's time and beyond.
Herschel's Music Room.
After the museum, I walked around the beautiful town of Bath for a while and checked out the shops before taking a quick afternoon nap. After my nap, I went and had afternoon tea at the Jane Austen tea house!! It was lovely-I had crumpets and the Jane Austen tea (a blend from china common in the 18th century).
Tomorrow I plan on attending a Church of England service before catching the train to Salisbury to see Stonehenge!
